edocamerica

Osteoporosis is a condition associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) resulting in increased risk for fractures. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, as many as 10 million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis and almost 34 million are at risk. When detected by screening measures, treatment of osteoporosis has…

Urban legend would indicate that knuckle cracking leads to arthritis of the joints of the hand. It would be a gross overstatement, however, to say that the medical literature has thoroughly explored this connection. This is one of those quasi-medical issues that is scarcely mentioned in medical school curricula. What…

According to the Insurance Information Institute, lawnmower injuries send approximately 75,000 people to the Emergency Department each year. Of this number, around 16,000 are under 19 years of age, with 600 of these young people sustaining amputations. Sadly, relatively few of these injuries are due to mechanical problems with the…

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. That is an alarming statistic, considering that, for the most part, CRC is a preventable disease. CRC usually begins as benign growths called polyps in the colon or rectum, and removing these growths effectively eliminates the possibility that…

When accuracy is highly important in determining the number of calories burned with specific activities, a laboratory-based test called indirect calorimetry is often used. This test estimates the amount of heat produced (calories) by measuring the differences in oxygen and carbon dioxide in inspired and expired air. Obviously, this type…

Anyone traveling by rapid transit to more distant locations can be affected by jet lag. Known in medical jargon as desynchronosis, jet lag is caused by the body’s internal clock having to be reset to a new time zone. It is typically worse for travelers crossing three or more time…

The recent death of actress Elizabeth Taylor from congestive heart failure (CHF) has generated a great deal of interest about this condition and its causes. Congestive heart failure is more common than many people realize, currently affecting nearly 5 million Americans, with around 550,000 new cases being diagnosed each year….

Taking antioxidants is claimed to provide a number of potential health benefit By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein may play a role in preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusive research demonstrating their benefits, however, is lacking….

Antioxidants are thought to provide protection from damage to cells in the body from unstable molecules known as free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include vitamins (beta-carotene, C, E, and A) and carotenoids (lycopene and lutein). In addition, the mineral selenium, while not technically an antioxidant, is a component of important…

Following the seismic events that damaged several nuclear reactors in Japan, many Americans are concerned about the possibility of exposure to radiation drifting across the Pacific Ocean with the prevailing winds. This has resulted in a buying frenzy of potassium iodide tablets, a known deterrent to certain effects of radiation…