Many diseases are caused by smoking. In addition, if you smoke, you more susceptible to respiratory ailments as well as coughs and colds. Probably the most well-known diseases caused by smoking are cancer and heart disease. In fact, the majority of lung cancer cases (about 90%) are due to smoking. Other cancers such as kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer and bladder cancer are all attributed to smoking as well. Read the rest

Organic mental disorders refer to one of a number of mental disturbances of the brain due to temporary or permanent causes such as aging, metabolic irregularities, cardiovascular disturbances, drug or alcohol abuse, degenerative diseases or infection. Symptoms for organic mental disorder then are dependent on the reason for the illness. Common symptoms can include dementia, confusion, agitation and impaired memory, logic or judgment. Therefore, an organic mental disorder, also known as organic brain syndrome or OBS, often results from a disturbance to the central nervous system or from a pathological cause such as dementia. Read the rest

Learning how to live with diabetes can be difficult for anyone who has always eaten whatever he or she desired. Fortunately, it is possible to make the transition and eat in a manner that provides your body with the nourishment it needs, while still satisfying your need for variety in your diet. Here are some tips on what to eat and what to avoid when learning how to control your diabetes with the use of a proper eating plan. Read the rest

Holistic health care practitioners come from all walks of life. Careers dealing with holistic health are often the choice of those who previously worked in areas of traditional medicine. While many people who have never taken advantage of holistic health treatments assume most practitioners are familiar with only one or two techniques, being successful in this type of career requires knowledge of many health-related issues. Read the rest

A visit to the dentist once or twice a year is recommended to maintain healthy teeth and overall oral hygiene. What happens during a dental visit? The dentist assesses and examines your teeth and gums and determines your overall oral health. He then cleans your teeth of plaque that has accumulated over the course of six months or since your last visit and performs other dental procedures such as prophylaxis when needed. Lastly he recommends ways on how to keep your teeth and gums at their best health. Read the rest

Many pregnant women often experience a type of pain commonly known as round ligament pain. It is caused by the stretching of the round ligaments attached to the uterus which is normal occurrence when the body changes during pregnancy. More commonly it occurs on the right side of the pelvis. Round ligaments are thick ligaments that keep the uterus in place in the abdomen. During pregnancy, women mistake round ligament pain as simple abdominal pain or discomfort. It could really be disconcerting and uncomfortable that many women develop anxiety or fear because of this. Read the rest

For some individuals with severe hearing loss, it’s life-changing. When the patient is a child, one of the decisions parents must make is whether their youngster should have one or two cochlear implants. Read the rest

Some sufferers describe it as a pain like no other, a throbbing so strong that it makes them want to bang their heads against a wall. Having an abscessed tooth is no picnic. Read the rest

Jason, 36, did what he always did when he sensed a migraine about to hit. He opened his medicine cabinet and pulled out his bottle of Imitrex. He happened to notice that the prescription had expired nine months earlier. Recalling that the pharmacist told him each pill cost around $16.50, he pulled off the cap and took some of the medication. Read the rest

Marijuana and depression have a sort of love-hate relationship. Some experts believe that marijuana can lessen the effects of depression. Others say using it can cause depression. Read the rest