Vertigo Overview: Vertigo, often referred to as a head rush, is a major symptom of a balance disorder. Vertigo is when an individual experiences spinning or whirling when there is no external stimuli to cause this feeling. This sense of movement that is a characteristic of vertigo should not be confused with dizziness. When someone is dizzy, they experience blurry vision and disorientation. With vertigo, there is a distinct feeling of movement. When an individual closes their eyes and experiences… Read More
Warts
Warts Overview: Warts are noncancerous growths of skin that can occur anywhere on the body. There are many different kinds of warts but there are six main types. Common warts mainly occur on the hands and are grayish domes on the skin. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet. They are areas of hardened skin with dark specs. Flat warts are found on the face, legs, or arms. Flat warts are usually small and flat. Filiform warts are… Read More
Vaginitis
Vaginitis Overview: Vaginitis is a very common disease that millions of American women contract each year. Every woman throughout the course of her lifetime is likely to catch this disease. Vaginitis is any inflammation or infection of the vaginal area. There are many different types of vaginitis. The three most common types are bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomonas vaginitis (trich), and candida vaginitis (yeast infection). Each type has specific causes and symptoms. It is recommended that you see your health professional… Read More
Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins Overview: Varicose veins are enlarged veins beneath the surface of the skin. These veins appear to be dark blue, purple, or flesh colored. The veins appear to be bulging and twisting below the surface. During pregnancy, women experience varicose veins around the vagina or the anus and these are referred to as hemorrhoids. Varicose veins are most commonly found on the back of one’s calf or inner thighs. One should not confuse varicose veins with spider veins which… Read More
Viral Meningitis
Viral Meningitis Overview: Viral meningitis (nonbacterial meningitis) is a viral infection of the thin lining that covers the brain and the spinal cord (meninges). It is not as serious as bacterial meningitis or meningitis. Viral meningitis usually clears up by itself within a week or two (there is no known medicine to help this viral infection) and most commonly affects children and young adults. A doctor can diagnose this infection using blood tests. Viral Meningitis Causes: Viral Meningitis is caused… Read More
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary Tract Infection Overview: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are bacterial infections of the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the organ system that creates, stores, and removes urine from the body. This particular infection is usually caused by the bacteria E. coli. This bacterium usually attacks the bladder (cystitis), but it sometimes causes an infection in the kidney (pyelonephritis). Women are diagnosed with urinary tract infections more often than men. Approximately 50% of all women will experience at least one… Read More
Ulcers
Ulcers Overview: Ulcers are a fairly common ailment for many Americans. So common in fact that doctors estimate that one in every ten Americans will be diagnosed with an ulcer in their lifetime. Ulcers are sores of the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes. These sores often become infected and this infection fuels the ulcer. Ulcers are often painful and difficult to cure. Ulcers Causes: The exact cause of ulcers is unknown. Until the middle of the 1980’s, doctors held the… Read More
Tachycardia
Tachycardia Overview: Tachycardia is a when a person’s heart beats too fast when resting (over 100 beats per minute). This has serious consequences. When a person has tachycardia, their heart is working too hard. This heart requires more oxygen thus taking the needed oxygen from other bodily systems. This heart, even though it is using up most of the body’s oxygen, is inefficient. A heart suffering from tachycardia is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.… Read More
Tendinitis
Tendinitis Overview: Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of or around a tendon. Tendons are responsible for transferring the force exerted by a muscle to the bone. They are designed to be flexible and sustain a lot of movement. Usually, tendinitis is named by the specific tendon it affects (Achilles Tendinitis for example). Tendinitis Causes: The main cause of tendinitis is overuse. When one motion is repeated over a course of time, the tendon is likely to become stressed, or inflamed. … Read More
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis Overview: Tonsillitis is a severe infection and inflammation of the tonsils. Tonsils are balls of lymphatic tissue in the rear of the mouth and are part of the immune system. There are three types of tonsillitis: acute, sub acute, and chronic. Each type is caused by a different reason and has specific symptoms. If left untreated, tonsillitis can lead to several complications. Tonsillitis Causes: The three types of tonsillitis are caused by different reasons. Acute tonsillitis is caused by… Read More