Diabetes Overview: Type 2 diabetes is an incurable metabolic disease. Insulin is needed to use the sugar found in cells to create energy. This disease is characterized by the body’s difficulty in processing insulin correctly. This is often referred to as insulin resistance. This disease is rapidly becoming more and more prevalent. If a person with Type 2 diabetes does not take care of themselves, this disease can lead to organ impairment and cardiovascular problems. Diabetes Causes: Doctors believe that there are… Read More
Cystitis
Cystitis Overview: Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a painful condition of the bladder. The bladder has a mucous layer that protects the inner liner. When that mucous layer is damaged, the bladder can become inflamed and infectious. Cystitis Causes: Causes of IC are not fully understood. It is widely accepted that the mucous layer in the bladder has been damaged in people with IC. Since the bladder houses a person’s natural waste (urine) for sometimes hours, it is thought that certain… Read More
HPV
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Overview: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the skin and mucus membranes. There are many types of HPVs. Some of the forms of HPV cause genital warts, but most of HPVs do not show any symptoms. It is estimated that 75% of all women will get a form of HPV. HPV can cause cervical cancer. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Causes: HPV is acquired through vaginal, oral, or anal sex or genital… Read More
Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia Overview: Hypersomnia is the condition of feeling sleepy and drowsy throughout the daytime. Hypersomnia is categorized into recurrent and primary. Primary hypersomnia occurs over a long period of time whereas recurrent hypersomnia is when the sleepiness will happen for a day or several days then happen again after a period of time of normalcy. People with hypersomnia will experience normal sleep times during the night hours, they just have problems waking in the day and staying awake. Hypersomnia is… Read More
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism Overview: Hyperthyroidism is the result of an overactive thyroid. The thyroid is responsible for making hormones that help regulate metabolism. When someone has hyperthyroidism, their thyroid produces excessive amounts of these hormones. Hyperthyroidism Causes: Causes of an overactive thyroid include inflammation of the thyroid, goiters, adenoma (toxic and Pituitary), Grave’s Disease, Plummer’s Disease, and some medications. Hyperthyroidism Symptoms: Symptoms include the feeling of being hot, overeating, significant lose of weight, a feeling of tiredness, swelling of the neck, trouble… Read More
Acne
Acne Overview: Acne is a skin disease which typically occurs during puberty and subsides as the individual matures. Also known as zits or pimples, acne affects a very high percentage of young people in western civilizations. Some of the worst cases have hundreds of pimples across the face, neck, back and chest. Other cases often contain much fewer, but are bigger and more deeply rooted. Acne Causes: Acne begins when the accumulation of dead skin cells combines with oil to… Read More
Allergies
Allergies Overview: Many American suffer with allergies which affect nearly a quarter of the population. The immune system is hypersensitive to common substances, called allergens, leading to an inflammatory reaction. In response to an allergen, the body produces immunoglobulin E which is a type of antibody that attaches to mast cells. The response to allergies can be as simple as itching eyes or as serious as anaphylactic shock. Allergies Causes: Allergies are caused by a hypersensitive immune system. In response… Read More
Alzheimers
Alzheimers Disease Overview: Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative problem which eventually results in the affected individual losing the ability to perform any action under his/her own power. The condition was once very rare but has become the leading cause of dementia, the inability to execute mental functions. Alzheimer’s disease grows worse with time as the nerves cells in the brain continue to die without replacement. This leaves the individual completely reliant on others for assistance and unable to sustain any… Read More
Natural Remedies – Are They Safe?
Any time you try a new therapy or treatment or take a new medication, you want to be sure it’s safe—regardless of whether it’s being offered by your regular MD or an alternative medicine practitioner. With your regular doctor, you know they have a license to practice and that any prescription drug is monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And there are similar safeguards in alternative medicine, according to Donald B. Levy, MD, medical director of the Osher Clinical… Read More
Making the Right Health Choices
We encourage you to take an active role in your health decisions. The following topics describe some of the important skills and habits you can develop for dealing with health problems: Making Wise Health Choices Self-Care Checklist Know Your Options Decisions about Medicines and Natural Remedies How Do You Make the Right Health Choices? It’s not always clear what choices are the right ones for you. There are often several approaches to diagnosing and treating a health problem. And you are more… Read More