The pace of modern American society seems to be leading to ever-decreasing hours of sleep. Many people try to use caffeine as a substitute for the hours of lost sleep, but the evidence is mounting that this is a bad trade-off. According to the...
The human body depends on amino acids. They are the body's main architects in building proteins needed for cellular processes. Only 10 of the 20 amino acids required by the body for survival are produced internally. The remaining 10, called...
Arthritis refers to the inflammation that sometimes occurs in one or more joints in the body. This inflammation may cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints. The National Library of Medicine lists more than 100 different types of...
Normally, the heart takes it easy during sleep, as blood pressure and heart rate drop to low and relaxed levels. However, having a heart attack during sleep is possible. In most cases, the sleeper wakes up due to pain. Contact 911 if you ever...
Sleep is an active physiological process, one in which your body is busy carrying out vital activities, while you are unconscious. While asleep your body alternates between two forms of sleep: rapid eye movement, or REM, and non-REM sleep. This...
Tai chi is a form of martial arts that dates back to ancient China. Originally, tai chi was a self-defense method. Today, the practice of tai chi is used as a means of body stretching and relaxation. The exercises are increasing in popularity in...
Some people claim their onset of rheumatoid arthritis was triggered by a stressful event---an accident, a death in the family job loss. However, the only research on stress causing rheumatoid arthritis was done on mice. Because people's reactions...
Depression is a condition in which you experience persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety that cause significant impairment in your daily functioning, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The actual cause of depression still has...
High cholesterol remains a health issue of concern in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just over one-third of American adults over age 20 had high LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels. Of that...
As America's population ages, the incidence of age-related dementia is rising. According to a 2010 study in “Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy,” your chance of developing Alzheimer’s dementia doubles every five years after...
Maintaining an ideal weight is an important part of good health. Over 60 percent of Americans are overweight, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States,...
If you have upper body weight to lose, it is likely that you have excess weight all over your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, excess body weight can lead to heart disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression and...
The human body needs sodium in order to function, making it one of the essential minerals. Sodium supports muscle contraction and nerve function, keeps the heart beating rhythmically and helps balance the amount of fluid in the body. The most...
BMI, which stands for Body Mass Index, is used as a measure of the weight status in adults. The BMI correlates to the amount of body fat a person carries. According to Harvard University Health Services, a healthy BMI averages between 18.5 and...
Stress doesn't only add inches to your waistline, it can lead to sleep deprivation, high blood pressure, anxiety and even heart disease if left untreated. Getting rid of your stress gut can be challenging because you not only have to exercise and...
Tennis elbow is the common name for inflammation or tearing of the tendons that attach your forearm muscles to the outside of your elbow. The characteristic pain radiates from the elbow down the outside of the forearm and can extend to the wrist....
Secondary hypertension is a less common form of hypertension that often goes undiagnosed in many people. Secondary hypertension means there is some underlying condition causing hypertension rather than a common cause. There are five main causes...
A yoga practice traditionally finishes with Savasana, which is pronounced "sha-VA-sa-na," followed by meditation. From the Sanskrit "sava" meaning "corpse" and "asana" meaning "pose," Savasana offers quiet time to lie down on your yoga mat and...
Binge eating is more than just a matter of habit or poor self-control. According to HealthDay News, it is actually the most common eating disorder in America. If you tend to grab the nearest packet of chips when you're stressed or occasionally...
Morning hypertension is characterized by the average numbers for morning blood pressure readings, usually measured up to two hours after awakening. Although blood pressure fluctuates during the day, the lowest readings typically occur when a...
High blood pressure is known in the medical field as hypertension. Technically, when your blood pressure reading is above 140/90, it is considered high. Hypertension can often go unnoticed for years. Often, it is not until blood pressure reaches a...
Passion fruit tea contains many of the chemicals found in the passionflower plant. The aboveground parts of the passionflower are used as a medication, infusion, tincture, food additive and as a tea. Passionflower tea is often used to treat pain,...
Children that are overweight or suffer from childhood obesity are at an increased risk of developing medical problems later in life, states the KidsHealth.org from the Nemours Foundation. These problems include sleep apnea, high blood pressure,...
Although blood pressure varies naturally throughout the day, persistent morning high blood pressure may signify an underlying problem. A person's blood pressure is normally lowest at night, during sleep. After waking in the morning, blood pressure...
When trying to conceive, a couple may look for the earliest signs of a possible pregnancy. For many women, the first signs of pregnancy can occur before the first missed period, which is of course a sign of pregnancy in itself. Many of these...
People of all ages can suffer from baggy eyes. Typically, bags under the eyes are just a cosmetic concern and not a result of a serious medical problem. However, puffiness under the eyes can lead to embarrassment and self-confidence issues. There...
Your heart rate changes frequently depending on your activity level, even during sleep. The most accurate reading of how your heart rate varies should be obtained directly from a professional. However, a relatively accurate figure can also be...
Carrying excess weight around your waist can impact your confidence and put you at risk for health problems. According to MayoClinic.com, excess belly fat can increase your risk for stroke, cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high...
Learn how to treat Hypertension and High blood pressure with acupuncture in this free chinese medicine video lesson from our alternative cure expert.