Cayenne pepper is a stimulating herb made from the fruit of the chili pepper plant. Capsaicin is the ingredient that contributes to the hot taste of the herb, as well as the healing properties of the pepper. In addition to capsaicin, other...
L-glycine, also simply called glycine, is an amino acid your body uses to create proteins and transmit neurochemical signals through your brain. If you suffer from certain medical conditions, such as leg ulcers or schizophrenia, you may benefit...
Rivastigmine is a medication that belongs to the drug category of cholinesterase inhibitors, according to Medline Plus. It is used to treat dementia in people suffering from Alzheimer's disease (a brain disease characterized by memory loss and...
Being told to eat candy to cure a medical condition may sound too good to be true. But if you have problems with your salivary glands, sour candy may be just what the doctor ordered. Infection, decreased saliva production or stones in the salivary...
If you've forgotten your toothbrush, or don't care to brush in a public restroom, some foods can help clean your teeth. While they aren't as good as using your brush and flossing, these foods can help maintain your bright smile. Many of these...
The medical name for dry mouth is xerostomia, or the absence of saliva. Xerostomia is usually the result of certain autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer, and endocrine or nerve conditions. Saliva contains enzymes...
Trazodone (also known as desyrel), is an antidepressant intended to increase levels of serotonin, thus restoring chemical balance to the brain and alleviating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. While effective, side effects can outweigh the...
A sore throat isn't something you want to deal with during pregnancy, especially if you're uncomfortable to begin with. It's best to avoid medications unless your sore throat is severe and the medications are on the list of those safe for use...
Also known as halitosis, bad breath can be an unpleasant occurrence that can affect you socially and personally. A number of factors can contribute to bad breath, including things you eat and bacteria that reside in the mouth, according to the...
An ancient herbal remedy used in Central and South America for centuries, boldo eases digestive issues and gallbladder discomfort. As an evergreen shrub grown in Chile and Peru, boldo grows upward of 20 feet tall. With the flowers of each shrub...
Yohimbe bark is considered a natural herbal product, mostly found in the jungles of the Congo, as well as throughout Nigeria, states the Natural Herbs Guide. The yohimbe is a tree whose bark has long been used in Africa to treat a variety of...
Topamax is a drug that works by reducing abnormal excitement in the brain for bipolar syndrome, wherein a patient may experience mood swings from extreme lows of depression to highs of unrealistic exuberance. It is generally classified as an...
Zopiclone is a medication used to manage insomnia. According to Drugs.com, zopiclone belongs to a category of drugs called central nervous system depressants, and it works to help you sleep better throughout the night. Typically, you will take 5...
Saliva plays an important role in your digestive system. It helps break down the food that you eat. Saliva is produced and secreted by three major salivary glands in your mouth. Salivary gland blockages prevent saliva from leaving your salivary...
Gutkha is another name for betel nut. Small doses may bring about euphoria and increased energy flow, while large doses can cause sedation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Due to its stimulant activity, gutkha is used in many...
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a contagious virus that can cause recurrent skin infections in people affected by this condition. There are two major forms of HSV: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). The major distinction between these two types is...
Children can be exposed to herpes via two viruses--HSV-1 and HSV-2. Although both can cause genital herpes, HSV-1 is usually responsible for oral infections. Both viruses can be transmitted by person-to-person contact, and herpes can also be...
Rabies is a life-threatening virus that leads to the destruction of the central nervous system, which is composed of your brain and spinal cord. This virus can develop if you are bitten by an infected animal, such as a raccoon, bat, skunk or dog....
Cocaine withdrawal, which occurs when a cocaine user stops ingesting the drug, affects the sufferer by producing severe feelings of craving, irritability, delayed depression, hallucinations and other symptoms. Those trying to wean themselves off...
Heartburn occurs when excess harsh digestive juices irritate the esophageal lining. Rapidly escalating hormone levels in pregnancy slow down the digestive process, making pregnant women more susceptible to heartburn. Later in pregnancy, the...
Chewing of gum is a common habit, with about 100,000 tons chewed worldwide every year, the World Dental website reports. Chewing gum after eating helps stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes and wash away acid produced by the bacteria in...
Take a good look at your lifestyle the next time you notice you are burping frequently. A common cause of excessive burping is simply swallowing a lot of air. Daily activities that can make you swallow great amounts of air are smoking, chewing...
Alprazolam is the generic name for the medication Xanax. This drug is commonly used to relieve symptoms of anxiety. Because it works quickly and wears off after a short period of time, this medication is well suited for treating acute anxiety...
Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is cancer that starts in the colon, which is the last part of the digestive system. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells and is a common treatment for this type of cancer. Chemotherapy...
Esophageal cancer is typically an aggressive cancer that is usually not discovered until it is in an advanced stage, according to the journal American Family Physician. Causes include gastroesophageal reflux disease, alcohol, smoking, obesity and...
Risperdal (generic name risperidone) is an antipsychotic medication used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and the irritability associated with autism. It comes in four forms: injection, liquid suspension, oral tablet and...
Topiramate is the generic name for Topamax, a drug with many purposes. Arthur Schoenstadt, M.D., of eMedTV.com explains that this drug helps prevent both seizures and migraines by slowing the abnormal electric signals in the brain responsible for...
Risperdal (Risperidone) is an antipsychotic medication used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, irritability associated with autistic disorder and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. Risperdal works by restoring the balance of chemicals in...
Niravam (alprazolam) is a prescription medication indicated to provide short-term relief of symptoms associated with anxiety or panic disorder. This drug is part of a class of medications called benzodiazepines and works by regulating mood-related...
Tick bites should be treated immediately, the concern being transmission of Lyme disease. Learn more about tick bites in this medical video.
Teething can be a scary time for new parents. Learn the answers to some common questions about teething babies with tips from an expert on parenting infants in this free teething video.
