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Herbs known for their laxative effects can be found in a variety of dietary supplements, weight-loss teas, and colon cleansing preparations. Before you think about using one of these products, it is important to be educated about their safety and effectiveness. This overview can help you make an educated decision about whether or not herbal laxatives are right for you. Types of Herbal Stimulant Laxatives The following herbs have been associated with having a laxative effect:...

One of the conundrums of AIDS vaccine design is that the virus has the unique ability to “hide” itself from identification from both the immune systems and the drugs meant to neutralize it. Rather than circulating freely in the blood where it can be readily identified, the virus embeds itself cells and tissues throughout the body in what is known as a proviral state. In its proviral state, HIV simply inserts its genetic material into that of its host cell....

Coumadin (warfarin) is a blood thinning medication that works by inhibiting the function of vitamin K—an essential factor in the body’s ability to form blood clots. Coumadin and Strokes Coumadin is a powerful medication used for stroke prevention. Coumadin has potent blood-thinning properties (i.e., it prevents the abnormal formation of blood clots in the body). An example of a disease in which abnormal blood clot formation leads to stroke is atrial fibrillation, a disease in which an erratic beating of the heart leads to the formation of unwanted blood clots inside the heart chambers....

When a person is having surgery one of the most common questions they ask is how long will the recovery take. The answer to that question is complex and almost always unique to the individual and the type of procedure taking place. There are many variables that determine how long recovery will last, ranging from a day to months before the patient feels like their presurgery self. Type of Surgery The type of surgery being performed has an enormous impact on how long the recovery will take....

The Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking unvaccinated people to avoid traveling during the Labor Day weekend and that vaccinated people should take precautions against COVID-19. Key Takeaways The CDC is urging unvaccinated people to avoid traveling this Labor Day weekend due to a nationwide COVID-19 surge.Health officials advised vaccinated people to mask up during travel and in indoor public space.CDC Director encouraged gathering outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission....

What’s on your menu for lunch today? If you’re like most people, you’ll most likely grab something quick or bring the same old lunch staple you eat all the time. Whether you decide to eat out or bring in lunch from home, there are several healthy and easily accessible options to make the transition to a low glycemic index (GI) diet a little easier. Soups Soups are a great option for lunch....

Traveling with kids can be hard enough, but traveling with a sick child can be especially difficult. Traveling With a Sick Child It can sometimes also be challenging to travel with a child who has a chronic medical problem, such as asthma, diabetes, food allergies, or seizures, etc. Whether or not your child is healthy before you leave on a trip, it can be helpful to be well prepared in case your child gets sick or has a flare or worsening of their chronic medical condition....

Merkel cell carcinoma often appears on areas of the body that receive the most sunlight like the face and neck. A Merkel cell carcinoma growth looks like a pearly, pimple-like lump on the skin. Known risk factors for Merkel cell carcinoma include exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, a compromised immune system, a history of skin cancer, and fair skin. In this article, we will discuss the causes of Merkel cell carcinoma and how to reduce your risk....

While coronary artery disease (CAD) is as important in women as it is in men, several factors can make CAD more difficult to diagnose in women. One of these factors is microvascular CAD. In this disease, coronary angiography—the “gold standard” for diagnosing CAD—is often misinterpreted as being normal. During the disease process known as atherosclerosis, a coronary artery’s smooth, elastic lining becomes hardened, stiffened, and swollen with all sorts of “grunge”—including calcium deposits, fatty deposits, and abnormal inflammatory cells....

If you experience limitations in your muscle strength, coordination, or vision due to multiple sclerosis (MS), a mobility assistive device can give you more independence and help you conserve your energy as you get around. Keep in mind that you can have these problems all the time or intermittently with MS, so your needs may change routinely as well as over time with disease progression. Selecting the right device can help give you back the quality of life you deserve....

Parvovirus is a virus that causes fifth disease. Many pregnant women have immunity from the disease and do not pass it onto their babies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of pregnant women are immune to parvovirus B19. Pregnant women without immunity don’t usually develop serious symptoms. Neither do their babies. The CDC explains that a severe parvovirus infection that leads to miscarriage occurs in less than 5% of pregnancies....

If you have had a lateral release surgery to correct a dislocating patella, you may benefit from physical therapy to improve your mobility. Your PT can help guide you during your rehab after a lateral release. The patella (kneecap) is a bone in the front of the knee joint that helps improve the performance of quadriceps muscle on the top of the thigh. There is a groove in the end of the femur (thigh bone) where the patella resides....

The debate over the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana is ongoing. More than 30 states in the U.S. allow for the medical use of marijuana. And a growing number allow recreational use. However, the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance. The arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana are hot topics. This article explains the pros and cons of medical marijuana and the scientific evidence....

Damp January emerged this year as a less-restrictive version of the Dry January trend, offering the option to drink in moderation instead of abstaining from alcohol completely. Key Takeaways Damp January gives people the opportunity to cut back on alcohol without giving it up completely.Research shows that any amount of alcohol consumption can pose health risks.Damp drinking is not right for everyone, and some say the trend supports the stigma of addiction....

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can have a wide range of verbal abilities. Some may be entirely non-verbal, some may have limited useful speech, and some may speak fluently and intelligibly. When a person’s verbal abilities are limited or atypical, it can make it hard to communicate—to express ideas appropriately so that others understand them. Challenges with using language and difficulty communicating are hallmark symptoms of ASD and typically go hand-in-hand....

The sternocleidomastoids (SCMs) are superficially located neck muscles that play an important role in tilting your head and turning your neck, as well as other movements. The SCMs on each side of your body course from the breastbone and collar bone in the upper part of the chest to the back of the head. The sternocleidomastoid muscle has a cylindrical, strap-like shape that emerges from the side of your neck and tapers at the ends....

Conventional wisdom has always held that inflammation not seen in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Well, the times they may be a-changing. Cutting edge research has begun to find evidence of low-grade inflammation in digestive tract tissue in some IBS patients. Considered very preliminary, these results may pave the way to new and improved treatment options. Because of this, there are a few things you’ll want to know about the role that inflammation may play in the development and maintenance of IBS....

Thoracolumbar fascia pain affecting your lower back is linked to tissue that’s found behind the spinal column and positioned at both the lumbar (low back) and thoracic (mid-back) levels. This fascia tissue—thick connective tissue that covers, organizes, and supports all the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and organs of the body—contains nerve endings that may cause pain due to injury or inflammation. The pain and stiffness affect the thoracolumbar fascia, also called the lumbodorsal fascia or simply LF....

Tinea manuum is a contagious fungal infection on the hands. When the same type of fungus affects the feet, it is called athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis. Tinea manuum is rare and usually occurs when you also have athlete’s foot. This is usually because the infection can spread from the feet to the hands. This article will cover tinea manuum symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention techniques. Tinea Manuum Symptoms Tinea manuum is an itchy hand rash that is caused by a fungal infection....

Are you ruining your underwear and bedsheets? Are you changing your plans to avoid embarrassing “accidents” during your period? Are you tired of your heavy periods ruling your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions it is important that you discuss your abnormal uterine bleeding with your gynecologist. Your gynecologist will ask you questions and likely perform a physical examination. They may also order some additional testing to determine if you have an underlying condition that may be causing abnormal bleeding....