There are 650 skeletal muscles in the body, and all perform different functions. Some muscles are bigger than others and have more power; others work harder and have greater capacity for consistent work; others can exert tremendous forces.
The heart is a fist-sized muscle located within the upper left side of the chest that helps pump blood through a person's body. Heart disease is a term used to describe a number of conditions that affect the way the heart muscle functions....
Astragalus, also known as bei qi, huang qi and milk vetch, is an herb native to China that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), more than...
The herb astragalus has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It has compounds that help protect the body from stress, whether the stress is physical, mental or emotional. It is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and may also be...
Hypokalemia refers to a drop in your potassium, an essential mineral needed by your body. A normal potassium level for an adult is 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. A low potassium level is considered 2.5 mEq/L or less, which requires immediate medical...
Fish oil supplements are a naturally blood thinner. The benefits of fish oil include slightly lower blood pressure, reduced triglycerides as well as decreased heart arrhythmias. Additional benefits include possible reduction of plaque and...
Many Americans take fish oil daily for heart-health benefits. Fish oil is now consumed more often than a daily multivitamin, according to a 2010 survey published by Consumerlab.com. It contains large amounts of two omega-3 fatty acids,...
Weight gain is often directly linked to an increase in hypertensive heart disease symptoms, in addition to a host of other medical conditions. Weight gain typically includes an increase in saturated fats and cholesterol in the system. Weight gain...
Metformin is a commonly prescribed medication that helps to decrease blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. MayoClinic.com notes that it works by decreasing gluconeogenesis, or glucose production in the liver, increasing the...
Tachycardia is a medical term used to describe a heart rate in persons over 15 years of age of over 100 beats per minute. Sometimes, it is necessary for your heart rate to be elevated, but at other times, it can be life-threatening. During...
Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, is a term used to describe several conditions that affect the heart. Coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects and arrhythmias are all considered heart disease. According to the Mayo...
The way tea is processed determines what tea will be produced: white, black, green or oolong tea. Nevertheless, all of these teas basically contain the same chemicals and anti-oxidants and although the chemicals may be in slightly different...
Cinnamon refers to a spice harvested from the bark of one of several trees in the Cinnamomum genus that are native to Southeast Asia. You may not realize it, but the cinnamon stick you use to sweeten your hot cocoa might be harming your health....
Heart disease is the number one killer among men and women in the United States. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of heart disease may save your life or the life of someone you know. It is also important to be able to describe the frequency,...
Congestive heart failure is characterized by complications involving the bottom left and bottom right heart chambers. Often, it is a sign of severe heart disease and considered a terminal illness. Patients in advanced stages of heart failure have...
Fish oil supplements are taken by many Americans, more than the daily multivitamin, according to ConsumerLab.com. Fish oil is contains the beneficial fatty acids known as omega-3s. The supplement often uses fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and...
Coenzyme C10, or CoQ10, is present in every cell in plants and animals. It helps improve energy function and acts as an antioxidant, interrupting the damage of free radicals. It can help prevent cancer and heart disease in healthy people and has...
Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a molecular component of mitochondria, which is responsible for converting nutrients and oxygen in the body into energy. On its own, CoQ10 is instrumental in preventing congestive heart disease and myochardial...
Those with advanced renal disease are limited in the types of foods they can eat. Taking a serious look at your diet in relation to your kidney issues allows you to consider how to widen the scope of your diet to include food that you can eat or...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists heart disease as the number one cause of death in the United States. Approximately 630,000 people die every year due to heart disease in the United States alone. Early discovery and treatment of...
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by constricted airways. Asthma sufferers are usually sensitive to particular triggers that might include pet dander, stress, cold air or dust. When exposed to a trigger, the lungs produce a...
Viagra is the brand name for the drug sildenafil. The drug is primarily used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, or impotence. Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis upon sexual stimulation. The increased blood flow typically...
If your doctor suggests using Coumadin, discuss all other medications and supplements you take with him before filling your prescription. Make sure to mention any vitamins or vitamin therapy as well, such as vitamin B3, which contains niacin and...
Fish oil contains large amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids, necessary for brain function as well as normal growth and development. Fish oil supplements are commonly taken by adults for a variety of heart health benefits including decreasing...
An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD) is a small device that can be considered the ultimate insurance policy for a patient with severe heart disease. If a patient suffers a heart attack that injures the muscle and reduces the pump function...
The body requires omega-3 essential fatty acids, also known scientifically as N-3, are necessary for brain function and development, as well as normal body growth. The body does not create fatty acids that are primarily found in fish and plant...
Fish oil supplements are the most popular dietary supplement in the United States, according to ConsumerLab.com's 2010 survey. More Americans take the supplement than daily multivitamins. The supplements are effective in lowering triglycerides in...
Fish oil pills are natural blood thinners. The fish oil prevents blood from clotting. Though this is a benefit in some instances when related to heart disease, taking fish oil with some medications and herbal supplements may cause complications....
Fish oil supplements are one of the most common supplements consumed by Americans. According to a 2010 ConsumerLab.com survey, 74 percent of nearly 6,000 respondents took fish oil daily. Fish oil has large amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids...
Erectile dysfunction or ED is the inability of a man to maintain a firm erection long enough to have sex. Erectile dysfunction is generally found in older men but can occur at any age. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of...
Impotence is the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. Impotence may also be referred to as Erectile Dysfunction. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and treatments for impotence in this medical video.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac around the heart, and is related to illness and diseases like lupus. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of pericarditis in this health video.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the outer, fibrous layer of the heart. Learn more about pericarditis and the heart in this health video.
