High serum triglycerides can be associated with coronary artery disease in some individuals, according to the American Heart Association, and can predispose them to stroke and heart attack. Triglycerides are a specific type of fat in the blood,...
Multiple sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, is a disease that affects your nerves. Specifically, the myelin sheaths that cover and protect your nerves deteriorate, which affects the communication between your body and brain, according to the...
Going on a specific diet is one way that you can lose weight, or maintain your current weight and make a healthy lifestyle change. Dieting may involve consuming less food or a different kind of food that your body may not be used to. If you begin...
Minoxidil 5% foam is used to stimulate hair re-growth in certain patterns of male baldness and other types of alopecia (hair loss). Minoxidil 5% foam is applied to the hair areas only; new hair growth can take up to four months, according to the...
Norplant, a form of birth control, was taken off the market in the United States in 2002. Norplant, still available in many parts of the world, prevents pregnancy by slow release of synthetic progesterone under the skin. Six small matchstick...
Facet rhizotomy is a type of relatively non-invasive spinal procedure designed to help reduce pain caused by facet joint damage or degenerative bone conditions that cause the facet joints (the bony knobs on the dorsal or outside of the spine) to...
Junel--ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone--is an oral contraceptive used for the prevention of pregnancy. Junel works by preventing ovulation and altering the lining of the cervix and uterus. Junel may also be used for the treatment of severe...
A mini stroke, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when "blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. Symptoms last only 1 hour to 24 hours," according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes....
There are a number of topical and oral acne medications available for adolescents, and the majority of users experience few side effects. Even so, acne medications can cause complications. Anyone on prescription acne medication should keep an eye...
Lamotrigine is an oral prescription medication that is sold under the brand name Lamictal. It is used on its or in combination with other drugs to help control seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Drugs.com notes the lamotrigine is not a cure...
Extreme anxiety may result from negative experiences and continue even though the worries are over small matters or overblown. Anxiety happens occasionally when dealing with everyday stress, but extreme anxiety develops into a disorder. It may...
Helpguide.org reports that panic attacks are characterized by feeling out of control, feeling like you might die, shortness of breath, racing heart, sweating, nausea, dizziness, numbness and feeling detached from surroundings. You can stave off a...
Effexor, also known as venlafaxine, is classified as a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It increases levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that regulate mood. For this reason, Effexor is...
With every passing week, a pregnant woman experiences new bodily changes. Some are normal, but others may require medical attention. It is important that a woman be comfortable contacting her medical-care provider to ask questions, even about...
The neck is comprised of multiple structures including seven vertebrae, nerves, discs and muscles. Any of these can be injured causing cervical neck pain. This pain may start out as a dull or intense shooting pain. Your neck feels stiff and it...
Elderberry extract is made from the flowers and berries of the elder plant, which is native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. Elderberry has been used for centuries as a form of folk medicine and flavoring agent. Studies have shown elderberry...
PTU, or propylthiouracil, is a medication prescribed to treat hyperthyroidism. According to Drugs.com, hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, causing the body's metabolism to speed up. PTU works by...
A shrill, high pitched ringing in the ears is medically referred to as tinnitus. Tinnitus is not a disease in itself, but occurs as a symptom to an underlying condition and affects approximately one in five people, according to MayoClinic.com....
Aspartame is a sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar but has fewer calories. Aspartame can be found in diet sodas, coffee and yogurt. While aspartame products, such as NutraSweet and Equal, may appear to be a healthier alternative to sugar,...
Vitamin B-12 is taken in supplement form for people who lack the essential vitamin. An allergy to vitamin B-12 is uncommon but is possible. Drugs.com states that B-12 is important for cell reproduction, growth and blood formation. If you have a...
Numbness in your fingers results from several causes, ranging from remaining in one position too long to life-threatening conditions. Determining the source or reason for your numbness is essential to relieving your symptoms and perhaps preventing...
Heartburn is the result of stomach acid backing up from the stomach into the esophagus. If heartburn occurs more than once a week it may indicate a condition in which the muscles at the end of the esophagus do not close properly, known as...
Pressure points are commonly used in acupuncture and acupressure practices in traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic treatments. A pressure point may be gently pressed to help relieve pain or restore the flow of energy, or chi, through...
Stevia rebaudiana is a plant that grows wild in Paraguay and Brazil. The sweet compound, rebiana, is extracted and processed so that it can be added to foods and beverages. In 2008, the FDA approved stevia for use as a dietary supplement to be...
Americans have a love-hate relationship with artificial sweeteners stretching back over 50 years; 86 percent of Americans use them, according to the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, but many people worry about potential side effects....
Splenda is an artificial sweetener made from sucralose, a synthetic compound derived from sugar and chlorine molecules. Splenda contains no calories, and is used in many diet products, such as soft drinks and snack foods. While Splenda is a widely...
Viagra, sold under the generic name sildenafil, is a medication used to treat impotence (erectile dysfunction). You should not take Viagra if you currently have heart or circulatory problems and take nitrate medications for chest pain, as this...
Concussions are common but often go under-reported. A statement from the 3rd International Conference on Concussion defines concussion as "a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biochemical forces."...
Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin that your body uses to make enzymes that participate in several processes, such as the metabolism of energy from food and the production of hemoglobin. While current evidence does not suggest that B-12 will...
