The nutrient potassium supports the function of muscle and nerve cells. The amount of potassium in the body is regulated by the kidneys. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, occurs when the level of potassium in the blood is insufficient to support the...
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a medical condition that plagues the sufferer with extreme exhaustion no matter how much rest he gets. CFS is often accompanied by muscle aches and pains, headaches, low grade fever, chills, mood changes and...
The seasonal flu, or influenza, is a contagious illness affecting the respiratory system that is caused by the influenza virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population...
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the patient's immune system. The Mayo Clinic states that the virus is in the patient's body for eight or nine years before symptoms appear; at this point, the...
Following lack of adequate sleep, a stressful day at work or demands of family life, feeling exhausted is only natural. However, feeling chronic exhaustion and unrelenting fatigue may indicate a disorder called chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS....
According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome in most cases is still unknown, although theories range from psychological stress to viral infections. Although the cause may not be found, chronic fatigue can be successfully...
Knowing whether or not you are pregnant, especially early on, can be difficult. Even the most obvious of signs can seem deceiving. Certain symptoms are a dead give-away though, and when combined with other symptoms, there is no way to deny that...
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is often a co-existing condition for people with fibromyalgia, according to the Mayo Clinic. The fatigue in CFS and fibromyalgia patients causes great limitations in their work and family lives. Patients suffering...
The deadly symptoms of the swine flu are deceptive since they mimic symptoms experienced with other less deadly types of flu. The World Health Organization, or WHO, notes that swine flu is a common name for the H1N1 virus. In June 2009, the WHO...
HIV, which is a precursor to developing AIDS, is transmitted through sexual contact and blood sharing via needles or unscreened blood infusions and in the womb between mother and child, according to Kid's Health. The virus lies dormant in the...
Numerous hormones are produced in the body and serve specific functions. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library indicates that hormones play a role in thyroid function, growth and physical development, and sexual reproduction. Symptoms of...
A urinary tract infection is a serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the kidneys. Also called a kidney infection, it usually starts small and spreads into the bloodstream if not treated. The kidneys act as a filter for the liquids...
Adrenal disturbance exists in differing forms and ranges in severity. MayoClinic.com emphasizes that the terms "adrenal exhaustion" and "adrenal fatigue," are not medically recognized diagnoses, however, fatigue or exhaustion are symptoms apart of...
Food poisoning is an illness that generally needs to run its course. However, several homeopathic remedies for food poisoning can treat the symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea. Though homeopathic remedies can be effective, it's also very...
Chickweed is used medicinally and as a food. It is valued for its nutritional content and fresh chickweed is typically eaten as a salad green. In traditional herbal medicine, chickweed is taken by mouth or applied to the skin to treat a long list...
The 2009 H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, has health experts sounding the alarm. In June 2009, the World Health Organization, or WHO, declared an influenza pandemic. Swine flu symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu. For most people, the...
Colds and the flu are both common respiratory viruses that are often mistaken for one another. Both are viral illnesses, although the viruses are different for each disease. Neither can be cured, but their symptoms can be treated and practicing...
Anxiety and stress often go hand in hand. Though it's normal to experience some stress occasionally, severely stressful situations may lead to or exacerbate anxiety. If stress is at the root of the anxiety disorder, dealing with the source of the...
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic medical disorder that affects nearly 5 million adults in the United States, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). This syndrome is characterized by pain...
Numerous medical conditions may be triggered by diet Coke consumption. According to the Green Facts website, aspartame is a non-caloric sweetener used in many diet soft drinks -- including diet Coke -- and food preparations. Although several...
The flu is a blanket term given to respiratory infections that can come from a variety of different, but related, viruses. There are three major types of influenza viruses, with two of them responsible for the seasonal flu outbreaks that occur...
Fatigue is a common occurrence most likely caused by everyday stresses such as work and home life. Most people will suffer from minor short-term memory loss, such as misplacing car keys or forgetting to lock their car doors, at some point in their...
Approximately 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease, which includes many different types of heart conditions, is the leading cause of death in the United...
There are many types of models of all shapes and sizes. However, the term model is often associated with super-skinny runway models. They are not only rail thin but taller than average, which adds to the illusion of thinness. Sometimes when a...
Advertisements tout Alli as a healthy weight-loss drug. But according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, weight loss medications frequently pose risks of liver damage, which can lead to death. Alli is one of the drugs that pose such risks....
Hawthorn extract, or Crataegus species, is an herbal supplement obtained from the hawthorn plant, a thorny shrub that belongs to the rose family. Since the 1800s, hawthorn extract has been used to treat heart problems, such as high blood pressure,...
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is the more commonly used term for myalgic encephalomyelitis, a condition that affects the immune and nervous systems. CFS is a debilitating illness in which you may experience extreme exhaustion, muscle and joint...
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are disease processes that are not contagious or transferable from one human to another. Random genetic abnormalities, heredity, lifestyle or environment can cause non-communicable diseases, such as cancer,...
Losing a loved one can be emotionally traumatic, leaving you feeling depressed and isolated. Most often, depression related to death or related to a severe or sudden loss is known as grief. If you are suffering from death-related depression, or...