Vincristine, marketed as Vincasar PFS and Oncovin, is a cancer chemotherapy agent or antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. It works by using its cytoxic effects by binding to a specific site on the cell, causing a...
Calcium is a mineral found in milk, dairy products and leafy green vegetables. It can also be obtained by taking a multivitamin or calcium supplement. Calcium is known for its role in the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth,...
if you have high cholesterol, especially high levels of LDL, you may be taking a statin, a prescription drug to help lower cholesterol. While the medications in this drug family are considered effective, they are also accompanied by health risks...
Sunflower seeds are small, grey or black seeds produced in the flowers of the sunflower plant. These seeds are rich sources of polyunsaturated fats, which may help control "bad" cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. They provide trace...
Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that can cause feelings of coldness or numbness in certain parts of your body, such as your fingers, nose, ears and toes. This is due to a narrowing of the small arteries that supply blood to the skin. Taking...
Raising kids is a daunting job; dangers like drugs and alcohol lurk in every direction. Many teens choose to experiment with drugs, whether because of boredom or in an effort to fit in. A parent should always be on guard and to try to protect...
Blood must contain a certain amount of sugar, called glucose, to properly nourish and energize the body. Diabetics, however, have more blood glucose than their bodies can use, and this damages the body. According to the American Diabetes...
Diabetes occurs when your body cannot produce or use enough insulin to control sugar levels in your bloodstream. When your blood sugar levels rise, you may experience loss of balance, confusion, extreme hunger, fatigue and numbness in your fingers...
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Apart from strengthening the bones and teeth, it is also essential for the contraction and dilatation of the blood vessels, transmission of nerve impulses, intracellular signaling and muscle...
Statins are a class of medications typically prescribed for those who are diagnosed with high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or bad cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, statins work by reducing the amount of...
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs and medications to kill cancer cells, and it may be used in nearly every kind of cancer. These drugs typically have side effects, both short-term and long-term, many of which are easily treated. The kind of...
Colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in the US and causes the second highest number of deaths in men and women combined, according to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. There are several types of therapy available for the...
Chemotherapy, a common treatment for breast cancer, is accompanied by side effects. Many of these side effects are similar to those of chemotherapy for other cancers, but others, such as cardiac problems, happen more often to people being treated...
Colchicine is a type of medication most often given to patients with gout. The drug is indicated in the prevention acute gout attacks, and to relieve the pain associated with an episode of the disease, according to MedlinePlus, a website of the...
Imitrex, also known by Sumatriptan, is a prescription medication used in the treatment of migraines. It is classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a category C medication, which means there is an unproven risk it could harm a human...
Vitamin B12 is a large and complex structure that can help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease and increases energy production in your body from fats and proteins. As you age, your body becomes decreasingly able to absorb vitamin B12,...
Some people have a false sense of security when using over-the-counter medications or supplements. They mistakenly believe these products are safer than illegal drugs or even prescription medications. While many over-the-counter medications are...
Apraclonidine hydrochloride which is sold as Lopidine ophthalmic solution is an eye drop used to lower eye pressure. According to the Lopidine package insert, the exact mechanism by which Lopidine lowers eye pressure is not fully known at this...
You can overdose on any vitamin supplement if you take it long enough and in high enough doses. Since only the fat-soluble vitamins---A, D, E and K---are stored in your body in greater-than-needed amounts, they are the ones mostly like to reach...
A tingling or burning feeling, often described as a feeling of pins and needles, accompanies numbness, a condition medically known as paresthesia. Paresthesia commonly occurs in the fingers, hands, feet, toes, arms or legs, says MedlinePlus from...
Cold weather exercise can be invigorating, but prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures can be dangerous. The best defense is common sense, the Mayo Clinic suggests, and that means wearing warm, layered clothing and knowing when to head...
The term "heart disease" encompasses problems related to the function of the heart and cardiovascular system such as arrhythmias, diseases of the blood vessels, heart infections and heart defects. Cholesterol plays a part in the type of heart...
Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis that causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. It can lead to fatigue, loss of sleep, interruption in normal daily activities, numbness in the fingers and toes, and memory loss. Fibromyalgia...
Migraines are devastating headaches that have no specific cure. The goal for managing migraines is to prevent them. In some cases, people report that using natural progesterone helps stave off these headaches, though the strategy does not work...
Your body relies on calcium to build strong bones and teeth, and the mineral also is required for your heart to beat normally. If you do not have enough calcium in your blood, this is a condition known as hypocalcemia, which can be...
The environmental writer Edward Abbey once wrote, "May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." The combination of danger and glory in mountain...
One of the 13 vitamins your body needs for optimum function, vitamin B-6 plays a role in immune function, nerve health and metabolism. Because vitamin B-6 is water soluble, your body excretes any excess, rather that storing it for later use. For...
Arachnoiditis is a chronic inflammation of the arachnoid mater, one of the membranes that covers and protects your brain and spinal cord. If you suffer from this condition, your symptoms may include burning pain, throbbing in your lower back, legs...
Strive for good posture and correct wrist position and seek a more ergonomic workplace environment. Use tools and handles to maintain low-stress, natural positions and movements during work. Stretch regularly and take frequent breaks to avoid...