Shingles is a neurological condition that typically begins as burning or pain along a path, on one side of the body. A rash later appears along the same path. It may be present on the face or on the trunk of the body. Rarely, shingles becomes...
Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakes our own tissue for a microbial pathogen. What are the consequences? The immune cells infiltrate the tissue and start destroying it, in the same way as it usually does with invading...
Carcinoma is the clinical term for cancer of epithelial cells, which are cells that line the organs and form the top layer of the skin. The American Cancer Society reports that carcinoma is the most common type of cancer, accounting for...
Watermelon is 92 percent water, according to KidsHealth, and contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. The American Dietetic Association states that watermelon is a good source of potassium and also contains vitamin C. This fruit...
According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, viral zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans. The modes of transmission include contact, inhalation, bites or through the conjunctiva in the...
The organs in the human digestive system begin with the mouth and end at the anus. Each organ has a specific duty in the process of changing food and drink into usable nutrients for the body. Different enzymes work in conjunction with the...
Type 2 diabetes is one of a cluster of diseases in which blood glucose levels rise to abnormal levels due to defects in insulin function and production. Diet and exercise play a pivotal role; however, over time, medication management will be...
Esophagus and stomach cancer often go hand in hand because the stomach and the esophagus are located close together and connected by tissue and muscle. When a cancer is found in either location, often the whole area has to be treated. Receiving a...
For the millions of men and women who suffer from interstitial cystitis, commonly called IC, pain can be a daily reminder of their damaged bladder lining. Although some people have compared the pain of IC to a urinary tract infection, the pain...
Chronic fatigue is a pervasive feeling of enduring, profound tiredness that persists despite adequate rest and sleep. Anyone who has had the flu has experienced the distinct difference between everyday tiredness and fatigue. Chronic fatigue is a...
Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble molecule that has been used in skin treatments and cosmetics for many years. However, studies on the efficacy of vitamin E for the treatment of specific conditions are often contradictory. The strongest evidence...
Rejuvenation is an attempt to revitalize the body's energy and prolong life. Indian Ayurvedic medicine, one of the oldest systems in the world, has a special branch called rasayana, which is dedicated to health, rejuvenation and longevity....
An apple a day keeps the doctor away can make a catchy rhyme, but mother would have served you better to recommend a daily dose of broccoli. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli -- and a host of other vegetables from the Cruciferae family --...
Scleroderma is a chronic disease characterized by persistent inflammation, immune system attack on body tissues, blood vessel abnormalities and tissue scarring. Although scleroderma is a systemic (body-wide) disease, it manifests differently from...
Often a strain in the neck is nothing more serious than that: a pain in the neck. The muscular strain can result from bad posture or a poor night's sleep. In other cases, conditions such as arthritis may be to blame. If your neck strain continues,...
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. It causes inflammation of the small intestine, which is made up of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Along with ulcerative colitis, it is part of a larger classification of...
The brain is a highly specialized organ with specific nutrition requirements. Certain nutrients, such as vitamins, play important roles in various cell functions in the brain and in other tissues of the central nervous system. These vitamins can...
Ginseng has been around for centuries. The root of this herb is considered a "kingly remedy," according to "The Book of Ginseng," and has many species that are native to different continents. Each type has its own purported healing properties, and...
Individuals with Hashimoto's disease may need to avoid gluten foods because, just like celiac disease, Hashimoto's is a chronic autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is a condition where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues; in...
The National Cancer Institute projects colon cancer will affect over 100,000 Americans in 2010. Patients who develop this form of cancer may utilize colon cancer surgery, also called colectomy, as a form of treatment. The potential complications...
Diabetic patients are at a higher risk for heart attacks than people with normal blood sugars. Several factors play a role in this heightened diabetic risk profile, including insulin resistance, enhanced clotting tendencies, high blood pressure,...
Zinc and vitamin E have been used for many years as treatments for conditions in dermatology, or skin medicine. Zinc is an essential nutrient for proper enzyme functioning within all the organs in your body, including your skin. Vitamin E has...
An embryo starts as a fertilized egg and continues through various developmental stages for eight weeks post-fertilization (10 weeks of pregnancy), when the embryo becomes a fetus. These embryonic stages are critical for organ and limb...
The flowering plant called the mum, also known as the chrysanthemum, has two distinct categories. One is the florist's mum, meant solely to be a flowering houseplant, and the other is the gardener's mum or garden mum, meant for gardens as the name...
Reflexology is one of the most sought-after forms of alternative health treatments. According to Donald A. Bisson's “N101 - Foot Reflexology Course,” people of all ages and sexes seek out reflexology treatment, and 70 percent of the...
The human body contains seven chakras, each connected to a specific organ or gland that is aligned with the spinal column. They are invisible vortexes of activity that radiate on a vibrational level, resonating energy that is either positive or...
The average person burns between 2,000 and 3,000 calories per day. The exact number depends on a variety of factors, including age, weight, height, gender and activity level. The specific number of calories burned per day is called total daily...
Emergency departments develop protocols that reflect best practices and improve patient outcomes. According to the "American Journal of Critical Care," the use of protocols simplifies processes, standardizes care, facilitates patients' safety and...
The gallbladder is an organ that produces specific enzymes necessary for digestion. Gallstones are a common condition that affect approximately 15 percent of people older than age of 50, as noted on the Better Health Channel website. Gallstones...
Liver disease is a collection of several different diseases affecting the liver. Watch this video to learn about the various diseases and how to prevent and treat them.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system in which cells called lymphocytes (T Lymphocytes and B Lymphocytes) become cancerous. Learn more about this serious condition and how to prevent and treat it in this video.