The health benefits of taking supplemental digestive enzymes are most often seen in those individuals with an insufficiently functioning pancreas. The University of Michigan Health System suggests that many physicians are prescribing them for...
Uric acid is a chemical made within the body during the breakdown of purines. Purines are most commonly found in foods and can cause the body to hold onto high amounts of uric acid. Uric acid is dissolved in the blood and eventually passed out...
Propecia, the brand name for the medication finasteride, treats hair loss in men. According to Drugs.com, a reliable online drug reference, Propecia can help with the regrowth of hair on the top of the head and surrounding hairline. RxList.com...
Contaminants commonly found in drinking water, including chemicals and organic materials, pose a serious risk to your health. According to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, drinking contaminated water can have immediate health...
There are many different types of cancer, but they all share the development of abnormal cell growth. Cancer cells may form a tumor in a single location or they may spread into nearby tissues. Sometimes, the cells travel in blood or lymph to...
Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria found in foods such as yogurt, miso or kefir. They’re also available in supplements in the form of liquid, powder or capsules. These bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, help to keep a...
Food enzymes are also known as digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes help with digestion, the process of breaking down food into energy to be used by the body. There are different digestive enzymes for carbohydrates, protein and fat. The body...
Our bodies absorb a large percentage of what we apply to our skin. Babies' rapidly developing bodies and sensitive skin are especially vulnerable to toxins. And because their hands and feet often end up in their mouths, what you put on their skin...
Areas of increased pigmentation themselves aren't usually dangerous, according to MedlinePlus, and therefore don't always require treatment. They happen because your body produces too much of the natural pigment melanin. Excess pigmentation is...
Doctors continue to study rare skin disorders to find their origins. While some are created by malfunctions in the body's immune systems, others are created by gene mutations. Environmental factors often are considered when treating a skin...
Breastfeeding provides the perfect nutrition to your baby, but it isn't always easy. If you're struggling with engorgement and clogged ducts, you have a medical issue that requires your doctor's assistance. Engorgement and clogged ducts doesn't...
A low count of white cells can indicate a variety of conditions, some of them serious. Before you start a program to try to up these numbers, consult with your doctor to rule out viral infections, cancer and autoimmune disorders. Once you've...
The liver and spleen share common blood circulation pathways. Due to the circulatory link between the liver and spleen, many disease processes affect both organs. Infections, blood cell diseases, liver diseases, cancer and inherited disorders can...
Colon cancer is the result of small growths in the colon developing the ability to spread throughout other tissues in the body. Some patients have a genetic predisposition to developing colon cancer, which can result from certain hereditary...
According to MedLine Plus, unintentional weight loss can happen for a number of reasons. Serious medical conditions such as cancer, eating disorders and hyperthyroidism can lead to weight loss. Depression can lead to loss of appetite, so you might...
There are many disorders that can affect the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon is an S-shaped portion of the colon near its terminal end, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. The website goes on to explain...
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a painful and sometimes dangerous condition that causes itchy red bumps to appear on the body. Hives are caused by a number of conditions, including food and other allergies; physical factors; stress; or as an...
According to the National Cancer Institute, 19,000 people are diagnosed each year with brain cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death in people under the age of 35. However, identifying the core causes of brain cancer has required in-depth...
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, help your body fight disease. A low white blood cell count is known as leukopenia. According to Mayo Clinic, a general guideline for low white blood cell count is below 3,500 cells per microliter of...
Gastric or stomach cancer is an uncommon type of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 21,130 new cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2009, accounting for roughly 1.4...
Diet pills, food restrictions, liquid diets and the like are commonly marketed weight loss fads that promise rapid results. But you do not have to use these methods to achieve weight loss. Fad diets typically result in weight return once ended....
The walnut-size prostate gland, located around the neck of the bladder and urethra, secretes a fluid that is part of semen. Cancer can develop in the prostate, as can non-cancerous disorders, including prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate,...
Lymphoproliferation describes the over-production or abnormal activity of lymphocytes. Lymph nodes are located in your neck, armpits and groin. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that make up your immune system, including antibody-producing B cells...
Both physical and mental exhaustion can cause serious consequences, including depression and heart disease. Exhaustion can result from excessive physical demands and emotional conflicts. Health, work, relationships and overall well-being can be...
If you're following a diet and exercise program, you are probably thrilled to see the number on the scale drop. However, if your weight loss is accompanied by tiredness or fatigue, you should see your doctor. You should also speak with your doctor...
White blood cells, or WBCs, are the body's main mechanisms for fighting off sickness. A low white blood cell count means very few of these cells, also called leukocytes, are circulating through the blood. When a child's immune system is...
The purpose of physical therapy is to assess and provide treatment for patients with physical disabilities or limitations. The aim is to rehabilitate patients whose physical condition is limiting their level of physical abilities. Physical...
A bone marrow transplant delivers healthy bone marrow stem cells, the cells that produce all of the blood cells of the body, to a person who needs them. Instead of through a surgical procedure, a bone marrow transplant is done via an IV, sending...
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia is a rare cancer belonging to a family of diseases called myeloproliferative disorders. According to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, these disorders develop when bone marrow produces too many of one type of blood...
Nose bleeds are very common and are often caused by dry air, illness, or trauma. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of nose bleeds in this medical video.
The bile duct is a long tube-like structure that connects the liver to the intestine and transports bile. Learn about bile duct cancer including possible causes, and treatment options for bile duct cancer in this video.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects 10% of all women, and is one of the leading causes of infertility. Get expert tips and advice on living with, diagnosing, and treating polycystic ovary syndrome in this video.
