Patients are often prescribed medications for different diagnoses that they may have. Having multiple diagnoses and or aliments is not uncommon. However, in this day and age of specialization, patients are required to see a different doctor for each diagnosis.

Alternative medication can be defined as those compounds that are intended for use in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disease but are not approved or recognized as medication by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It's always amazing to learn what kinds of things passed as medicine before - and even during - the birth of modern science. In colonial times, for example, American medicine used such "cures" as the moss from a dead man's skull - thankfully, though, the moss was applied, not to the wound, but to the weapon that caused it.

Along with emotional issues such as mood swings and the urge to hibernate, the dark winter months also bring changes in the look and feel of an individual's skin due to the wind and coldness of the late fall and winter months.

Photo albums can bring a tear to your eye and family videos can stir up deep emotions - yes, because you may be remembering the good times of the past but also because you may be "mourning" the difference in your appearance today compared to when you were in your prime.

When patients and visitors enter the Van Elslander Pavilion at St. John Hospital & Medical Center (SJH&MC), they are greeted by warm reception and waiting areas. Above, natural light floods through the three-story atrium windows. While the recently opened pavilion is the new front entrance to the hospital, visitors are struck by the non-hospital feel of the environment.

According to a Global Spa Economy Report unveiled at the 2008 Global Spa Summit in New York, the global spa economy is estimated to be over $250 billion. Prepared by SRI International on behalf of The Global Spa Summit, the first-ever report represents the most comprehensive effort yet to quantify the rapidly expanding global industry.

Like most service-oriented industries, the spa industry is keen to stay on the cutting edge of its services - fulfilling what their clients demand - sometimes before the client even realize it's in demand. As more Americans incorporate physical and mental wellbeing into their daily lives, the spa industry is already poised to show them the most effective methods to a balanced life.

Now that organic beauty products can receive the USDA seal to indicate its degree of purity, look for a regulatory standard and seal for natural beauty products. Burt's Bees, which launched the initiative, has indicated that the Natural Standard Seal will require at least 95 percent natural ingredients and pure processing methods to make the mark.

Diabetes can be a real threat to the cardiovascular system. It comes on slowly and can wreak havoc with the bodies systems before the individual knows that they even have diabetes.