What Is Ghrelin? How the Hunger Hormone Affects Your Body

When your stomach is empty, it releases ghrelin, which signals that it’s time to eat. Besides increasing hunger, ghrelin plays additional roles in your body. This may influence weight and other health parameters. millann / Getty Images Appetite Regulation Your stomach and small intestine secrete ghrelin. Human Growth Hormone Activation Ghrelin secretion also stimulates therelease of human growth hormone (HGH). HGH is essential to growth in children and also metabolism throughout life....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 745 words · Dr. Suzanne Mcdaniel DVM

What Is Gingival Hyperplasia?

Gingival hyperplasia is a condition of the mouth that leads to overgrowth of the gums. People with this condition have gums that appear puffy and swollen. In severe cases, the gums may completely cover the teeth. Morsa Images / Getty Images The condition is also called gingival (gum) enlargement. Gingival hyperplasia can create a cycle of problems. Inflammatory Gingival Hyperplasia This punch in of gingival hyperplasia is generally because of poor oral hygiene....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 205 words · Laura Mathis

What Is Glucose Intolerance?

Glucose intolerance also refers to the conditions ofimpaired fasting glucoseandimpaired glucose tolerance. Those are different diagnoses that are based on which test revealed prediabetes. If you’re diagnosed with this, your risk of developing diabetes is high. BakiBG / Getty Images This condition involves fasting glucose levels that are above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider to come up with a plan that’ll help reduce your risk....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 367 words · Nancy Shea

What Is Gluten Ataxia?

This can potentially cause problems with your gait and gross motor skills. People with this condition may have loss of coordination, which in some cases may become significant. This article looks at gluten ataxia, its causes, symptoms, and diagnosis. Whisson-Jordan / Getty Images It also discusses what you could do to manage the condition. What Is Gluten Ataxia? Ataxia is a degenerative condition involving the nervous system. This is what causes the ataxia....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 414 words · Alexis Wilson

What Is Gluten, Which Foods Include It, and How to Tell Celiac Disease vs. Sensitivity

However, some people with certain medical conditions, such asceliacdisease or non-celiac-related gluten sensitivity, should avoid it. Emilija Manevska / Getty Images What Is Gluten? Gluten also adds protein and flavor to foods. Emilija Manevska / Getty Images Most people are able to safely consume and tolerate gluten-containing foods. What Does a Gluten-Free Label Mean? Here are some tips to follow whenshopping for gluten-free foods: What Foods Contain Gluten? Food products that often contain gluten include:...

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 529 words · Dr. Catherine Cox DDS

What Is Glycogen?

Glycogen is a branchedpolysaccharide(also called a polycarbohydrate) composed of many glucose molecules linked together. This article will explore what glycogen is and the important roles it has in the body. It will also discuss how to maintain glycogen levels. SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images Glycogen Structure Glycogen is a highly branched glucose polymer. A polymer is a substance that consists of very large molecules....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 702 words · William Murphy

What Is Guayusa Tea?

Guayusa is also rich in antioxidants, which may help decrease inflammation. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Alertness The stimulating effect of guayusa tea that contributes to alertness is due to its caffeine content. Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Furthermore, the caffeine content of guayusa tea is similar to that ofgreenandblack tea. Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of guayusa leaf extract. It contained 12 subjects assigned male at birth, 2134 years old....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 391 words · Garrett Jefferson

What Is Guttate Psoriasis and How Is It Treated?

Guttate psoriasisis a key in of psoriasis characterized by the spontaneous eruption of small, teardrop-shaped skin lesions. When triggered by an infectious disease, symptoms typically appear two to three weeks after the initial infection. Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023. Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023. These raised and reddish-colored psoriatic “drops” resemble pimples but are called papules. Can Acute Guttate Psoriasis Become Chronic? An acuteflare-upof guttate psoriasis usually spontaneously resolves within a few weeks or months....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 339 words · Jaime Garcia

What Is Halitosis, and Do I Have Bad Breath?

Bad breath can have a range of odors and causes. Some of the more common causes include food debris, smoking, dehydration, andplaquebuildup. However, medications and some health conditions can also cause halitosis. Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health This article explains bad breath causes, home remedies, and treatment. Other symptoms may include: How Do You Describe the Smell of Halitosis? Halitosis may have several distinct smells, including: What Does the Smell Mean?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 288 words · Donna Cameron

What Is Hashimoto's Encephalopathy?

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE) is a rare disease that involves impaired brain function (encephalopathy). It’s usually reversible with treatment. Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is considered rare, affecting just two people out of every 100,000. Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health The average age of onset of symptoms of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is around 40 to 55 years old. In the case of HE, the target is the brain. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the immune system attacks thethyroid gland, causing hormonal problems....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 275 words · Caleb Berry

What Is Head and Neck Cancer?

Thyroid and skin cancers are not counted among this group. Symptoms Symptoms of head and neck cancer vary, depending on the specific cancer. Salivary Gland Cancer Cancers of the salivary glandsare rare. laflor / E+ / Getty Images These cancers are found in the three main salivary glands responsible for producing the saliva in your mouth. These are called theparotid glands,submandibular glands, andsublingual glands. Smoking, excessive alcohol use, and HPV are the strongest risk factors for cancers of the larynx....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 462 words · Mrs. Tricia Roberts MD

What Is Hemoglobin Electrophoresis?

There are several inherited hemoglobinopathies that can affect the ability of hemoglobin to perform its job normally. However, hemoglobin electrophoresis is only one of several tests that can detect and characterize abnormal hemoglobins. Risks and Contraindications The hemoglobin electrophoresis test is a blood test. Verywell / JR Bee The sample can be taken in any facility that performs standard blood drawing, at any time of day. Typically it is done in a healthcare provider’s office, a lab, or a hospital....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 586 words · Margaret Hamilton

What Is Hemophilia B?

It is the second most common jot down ofhemophiliaand occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 male births. Factor IX is a blood-clotting factor that promotes healing and helps the body seal wounds. As a result, people who have hemophilia B bruise easily and bleed for longer periods of time. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Other names for hemophilia B, include factor IX deficiency, Christmas disease, and the royal disease. Types of Hemophilia There are many factors involved in the process of forming a blood clot....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 382 words · Timothy Chavez