Forteo, known also as teriparatide, is a synthetic form of parathyroid hormone, which is made naturally made by the human body. It is prescribed for both men and women who suffer from osteoporosis to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. While...
Neurocardiogenic syncope, which is also referred to as neurally-mediated or vasovagal syncope, is the one of the most common causes of fainting, according to UpToDate. People with this condition pass out or lose consciousness due to unusually low...
Duodenal ulcers are lesions, sores and areas of inflammation located at the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. The National Institutes of Health points out other names for the condition include peptic, stomach or gastric ulcers. The...
According to the MayoClinic, food allergies affect 6 to 8 percent of children under 5 in the United States and 3 to 4 percent of adults. Food allergies can cause a range of symptoms from abdominal pain to hives. Symptoms may come on suddenly after...
Tekturna is a drug used to control high blood pressure, while l-arginine is a supplement that is promoted for possible blood-pressure lowering benefits and as an erectile dysfunction aid. While lowering your blood pressure is desirable in some...
Having a slow heart beat isn't always a health problem. In fact, it's normal for some people, especially healthy, young individuals. The medical term for this condition is bradycardia. It's defined as having a heart rate of less than 60 beats per...
Claustrophobia causes anxiety and irrational fear in people who are frightened to be enclosed in small spaces. They may feel trapped with no way of getting out. The intensity of their feelings can lead to emotional and physical reactions....
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) , also referred to as calcium antagonists are prescribed to manage high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and chest pain. The National Institute of Health (NIH) says CCBs stop calcium from entering the muscle...
An avocado allergy arises when a person's immune system mistakes this normally harmless food for a harmful substance. People who get allergic reactions after eating avocados may also suffer allergic reactions from ingesting cinnamon, a related...
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, can happen to both men and women. According to American Heart Association (AHA), 565,000 men in 2006 had heart attacks that resulted in 76,100 deaths. It is important for men to know and recognize the...
Heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute. The heart pumps blood to other organs by contracting and relaxing in a steady rhythm. Several factors control heart rate, including the amount of sodium and potassium entering...
Donating blood is a generous life-saving gift which is tolerated very well by most donors. But some donors, especially teen donors, may experience side effects from donating blood. Most effects are minor but less than 1 percent of blood donors may...
The terms food sensitivity and food allergy are often used interchangeably when referring to food intolerance, but they do have different meanings. Food allergies are immune responses to proteins called antigens in foods. They are more serious and...
The medical term for low potassium is hypokalemia. The condition causes several health complications, as potassium is an essential mineral that the body uses for nerve and muscle cell functionality. Potassium is water soluble, so rather than...
Characterized by a sharp squeezing pain in the stomach or along the sides, stomach cramps can significantly devastate an enjoyable run. These cramps commonly come and go as you run, alternating in severity and duration. Once they appear, you will...
Everyone turns a little red when he is hot or after prolonged exercise, but for some people this redness can be extreme. Face redness occurs when blood vessels just beneath the surface of the skin dilate as part of the body's attempt to cool...
An allergy to wheat is one of most common food allergies. When you have a wheat allergy, your body has developed an antibody to one or more of the proteins found in wheat. Wheat allergies often present themselves with a wide variety of symptoms....
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is considered to be less than 90 mm/Hg systolic or 60 mm/hg diastolic. In most cases hypotension is ideal, however, it can result in severe complications for some people. Low blood pressure may cause...
Potassium is an essential mineral that you get from food. Having a lower than normal amount of potassium in your blood can cause symptoms such as fatigue and muscle weakness. Dizziness and fainting can signal serious dehydration, which leads to...
Angina is chest pain originating from the heart. It occurs when the heart cannot derive enough oxygen from the blood. It is frequently caused by coronary artery disease--the buildup of cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels of the heart. If...
Menopause naturally occurs in women most often between the ages of 45 and 55. The body produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, leading to cessation of menstrual periods. Standard symptoms range from hot flashes and vaginal dryness...
Around nine out of 1,000 babies, or 36,000 American babies a year, are born with a congenital heart defect. While children can develop heart disease, most children with heart disease have congenital defects, the American Heart Association reports....
Kiwi fruit, also known as the Chinese gooseberry, was first introduced in China and is native to that country. Kiwi is a common ingredient found in fruit salads, ice creams and yogurts. According to the University of Southampton, kiwi fruit is...
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from inadequate blood flow to the brain. For people with diabetes, this can occur because of the low blood sugar levels in the body, high blood sugar levels, nerve damage or heart conditions,...
Atenolol is a commonly prescribed medication for patients who have high blood pressure and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Atenolol is a member of a type of medication known as beta-blockers, which relax the blood vessels and also...
The heart pumps blood, nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. The sinus node, a group of specialized cells in the top right chamber of the heart, generates electrical impulses that travel through the heart muscle causing it to contract. The...
Feeling light-headed is a common symptom of pregnancy in the first trimester and beyond. Occasional dizziness and light-headedness are generally not cause for concern and can be treated at home. However, these symptoms could be a sign of...
When a friend or teammate faints, it can be a scary situation. Although fainting can be a symptom of something serious, most people who faint during sports or strenuous activity can be easily roused. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, low blood sugar...
Potassium is an electrolyte in the body primarily found inside the cells and is an essential dietary mineral. It is very important for the proper function of all cells, tissues and organs in the body. You need potassium to contract muscles and to...
Cardiac arrhythmia is a term covering a broad group of conditions that denote irregular electrical activity in the heart. Learn more about arrhythmias, including symptoms and treatments in this health video.
Fainting, also called syncope, is a loss of consciousness that occurs when there is a reduction of blood to the brain. In this video learn more about this condition and how to prevent it.