Category Archives: General Health

Gout may lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A 2015 study examined the protective effects of gout in regards to reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Gout is a disease categorized by an excess amount of purines and uric acid which crystallize and cause pain. Although gout increases the risk of ...click here to read more

Postherpetic neuralgia and herpes zoster can be reduced by shingles vaccine. A previous study has found that the shingles vaccine may help reduce pain and complications of not only shingles but of postherpetic neuralgia as well. Unfortunately not many adults receive the shingles vaccine thus leading to complications. The researchers found only 3.9 percent of ...click here to read more

Lyme disease-causing ticks are spreading their range within the U.S. a new report states. These ticks can now be found in nearly half of all American counties which is a much larger range than previously found in the 1990s. Study author Dr. Rebecca Eisen explained the findings revealed, “that the distribution of Lyme disease vectors ...click here to read more

Genetic data now suggests that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is a continuum or progression of disorders influenced by the location of inflammation in the gut. About 1.4 million Americans have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis could be oversimplified though. This according to genetic data that shows the diseases are a complex continuum of ...click here to read more

Research has found that thyroid disease can have significant implications on fertility and pregnancy and women presenting reproductive health issues should be screened for thyroid problems. Thyroid hormones help control the metabolism and these same hormones also play a role in growth and development, in particular brain development. Therefore changes in the thyroid can contribute ...click here to read more

Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot, are easily treated but other types of fungal infections can spread beneath the skin onto lymph nodes, bones, digestive tract and even the brain. Some researchers suggest that there is a genetic connection when it comes to infectious diseases that determine whether or not a person will have complications from ...click here to read more

Contact dermatitis is a rash caused by a direct contact with an allergen. Essentially, it’s any red, inflamed skin reaction to coming into contact with something that it finds irritating. The good news is it’s not contagious or life-threatening, but it can be awfully painful and uncomfortable. How long does contact dermatitis last? That depends ...click here to read more

Ringworm (tinea infection) is a fungal infection of the skin which is highly contagious. Ringworm gets its name from causing a circular rash – like a ring – which becomes red and itchy. Anyone can contract ringworm and the fungus which causes it can live on the skin, bedding, towels, and clothing. Ringworm can go ...click here to read more

Hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid – can trigger weight gain but treating the thyroid condition does not necessarily result in weight loss. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located at the base of the neck and is responsible for the production of many essential hormones which affect different areas of the body – including ...click here to read more

As you are getting older you may find yourself saying, “What? Can you repeat that,” much more often. Although age-related hearing loss can be annoying and sometimes embarrassing, it’s not uncommon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that nearly one-quarter of those aged 65 to 75 experience hearing loss due to age ...click here to read more

Scabies is a contagious, itchy skin condition which affects close to a million Americans. Scabies is caused by a mite bite which is a bug incredibly tiny that it cannot be seen on the skin. This skin mite burrows its way into the top layer of the skin where it lives and eats. A reaction ...click here to read more

Poison ivy is a plant that can cause an uncomfortable and unsightly rash, but it’s important to know that poison ivy rash affects some people more than others due to poor handling and that poison ivy treatment will go a long way in easing rash symptoms. Watch out for the “leaves of three” – that ...click here to read more

A 2014 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that there a rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea. This is the first time since 2006 that there is a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. There are currently 1.4 million cases of chlamydia reported in 2014. ...click here to read more

New Year resolution time is over, but as January is the National Radon Awareness Month, there is still time to take an important step to protect the health your family: testing your home for radon, the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Many of you might not have even heard of Radon. So let’s answer the ...click here to read more