Allergies and Hay Fever
What are Allergies and Hay Fever? Allergies refer to an abnormal immune response that can produce a wide range of symptoms (e.g., hives, asthma, anaphylactic shock and death). The most common allergic condition is hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), which is an...
Hypothyroidism
What is hypothyroidism? The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck below the voice box. It is just about the same size and shape - and is in the same location - as a small bow tie. The thyroid secretes two hormones that are crucial for regulating...
Food Allergy
What is Food Allergy? A food allergy or sensitivity occurs when there is an adverse reaction to the ingestion of a food. The allergic reaction may or may not be mediated (controlled and influenced) by the immune system. The allergic reaction may be caused by a...
Cancer (Chemotherapy Support)
What is Chemotherapy? Chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs to treat cancer. For many people, the very thought of chemotherapy evokes horrific images of debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. Although chemotherapy can induce those symptoms and many...
Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
What is a Bladder Infection? Bladder infections occur when bacteria invade the urinary bladder. Bladder infections are very common in women—10 to 20 percent of all women have urinary-tract discomfort at least once a year. Recurrent bladder infections can be a...
Bronchitis and Pneumonia
What is Bronchitis and Pneumonia? Bronchitis is an infection or irritation of the bronchi—the passageway from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs—while pneumonia is an infection or irritation of the lungs. Both of these conditions are much more common in the winter,...
Atherosclerosis
What is Atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis is the process of the hardening of an artery due to the build-up of cholesterol-containing plaque. Atherosclerosis is responsible for coronary artery disease—the leading cause of death in America—and many cases of stroke....
Arrhythmia
What is Arrhythmia? Arrhythmia refers to a disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat. Some arrhythmias are very mild and nothing to worry about (such as most cases of atrial fibrillation and premature ventricular contractions); others are potentially life threatening...
Anxiety
What is Anxiety? Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state ranging from mild unease to intense fear. But while fear is a rational response to a real danger, anxiety usually lacks a clear or realistic cause. Though some anxiety is normal and, in fact, healthy, higher...
Angina
What is Angina? Angina pectoris is caused by an insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. Angina usually precedes a heart attack. What are the Signs and Symptoms of Angina? The characteristic symptoms are a squeezing or pressure-like pain in the chest...