Abdominal cramps can make it difficult or even impossible to continue your normal workout routine. Although these cramps commonly affect runners, they can also occur when you are doing other types of strenuous exercise. Fortunately, there are ways...
Methylcellulose is a bulk-forming laxative that absorbs the fluid in the intestines. This increases the bulk of the stools and makes them softer. Methylcellulose is often used for relieving mild constipation and to promote regular bowel movements....
Hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy can lead to cramping in your legs, abdomen and lower back. Muscular cramps in your legs and back are a common symptom and usually do not indicate a threat to you or your pregnancy. Severe abdominal...
Food poisoning occurs when foods are eaten that were contaminated with any one of many bacteria or toxins, including Escherichia coli (E. coli). Some of the most common sources of E. coli infection include undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized...
From a plant that grows in the Pacific Northwest, native Americans, then European settlers took Cascara sagrada as a laxative. Use of the herb continues today, although the Food & Drug Administration, in its final ruling, classified it as not...
Symptoms of wheat allergies are similar to those of other food allergies. Diagnosing wheat as the culprit can be difficult since it is an ingredient in so many foods. If wheat is suspected as a possible allergen, an "elimination challenge test"...
The burn-healing properties of aloe vera as a topical are well-known, making it a common plant to grow in a kitchen window for emergency treatment of minor burns. However, aloe vera gel, found in the inner meaty part of the thick leaves, has many...
There are conflicting opinions on the benefits and adverse effects of diet products. These foods contain less fat and less sugar, but certain chemicals are added to make them taste good. Studies have been done on these controversial chemical...
Abdominal pain is a common complaint. It could signal a benign illness or indicate a serious medical condition. The location, duration and associated symptoms of the pain are important in diagnosing its cause. Constipation is one of the most...
Abdominal cramps are common, as most people will experience them at one time or another. Abdominal cramps are sharp pains in the stomach and lower abdominal area. If the pain is severe enough to prompt a visit to the doctor, most people describe...
Lactose is a molecule of sugar that must be split into two separate sugars, galactose and glucose, before it can be absorbed into the body. The galactose and glucose then become absorbed into the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase is the...
Ashwagandha is an herb favored by practitioners of Ayurvedic wellness. The herb has been associated with reducing inflammation and stress; it has been found to be mentally and physically invigorating; and it has been shown to have antioxidant...
The Clostridium genus of spore forming bacteria contains four species that cause disease in humans. These organisms are classified as Gram positive, which means that the bacteria will turn blue with a dye called Gram stain, according to Merck...
Inflamed colon is also referred to as inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or ulcerative colitis. While there is no set cause for an inflamed colon, the University of Maryland Medical Center states that it can be a result of a faulty immune system...
Diarrhea is defined by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse as loose, watery stools that are usually passed more than three times per day. Acute diarrhea occurs suddenly and usually dissipates within one to two days. Chronic...
Aloe is a succulent plant, meaning it has thick leaves that contain a lot of water. These leaves also contain the liquid that is used for various medicinal treatments, according to Medicinal Herb Info. The aloe plant originated in the West Indies...
Potassium chloride is a chemical compound that is extracted from salt water and manufactured. Potassium is a vital electrolyte in the body that sustains life. It supports many roles. Even low levels of potassium in the body will result in...
Aloe vera is a succulent indoor-outdoor perennial plant. According to MedlinePlus, the pulp of its juicy leaves has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat wounds, burns and other skin conditions. Increasing awareness of aloe...
You need calcium in your body for normal health. If you do not get the correct amount from the food you eat, you can take a supplement of calcium to make up the deficiency. However, if you use too much of any calcium supplement or overdose on...
Certain medical conditions can cause abdominal pain and vomiting. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, vomiting is a symptom of a disease and not a disease itself. Many conditions that...
Food poisoning develops when people eat food that is contaminated with bacteria or other toxins. Food can be contaminated when it is not handled or cooked properly. Most of the bacteria that cause food poisoning are commonly found in the...
LEEP is an abbreviation for the medical term loop electrosurgical excision procedure, according to Ohio's Cleveland Clinic. LEEP is a surgical procedure that is used to detect and treat abnormal cervical cell growth. LEEP is performed following an...
The human body contains over 230 moveable and semi-moveable joints, according to Discovery Communications. Joints, where two bones come together, help to hold the bones together and allow for flexibility and movement. Many diseases trigger...
Food poisoning, also referred to as food-borne disease, usually is caused by foods and beverages contaminated with viruses, bacteria, parasites, microbe toxins or chemicals. There are different types of food poisoning, depending on the pathogen or...
Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and the intestines that occurs as a result of ingesting food or water that is contaminated with an infectious virus. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse,...
A staph infection is most commonly caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In children, staph infections most frequently occur on the skin, but they can also develop within the body. Treatment requires antibiotic...
Aloe vera has been a staple in the medicine cabinet since the ancient Egyptians dubbed it the “plant of immortality” and offered it as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs. Since then, its uses have become more targeted and medicinal,...
Lactose is an enzyme found in milk and other dairy products. Some people have issues consuming products that contain lactose. This difficulty may be part of a medical condition called lactose intolerance. If you are lactose intolerant, your body...
Food-borne illness is primarily caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites that people ingest through contaminated food or water. The National Foundation for Infectious Disease reports that as many as 80 million people are infected each year in the...
