In the age of the internet, medical information is available at the touch of your fingers. An online symptom checker can help you pinpoint the possible causes of your discomfort, often saving you a trip to the doctor or letting you know one is...
Aciphex, or rabeprazole sodium, is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat acid reflux disease. Acid reflux is when stomach acid flows back, or refluxes, into the esophagus. Its symptoms include regurgitation, heartburn and belching. According to...
Hiccups are the result of involuntary diaphragmatic contractions. The diaphragm is the muscle separating the thoracic (chest) cavity from the abdomen, and is the primary muscle of respiration. The hiccup sound is heard when the vocal cords...
When it comes to staying healthy, regular checkups and physicals should be a part of every man's routine. As you get older (over 40), yearly physicals are advised in order to catch serious ailments before they become problematic and can serve as...
The substance that makes up earwax is called cerumen. Earwax sometimes builds up in the ears of infants faster than the body can remove it, potentially causing problems or discomfort for the baby. Excess earwax production that results in a...
Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disturbance that originates from heart chambers at the top of the heart, called the atria. The abnormal rhythm is fast and irregular and cannot adequately squeeze blood into the pumping chambers of the heart,...
About 4,800 babies are born each year in the United States with clefts and no other birth defects, according to the March of Dimes. Most of these children are born with cleft lips along with cleft palates. Children with cleft palates without cleft...
The way to steady weight loss is through limiting daily calories and consistently burning more calories than you consume. To that end, it can be helpful to skip bedtime snacks altogether and try to finish meals at least a couple of hours before...
If you pick up a bottle of ibuprofen to ease your headache or a bottle of calcium supplements because you're worried about osteoporosis, you may not think these medicine cabinet additions warrant a chat with your doctor. But like all medications...
A cancer diagnosis can be frightening, and more information and support may be needed for both patients and those who love them. Various Internet sites provide general cancer resources and many link to other, more specific sites for certain cancer...
Diet Coke is a no-calorie soda that is consumed throughout the world. While it does not provide any essential vitamins or minerals, it doesn't add to your calorie intake either. This product is sweetened with two artificial sweeteners: aspartame...
Online weight-loss support groups, meal planners and calorie counters are abundant. Support groups can share their successes and help to motivate dieters. Dieting tools online are convenient and accurate. But if you want to lose weight, you should...
Vigorous exercise causes lactic acid buildup in your tissues and body fluids, as evidenced by aching muscles the day after a workout. However people with certain metabolic conditions or taking certain drugs are at a greater risk of building up...
Most birth announcements will include the baby's height and length. And no wonder: It is vital data. Falling into the normal range for size is a good start for an infant, suggesting good health. But remember, each baby is different, and even those...
Rainbow Light, manufacturer of the ThinBerry Diet and Cleanse over-the-counter weight loss supplement, claims its product helps you shed unwanted pounds by controlling your appetite and helping you burn excess fat. This program's three-step system...
Chamomile tea has a relaxing, soothing effect. However, research on its safety during pregnancy is generally lacking. According to New YorkUniversity's Langone Medical Center, brewed chamomile tea likely has no negative effects. However, when...
Red yeast rice has a long history of use as both a food and medicine. It contains similar compounds as those found in statins, a commonly prescribed class of drugs to treat high cholesterol. Because of this similarity, red yeast rice has been...
Bipolar disorder is a treatable mental illness affecting more than 2 million Americans each year, according to HealthyPlace.com, a medically reviewed mental health information site. It is characterized by extreme mood swings that, when left...
Herbal or natural vitamin supplements have a long history of treating a variety of medical conditions. According to Herbalportal.com, a herbal information site, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 4 billion people use herbal...
When an employee is injured at work, she is entitled to medical and financial benefits under workers' compensation insurance. Many work injuries involve the back, and an employee may find that chiropractic care is helpful in treating a...
Maitake mushroom is used as both a food and medicine throughout Asia. It has been classified as an adaptogen, a natural substance thought to boost immunity, improve energy and fight stress. Maitake has also been used to treat diabetes, high blood...
Rhodiola rosea has a long history of use as a strengthening tonic purported to boost immunity, fight fatigue, aid in recovery from illness and shore up the body's defenses against mental and physical stresses. According to the Beth Israel...
Damiana has a history of use as an aphrodisiac that enhances sexual virility. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center notes limited evidence for other suggested uses, including sexual dysfunction, asthma and other respiratory conditions,...
Used as a medicine for over 2,000 years, milk thistle is probably best known as a treatment for the liver. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes scientific studies have shown its primary component, silymarin, appears to protect the liver...
Cayenne is both a spicy food additive and natural medicinal supplement derived from the red pepper, or Capsicum annuum. The active ingredient in cayenne is capsaicin, which may be used as an herbal treatment to alleviate pain and inflammation. If...
Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, is characterized by extremely high and low moods. People learning how to deal with a bipolar person often are confused by the sudden mood swings and may feel responsible for the changes...
Surgical excision is the removal of tissue using a sharp instrument, usually a scalpel and is usually aimed a specific tissue. Surgical excision can involve major surgery, as in removing cancerous tumors from the spine, aorta, or breast, or it can...
Strokes can cause facial paralysis or partial loss of muscle control. These symptoms make speech, eating, facial expressions and general facial movement difficult or impossible for stroke victims. Specific exercises can help stroke patients regain...
Mu huang, also known as ephedra, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs and urinary problems -- typically in low doses and in combination with other herbs. Its stimulant...
