Information About Disease, Illness, & Conditions

Osteoarthritis has become quite prevalent in our society, and there are several types. This article is based on my own experience with this condition, as well as my research.

A bite by a lone star tick can cause a red meat allergy in some people. The allergen in meat is alpha-gal. Tick saliva can sensitize a person to this chemical.

Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis and may affect brain chemistry and our behavior. The pork tapeworm may enter our brain and cause serious health problems.

Find out more about this frequently misdiagnosed type of headache. It's like a migraine but different. It's called a cervicogenic headache or migraine, and it's a real pain!

Hair loss for a woman can be a devastating experience - and the search for a solution can sometimes be a frustrating ordeal. Learn about the options available to women facing severe hair loss.

In GERD, acidic material in the stomach moves in the wrong direction and enters the esophagus, causing heartburn. Dietary changes may relieve or improve symptoms.

When I went through chemotherapy, I had to figure out some critical things for myself. Here are the top 10 things I wish somebody had told me ahead of time.

Bone spurs are projections or outgrowths that extend from a bone. They may press on nerves or other tissues, causing pain, numbness, or difficulty in moving.

When you sing or speak, do you sound hoarse? If you keep losing your voice, you may have vocal nodules. Learn about vocal nodes and nodules: what causes them and how to avoid them.

Do you feel chilled but you don't have a fever? There are many possible reasons for why you may experience chills without a high temperature, and this article explores them.

A look at the most common myths, false beliefs and recognized truths about the causes of cancer . This article also includes tips on how to tell the difference between fake and truthful news about these causes.

Urine can have many colors, ranging from black to colorless. A change in pee appearance may be unimportant or may indicate a serious health problem.

Through the years, I have witnessed a few physicians determine the possibility of cancer by using the sense of smell. Cancerous moles exude an olfactory protein that non-cancerous moles do not.

Jaundice is characterized by yellow skin and a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes. It's caused by excess bilirubin and often indicates the presence of a health problem.

In someone with an anemia disorder, there are either not enough red blood cells in the blood or the cells contain abnormal hemoglobin. Symptoms range from mild to severe.

In this article I share what worked for me in terms of treating athlete's foot. I also discuss treatments for toenail fungus.

If you have trouble falling asleep or maintaining a regular sleep pattern, foods with naturally high levels of melatonin can help you without the need for sleep medication.

Chronic hives are a result of an underlying disease condition. My experience is with acute hives, which results from an allergic reaction that may occur only once in a lifetime.

Cervical osteoarthritis can be very painful. It can cause symptoms such as headaches and migraines, but it is often misdiagnosed. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this condition.

A biphasic sleep pattern is a type of segmented sleep that allows one to gain an extra 2 hours a day!! You could do a lot in 2 hours!!

Aldosterone is a hormone that affects blood pressure. Excess aldosterone can cause high blood pressure and low aldosterone can result in low blood pressure.

This article defines systolic and diastolic pressure, ranges of normal readings, and conditions like prehypertension and hypertension. Includes labeled photos and a video tutorial.

Dust mites cause allergy problems and they live in the mattress and pillows. I found out that microfiber encasings helped, and I slept better. Here's my story.

Learn about the causes of dyshidrotic eczema, as well as both medical and home treatments for the condition.

Glucagon is an essential pancreatic hormone that raises the blood sugar level. Glucagon administration is sometimes required to treat hypoglycemia in diabetes.

Most of us don't drink enough water which leaves us dehydrated and damages our health. Learn about the benefits of drinking more water as well as the easiest way to increase the amount of water you drink every day.

A new treatment may stop beta cell destruction in the early stage of type 1 diabetes. The beta cells produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Sleeping with a sleep apnea face mask and hose may seem difficult, but it is possible to get comfortable and get some rest using a CPAP machine using these tips and suggestions.

The parathyroid glands produce a hormone that controls the amount of calcium in the blood. A problem with the glands may cause hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia.

Proteus mirabilis is responsible for urinary tract infections in some people. The bacterium causes inflammation and the production of stones in the urine.

Worms in humans are common, even in developed nations. They take a toll on a person's health, and cause horrific disfigurations and disease. Let's take a look at the most common of these parasites.

Biotech companies are striving to find new cancer treatments using immune therapies and targeted biologics. New detection and screening tests are also under development to diagnose patients earlier.

Having a sore throat at night is a problem that many people have. Sometimes, the problem fades away by daytime prompting individuals to shrug it off. Here are the possible causes of the condition.

Escherichia coli is a bacterium that exists as different strains. Some strains live in our gut and are very helpful. Others cause foodborne illness and disease.

Hiccups are caused by many factors. They are annoying but usually harmless. Sometimes they are more serious, however. Home remedies or medical treatment may help.

Oral allergy syndrome, or OAS, is an allergic reaction to food proteins that resemble proteins in pollen grains. People with OAS often have hay fever.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks joints. In chikungunya, a virus infects the body. Both diseases produce joint pain and may sometimes be confused.

Sleep paralysis is a fairly common condition characterized by either partial or total paralysis of muscles. It occurs upon awakening from sleep or falling asleep, and can be quite frightening.

Sleep paralysis can be a scary experience. Understanding the phenomenon can help you to be less afraid, and avoid future sleep paralysis attacks.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that lives in the nose of many people. It's often harmless but can cause a variety of diseases. Some of these are serious.

A step-by-step guide (with pictures) on getting your health information with your AncestryDNA results.

Since 1975, when Lyme Disease was first discovered near Old Lyme, Connecticut, the illness has spread to every continent except Antarctica.

Rabies is found throughout the world, caused by lyssavirus that is transmitted through bite wounds. The disease is now treatable, though the success rates vary immensely.

Treponema pallidum pertenue is a spirochete bacterium that causes yaws. The disease has made a comback after being almost eradicated. In its most serious form it can cause deformities and disabilities.

What is Rosacea and how is it identified? Learn about this inflammatory skin condition and how it is treated.

Difficulty sleeping spoils your day, undermines relationships, and makes you less effective at work. Many causes of sleep problems relate to your lifestyle. This article explains 13 gentle but effective changes you can make to help you get a good night's sleep and wake refreshed and raring to go.

The appendix is often thought of as a useless organ, but it may be helpful. In appendicitis, the appendix becomes inflamed and swollen and may rupture.

Insulin resistance is a serious problem for many people who are trying to lose weight but can't. Do you think you might be? Learn about why this is and what you can do about it.

Tons of easy, fun, and successful breast cancer fundraising ideas that allow you to simplify your group's fundraiser planning and get down to the business of raising money for charity.

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurring inflammatory condition of the skin. It has been linked to an increased incidence of obesity, heart disease, and strokes.

People with COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, suffer from chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both of these disorders. Treatment slows lung deterioration.

Lysozyme is an antibacterial enzyme in body secretions that helps to protect us from infections. It's also present in eggs, where it may cause allergies.

Sleep apnea was a major contributor to NFL star Reggie White's death at age 43. What is sleep apnea, and how is it treated?

When we touch objects, our hands are contaminated by bacteria on the surfaces of the objects. It's very important to wash hands regularly to prevent infections.

Measles and rubella (German measles) are viral diseases. They both produce a red body rash and can cause complications, but there are important differences between them.

Cholesterol has vital jobs in our bodies. Excess LDL cholesterol is bad, but HDL cholesterol is good. Our diet helps to control the ratio between the two forms.

In light of the U.S. government’s relaxation of rules surrounding the use of asbestos, now is a good time to look at the health concerns of this mineral.

Histamine has important functions but also causes the symptoms of hay fever. It's released from mast cells. Helpful techniques can prevent or reduce hay fever symptoms.

Costochondritis is a painful and serious lifelong condition that affects many people of different ages. Chest pain, as well as back and shoulder pain, is one of its symptoms.

Tangles of alpha-synuclein fibrils in the brain are a feature of Parkinson's disease. Under some circumstances, the substance also appears in nerves surrounding the gut. Evidence suggests that it can travel from the gut to the brain, where it may cause or contribute to Parkinson's disease.

Vitiligo is a skin disorder involving loss of melanin, the pigment that colors skin. It's most likely an autoimmune condition. A variety of potentially helpful treatments are available.

In some cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a protein called SOD1 is misfolded due to a gene mutation. In mice, a copper compound can prevent the misfolding.

Chilblains are painful red bumps that appear after chilled skin has been rewarmed. A boil and a carbuncle are painful skin abscesses formed by a bacterial infection.

What is pityriasis rosea? What causes it, and how do you get rid of it? Full-body rashes can be very scary, and this one, although harmless, is one of them.

Flying increases the risk of blood clots, particularly for people with pulmonary embolism, DVT, Factor V Leiden, or thrombophilia conditions. Learn how to prevent blood clots while flying.

Scar tissue may form on or in our body when we're injured. It replaces damaged tissue but is sometimes troublesome. The appearance of scars can often be improved.

Learn how to treat and prevent itchy ears.

This article is based on questions I’ve received from readers of my other tinnitus articles. This is a compilation of those questions and my answers.

Our faces can say so much about us—the mood we are in and the emotions we feel. However, look more closely, and it can also reveal something about our physical health.

To determine whether your body is processing sugar properly, you need to know what normal blood sugar levels are, especially if you have a metabolic disorder like diabetes.

Recovery from a pulmonary embolism takes a lot of time. Lung damage from blood clots is very serious. Based on my own experience with this condition, I will share what to expect during your recovery.

Improve alignment, mobility, and strength in the affected joint with one or more of these 10 exercises to ease arthritic pain.

Pulmonary embolism recovery can be difficult due to the heart and lung damage that occurs. This article focuses on things that patients can do to help themselves throughout the recovery process.

Glial cells affect the activity of neurons, or nerve cells. Problems with astrocytes, a type of glial cell, may cause or worsen amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Stress is one of the most common causes of adult acne today. In this article, we'll see how stress causes acne, how it worsens your acne, how you can manage your stress-acne, and other triggering factors.

When the pain of costochondritis flares, it can feel like a heart attack. Once cardiac causes have been ruled out, you are often just given a prescription. Here are other healing treatment options.

Nearly 1,500 in Ohio need healthy lung transplants annually, but there are not enough donor lungs for them all. That changes now, because a leading university hospital can fix damaged lungs fast.

Can fallen arches cause knee pain? Not only that, flat feet affect the entire body structure. Learn how the foot works and practice these simple exercises to cure the painful symptoms of fat feet.

Chronic back pain, stiff neck, frozen shoulders, and all posture-related pains can be prevented and cured with simple gravity inversion.

Aspergillus is a mold that can live inside the human body, causing an infection called aspergillosis. Aspergillosis may be a minor, serious, or deadly illness.

Scabies mites burrow under the surface of the skin, causing a very itchy disease. Demodex skin mites are often harmless but may cause rosacea or blepharitis.

Although certain signs of heart attack are the same between women and men, there are some important differences, as well. Learn about the differences. It may save a life!

Pneumonia can be a killer. It is often a serious complications of other medical conditions. What exactly is pneumonia, and is it the same as pleurisy?

Most adults have the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in their body. The virus is either dormant or active. The active form causes mononucleosis, some types of cancer, and perhaps other diseases.

Skin that bruises easily can be caused by a number of factors, including some medications. Here are some self-help ideas to help improve skin that is thin, easily bruised, or torn.

With these gentle daily exercises, as well as the help of gravity inversion, you can improve your posture and ease your neck or shoulder pain.

The synovium is a membrane that lines the inside of many of our joints. Inflammation of the synovium is known as synovitis. Symptoms include swelling and pain.

Many different bacteria live on our skin and in its upper layer. Most are harmless. Some may be helpful. A few become harmful under certain conditions.

The maleficent stomach virus, also known as norovirus, is an epidemic around the world that spreads like wildfire. Here are some tips to protect yourself from this miserable experience.

Chemicals in urine react with pool disinfectants. The resulting products can be irritating to the eyes, skin, and airways and might cause more serious effects.

The gallbladder stores bile, which helps fat digestion take place. Gallstones are solid lumps in bile that can cause a lot of pain when they enter bile ducts.

Colon bacteria make butyric acid. This acid improves the health of the intestinal lining. It may also reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of colon cancer.

Blood platelets help blood to clot after an injury. A low platelet count caused by faulty platelet manufacture or platelet destruction may result in bleeding.

Solanine is found in green potatoes and other nightshade vegetables. It's poisonous at high concentrations. Some people say that nightshades make their arthritis worse.

Thyroid disorders can cause havoc in the body. One of these disorders is thyromegaly or goiter, which is the enlargement of the thyroid gland. In this article, I discuss the symptoms of this disorder and how to best treat it.

Have you ever had a wound that took time to heal? Later on it progressed and caused a massive inflammation of your whole leg? Learn more about these disease with a case review of a 4 year old patient.

The color of your snot can tell you a lot about what is going on inside your body. Clear, white, yellow, green, brown, red, or gray—what does your mucus say about you?

The pancreas makes digestive enzymes and essential hormones. Pancreatic disorders include inflammation, known as pancreatitis, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, which produce indole-3-carbinol in our digestive tract. The latter chemical is thought to decrease the risk of colon cancer. New research may explain how this process works.

Learn how to take care of your skin when you have lupus. Reduce malar rashes and other skin irritations by following a few common-sense precautions, as well as your doctor's instructions.