When you run a marathon, you have to perform numerous muscle contractions over a long period of time. Your body relies on slow-twitch fibers to achieve this task. When you play a sport and perform short, explosive movements, your muscles contract...
Focalin is a brand name for dexmethylphenidate, a stimulant for the central nervous system called a CNS stimulant that may be prescribed for treatment of ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It generally is prescribed for those...
Depression is the extreme feeling of sadness that interferes with daily activities, physical functions and social interactions. Depression is a common illness, with more than 14.8 million Americans affected in any given year, according to...
Focalin, or dexmethylphenidate, is to help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Side effects of this drug include weight loss. Although you may lose some pounds and increase your metabolism with Focalin, this is not the purpose of the...
The body's nerves work like a telephone line, communicating with other body parts using electrical impulses. When these impulses become abnormal or imbalanced, a seizure will occur. The Brain Injury Resource Foundation states there are more than...
Before there were prescriptions for Ritalin, Adderall and other pharmaceutical strength amphetamines, the "hyperactive child" was dosed with a cup of coffee before heading out for school. Today, with ADHD diagnoses increasing among both children...
If you have ever gotten a facial massage, you may not have realized that its effects are more than just relaxation and "feeling good." Your face is home to a variety of different acupuncture or acupressure points. According to Chinese medicine...
Antidepressants work successfully to treat depression and anxiety disorders for many patients. The drugs may affect neurotransmitters, message carriers in the brain, to balance mental health and improve moods. Like other medications,...
The National Institutes of Health estimates that 40 million Americans older than the age of 18 suffer from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can range from mild to severe and differ from a normal reaction to stress. In severe cases, anxiety...
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen shrub native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves and twigs of the plant are dried and steeped in hot water until a tea is formed. Yerba mate acts as a central nervous system...
Sodium nitroprusside is a medication classified as a vasodilator indicated for the treatment of congestive heart failure and life-threatening high blood pressure. Vasodilators increase blood flow and lower blood pressure by relaxing the muscles of...
Depression affects nearly 15 million Americans, according to 2010 information from the National Institute of Mental Health. As a leading cause of disability, depression affects individuals, their loved ones and the community. Psychiatrists...
Guarana berries come from the guarana plant, an evergreen vine native to the Amazon basin. Other names for guarana berries include Pullinia cupana, guarana, guarana gum, guarana seed, zoom cocoa and Brazilian cocoa. Applications of guarana berries...
Although antidepressant medication can be an effective way to treat depression for many people, many of these medications can also come with unwelcome side effects. Anyone considering the use of anti-depression medication should talk to her doctor...
Doctors prescribe the high-risk, central nervous system stimulant dexmethylphenidate, brand name Focalin, to treat behavioral problems. The natural supplement L-tyrosine, also called tyrosine, has been the subject of studies to determine its...
One of the available treatments for depression is escitalopram, which is sold under the brand name of Cipralex. This medication belongs to the family of drugs known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, which block the reabsorption of...
Hemifacial spasm is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by frequent, involuntary contractions of muscles on one side of your face. The condition can continue until half of your face appears to "droop." Acupuncture may be beneficial...
Caffeine is not known to interact negatively with the medication prednisone. However, this does not necessarily mean you won’t have any adverse reactions while consuming caffeine or taking prednisone. Both caffeine and prednisone may cause a...
Having an awareness of what stresses us out in our lives helps to combat stress. Some major stressors can include people, money, work, time, health or perceived loss. In addition to external stressors, stress can stem from our own internal...
Most antidepressants work by manipulating the way certain chemicals in the brain function, but each type may act in a slightly different way or affect different brain chemicals. Antidepressants are put into specific classifications depending upon...