Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection in children, responsible for putting about 90,000 American children in the hospital each year. This common respiratory tract infection can be caused by several different viruses, and affects the bronchioles, the tiny airways in that lead to the lungs in particular. As the infection takes hold, these bronchioles become inflamed, or swell up, and fill with mucus.
Read MoreBarrett’s esophagus, however exotic sounding, is a serious complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is usually used interchangeably with GERD (its acronym) and acid reflux. But there are some key differences. Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus - the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This backward flow occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus is weak or relaxes at the wrong time. If the valve or sphincter is open, stomach acid is allowed to back up into your esophagus. This reflux can, in turn, cause heartburn, among other not so pleasant symptoms.
Read MoreThe bladder is a hallow organ that hold urine from the kidneys. Often it's one of the parts of the body not often thought about until it stops working properly. Problems affecting the bladder can cause painful urination and leakage at unwanted times. Sometimes simple lifestyle changes can improve these conditions however there are certain conditions that occur which need treatment immediately. One of them is entitled Bladder Outlet Obstruction which is also referred to as lower urinary tract obstruction or prostatism. Symptoms include abdominal pain, pain while urinating, inability to urinate, straining to urinate, dribbling after urination, waking up throughout the night to urinate.
Read MoreAppendicitis is also known as a perforated or ruptured appendix. It is a serious infection of the appendix which is a small finger-like tube located where small and large intestine join. Symptoms often start with abdominal pain that occurs near the belly button or lower right. Patients also experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, constipation and abdominal swelling. Almost half of patients with appendicitis feel abdominal pain that moves rapidly to the lower right. If appendicitis is now treated right away, the appendix will likely burst, which then spreads infection throughout the abdomen, which is a dangerous condition called peritonitis.
Read MoreAs we age, bone health becomes increasingly important, especially for women, who are most at risk for bone density issues. Bone spurs or osteophytes are extra growths of the bone that can happen on the edge of any bone. Symptoms can include joint pain, tenderness, swelling and loss of motion in that affected joint. Bone spurs occur most commonly around the joints and can occur in the spine as well. They are not painful but can cause pain when they rub against other bones and nerves. Tendonitis or osteoarthritis are often one of the main causes of bone spurs. In some cases, they are a natural part of aging. Some even cause no symptoms and not even need any treatment. Others require pain medications and surgery.
Read MoreCandidiasis is a yeast infection, thrush, diaper rash or fungal infection. It's a condition that affects both men and women. Symptoms really depend on the state of the infection. It could include a light discharge from the vagina, whitish patches in the mouth or present on the tongue. Patients also experience cracking at corners of the mouth, pain when swallowing, skin rashes with scalloped edges, itching and burning in the genitals as well as thickened and discolored toenails or fingernails.
Read MoreCeliac Disease or also known as Sprue, gluten intolerance and sensitivity, actually has many different types of symptoms. Some include gas, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, hair loss, anemia, depression, joint pain, weight loss, and even skin rashes and osteoporosis. What the disease actually does is damage the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing food properly. The body reacts to gluten which is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Celiac Disease tends to be genetic but can occur in those without a family history.
Read MoreEating disorders can affect men and women from any background. They are defined as any abnormal eating habits that have a negative or detrimental effect on the body and our health. The two best known eating disorders are anorexia, and bulimia. For many sufferers, symptoms don’t look like symptoms at first, they may just feel like normal dieting patterns or setbacks.
Read MoreWe all experience headaches from one time to another. But what exactly is it? Whether you're feeling stressed, sick or just hit by a sudden storm of pain, headaches can really inhibit your everyday activities. Here's the science behind headaches.
Read MoreNo single cause for ulcers have been found. There are many variables that affect their development. Researchers now know that ulcers are the end result of an imbalance between digestive fluids in the stomach and duodenum. Ulcers are typically caused by bacteria type named Helicobacter pylori.
Read MoreAn STD is a sexually transmitted disease, also known as an STI or sexually transmitted infection. These diseases or infections are spread via sexual contact from one partner to the next. This sexual contact can occur in many ways such as orally, vaginally, anally, or from hand to genital interaction. Our first line of defense against these STDs is to practice safe sex, using abstinence, condoms, and getting checked regularly.
Read MorePatients diagnosed with diabetes have to be on top of understanding their blood sugar. Blood sugar levels to a diabetic patient is an essential part of their care. A physician will measure your levels during regular appointments but it's up to the patient to monitor daily changes in blood sugar. Even further, they need to learn how to monitor it, understand their results and know when to be alert if anything if off. This knowledge can actually save their life.
Read MoreThere are many things that can trigger a migraine to those who are prone to them. Triggers can include foods, drinks, certain physical activities and exercise, sleep deprivation, stress, odors, bright lights, hormones and even medications can bring one on. Here are 5 surprising triggers you probably wouldn't have thought of.
Read MoreThose who suffer from severe headaches, known as migraines, understand just how hard it can hit everyday life. A migraine is defined as a headache of varying intensity, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. It's a type of headache that's localized in a certain region of the head and also sometimes accompanied by a massive sensitivity to light and sound.
Read MoreBipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. But there are four types of bipolar disorder that are critical to understand.
Read MoreMore and more evidence shows that what we eat strongly effects our brain health, and even may prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's for which there is no cure. We have some ideas to get you started.
Read MoreThe feeling of constant pang of joint pain can be overwhelming and painful. Things as simple as taking a walk, gardening, or cooking are taken for granted until these things become limited by arthritis or chronic pain.
Read MoreYou may not have known that a “strawberry” mark is anything other than a funky birthmark, but it is actually an outpouching of extra blood vessels in the skin or more rarely deeper in the body.
Read MoreThere are various symptoms associated with appendicitis. Here's what you need to know.
Read MoreA lot of so-called "facts" are thrown around about HIV and Aids, but how much of it is true? Here we debunk myths on these two diseases and give you the facts.
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