Liver fluke is a parasitic infection that has two distinct phases: the acute phase and the chronic phase. An acute liver fluke infection occurs when the parasites travel through your body and into your liver, where they mature. Once that's...
Hepatitis A is inflammation and swelling of the liver resulting from the hepatitis A virus. This virus is usually found in the feces and blood of an infected individual approximately 15 to 45 days prior to the onset of symptoms, according to the...
Hepatitis B, a viral infection, targets your liver and may cause both immediate and long-term disease. The virus that causes this condition, notes the World Health Organization, is passed from one person to another by contact with the body fluids...
When diagnosing hepatitis B, doctors frequently start by asking questions about recent behaviors that may have put a person at risk for the virus. Such behaviors include unprotected sexual activity, sharing needles for drugs or getting a tattoo...
Reishi, known scientifically as Ganoderma lucidum, is a type of mushroom that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, for over 4,000 years to treat asthma, fatigue and liver problems. It's currently used for stimulating the immune...
Fatty liver is a form of chronic hepatitis that resembles alcohol-induced hepatitis. However, the fatty liver hepatitis can occur in individuals with no significant alcohol consumption. There are several clinically recognized treatment options for...
A common complaint in patients with liver problems is a sensation of fullness or bloating within the abdomen. This sensation results from increased water retention within the membranous lining of the abdominal tissue known as ascites, according to...
Simvastatin, also known as Zocor, belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. This drug is typically prescribed to lower levels of LDL cholesterol, especially in people who are at risk for developing heart disease....
Zocor, generic name simvastatin, is used to treat high cholesterol levels in conjunction with diet modifications and lifestyle changes. Zocor lowers cholesterol levels by blocking an enzyme necessary to manufacture cholesterol, MayoClinic.com...
Despite reports of serious side effects, black cohosh is widely used for treating symptoms of menopause and menstrual problems. A tea made from the root of the black cohosh plant has also been used to relieve sore throat. Because of the...
Tylenol (acetaminophen), is one of the most popular over-the-counter pain reliever in the United States. When taken as directed, your body can eliminate acetaminophen safely and harmlessly. Too much of the drug, however, overwhelms the system. The...
The liver is a vital organ that cleans toxins from the blood, helps with digestion, and even fights infection. If the liver continually works hard to process drugs or alcohol, liver disease can develop, which can lead to liver failure. Early liver...
Kava or kava kava, as it is commonly known, is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement to combat fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. This supplement has been used for centuries in the South Pacific; however, as a supplement in the United...
Black cohosh, or Cimicifuga racemosa, a plant native to North America, is a popular dietary supplement commonly used by women as an alternative therapy for menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh appears to behave as a hormonal mimic, inducing...
The liver is an essential organ, responsible for a multitude of metabolic functions. Mild liver damage can be without symptoms. More extensive damage leads to a variety of symptoms, including jaundice, low blood sugar, malaise, nausea and...
Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are caused by germs, transferable living agents, mainly bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. They are spread directly or indirectly from person to person. Sometimes, they are transmitted...
