Fever blisters--also known as cold sores--are a symptom of infection with the herpes simplex virus. The American Social Health Association reports that up to 90 percent of Americans carry the virus. One-third experience periodic outbreaks that are sometimes accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up, or refluxes, into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus and cause pain or discomfort in the stomach, chest or throat.
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Vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can be treated by a surgical procedure known as LASIK, or laser eye surgery. According to the American Academy of Opthalmology, laser eye surgery involves the use of a laser to reshape the cornea in the front of the eye.
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Cold smoking aids in preserving bacon, and serves as part of the curing process. For centuries, curing and smoking meats preserved them prior to refrigeration. Cold-smoking takes longer than hot smoking, because it's performed at a low temperature.
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Accutane is a prescription vitamin A solution used to control oil on the skin and promote skin renewal as a treatment for nodular acne.
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One billion colds occur every year in the United States, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The common cold leads to more absences from work and school than any other illness. The common cold is caused by a number of different viruses that inflame the walls of the nose and throat.
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Certain dietary factors are believed to have an impact on the development or exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. OCD is an anxiety disorder that manifests in obsessions, or repetitive, intrusive thoughts and compulsions, or repetitive, uncontrollable behaviors.
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The repetitive punches that a boxer throws during training sessions can lead to injuries of the shoulder involving muscles, ligaments and tendons. Ignoring the pain or “playing through” a shoulder injury and treating it as second nature to your sport can lead to further degeneration of the injured tissues.
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HPV, or human papilloma virus, is primarily responsible for genital warts and common warts of the hands and feet in both men and women. HPV genital infection is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases.
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For someone who needs relief from head and chest congestion and clogged sinuses, the Personal Steam Inhaler by Vicks may be able to help. This system uses the warm, moist heat caused generated by steam in order to soothe clogged and irritated airways in the respiratory system.
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According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, your liver operates in much the same way as the engine in a car. Like an engine, your liver performs a number of functions that ensure other body processes run smoothly.
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Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body, delivering nutrients and oxygen to body organs and whisking away chemical waste products. Capillaries are very thin and fragile, moving blood along a single blood cell at a time.
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Knee pain is a very common condition. Certain characteristics of knee pain, such as pain after sitting, can help to narrow the possible causes, but are not perfectly specific to any one disease. Multiple diagnostic approaches can help to establish the cause.
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Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect skin anywhere on your body. Jock itch and athlete's foot are common names for this type of infection. Warm, moist environments like steam rooms, saunas, pools and gyms are a perfect breeding ground for ringworm to thrive.
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Antibodies are critical to your immune system's function. These cells are present in the body to ward off illnesses, including viruses and bacteria, and the more you have, generally, the healthier you will be.
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While many people experience adverse reactions to certain foods or food additives, only a small percentage of these are actual "allergic" reactions. Most adverse food reactions are considered an "intolerance," that, while often unpleasant, is not life-threatening.
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Appearing as the black circle in the center of each eye, your pupils serve as the windows through which light enters your eyes. This function is critical as you are able to see only when light rays reach the retinas deep inside your eyes.
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If your child tells you he feels dizzy, don’t be unduly alarmed, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP. Dizziness is common among healthy children and can result from a child spinning around during play, or from getting up too quickly from squatting or sitting down.
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Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, results when the virus that causes chicken pox reawakens within the roots of sensory or cranial nerves. The primary symptoms of shingles, according to the 2008 edition of “Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine," are pain and a unique, one-sided, blistering rash.
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An estimated 5 percent of the population of the United States has a thyroid gland that functions poorly, a condition called hypothyroidism, the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Services reports.
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