The esophagus is a muscular tube that is part of the digestive tract. The esophagus is responsible for carrying swallowed food from the mouth into the stomach. The muscular tube is made up of four distinct layers: the mucosa, the submucosa, the...
Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus, which is a tube that connects the stomach and the throat. It is also known as gastroesophageal reflux, according to the Mayo Clinic. The acid irritates the...
According to the American Cancer Society, mesothelioma is named for the mesothelium, or the lining throughout the abdominal and chest cavities and their organs. It is a specific type of lung cancer that occurs more often in patients who have been...
Magnesium is a vital mineral needed by the human body for chemical reactions that maintain proper function and maintenance in a variety of body organs. According to Dr. Michael Schachter of the Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine,...
A bunion may be an unsightly bony bump that forms on the large toe's joint. According to the Mayo Clinic, this joint increases in size, so the big toe may jut out of its normal position. Symptoms of a bunion include redness or pain at the big...
A hiatal hernia occurs when an upper portion of the stomach pushes through a hole, or hiatus, in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. The hernia, also known as hiatus hernia, may result from heredity, increasing age, obesity, smoking or other...
The cervical spine is a unique part of the spine consisting of seven different vertebrae. It is capable of maintaining a human head that weighs 15 to 20 pounds as it moves in many different directions. Hence, the cervical spine is very vulnerable...
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in metabolic functions, such as blood cell synthesis, bone growth and nervous system function. Found in soil, magnesium travels through plant roots during plant germination and growth, thus...
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes the esophagus as a 10-inch long muscular tube in the chest that connects the mouth and the stomach. Each year, 13,000 men and 3,500 women are diagnosed with esophageal cancer. NCI reports that...
A tension headache refers to a type of headache in which a tightness occurs in the scalp and neck muscles. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that signs of a tension headache include a headache at the back of the head that moves...
Scleroderma is a disease that targets the connective tissue in the blood vessels, skin, muscles and internal organs, according to MedlinePlus. Scleroderma's typical symptoms include hair loss, skin hardness, a mask-like face, joint pain, shortness...
Acid reflux often produces painful symptoms that rise up from the chest into the throat. A muscle valve in the esophagus usually stops stomach acid from backing up and reaching the throat. But the valve weakens to result in acid reflux, sometimes...
A muscle spasm is an involuntary muscle contraction that occurs when the brain sends signals for the muscles to contract when it is not warranted by the body. Muscle spasms can last for minutes to hours, depending on the severity and cause of the...
Chordoma is a rare cancer that develops from cells in the spine in utero. It only makes itself known much later in life, often in late middle age, though it can occur earlier. One of the first symptoms is pain in the spinal region, and though...
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, refer to over-the-counter prescription medications typically taken for pain. They also reduce fevers and inflammation. Pregnant women should not take NSAIDs. Others who shouldn't take NSAIDs include...
Bone spurs, a potentially painful condition, can occur for a variety of reasons. Also known as osteophytes, bone spurs are bony projections that form on the edges of bones, according to the Mayo Clinic. These spurs are not symptomatic by...
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, asbestos consists of six different naturally occurring silicate minerals, all of which are hazardous to human beings and can cause cancer. Asbestos was used and named by the...
Numerous conditions can cause tingling in the leg and foot. According to the Foot Health Facts website, tingling in the leg and foot may indicate neurological or vascular problems. In some cases, tingling in the leg and foot may be accompanied by...
Acupuncture is a healing art that originated in Asia more than 3,000 years ago. It entails placing small needles in points along the body to elicit a specific healing reaction. According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture has been found...
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak, fragile and subject to breaks. Doctors at the National Osteoporosis Foundation report that left untreated, bones in the wrists, hips and spine are most likely to succumb to fractures....
The muscular system is composed of contractile tissues that allow the body to move. Sometimes, an underlying medical problem can lead the body to actually attack the muscles. In some cases, infection, viruses or parasites can lead to muscle...
Churn, burn, belch and taste, repeat, repeat, repeat. If this sounds like you, it could be you are in the throes of acid reflux disease. Acid reflux has the potential to cause serious damage to your throat, limit physical activity and affect your...
You or your loved ones may need rehabilitation after a serious illness, injury or surgery. Exercise has positive effects on the rehabilitation of some health conditions including lower back pain, rotator cuff impingement and chronic lung disease....
A fungal infection of the throat is caused by an infection of Candida albicans. When this infection occurs it is commonly called oral thrush. MayoClinic.com points out that babies are most likely to contract this type of fungal infection but...
The tonsils are glands located in the back of the throat, one on each side. They serve the purpose of protecting the body from potentially deadly toxins by stopping them as they pass through the nasal passages on the way to the stomach or...
Infants begin to experience teething pain between 4 and 7 months, and it can continue off and on until they are 3 years old. Symptoms of teething can vary in severity, and some children experience symptoms that others don't. Common signs of...
Having a sore throat is no fun. The scratchiness or pain at the back of the throat can make it difficult to swallow and suck all the energy out of your day. Sore throats are typically caused by cold and flu viruses and usually don't require...
Hiccups are caused by sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This contraction causes the sudden closure of the glottis, which creates the characteristic hiccup...
