Weight lifting improves your muscle tone, increases bone density and may even raise your metabolic rate and promote weight loss. In some cases, it may even improve the quality of your sleep, says Dr. Miriam Nelson, author of "Strong Women Stay...
Leg muscle pain is a common complaint that is also described as muscle cramps. The hip, knee, shin, ankle and foot are all common origins of leg muscle pain. Leg pain can be generalized or specific to one area. Because the legs are necessary for...
Despite advances in care and prevention, cardiovascular disease kills more people in the developed world than any other cause, according to the Merck Manuals. Heart disease occurs in both men and woman and in all ethnic groups, and the disease...
Peripheral vascular disease, also referred to as peripheral arterial disease, is a circulatory disorder characterized by narrowing of the peripheral arteries that hinders proper blood flow. Peripheral vascular disease usually affects the arteries...
Potassium is an electrolyte that has several roles within your body. It helps regulate your acid-base balance and is necessary for muscle building and growth. Potassium also assists in the synthesis of protein from dietary amino acids and in the...
Poor circulation in the legs can cause muscle weakness, pain, exhaustion, limited mobility and ultimately potentially result in gangrene beginning in the feet. Poor leg circulation is often associated with diabetes and obesity as well as more...
Abdominal aortic stenosis (AAS) refers to abnormal narrowing of the aorta anywhere along its course in the abdomen. The aorta enters the abdomen through the thoracic hiatus at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra in front of the spinal cord...
Damage to the sartorius muscle, located in the front part of the thigh, can make nearly any posture painful. Without proper pain relief and inflammation treatments, walking may become impossible. This large muscle can be injured during sports...
There can be several reasons why are experiencing pain in your calf. If you are involved in exercise or sports, your pain may be attributed to sprains and strains based on injury. If you are sedentary and you experience pain in your calf when you...
l-carnitine, which is derived from the amino acid lycine, is good for you because it promotes energy production from fat and helps treat heart and nervous system conditions. Produced primarily in the liver and kidneys, l-carnitine is stored in the...
Sodium is an electrolyte, an electrically charged molecule, and an integral component of the body's fluid balance. It is important because water flows into areas that have higher sodium concentrations. There are several causes of elevated levels...
Poor circulation is a condition that affects millions of Americans every year. While the condition is often temporary, sometimes it is a symptom of peripheral artery disease, a disorder that prevents blood from properly circulating through the...
Stress is often associated with negative events. However positive events can cause you to feel stressed as well. Getting a promotion, getting married or buying a new home can be stressful. So can health problems, losing a job or family...
There are many diseases that can cause calf muscle pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, leg pain, including calf pain, is a common symptom and complaint, and it can be caused by numerous...
The vitality of the body depends on a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered by the blood via the circulatory system. As such, the structural integrity and function of the circulatory system is the keystone of health. Diseases that...
Chinese herbal remedies have used the extract from ginkgo biloba leaves for centuries to treat a variety of health disorders, including asthma, coughs and allergic reactions. France and Germany began marketing standardized ginkgo extract -- EGb...
Chiropractic treatment offers non-invasive, drug-free treatment for spinal conditions that otherwise may require painful surgery or powerful pain medications. Herniated discs are one such condition that chiropractors specialize in treating. The...
The spine consists of a series of bones, called vertebrae, and the soft spongy discs that separate them. Surrounding the spine is a tremendous number of different muscles that control spinal motion. A spasm is an involuntary contraction of a...
Vytorin, a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin, is a prescription medication to lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. This medication decreases total and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL---the bad cholesterol---in two ways: it decreases...
Any weekend warrior whose physical activity level increases intermittently has experienced a variety of muscle aches. Pain in the back of the leg below the knee can be a simple annoyance or can be serious. There are a variety of possible causes...
The thick abdominal muscles, or abs, suffer strains less often than muscles related to the extremities, such as the shoulder or calf muscles. Because the ribs and other supportive tissue protect the abs, acute or sudden strains rarely occur. More...
According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is one the most common reasons Americans miss work and the second leading reason they visit a doctor. One very common cause of back pain is the breakdown and herniation of a spinal...
Your calves do a significant amount of the work involved in running, as they are almost entirely responsible for the "push-off" phase of the stride. They are called into action for some 1,500 steps per mile and are recruited to an...
Some types of neck pain respond well to home remedies, but patients should be prepared to be, well, patient. Neck problems caused by simple muscle strain may feel better soon with home treatment, but it may take six weeks or more to mend fully, as...
Circulation of blood is vital for everyday living. The heart receives blood from the body, sends it to the lungs for oxygenation and pumps it to cells, tissues and organs. In addition, the blood nourishes and removes wastes from the body, as well...
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, a muscle spasm or cramp is an involuntary, and often painful, contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. The NIH states that muscle spasms are common,...
