Folate is naturally present in many foods, notably dark green vegetables, beans, and legumes. Vitamin supplements contain a synthetic form offolate known as folic acid. This article explains folate’s uses and benefits. Verywell / Alexandra Gordon It also covers precautions and how to take folate safely. Supplement Facts Uses of Folate Folate is essential to good health. In addition, it supports healthy cell division. Enalapril (brand name Vasotec) is a medication that treats high blood pressure....

It’s measured byspirometry, which is a common breathing test to check lung function. This test may help distinguishobstructive and restrictive lung diseases. Restrictive lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis andsarcoidosis, cause problems with inhaling air to fill your lungs. Science Photo Library / Getty Images FVC can also help healthcare providers assess the progression of lung disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. This article discusses the purpose of the FVC test....

Friedreich’sataxiais a rare disease that affects yourcentral nervous system. It impacts yourspinal cordand the nerves that transmit and receive messages between yourbrainand the rest of your body. It also affects yourcerebellum, the part of your brain that controls movement and balance. RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images This disease causes gradualmuscle stiffnessand loss of strength and feeling in your limbs. Speech, hearing, and vision are also affected. People get this disease from their parents....

Functional diarrhea is chronic diarrhea without any clear cause. Even if the cause of your functional diarrhea is unknown, your symptoms are real and should be treated. This article explains what functional diarrhea is, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health Functional diarrhea is characterized by a lack ofabdominal pain, while IBS-D can cause abdominal pain. Invasive tests such as acolonoscopyor anendoscopycan also help identify a cause....

Fundal height is a measurement taken during pregnancy to monitor fetal growth. Fundal height measures the distance between the top of theuterusand the pelvic bone in a pregnant person. It can also assess where the baby is in the uterus. BSIP/ Getty Images It is measured in centimeters and is often first taken at prenatal appointments starting at20 weeks of pregnancy. The fundal height measurement in centimeters should be close to the fetuss gestational age in weeks....

Gangrene is a serious condition in which a part of the body begins to decay. This process is often described as tissue death ornecrosis. Gangrene can result insepsis(blood infection) or complete loss of the affected extremity. Verywell / Emily Roberts It can worsen rapidly and is life-threatening if left untreated. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of this serious condition. There are a number of risk factors that increase the chances of developing this condition....

That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Like many natural medications, people may useG. Verywell / Anastasiia Tretiak​ lucidumfor various reasons, such as lowering cholesterol levels.WhileG. lucidumdoesnt seem to be able to help with this, there are a few studies evaluatingG. lucidumfor other potential uses. Diabetes Insulin resistance means your body isnt responding toinsulin, a naturally occurring hormone....

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a key in of soft tissue sarcoma. The diagnosis can be challenging, but is most often made with an endoscopic ultrasound. It’s currently believed that GISTs arise from cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Jose Luis Pelaez / The Image Bank / Getty Images That said, most very small GISTs that begin in the stomach behave like benign tumors. When they do spread, the most common sites are the lungs and bones....

Gender expression refers to the ways that people present theirgender identityto the world. This may be through clothing, haircuts, behaviors, and other choices. Buzz cuts, for example, are seen as masculine hairstyles, while wearing dresses is seen as feminine. Tassii / Getty Images This expression may vary from what might be expected of one’s gender identity. For example, acisgenderwoman may have a very masculine expression but still identify as a woman....

It is a process through whichtransgenderandgender-nonconformingpeople align their presentation or sex characteristics with theirgender identity. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi What Does It Mean to Transition? The process has no particular timeline and isn’t always linear. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Gender transitioning is a holistic process, addressing all aspects of who a person is inwardly and outwardly. Exploring Your Gender Identity Gender transitioning is a process that often starts in response togender dysphoria....

The concept of only two genders is known as the gender binary. Gender, in fact, is not so black and white. Gender can be better understood as a spectrum. llustration by Theresa Chiechi for Verywell Health It is not set in stone, and a persons understanding of their gender may grow. For example, if someone identifies as a man right now, they may identify differently in a year. They may identify as genderqueer, genderfluid, or nonbinary....

Genetic tests can determine whether you are at risk of developingcancerby identifying mutations in a persons genes. The risk of developing cancer increases if you have a genetic predisposition or susceptibility to cancer. Inherited vs. Acquired Mutations Most cancers start because of acquiredgene mutations that happen during a persons lifetime. Verywell / Ellen Lindner Acquired mutations only affect cells that grow from the mutated cell. They do not affect all the cells in a persons body....

The tests can be performed on blood, urine, saliva, body tissues, bone, or hair. Genetic testing can also be used in legal investigations. There are even direct-to-consumer tests able to trace your ancestry. Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell How Genetic Tests Work Nearly every cell in your body containsDNA, genes, and chromosomes. Types of Genetic Tests Genetic tests have far-ranging applications in medical and non-medical prefs. Currently Available Tests The number of genetic tests available to diagnose disease is increasing each year....