The benefits of exercise during pregnancy include a more toned body, increased stamina to get you through labor, better sleep and, in many cases, a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight. Swimming is well-suited for pregnant women, because...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that caffeine is both a drug and a food additive. It can exacerbate premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, symptoms and cause physiological changes to the body that can worsen menstrual cramps. Caffeine is...
Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are dull, throbbing pains that occur right before or during a woman's menstrual cycle. The Mayo Clinic reports that some women experience cramps so severe that everyday activities may be interrupted when cramps...
Menstrual cramps can be a part of a woman's natural cycle. High levels of chemicals known as prostaglandins can cause contractions in the uterine muscles. Although there are certain foods that can help cramping, like ginger root and calcium-rich...
Stomach cramps and diarrhea are common digestive symptoms that can affect anyone at any time and usually do not indicate an underlying problem. Severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that last for a few days can be a sign of a bacterial or viral...
Leg cramps from running are typically caused by overuse, muscle strain or dehydration. Running too far too quickly and without sufficient training or warming up can quickly lead to thigh and calf cramps. Although most cramps are not serious, they...
The doctor-supervised, low-calorie diet known as the hCG diet can cause stomach issues in some people. Generally, these symptoms are temporary and subside within the first two weeks as long as the diet protocol is strictly followed. The diet...
A 2008 "New York Times" article called the cause of muscle cramps "a medical mystery," which makes treating and preventing them a challenge. For beginner runners, leg cramps may be caused or influenced by poor running progressions, tight...
Sciatica is a symptom, often of a pinched nerve, rather than a condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Sometimes, it can feel like a bad cramp, or it may be an excruciating pain shooting down the leg that makes any position--standing or...
If you're ever eaten something that hasn't agreed with you or suffered from gas pains, you know what stomach cramps are. Stomach cramps result from muscle spasms or contractions in the abdomen. The most common area of cramping is the intestines,...
Overview Dysmenorrhea--or painful periods--is a condition that refers to the pain or discomfort associated with menstruation. Although not a serious medical problem, it is usually meant to describe a woman with menstrual symptoms severe enough...
What is Dysmenorrhea? This condition refers to the pain or discomfort associated with menstruation. Although not a serious medical problem, it’s usually severe enough to keep a woman from functioning for a day or two each month. Many...
Menstrual cramps may be normal, but that doesn't mean they don't have an adverse impact on your life. The cramps are sometimes so bad that you feel like you have to curl up into a tiny ball just to stay sane. That isn't necessarily the best route...
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a cancer that begins in the colon, or large intestine, or the rectum, reports MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website. Only cancers that start within the tissues of the colon are...
Muscle cramping or spasms that occur in the leg are commonly known as a charley horse. The intensity of pain in aching and cramping legs can fluctuate from mild and intermittent to severely intense and chronic, depending on the cause. Many...
One of the most important bones in the lower body, the fibula is a non-weight bearing bone located behind the tibia, or shin. A slender bone, the fibula is easy to break while playing contact sports such as football. Although it is possible to...
Bad acne can cause your self-esteem to plummet and may even affect your job prospects and your personal relationships. Finding a medication that works on your acne might be challenging, but dermatologists can prescribe many different types of...
Saw palmetto is widely suggested as a treatment for reducing hair loss due to male pattern balding, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, the NIH warns that scientific evidence for such use is "unclear." You may also experience...
Never mind the ibuprofen, you can alleviate your premenstrual syndrome with a diet high in complex carbohydrates, fiber and calcium, and low on alcohol, caffeine, sugar, salt and fatty foods.
Sciatic pain radiates from your hip or back and extends the length of your leg, making walking painful. A variety of conditions can cause the nerve compression responsible for triggering sciatic pain. Although rest is often all that is needed to...
Those ads for foods containing probiotics never seem to mention the word "bacteria." But adding good bacteria to your system is the crux of the rationale for probiotics, which are promoted to help your digestion and boost your immunity. You...
"Artificial" family planning, or the use of hormonal methods for birth control, comes with both benefits and risks. Some women choose to use natural family planning by following their menstrual cycles and avoiding sex during ovulation to avoid...
Developed by Dr. Robert C. Atkins in 1972, the Atkins diet is a commercial weight-loss plan focused on increasing protein and healthy fat intake while considerably decreasing carbohydrate intake. The premise behind the Atkins diet is that excess...
More than 60 million people take a statin drug such as Lipitor or Crestor every day in hopes of lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. Doctors prescribe this type of medication as a quick fix for any patient who has high cholesterol because this...
Running in hot weather can be extremely dangerous if you're not adequately prepared. Because of this, it's important to understand the immediate dangers that you face when training in hot temperatures and what steps you should take to avoid them.
"New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight Fast and Feeling Great Forever" was written by Dr. Eric Westman and is often referred to as the "New Atkins" or "New You" diet. Westman's diet offers a revised and simplified version...
Headaches are one of the most commonly reported side effects of a high-protein/low-carb diet, according to a CBS Healthwatch news story from February 2009. Constipation, rashes, muscle cramps and bad breath are other reported side effects....
Although the types of sweeteners and creamers you can use are limited, you are allowed to drink coffee on the Medifast diet. Medifast is a low-carbohydrate, low-fat diet consisting of five prepackaged meals per day and one prepared meal. Consult...
Waiting for your new baby to arrive is a period of joy and excitement--however, the time it takes to deliver your baby can't be estimated right down to the hour. If this is your first pregnancy, labor generally lasts between 12 to 18 hours on...
Don't let a cramp put an end to your exercise workout. Learn what causes cramping and how to prevent it in this medical treatment video from a clinical dietician.
