Stem cells are the master cells of the human body, according to the Mayo Clinic. They are the cells from which all of the different types of cells in the body arise. Stem cells do not perform a specific function in the body, but they can...
For pharmaceutical companies, the stakes in developing new drugs are high. The journal Health Affairs estimates the cost to develop a new drug ranges from $500 million to $2,000 million. Of all the drugs introduced to the marketplace, only 30...
An ingrown toenail is a common condition that occurs when the skin on your toe grows over the edges of your toenail, resulting in pain, redness and swelling. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, any of your toenails can...
HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the immune system and destroys certain immune cells that are vital to fight off infections. As a result, a person infected with HIV is susceptible to other infections, diseases and complications....
Body lice may spread via close contact between infested individuals and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Body lice usually live on clothing and use skin only as a breeding ground and a source of nourishment....
Hair loss can be caused by medications, heredity or an underlying medical condition. It's a good idea to see your doctor for a full physical examination if you notice hair loss. The doctor likely will screen for health conditions including...
HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin, a naturally occurring hormone found in women during pregnancy will also help with infertility disorders. According to Drugs.com, an online drug resource, HCG, a gonadotropins classified drug, will induce...
Vitamins are chemical substances required by the body for normal growth and development. Vitamins D and B12 are two of a total of 13 vitamins that the body needs. Each vitamin has a specific function and an insufficient quantity of any vitamin...
Arthritis refers to a group of conditions causing inflammation of the joints. According to "The New York Times" health guide, over 37 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis. When shock-absorbing cartilage in-between...
Human immunodefiency virus infection has no cure. However, the anti-HIV (antiretroviral) drugs that are prescribed to treat this infection can prolong the life of an infected individual by decades. The U.S. Department of Health recommends anti-HIV...
Bedbugs are small parasitic insects that come out of hiding during the night and feed on your blood while you're sleeping. Bedbugs inject their host with a mild anesthetic before they feed, which means many times you are unaware they are feeding...
Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, and they spread through sexual contact. Genital warts appear as soft, wart-like growths on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, larynx and around and in the anus. Genital warts...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neuromuscular disorder that damages the sufferer's ability to control voluntary movements. Eventually, this progressive illness causes walking, talking, eating and...
The United States Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency charged with, among other responsibilities, ensuring the safety of most foods, the safety and efficacy of all prescription drugs and the safety and proper labeling of dietary...
Sports supplements such as creatine and those containing diuretics or stimulants may be used to improve muscle mass, increase energy, reduce water retention or enhance weight loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, because supplements are not...
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be treated by several medications. There are many families of antihypertensive medicines, and each family can be used by itself or in combination with a drug from another antihypertensive family. An...
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that secretes fluids to transport sperm. About 6 to 8 percent of men in the Unites States, between the ages of 30 and 50 years, seek treatment for a prostate infection each year. A prostate...
In 2009, approximately 220,000 Americans had bariatric surgery to help them lose weight, according to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. Reserved for the morbidly obese -- patients with about 100 pounds of excess weight --...
Appetite, or the desire to eat, is a valuable aspect of a person's health. Without it, you may experience unhealthy weight loss and reduced nutrient-intake. This can heighten the risk for serious complications such as a weakened immune system,...
Doctors prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication for anxiety or depression. Some patients suffer from more than one disorder and benefit from certain medications that treat both anxiety disorders and depression. Some of the new...
Mental health care encompasses a wide array of services for individuals needing minimal mental health care to those needing hospitalization. Mental health care is provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and mental health aids. Mental...
If you make foods to sell in your community or state, you must comply with local and state food labeling requirements. If you sell homemade foods via the Internet or in states other than your own, you need to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug...
Half the people who try DrNatura's Colonix like the diet, according to Diets in Review.com. Considering that DrNatura claims to have served over 1 million customers in 50 countries over the last decade, that would account for a lot of satisfied...
Blackheads are a kind of acne that doctors refer to as "open comedones." They often appear on the chin and other acne-prone areas. Blackheads are yellowish or black bumps that are full of sebum, the oily substance secreted by the...
Lowering your cholesterol levels might reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. Cholesterol, a waxy fat, is used by your body to produce hormones, aid in digestion and manufacture cell membranes. But too much cholesterol may lead to a...
Soy milk has gained a lot of notoriety, with numerous companies bringing products into the marketplace proclaiming the health benefits of soy milk. This drink, which is not really milk so much as a liquid created by a process of soaking, grinding...
Red yeast rice or, monascus purpureus, comes from yeast grown in rice. According to MayoClinic.com, red yeast rice contains multiple compounds known as monacolins. These substances are known to inhibit the production of cholesterol. Red yeast rice...
Geritol is an over-the-counter multivitamin and iron supplement manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Your doctor may recommend treatment with Geritol if you don't get enough iron, minerals or vitamins from your normal daily diet. This supplement is...
The recommended daily dose of potassium for adults is 2,000 mg, according to health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body uses the nutrient to maintain proper muscle and heart function. If your blood potassium...