The kidneys process and filter excess salt out of your body. If you eat too much sodium, however, you run the risk of overworking your kidneys. As a result, they won't be able to filter as much sodium, so this will accumulate in your blood. Too...
Mucinex is the brand name for guaifenesin a medication used to loosen mucus in the throat and chest. According to Mucinex, this medication can be obtained with or without a physician's prescription. Drugs.com, an on-line drug reference, states...
Skin changes are common during pregnancy. In fact, the American Academy of Family Physicians says expectant mothers can experience anything from hyperpigmentation to dry skin, dermatitis and rashes. Changes in skin color are due to hormonal...
Your muscles need an adequate supply of nutrients to function properly. Low vitamin and mineral levels can affect your ability to sit, stand, walk and move. A variety of factors such as injuries, diseases, strains, fatigue, overuse and...
Oregano oil, also called oil of oregano, is a natural antimicrobial and antispasmodic remedy. Many people have successfully used oregano oil for treating a tooth abscess, which is an infection that can spread to the jaw. The pain associated with a...
Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, can occur when your lips are depleted of moisture. Symptoms of chapped lips include dry, red, sore and cracked lips that split and bleed when you smile, talk, laugh or eat. The exact cause varies, but...
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 2. It is spread through sexual contact with someone infected with the virus. Once inside the body, this infection can affect your genitals, rectum, buttocks...
Tendonitis, also spelled tendinitis, occurs when the tendons in various parts of your body such as your shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles or heels become irritated and inflamed. Tendons are thick cords that attach your muscles to your bones. The...
Sinusitis occurs when excess mucus causes your sinus passages to become irritated, inflamed and swollen. The exact cause varies, but viruses, fungal and bacterial infections, allergies, nasal polyps or a deviated septum may contribute to this...
A popular remedy used in folk medicine makes use of garlic for treating ear pain. Garlic is a natural antibacterial, and it is useful for treating an ear infection or swimmer's ear, says Gayle Alleman, author of "The Healing Power of Garlic,...
A migraine is a severe, throbbing headache that may include nausea and other symptoms. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," author Phyllis Balch says that about 25 to 30 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. A...
You might want to grow your hair out fast if you got a bad haircut. Certain vitamin deficiencies can stunt hair growth, and certain vitamins promote healthy hair and increase the rate of its growth. These vitamins also help other nutrients work to...
Cellulite is a skin condition that occurs when connective tissues weaken just below the surface of the skin. The appearance of cellulite looks like bumps or dimples on the skin. According to nutritional dietitians Joseph Pizzorno and Michael...
Vitamin B15, also known as pangamic acid, pangamate or d-gluconodimethylamino acetic acid, is not a true vitamin because it has no nutritional value. Ernst T. Krebs, Sr. and his son Ernst T. Krebs, Jr. originally synthesized and later promoted...
Bacterial vaginosis describes a type of vaginitis that produces a redness or swelling of the vagina often accompanied by discomfort, vaginal discharge and itching. A healthy vagina contains several different types of bacteria. Bacterial...
Effexor, the brand name for the generic venlafaxine, is an antidepressant medication and a chemically synthesized neurotransmitter messaging system. This system allows the brain to send messages to nerve cells to decrease the symptoms of...
The accumulation of toxic substances --- insecticides, preservatives, alcohol, animal products, refined and processed foods --- can damage your liver and its ability to function. When the liver starts losing its ability to function, it leads to...
The definition of what constitutes a “bad diet” can vary widely. A poor diet could be one that lacks certain nutrients or one that includes too many processed, high-fat foods. It could also be a diet too high in carbohydrates and...
It's not an exaggeration to say that vitamins keep us alive. In fact, vitamins have the power to keep you healthy, strong and free of debilitating diseases. In underdeveloped countries, where access to healthy foods is limited, vitamin...
Vitamins are called predigested when the vitamin product comes in a liquid medium. With predigested vitamins, the product manufacturer has broken down the actual vitamin into the liquid medium. Manufacturers claim that your body has an easier time...
Dill weed is a member of the parsley family. Many people use this herb in cooking; however, some people use it therapeutically. Dill is rich in beneficial plant compounds known as phytochemicals, which act as antioxidants in your body. Dill is a...
Herpes is an incurable and contagious condition that creates sores on the body, generally around the mouth or genitals. Oral herpes stems from a virus called herpes simplex 1, or HSV1; genital herpes stems from a virus called herpes simplex 2, or...
According to the "Diet and Nutrition Sourcebook," women experience their greatest depletion of bone in the initial five years following menopause. The Mayo Clinic warns women are particularly vulnerable to breaking bones in their hip, back, or...
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition causing pervasive aches, pains and tenderness in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Other physical symptoms include fatigue, stiffness, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth and irritable bowel syndrome....
Migraines are painful headaches that can last for a few hours or several days. The exact causes vary, but may include genetics; brain tumor; hormone fluctuations; brain structure or function abnormalities; stress; certain foods; changes in sleep...
Processed foods that can be harmful to our health, dominate the typical American diet. Processed foods contain additives, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, refined sugars and flour, high fructose corn syrup and other toxic ingredients. Our...
Food supplements, also known as dietary or nutritional supplements, are a type of product designed to enhance or boost the nutritional content of your diet. Food supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, natural food supplements, meal...
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), people who suffer from migraine headache describe intense, pulsing or throbbing pain specific to one place in the head. Headache pain frequently comes with...
When the sciatic nerve along the spine in the lower back is irritated, sciatica occurs, and the pain can make it difficult to perform routine activities. Called sciatica, this condition can be treated in a number of ways, though there is no known...