Medical

Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is a progressive disease without a cure. With this condition, the lungs undergo severe damage, primarily through smoking, which is irreversible. This damage then causes problems with breathing. You may also be familiar with the terms chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which...

Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacteria strain known as Neisseria Meningitidis. This bacteria is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children between the ages of 2-18. You can protect your child by getting them the meningitis vaccine. There are two different meningococcal diseases: Meningitis: a...

Kidney cancer is a life-threatening condition that can interfere with the kidneys’ ability to remove toxins from the bloodstream. Fortunately, if you are aware of the risk factors that contribute to kidney cancer, you can reduce your likelihood of developing this condition. Understanding Kidney Function You have two bean-shaped...

If you have never had a mammogram, then there are possibly just 2 things that you know about a breast cancer screening exam. Firstly, there is someone who is going to try squashing your boobs as flat as it’s the case with a pancake and you’ll have to let...

The treatment for acid reflux will depend on what the cause was for each individual. There are a wide range of treatment options that can be used. These options will help control the acid reflux and heartburn that the individual experiences. If it continues to flare up, the treatment...

Colon cancer is the development of cancer in the colon, or large intestine. It generally begins as small, noncancerous lumps, known as adenomatous polyps, that are asymptomatic and can take some time to turn into full-blown cancerous cells. This is largely the reason yearly colon cancer screenings are recommended—the sooner...

Many things can lead to a heart attack or myocardial infarction, but the primary cause has always been clear: the narrowing of the arteries in the heart. There are numerous risk factors associated with myocardial infarction, including high LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) levels, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, a...

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with melanoma, it’s hard to know what to expect. In the early days after diagnosis, your main focus might be learning about the cancer. It is highly treatable if detected at early stages when it’s most treatable. For this reason, knowing...

Diabetes is a serious condition, but thankfully it’s not a hopeless one. By implementing smart lifestyle changes, you can go on to lead a normal life without worrying about how this disease can negatively affect you. Here are five tips to get you started—they’re by no means the only...

COPD is commonly misdiagnosed — former smokers are often told they have COPD when in reality they have another less common lung condition. Likewise, many persons who truly do have COPD aren’t diagnosed until the disease is far advanced and interventions are less effective. Tests If you have symptoms...

According to the CDC, there are two types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States. The first is the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or Menomune. The second is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which is otherwise referred to as Menactra, Menveo, and MenHibrix. Both vaccines work to prevent four types of...

Kidney cancer is generally found in older people. 2-3% of all cancer cases in older people are kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney tumor which is found mostly in adults. Kidney cancer symptoms are not generally observed in children or young people. Important Facts about...

Foot pain is among one of the most common ailments that affect people of all ages at a certain point in their lives. Foot pain might occur anywhere in your foot including the heel, sole, ankle, toes or arch. It can be incredibly frustrating and debilitating to those who...

Knowing about normal blood sugar levels is key, it is critical that you see how this is important as it can be extremely perilous. The centralization of glucose in your bloodstream is known as blood glucose level (BGL) or otherwise called blood sugar level. Your glucose level ought to...

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a clot forms in the “deep veins” of the body, specifically the legs. DVT is serious, and the complications that ensue can be fatal. While there are quite a number of risk factors for developing DVT, there are also things you can do...

Pain management is often the main goal behind many medications dealing with the oral cavity, or mouth. The most commonly used drug for relieving pain or a toothache is non-narcotic analgesics. The most commonly used non-narcotic analgesics include: Ibuprofen (such as Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin (Bayer);...

In the United States alone, it is estimated that over 50 million people suffer from allergies. In the home, pets and dust mites can be responsible for symptoms such as chronic sneezing, itching, and congestion. Similarly, in the great outdoors, pollen from grass, trees, and weeds can trigger itchy, watery...

A miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of pregnancy that occurs before the 20th week. Miscarriages can be difficult physically, but they can also be very emotionally draining as well. No matter the circumstances, miscarrying can be a devastating experience for both you and your partner. You might feel angry,...

Renal cell carcinoma makes up approximately nine out of ten kidney cancer cases in adults. This type of kidney cancer originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, which is part of the small tubes in the kidney that transport waste from the blood to the urine. The...

Breast cancer begins in different areas of the breast: the ducts, the lobules, or the tissues in between. Differing types of breast cancer depend upon where the cancer cells originate. Learn more about these different types of breast cancer below, including non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers: Ductal...

Kidney cancer, also referred to as renal cancer, manifests itself through the uncontrollable growth of a tumor on a kidney after the affected cells become malignant. Kidney cancer is normally detected earlier than other forms of cancer before it spreads to neighboring organs. The ability to detect this condition...

Metastatic melanoma is a form of skin cancer. There are various types of skin cancer, but melanoma is the most severe. Melanoma can spread very fast to other parts of the body. Therefore, it is recommended to visit an oncologist detect and treat melanoma during its early stages. Most...

To understand the meaning of this term, it is important to know the functions of the kidney. The primary role of this vital organ in the body is to remove waste products through the process of filtering them from the system. This process is what is commonly known as...

Basically, Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot and the majority of sufferers develop them in their legs but they can also form in other parts of the body. If you have developed DVP there are a variety of symptoms to look out for – swelling of the affected...

is a type of prescription medication that when taken once a day, is meant to help lower high levels of cholesterol in the body. It is available in the form of an oral tablet and can be used in combination with other statins. Be sure to talk to your...

Asthma is an inflammatory disease affecting the lungs. To date, there is no pre-defined cure for the malady. Asthma is characterized by varied symptoms, including chest blockages, breathing difficulties, and coughing. The disease is caused by a variety of allergens that fall under environmental causes, including air pollution. Statistically,...

About 15% to 20% of all clinically confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage. This can be a scary number if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. However, the best way to be prepared for a miscarriage if it happens to you is to know exactly what to expect....

Kidney cancer or renal cancer develops in the cells of the kidney; the various types of renal cancers are determined based on the specific cells in which cancerous cells are detected. The detection and prevention of kidney cancer can be challenging as they develop in unlikely ways and have...

The prominence and mortality rates of cancer victims have led to a desperate search for more effective means of dealing with this frightening variety of illnesses. Although any cancer can be fatal, many have been researched to the extent that they can be diagnosed quickly, leading to a more effective...

Kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma cancer usually occurs in older people and accounts for about 2 to 3% of cancers in adults, affecting about twice as many men and women. This tumor begins in the cells, which is in the lining of the small tubes within the kidneys....

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer considered by medical professions to be the worst type. It develops deep in the cells that form skin pigment and is typically caused by overexposure to harmful UV rays such as those found in tanning beds or produced naturally by the sun. Skin...

You may have heard about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which refers to a digestive disorder that causes abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and changes in movements of the bowel. Women are affected more than men by IBS, even though this condition occurs mostly in the teens to early adulthood....

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling, redness, pain and discomfort that gets worse if left untreated. The inflammation that the disease causes can affect internal organs as well. Eyes, lungs and heart are some of which can be affected by it. Despite the condition being a...

Eczema is a broad term which refers to a group of skin conditions that can affect all age groups. Generally, eczema is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory condition causing dry, red patches of skin which can often be very itchy. Severity can be mild to severe with eczema affecting large or...

Seasonal allergies or allergic reactions that occur in a particular season are called hay fever, which gets the name from hay cutting season. According to a report by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, almost 8% of the total American population suffers from hay fever. It occurs...

Postpartum depression is a medical condition that mainly exists in women and has a very low frequency of occurrence in men. This is a clinical depression that mainly occurs after childbirth. The condition mainly exhibits emotional symptoms in the victims. It mainly begins in the initial months after a...

The concept of masculinity has long been championed among men throughout their process of growth and when they finally attain adulthood. ‘Manly’ behavior is often associated with strength and strongly rids itself of any form of weakness such as ill health. As such, the traditional macho man has been...

When it comes to treating pancreatic cancer, there are three main options for those suffering from this disease. Depending on the advancement of the cancer, these treatments can be used individually or in conjunction with one another. Treatment options include: Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Surgery Surgery is generally used for...

Bone cancer is a primary or secondary form of cancer. Primary bone cancer is where it begins in the bone. From there, the cancer will then begin to develop in the cells of the bones. Secondary bone cancer is where it begins in other areas of the body. Once...

The majority of cases of skin cancer essentially happen on parts of the body that are not exposed to direct sunlight. Besides, many deaths due to skin cancer are actually not more than ten thousand in the complete population of the U.S. To be more exact, there is a...

In most comedy movies, diarrhea is at the butt of many jokes — a bad pun to say the least! Diarrhea can be cause for a good laugh, but wait until you have diarrhea in real life, then it will no longer be a laughing matter. Diarrhea, though common...

Meningitis is a disease that occurs when the meninges (coverings of the brain) become inflamed. The disease is caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. The disease causes symptoms such as intense pain, sensitivity to light, convulsions, fever, stiff neck,...

Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints in the US. It is typically defined as when a person has fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, or who also suffers from hard stools and incomplete bowel movements. A survey by the American Gastroenterological Association showed that around...

Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a viral infection of the liver. It spreads from person to person in a variety of ways, but always through blood or other bodily fluids. This means that it is possible to catch Hepatitis C from infected needles and unprotected sex. It can also...

Age is an important factor when considering pregnancy. It is statistically true that mothers who are 35 or older are more likely to experience a miscarriage. One factor that causes this is that chromosomal changes can affect how the egg is formed. The most fertile eggs are the first...

Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is caused when the tissue and bones surrounding the teeth become swollen and infected. The two stages of gum disease are known as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease in which the gums become swollen, red,...

For proper functioning, your body requires lipids, also known as cholesterol which is produced by the liver or contained in some foods. Cholesterol on its own doesn’t cause any health symptoms, though in excess it could cause complications like heart disease. To move around the body, cholesterol combines with proteins,...

We’ve all heard cancer described as being in a particular stage, with higher numbered stages more serious than lower numbers. But what do these numbers actually mean? Most doctors use a staging system called TNM, which measures tumor formation (T), lymph node involvement (N), and the presence of metastasis. 1....

Melanoma is cancer that begins in your melanocytes—the pigment-producing cells that give color to your skin. Although common, melanoma can be serious, more so than other types of skin cancer, because it may spread to other parts of your body. Here is a look at the main types of...