Glucophage is a well-known brand of the generic drug, metformin. Glucophage is an anti-diabetic medication that helps your body use insulin more efficiently. Glucophage also decreases the amount of sugar your body absorbs from food and helps...
Ibuprofen, an over-the-counter medication, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that offers an alternative to steroids and aspirin. Ibuprofen reduces mild or moderate discomfort associated with minor aches and pains such as back pain,...
Many women who are eager to give birth look for ways to start labor at home. While pregnancy may be uncomfortable and waiting for labor inconvenient, pregnant women should avoid using herbs to stimulate labor at home. If you have a medical reason...
Vitamin B-3, or niacin, helps your body metabolize nutrients. Around 200 enzymes in your body require niacin for reduction and oxidation reactions, which provide most of your energy. Niacin helps your body produce energy from carbohydrates, fats,...
If you have excess weight to lose, you naturally might be impatient to shed the pounds as quickly as possible; however, overly rapid weight loss can lead to a range of medical problems and symptoms. A safe and permanent rate of weight loss is...
Vitamin B-6, also referred to as pyridoxine, and niacinamide, also referred to as vitamin B-3, are water-soluble nutrients the body needs. The body does not store excessive amounts of vitamin B-3 or B-6, so an adequate dietary intake of the...
Although the Centers for Disease Control notes that 3 to 7 percent of school-age children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, many younger children also suffer from this disorder. Since the symptoms of ADHD are common in many young...
Dandruff occurs when the skin on the scalp is dry and begins to flake off. Signs that someone has dandruff are dry, itchy scalp as well as white skin flakes in the hair and on clothing. Some flaking of skin is normal, however, dandruff is...
Diagnosing ADD in toddlers can be tricky, as every child develops at a different pace. Toddlers are often restless, inattentive, in constant motion and act out. Doctors often want to take a cautious approach to see if the child outgrows ADD...
Finger and toenails can be an indicator of overall health. The Mayo Clinic reports that some nail problems might be symptoms of medical conditions, but most nails have issues even on a healthy individual. As nails grow, old and dying keratin cells...
Electrolytes are an important part of your diet and their levels in your body are carefully regulated. Consuming high levels of any electrolyte, such as sodium or potassium, can cause serious health problems known as electrolyte imbalances. If you...
Depression can manifest differently in kids than it does in adults. Infants and preschoolers experiencing depression may have a decrease in appetite that causes them to lose weight and they may seem to no longer enjoy playing, notes...
Numerous biological processes utilize the mineral potassium, including digestion, muscle contraction and heart function. Many foods contain potassium, and most people ingest enough potassium through diet. The most frequent causes of low potassium...
Chicken pox is an infectious, contagious disease caused by the virus varicella-zoster. Though the majority of patients who develop chicken pox are under age 10, adults can develop chicken pox symptoms as well, according to MedlinePlus, a medical...
Each year more than one and a half million people in the United States undergo treatment for alcohol dependence, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Most of these people experience alcohol withdrawal, a condition...
"Swine flu," also known as H1N1 2009, was first identified in March 2009. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rapid flu tests miss up to 90 percent of swine flu infections. Through careful attention to symptoms, it...
Betaine anhydrous is a medication used to treat excessive amounts of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid found in blood that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and homocystinuria is a condition describing...
Iron is an important supplement for your health. Forming a part of the red pigment called hemoglobin in your red blood cells (RBCs), it gives the RBCs the red color and helps bring oxygen to all your cells. Aside from that, iron is also vital for...
Water retention, which is more formally referred to as edema, occurs when excessive fluid accumulates within the body. Fluid retention can occur for a number of reasons, including malnutrition, disease or medication use, according to the Huntsman...
An enlarged heart, medically known as cardiomyopathy, is a condition in which the muscles in the heart gradually weaken. The Mayo Clinic says that cardiomyopathy symptoms include leg swelling, trouble breathing with exertion, fatigue and...
Going on a specific diet is one way that you can lose weight, or maintain your current weight and make a healthy lifestyle change. Dieting may involve consuming less food or a different kind of food that your body may not be used to. If you begin...
Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer that affects approximately 2,500 people each year in the United States, according to the Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. Symptoms of bone cancer in kids are typically mild and may be...
Varicose veins are blood vessels that swell, twist and become visible under the skin. This condition commonly affects the veins in the lower legs but may also affect the blood vessels in the rectum in a condition called hemorrhoids. Varicose veins...
Injury, damage or unusual pressure affecting the nerves that run throughout the shoulders can cause patients to develop pinched nerve symptoms. Patients who are obese or have osteoarthritis are at an increased risk of developing pinched nerve...
There are more female endurance athletes than ever before, according to Salvator J. Tirrito, M.D. Women may use less glycogen and more fat than men in longer, lower intensity exercise, which possibly gives them an advantage over men in these types...
There are a number of test procedures carried out to diagnose a person with Alzheimer's disease, including clinical and cognitive evaluations, blood tests and brain imaging. While some are done to aid the initial suspicion of Alzheimer's disease,...
You are in the middle of a hectic workday when a migraine hits. You may be debilitated by the intensity of the pain and nausea. Whether you rely on migraine medications and want to add a natural and effective technique to curb your pain, or...
Blood pressure is the pressure that the blood presses against the walls of arteries. Two numbers associated with measuring blood pressure are obtained when a blood pressure reading is made. The first number is called the systolic number and is...
The thoughts and pressures from anxiety sometimes lead to feeling sick with worry. It can develop into actually physical symptoms that cause abdominal discomfort. Stomach and intestinal problems, along with other ailments, can result from constant...
Chiropractic patients should expect a thorough evaluation before and after treatment. Learn how chiropractors work and how treatments are performed in this video.
Candidiasis or a yeast infection is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Learn about the...
GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back into your food pipe. The constant backwash or acid reflux can irritate the lining of your esophagus and cause inflammation. Learn about...