Pharmacological factors of drugs include how the drug works and how it is absorbed and metabolized. By understanding very specifically how a drug works, scientists can optimize its effects and minimize undesired side effects. Understanding the...
Approximately .4 percent of Americans have cluster headaches---mainly men. The headaches start when they are anywhere from 20 to 40 years old, according to Stephen Silberstein, M.D., professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University, in "The...
Ulcerative colitis is called an inflammatory bowel disease. The inflammation starts at the rectum and migrates upwards, penetrating through two layers of the intestines along the way. People with ulcerative colitis have inflammation and sores,...
If you're between the ages of 15 and 24, you probably have acne. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that 85 percent of people in this age bracket, along with many younger teens and adults, suffer from the skin condition....
Worldwide, people consume an estimated 10 billion pounds of coffee every year, per the the Encyclopedia of Mental Health Disorders website. There is more caffeine in coffee than in soft drinks, cocoa and tea. Caffeine affects the brain by...
Several categories of medications are used to treat asthma. Caffeine is in the category that decreases inflammation and relaxes the smooth muscles. Researchers have found that a simple cup of coffee can relax the smooth muscles in the bronchi...
Adderall XR combines dextroamphetamine and amphetamine stimulants in an extended-release capsule to be taken once each morning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved this prescription drug for controlling symptoms of attention deficit...
Zinc is an essential mineral that has been studied extensively and is a nutritional supplement that some doctors recommend for certain illnesses, including colds. It is important to note that nothing can cure the common cold but the right kind of...
The therapeutic monitoring of medications is a growing field in biochemistry and pharmacology. It involves the testing and evaluations of particular dosages of a selected drug's effectiveness. Also referred to as TDM, therapeutic drug monitoring...
Ginseng herbal remedies have been valued by traditional Asian physicians for thousands of years. Modern medical researchers, studying a ginseng variety called Red, Korean or Asian panax, have discovered active ginseng compounds called ginsenosides...
Your brain makes dopamine in neurons, or nerve cells, that use it to communicate with other neurons. Each neuron has both transmitter and receptor cites to send and receive dopamine. It is a neurotransmitter. Specialized networks of neurons which...
Tea has been a dietary staple in many Eastern cultures because of its health benefits. Until recently, tea was only theorized to be an effective weight-loss drink, but research has proven what many already speculated. Research also indicates that...
Everything that comes into the body by mouth or via the blood system must pass through the liver. Your liver prevents harmful chemicals from gaining access to your body. At the same time, the liver accepts nutrients and medicines and metabolizes...
According to the Mayo Clinic, low carbohydrate diets are premised around consuming the minimum amount of carbohydrates, while obtaining most calories from lean meats and good fats. The theory behind this mainstream diet design is that, the more...
Antipsychotics are used not only to treat schizophrenia but also bipolar disorder, psychotic depression and other psychiatric disorders. Second-generation antipsychotics, also known as "atypical antipsychotics" are often more effective and cause...
Cholesterol plays essential roles in your body, as a structural component of cell membranes, as well as a precursor of steroid hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. Nearly all tissues in humans can produce cholesterol and, according to the Merck...
Ayurvedic herbal treatments are usually safe and well-tolerated when prescribed by a qualified and knowledgeable Ayurvedic practitioner; however, even herbal medicines can cause side effects. Some Ayurvedic preparations may also have problems with...
Olive leaf extract has become a popular supplement in the natural health community in recent years due to its anti-microbial properties. It has been proved to be able to kill many pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It it also an...
Streptococcus mutans, or Strep mutans for short, is an anaerobic bacterium that is found primarily in the oral cavity. Found between teeth and in crevices on the biting surface of teeth, Strep mutans secretes lactic acid that breaks down tooth...
The thyroid, located in the throat underneath the Adam's apple, is one of the most important glands in the body. As MedicineNet.com states, the thyroid regulates metabolism and energy production in the body. If it is not working properly, both the...
Black cohosh root is most commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause and menstruation. According to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A Balch, C.N.C., it can also be used for snake bites and to...
Maintaining a healthy liver is essential to keeping the body performing at its best and maintaining overall well-being. According to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," by Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, the liver is the largest gland...
Grave's disease is a debilitating condition where your thyroid gland (located in your neck) starts producing large amounts of thyroxine (a chemical in your body responsible for regulating your metabolic rate). According to the Mayo Clinic, this...
According to Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, pharmacologist, youthful barley green grass is the most nutrient-balanced and rich food in nature. Hagiwara combined barley grass with brown rice and a soluble carbohydrate to form a unique supplement called...
In 2006, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that more than 26 percent of American adults have had a problem with pain that lasted more than 24 hours. They also estimated that the annual cost of chronic pain in the United States is...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is present in very few foods. Proper levels of vitamin D in the body are maintained either through dietary supplements or adequate exposure to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight promotes vitamin D synthesis in...
Acid reflux, or reflux esophagitis, is a condition that is characterized by a backward flow of the stomach contents into the esophagus. This irritates the cell tissue lining the esophagus, causing heartburn, inflammation and scarring. While many...
Many drugs cause dry mouth, or xerostomia. According to pharmacologist Mohammed Abdollahi and colleagues in a 2008 article for the "Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice," some drugs decrease the flow of saliva or concentration of calcium and...
Adaptogens are a class of herbs that appear to have powerful tonic effects. Herbal remedies formulated to support the immune system or improve athletic performance may include adaptogens. While these herbs offer some health benefits, the degree of...
