Browse Category: Diseases and Disorders
While it's always devastating to watch someone battle an addiction, watching celebrities deal with their demons in the public eye reminds us just how perilous the road to recovery can be. News accounts of celebrities dealing with substance abuse fallout remind us that when it comes to addictions there are no boundaries. People from every social class, ethnicity, and economic status can fall victim to the chokehold of addiction.
As of late, Charlie Sheen has had his share of attention when it comes to public scrutiny. It’s alleged that Charlie Sheen is addicted to cocaine, alcohol and sex. Some reports claim that he is currently in a rehabilitation program after his latest escapades involving prostitutes and crack cocaine. While sex addiction and alcohol addictions are certainly difficult to overcome, experts tell us that being addicted to crack is possibly the hardest addiction of all to battle. (Image courtesy of Wikimedia)
Every day there is new information released regarding possible causes and treatments for Alzheimer’s. That’s a good thing! Scientists have known for some time that a protein called amyloid is related to the onset of this terrible disease. This protein is the sticky substance that clumps together to form plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
But now scientists know that there is another protein called Tau that could very well be yet another culprit.
Do you remember the night the blackbirds fell from the sky? Sounds rather ominous doesn’t it? Almost like the opening line of a bad horror novel or an even worse country song lyric. But, no fiction involved here. On New Year’s Eve of 2010, three thousand blackbirds inexplicably fell from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas.
Just recently a Florida federal judged ruled the Obama administration’s sweeping healthcare reform law unconstitutional. More than likely a litigious Supreme Court challenge will ensue.
When your body is in a chronic state of inflammation, it can have serious effects on your cellular health, and has been linked to degenerative diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and many others.
Most of us have taken a prescription medication at least once in our lifetime. And despite evidence to the contrary, we want to think the drugs our doctors prescribe to us will cure our ills with no negative side effects. After all, the pharmaceutical industry tells us our well-being is of paramount concern.
Well, isn’t that special.
Let's face it; some of the most brilliant advertising you see on television is for prescription drugs. Have you seen the commercial where the attractive gray-haired man with a sparkling gleam in his eye is enjoying a playful romp on the beach? This ad isn’t about tropical vacations but erectile dysfunction. It’s a sure bet millions of American men look up from their newspaper when
that commercial comes on.
Breathing in or touching this dust is indeed dangerous, so make sure you regularly clean and dust your house.
Following on the heels of the controversy linking autism to vaccines a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics has identified another possible cause. The study reveals that children conceived one right after the other–less than 12 months after the birth of a sibling–have a three times greater risk of developing autism.
As the spring season approaches, many people start to plan vacations. If you are going far however, it is important to know the risks involved with long-distance travel. Researchers found that long-distance travel can raise your risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
For years dentists have preached the importance of fluoride to prevent tooth decay and most of us have been diligent about heeding their warnings. However, it seems many Americans are suffering from too much “good advice.” Using fluoride toothpaste in addition to the fluoride in the water supply apparently delivers a significant backlash.
As we get older, we all have an occasional senior moment. You can’t find your car keys. You leave your shopping list on the kitchen counter. You can’t recall a name. It’s frustrating but it’s completely normal – especially when you consider the brain has over one hundred billion cells, fifteen thousand connections, and forty-five chemical messengers. You can expect an occasional disconnect from time to time.
Though most times these memory blanks are more aggravating than anything, sometimes they signify something more.
You may do everything you can to protect the environment from recycling your paper, tins, and plastic to buying reusable items when you can. You do your share. And then you find out your cute reusable shopping bag could be made with potentially dangerous lead. Did you miss a step somewhere? What’s wrong with this picture?
If one of your parents has or had Alzheimer’s you’re at an increased risk of developing the disorder yourself. Scientists have known this for some time. The breaking news is that a recent study revealed which of your parents – your mother or your father – is crucial in determining just how high your risk actually is.
If you’re like me you may be getting just a bit giddy as the brisk crisp days of autumn give way to wintertime festivities. Most people start getting in the holiday spirit around the time the first leaves turn from green to crimson and then the cold winter months are a blur of merry making with family and friends.
But for some people, the thought of wintertime brings less than happy thoughts. Whether it is bouts with colds and flu, or a case of the wintertime blues, the upcoming holiday season isn’t a time of joy but one of dread. Some believe they’re simply destined to be unhappy or ill all winter long.
Recently, Sir Michael Caine rekindled a hot and controversial topic when during a radio interview he admitted that in 1955 he asked a doctor to end his father’s suffering from liver cancer.
Almost daily we hear or read about some devastating tragedy caused by errors in judgment, whether it be a catastrophic mining accident, an oil leak of global proportions, or a plane crash disaster. These tragedies are reported as headline news and the public quickly becomes aware of them. That’s a good thing because public awareness is a powerful change agent.
If you are experiencing these odd symptoms, check with your health-care provider to see if you have a thyroid condition.
According to the Global Health Council, 9.5 million people die from infectious diseases worldwide each year. Most of these diseases are endemic to underdeveloped countries where access to medical care is severely restricted or even nonexistent. Approximately half of these deaths are the result of just three diseases: malaria, tuberculosis, and 80. Combined, this deadly trio is responsible for over 300 million illnesses and cause more than 5 million deaths every year.
In the United States and they are approximately 108,000 people hoping and praying for a second chance. Their life depends on the kindness of others.
Because of deadly diseases, for many people organ donations are crucial and the supply simply cannot keep up with demand. The tragedy is that each day people die because they don’t receive a needed organ in time.
