The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that causes warts. When infected with a virus, your body's immune system responds to kill off the infection. Being deficient in vitamins inhibits the function of your immune system. Vitamin supplements...
Beta-carotene is an organic yellow-orange pigment that gives plants --- and the foods derived from these plants, such as carrots, mangoes, yams and papayas --- their color. It is just one possible molecule that your body can use to manufacture...
Brain atrophy is shrinking of the brain caused by the loss of its cells, called neurons. Two types of brain atrophy can occur; generalized and focal. Generalized atrophy refers to neuron loss throughout the entire brain, and focal atrophy refers...
Spanish Influenza is the common name for the flu virus that caused the 1918-1919 pandemic that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers dub "the mother of all pandemics." The Spanish Influenza pandemic is credited for up to 100...
A combination of sweating, chills, fatigue and nausea symptoms can signal a wide range of medical conditions, from a passing virus to more serious, potentially life-threatening diseases. Contact your physician if you are experiencing these...
Investigators reporting in the February 2011 issue of "The Archives of Internal Medicine" found that a high-fiber diet has a tremendous advantage by reducing the risk of death from any type of disease. They analyzed data from the National...
Drug-resistant bacteria create additional cases of illness, longer recuperation times and also unnecessary deaths. In response to the problem, the National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) is sponsoring monitoring in nine central...
Throughout human history, bacteria have been a leading cause of disease and death. The 20th century marked a turning point in the struggle against bacterial diseases, with improvements in water sanitation, implementation of vaccine programs and...
Tuberculosis is a long-term infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other organs such as the bones, liver and kidneys. It is spread from person to person through...
Plant-based foods, lean proteins and a daily multi-vitamin provide nutrients for human growth and development. Your child's nutrient needs correspond with growth rate changes. Infants and pre-adolescent children need more calories relative than...
Zinc is an important mineral that is needed on a daily basis, because the body does not store it. The food sources of zinc are many; zinc is found especially in oysters, but it is also found in chicken, pork, red meat, crabs, lobsters, cashews and...
Influenza is typically a self-limited illness characterized by fever, dry cough, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. However, the flu can cause serious complications, especially in people with preexisting health...
Many people in the United States consume considerably less than fiber on a daily basis than they should. According to the University of California, the average American consumes 14 g of dietary fiber per day, which is less than half the...
There's no doubt that fiber is essential for good health -- it lowers cholesterol levels, reduces spikes in blood sugar and insulin, helps regulate your bowels and controls your weight. High-fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits and...
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a respiratory infection. The flu virus infects the cells in the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause moderate to severe complications in all age groups. These include...
The most commonly drug used intravenously is heroin; however, other drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines and barbiturates can also be injected. When injecting a drug, the user usually feels the effects within 15 to 30 seconds...
Breathing consists of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. The respiratory system is a group of organs and tissues that assists in the function of breathing. Any damage or blockage to the respiratory system, including the airways, lungs...
According to the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH), more than 13 million deaths occur annually because of infectious diseases. As your hands exchange contact from an infected surface to your nose, eyes or mouth, germs can...
Vitamin A deficiency increases risk of infectious diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus. Vitamin A deficiency is a global epidemic among pregnant women in developing countries who can transmit HIV to their children. HIV can cause...
Vitamin deficiencies are associated with a myriad of diseases and medical conditions. Eating a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods and calories can enhance your nutritional intake of vitamins and reduce your risk of disease. Conversely, when you...
Women might experience certain conditions, such as pregnancy, menopause, depression, heart disease and osteoporosis, which require prescription vitamins. Compared with standard vitamins sold at retail stores, prescription vitamins can include...
Heroin is a highly addictive narcotic drug derived from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seeds of the opium poppy plant. Users risk developing a severe craving for the drug because of heroin's powerful effects. Medication and...
Many people are concerned about having high cholesterol levels because it may lead to heart disease. Little do they know, having lower than normal cholesterol levels also has various risks. It is important to know your cholesterol levels and...
Nutrition and hydration are vital to life. Some conditions prevent a person from being able to take adequate nutrition by mouth. In these cases, a feeding tube can be inserted to provide 100 percent of nutritional needs. In some instances, such as...
Non-infectious diseases are disease processes that do not have a bacterial or viral origin. Compared to infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases are not contagious or communicable. Non-infectious diseases such as cancers and heart disease are...
Someone who abuses drugs is affected emotionally and physically. Drug abuse can take over a person's life, wreaking havoc on the person's health, career and relationships. Many times, drug abuse is linked with other mental health issues such as...
Some oncologists recommend avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables for patients undergoing chemotherapy. This recommendation is controversial and lacks substantial evidence according to a 2000 Centers for Disease Control report. If you have questions...
Infectious diseases are the third-leading cause of death in the United States, and many of the contagions responsible are passed from one person to another by unclean hands, according the MicrobeWorld website. Cleaning your hands is extremely...
Medical knowledge about blood cholesterol levels has increased greatly in the last decade. But the new information doesn't make it any easier for people to understand their cholesterol levels. One type of cholesterol is bad, one is good, and...
