The vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus, or HPV, is called Gardasil. Gardasil is a series of three vaccines that may protect against the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer. As with any vaccination, it's important...
Dilacor, sold generically as diltiazem, is a medication that is used to treat angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It relaxes the blood vessels in your body and increases oxygen and blood flow to your heart, according to...
Hawthorn tea is an herbal, medicinal drink prepared from the Crataegus oxyacantha plant. As a supplement, hawthorn is traditionally used to treat heart-related health problems, including chest pain, elevated blood pressure and congestive heart...
Antihistamines are a class of medications indicated for the treatment of symptoms associated with allergies, including nasal congestion, sneezing or cough. A number of antihistamine medications are available over-the-counter or by prescription....
Two vaccines against HPV have been approved for use in the U.S., according to the Food and Drug Administration. Gardisil brand may be given to females or males aged 9 to 26 yrs old to prevent genital warts. The vaccine is intended to prevent...
Heat stroke is an extremely serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. It can be life-threatening, especially to infants or the elderly.
Amaryl (glimepiride) is a prescription medication indicated to help lower blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. This medication is administered orally and should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Amaryl is part of a class...
Muscle cramps can occur in any part of your body and may be associated with injury, overuse or dehydration. Cramps can also be the result of not getting enough vitamins or minerals or, conversely, overdosing on vitamins. Mineral toxicity can also...
Thymus carcinoma, or thymus cancer, is an uncommon tumor that usually has a bad prognosis for the patient. It is difficult to differentiate the tumor from being primarily derived from the thymus or from being a metastases from another cancer...
Your liver is your body's biggest multi-tasker, working around the clock to convert food into energy, detox the body, filter blood, protect against infection, control cholesterol production and regulate metabolism. For all it can do, the liver...
OptiPranolol (metipranolol opthalmic) is a medication used to treat open-angle glaucoma, a condition of elevated eye pressure. According to Drugs.com, OptiPranolol belongs to a class of medicines called beta-blockers that reduce eye pressure. This...
You exercise to strengthen your heart, so when your heart skips a beat or flutters quickly while exercising, you may feel there is cause for concern. Heart palpitations or arrhythmias are a common occurrence that do not always indicate the need...
Vitamin E is second only to Vitamin C as the most commonly used vitamin in the United States, according to Shari Lieberman, Ph.D., author of "The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book." There are eight different forms of Vitamin E, with D-alpha-tocopherol...
Hypokalemia is a medical term for low levels of potassium, a mineral that humans need for normal health. According to the textbook "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," the most common cause of this imbalance is significant diarrhea or...
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare bacterial infection that can be life-threatening. Though toxic shock syndrome is commonly associated with the use of super-absorbent tampons, it can also be caused by strep or staph infections. Toxic shock syndrome...
Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) is a medication that has multiple effects on the cardiovascular system. This medication is in a group of medications known as calcium channel blockers. Calcium channels are receptors located in various areas of the...
Nicotine is defined by St. John Medical Center as an active and potentially poisonous ingredient in tobacco that directly stimulates the nervous system. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nicotine is one of the most heavily used...
Exposure to a wide variety of caustic chemical substances can cause burns to the body. Most burns occur on the face, extremities and eyes, with the majority causing first-degree burns. More serious second- and third-degree burns can also occur....
Vitamin therapy, a form of alternative medicine, utilizes isolated micronutrients -- which are vitamins and minerals -- for the purpose of preventing and treating disease. Although mainstream health care providers approve of some forms of vitamin...
Normal heart rates for children and adults at rest vary over a wide range of beats per minute. In addition to these basic variations, your heart rate at any given time is influenced by a number potential intervening factors, including the specific...
In "Textbook of Family Medicine," Baylor College of Medicine professor Robert Rakel reports certain benefits of multivitamins in the prevention of such diseases as cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders. For instance, the niacin drugs...
A stroke refers to a neurological condition in which the brain no longer receives enough blood. Stroke sufferers suddenly develop such symptoms as numbness or tingling on one side of their body, a severe headache, muscle weakness, trouble...
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 26.2 percent of people in the United States suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Specifically, mental disorders refer to mental illness, in which mood can be affected. For example,...
Oxyfast is a brand name for the generic drug, oxycodone, which is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is in a class of medications called opioid, or narcotic, analgesics. Narcotics can be habit forming and should only be used by the...
Glucose tablets are primarily used to treat hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs if your blood glucose levels get too low. This can be a problem for diabetics -- especially those who take insulin -- because insulin injections can cause sudden drops...
The Atkins Diet encourages eating fewer than 20g of carbohydrates daily during the initial phase, and continuing to limit carbohydrates until you reach your goal weight. The diet emphasizes eating high-fat and high-protein foods while restricting...
Trazodone is the generic name of a mood elevator or antidepressant sold under the brand name Desyrel. It may be prescribed in the treatment of depression whether it is a stand-alone condition or if it is associated with anxiety. It is administered...
Cyclobenzaprine is a medication used to manage pain from muscle injuries, sprains and strains, says MedlinePlus. It is a muscle relaxant that works on the neurotransmitters, or chemicals, in your brain so you perceive less pain. According to the...
Progesterone suppositories contain the hormone progesterone and work by altering the lining of the uterus. They are available by prescription and are typically used as part of an assisted reproductive technology program, according to Drugs.com....
Anaphylaxis is a reaction to an allergen or foreign body, usually food, bug bites or stings or a medication. Anaphylaxis can cause a rash, trouble breathing, wheezing and nausea. Learn more about the symptoms and treatments for anaphylaxis in...
