Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the body's ability to regulate blood glucose, or blood sugar. The body uses glucose, along with carbohydrates and fats, for energy. Diabetics may have glucose levels that are too high or too low. The...
Opiates are some of the most addictive and prevalent substances in the world. They include illegal drugs such as opium and heroin; they also encompass legal therapeutics like morphine and fentanyl. Despite the different names and uses,...
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, making it necessary for the development and maintenance of strong bones. Doctors can determine the level of vitamin D in the body through a blood test that measures the amount of...
Caffeine intoxication -- more commonly called a caffeine overdose -- may occur if you consume more than 500mg to 600mg caffeine daily. Though caffeine may help keep you awake and energized, too much of this stimulant may be bad for your health....
Diabetes is a disease that causes high levels of sugars in the blood as the result of an inadequate supply of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin properly. Affecting 6 percent of the American population, diabetes causes complications...
Combining energy drinks with alcohol is gaining popularity. According to a report published by the Marin Institute in 2007, 34 percent of adults ages 18 to 24 report regular energy drink consumption. Beverage companies have monopolized upon this...
A tincture is one form of herbal medication. Tinctures are made by soaking the herbs in some form of liquid. Glycerin and apple cider vinegar may be used, but alcohol produces the strongest tinctures. Some people may be concerned about the amount...
People are used to hearing that they should drink at least eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated, particularly in hot weather or when playing sports. But it is possible to drink too much water. Excess water, also known as water...
Water intoxication can damage your lungs, brain, heart and other organs. The condition occurs when you drink too much water too quickly, placing stress on your kidneys. Your kidneys normally filter water and waste from your body. When you drink...
Thirst is an instinctual response initiated by the brain in response to decreased body water content. Thirst normally comes and goes, according to the body's changing water needs. Persistent, excessive thirst is termed polydipsia. Common causes of...
Nutmeg and caffeine are natural substances that are used for different purposes. Nutmeg is a spice made from the hard seed from a nutmeg tree. Certain products naturally contain caffeine, which is a stimulant. These two substances have the...
Bacteria are ubiquitous microorganisms found on our skin, in the air, under the soil and even in food we eat. Bacterial strains that occur in food can be either harmless, beneficial or pathogenic. Pathogenic bacteria are harmful microorganisms...
You have probably heard that it is important to drink plenty of water -- approximately eight to 10 glasses per day -- to maintain good health. Water is one of the basic necessities of life, making up approximately 60 percent of the human body,...
For older children and adults, daily water intake is important to maintain good health. Well-meaning parents may think water is necessary to keep babies healthy and hydrated, but young babies have no need for plain water and can even be harmed by...
A survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2008 found that the majority of Americans described themselves as current drinkers of alcohol. Although most Americans use alcohol moderately, the same survey reported that...
Hydration is touted as a healthy habit to endorse. Drink water and other noncaffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to flush your body of toxins and help your skin stay clear and generally feel better. Most people do not drink enough daily and do not...
The dry heaves, or retching, is a gastrointestinal disturbance similar to vomiting, but without emptying the stomach's contents. Dry heaves often precede or follow vomiting, but in some cases, they can occur on their own. For example, excessive...
According to the Mayo Clinic, alcoholism is a chronic condition indicating physiological dependence, which also manifests as psychological disturbance and behavioral change. Alcoholism is clinically diagnosed when drinking continues despite the...
Energy drinks have become very popular and are targeted toward teenagers and young adults. According to the University of Alabama, guarana is the source of caffeine in these energy drinks and has more than three times the amount of caffeine than...
Coffee is a common drink for American adults, half of whom drink it every day according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Americans drink an average of 3.1 cups per day. Coffee itself is not addictive; caffeine is the ingredient in coffee...
Newborn babies do not typically drink water. Giving water to a newborn can disrupt their feeding or even cause serious health consequences according to an article written by pediatrician Stephen R. Daniels on BabyCenter. Your baby will get all the...
Physiological addiction to alcohol characterizes the presence of alcohol dependence. Symptoms relating to severe alcoholism are often termed interchangeably as physiological or physical, which indicates a change in the response of the body to the...
Among other functions, the kidneys are responsible for regulating electrolyte or mineral balance, acid, base and volume of the blood. Acute renal failure is the sudden onset of kidney failure. Life-threatening conditions that result from renal...
Vomiting and diarrhea are very common symptoms that occur together and usually are the result of something minor that goes away on its own within two to three days. An elevated heart rate can also be caused by many different things, such as...
Zoloft is typically prescribed as an antidepressant medication to relieve symptoms of stress, calming and relaxing the patient and reducing overall feelings of anxiety. Caffeine, on the other hand, is a widely used, mildly addictive stimulant...
Most people think of water as a harmless drink essential for life. While it is for adults, this is not true for babies. When your baby eats and drinks it is on an as-needed basis only. The nutrients inside his body are in perfect balance. Giving...
Crack cocaine is a form of cocaine that is reduced to a freebase state through processing, most commonly with baking soda and water. The result is a brittle compound referred to as "crack rock," which can be either snorted or smoked. Regardless of...
Caffeine is a substance found in coffees, teas, energy drinks and soft drinks. Caffeine is also available in supplement products and marketed to individuals looking to fight off drowsiness and feel more energized. It does these things by...
Calcium chloride is a salt. One molecule of calcium chloride contains one calcium atom and two chloride atoms. At room temperature, it is solid and it dissolves easily in water. It can be used to dry things because it rapidly absorbs water and it...
Botulism is a rare but very serious condition. It's caused by toxin produced by bacteria called clostridium botulinum. The toxins that this bacterium produces are among the most poisonous substances. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...
Paralysis is a complete loss of strength or ability to move a particular limb or muscle group because nerves are affected or injured in some way. Watch this video to learn more about this condition and how to treat it.
