The body needs vitamin B-12 to produce healthy red blood cells, metabolize protein and fat, synthesize DNA and maintain proper neurological function. Because the body absorbs only a small percentage of vitamin B-12 from foods and supplements, high...
According to Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, blackheads---also known as open comedones---occur when skin pores become clogged. Oil, dead skin cells and bacteria form plugs in the pores, making the pores larger. Because these plugs are exposed...
Calcium plays an essential role in the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, and adequate intake can help prevent osteoporosis. Iron plays an essential role in the delivery of oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. People with low levels of...
Iron, a nutrient found in most animal products and some plant-based foods, makes up an important part of hemoglobin, an oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Insufficient iron intake or absorption can cause iron deficiency anemia, leading to...
Anxiety results from the perception of a threatening situation. It is a normal emotion that serves to arouse the body in preparation for defense. Experiencing anxiety sets off a cascade of physiological effects, beginning with the activation of...
Many health conditions can hinder the absorption of vitamin B-12 in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to low levels. Vitamin B-12 plays an important role in neurological function, metabolism and red blood cell formation. Vitamin B-12 deficiency...
When most people discuss incontinence, they are referring to urinary incontinence, or the inability to hold urine in your bladder. In some cases, however, you may develop fecal incontinence, which is the involuntary voiding of your colon's...
When a patient has clinical depression, she has symptoms like sadness and anger that interfere in her life. Not all forms of depression are the same: each type of depression has different diagnostic criteria, such as the duration and number of...
Yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, is caused by a type of fungus known as Candida albicans. According to the Medline Medical Encyclopedia, yeast infections can affect your mouth, esophagus, vagina and skin. In some cases, yeast...
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that neuromuscular disease refers to a group of disorders where damage occurs to the nerves. Due to nerve cell death, communication between the nerves and muscles deteriorate, resulting in a lack of...
When a person has a seizure, normal electrical activity in the brain is disrupted. The symptoms of a seizure can range from muscle twitching to a loss of consciousness. A seizure does not last longer than 15 minutes, according to the National...
The rhubarb, a tart, earthy vegetable commonly used in pies, originated in the cold climates of Western China, Tibet, Mongolia and Siberia. This vegetable played a medicinal role for centuries before it began to be consumed as food in the 18th...
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. This can damage multiple organs. Shock requires immediate medical treatment and can get worse...
The term "chemical imbalances" refers to mental disorders, since many psychological conditions are thought to be due to irregular levels of neurotransmitters. The symptoms of a chemical imbalance vary depending on the specific mental disorder....
While dry hair is a common problem, you don't have to sit idly by when it happens. There are numerous ways you can treat dry hair in order to enjoy a healthier head of hair.
Dementia is a degenerative disease that damages the patient's memory, behavior, language, judgment and thinking. Alzheimer's disease is one form of dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Red blood cells circulating in the body contain a molecule known as hemoglobin, which transports oxygen. If glucose, or sugar, is stuck to the hemoglobin, it is called glycated hemoglobin. The A1c test measures the percentage of red blood cells...
Ear pain can be bothersome and disruptive, especially at night or when you are trying to sleep. Many medical conditions can cause an earache. The most common cause is an earache, but swimmer's ear, sinus infections, a sore throat and impacted ear...
Earache pain is no laughing matter, as it is capable of reducing adults to tears. Whether you or your child suffers from an earache, knowing about options for pain relief can be essential in minimizing the pain promptly and effectively. Depending...
While it's true that getting wrinkles it just a part of life and the aging process, it doesn't mean you have to take them lying down. In fact, there are numerous ways you can combat wrinkles and even prevent them from forming. From lifestyle...
Depression is a mood disorder wherein the patient exhibits persistent sadness, irritability and sleeping problems. To be diagnosed with one of the major classes of depression, the symptoms must interfere in the patient's life. Each of the major...
Heavy or long menstruation can deplete a woman's iron stores, leading to iron-deficiency anemia. Women of childbearing age have a much higher risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia than men and postmenopausal women. Twenty percent of women do...
Vitamin B-12, a water-soluble nutrient found in most animal-based foods, plays an essential role in neurological function and red blood cell production. Inadequate intake or absorption of vitamin B-12 can cause low levels of the vitamin in the...
When your acne heals, you might be discouraged by red or dark marks left behind on your skin, but don't despair. These are not permanent marks and are simply your body's reaction to the previous inflammation. While post-acne hyperpigmentation will...
Menstruation can be an unpleasant part of life for women. For most, however, it is no more than an inconvenience. For some, however, the symptoms can take over your life and make it difficult to function, especially if you suffer from fatigue....
Wrinkles can appear on the face for many different reasons. Whether it's aging, sun exposure, poor health or repetitive facial expressions, wrinkles can make you feel unattractive and old. However, there are ways to eliminate your facial wrinkles....
When it comes to taking care of skin, many people focus on the face and face alone. However, whatever you do to your face should be done to your neck as well. If not properly taken care of, your neck can wrinkle, sag and generally look...
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods, including meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt and nuts. The body needs potassium for protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, muscle development and other important electrical and cellular...
