
Alina Bradford
Latest articles by Alina Bradford

Ayahuasca: Psychedelic Tea from the Amazon
By Alina Bradford published
Ayahuasca tea has been used for centuries in healing ceremonies. It produces intense hallucinations, and has the attention of "ayahuasca tourists" as well as Western medicine.

Facts About the Endangered Species Act of 1973
By Alina Bradford published
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was created to protect animals and plants that were in danger of becoming extinct. More than 2,200 species are listed as endangered or threatened.

Esophagus: Facts, Functions & Diseases
By Alina Bradford published
The esophagus is a tube that connects the throat (pharynx) and the stomach. Within it, muscles contract to move food to the stomach.

Whiplash: Symptoms & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
Whiplash is a neck injury that is common in car crashes, but it can also be caused during other types of accidents. In the United States, over 2 million people suffer from whiplash each year.

Brain Hemorrhage: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
A brain hemorrhage is bleeding in or around the brain. Brain hemorrhages occur when an artery in the brain bursts.

Bedwetting: Causes & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
Bedwetting is common among young children. If it continues past age 7, there may be an underlying problem, and medical attention is recommended.

What Is Flesh-Eating Bacteria?
By Alina Bradford published
Flesh-eating bacteria refers to any of several strains of bacteria that can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection that destroys muscles, skin and tissue.

Facts About Ferrets
By Alina Bradford published
Ferrets are small, furry creatures with long tails and pear-shaped bodies. They are related to wolverines, ermines, minks and weasels.

Facts About Elk
By Alina Bradford published
Elk are related to deer, caribou and moose. However, they are broader than deer, but not as massive as moose.

Zika Virus: Symptoms, Risk, Treatment & Prevention
By Alina Bradford published
The Zika virus is spread by bites of infected mosquitoes. It can be particularly dangerous to fetuses and newborns.

Colon (Large Intestine): Facts, Function & Diseases
By Alina Bradford published
The large intestine, also called the colon, is part of the final stages of digestion. It is a large tube that escorts waste from the body.

Ovarian Cysts: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluid that can grow on the ovaries. They are very common and usually are not life threatening. Sometimes, however, they can produce serious problems.

Sepsis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
Sepsis is the body's overreaction to infection. It can cause tissue damage, organ failure and death.

Concussions: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by the brain violently bouncing or twisting inside of the skull.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
By Alina Bradford published
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very common brain condition marked by damage to the brain caused by an outside force.

Kangaroo Facts
By Alina Bradford published
Kangaroos are marsupials native to Australia. Their babies are called joeys and they live in groups called mobs.

How Blue LEDs Affect Sleep
By Alina Bradford published
Research has found that exposure to blue light suppresses the production of the sleep hormone melatonin more than any other type of light.

Facts About Opioids — Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Codeine & Others
By Alina Bradford published
Opioids are powerful painkillers but they can be dangerous with misuse.

Mercury Poisoning: Causes, Effects & Fish
By Alina Bradford published
Mercury is a naturally occurring chemical, but it can become harmful when it enters the food chain.

Breastfeeding Basics: Tips for Nursing Mothers
By Alina Bradford published
Some new mothers may be unfamiliar with basic breastfeeding practices. Here are some tips for them.

Migraines: Causes, Symptoms & Relief
By Alina Bradford published
A migraine is a neurological disorder marked by intense headache, nausea, visual disturbances and other symptoms.
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