Dizziness describes feelings of lightheadedness or unsteadiness. Vertigo describes a sensation of movement of spinning, either of self or of surrounding objects. Although patients use these terms interchangeably, dizziness and vertigo describe two...
Tinnitus usually is a symptom of some other underlying condition, the Mayo Clinic states. It is characterized by phantom noises in the ears and can be a precursor to a loss of hearing. For some people, it may be a minor annoyance, while for others...
At-home care is commonly used to remove the buildup of wax that impacts your ears, causing unpleasant symptoms such as earache or plugged-up ears, hearing loss, tinnitus, itching, odor and discharge. Debrox Drops, a nonprescription earwax removal...
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2008, there were around 250 million cases of malaria worldwide. In the U.S., about 1,500 people are diagnosed every year, most often after travel to endemic areas. Antimalarials...
Carrots are a rich source of many nutrients, especially beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant and the precursor to vitamin A. Due to their nutritional profile, carrots are touted as promoting eye health, although they may also be helpful...
The are many medical conditions associated with nystagmus. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, nystagmus is the rapid, involuntary movement of a person's eyes from side to side, up and...
If you have ever suffered a minor skin condition, you may have heard of salicylic acid. It is a common first-line, over-the-counter treatment for a variety of problems. If it does not work, you head for a doctor and ask for something stronger....
Cerebral malaria is a dangerous form of malaria which affects the brain. Cerebral malaria is caused by plasmodium falciparum, a protozoan parasite. Plasmodium falciparum causes ring-like lesions in the brain leading to changes in mental status and...
Viagra is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is the inability for a man to get or maintain an erection during sexual intercourse. A decrease in blood flow to the tissues in the penis prevents the penis...
Salicylic acid is a topical medication commonly used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It is derived from the chemical salicin found in willow trees, according to North Dakota State University. Depending on the preparation and concentration,...
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance. Meniere's is characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss, and it might be caused by fluid buildup in the inner ear. Other factors that might...
Both over-the-counter and prescription-level non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available to treat migraine headaches. OTC medications such as Aleve and Advil are NSAIDs that can relieve mild migraines. There are other NSAIDs that...
Hearing is the brain perceiving sound when sound waves vibrate small hair cells of the inner ear. Certain situations and conditions can inhibit the function of the inner ear and give the sensation of plugged ears. Treating plugged ears is a simple...
Ear infections can cause pain, fever and in severe cases, even loss of hearing. The complex structure of the ear controls not only hearing, but balance. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ear infections are one of the most...
Scuba diving is a recreational pastime in which divers submerge to a depth of 130 feet or less using a mouthpiece and a tank of compressed air, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Divers are vulnerable to developing...
Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural part of the body that protects the ear canal from dirt and bacteria growth, according to Mayo Clinic. Wax can build up and create a blockage or it can naturally exit the ear. Removing ear wax requires caution as too...
Ringing in the ears or tinnitus is a condition in which you experience noises in your ears that no one else can hear. It can be a ringing sound or resemble a hissing, chirping, clanging or whistling type noise. Currently there is no cure for this...
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by abnormally rapid turnover of skin cells and scaly buildup. Treatment usually involves topical solutions, although people with more severe cases may need oral or injected medication. The...
Topamax is the brand name for topiramate, a drug prescribed for the treatment of certain types of seizures. Patients who experience tonic-clonic or partial seizures or have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, as well as some adult migraine headache...
Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and carried by Anopheles mosquitoes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, malaria is a medical emergency. Delay in diagnosis and treatment are the leading causes...
Furosemide, commonly known as the pharmaceutical brand Lasix, is a strong diuretic medication used to decrease fluid and salt retention resulting from various health disorders. It reduces swelling, or edema, which can be uncomfortable and lead to...
The first true medical pain reliever marketed in the United States was the narcotic analgesic morphine. It caused so many problems with the "soldiers' disease," now called addiction, following the American Civil War that other types of painkillers...
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to people through the bites of anopheles mosquitoes. The World Health Organization states that, in 2008, there were 247 million cases of malaria resulting in nearly 1 million deaths,...
Chloroquine is a prescription medication used to prevent or treat malaria, an infectious disease that can cause severe symptoms of nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills and fever. This medication is administered orally (tablet) and should only be...
The ear, nose and throat have separate, but related functions, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The ears and nose are sensory organs that are responsible for breathing, smell, hearing and balance. The throat serves as a...
Pepto-Bismol, generic name bismuth subsalicylate, is an antacid that is used to relieve an upset stomach, heartburn, acid indigestion and nausea. Pepto-Bismol is also used to relieve traveler's diarrhea, gas, belching and fullness due to...
Viagra is an oral medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It can also be used to treat certain forms of hypertension and improve stamina during physical exercise in both men and women. Drugs.com explains that Viagra works by...
Vertigo is a balance problem that can result in sensations of spinning, falling, dizziness and nausea. Most balance problems are the result of inner ear issues. While ginger does not cure vertigo, it is a common home treatment for mild nausea and...
When you feel dizzy and it seems as if the room is spinning, you may be undergoing a bout of vertigo. Vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition that could range from an inner ear disorder to dehydration or a sudden drop in your blood...
Fainting, also called syncope, is a loss of consciousness that occurs when there is a reduction of blood to the brain. In this video learn more about this condition and how to prevent it.
