Diabetes is a chronic health condition that can lead to several other medical problems if not managed properly. Excessive amounts of glucose in the blood caused by improper amounts of insulin can lead to organ damage. Vision problems, poor...
More than 90 percent of cases of diabetes in children are Type 1 diabetes mellitus, or insulin dependent diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, no insulin is being produced by the pancreas. The cause of Type 1 diabetes is often an autoimmune response...
Every coffee drinker knows that caffeine can give you an energy burst to get through the day when you just want to fall asleep. But coffee isn't the only source of caffeine. Caffeine is also found in medications such as Excedrin, in chocolate and...
If you don't like swallowing pills or find them difficult to digest, taking vitamin B in liquid form is an alternative. If you take more vitamin B than you need in any form, you're risking potentially serious side effects. A vitamin B complex may...
Phosphate is an electrolyte that is present throughout the body and is an important part of bone matrix, along with calcium. The body typically does not excrete appreciable amounts of phosphate into the urine because of a myriad of functions that...
A head injury is any trauma that injures the brain, skull or scalp. Anything from a minor bump on the head, to a serious brain injury is classified as a head injury. FamilyDoctor.org says that there are four types of head injuries and these...
Calcium phosphate is an oral form of vitamin D3. It is given as a way to treat calcium deficiency as well as promote bone health in people with degenerative diseases, like osteoporosis. You are typically instructed to consume calcium-rich meals...
According to The American College of Gastroenterology, approximately 11 percent of the general population report feeling bloated regularly. Bloating is a tight, full feeling in the abdomen that occurs for various reasons. Air intake, constipation,...
Caffeine is present in many diet pills, and you may incorporate it into a controlled diet for weight loss. However, caffeine is unproven as a weight-loss aid and may be dangerous for individuals with caffeine sensitivity or certain medical...
The balance of potassium is important in muscle and nerve activity. With heart failure, patients tend to retain fluid and will require medications to help excrete excess fluid. But when too much fluid is lost, potassium is also lost. Monitoring...
Carbonated drinks have become a staple of the modern diet. They come in many varieties which appeal to different personal preferences and needs. However, the fact that carbonated drinks are almost as widely consumed as water doesn't negate the...
Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, is an essential micronutrient found in the human diet. Like other B vitamins, niacin is critical to the proper functioning of the central nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, liver and reproductive organs....
Electrolytes are minerals in your body that help control various physiological functions. While anyone can experience an electrolyte imbalance at some time, people with diabetes insipidus are prone to this condition. Diabetes insipidus occurs when...
Millions of Americans suffer from some form of high cholesterol. Some can reduce their cholesterol levels by simply altering their diet and lifestyle, while others need a combination of diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering medications such as...
Your morning cup of java may help boost more than just your energy levels, it may boost your weight loss efforts as well. As long as you choose flavorings that aren't high in sugar, calories and fat, you will receive the optimal weight-loss...
Your body needs sodium in order to regulate fluids and blood pressure. But too much sodium leads to high blood pressure, greater risk of heart attack or stroke and loss of calcium from your bones. Reducing salt intake is an important step in...
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels become unusually high. Early in life, the most common form of diabetes is called Type 1 diabetes, marked by little or no insulin production from the pancreas. This can cause a sudden increase in...
Vitamins, minerals and amino acids are important to health and development. Taurine, also called L-taurine, is an amino acid, which is a substance that helps build proteins. You can obtain taurine through your diet or supplementation. It is used...
High blood pressure puts patients at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Chronically elevated blood pressure allows cholesterol to accumulate in the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis; it also makes the heart work harder to...
Water is one of the most essential substances in the diet, making up approximately 60 percent of the human body. Dehydration occurs when water is lost through sweat or urination. Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic, increasing urine volume and...
If you take your coffee black you may speed up your weight loss efforts, along with your energy. Avoiding sugary flavorings in your coffee that are packed with saturated fat and simple carbohydrates such as syrups and powders allows you to receive...
Caffeine is a chemical that comes from plant-based sources. Many of these plant products, like cola nuts, coffee beans and tea leaves, are made into beverages, and companies add caffeine to some soft drinks and energy drinks. Caffeine has a...
Caffeine consumed in moderation can lead to mild, stimulating effects that can help keep you temporarily more alert and awake; however; consuming more than 500 mg -- more than 5 cups of coffee -- a day can lead to side effects such as anxiety,...
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland, according to the National Cancer Institute. Because high PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, PSA testing is often performed. However, it's important...
