Signs of digoxin toxicity can be subtle. Left unchecked, they can become severe and even life threatening. Digitalis, another name for digoxin, is derived from the foxglove plant. It is used today to treat congestive heart failure and atrial...
Heavy legs and edema in the ankles occur due to vascular insufficiency. In other words, the blood flow in the legs is not adequate. The vascular system is complex, but ultimately, there are two probable situations that lead to this problem: the...
Fluid overload may be caused either by acute renal failure or by heart failure. Tapering salt intake and being careful not to eat hidden salts in foods may help. Medications including diuretics prescribed for both disease processes require a...
The heart is a four chambered pump. The right side delivers blood to the lungs for oxygenation after receiving it from the rest of the body, and the left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and delivers it to the body. There are four...
People with congestive heart failure find that their heart doesn't work as effectively as it should and cannot pump blood to various body parts as needed. Blood may back up into the legs or lungs. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include...
Health anxiety is better known as hypochondria or hypochondriasis, a mental illness in which the sufferer believes that he has some type of disease despite there being no evidence, like symptoms, to support this belief. Like many mental illnesses,...
Blocked arteries lead to coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries and blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, report doctors at the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute (NHBLI). Cholesterol, calcium...
Primary heart cancer is exceedingly rare. The incidence of all heart tumors is only 0.28 percent with only 23 percent of those tumors being malignant cancers, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Benign tumors are...
A stress test is a tool that allows a doctor to monitor cardiac activity during exercise. When you are active, your heart must beat faster. According to Mayo Clinic, this faster heart rate may reveal certain anomalies that would not show up with a...
Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is a flavor enhancer that is made by fermenting a substance such as corn, molasses, sugar cane, sugar beets or starch, according to Health Services at Columbia University. MSG is commonly added to canned...
One of the available treatments for depression is escitalopram, which is sold under the brand name of Cipralex. This medication belongs to the family of drugs known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, which block the reabsorption of...
Everyone reacts differently to the powerful chemotherapy drugs that are most effective for killing cancer cells. The drugs attack the fatal diseased cells but create side effects because they damage and kill healthy cells at the same time....
Lyrica is a medication used for the treatment of seizures. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause the seizures, Drugs.com reports. Lyrica may also be used to treat fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy or herpes zoster. It may take...
The American Heart Association defines congestive heart failure as a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body's organs. Congestive heart failure can be caused by coronary heart disease, scar tissue resulting from a past...
A person with congestive heart failure must often watch what he eats and drinks, as certain foods and beverages can increase the heart's workload. This has the potential to make heart failure symptoms, such as swelling and shortness of breath,...
Grapes have been known for their nutritional value for thousands of years, but according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the grape seed is where many of the health benefits lie. The chemicals within grape seeds, known as oligomeric...
Gradual swelling of the legs, also known as edema, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For example, leg swelling can indicate kidney problems or even heart failure. Raising the legs, wearing compression stockings, watching salt...
If you experience a rapid change in weight or appetite or suffer from bloating, you should consult with your doctor to test for serious health problems. Keep track of any other symptoms you experience, any changes in your diet and any medications...
Actonel (Risedronate) and Fosamax (Alendronate) are bisphosphenates. They are used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Actonel has also been used to treat other bone diseases, including Paget's disease. Both Actonel and Fosamax...
Glucosamine is a chemical found in the fluid surrounding joints. A dietary supplement that is made from natural sources such as shellfish shells or made in laboratory may help treat conditions such as joint pain associated with osteoarthritis,...
Adacel is a combination vaccine indicated to protect treated patients against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. This immunization is administered as a single intramuscular upper arm injection in patients between the ages of 11 and 64. Pregnant or...
Potassium is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of nerve and muscle cells in your body. Hyperkalemia is a condition that occurs when the level of potassium in your blood is higher than normal. Hyperkalemia is a dangerous...
Antineoplastic drugs, also known as chemotherapy agents, are used to treat cancer---the uncontrolled, invasive growth of abnormal cells. Chemotherapy agents treat cancer by inhibiting cell growth. Unfortunately, most agents are not selective for...
When the heart becomes too weak to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. or is unable to fill with blood due to lack of elasticity, the condition is known as heart failure. This results in various symptoms, including swelling,...
Pain in the knee after exercising that can not be attributed to trauma to the musculature, ligaments or tendons of the joint is commonly categorized as patellofemoral pain. There is no one factor that significantly outweighs the other in the...
Coronary heart disease affects blood pressure. Heart disease leads to narrowing of the arteries that supply blood flow to the heart. Blood pressure control using medication and lifestyle approaches becomes essential for patients diagnosed with...
Moles, which are benign in nature, are generally considered a cosmetic issue and no cause for alarm. There are certain cases, however, where your health-care provider may feel that it is necessary to remove a mole. These include situations here...
Cardiomyopathy is an enlargement of the heart muscle that can have a negative effect on quality of life. The heart can become inflamed and enlarged from conditions such as high blood pressure, birth defects, disorders of the heart valves or from...
A red rash on the cheeks is a sign of an allergic reaction. Most food allergies will affect the skin and commonly develop a rash on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. If you suspect that you have a food allergy, talk with your...
Heart disease is a general term including many diseases that deteriorate the heart's function or structures, including coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Learn more about heart disease, including warning signs and treatments in this video.
