Heartburn is a nagging, acid-producing feeling that comes up from the stomach into the upper chest and throat to produce painful effects after consuming certain foods or beverages. Some people may be affected by particular foods; others suffer...
Coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women. The American Heart Association’s “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2010 Update” reports...
High uric acid, also known as hyperuricemia, occurs when the concentration of uric acid in the acid is elevated. Uric acid is produced when purine, a substance in food, is broken down. Purine is carried in the blood, processed in the kidneys and...
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and often red, pus-filled lesions on your face, MayoClinic.com says. Although people often notice that rosacea worsens for a few weeks or months and then lessens before flaring up...
Aspirin has blood thinning properties similar to those found in medications called anticoagulants, which slow the normal clotting of your blood. Beta blockers are a class of medications commonly used to treat cases of high blood pressure. Use of...
Uric acid is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. Most uric acid in the body is derived from the breakdown of purines, a substance commonly found in certain foods. Extra uric acid is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted...
A mini-stroke, also known a transient ischemic attack or TIA, occurs when a clot or small piece of plaque interrupts the blood flow in the brain. Although the symptoms of a TIA, are less severe than a major stroke, and not likely to cause...
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, occurs when arteries harden and narrow owing to a buildup of fatty deposits, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. These changes deprive the body of the oxygen-rich blood it needs to...
The rear portion of the brain is known as the brain stem. It conducts impulses from the brain to the rest of the body, enervates the 3-12 facial nerves and is also involved in the control of breathing, the cardiovascular system, sensitivity,...
The human nose contains many fragile blood vessels that are easily damaged. Nose bleeds, or epistaxis, can happen in the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the human nose and are quite common. According to the Hughston Sports Medicine...
Acid reflux is a condition where stomach digest and acids move backward through the lower esophageal sphincter up into the esophagus and throat. Individuals often experience burning pain in the chest and throat, backache, bloating, belching, sore...
Described by Hippocrates as the "unwalkable disease," gout is a painful form of arthritis that most often affects the joints of the big toe. Gout affects approximately 6 million Americans at some point in their lives, according to the National...
Ringing in the ears or tinnitus is a condition in which you experience noises in your ears that no one else can hear. It can be a ringing sound or resemble a hissing, chirping, clanging or whistling type noise. Currently there is no cure for this...
Sickle cell anemia refers to a chronic condition in which the red blood cells within the body become sickled in shape. Typically, red blood cells carry oxygen. So, with a change in their shape, the body may not receive enough oxygen. The Mayo...
A colonoscopy is a procedure that helps doctors find early signs of colon cancer and other problems. Your doctor will thread a flexible tube with a light and camera on it into the rectum and through the colon, so he can see video of the inside of...
Acetylsalacylic acid, or aspirin, is a medicine known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Most common uses include pain, fever and inlammation, but other treatments continue to emerge, such as the possibility of its use in treating...
Panax ginseng products are hot items in the American market, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Panax ginseng, also known as red, Korean and Asian ginseng, is attributed to a multitude of health benefits, first and foremost as...
Oolong tea is one variety of green tea, sometimes referred to as "half fermented" tea, because when it's made fresh tea leaves are allowed to ferment halfway via the enzyme present in the leaves. Black tea is fully fermented, and green tea is...
You should not eat vegetables before a colonoscopy. To prepare for a colonoscopy, you must empty your bowels, as residues from foods may obscure the doctor's view of your colon during the exam. Typically, your doctor will advise you not to eat...
Fish oil pills are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and are used to treat a number of health conditions, including inflammatory disorders, heart disease risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and other conditions. Aspirin...
Some doctors recommend a daily low dose of aspirin (75mg to 81mg acetylsalicylic acid) for those who have a history of heart disease or hypertension. A study by Lennart Hansson, M.D., and others reported in the June 1998 edition of the British...
Tinnitus is characterized by chronic ringing in your ears when there is no external source of the noise, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is not a disorder in itself but is typically a symptom of an underlying condition,...
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, occurs when the arteries of the circulatory system become narrowed or blocked. Blood cannot flow to tissues in the body, which can cause damage or eventual tissue death. PAD increases the risk of heart disease,...
Aspirin is a medication used to relieve pain, reduce fever or inflammation, and prevent such medical occurrences as a heart attack, stroke or chest pain (angina). According to Drugs.com, aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called salicylates. It...
Lack of flexibility can be caused by several different factors, including arthritis, injury and surgery. In some cases, arthritis can complicate an injury and make joints and muscles inflexible. Physical therapy and prescription medications are...
Aleve D is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug used to relieve nasal congestion, headaches and sinus pressure. While it is an OTC drug, it generally is controlled by pharmacies because it contains pseudoephedrine. This drug, used to fight congestion,...
Stomach acids that irritate your esophagus can cause heartburn. After you eat, food passes through an opening just before entering your stomach. This opening acts like a door, opening to let food pass into your stomach and then closing behind it....
If you suffer from gout, you might be surprised to learn that it used to be thought of as an ailment of the rich and famous. According to the Cleveland Clinic, that's because doctors used to think people developed gout from eating lots of rich...
Glaucoma is an eye condition caused by damage to the optic nerve leading to loss of sight. This damage often results from an increase in pressure in your eyes, known as intraocular pressure. U.K health care provider, Bupa, notes that most people...