Radiation therapy uses radiation, or strong beams of energy, to kill cancer cells or to keep them from growing and dividing. Radiation therapy involves a daily administration of small doses of radiation over a period of several days to several...
Everyone experiences drops in energy at certain points throughout life. Occasional or mild lack of energy may be remedied through lifestyle changes such as stress relief or added sleep. In more serious cases, reduced energy indicates a potentially...
The influenza virus causes the illness commonly known as the flu. This is a highly contagious respiratory illness that passes from person to person through contact with the virus that enters the body through the nose, mouth or eyes. Only one or...
Clean & Clear's Advantage Acne Spot Treatment Gel bills itself as visibly affecting acne after as little as four hours. Designed for as-needed use on acne-affected skin, not as a daily wash or treatment, this product contains alcohol, so keep...
Sometimes, it's difficult to tell if you're suffering from the flu or another illness. The signs and symptoms of influenza A and B are similar: fever, coughing, headache, muscle and joint aches, extreme tiredness and a stuffy nose and head. Most...
HIV stands for human immune deficiency virus and is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV can be identified by its early symptoms that warn the body of the presence of the infection.
Salicylic acid, classified as a topical, ant-iacne, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is available in a number of over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, with some stronger concentrations available by prescription only. It's most commonly used to...
Dr. Christopher Maloney of Maloney Medical in Augusta, Maine, notes that adrenal fatigue is a commonly occurring condition but can be misdiagnosed. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue can be confused with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or depression....
Women between 20 and 40 are most susceptible to multiple sclerosis, a disease of the immune system that damages the myelin sheathing surrounding the nerves. Symptoms can vary from woman to woman depending on which nerves are affected. The Multiple...
Hyponatremia, or low sodium levels in the blood, can cause a person to be at increased risk for seizure, coma and death. If your sodium is low enough, you may exhibit signs of extreme tiredness and confusion. Hyponatremia should be considered an...
Children experience tiredness from time to time, especially during their developmental years when they have growth spurts. Generally a nap and some rest will help to cure fatigue. If your child has an overwhelming need to sleep even after adequate...
A sinus headache is often confused with a migraine because some of the signs and symptoms of the two are similar. However, sinus headaches are usually triggered by respiratory, environmental or physical triggers, which are not the same as migraine...
The adrenal glands are the walnut-sized organs located on top of each kidney that produce adrenaline and a number of steroid hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline, estrogen and testosterone. These hormones play a role in alertness, metabolism,...
Newborn and infant jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up in the blood. The Mayo Clinic explains that the liver processes bilirubin in the blood so it can exit the body. While an infant is in the womb, the placenta removes the bilirubin but at...
Weight gain is not the only worry when one has managed to put on extra pounds. Overweight individuals increase their risk for acquiring diabetes mellitus (DM), according to the Cleveland Clinic. Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine...
Congenital heart disease refers to any structural abnormalities of the heart that are due to inherited defects, including valve defects, patent foramen ovale (PFO) and Tetralogy of Fallot. Some congenital heart diseases have little or no...
Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system: the throat, the nose, the lungs and the bronchial tubes. The virus is airborne and usually enters the body through the mouth, the nose or the eyes....
A seasonal disease caused by the orthomyxoviridus virus, influenza causes 36,000 deaths annually in the United States, according to Oregon.gov. Influenza is highly contagious, spreading by airborne droplets and contaminated surfaces. The majority...
Hoodia is a popular drug among people who want to lose weight without going on a diet or doing more exercise. It comes from a cactus-like succulent plant, which is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. In the U.S., it's sold as liquid,...
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, causes a painful skin rash that usually clears on its own in a few weeks. A weakened immune system triggers an infection and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. The Centers for Disease Control and...
Obese people may be able to obtain a short-term prescription from their physician for phendimetrazine, a diet pill sold in generic form and in brands including Bontril. Bontril is similar to an amphetamine and is approved for short-term use as a...
The fatty acid omega-3 is essential to healthy brain function as well as human growth and development. Your body doesn't naturally manufacture omega-3. It can only be obtained through diet or by taking an omega-3 supplement certified "mercury free."
Botulism is a rare disease, with only about 145 cases a year as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This potentially serious disease is caused by the toxins secreted by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. There are...
Glucose intolerance is a type of digestive disorder. It occurs when the body fails to digest sugars found in foods such as carbohydrates and sweets. Over time, this can develop into insulin resistance, which occurs when the body's normal response...
Hydroxyzine or Atarax is categorized as an antihistamine that has many uses. It blocks the natural release of histamines by the immune system that produces common allergy symptoms. This drug is useful as a sedative or as an anti-anxiety...
Chronic fatigue causes an extreme tiredness that can make performing daily activities seem impossible. Chronic fatigue can occur after an illness or after a period of high stress, but can also come on slowly with no obvious cause. Treatment...
You could be misdiagnosed as suffering from depression rather than a possible iron deficiency, especially during the early stages of diagnosis. The symptoms of depression and iron deficiency are similar and may necessitate further tests to target...
If you are trying to determine if someone is struggling with anxiety, it is important to learn what the common warning signs of anxiety are. Although the severity, frequency and combination of symptoms can greatly vary from one individual to the...
According to the Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, at KidsHealth.org, jaundice is a common condition in newborns. It refers to the yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes from a buildup of bilirubin in the blood....
