Septic shock is a drastic, sudden drop in blood pressure caused by a condition known as sepsis. Sepsis occurs when you have an infection that causes your immune system to radically alter how your blood system works, making your blood form tiny...
Most babies aren't born with pristine skin. Their brand-new skin is thin, delicate and susceptible to discoloration. Although some conditions can cause lifelong skin discolorations, most or all of a young infant's splotches, blemishes and...
The National Cancer Institute reports small cell lung cancer as the most aggressive lung cancer; without treatment, average survival is two to four months. End-of-life care becomes a central issue as this progressive disease enters the final...
When lung cancer is in its final stages, the cancer begins to attack the body along with vital organs that are essential for survival. As the cancer takes over, the body will begin to shut down. This will affect the patient both physically and...
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children. It is highly contagious, and outbreaks in the U.S. occur from November through April. Although rotavirus causes disease in both children and adults, children typically have the most...
Distilled water is water that has undergone distillation, one of the processes of commercial water purification, According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Distillation, by boiling water, collecting the steam and allowing it to...
Many poisonous plants sport very beautiful flowers, which may make them attractive to small children. The good news is that distinctive flowers can be easily spotted, telling you which plants should be avoided. Foxglove, for instance, features...
The National Cancer Institute projects that over 155,000 people will die from lung cancer in 2010. End-of-life symptoms of lung cancer relate to the part of the body affected by the cancer. However, lung cancer may spread to the bone, liver and...
Methadone, a prescribed synthetic opioid substitute for the opiate heroin, is used to control addiction. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that it is effective in decreasing illegal narcotic use and preventing relapse. During...
Women who are addicted to heroin are often given methadone, a synthetic narcotic, to take instead of heroin. Methadone withdrawal is probably the most common withdrawal seen in newborns, according to Marvin Wang, M.D. Mothers who take methadone...
Cancer steals the lives of approximately 6.6 million people world wide each year, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain, or IASP. Symptoms of cancer at the end of life vary widely depending on the type of cancer and...
Decompression illness, also called "the bends," occurs when nitrogen accumulates in the blood and tissues due to high pressure while diving. Blood oxygen and nitrogen levels are under high pressure during an underwater dive. When a diver ascends...
An infected tooth, also known as a tooth abscess, refers to an accumulation of pus that infiltrates the center of the tooth, says MedlinePlus. It says that symptoms of an infected tooth include a toothache that is gnawing or throbbing in nature, a...
The American Cancer Society projected approximately 562,340 cancer deaths in the United States for 2009. Cancer has long been a focus of end-of-life care and hospice. Although symptoms vary widely at the end of life, many signs and symptoms are...
Stage IV melanoma occurs when the cancer spreads beyond the skin to another area of the body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most common sites of melanoma spread include other areas of the skin, lung, liver, brain and small...
The American Dental Association refers to fluoride as "nature's cavity fighter." You don't need much fluoride in your diet to meet the minimum daily recommendations. It is found in most tap water, so if you drink fluoridated water on a regular...
Solomon's Seal Tea can be used to help heal a wide variety of ailments, from sports injuries to gastrointestinal inflammation. This versatile herb has a rich history. People in North America, Europe, and Asia have used it for centuries in...
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue, causing inflammation in joints, tissues and organs. SLE causes visible skin changes that are one of the most recognized manifestations of the disease....
Lung cancer will claim a staggering 157,000 Americans in 2010, according to the National Cancer Institute. Lung cancer remains a deadly disease partly because early in the disease, it often goes undetected. Lung cancer found in a late stage...
Mineral crystals form the colors, mottling and striations that make granite an attractive choice for countertops, but those crystals can contain radioactive elements like uranium. Over time, uranium breaks down into a gas called radon. Radon is...
Whether you are a resident or visitor to the San Diego area, incorporate a day trip into your business schedule to watch whales in their natural environment. These magnificent animals can be seen from mid-December through mid-March off the coast...
Scarlet runner beans are an heirloom legume variety with bean seeds that are violet-purple with black mottling. Though scarlet runner beans can be eaten fresh and in their pods, they're often shucked, dried and substituted for pinto, great...
Yellow squash and zucchini are classified as vine growing fruits rather than vegetables. Those nutrient-dense fruits gain a rich flavor when roasted. In addition, roasting preserves vitamins and nutrients lost in the boiling or frying process. You...
Gluten intolerance is a spectrum of problems some people have when eating wheat, rye and barley. It can be as minor as symptoms of bloating or a stomachache after eating a large plate of pasta, or it can be a full-blown autoimmune disorder that...
Facial birthmarks appear in all colors, shapes and sizes. While most marks are harmless, according to the Mayo Clinic, some require immediate removal due to potential for growth or interference with the normal functions of the nose, mouth or ears....
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, or IASP, approximately 6.6 million people worldwide die each year from cancer. Symptoms vary widely depending on the type of cancer, extent of spread and location of the cancer....
Brain cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the brain. Normal cells begin to divide into clusters and form cancer cells that eventually take over the organ or spread to other locations. If the cancer in the brain does spread to nearby...
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that results in too much skin pigment, called melanin, in certain areas of your skin. Hyperpigmentation can be the result of previous inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, medications you take or diseases...
The end of life is a natural experience we all will face at some point. The Hospice Foundation of America states that the dying patient usually exhibits signs and symptoms prior to death. This is called the dying process. Understanding the dying...
Cardiogenic shock is the result of inadequate circulation of blood due to ventricle failure; learn about cardiogenic shock in this heart healthy video.
Medical shock is a serious circulatory condition not to be confused with emotional shock or surprise. Learn more about shock health in this health video.
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness is the world's second leading infectious cause of blindness. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating onchocerciasis (river blindness) in this video.
