A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes through an opening in your diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. Most hiatal hernias are not serious, but severe cases may require surgery.

Digestive health is vital to the overall health of our body. What we eat and how our stomach and intestines process that food and liquid can lead to symptoms of nausea, viruses, constipation and other, more severe consequences like kidney and liver problems. According to a recent study in U.S. News and World Report, there are seven common digestive disorders that you need to be aware of.

Serotonin, a natural neurotransmitter, occurs naturally in the body. Serotonin is best known for affecting mood levels, but it also impacts sleeping, memory retention, even appetite. For people suffering from depression, there are several ways to increase serotonin in the bloodstream, which helps to elevate one’s mood. Some methods are natural, involving exposure to sunlight, vitamins and minerals and physical movement. Other methods involve the intake of prescription drugs.

Almond flour is ground from the almond nut, or fruit. The fruit in early stages is called a drupe. In later stages it becomes a nut. Almond nuts are an integral part of many diets. Almond has a number of uses, ranging from culinary, beauty and hair care to dietary. The almond is native to the Middle East region, and is grown in Jordon, Iran, Syria and Lebanon. Almond plants grow to a medium height, and almond flowers are white or pink.

The flu is a virus that affects the respiratory tract. Symptoms of the flu may include high fever, congestion, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, or coughing. If your child has the flu, it is important to know how to treat it effectively.

Kidney failure is a serious medical condition in which the kidneys no longer are able to perform their job of cleaning the blood and making urine from the waste products.
Though there are many reasons for kidney failure, the end result is the same: The kidneys progressively become less able to perform normally and eventually stop working altogether. High-protein diets are not considered a risk in healthy adults but are dangerous for individuals with liver and kidney complications because of the body’s inability to remove the waste products from the metabolism of protein.

Need to lose weight but don’t know what to eat and what to avoid? The best way to drop those pounds in a healthful way is to eat fresh, whole foods while ingesting fewer calories than you burn each day. Lots of vegetables, protein and fiber are your best food choices when it comes to losing weight. If you don’t know where to start, check out this list of low-calorie foods that satisfy. Fill up on these and you’ll be on your way to weight loss in no time.

Excessive dry scalp is caused by a deficiency in oils secreted by the sebaceous glands on the scalp.

According to information from the National Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Information Services, Cushing’s Disease is a disorder characterized by overproduction of the hormone cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a substance produced by the adrenal glands, made in response to stressful situations to provide the body with quick energy to escape the threat. When cortisol is overproduced, problems can occur such as increase fat storage, muscle weakness, and constant anxiety. While a high protein diet cannot cure Cushing’s Disease, it can help to alleviate some of the muscle wasting which can occur.

Hemorrhoids are the result of swollen veins in the rectum and cause pain, itching and sometimes bleeding. They can result from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, obesity and low-fiber, low-fluid diets. Several treatment options are available that can easily be done on your own for mild cases. More serious cases require medical intervention.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps send nerve impulses from one area of the brain to another. It has been called the ‘feel good brain chemical’ and the ‘happiness hormone.’ Its function has been the subject of years of neuroscience research as it is widely believed to play a role in a range of mood disorders including depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Though the link between serotonin and such disorders is not well understood, there is some anecdotal evidence that increasing the level of serotonin may help individuals reduce their symptoms.

A flat belly may be desirable, but it can be difficult to achieve without a bit of work. Eat in a way that will keep the body from getting bloated, and lose excess fat in order to look your best and flatten up that tummy.

Clogged arteries in the legs typically affect those older than 50 and attack smokers much earlier than others. Basic lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of this disorder leading to stroke or heart attack.

Many health food companies, medical practitioners and alternative medical practitioners promote a multitude of “magic” cancer prevention pills. This raises questions on whether these magic pills to prevent cancer actually work. Dietary supplements (multi-vitamins), tamoxifen, curry and even birth control pills are touted for preventing various forms of cancer in men and women.

For people who are allergic to traditional peanut butter, soy butter can be a great option for enjoying the delicious creaminess of peanut butter without the negative side effects. Soy butter is peanut and dairy free. Because soy butter is not found at most traditional grocery stores, it can be difficult to find unless you know where to look.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes scaly, red patches to appear on the skin. While there are several different forms of psoriasis, most can be treated with topical applications that help the pain, itching, and redness subside.

Young and old, almost everyone has had some variety of apple. Crisp, tart, tangy and sweet, apples are a nutritious addition to any meal, no matter which varieties you enjoy.

A non-contagious skin condition, psoriasis appears as scaly patches often found on the skin of the legs, knees, arms, elbows, back and ears. Linked to heredity, psoriasis occurs when the cells of the skin’s outer layer grow too rapidly. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are several actions that a person with psoriasis can take to reduce symptoms.

An intraocular (eye) cancer may be a primary cancer that originates inside the eye or a secondary cancer that spreads to the eye from some other part of the body. The symptoms may be classified into changes in vision, changes in the eye’s appearance and pain.

Our bodies make glucose as part of digesting certain foods, such as carbohydrates and refined sugars. There are many foods that produce glucose in us. Glucose is the energy supply that enables us to function and to be active. Insulin from our bodies lowers glucose when we have too much in our blood stream. Diabetics can be insulin resistant, causing their bodies to have high glucose levels. Others can have problems making enough insulin to handle glucose. It is important to detect glucose levels early to diagnose and to control existing diabetes. Many diabetics use a glucose meter to detect glucose at home.

A shoulder injury, no matter its cause, can seriously impede normal shoulder joint function and cause significant pain. Using appropriate treatment strategies to treat a shoulder injury is necessary to ensure proper healing.

Trauma to the brain is a serious medical condition that can result in temporary or permanent disability, as well as death. The severity of brain trauma depends on the location of the injury, amount of swelling and the force of impact, and any type of injury to the head should be evaluated by a doctor to avoid potentially life threatening complications.

Scars form naturally as part of the healing process after the skin is injured. Your scar will heal differently based on a number of factors. First of all, the severity of the wound plays a major role. The location on the body is significant as well, as some areas have more taut or resilient skin. Other factors include age, sex, ethnicity and heredity. Depending on the nature of your scar, you may need to use one or more treatment methods.

Dry eyes can be more than an itchy nuisance, they can pose serious problems, particularly to those who suffer from chronic dry eyes. The treatments for dry eye depend on a number of factors.

Considering its exposure to sun, wind and pollution, as well as all the colorings, perms, blow-drying and straightening we do to our hair, it’s no wonder that so many people have dry and damaged hair. If your hair is dry, and you don’t have the money for a salon treatment, you might be interested in some home remedies.

Magnesium oil is considered by many in the field of alternative health to be the most important mineral for detox. It helps by promoting the healing and regeneration of the body’s cellular structure. However, the benefits in addition to this detox agent include increased energy relief from aches and pains, better sleep, healthy skin (and teeth as well), and stress relief. But all of these benefits come from the detoxification properties of the oil, which serve to eliminate unhealthy cells, build new ones and protect the ones you have.

Children may develop a cough for a number of reasons: choking on food or toys, asthma, inhaling smoke or chemical fumes. But upper and lower respiratory tract infections during the winter months are the most common cause. Fortunately, most coughs can usually be treated with home remedies or over-the-counter cough medicines.

In piriformis syndrome, the piriformis muscle is tight and compresses the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the buttocks and often down the back of the leg. Massage can relax the piriformis muscle so that it no longer compresses the nerve.

Though pregnancy-related heartburn or indigestion is uncomfortable, diet changes may reduce the incidence of, and pain associated with, heartburn. Pregnancy hormones sometimes increase the likelihood of indigestion, but knowing which foods to avoid, as well as when and how much to eat can help you avoid pain associated with indigestion.

Humidifiers can help you and your family breathe easier, especially in drier weather. When choosing between warm and cool mist humidifiers, many opt for the cool mist because of its health benefits.

Pinched nerves are often caused by vertebral subluxation, a condition in which the spine has become misaligned, causing pain and pressure to the nerves in that area. The degree of pain caused by this condition can range from easily manageable to disabling. Many cases can be treated successfully with several chiropractic methods involving spinal adjustments.

The scalp not only contains hair, but is covered in skin just like the rest of the body. This skin can become irritated and affected by skin disorders as well. Some of the scalp’s skin problems are treatable using special products and medicines that a dermatologist can prescribe, while others can be more difficult to treat. It is important to fully understand the symptoms of different scalp skin problems so that you will know how to treat them.

Cranberry has been used medicinally since the 17th century, and Native Americans used it extensively to treat bladder and kidney problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have not shown cranberry to be an effective treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs), but it may help prevent the infections from occurring in the first place.

Paronychia is one of the most common hand infections. Paronychia is an infection that develops along the edge of a finger or toe nail. If you have paronychia, it should be treated promptly to prevent infection of the entire hand or toe.

Salmonella typhimurium is a bacterium that causes salmonellosis, commonly known as salmonella poisoning. Humans usually contract this disease by eating food contaminated with the bacteria, especially meat, eggs and dairy products. Salmonellosis is primarily characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Most cases are self-limiting and don’t require specific treatment. Salmonella poisoning can be life-threatening in rare cases.

Healthy eating and vending machines don’t often go hand in hand. However, if you do your research, you’ll discover that there are some healthy choices you can make. They may not be as good as eating fresh food, but some choices are better than others. So if you’re in a position where you have to rely on a vending machine, understand which foods will be most beneficial for you.

Rescue Remedy is a natural remedy that contains flower essences that calm the mind and restore mental balance. It was created by Dr. Edward Bach, a British physician in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Dr. Bach was also a bacteriologist, researcher and homeopath. He believed that mental state and attitude play an important part in a person’s health, hence his turning to nature for solutions, and in time developing his flower essences.

Because some of the causes of varicose veins are unknown, prevention is still debated in the medical community. However, doctors do agree that while there isn’t a way to completely prevent varicose veins, there are several things you can do to decrease your chances of developing them.

Conjunctivitis is an eye condition that may also be referred to as pink eye. It is an infection of the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane that covers the eyelid and partially covers the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection; however, it may also be caused by an allergic reaction to some substance. A physician can help determine the cause of the infection and prescribe proper treatment.

Research conducted on mice, fruit flies and monkeys has shown that a calorie-restriction diet lengthens life span and slows the aging process. Many scientists believe that a calorie-restriction diet will have the same anti-aging benefits for humans.

Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to cure illness and treat various conditions. Herbs are also used in Chinese medicine for weight loss. Chinese supplements used for weight loss encourage metabolism, provide energy and help meet nutritional needs. These herbs can help the body to work more efficiently while reducing fat and weight.

Ovulation tests can help women who are trying to get pregnant determine when they are most fertile. Typically, women are only fertile for about two days each month so timing is important when trying to conceive. Ovulation kits may have to be used for many months before pregnancy occurs. A woman who has not conceived within one year should consult a doctor about possible problems interfering with conception.

Everyone gets sweaty feet at one time or another, but some people there ihave s a condition called hyperhidrosis, which is overactive sweat glands in the feet. There are 250,000 sweat glands in the feet, and some people will just experience mild moisture on their socks and shoes, while others with the condition will get their feet and shoes soaked. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to fungal infections, athlete’s foot and smelly feet.

Handmade soap today is made from the same basic ingredients that the ancient Romans discovered while washing their clothes in the Tiber River. Soap is made when water, fat and lye are mixed during a process called saponification. However, making soap with sulfur adds a medicinal value. “Sulfur is used in various medicines and is considered helpful in certain skin diseases,” according to an article by G.L. Bu in The World Book Encyclopedia.

You may never look at recipes the same. It may actually become like a game to try and figure out how many substitutions you can find with new recipes. You will not only be cooking healthier foods, but you may also reduce the total fat and saturated fat in your favorite recipes. So the next time you want to try a new recipe, or an old favorite, try using these heart healthy substitutions to remove the bad stuff without sacrificing taste.

No one likes how a cold makes the body feel. The body feels tired and listless. Congestion blocks the airways making it difficult to breathe. A drippy nose and incessant cough makes one very irritated. However, many people do not want to take strong drugs that may make one drowsy or have other side effects. People look to natural treatments for colds to feel better fast.

Giardiasis is an intestinal illness caused by exposure to the giardia parasite. The parasite can be found throughout the world and in every region of the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Giardiasis isn’t usually a serious infection in healthy people, but can be more severe in young children.

Olive oil has been used alone or in skin care products because of its softening attributes. But is it an effective treatment for stretch marks? It appears that olive oil may have a legitimate role in the war against lessening the unattractiveness of stretch marks. But it is not a miracle cure.

Depression affects millions of people, and it affects people in different ways. When depression takes root, sufferers are rarely aware of the real reason behind the depression. There are several causes of depression, and many different ways in which it can affect people.

Skin blemishes come in many forms, including pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. These blemishes can range from mild to severe, and treatment options abound. However, a main course of action for treating skin blemishes is prevention. In order to prevent blemishes, you first need to understand why they appear in the first place.