Purpose Vitamin K is essential for the proper formation of blood clots in the body. The K in vitamin K, which was discovered by a Danish scientist, comes from the Danish word "koagulering" which means clotting. The liver makes a protein called prothrombin, which is a vital link in the coagulation process. Vitamin K is the forerunner of prothrombin and...

Purpose The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. However, it is not just a simple tube. The lower esophagus has a specialized muscle around it that usually stays tightly close, opening only to allow food and liquid into the stomach. It acts to prevent the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Symptoms occur...

Purpose Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are the number one cause of death in United States. People with hypertension, or high blood pressure, are more likely to develop these diseases. Therefore, is important to try to lower elevated blood pressure. Hypertension cannot be cured in most cases. It can be successfully managed with lifestyle changes and or medication. Reducing...

100 Calorie Snack Ideas Half an apple with two teaspoons of peanut butter. An orange and a few dry roasted nuts. 10 cashew nuts. 10 almonds. Two ounces of lean roast beef. Half a small avocado. Three ounces of cooked, whole-grain noodles with one fresh tomato and a half ounce of hard cheese. One seven grain Belgian waffle. Four...

General Exercise Physical activity can be divided into two types: aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic exercise involves large muscle movements over a sustained period of time and includes activities like: Running Fast walking Aerobic exercise class When you make aerobic activity a part of your regular routine, your heart and cardiovascular system become much healthier.  In addition, your mood improves because exercise relieves...

Significances Fever is a normal body response to infection and a symptom of an illness, not an illness itself. Temperatures of 100-103 degrees are usual with childhood infections and help combat disease. Temperatures of 104 degrees and above may cause convulsions in infants and chills in older children and adults. Sudden changes in temperature can precipitate convulsions in infants...

More than 20,000 Americans die every year due to home accidents and approximately 3000 more are disabled.  These figures are alarming.  What is more alarming is thousands of these deaths and injuries should never happen. They are easily preventable. Take a few moments right now to check if your home is accident prone.  This convenient list will help you locate potential hazards.  Once located,...

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) Historically, the bland diet has been used in peptic ulcer disease (PUD). With the introduction of H2 inhibitors for the treatment of PUD, the use of diet has been questioned. In addition, there is growing evidence that most ulcers are associated with the microorganism called Helicobacter pylori, which is usually treated with bismuth-subsalicylate, tetracycline or ampicillin...

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Use this calculator for adults 20 years old and older.   To calculate body mass for children and teens 2 to 19...

Tips on Reading Labels If it says It meansFat FreeLess than .05g fat per servingLow Fat3g or less fat per servingReduced Fat or Less FatAt least 25% less fat per servingSaturated Fat FreeLess than .05g saturated fat per servingLow Saturated Fat1g or less and no more than 15% of calories from saturated fat per servingReduced or Less Saturated Fat At...