Lung cancer is the second most common cancer both in women and men, reports the American Cancer Society. Lung cancer accounts for 15 percent of all new cancers. The three most common types of lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma of the lung,...
A thin layer of tears called the tear film coats the surface of your eyes. You need these tears to protect your eyes and to keep the surface comfortable. If you do not produce enough tears, or if the consistency of your tear film does not have the...
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is an uncommon cancer arising within the biliary tracts, bile-conveying structures, of the liver. The cancer first begins in the cells of the mucous glands that line the inside of the biliary...
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, or ACAAI, more than 2 million Americans are allergic to bug bites, which cause about 50 deaths a year and send a half million people to the emergency room. This is because people...
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder that can be treated and controlled, but not cured. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) notes that 1 in 15 Americans suffers from asthma and it is the third most common cause of hospitalization...
An athlete is like a machine, and machines run on fuel. Adding harmful fuel to an athlete is certain to limit performance, and that is what smoking and drinking do to athletes. Though small amounts of either are likely to have adverse effects,...
Acupuncture involves the insertion of small, thin needles into the body to elicit a specific reaction. It is part of a larger body of medicine that includes herbs, massage and other healing modalities. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of...
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that destroys glands responsible for moisture production. Women older than 40 years of age are at heightened risk of suffering from Sjögren's syndrome, the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation...
The lungs contain a number of specialized cell types that facilitate the transfer of oxygen from air in the lungs into the bloodstream, to allow oxygenation of tissues throughout the body. Lung cancer develops when any of the cells within the lung...
Herbal eyewashes can relieve eye strain and fatigue, inflammation, conjunctivitis and styes. You can also apply eyewashes to stop watery eyes when you have a cold or allergy. An herbal eyewash is a natural way to restore the sparkle to your eyes...
Atrophic rhinitis is a disease of the nose in which there is atrophy or thinning of the mucosa of the nose. This results in wide nasal passages and results in nose block, crusting in the nose and loss of smell. This disease is commonly seen in...
Flax oil is one alternative to fish oil supplements, according to Harvard Medical School's "Family Health Guide." Flax oil contains large amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids in the form of ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid. The body converts ALA...
Chemotherapy is the delivery of drugs to treat disease, most commonly cancer, and radiation therapy is the use of high energy ionizing radiation to inhibit the division and growth of cells (usually cancer cells). Both of these therapy options are...
Vestibulitis is a condition in which the skin and mucous-producing glands in the lower part or opening of your vagina become inflamed, causing pain, redness, pressure and urinary problems. Many women have suffered from physical and emotional...
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease, a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues. In Sjögren's syndrome, the tissues affected are mucous membranes and glands that produce tears and saliva. Thus...
The "skin" on your lips is not really skin, but a thin mucous membrane with no oil glands. Lip anatomy, combined with factors such as the environment, smoking and lip licking, can lead to dry, chapped lips in spring, summer, winter or fall....
Modern living creates a toxic environment. Air, water and food pollution from industry and heavy chemical use puts our bodies' detox systems to the test every day. If our bodies cannot eliminate the toxins faster than they accumulate, immune...
Two major tasks of your lymphatic system are to attack invading microbes and drain waste from cells, tissues and organs. When your lymph glands swell during an infection, it's a sign that your lymph system is working to rid your body of the...
Pregnancy starts at the point of conception when the sperm of a male fuses with the egg of a female. This can lead to several changes in your body. In fact, most women opt for a pregnancy test only after they observe symptoms such as missed...
Carbohydrates and lipids work together to provide energy for your body's cells, while nucleic acids carry out genetic information and provide internal cell structures. Without enough carbohydrates and lipids, nucleic acids cannot replicate...
In addition to intense flavoring, garlic also provides many medical properties and has a long history of use as an herbal medicine. Garlic and garlic supplements are used to treat a wide range of health conditions, including high blood pressure...
The name “Essiac” is the reversed spelling of the last name of its inventor, Rene M Caisse, a Canadian nurse. In the 1920s, she began treating cancer patients with a tea made from a mixture of herbs. However, despite the reported...
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in your bloodstream. They are also found naturally in certain foods, such as the fatty portions of beef. Triglycerides are composed of one glycerol molecule and three long-fatty acid chains that are...
If you catch a cold, you're not alone--according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Americans catch around one billion colds a year, providing plenty of stuffy noses, headaches and sore throats for everyone. If you...
The large intestine is over 6 feet long, with the last 6 inches or so forming the rectum and the anal canal, which ends at the body opening called the anus. Rectal cancer forms in the rectum, usually starting in the tissue that lines the inside...
According to "The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary," mucus is a viscous substance that is mainly mucin, water, cells and inorganic salts -- secreted by the glands and cells of the mucous membranes. It works as a protective coating....
Coffee is enjoyed for its flavor and for the caffeine that can help wake you up and provide a temporary boost of energy. According to the Mayo Clinic, for most people a cup or two of coffee doesn't cause an adverse reaction although it may disrupt...
Ginger is a longtime herbal remedy for inflammation, pain and muscle aches. Its preeminent use, though, is treating gastrointestinal problems. It is a carminative herb, a plant that relieves intestinal gas. Ginger root, whether in dry capsules,...
Sjögren's syndrome, or SS, is an immune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation in your salivary glands, tear ducts and mucous membranes. This inflammation interferes with the normal secretion of fluids and leads to dryness of the...
