The most severe heat-related disorder is heat stroke. People working outdoors, the elderly and children are most likely to suffer from the condition in the hot summer months. Additional risk factors include obesity, alcohol consumption,...
Sodium is a mineral present in the body that has benefits, including maintaining the proper fluid balance in the body and the acid-base level in the body, regulating blood pressure and assisting in nerve conduction. While sodium is an important...
Potassium is an electrolyte essential in the function of muscles and nerves. Along with sodium, it maintains the body's water and pH balances, sustaining blood pressure and other physiologic processes. Hypokalemia is the clinical name for low...
Stroke, the third leading cause of death in America as reported by the National Stroke Association, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. A lack of blood and oxygen causes brain cells to die, which interferes with various abilities...
Giving birth is a tumultuous experience characterized by rapidly changing hormone levels, emotional upheavals, and great anxiety and concern about bring a good parent. Around 13 percent of the time, the U.S. Department of Health states, the...
According to Drugs.com, phentermine is a drug used to treat obesity. Used in combination with diet and exercise, phentermine can help people lose weight. It is given in a single dose of 15 to 37.5 mg taken daily in the morning before breakfast....
Outside temperature and internal heat flow throughout the body controls skin temperature. Prolonged exposure to cold weather, wind chills and outdoor moisture leads to heat loss. Other factors are constricted clothing and lack of insulation, which...
The pupil is the large black circle that is in the center of each eye. It widens and narrows naturally in response to changes in the light. Pupils become larger in dim light to let in more of the image and smaller in bright light to limit the...
Divorce is a difficult time in anyone's life, and can bring out stubborn, irrational behavior from even the most cordial person. The process can be lengthy and frustrating, especially when children and custody issues are involved, but both parties...
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fear is a natural feeling in young children. When children turn 2-years-old, they may develop fears that were not present in earlier life. These new fears may be due to negative experiences or the...
Because of the intensity and exertion required in football, hydration becomes extremely important for players to not only perform at their highest level but also to prevent heat exhaustion and other dangerous effects of dehydration. Especially...
Sometimes, persons with schizophrenia will experience an obsession with certain delusions or hallucinations. They may develop close relationships with imaginary persons or believe they are being harassed and even chased by evil people or...
Sodium is necessary for muscle contraction, heart function and nerve impulse transmission. It helps your body absorb and transport amino acids, glucose and water, as well as regulates blood volume and pressure. Too little or too much can have...
Schizophrenia is a psychotic mental disorder characterized by severe symptoms. These symptoms vary by patient, but may include hallucination, severe difficulty organizing thoughts, paranoid delusions, a lack of emotional expression or a lack of...
Ornithine transcarbamylase, or OTC, deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that occurs in approximately one in every 80,000 births, according to Genetics Home Reference. In OTC deficiency, a defective enzyme results in the inability to effectively...
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which someone experiences severe highs, lows and intense shifts within their mental state. Typically, those afflicted with bipolar disorder ride a wave of emotions that range from energizing and happy to low and...
Jealousy has been around as long as human beings have. Although it is a normal reaction to a real or perceived threat of losing a partner's care or loyalty, if it is unrestrained it can lead to paranoia, false accusations, irrational behavior...
Carrot seed oil is extracted upon steam distillation of the carrot fruit. It has been used traditionally to treat a wide variety of health problems and also as a food color and flavoring agent. Carrot seed oil is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin...
Athletes often consume supplements to enhance performance during workouts and on game day. The supplements typically contain a variety of ingredients -- including herbs -- and usually haven't been tested for safety. While consuming a supplement...
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful brain stimulant with tremendous potential for addiction and abuse. In its crystal form meth is typically smoked but can also be snorted or dissolved and injected. Crystal meth can have a number of...
Parental alienation is a relationship dynamic that generally arises in the context of divorce or separation, and involves the behavior of parents and children. Although clinicians once defined it as the irrational actions of a child coping with...
Mushrooms are a popular addition to many dishes, salads and sauces, or served sautéed alone as a side dish. Not all mushrooms are safe to eat, with various possible negative side effects. Specialty mushrooms are available at your local...
Bipolar disorder is a debilitating illness that can seriously affect your life. Many theories have been posited regarding the etiology of bipolar disorder. One interesting idea is that bipolar disorder is caused by a misfiring of brain neurons due...
Sunstroke is another name for heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening illness that occurs when your body creates more heat than it can release. Children sweat less than adults, making them more susceptible to heat stroke and other heat-related...
Bipolar disorder is often referred to as manic depression or manic-depressive personality disorder. People with this disorder experience severe mood swings. Everyone has highs and lows, but bipolar disorder personalities experience erratic mood...
A hiking, biking or ski trip to the mountains may sound like a vacation from heaven, but a bout of altitude sickness can cause a rapid descent into the depths of Hades. The reduced atmospheric pressures at high-altitude locations creates thinner...
Hitting the slopes can be enjoyable and bring about an adrenaline rush that only comes from downhill speed. With skiing, you have the confidence that it takes to maneuver your body to avoid injuries and make it down the hill safely. Even with the...
Adequate hydration is especially important during adolescence, the period from puberty into adulthood that makes up the majority of the teen years. Proper nutrition is essential during this time for normal growth and development. Although often...
Child schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, irrational behavior and thinking, and an inability to carry out daily routines, according to the Mayo Clinic. Child schizophrenia occurs early in life...
