Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disorder that restricts blood flow through the vessels from the heart to the lungs. Blood pressure rises in the pulmonary artery for unexplained reasons, narrowing the process of conduction while also...
Swelling in the lower extremities is fairly common, but it can be a drag when you are trying to get healthy with exercise. Talk to your doctor to explore potential causes and treatments. Many things can trigger leg swelling -- from a simple minor...
Hepatitis C is a disease that causes liver inflammation and can progress into liver failure or liver cancer. The chronic hepatitis C infection remains in the person's body. Hepatitis C may start with a fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting...
Esomeprazole, the generic name of Nexium, is a type of drug known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces the production of stomach acid by inhibiting the enzyme that produces the acid. Nexium is used for treating the following conditions:...
The heart carries blood rich with oxygen and nutrients to other parts of the body, such as the organs and tissues. When the heart is unable to pump blood, this condition is known as heart failure. There are several factors that increase the chance...
Atenolol is a commonly prescribed medication for patients who have high blood pressure and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Atenolol is a member of a type of medication known as beta-blockers, which relax the blood vessels and also...
Swelling in the legs and feet--sometimes referred to as peripheral edema--is a condition caused by abnormal buildup of fluid in the limbs or inflammation and swelling of tissues or joints. While swelling in the lower extremities can be the result...
Yeast infections are common in women. They can be triggered by stress, a change in hormones, antibiotics or pregnancy. If you've been swimming regularly, you might be concerned about the effect of a swimming workout on your yeast infection.
Calcium channel blockers are a classification of medications used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), Raynaud's disease and heart arrhythmias. These medications may decrease the heart's pumping strength...
Swelling in the legs and feet is a common problem, but can be a sign of a serious condition and should be diagnosed by a doctor if it is persistent or reoccurring. According to the National Institutes of Health, abnormal swelling or buildup of...
Patients with nerve damage due to poor circulation, diabetes, HIV and herpes have pain that is difficult to manage. Many of these patients use narcotics that do not provide them with the relief they are seeking. There are other medications that...
Leg edema, or swelling, may develop in any part of your lower extremities, such as your thighs, calves and ankles. Leg edema is usually caused by either fluid retention or inflammation associated with damaged tissues. Leg swelling may be caused by...
Nerve pain from the effects of diabetes, poor circulation, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes may be difficult to manage. Patients with nerve damage or neuropathy often consider taking narcotics; however, narcotics do not often provide...
Ankle injuries are common among people who frequently walk or run for exercise. Uneven ground or misplaced steps can easily cause the ankle to turn, but even the constant impact of the foot against the ground can place stress on the foot and ankle...
Pregnancy is an exciting time for a new mother-to-be. It also brings new and different symptoms, anxiety, aches and pains. During pregnancy it is advised to not take medication unless approved by your doctor and medically necessary. Some women...
The Mayo Clinic reports that more than 6 million Americans do not recognize the symptoms of diabetes, which prevents timely diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the course of illness. The discomforting...
Congestive heart failure is the process that occurs when the heart breaks down, and is unable to pump blood along with oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This situation usually happens in patients who have suffered heart attacks in the...
Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is a cardiovascular disorder characterized by ineffective pumping of the heart and the resulting fluid congestion from impaired circulation. As less blood pumps out of the heart, the blood on its way back toward...
Swollen ankles, medically known as ankle edema, is caused by the accumulation of excessive fluid in the spaces of soft tissues around the ankle. It is also known as peripheral edema. The lower extremities, particularly the foot and ankle, are...
Many American women who are in good health work throughout their nine months of pregnancy--many times all the way to their due date. Understanding different signs of stress and fatigue is important, as well as ways to overcome them. Learn what...
Sunitinib (brand name Sutent) is an anti-cancer targeted therapy drug that is used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and advanced renal cell cancer (chemocare.com). It interferes with a growth factor that aids in tumor growth and...
Viagra is a medication in a class of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Lovastatin is a statin drug, which is used for the treatment of high cholesterol in both men and women. You may be prescribed one or both of these medications by...
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a severe disease in which the nerves in the brain and spinal cord responsible for movement are damaged. Ten percent of ALS cases are related to genetic defects; however, the cause of the other 90 percent...
Brain lesion is a general term for an unusual area of brain tissue, and is typically linked to a brain disorder or injury. Appetite suppressants can sometimes cause side effects related to your brain and nervous system, but brain lesions have not...
Ankle and lower leg swelling has many different causes. MayoClinic.com cites 27 different possible causes. A patient might have ankle swelling from a minor problem, such as prolonged standing, or from a serious medical condition such as heart...
Kidney disease, also known as kidney failure, is any condition that causes kidney dysfunction. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that dysfunctional kidneys fail to perform several important duties,...
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a formation of a blood clot in veins of the legs. If the blood clot increases in size, it can impede circulation in the leg, causing pain, heat, redness and tenderness in the affected area. An embolus occurs when a...
Spider veins are a milder variation of varicose veins that affect the smaller vessels in the legs. For many people they are simply a cosmetic concern, but for others they can lead to more serious problems. Sometimes spider veins and varicose...
Peripheral vascular disease, which is characterized by poor circulation, most often affects the lower extremities. Elevating your legs to an appropriate height can help relieve some of the discomfort in your legs, ankles and feet caused by poor...
A Sprain is a tearing or stretching of the ligaments and connective tissue around a joint which can take longer to heal than muscle damage due to a lack of bloody supply. Learn more about sprains including treatments and symptoms in this medical...
Bone fractures are breaks or cracks in the bone that generally require immobility devices like casts or braces to heal properly. Learn more about fractures, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.