General Health

Candidiasis is the most common type of yeast infection and is caused by a type of fungus called Candida. This organism commonly penetrates and affects areas of the body such as the mouth, around dentures, under the breasts, the vagina, groin area, nail beds, and beneath other skin folds.

Water retention is also known by its more medical term, edema. This is a condition that results when water leaks into the body tissues from the blood. In normal circumstances, the fluid is drained from the body tissues through the lymphatic system – a network of tubes throughout the body that removes waste and extraneous material, and empties it back into the bloodstream.

Viruses can affect any part of the body or body system. The most common type of viral infections involve the respiratory tract. For example, the cold virus involves the upper respiratory tract, viral throat infections, and laryngitis. Lower respiratory tract infections may include viral pneumonia.

With Hashimoto’s thyroiditis the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid causing inflammation and tissue damage. Antibodies are made by white blood cells to fight germs and infections. But in Hashimoto’s, auto-antibodies (antibodies which attack normal tissue) are made by white blood cells and appear in the bloodstream.

In order to understand better what are causes of thyroid disorder we must know the thyroid's function within the body. The thyroid makes tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) using iodine, which can be found in foods such as seafood and salt. T3 and T4 are responsible for controlling metabolism and regulating the rate at which the body carries out its functions. These hormones are extremely important as every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regular metabolism.

What is the Pancreas? The pancreas is a large organ approximately six inches long and is a key part of the digestive and endocrine systems. It is located deep within the upper abdomen, surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver and spleen.

Flu is the abbreviated term for the influenza virus, which is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. The virus affects the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs, and may also cause inflammation and pain in muscles and joints. It is spread from person to person through airborne droplets when an infected person either coughs or sneezes. The influenza virus attacks cells in an uninfected person’s breathing passages and begins to replicate within six hours.

Often referred to as a sore throat, acute pharyngitis is a painful inflammation of the pharynx (the area that joins the nasal cavity and the oral cavity to the larynx) in the throat region. 'Acute' pharyngitis simply means that the condition has not persisted more than a few weeks (which would then be classified as 'chronic'). Pharyngitis occurs most commonly with a viral upper respiratory infection.

Numbness is an abnormal sensation that can occur anywhere in the body, but is most commonly felt in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. Common symptoms include tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Numbness is a fairly broad term ranging from the harmless numbness you get when your fingers are too cold, to more serious conditions that require immediate medical attention.

Mono (also known as Infectious Mononucleosis) is a viral infection often affecting young adults from 12-35 years old. It can also be referred to as Glandular Fever.

Metabolism is the term used to describe the process by which the body converts food and nutrients into energy. The body’s metabolism is like an engine, it runs all the time – whether we are eating, moving, thinking or even sleeping! Without our metabolism, we would not be able to live. It is needed to perform all bodily activities, create new cells and tissue, maintain body temperature, heal injuries, repair damage and free the body of all toxins.

Laryngitis refers to inflammation or irritation of the tissues of the larynx. Laryngitis causes a hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of this irritation to the vocal folds or cords.

Jaundice is the term used to describe the yellowish appearance of the skin and whites of the eyes that occurs when the blood contains an excess amount of pigmentation. This pigmentation is known as bilirubin, a natural product that occurs from the normal breakdown of red blood cells by the spleen in the body. It is then carried to the liver to be excreted in the bile. Jaundice is not a disease, but is most affected as a result liver diseases.

Hypothyroidism is a thyroid problem caused by an underactive thyroid gland that produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. This is a common condition that affects millions of people.

Hyperthyroidism is often referred to as an overactive thyroid and is a disorder of the thyroid, a small gland located just below the Adam’s Apple.