holistic health tips

* Definition of Baldness * Description of Baldness * Causes and Risk Factors of Baldness * Treatment of Baldness * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Baldness Definition of Baldness Common baldness, sometimes called male- or female-pattern baldness, accounts for 99 percent of hair loss in men and women. Although its exact causes are unknown, heredity, hormones and age are contributing factors. Unlike hair loss resulting from disease or other non-hereditary factors, hair loss due to common baldness is permanent. Male baldness usually begins with thinning at the hairline, followed by the appearance of a thinned or bald spot on the crown of the head. Women with common baldness rarely develop bald patches. Instead, they experience a diffuse thinning of their hair. Description of Baldness Hair is a conspicuous element in many cultural definitions of fashion, youth and sexuality. So, it is not surprising that many cringe at the first sign of thinning hair. Most people lose be...

* Definition of Vitiligo * Description of Vitiligo * Causes and Risk Factors of Vitiligo * Symptoms of Vitiligo * Diagnosis of Vitiligo * Treatment of Vitiligo * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Vitiligo Definition of Vitiligo Vitiligo, also called white spot disease or leukoderma, is a disease in which the skin loses its pigment due to the destruction of melanocytes. Description of Vitiligo Melanocytes are pigment cells located in the surface layer of the skin called the epidermis and are responsible for producing melanin. Melanin is a dark pigment that gives skin its color and protects against ultraviolet radiation. When melanocytes stop producing melanin, the skin becomes pale, leaving areas of white patches - this is called vitiligo. Vitiligo can start at any age, but it often occurs between the ages of 20 and 30. Vitiligo may begin on the face above the eyes, or on the neck, armpits, groin, hands or knees. Vitiligo may appear as a few small pigmented patc...

* Definition of Vertigo * Description of Vertigo * Causes and Risk Factors of Vertigo * Symptoms of Vertigo * Treatment of Vertigo * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Vertigo Definition of Vertigo Vertigo is a type of dizziness felt as a shift in a person's relationship to the normal environment (a feeling that the room is spinning is common) or a sense of movement in space. Although dizziness and vertigo are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. While all vertigo is dizziness, not all dizziness is vertigo. True vertigo, from the Latin "vertere," to turn, is a distinct, often severe form of dizziness that is a movement hallucination. Description of Vertigo There are four major types of dizziness - vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, and lightheadedness. Most patients with true vertigo have a peripheral vestibular disorder, such as benign positional vertigo. This is usually associated with tinnitus and hearing loss. Central disorder...

* Definition of Varicella (Chicken Pox) * Description of Varicella (Chicken Pox) * Symptoms of Varicella (Chicken Pox) * Treatment of Varicella (Chicken Pox) * Prevention of Varicella (Chicken Pox) * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Varicella (Chicken Pox) Definition of Varicella (Chicken Pox) Varicella, otherwise known as chicken pox, is a generalized infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is an extremely contagious disease that is characterized by a blistery rash. It occurs most frequently in children, between the ages of five and eight. Less than 20 percent of all cases in the U.S. affect people over the age of 15. Chicken pox is transmitted so easily that almost everyone gets the disease. Description of Varicella (Chicken Pox) Chicken pox is contracted by touching an infected person's blisters or anything that has been contaminated by contact with them. The virus is also thought to be airborne since it may be caught from an infected person by c...

* Definition of Birth Control * Description of Birth Control * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Birth Control Definition of Birth Control Birth control is a term used to describe an artificial or natural means to prevent pregnancy. Description of Birth Control There are various methods of birth control available today. The most common artificial methods are male/female condoms, spermicides, sponge, diaphragm, cervical cap, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), injectable contraceptions (Depo-Provera, Lunelle), IUDs and surgical sterilization. The natural methods include complete abstinence (no sexual intercourse), periodic abstinence and withdrawal. Male/Female Condom The male condom (also known as a prophylactic or rubber) is a thin sheath, usually made of latex rubber, that covers the erect penis. When used correctly, a latex condom is about 85 percent effective, both for preventing pregnancy and decreasing the chance of contracting most STDs, including AIDS. Condoms c...

* Description of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder * Causes and Risk Factors of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder * Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder * Diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder * Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder * AlternativeAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Description of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a genetically determined hereditary disorder. It is a syndrome characterized by chronic behavior patterns of inattentiveness, lack of impulse control and excess energy (hyperactivity). The symptoms may be mild or severe and are associated with functional deviations of the central nervous system without signs of major neurologic or psychiatric disturbance. Inattentiveness is when the child is easily distracted and has difficulty focusing o...

* Definition of Angina Pectoris * Description of Angina Pectoris * Causes and Risk Factors of Angina Pectoris * Symptoms of Angina Pectoris * Diagnosis of Angina Pectoris * Treatment of Angina Pectoris * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Angina Pectoris Definition of Angina Pectoris Angina pectoris is a term that describes chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia - a condition in which the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle is insufficient. It usually occurs on exertion and is relieved by rest. Angina generally is a symptom of coronary artery disease. In most severe cases, it may occur with minimal effort or at rest. Description of Angina Pectoris Angina pectoris is a common manifestation of coronary artery disease. The pain is caused by reduced blood flow to a segment of heart muscle (myocardial ischemia). It usually lasts for only a few minutes, and an attack is usually quickly relieved by rest or drugs (such as nitroglycerin). Also, it is possible ...

* Definition of Angina Pectoris * Description of Angina Pectoris * Causes and Risk Factors of Angina Pectoris * Symptoms of Angina Pectoris * Diagnosis of Angina Pectoris * Treatment of Angina Pectoris * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Angina Pectoris Definition of Angina Pectoris Angina pectoris is a term that describes chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia - a condition in which the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle is insufficient. It usually occurs on exertion and is relieved by rest. Angina generally is a symptom of coronary artery disease. In most severe cases, it may occur with minimal effort or at rest. Description of Angina Pectoris Angina pectoris is a common manifestation of coronary artery disease. The pain is caused by reduced blood flow to a segment of heart muscle (myocardial ischemia). It usually lasts for only a few minutes, and an attack is usually quickly relieved by rest or drugs (such as nitroglycerin). Also, it is possible ...

* Definition of Jaundice In Newborns * Description of Jaundice In Newborns * Causes and Risk Factors of Jaundice In Newborns * Diagnosis of Jaundice In Newborns * Treatment of Jaundice In Newborns * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Jaundice In Newborns Definition of Jaundice In Newborns The cause of jaundice is a yellow bile pigment called bilirubin, which is carried in the blood and deposited in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera (whites of the eyes). The result is that these areas of the body turn yellow. Anything that causes a significant increase in the amount of bilirubin in the blood will lead to jaundice. Description of Jaundice In Newborns More than 25 percent of all healthy, full-term newborns become slightly jaundiced, usually on the third or fourth day of life. In premature babies the incidence of jaundice is higher. The exact level of bilirubin in the blood is determined by a simple blood test. No one can predict with certainty whether a newborn wi...

* Definition of Autism * Description of Autism * Causes and Risk Factors of Autism * Symptoms of Autism * Diagnosis of Autism * Treatment of Autism * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Autism Definition of Autism Autistic disorder (known also as infantile autism or childhood autism) almost always develops before the age of three and is characterized by impaired verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, some form of repetitive and restricted stereotyped interest, ritual, or other behavior. Description of Autism Children with autism often have extreme difficulty developing normal relationships with others. They tend not to share in the interests their peers have. In many cases these children are not able to interpret non-verbal cues of communication like facial expressions. Most people with autism have some impairment in language and many never speak at all. About 8.7 of every 10,000 children are autistic, and more than 1 in 300 children have some f...

* Definition of Dementia * Description of Dementia * Causes and Risk Factors of Dementia * Symptoms of Dementia * Diagnosis of Dementia * Treatment of Dementia * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Dementia Definition of Dementia Dementia is a permanent decline in cognitive function and memory from a previous level of function. Description of Dementia Dementia is a brain disorder with permanent loss of memory or other higher cognitive function.. Dementia can either be progressive, such as in Alzheimer's disease, or may remain stable, as can be seen after a stroke or head injury. Different types of dementia can affect various cognitive functions such as memory, personality, or executive function. By definition, dementia is permanent. A brief change in cognitive function is more often called a "delirium". Different types of dementia can affect different abilities. Some patients may get lost, have trouble remembering things, become unable to remember n...

* Definition of Alzheimer's Disease * Description of Alzheimer's Disease * Causes and Risk Factors of Alzheimer's Disease * Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease * Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease * Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease * Self Care * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Alzheimer's Disease Definition of Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease is a group disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. It is marked by progressive deterioration, which affects both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual. Description of Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia (mental deterioration of memory and thought processes) among the elderly. It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans over the age of 65 are affected with this condition. After the age of 65, the incidence of the disease doubles every five (5) years and, by age 85, it will...

* Definition of Animal Bites * Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Animal Bites Definition of Animal Bites Bite wounds can become infected with bacteria or other organisms in the saliva or mouth of the biting animal. Bites can cause everything from mild, local infections to generalized serious and sometimes fatal illness. Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Animal Bites What is the extent of the injury caused by the cat? Is there any sign of infection? Is it cat-scratch disease? Should antibiotics be taken? Is there any possibility of exposure to rabies? Are any preventive measures called for?

Definition of AIDS and HIV Infection AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a serious condition that weakens the body's immune system, leaving it unable to fight off illness. AIDS is the last stage in a progression of diseases resulting from a viral infection known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV or AIDS virus). The diseases include a number of unusual and severe infections, cancers and debilitating illnesses, resulting in severe weight loss or wasting away, and diseases affecting the brain and central nervous system. There is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS nor is there a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. However, new medications not only can slow the progression of the infection, but can also markedly suppress the virus, thereby restoring the body’s immune function and permitting many HIV-infected individuals to lead a normal, disease-free life. Description of AIDS and HIV Infection The immune system is a network of cells, organs and proteins that...