Occasional headaches are extremely common and typically benign. Chronic headaches are less common and sometimes hard to diagnose. Finding patterns in chronic headaches can provide clues to the cause of the pain. Keeping a headache diary might help determine your headache type. Note when they occur, your symptoms, and potential triggers, such as food, stress…
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habits in the absence of structural or major inflammatory abnormalities. Types of IBD include: Ulcerative colitis: This condition involves inflammation and…
Swollen legs can be a sign presents in certain medical conditions that are potentially life threatening. It is important to assess if the swelling is due to fluid buildup (edema) or inflammation. Inflammation is typically accompanied by pain and redness, and edema can be associated with cough, shortness of breath, and tiredness. The following are…
Nearly 50,000 instances of vitamin toxicity are reported annually to US poison control centers (Medscape). Fat-soluble vitamins have a higher potential for toxicity than do water-soluble vitamins because of their ability to accumulate in the body. Fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. The water soluble vitamins are C and B complex (B1,B2,…
Insect bites can be a scary situation when you don’t recognize the insect or when you didn’t see what bit you at all. Most spider and tick bites are harmless, but if you live or work around them, it is a good idea to be educated on the signs and symptoms as well as first…
Antibiotics come in many forms and appear to be versatile when it comes to treating infections, however, it is a misconception that all infections have bacteria. There is a myriad of organisms that can cause infection. When a bacterium is identified as the culprit, only then can we consider using antibiotics. The body is riddled…
Living in the Sunshine State raises many concerns regarding skin cancer and recognition of abnormal moles. As we age it is common to acquire many new spots that we do not recognize, but are they something to be concerned about? Self-examination practices are imperative in the early diagnosis of skin cancer, and these tips will…
There are numerous benefits to weight loss, some being reduced blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, and reduced risk of cardiovascular events. We all know that losing weight can be beneficial to overall health, but we also know that it is difficult to achieve. We have reviewed three meal delivery plans whose main focus is to help…
As we all know, life can get crazy. Are you feeling like you don’t have the energy, time, or interest to plan and prepare your meals? If so, a food delivery preparation service may be right for you. There are numerous companies that deliver partly or fully prepared meals directly to your front door, but…
Water is an essential nutrient. Drinking an adequate amount of water is very important, but exactly how much water are you really supposed to be drinking every day in order to reap the benefits of reducing health problems and preventing disease? Fluid intake recommendations vary across the globe and span from 1500 to 2200 mL…
Extremity sprains are very common injuries that require prompt treatment that is safe, effective, and convenient. Most sprains are sustained during engagement in sports, but with increasing age these injuries are becoming common following incidents such as falling down stairs or tripping on ground level. The RICE method of treatment has been referred to as…
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is imperative to many bodily functions such as immunity and metabolism. Due to the fact that vitamin C is not produced naturally by the body, we have to rely on external dietary sources to get it. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, but it is possible to have…
Maintaining a healthy diet is difficult, especially with the temptation of dining out at every corner. A national trend analysis found that an increasing number of Americans are dining out, and doing so more frequently. This frequent dining out has been linked to both weight gain and obesity due to the fact that these foods…
Women naturally have some yeast cells that live on their skin, in their gut, and in their vagina. When there is a build-up of yeast in the vagina, a thick, white discharge may appear along with symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, or redness. This is called a yeast infection, or vaginal candidiasis. Yeast may…
