High total cholesterol counts, coupled with particularly high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels put you at a major risk for developing heart disease, report doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Doctors at the Mayo...
High blood pressure (hypertension) refers to a measure of the force against your blood vessels. Two numbers compose your blood pressure: your systolic and your diastolic blood pressure. Your systolic pressure (the top number) is the pressure on...
Fingernails are composed of layers of a protein called keratin. Healthy fingernails are strong and smooth and do not have any color abnormalities. Some fingernail conditions, such as ridges in the nail, occur with advancing age and do not indicate...
The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland located in the front of the neck. The surgical removal of the thyroid gland may be necessary with conditions such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. While this may be effective in treating a thyroid...
When you hear the word calcium, bone health is likely your first thought. No doubt, calcium is a key component of strong bones but its presence in your muscles enables movement. Contraction and relaxation of your muscles occur because of rapidly...
Calcium is a mineral found in milk, dairy products and leafy green vegetables. It can also be obtained by taking a multivitamin or calcium supplement. Calcium is known for its role in the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth,...
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating, progressive disease caused by damage to the myelin coating of nerves in the brain, eyes and spinal cord. The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is poorly understood. Symptoms often appear, disappear, and worsen...
A macrobiotic diet is one in which people mainly eat cooked vegetables, cereals and whole grain foods. Originally, the diet was quite strict, but the modern version allows for fruits, nuts and some fish and focuses on using specific cooking...
The pituitary gland produces TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, which is responsible for directing the thyroid gland to produce and release the triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones. When TSH levels are high, you may experience a wide range of...
Eating raw meat, including pork, can increase your risk of developing a roundworm infection. Pork, if not cooked thoroughly, carries the risk of infecting you with trichinosis. Cook your pork until the pink is no longer visible to avoid this...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also called Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the famous baseball player who battled the disorder. According to the online medical library Merck Manuals, ALS is a common type of motor neuron disorder, or MND,...
Tekturna HCT is the brand name of a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren that is used in the treatment of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Tekturna HCT works by preventing your blood vessels from constricting and by...
Sixty percent of the body contains water, and every system in the body requires water to function properly. The Mayo Clinic notes that water is lost daily through differing means, such as perspiration, bowels and breathing. Electrolytes are...
Vitamin D is a nutrient the body needs for a variety of functions, such as the regulation of phosphate and calcium in the body. Low levels of these minerals may cause the body to make hormones that release phosphate and calcium, which will weaken...
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The disease gets worse over time, and it affects the nervous system causing brain cell function to deteriorate and the cells to die. The area of the brain that is primarily affected...
