What is quinoa? Quinoa is generally considered a whole grain, but it's an edible seed. Quinoa is healthy because it is brimming with nutrients and provides a unique flavor to any dish. Quinoa has become the quintessential health food in the past decade. But most people don't know why it's healthy.  Quinoa is a powerhouse …

Brown rice nutrition facts Brown rice is widely considered a healthy food since it’s less processed and also preserves the germ and bran layers that are considered to be rich in nutrients. If you have diabetes, brown rice consumed in moderation could be a safer option than white rice. While rice is usually high in carbohydrates, brown rice is considered …

What’s a superfood? Broccoli is a superfood, a natural food that is nutritious and lower in calories. The benefits of eating broccoli every day include that it is high in antioxidants and vitamin C, calcium, glucosinolates, potassium, and soluble fiber. Broccoli is one of the foods considered to be a superfood. It's a natural, nutrient-dense food that, if eaten every …

What causes alopecia areata?  Alopecia areata is a condition that causes patchy hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition, but it reverses in some cases without any medical intervention. Alopecia is the medical term for baldness. There are many different conditions and diseases that can cause hair loss in both men and women, but alopecia is also the shorthand …

Benefits of eating a banana before bed Bananas are a great pre-bedtime snack, as they are rich in magnesium, vitamin B6, carbs, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. All these are nutrients that promote better sleep. Up to 70 million adults in America have trouble falling or staying asleep every year. Countless remedies including meditation, exercise, medication, and therapy encourage the …

Generic Name: heparin Drug Class: Anticoagulants, Cardiovascular; Anticoagulants, Hematologic What is heparin, and what is it used for? Heparin is a natural anticoagulant compound in the body that prevents the formation of blood clots (thrombosis). Heparin used as medication is commercially prepared from animal mucous tissue such as ox lungs and pig intestines. Heparin is administered intravenously or subcutaneously to prevent …

Generic Name: fresh frozen plasma Brand and Other Names: FFP, Octaplas Drug Class: Blood Components What is fresh frozen plasma, and what is it used for? Plasma is the liquid component of blood, the medium that keeps blood flowing. Plasma is a straw-colored fluid that remains when all the blood cells including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets …

Generic Name: bethanechol Brand Name: Urecholine (discontinued brand) Drug Class: Cholinergics, Genitourinary What is bethanechol, and what is it used for? Bethanechol is a medication approved by the FDA for treating urinary retention that occurs after surgery, childbirth, or due to a nerve disorder. Bethanechol is used off-label to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Bethanechol belongs to a class of …

Weight loss surgery options Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is one of the most effective tools for weight loss for people with a BMI above 40. The best operation to lose weight depends on a variety of factors but gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are two clear frontrunners. Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is …

What does it mean to be non-binary? Non-binary genders are any gender that doesn't fit within the "man/woman" binary view of gender. A non-binary baby is agender, bigender, or demi-gender. "It's a boy," or "It's a girl," is typically the first thing a U.S. parent hears about their newborn child. Assigning gender at birth is now considered customary, and many …