For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Observers and participants alike frequently consume beer during and after sporting events. In fact, beer is sometimes more readily available than water, providing thirsty athletes with a much-desired source of fluids. However, athletes and observers should both exercise discretion when consuming alcoholic beverages.
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Fever, runny nose, and crankiness are three symptoms that frequently plague toddlers, and many times these symptoms are caused by mild ailments such as the common cold or teething.
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When you feel dizzy and it seems as if the room is spinning, you may be undergoing a bout of vertigo. Vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition that could range from an inner ear disorder to dehydration or a sudden drop in your blood pressure. Vertigo is a common experience that increases with age.
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If you've ever experienced a panic attack, you probably live in tremendous fear of the next. Panic attacks can feel like you're having a heart attack or dying. While vitamins are not a cure, certain nutrients may alleviate anxiety and possibly decrease the frequency of panic attacks.
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The gallbladder aids in digestion, delivering bile from the liver to the small intestine. Although the gallbladder is a functional organ, it is not necessary to to sustain life. For this reason, it can be surgically removed if your doctor feels this is necessary.
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Hormones are molecules that your body uses for communication, often between organs in different organ systems or over long distances in the body. There are two major types of hormones: steroid hormones and protein, or peptide, hormones.
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Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a risk factor for serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. The University of Maryland Medical Center defines hypertension as having a systolic blood pressure above 140 mm Hg, and a diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg, or both.
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Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects the speed of skin cell development. It often creates thick silvery scales accompanied by dryness, itching and redness. The scalp and most areas of skin can be sites for psoriasis. Most people with psoriasis experience chronic flare-ups that may have a specific trigger.
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Strep throat, medically referred to as group A streptococcal pharyngitis, is the most common of the acute bacterial throat infections. Strep throat should be treated with an antibiotic. While garlic is said to have antibiotic properties, it's not indicated as a form of treatment for the bacterial infection.
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Lower left abdominal pain after eating is relatively common. In most cases, the pain's source is benign, and you can treat the problem quickly. In some instances, the pain is indicative of a more serious problem. To understand your lower left abdominal pain, there are a few aspects of the problem to consider.
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People with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a metabolic abnormality called insulin resistance in which body tissues respond sluggishly to the hormone insulin. This leads to high blood sugar and abnormal blood fat levels. People with T2DM commonly have high levels of triglycerides and "bad"
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Creatinine is a waste product that forms when creatine is broken down. The kidneys are responsible for eliminating this waste product from the body, so blood creatinine levels are an important indicator of kidney function. If blood creatinine levels are too high, it can indicate a decline in kidney function.
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Standing on your head, lifting heavy weights or drinking a cup of coffee can all cause a temporary change in eye pressure, but it is only when eye pressure remains too high or too low for a long period of time that it is a cause for concern.
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Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone and plays an important role throughout a woman's life. In teens, estrogen contributes to healthy bone growth and development and influences reproductive processes such as menses and fertility.
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The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, exiting the lower back and running down the leg to the toes. Sciatic nerve pain in the back and legs is usually described as burning, radiating, or dull and throbbing.
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For the more than 1 million Americans living with HIV, the social effects of this diagnosis can be distressing and disruptive. Infection with HIV can lead to AIDS, if left untreated. Prior to the introduction of combination antiviral therapy in the mid-1990s, an HIV diagnosis was more intimidating and life-threatening.
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Parents and teachers typically suspect a child has autism when communication skills including speech, following directions and ability to interpret nonverbal cues are delayed.
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Knee injuries are a common hazard in almost every sport. Like other major joints, knees combine several bones, muscles and ligaments in a confined space. However, knees endure more strain than many other joints because they support the body's entire weight.
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Moms-to-be who get sick during pregnancy often worry about potential effects on the unborn baby. Acute bronchitis, or a chest cold, is a very common illness that often develops after a head cold. Most women who develop bronchitis during pregnancy recover in a few weeks without complications.
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Getting enough vitamin B-12 is key to maintaining your body's ability to produce enough blood. While a B-12 deficiency can lead to a type of anemia, a blood disease that affects your red blood cells, the vitamin is not generally associated with white blood cell production.
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