Rogaine is a topical product created to treat hereditary based hair loss. Rogaine is the only topical hair loss treatment that has been approved by the FDA for use by women. The product is believed to reverse hereditary hair loss by enlarging hair...
The agave plant is endemic to Mexico and contains nectar which can be made into a sweet syrup. Agave syrup is a natural sweetener available in many health food stores. Consume agave syrup in moderation due to its high calorie content, advises Dr....
Also referred to as gum acacia, acacia fiber is a natural, soluble dietary fiber. For centuries, it has been valued for culinary purposes and for medicinal applications. Today, this natural fiber is widely used by alternative health practitioners,...
Stretch marks are white, pink striated lines or bands of skin. Stretch marks can appear on anyone, but are often seen on women during pregnancy. Other causes of stretch marks include rapid gain or loss of weight, and sudden growth spurts during...
Tattoo inks are comprised of a mix of pigments, suspended in a carrier solution that is injected into the middle layer of the skin. Depending on the color, pigments are made from a variety of materials, such as from chromium oxide for green,...
Caladryl lotion is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and itching associated with insect bites, minor cuts and skin irritations and rashes caused by poison oak, poison sumac or poison ivy. It may also dry up the oozing and weeping...
Initial symptoms of most food poisoning substances include gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Onset of symptoms varies with the source, but most often begin within a few hours to up to a couple...
Tiger Balm is a topical pain reliever made from herbal and plant-based sources. It is promoted as a remedy for joint and muscle pain associated with arthritis and minor injury, as well as headaches and muscle tension. There are many different...
DMSO or dimethylsulfoxide is a substance that is produced as a byproduct of paper manufacturing. Before the discovery of its medical uses, it was known for many years as an industrial solvent. Although the FDA has only approved DMSO as a drug for...
Magnesium stearate is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is used as a carrier in pharmaceutical drugs and dietary supplements. Technically, it is a magnesium salt of stearic acid, which is found in many oils, meats and other whole foods....
Vitamin B5, also referred to as pantothenic acid, participates in chemical reactions in the human body. Freezing, food processing, canning and acid exposure destroy this substance, so eat fresh foods and braised meats for best results. Medline...
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, estimates a worldwide incidence of 22 million cases and 200,000 deaths annually. It occurs less commonly in the...
Castor oil is taken from the bean of the plant Ricinus communis, which is native to Africa and India. Best known for its laxative effects and its ability to stimulate labor when taken internally, castor oil has also been used topically throughout...
Lactose is a milk sugar derived from whey, which is one of the main proteins found in milk. It has several functions as it pertains to health, including being a source of energy, aiding calcium absorption in the body and in pharmaceutical...
The main purpose of oral contraceptives is to prevent pregnancy. Chemical equivalents of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, work to suppress ovulation, thicken cervical mucus to create a hostile environment for sperm and thin the...
Osteomalacia is a bone disease where the bones soften over time. Osteomalacia is caused by a few internal dysfunctions, one of them being hypophosphatasia, a genetic disorder. Under normal circumstances the body allows the bones to harden. In...
Antidepressants work successfully to treat depression and anxiety disorders for many patients. The drugs may affect neurotransmitters, message carriers in the brain, to balance mental health and improve moods. Like other medications,...
Celebrex is a prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is FDA-approved to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute pain. Celebrex capsules contain the active ingredient celcoxib, which helps to relieve...
Medicare is the government health insurance available to seniors over the age of 65 and people with disabilities. It includes hospital and doctor care, prescription drug coverage and options to use private insurance carriers. According to the...
Health insurance is designed to help individuals pay for medical and health care, but getting covered isn't always easy, especially for those who have medical conditions that may make them undesirable for coverage by major health insurance...