Low blood pressure, called hypotension in the medical field, occurs when the heart, brain and other parts of the body do not get enough blood after the heart pumps it out, explains Drugs.com. Some women have low blood pressure before pregnancy but...
Becoming a surrogate mother, in which you carry a child for another woman who is unable to, is a big commitment with a process that has several requirements. Most of those requirements are not set in stone. Determinations are made on a...
Vitex, also known as chasteberry or monk's pepper, has been used for centuries as a remedy for dozens of common ailments. The peppercorn-like fruits of this subtle medicinal plant have been used in traditional Chinese and Mediterranean medicine to...
Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is a B-complex vitamin that helps the body metabolize fat and protein and helps transport carbon and oxygen between cells. Biotin is found in small amounts in a variety of foods and is available as a supplement....
If you have oral or genital herpes, your doctor may recommend treatment with a lysine supplement. Though additional research is necessary, lysine may help reduce the replication of the herpes virus in your body, which may help reduce outbreak...
The first trimester is the stage in which an embryo officially becomes a fetus. It runs from week one to week 13, with the fetal stage beginning around week nine. At the end of this trimester, the fetus is about 3 inches long and it weighs about 1...
While adoption provides a child with a permanent family, an adopted child has a different medical history than his parents. Sometimes, medical data is complex and parents should have as much information as possible for treating any issues or...
Menopause signals the end of a woman's fertility, generally marked by 12 continuous months without menstruation. The age of menopause varies from one woman to another, typically occurring between 45 and 55, according to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical...
Antidepressant medications are used primarily for the treatment of depression and in people with psychiatric conditions that affect mood. The American Academy of Family Physicians indicates that antidepressants act on chemicals in the brain termed...
Cholestin (red yeast rice) is a natural supplement typically found as yeast growing on rice grains. According to Drugs.com, Cholestin is a used in conjunction with diet and exercise to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Both cholesterol...
Vitamins, taken in normal quantities, are essential to your survival. Taking too many vitamins -- especially fat-soluble ones, which accumulate in fatty tissues in the body -- can cause health problems. During pregnancy, high levels of vitamins A...
Aside from its culinary value, thyme is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health conditions. Its main compound, thymol, is attributed with antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant and antitussive properties. In fact, thyme tea is...
Heartburn occurs when excess harsh digestive juices irritate the esophageal lining. Rapidly escalating hormone levels in pregnancy slow down the digestive process, making pregnant women more susceptible to heartburn. Later in pregnancy, the...
Conjugated linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid found naturally in beef and dairy products. Supplemental forms of conjugated linoleic acid may yield health benefits when used medicinally. Purported health benefits include reduced...
Isotretinoin, sold under the brand names Accutane and Roaccutane, is a medication derived from vitamin A used to treat severe, treatment-resistant acne. Isotretinoin is a powerful teratogen known to cause severe, life-threatening birth defects...
Urtica dioica, commonly known as stinging nettle, may yield health benefits when used as a medicinal supplement. The roots and leaves of the Urtica dioica plant may be prepared as a tea, tincture, tablet or capsule and is traditionally used to...
Salicylic acid is an organic acid that occurs naturally in plants, especially the bark of the willow tree. It's chemically similar to acetylsalicylic acid, which is the active component of aspirin. Salicylic acid and its salts are commonly used in...
Ultrasounds allow physicians--and curious parents--the opportunity to see a developing baby while it's still in the uterus. While obstetricians can get information about a baby's growth from measuring the mother's uterus, ultrasounds allow for...
Depo-SubQ Provera 104 is a medication that is related to the hormone progesterone. It is a contraceptive medication; that is, it is used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The Depo-SubQ prescribing information for physicians reports that it is...
Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which decreases the risk of stroke, heart attack and other heart complications. Although taking simvastatin often proves beneficial for some...
Colds are common during pregnancy. Since pregnancy affects your immune system, your symptoms might last longer than they would otherwise. If you need drugs to relieve the symptoms, take them only on a short-term basis and follow the...
If you're bored with step aerobics and find indoor cycle classes stultifying, a kickboxing workout is a high-impact, cardio-intense option to your regular exercise routine. The average cardio-kickboxing workout, which according American Council on...