As an asthma patient, the more you educate yourself, the better you will get at preventing acute attacks. Signs and symptoms include difficulty breathing, tightness in your chest, audible wheezing, coughing (sometimes at night if it follows a...
The American Cancer Society reports the discovery of approximately 22,000 new cases of liver cancer in the United States for 2009. According to The Chemotherapy Source Book liver cancer does not respond well to chemotherapy treatments that are...
More than 250,000 people are infected with hepatitis B virus in the U.S. every year. Infection is most common in young adults who are sexually active or work in hospitals and medical laboratories. Hepatitis B virus damages liver cells, causing the...
Although the occasional mild craving for salt is normal, an extreme craving for salt can be a sign of an underlying problem regarding hormone levels. Although diabetes does not directly cause salt craving, some forms of diabetes increase your risk...
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects one in 110 children in some areas of the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The signs of autism can appear early in childhood, with the average age being 4...
Cortisol is a naturally-occurring hormone produced by the adrenal glands, according to Better Health Channel. Cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, but in some individuals they elevate and stay elevated over time. This can be caused by...
Asthma, a disease of the airways, has become increasingly common in industrialized nations. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," it affects about 15 percent of children and 10 percent of adults in affluent...
Asthma is the result of the airways becoming blocked or narrowed because of inflammation and obstruction. The airways to the lungs become overly active and very sensitive to allergens, air irritants, smoke or viruses, according to the Asthma and...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2008, seasonal flu results in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year. Getting a yearly seasonal flu vaccine, the CDC says, is the first and most important...
Millions of diabetics and pre-diabetics suffer from metabolic disorders that result in the impaired utilization of insulin and normal metabolism of glucose. As a result of insulin resistance, patients may experience elevated blood glucose levels....
Millions of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes and require the use of insulin therapy to control blood sugar levels. There are many types of insulins available; insulin doses and regimens are tailored to the unique needs of each individual. In...
According to Hepatitis Central, an estimated 180 million people worldwide, 4 million in the United States, are infected with hepatitis C virus. Chronic hepatitis C infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States....
Adrenal fatigue often occurs following a sustained period of excessive stress. Because the adrenal glands, walnut-sized organs that sit on top of each kidney, play such a major role in co-ordinating the metabolism of the body, many problems can...
If you have diabetes, you may need to follow a special diet plan. Diabetes is caused by abnormally low insulin levels or a poor response to insulin, which causes blood glucose levels to be chronically high. You will find that a number of different...
One form of diabetes, known as type 2 diabetes, is caused by the body not responding properly to the hormone insulin. Insulin makes the cells in the liver, fat and muscle tissue suck glucose out of the blood; if these tissues do not respond...
Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that allows your body to lower blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance is marked by a poor response to insulin and can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. If you have insulin resistance, using...
Diabetes is a condition caused by problems with your blood glucose levels, due to inadequate insulin production or a poor response to insulin. Many people take fish oil supplements for their omega-3 fatty acid content, but fish oil can be unsafe...
Your blood glucose levels are controlled in part by the pancreatic hormone insulin, which signals to muscle fat and liver cells that they should pull glucose out of the blood. A poor response to insulin can cause blood glucose levels to rise,...
The substance lecithin is used both medicinally and in the manufacturing process as an emulsifier. Its primary component phosphatidylcholine might offer a number of therapeutic effects. Research suggests lecithin supplementation might help treat...
Chemotherapy drugs decrease the ability of rapidly growing cancer cells to reproduce and in some cases deprive them of nutrients needed to grow. Chemotherapy medication can also help treat rheumatoid arthritis, a specific type of autoimmune...
Children run fevers frequently, but that isn't necessarily the sign of a major problem. Most fevers stem from minor illnesses and go away on their own after a few days. Others signal a need for treatment, especially if your child has a fever that...
You know that diet plays an important role in helping to prevent cancer, but it's also important while you're receiving treatment for your cancer. Sarcomas are rare, but treatment can affect many parts of your body and can implicate your...
The human body has various systems that work together to keep the body functioning optimally. Proper nutrition plays a role in keeping the body operating at its best. Besides the connection between nutrition and physical ailments there is also a...
The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by insulin. When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin helps to move glucose, or blood sugar, out of the blood and into cells where it is broken down to produce energy. Diabetics either...
Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease that results in symptoms such as fibrosis, decreased liver function, abdominal fluid buildup called ascites, portal hypertension and other serious complications. Detrimental changes in blood flow and blood...
Pre-pregnancy weight is important to your ability to conceive and carry a child. Being either underweight or overweight can contribute to infertility. If you are able to become pregnant, certain health complications can arise as a result of being...
Sadness and occasional blue moods are a normal part of the human condition. Depression is different. It is a biochemical disorder that can negatively impact work and home life. Some of the symptoms of depression are sadness, hopelessness, fatigue,...
The amount of glucose in your blood is controlled by the pancreatic hormone insulin, which triggers the uptake of glucose by muscle, fat and liver cells. Diabetes is caused by the pancreas either not making enough insulin or by the cells in the...
Angina is an uncomfortable symptom of coronary artery disease. If untreated, angina has one major complication: a heart attack. Damaged and narrowed coronary arteries that normally carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart contribute to...
Autism is a genetic brain development disorder that affects social behavior and communication skills. Get professional tips and advice on treatments, causes, and symptoms of autism in this video.
