Different types of hernias develop inside different parts of the body, causing an abnormal bulging of one area into another. A hiatal hernia, also known as a hiatus hernia, forms inside the diaphragm, the muscular area that lays between the chest and the lower abdomen. It's the most common diaphragmatic hernia, with the prevalence rate of hiatal hernia is between 13 percent…
Did you know that your liver is your largest internal organ (roughly the size of a football!)? Your hard-working liver, weighing roughly three to four pounds in total, sits just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. It's responsible for crucial functions like digesting your food, storing energy, and removing toxins…
It’s now estimated that more than 60 million American adults experience heartburn symptoms at least once a month. Surveys have found that the number of people reporting daily or weekly heartburn and/or acid reflux symptoms has risen nearly 50 percent over the last decade. (1) If you're one of these people, wondering how to get rid…
The loss of pituitary gland hormone production — also known as hypopituitarism — can be a serious, life-long condition. The pituitary gland is our master gland. It helps to produce many hormones that are necessary for our bodies to function properly. Symptoms for this rare condition can be severe. However, with appropriate treatment, individuals with hypopituitarism…
About half of all people who have pulmonary embolism (PE) display virtually no symptoms, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports. In fact, many aren’t aware at all of having the condition. (1) The number of people affected by PE and deep vein thrombosis is between 300,000-600,000 people each year in the United States alone. (2) Pulmonary embolism…
If you've ever had a hoarse voice or barking cough, you might have experienced laryngitis symptoms. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal cords. Laryngitis can be an uncomfortable condition, especially when it comes with other illnesses like the common cold or flu. In most cases of laryngitis, home treatment is all that you need. By using soothing and anti-inflammatory…
Strep throat can be a painful and frustrating respiratory condition, making it hard to swallow, eat and sleep. Although the conventional treatment for strep throat is antibiotics, research shows that they only reduce the length of the illness by about half a day. They also don't seem to affect time off from school or work. Because antibiotic-resistant…
I'm a bit of a condiment fan. They allow you to spice up burgers, dip your veggies or jazz up any food with minimal effort. Unfortunately, most condiments and sauces that you can purchase at the store are full of preservatives, hard-to-pronounce ingredients and tons of refined sugar. That's why I usually prefer making my…
A fever blister is pretty common, as it easily spreads from person to person through direct contact. Also called cold sores, fever blisters can be uncomfortable and unattractive. They begin as red and swollen blisters that eventually develop scabs. Fever blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus, an infection that may cause only a single…
As gluten-free diets become more prevalent, the amount of gluten-free food available has increased drastically. But just like normal packaged food, gluten-free products can be full of unhealthy ingredients — and that includes dessert. Just because they're gluten-free doesn't mean all the sweets and treats you find at the local supermarket are good for you. Luckily,…
