According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic bloodborne viral infection in the United States. HCV causes inflammation of the liver and is passed from person to...
The pituitary gland, located at the base of your skull, controls the hormones related to your childhood growth, urine production, temperature and thyroid activity. It secretes hormones involved in estrogen production in women and testosterone...
Flaxseed oil and fish oil are two different supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of beneficial fat that can be used to reduce risk of developing cardiovascular problems and other health conditions. Flaxseed...
Gingko biloba, which is also called the maidenhair tree, is a long-living, shade-tolerant tree with fan-shaped leaves. Extracts from the leaves are used for medicinal purposes. However, gingko is associated with side effects, its seeds are...
Many diseases and injuries cause joint pain. Chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus may cause joint pain, along with acute diseases such as Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus and the flu, the University of...
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in your cartilage, the tough tissue that serves as a cushion between your joints. If you experience chronic joint discomfort from a medical condition like osteoporosis, you might benefit from taking...
If you want to try the weight loss supplement made by Saba called A.C.E. be aware that it can have side effects, including interacting with your medication. Saba manufacturers say their product reduces cravings and hunger while boosting your...
While arthritis comes in many forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, all have joint inflammation as a primary symptom. There is no cure for any form of arthritis, but because of the ubiquity of this disease, many drugs have been...
Pantoprazole is a medication used to treat esophageal damage from acid-related diseases such as acid reflux and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition of ulcers in the stomach and small intestine). Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that...
Depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by prolonged feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety and loss of interest in everyday life. If you have depression, your doctor will likely prescribe antidepressant drugs, psychotherapy,...
You may seek an herbal dietary supplement to help you lose some inches and pounds. However, it’s important to check with your health care provider if you’re considering a supplement. Manufacturers don’t have to prove...
Leflunomide is a medication used to manage rheumatoid arthritis, a condition of excruciating joint pain. According to Drugs.com, leflunomide works to decrease the immune cells that attack your joints and cause such symptoms as joint inflammation,...
Pycnogenol is a trademarked name for pine bark extract, and there is little to no difference between the two in terms of composition or effects. You might use pine bark extract or pycnogenol to help treat a variety of medical conditions, including...
ArginMax is a dietary supplement that manufacturers say supports female sexual fitness. This supplement also serves as a multivitamin that provides the recommended daily value of 14 vitamins and minerals. Check with your doctor before trying...
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It happens when the body becomes insulin resistant or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually affects children, but may also be found in adults. The body does not...
You feel like you've been walking over rocks and your feet look that way. You've got noticeable bruises on the bottom of your feet -- or maybe tender and swollen areas that just feel like bruises. Your best option is resting your bruised feet and...
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. A systolic reading---the upper number in a blood pressure test---of more than 140, or a diastolic reading---the lower number---of more than 90...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 6.7 percent of American adults suffer from a depressive disorder, 2.7 percent suffer from a panic disorder and 3.5 percent suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. These are just a few of...
Eczema, psoriasis and ringworm may seem unrelated but do have some things in common. They are all skin conditions that produce red itchy patches; both eczema and psoriasis may improve with exposure to sunlight. Arnica is an herbal medication that...
The highest incidents of non-traumatic lower leg amputation involve diabetic patients, according to Medical News Today. About 75,000 patients with diabetes loose a toe, foot or leg each year due to severe infections and tissue damage. Nerve damage...
Intestinal inflammation can be caused by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms of IBD and intestinal inflammation include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, gas,...
Diabetes affects over 23 million people in the U.S., according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and nearly 6 million of those who have the disease remain undiagnosed. Diabetes is caused by a problem of metabolism, which is the...
Diabetic women are no longer discouraged from becoming pregnant due to modern advances in controlling the condition, explains the American Diabetes Association. Monitoring blood sugar levels (blood glucose) can help a woman maintain ideal ranges...
The American Heart Association recommends you consume omega-3 fatty acids to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Several small studies, although not definitive, suggest that a "Mediterranean" style diet rich in omega-3s may be associated...
Diabetes is an illness that decreases the body's ability to break down sugar for fuel. The body requires a chemical called insulin to metabolize sugars that are ingested. In type I diabetes, the body may fail to make insulin at all. Type II...
A1C is a blood marker for measuring blood sugar levels over time. This blood test is helpful when managing diseases like diabetes. Diabetes can lead to serious complications like nerve or eye damage, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke and...
Epsom salt, otherwise known as magnesium sulfate, is a common soaking aid for detoxifying the body, reducing swelling and alleviating muscle aches and pains. According to the Epsom Salt Council, bathing in Epsom salt won't dry out your skin, as...
Alternative herbal medicines have been around as long as history has been written down, and today they are being clinical reviewed for their effectiveness, or lack thereof, for certain ailments. Those that are found to work receive additional...
Saw palmetto, a plant sometimes used in medicine to treat an enlarged prostate, has been used as a remedy for different health conditions. Although sources rarely mention saw palmetto among the herbs to aid diabetes, it may contain properties that...