Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary defines hygiene as practices conducive to health. This includes taking care of your body, maintaining good oral health and eliminating odors. The Department of Health in the Philippines explains that poor...
Gatorade was developed at the University of Florida in the 1960s. Researcher Robert Cade found that football players experienced a chemical imbalance in their bodies caused by fluid loss associated with profound sweating. Taking measurements from...
Colitis is a disease of the digestive tract that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the rectum and colon. The inflammation causes diarrhea, and because of this, patients become concerned about their diet and nutrition. There is no one...
Escherichia coli, usually abbreviated E. coli, is a species of bacteria that often lives in the intestinal tract of humans and many other animals. It comprises up to 1 percent of the total amount of bacteria in the intestine, according to Todar's...
Probiotics tend to get the most press when it comes to improving digestive health, but prebiotics, carbohydrates generally classified as soluble fiber, are starting to be seen as being just as important. Prebiotics were discovered in 1995,...
Probiotics, live organisms that inhabit the intestinal tract, are often used in alternative medicine to support digestive health and treat certain conditions. Recent research has uncovered supportive evidence for the use of these popular...
Diarrheal diseases such as gastroenteritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, are the leading causes of childhood death and morbidity worldwide. Over 200,000 hospitalizations every year are due to acute...
Diarrhea is never a fun condition to go through. It can cause dehydration and make you uncomfortable in social situations or make it impossible to leave the house. If you experience diarrhea after eating certain foods---especially ones high in...
The stomach, located below the ribs in the upper part of the abdomen, plays a key role in the digestion of food. This hollow organ produces digestive juices and turns food into liquid to allow for absorption of nutrients. A number of bacteria live...
The coining of the word probiotic has ambiguous beginnings, but the widely accepted definition of today--"live, microorganisms, that when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host"--has been established by the World...
Coliform bacteria are members of the enterobacteria family, a group of pathogens that commonly cause gastrointestinal ailments. Coliform infections usually result from ingesting contaminated food or water. Major coliform bacteria include shigella,...
Horace de Saussure conducted the first recorded experiments with a solar collector in 1767, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. De Saussure captured the sun's heat as it passed through the panels of successively smaller stacked glass "hot"...
Cod liver oil contains essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that may benefit children. The Weston A. Price Foundation website recommends a dose of cod liver oil that contains 4650 IU vitamin A and 975 IU vitamin D for children between...
Yogurt is more than a tasty treat -- it is practically medicinal. According to the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," yogurt consumption has shortened diarrheal diseases in children, helped prevent or treat symptoms associated with...
Dietary supplements may enhance your health and reduce your risk of disease. But, taking too much of a particular vitamin can increase your risk of health problems. The recommended intakes for a particular vitamin may differ by gender, age and...
Non specific colitis is a sporadic condition referring to any inflammation of the colon. The primary symptom includes diarrhea with blood or mucus. When the colon operates normally, the nerves and the muscles of the colon are able to act together...
The term carbon footprint has appeared in the news frequently with the explosion of information that has emerged about climate change. Carbon footprint is the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions, consisting primarily of carbon dioxide,...
Although unexpected weight loss is a pleasant surprise for some, it may actually signify a serious medical disorder. Unintended loss of 10 or more lbs., or 5 percent of your total body weight, within six to 12 months is something to take...
Nutrition and vitamin research is an ever-evolving field, with new information that may inform your health choices continually being discovered. In some cases, scientific advances help to substantiate some of the health benefits of certain foods...
Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are caused by germs, transferable living agents, mainly bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. They are spread directly or indirectly from person to person. Sometimes, they are transmitted...
Washing hands probably could cut diarrheal disease-associated deaths by about 50 percent, estimates the World Health Association. Hygiene isn't only about cleanliness; it can save lives and keep your children safe from diseases and sickness....
Access to clean water is fundamental to good health. However, 1.1 billion people worldwide have no access to treated, safe, drinkable water, according to a 2007 World Health Organization report. Without water filtration processes or similar...
Basic hygiene practices that include regular showers or baths and periodic hand washing throughout the day are essential for cleanliness. While being clean is certainly important, good hygiene also promotes good health. Proper personal hygiene is...
Personal hygiene does not begin and end with taking a shower and spraying on a perfumed deodorant so as not to offend. It is an ongoing process that requires diligence throughout the course of your day. Proper personal hygiene can keep you from...
A solar oven is a cooking tool powered solely by the sun's light, resulting in cooking that has no associated energy costs. Solar ovens are portable and can be used on camping trips, to provide quick cooking solutions after a disaster or in remote...
Amebic dysentery is a severe diarrheal disease caused by infection with the microscopic parasite Entamoeba histolytica. The illness can be mild or severe. It's most commonly seen in developing countries and tropical regions of the world. Countries...
If you or your baby have a condition that affects fat absorption, then you'll likely be prescribed a special diet or formula. Portagen is one such powdered milk protein supplement often given to people who need a special blend of fat in their...
Numerous conditions and infectious agents can cause stomach or abdominal aches and pains. According to MedlinePlus, a website published by the National Institutes of Health, most causes of stomach aches and pains are not life-threatening. However,...
Children often hear parents or teachers reminding them to wash their hands throughout the day, but adults could use some reminding as well. A 2003-04 Minnesota Department of Health study observed hand washing behavior in public restrooms at three...
