While a number of over-the-counter medications and herbal preparations promise weight loss, the list of prescription weight loss medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration is short. Medications approved for use include drugs for...
Skin infected with dermatophytes of the fungus tinea results in ringworm. Anything that meets skin and then contacts more skin can spread the fungus. Warm humid places create the perfect environment for sharing ringworm. Gym shoes and socks carry...
The Food and Drug Administration regulates prescription medicine, and has approved more than 1,000 drugs and biologics for marketing since the Prescription Drug User Fee Act was passed in 1992. The website IMS Health estimates that 4 billion...
Withania somnifera, known as ashwagandha, has a role in ayurvedic medicine for a wide range of health conditions. Ashwagandha is purported as useful for relieving stress, fatigue, pain and gastrointestinal problems, and treating diabetes,...
L-arginine is an essential amino acid the body uses to make protein. Although L-arginine supplements are generally not necessary, they may provide some health benefits to people with certain medical conditions. The National Institutes of Health...
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes the skin to appear red, irritated, dry and scaly. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that more than 6 million people have been diagnosed with this condition in the United States. If...
Your body needs a vast array of vitamins and minerals to complete all of your life processes each day. It is always best to get these vitamins from the foods you eat, but supplements and multivitamins are available to fill in any nutritional gaps....
Prescription medicine is an essential part of health care. Prescription medicines reduce symptoms, fight and prevent infections and reduce risks for diseases, disorders and other medical conditions. According to Pharmaceutical Research and...
Allergies are a response of the immune system to allergens, which can be from the outdoors or indoors and can affect the sinuses, eyes and skin. Prescription allergy medicines act by reducing the body's reaction to allergens. Corticosteroids,...
Fiber has a number of health benefits, including regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, relieving or preventing constipation, preventing intestinal cancer and helping you maintain your weight. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Ashwagandha is a flowering shrub native to India, Asia and Africa, and naturalized elsewhere. The long, dark brown roots of the plant are used in ayurvedic medicine to produce medicines to treat numerous disorders, such as rheumatism, chronic...
Stopping smoking is difficult, but several prescription medications can make the process a little easier. It is important to realize that even with these medications, smoking is a difficult habit to break, and not one you should expect to overcome...
Both the pulp and juice of grapefruit contain components that inhibit liver enzymes from metabolizing some medications. By slowing the normal process of detoxification and elimination of certain prescription medications, grapefruit increases the...
Fat, an essential part of the human diet, is calorie- and energy-rich. Over-consumption of fat, however, can cause weight gain and associated health problems. This makes fat-blocking drugs a desirable target for pharmaceutical manufacturers that...
Acne, or frequent outbreaks of pimples, is a skin condition commonly experienced during puberty. Although it is unsightly and can be embarrassing, acne is not usually painful or harmful unless it is unduly severe. Severe acne carries the risk of...
Prescription weight loss medications aren't for people who just have a few pounds to lose or who want to look better in a pair of jeans. They are specifically designed for people who can't seem to lose weight through diet and exercise alone and...
Acne is a notorious cosmetic concern, especially for teenagers, though it's not uncommon for the problem to linger into adulthood. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 85 percent of teenagers experience some level of acne...
The primary cause of acne is a hormonal imbalance that is prevalent during the years of puberty. Surges of testosterone and premenstrual hormones trigger the production of increased sebum in the sweat glands, which combines with dead skin cells to...
When food or stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, a burning sensation called heartburn results. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, heartburn has become a common problem with "more than 50 million Americans...
Obesity is a worsening national health problem as, since the 1980s, the number of obese adults has doubled and the number of obese children has tripled across all socioeconomic groups, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....
The National Women's Health Information Center explains that some of the hormones that increase during pregnancy slow the muscles in the digestive tract, which makes food move through at a slower rate. The hormones also relax the valve at the base...
Cystic acne is a severe form of acne characterized by cysts under the skin. The cysts are blocked oil glands that have opened, producing inflammation and pus. Treatment is important because the cysts can leave long-lasting scars. Cystic acne takes...
Acne is a condition involving the formation of blemishes on the skin, usually on the face, back or shoulders. Many effective treatments are available for acne, including over-the-counter herbs and medicines, prescription drugs, systemic and...
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body launches an inflammatory response that affects joints, causing pain, swelling and joint damage. Abatacept, sold under the...
On average, a person creates 1 to 4 pints of gas per day. It is eliminated from the body about 14 times a day through burping or passing it out through the rectum, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. When the...
There are several kinds of drugs that reduce inflammation in the body. The two main types are steroids also called corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There also are new drugs under development but not yet available...
Hormonal contraceptives, including the classic birth control pill, shot, ring, patch and "minipill," are very popular methods for preventing unplanned pregnancy. In general, hormone-based birth control methods are safe and associated...
Prescription medications that treat depression and other mood disorders can include numerous side effects. Although some types of antidepressants can lead to weight gain, others may result in an unintentional loss of body weight. Lexipro is the...
Acne is one of the most common skin problems that people of all ages face. Though acne may be more prevalent during the transitory teen years, it can also strike adults. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the acne, and you should...
Hot flashes are a symptom of the changing hormone levels characteristic of menopause. It is usually experienced as a feeling of intense heat with sweating and rapid heartbeat. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of hot...
Cold sores are a symptom of the Herpes virus and can be prevented or treated with over-the-counter medicines. Learn how to prevent cold sores in this medical advice video.
Coughing could be due to a cold or the flu, but the reason for a cough isn't always clear. Even your doctor may have trouble determining the exact cause. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of a cough in this video.
Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins in your anus and rectum which are quite common but also sometimes embarrassing. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of hemorrhoids in this video.
