Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, plays a role in regulating nervous system function, general cell metabolism, DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. The most severe form of vitamin B12 deficiency causes pernicious anemia, a blood disorder...
Yawning, a normal human activity that also occurs in many animals, affects even in fetuses as early as 11 weeks after conception. Yawns occur involuntarily; a person can't force themselves to yawn or stop a yawn once it starts. The causes of...
Bulimia, a mental illness characterized by binging, purging and obsession with food and weight. It is treated through psychotherapy and medications. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a variety of alternative, or...
There are numerous physical and psychological problems associated with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women, second only to skin cancer. In 2006, more than 190,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer,...
A concussion presents a serious brain injury, and depending on the severity of it, can present long term health ramifications or even death if you fail to properly take care of yourself afterward. If you want to resume your weight training regimen...
Phenylethylamine is a chemical that makes you feel happy. Your body produces it, and it is present in many food sources, including chocolate. While chocolate does make many people happy, the phenylethylamine has little to do with it. Your body...
A depressed person experiences some very specific and extensive problems with memory. The American Psychological Association has acknowledged this negative problem by including impaired memory as one of the signs of clinical depression listed the...
Glutamic acid, also called glutamate, is an essential amino acid your body uses to make proteins. But it also acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter in your central nervous system, which includes both your brain and spinal cord. Glutamic acid is...
Belly fat, irregular eating habits and poor diet are among the most common contributing factors to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the metabolic hormone insulin cannot transfer its signal properly. Insulin resistance...
Anxiety is a normal emotional and physical response to fear and stress. However, if you experience constant anxiety, you may be suffering from a clinical anxiety disorder. While a number of biological, social and psychological factors are thought...
The word "senile" originates from Latin and translates roughly as "old age." Senile, senility and senile dementia are outmoded terms for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia that affect elderly as well as middle-aged adults, according...
Your body needs vitamins for growth, health and development. Everyone needs to consume a certain amount of each of these vitamins, and if you consume too little, you will suffer from vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause...
A number of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are labeled as "psychotic," hallucinations being one of them. Around 18 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease experience hallucinations, and they are more often reported in people with a...
Prepare to be stimulated -- perhaps dangerously over-stimulated -- with Green Stinger weight loss supplements. They contain the once-banned ephedra, the currently-controversial bitter orange and three sources of caffeine. And if you're looking for...
Hormones are the chemicals produced and discharged by the endocrine glands in the body. Hormonal imbalances are related to a number of different health issues, such as insomnia and the symptoms of menopause. Acupuncture is used as an alternative...
The brain needs protein in order to make the chemicals that it needs to stay healthy. If these protein elements are not supplied, the interrupted chemical synthesis can lead to negative outcomes, like the inability to control behavior, as is the...
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychological disorder that disrupts the normally integrated functions of memory, identity, perception and consciousness in an individual. This is a difficult disorder to conceptualize because of the...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also called ADHD, is a common childhood disorder that can progress through adolescence and adulthood. ADHD is characterized by difficulty staying focused, paying attention and controlling impulsive and...
Memory is one of the most important ways by which your past influences current actions and experiences. It gives you a sense of who you are and what makes you truly unique. Memory provides you with clear pictures of bygone times and helps shape...
El Paso, Texas, boasts of a few good medical schools, where students can capitalize on the latest in medical technology and certification. El Paso's medical schools are most times affiliated with larger universities and division of health programs.
Provigil is a brand-name prescription medication that was developed by the drug company Cephalon. The active ingredient in Provigil is modafinil, which was approved in tablet form by the FDA to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy,...
Cataplexy is characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, either generalized over the entire body or localized to specific muscle groups. According to MayoClinic.com, a number of physical changes occur during a cataplectic attack such as slurred...
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is commonly diagnosed in childhood. Although theories of its origin are abundant and varied -- from dietary sensitivities to DNA differences -- one biochemical aspect appears to be widely...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity happens when a person has a body mass index of 30 or greater. Obesity causes a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. A...
Hyperactivity disorder, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as it is sometimes called, is a common mental disorder in children, explains the National Institute of Mental Health. Children with the disorder exhibit impulsive behavior,...
One of the most important things loved ones and people who take care of Alzheimer's patients can do is find ways to keep them active. Engaging a person with dementia and keeping him focused may be difficult, but giving him a chance to teach or...
The brand name "Fastin" is used for two unrelated weight loss formulations. The prescription drug Fastin (active ingredient phentermine) is no longer sold in the United States, however, there are several phentermine drugs that are still available....
A traumatic birth can cause a child to develop one of several conditions in which fine motor skills are compromised. Such conditions range from cerebral palsy to dysgraphia, and are typically caused by oxygen starvation occurring during a...
Phenylketonuria is a birth defect that disables your body from properly breaking down the amino acid phenylalanine. If left untreated, PKU can eventually lead to irreversible brain damage, behavioral problems and seizures, according to...
