Hypoglycemia is a temporary condition caused by unusually low blood sugar levels. Blood sugar, which is also called blood glucose, helps provide the body with energy. Glucose comes from food and is stored by the body for use between meals. It is necessary for the body to function. Hypoglycemia is most common in people with diabetes, who cannot store and use glucose efficiently. As a result, it can drop to dangerously low levels between meals or due to medication use. The body begins to suffer from reduced functioning as an …

A grand mal seizure is a common type of seizure that involves every part of the brain. A grand mal seizure is a medical emergency that consists of two phases. During the first, or tonic phase, the muscles in the body stiffen and the hands and feet either turn into the body completely or else turn entirely outward, which causes the victim to fall down if he or she was standing when the incident began. The victim becomes unconscious and may make various sounds. The second phase, which is the …

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS is the sudden, unexplainable death of a child who was in a healthy condition. SIDS occurs mostly in infants between the ages of one month and one year. It claims the lives of one in every two thousand babies per year. There has been a decline since previous years due to research on the topic, which has lead to prevention breakthroughs. Although they have suggested ways, there is no sure fire approach to preventing SIDS from occuring. Some studies have shown that …

The widespread use of Viagra and its generic offspring may not be as innocent to men’s health as some people think. Since each drug comes with its list of side effects, compatible drugs that can be taken in conjunction with others, as well as contra indications, it is no wonder that Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are recently coming under the microscope of investigation. Those drugs taken in combination with nitroglycerin have proven to be dangerous in some cases, and sometimes, even fatal. Although erectile dysfunction is commonly treated by any …

Hypothermia is a severe condition where the body’s temperature drops below what’s necessary for metabolism and body function. It isn’t a serious risk for most people, yet 700 people die every year from cardiac arrest or organ failure associated with hypothermia. Hypothermia can come on in a matter of minutes, and requires immediate medical attention.
Hypothermia is caused when more heat escapes the body than is produced, and usually occurs after exposure to cold temperatures and wet environments. Several factors can contribute to its onset, such as inadequate clothing, or age. …

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. It occurs when someone is exposed to an allergen and their body generates an extreme shutdown response. The immune system goes into overdrive and takes more precautions than necessary, resulting in a loss of normal functioning. The most common triggers are food allergens such as peanuts, insect allergens such as bees, and medication allergens such as penicillin. Anyone who has an allergy is at risk, but those with a family history of an anaphylactic response as well as those with asthma are more likely …

Hyperglycemia is a condition that occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. It is typically caused by diabetes, although it can be attributable to other causes such as medications, eating disorders, stress, and illnesses in a few cases. Hyperglycemia is a very high glucose level during repeated blood sugar tests performed during fasting. It is caused by a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to successfully utilize the insulin it has.
The classic symptoms of hyperglycemia are extreme hunger and thirst as well as frequent urination. People …

Heat, some crave it, some avoid it, but everyone should be wary of it. The various heat emergencies cause over 4000 deaths yearly. Of those, 80% are from elderly persons over the age of eighty-five. It is also the second leading cause for death among young athletes. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are several of the better known afflictions associated with heat. The best thing to remember is that any heat related affliction is much easier to prevent than it is to treat.
The first thing that should be …