This article was originally published in January 2019 and has since been updated. When it comes to medical care, some things should be left to the professionals. An Irish man was hospitalized with a severely infected abscess that resulted from him injecting his own semen to try to cure back pain. He went into the...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health problem for many women. They are usually caused by bacteria entering the urethra and infecting the bladder. However, sometimes bladder pain can be a sign of a more serious condition like bladder cancer. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two in order to...

It’s pretty easy to have bad habits in the morning. I know that the first thing I do is roll over and check my phone, then stumble into the kitchen to make coffee. But these bad morning habits are ones that I’ve decided I need to break. Forgetting to Stretch You’d think after a long...

Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that we consume and a hormone that our bodies produce. Vitamin D deficiency can be detrimental to your health and is linked to several conditions. As a fat-soluble vitamin, it has been widely recognized for facilitating the absorption and retention of calcium and phosphorus, essential components for building solid...

We’ve heard all about the benefits of lemon water—it’s a natural detox, it flushes out your system, and it helps with weight loss and digestion. But how much of this is myth and how much is fact? With so many claims and misinformation out there, it’s sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction. We’re here...

Microwave popcorn, while convenient yet oh so crunchy, has become a staple for many movie nights and quick snack cravings – to our potential detriment. Despite its popularity, there are compelling reasons to reconsider having it as a regular part of your diet. Here are five solid reasons why you might want to skip out...

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics used to kill or stop the growth of bacteria (1).  Fluoroquinolone antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin (Floxin)(1).  Fluoroquinolone use has drawn concern from the FDA, among others, prompting the organization to update regulatory warnings on the antibiotic. A woman from Oklahoma is...

Lower back pain? You may have heard your practitioner mention something about your L4-L5 spinal segment. The lower back (lumbar spine) is a fairly complex structure. It consists of 5 vertebrates, the lowest is the L4-L5. This section of the spine is responsible for supporting the upper body and allowing fluid movement in multiple directions....

Laxatives can have powerful effects on your digestive health. Because of their effects in the body, laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Surprisingly, there are many natural laxatives available that can be just as effective as over-the-counter products at preventing constipation. This article will examine 20 natural laxatives and how they...

For anyone who has experienced heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), they would likely vouch for how excruciating it can be. Moreover, they would probably mention how crucial but hard it is to find relief. For many, this relief comes from medication. However, a 2017 study conducted by researchers at Washington University of Medicine found that...

Paprika, a spice widely used in kitchens worldwide, has recently become a topic of discussion as people uncover its true composition.1 Contrary to popular belief, paprika is made from dried sweet peppers that are carefully ground into a fine powder. In this article, we will delve into the origins of paprika, its production process, the...

Anxiety disorder is a severely misunderstood condition, that is so often assumed to be associated with general stress and worry that is common to day to day living. For this reason, people with anxiety and panic disorder shy away from being vocal about their experiences out of fear of being dismissed or rejected from those...