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In Sanskrit, Triphala means “three fruits.” Triphala is a combination of three different fruits: Indian Gooseberry, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. It is available in powder, juice, tincture, extract, capsule, or tablet form. Triphala has long been used in Ayurveda, a healing system that originated thousands of years ago in India. Some studies have focused on the possible benefits of Triphala for weight loss and gingivitis. However, research is limited for these and other health claims, including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits....

On May 4, the United States government enacted travel restrictions on India amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, limiting most non-U.S. citizens from traveling to the U.S. Key Takeaways On May 4, the United States government restricted the travel of foreign nationals from India to the U.S.The restriction is in response to a surge of COVID-19 cases in India and will significantly impact Indian Americans and immigrants who will not be able to go home and visit their families....

There is tremendous interest in learning what our genes can tell us about ourselves. Wouldn’t you like to know if you have an irregular gene (“gene variant”) that causes sky-high cholesterol or makes your blood clot easier before it could be detected with a standard blood test? Wouldn’t it be helpful to know if you are at risk for a future heart attack at a young age, so you could start treatment to prevent it?...

Although heart failure sounds like the heart is no longer capable of working, it is actually a condition that means the heart is unable to pump well enough to fulfill the body’s needs. This can occur if the heart cannot fill adequately with blood, or if it is not strong enough to pump blood correctly. Read more about heart failure, its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. How the Heart Works The heart is at the center of your circulatory system and is responsible for pumping blood throughout your body....

Human growth hormone (HGH), also known as somatotropin, is a naturally occurring peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. As its name implies, scientists originally found HGH to be responsible for growth regulation during childhood. Research has since determined that it is responsible for many other functions such as regulating sugar and fat metabolism, bone growth, and cellular regeneration. Some research even suggests that it may play a role in how the heart functions....

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a sleeping condition that is considered a circadian rhythm disorder. Basically, this means that people who are working during normal sleep hours can throw off their natural rhythm of sleepiness (circadian rhythm). Learn how to tell the difference between SWSD and normal work fatigue. If you do have SWSD, learn how the diagnosis and treatment can be handled by your practitioner or healthcare professional....

The complete inability to urinate—called urinary retention—is always a medical emergency. In people who have had surgery, the type of procedure, anesthesia used, and post-operative medications can all contribute to urinary retention. In most cases, it usually gets better in a few weeks. If you can’t pee at all, it is important to seek treatment right away to avoid damage to your bladder and kidneys. Similarly, talk to your healthcare provider if you are able to pee but feel like you still have urine in your bladder afterward....

Although chemotherapy is an effective cancer treatment, it’s not recommended for everyone. In certain situations, chemotherapy may not be recommended for patients who may experience serious side effects from the treatment. In this article, we’ll discuss when chemotherapy is not recommended and what factors are taken into consideration when making that decision. The Benefits of Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a group of medications that can kill cancer cells and is recommended for several types of cancer....

An ablation surgery is a type of procedure to remove or reprogram tissue in the body that is damaged or causing interference. The most common type of ablation is a cardiac ablation, where bits of tissue that disrupt electrical signals in the heart are destroyed with an energy pulse. Other types of ablation procedures are used to treat problems in the bladder, uterus, and even the brain. Keep reading to find out what conditions might require you to need an ablation procedure....

Addiction is a complex, chronic brain condition that is characterized by substance abuse or repetitive engagement in problematic behaviors, such as gambling, which then continues despite causing harm to yourself or others. It involves interactions between the brain, genes, and environmental factors. Common treatment approaches include behavioral therapies and medications. Different treatment options are recommended depending on the specific addiction, and in many cases, a combination of approaches is advised....

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff for short) is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of around 3% of the population. If the balance of bacteria in your GI tract is disturbed, such as when taking antibiotics, C. diff can flourish. Once it begins to take over, C. diff releases toxins that irritate the lining of the large intestine. This irritation causes the main symptoms of C....

Calcium is a mineral element, and the most abundant mineral, found in the body. Along with potassium and magnesium, calcium is essential for muscle contraction and nerve conduction. It is a foundation for bone structure and occurs naturally in several forms and in many foods. Calcium gluconate is a version of calcium found in gluconic acid, a carboxylic acid found in plants—especially fruits—and honey. Calcium is used medically in many forms, including calcium chloride, calcium formate, calcium citrate, or calcium gluconate....

While we usually think of women when we talk of breasts, men have breasts, too, and can also experience problems like breast pain, nipple pain, changes in breast size, and even breast cancer. Unfortunately, it can be embarrassing for a man to bring up concerns about his breasts in our breast-fixated society. As a result, many treatable breast conditions may be left undiagnosed until they turn serious. This article explains the possible causes of breast pain and swelling in males....

Common skin growths (medically coined skin neoplasm) can be: Malignant: A cancerous growth that can spread very quickly and invade nearby tissuesBenign: A non-cancerous growth that usually grows very slowly and does not spread to other areas When a healthcare provider is consulted regarding a skin growth, the first step in the diagnostic procedure is a physical examination. The diagnostician must examine the skin closely to determine whether the growth is benign or if it has the potential to be malignant....

Editor’s note: Below you’ll find release of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker originally published March 2, 2021. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker homepage for the latest data. The United States is working to get back on track with COVID-19 vaccination efforts after winter storms across the country cancelled appointments and derailed vaccine deliveries. The number of vaccines distributed across the country increased by about 17 million since last Monday, up from the usual 10 million increase we see week over week....

Healthcare reform has been a contentious political topic in the U.S. for many years, and is shaping up to play a major role in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections. What does each party want? Let’s take a look at how the priorities of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party could impact your health insurance. Universal Coverage vs. Market-Based Reforms Democrats generally continue to support the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but would like to fix its flaws and generally improve the law....

Ear candling is an alternative approach for removing earwax. It involves placing a lit, hollow candle in your ear to create a low-level vacuum that softens earwax and pulls it out, along with other impurities. While popular, there is no evidence that ear candling works or that it is safe. Medical experts advise that you do not try it. This article explores how ear candling is done, the truth about purported benefits of ear candling, and the possible safety concerns and side effects of this practice....

Flow cytometry is a lab technique used to look at individual cells in a sample of blood, semen, or bone marrow. Flow cytometry results can be used for cancer diagnosis and treatment, to monitor the health of people with HIV, and other purposes. Flow cytometry is helpful when a health professional needs to look at a large number of cells, one cell at a time. These cells are sent through a very narrow tube, allowing the properties of individual cells to be measured using lasers or other types of light....

Food has a direct impact on many aspects of your health, including your heart health. Certain foods can improve your cholesterol levels and, in turn, lower your risk of heart disease. Keeping your cholesterol in a normal range by choosing heart-healthy foods will help you live a healthier life. This article will describe several types of food and how they can be part of your plan for controlling cholesterol. Beans Besides being a good source of plant-based protein and minerals such as iron and magnesium, beans are a great source of fiber....

Hemifacial microsomia is a birth defect that affects the development and appearance of the face. Hemifacial microsomia is the second most common birth defect, after cleft lip. Microsomia causes the structures of the face such as the jaw, cheek, lips, and skull to appear malformed. Hemifacial microsomia affects only one side of the face. There are several potential causes behind the development of this condition, but all are linked to changes that occur during pregnancy....