Herpes simplex is a very common virus. It's able to grow very fast and reproduce in many different types of cells. It destroys cells and then stays dormant, giving it the ability of causing recurrent infections. The two types of the herpes simplex...
Probiotics are live microorganisms similar to the beneficial bacteria found in the intestines. They are often used in alternative medicine to treat and prevent illnesses and are available in food or as oral supplements. Probiotic supplements are...
Radiation therapy uses radiation, or strong beams of energy, to kill cancer cells or to keep them from growing and dividing. Radiation therapy involves a daily administration of small doses of radiation over a period of several days to several...
Also known as herpes esophagitis, herpes of the throat or esophagus is extremely rare, especially in otherwise healthy individuals. It is most commonly found in people with compromised immune systems, such as recipients of organ transplants, AIDS...
Birth control pills, commonly called "the pill" are used to prevent pregnancy and regulate a woman's menstrual cycle. Typically, a woman will take one active (hormone-containing) pill per day for three weeks, then will take either no pills or...
Candida is a naturally occurring yeast we all have in our guts. Along with other bacteria, it assists with digestion. Modern living and modern medicine, while effectively destroying harmful bacteria in our bodies, can also kill healthy bacteria...
According to Stanford Medicine, amyloidosis is a disease where abnormal sheet-like patterns of proteins exist in organs and tissues. The general term amyloidosis describes four particular types that are defined by the specific protein found.The...
Plaques are broad, almost plateau-like lesions raised on the surface of the skin. Sometimes formed by a confluence of small bumpy lesions, plaques are usually well-defined and cover a relatively large surface area. Scratching can harden the skin...
The bone disease osteoporosis causes bone tissue to thin out and lose density over time. Women most commonly develop the condition, with it affecting 20 percent of women 50 and older, MedlinePlus reports. In most cases, osteoporosis results from...
According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, excessive moisture surrounding the anal area is the most common cause of anal itching. Itching, which inherently is an irritating problem can be embarrassing if it is anal. Pruritus...
You may have heard the term "bone mass" in regard to osteoporosis. It is important to maintain as much bone mass as you can to prevent fractures and the complications that can accompany them. You can do a lot early on and in your advanced years to...
Testosterone replacement might sound like a way for men to regain their youth, energy and even their sexual prowess. But doctors use certain criteria to decide whether testosterone replacement therapy is appropriate. The therapy can have...
Probiotics are live bacteria that form colonies in your gastrointestinal tract and work with your intestinal microflora to protect you against disease-causing bacteria. Dr. Natasha Iyer, director of Chronos Apollo in Calgary, Canada, explains that...
Antibiotics kill both beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria, throwing off the healthy balance of bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. You may experience diarrhea, bloating and nausea when antibiotics eliminate a large number of beneficial...
Allergy is a common disorder that affects about 50 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. There are several types of allergic disorders, including asthma, seasonal allergy or hay fever, hives and...
Gynecomastia, or breast enlargement in males, is very common. It is caused by an hormonal imbalance and can be affected by foods. As many as 70 percent of young males experience gynecomastia, and 40 percent of elderly men experience breast...
The meninges is a membrane that covers and protects your brain. It is composed of three layers called the pia, arachnoid and dura. You also have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord as it circulates...
According to the American Cancer Society CHOP is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy regimens used to treat Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. CHOP is an acronym for four medications used to fight this disease. These drugs include Cytoxan, Adriamycin,...
Magnesium is an essential mineral that the body uses for metabolic reactions, energy production, RNA and DNA synthesis, bone and cell structure, and regulation of other nutrients. Side effects of magnesium supplements are rare but can occur when...
The recipe for an Epsom salts cleanse usually involves only natural ingredients like lemon juice, olive oil and water. That doesn't make it safe. According to Harvard Medical School, the belief that you need to cleanse your liver or other organs...
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Each day your body secretes melatonin following a daily rhythm. This daily rhythm is synchronized by regular exposure to a 24-hour cycle of light and dark and may serve as a...
Multiple myeloma---cancer that arises in the plasma cells of the bone marrow---is a relatively rare malignancy. Representing 1 percent of cancers in Caucasians and 2 percent in African-Americans, it strikes more than 20,000 individuals in the...
Cancer cells grow, replicate, and then divide much like any cell. Unlike normal cells, they do not know when to stop dividing. This rapid division forms cancerous tumors. Chemotherapy works by attacking a cell and causing it to become unable to...
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is relatively common in women and men who have unprotected sex. Herpes simplex virus has no cure, but it is not fatal. You can avoid getting it by using a condom during sex or making sure your partner...
Many couples experience infertility. While some causes of infertility remain unknown, about one-third of infertility cases are due to factors present in both partners. Standard infertility treatments can vary depending on the underlying cause. Saw...
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth by the cells in the brain. The cells reproduce themselves in an uncontrolled manner. These tumors can be benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous). Primary brain tumors are growths that started in the brain,...
Esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus, the tube through which food travels from the pharynx to the stomach. The most common causes for esophagitis are injury due to reflux, viral infections, fungal infection and inflammation from taking...
A diagnosis of malignant melanoma doesn't have to be fatal. When caught early, this form of skin cancer is completely curable. Assess yourself for risk factors linked to melanoma. Do you have fare skin or a family history of melanoma? Have you...
A cancer called multiple myeloma can damage the bones and kidneys, cause anemia and leave the body unprotected against infections. Yet, a minority of people with this disease will not have any symptoms. Current treatment includes chemotherapy,...
