We all have various habits and rituals that make it easier for us to survive each day - such as making sure all the lights are off before going to bed or making sure the stove is turned off before leaving the house. However for some, these rituals are much more than just something reminders. They become persistent thoughts and habits. These upsetting thoughts become obsessions, and the...
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is very painful - even debilitating - and many TMJ patients are willing to go to any extreme to treat this disorder. Unfortunately for many patients, despite their willingness to do "whatever it takes," they frequently fail to get the results they're looking for. Ironically, the simple solutions are sometimes the most effective, and there are ways to...
Eczema, or dermatitis, is a term that refers to several different types of skin swelling that affect nearly 15 million people in the United States alone. Eczema is not particularly dangerous or contagious, however it is itchy, annoying and without treatment can spread across your skin and become quite unpleasant.
The causes of eczema are not well known, however genetics, diet, allergies and...
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects more than 10 million adults and children in America. Although there is no known cure for asthma, it can be controlled with medication and exercise.
There are a number of situations that aggravate asthma and can even bring about an acute asthma attack. Pollution in urban cities is a serious one, as the pollution from fuel emission and dust...
Hot flashes are common in women who are undergoing hormonal changes, often as a result of menopause. Accompanied by reddening and perspiration particularly in the face and upper body, the heart beat quickens and brings along a sense of panic to the individual experiencing hot flashes.
The exact cause of hot flashes is not known, however it appears to be associated with a reduction of the...
There are numerous diseases that affect the heart. Among the most common are coronary heart disease, heart failure, congenital heart disease, hypertension, heart valve problems, heart arrhythmias and heart infections. These all fall under the term "heart disease."
Heart disease occurs for a variety of reasons, including genetics, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, diabetes, clogged arteries and...
Gum disease is a growing problem in the United States and Canada. As many as eight percent of us are afflicted by it -- and not just the elderly members of our population. Today even teenagers are developing it.
But what exactly is gum disease, and what should you do about it?
Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two most common form of gum disease. Gingivitis is most notable for causing...
Yeast infections are essentially a candida fungus infection that occurs most commonly in moist areas of the body. These infections are frequently brought about by antibiotic or steroid use, menstruation and menopause, and use of birth control pills. In some cases certain conditions like diabetes or the administration of chemotherapy in cancer patients can contribute to the problem.
A yeast...
You know you're not doing yourself any favors by continuing to smoke, yet despite your best intentions, the first thing you do each day is light up a cigarette. If you're wondering whether you'll ever be able to quit, consider this. Smoking - nicotine - is addictive, and with any addiction, quitting brings with it withdrawal symptoms. You can conquer these.
There are many ways to quit...
There are two main types of infertility that people commonly experience today - being unable to conceive a child in the first place, and being able to conceive but being unable to retain the baby, resulting in a miscarriage.
In women, infertility can occur when insufficient nutrition reaches the reproductive tissue. Sometimes this might be due to poor eating habits, but other times there is...
