Anyone can suffer from mold illness symptoms after inhaling the spores of black mold or other indoor-growing fungi. Some groups of people, however, have special health risks. Individuals with allergies will experience symptoms whenever they...
Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that can attack the lungs and other organs. People whose immune systems are depressed--such as HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or severe kidney disease patients--are at higher risk of...
Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell and is difficult to detect unless you're testing specifically for it. It is produced by the decaying of uranium, which can be naturally present in the rock and soil under a house. Radon accumulates in...
Vitamin D, referred to as the sunshine vitamin, is an essential nutrient your body needs for good health. It helps you absorb calcium and aids in mineralization of your bones. Few foods contain vitamin D, but your body can manufacture it on its...
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry defines nitrates as inorganic ions that naturally occur in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrates are found in drinking water as well as soil and some foods. Nitrates are also used in chemical fertilizers...
Benzene is a highly flammable chemical that has a sweet odor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that benzene is one of the top 20 chemicals used in the United States. Exposure to inhaled benzene may occur through tobacco smoke,...
Many people feel less healthy during winter months, not just because the weather is cold but also because the days are shorter. Shorter days provide less sunlight. Being in the sun means more than just recreation, however. The sun also provides...
Formaldehyde is a widely used chemical in many industries and household products. This compound is used in a variety of products such as paint, adhesives, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, wood products, disinfectants, antiseptics and tobacco....
Magnesium stearate, also referred to as octadecanoic acid, is a salt containing magnesium cation and stearic acid. It has lubricating properties that prevent ingredients from sticking together. It is used to bind sugar in hard candies and is a...
Sunlight is not good for your skin. The sun ages your skin prematurely, increases your risk of cancer and dilates blood vessels under the skin. The sun may make you look good for a short length of time; however, the damage becomes apparent in the...
Skin cancer isn't the only risk you need to worry about when you're in the sun. The sun's rays also lead to cosmetic skin damage, such as wrinkles on your face or skin discolorations --- often referred to as age spots or liver spots --- on your...
Nitrates help preserve packaged foods, such as hot dogs and lunch meats, and give them a pleasing pink shade. They also are in your drinking water, particularly well water, and many fruits and vegetables. However, too many nitrates in your diet...
Radon is a radioactive gas. It is one of the decay elements in a long chain of decay elements starting from unstable uranium-236 to stable lead. Although used in medicine and for research purposes, radon is considered a human health hazard....
Breast cancer occurs when normal cells within breast tissue undergo genetic and cellular changes that cause them grow uncontrollably and form tumors. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer...
After physicians' warnings of the dangers of sun and ultraviolet ray exposure as a risk factor for skin cancer, many have looked for a healthier alternative to achieve a bronzed glow. One option is a spray tan. While the tan mist does not involve...
Japanese restaurants are a good choice when trying to follow a healthy diet. Fried items rarely grace the menu and instead there's an emphasis on lean proteins and fresh vegetables. Choosing the wrong foods can still leave you with an unhealthy...
Marble is a metamorphic limestone that is widely used in the sculpturing of statues and the construction of buildings and monuments. It is a material used in tiles, countertops and indoor flooring. Workers who quarry, grind, polish and install...
Phototherapy is a physical procedure for skin acne using a sunlamp to target the primary causative factor in acne skin lesions, propionibacterium acnes, also known as p. acnes. The effectiveness of sunlamp use in treating p. acnes has not yet been...
Intelligence is valued in today's society, and most parents want to have a smart child. The intelligence quotient, or IQ test measures a child's intelligence and aptitude for learning. Genetics, environment and socioeconomics are some factors that...
A sneeze guard has been a popular health addition mainly for salad bars and buffet tables to keep germs and contamination away from food and utensils. Sneeze guards usually include an acrylic pane or roof within a channeled frame that hangs over...
Approximately 28 million people in the U.S. tan indoors each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The indoor tanning industry has become big business. The AAD says its annual revenue is $5 billion. The UV (ultraviolet)...
Radon is a radioactive gas, originating from the decay of uranium in the ground. Extended exposure to radon gas is a health risk. Like carbon monoxide, exposure to radon gas often occurs in the home, but can also be present in public buildings....
Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of common cancer that attacks the lungs or a rarer cancer that attacks the membrane lining the chest, studies have concluded. Both types of cancer are highly lethal. Asbestos was widely used in construction...
One of life's most difficult challenges is seeing a loved one suffer from illness. Those who are undergoing chemotherapy face not only the frightening reality of living with an illness, but the painful and disheartening side effects of the...
According to the Mold Patrol Testing Unit, there are over 100,000 different types of mold species throughout the world. Many people know about common household molds, which are visible when something that contains wood or cardboard gets wet. The...
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that causes, itching, flaking and irritation of the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, no cures for psoriasis exist; however, treatment can offer relief. When psoriasis affects the scalp, medicated shampoos...
Solar radiation or sunlight is the main source of vitamin for humans. Sun exposure has been linked to skin cancer risk. Researchers in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" asked whether increased sun exposure leads to net health...
Toys that contain lead are extremely dangerous to your children's health. When children are exposed to lead toys it can have serious effects on their body. Some of the parts of the body that are affected include their brain, kidneys and bone marrow.
A pinguecula is a benign growth that occurs on the eye. A mucous membrane covers the white portion of the eye, called the sclera. Exposure to irritants can cause the pinguecula to grow on the membrane. A pinguecula may appear as a yellow, white,...
Bladder cancer can refer to any number of cancerous growths in the urinary bladder. Learn about bladder cancer and treatment options in this video.
Seasonal allergies affect millions of people, resulting in runny noses and itchy eyes. Learn more about seasonal allergies in this health video.
Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. It occurs after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos. Sufferers have severe shortness of breath and are at an increased risk regarding several...
Rubella, or German measles, is an often benign outbreak of little red bumps that usually pass in one to five days. Learn more in this health video.
