DIVERTICULAR DISEASE
WHAT IS IT?
Diverticular disease affects the walls of your large intestine, or colon. It takes two forms-diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
You have diverticulosis when small pouches called diverticula form at weak points along the inside of the intestine wall, usually where blood vessels enter the wall. These pouches rarely cause problems, and most people who have them don’t even know it. Continue reading
DIARRHEA
WHAT IS IT?
Diarrhea is the passage of many loose or watery stools. It’s not a disease in itself, but rather a common symptom of illness in both children and adults. Many things can throw your digestive system off balance, including viruses, bacteria, stress, medicines, and parasites.
In some cases, diarrhea can signal a serious disease that needs medical care. But most often it lasts just a few days and clears up on its own with home treatment. Continue reading
DIABETES, TYPE 2
WHAT IS IT?
Diabetes is a flaw in the way your body handles the sugars it takes from food. The body turns them into glucose-also called blood sugar-which it uses for energy. Glucose can serve as fuel only after it moves into your cells, and that’s where diabetes gets in the way. Continue reading
DIABETES, TYPE 1
WHAT IS IT?
Diabetes is a flaw in the way your body handles the sugars it takes from food. The body turns them into glucose-also called blood sugar-which it uses for energy. Glucose can serve as fuel only after it moves into your cells, and that’s where diabetes gets in the way.
A hormone called insulin helps glucose enter the cells. Type 1 diabetes begins when the pancreas, a flat organ tucked behind your stomach, stops making insulin. Continue reading
CONSTIPATION
WHAT IS IT?
Contipation is a common-and frustrating-complaint. It means your stools are dry, too firm, and hard to pass or less frequent than normal. (Depending on your diet, age, and daily activity, “normal” can be anywhere from three bowel movements a day to three a week.)
Most of the time, constipation is harmless and easy to treat with changes as simple as eating more fiber and drinking more water. Continue reading
FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
WHAT IS IT?
Your body needs oxygen to work well. Every muscle, organ, and all the tissues need a constant supply. Red blood cells carry oxygen through your bloodstream. When you have anemia, you don’t have enough red blood cells-and your body isn’t getting enough oxygen.
There are many types of anemia. Continue reading
IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
WHAT IS IT?
Your body needs oxygen to work properly. Every muscle and organ and all the tissues must have a constant supply. Red blood cells carry oxygen in your bloodstream. To do their job, these cells need iron, which your body takes from foods you eat and then stores. If your iron stores run low, you develop iron deficiency anemia. Continue reading
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
WHAT IS IT?
Cholesterol: the dreaded word. You probably hear about cholesterol all the time-how it causes heart disease and other health problems. But cholesterol doesn’t have to be bad. In fact, your body needs some in order to work well. When you have more than your body needs, though, it can build up in your blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis-clogged and narrowed arteries. When that happens, your risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and a host of other diseases goes way up. Continue reading