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Bhringraj oil is a natural remedy used in Ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India) to balance the doshas. Often used to promote hair growth, luster, softness, and strength, bhringraj oil is believed to prevent premature graying and hair loss. Ayurvedic practitioners also endorse the oral consumption of bhringraj oil to treat everything from heart and respiratory diseases to neurological and liver disorders. There are different formulations of bhringraj oil, but all contain extracts of the false daisy (Eclipta alba, which grows in parts of India, China, Thailand, and Brazil) and an inactive carrier oil (such as sesame or coconut oil)....

Bladder cancer is often mistaken for a bladder infection because they share many of the same symptoms. Patients with either condition may experience increased urgency, frequency, and pain with urination or incontinence—the inability to hold in urine. Your bladder is the organ located in the urinary tract. It is the waystation between your kidneys, which filter waste out of the bloodstream to make urine, and your urethra, which is the tube that your urine passes through when you urinate....

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also called body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition that involves an overwhelming preoccupation with one’s body and appearance. Someone with BDD may focus excessively on minor physical flaws or worry about perceived flaws that others don’t notice. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), BDD is listed within the category of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. This means it involves both obsessions (intrusive, persistent thoughts) and compulsions (actions that someone performs repeatedly in an attempt to reduce anxiety)....

Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causes inflammation in the large intestine. This can lead to ulcers in the lining of the colon that bleed, as well as symptoms of pain and diarrhea. The connection between ulcerative colitis and diet is not well understood. But until more is known, people living with IBD need guidance on diet to help with their symptoms. Some people turn to making changes to their diet....

A cardiac stress test (also known as a cardiac exercise test) is an in-office exam used to measure the heart’s response to physical exertion in a controlled environment. Performed commonly on a treadmill or a stationary cycle, the test is useful in diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition often missed when a person is at rest. It can also be used to monitor the health of people with other forms of heart disease....

Acute and chronic conditions typically differ in how they develop and how long they last. Broadly speaking, acute conditions occur suddenly, have immediate or rapidly developing symptoms, and are limited in their duration (e.g., the flu). Chronic conditions, on the other hand, are long-lasting. They develop and potentially worsen over time (e.g., Crohn’s disease). These descriptions can vary somewhat, though, depending on who you speak to or what sources you reference....

Shoulder weight-bearing exercises may be required after a shoulder injury or surgery to help you fully recover. Your physical therapist can work with you to make sure you properly incorporate shoulder balance and weight-bearing exercises into your rehab routine. If you have shoulder pain or have had an upper extremity injury or surgery, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist to help you fully recover. One important part of your program is exercise, specifically exercises to help improve the way your shoulder, elbow, and wrist all work together to function properly....

Psoriasis can cause obvious symptoms, which include raised, red patches of skin covered in silvery scales. When you’re living with psoriasis, you are also at an increased risk of developing other conditions, classified as comorbidities or co-existing conditions. Comorbidities associated with psoriasis include psoriatic arthritis (PsA), depression, cardiovascular disease, and more. Having comorbid conditions can affect your health and the type of treatment you need. Comorbidity Defined The term “comorbidity” is used to refer to the presence of more than one health condition in the same person....

Do you have dry, cracked skin on your feet? If so, you are not alone. Dry, cracked feet are a common foot problem. Dry skin, also known as xerosis, can be simply a cosmetic problem. Or, it may lead to symptoms such as itchiness, rash, or even pain and infection. Sometimes dry skin occurs on multiple areas of the body as part of an underlying health issue. But other times, only the feet are affected, resulting in cracked skin or calluses on the heels or soles of the feet....

Cracked skin could simply be dry skin on the hands, heels of the feet, or lips that needs additional hydration and moisture. However, cracked skin could also be a sign of an infection or even something more. Read about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cracked skin. Causes and Symptoms of Cracked Skin When skin becomes dry, it’s more likely to crack, peel, flake, and become irritated. Depending on the cause of cracked skin, you may notice some other symptoms....

Dry mouth occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough saliva, which causes a parched and uncomfortable feeling in the mouth. It is especially common in older adults, whose bodies produce less saliva. Continuous dry mouth can be a sign of an underlying health concern, and untreated dry mouth can lead to faster tooth decay, bad breath, infections, and mouth sores. Other complications of dry mouth include difficulty speaking and swallowing, sore throat, loss of taste, and sensations like tingling or burning in the mouth....

If you have diabetes, chances are someone has mentioned that you should avoid eating fruit. In truth, whole, fresh fruit is packed full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This makes fruits a nutrient-dense food group that can certainly be part of a healthy diabetes treatment plan. People with diabetes should be cautious, though. Certain fruit choices may affect blood sugar levels more than others. This article will discuss how to make smart decisions about the fruits you eat....

Type 2 diabetes—a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose)—is one of the leading causes of heart disease in Black communities. This article is part of Health Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Black people are disproportionately impacted by diabetes and as a result, have an increased risk of heart disease. In addition, Black people living with diabetes experience more severe medical complications and death compared to the next highest risk group, non-Hispanic White Americans....

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental health disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others without any remorse. ASPD causes significant problems in relationships and other areas of life. People with ASPD may also commit criminal acts. ASPD is very challenging to treat. Often people with ASPD don’t seek treatment unless they are required to by a court. When in treatment, they may be disruptive, unengaged, or even hostile toward the therapist....

The goal of aortic aneurysm treatment is to prevent rupture (bursting) of the blood vessel. The only way to prevent a rupture is with an elective (planned in advance) surgical procedure. Not everyone who has an aortic aneurysm needs surgery and, sometimes, careful monitoring is the best and safest approach. Treatment of a ruptured aortic aneurysm is an emergency that cannot be planned in advance. A ruptured aortic aneurysm is a fatal event if not treated immediately....

With the rising costs of many prescription drugs and changes to health insurance coverage, an increasing number of Americans are filling their prescriptions through online pharmacies. A Consumer Reports survey from 2017 found that around 3.4 million Americans had purchased at least one of their medications online in the last year to save money. Online pharmacies can be a reliable, easy, efficient, safe, and private way to buy prescription and over-the-counter medications....

Given its wide-ranging and sometimes very severe impact, a diagnosis of the rare inherited bone disease hypophosphatasia (HPP) can feel devastating. Its signs and symptoms vary, but especially in cases that arise while still in the womb or in infancy, this disorder can cause lifelong pain, mobility, and functional problems. HPP affects the development of bones and teeth. It is a metabolic disease that results from low levels of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase....

While vaping has been touted by some to be a less harmful alternative to smoking, the vapor created by electronic cigarette devices is far from harmless. JUULpods (liquid cartridges used in JUUL devices) and other e-cigarette products contain ingredients that result in an aerosol that can contain potentially harmful substances like nicotine, metals, and toxins. January 2020 UPDATE: Recent illnesses have been associated with use of e-cigarettes (vaping). Since the specific causes of these lung injury cases are not yet known, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends refraining from all vaping products....

Ingrezza (valbenazine) is the first medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating adults with tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is a serious side effect from long-term use of certain medications, especially antidepressants or antipsychotics. Ingrezza is a vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. It works by altering neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. VMAT2 molecules help transport and recycle neurotransmitters in the brain. Inhibiting them will cause depletion of brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which are critical for motor control....

Leaky gut syndrome (LGS) is a controversial topic. Some healthcare providers say it’s tied to dozens of diseases, while others question whether it’s anything to worry about. Proponents treat LGS as a condition. That’s where the controversy lies. Meanwhile, a leaky gut, also called increased intestinal permeability, simply describes a known state of the small intestine. Some practitioners believe healing a leaky gut with a strict diet, and nutritional supplements can help control everything from autoimmune diseases to mental disorders....