For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Ear infections happen when fluid builds up inside the ear, giving bacteria or viruses a place to grow. Ear pain and fever can result. Although the National Institutes of Health says most ear infections resolve without causing additional problems, sometimes ear infections cause dangers beyond their immediate symptoms.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1 million people are infected by the human immunodeficiency virus -- HIV -- in the United States. Early on, symptoms of this disease may mimic other illnesses, such as the flu.
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Itchy, irritated eyelid margins are a common complaint. The eyelid margins contain the eyelash follicles and several types of glands that lubricate the lashes and nearby skin, and contribute to the tear film that keeps the eyeball surface moist.
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A mouth guard is a piece of oral protective equipment, frequently used by athletes that participate in sports such as boxing, football, hockey or other sports where injury to the mouth and teeth may occur. People who grind their teeth while asleep may also wear a mouth guard.
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Diuretics help improve your rate of urination. They are often used to flush the body of toxins and salt and to help with various health maladies that may cause water retention. Though diuretic medications like pamabrom and thiazide will work effectively, some fruits offer similar diuretic effects.
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When you agree to work the night shift, you expect to change your lifestyle only slightly to match the need to sleep during the day in order to sleep at night. But that change of schedule can be easier said than done, warns the National Sleep Foundation.
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Conditions affecting your urinary tract can make daily tasks uncomfortable. Urine is normally sterile and does not contain blood cells. The presence of white blood cells -- WBCs -- in a urine sample indicates an abnormal condition within the urinary tract or kidney.
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Bloating and hot ears are usually a sign of some sort of food intolerance, and the severity of the symptoms can usually help determine whether or not you have an actual allergy.
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The gallbladder is a small sac beneath your liver that stores and releases bile, a fat-dissolving substance, into your intestinal tract. Gallstones develop when residual bile hardens into solid clumps.
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Muscle cramps are a common occurrence in both novice and seasoned athletes. The exact mechanism that triggers a cramp is not clear, but several conditions have been pointed out as likely culprits, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and muscle fatigue.
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Propranolol hydrochloride is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and it is also used to prevent migraines. Propranolol slows down a person's heart rate and makes it easier for the heart to beat.
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High blood pressure can be a serious condition that affects as much as one quarter of the world's population but is extremely treatable through medication, diet or lifestyle changes. Chronic elevation of blood pressure is a risk factor for many diseases and can lead to a decreased life expectancy.
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Fats, or lipids, are an essential part of your diet. According to nutritionist Elson Haas, M.D., lipids are part of every cell membrane and every organ and tissue in your body.
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About one-third of the U.S. population age 20 and older has hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although they are used to treat several other conditions as well, diuretics are commonly prescribed as a treatment for high blood pressure.
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GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when acid backs up from your stomach to the esophagus. Bile backs up and causes heartburn and acid reflux. While many people experience heartburn occasionally, when it happens to you more than twice a week, you probably have GERD.
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A geographic tongue causes stinging or burning sensations and occasionally causes pain, swelling or numbness. Geographic tongue alters papillae–small protrusions on which taste buds are located–that are evenly spread out on unaffected tongues.
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Exercise plays an important role in keeping your body healthy and helping reduce your risks for diseases. However, exercise does not guarantee immunity, and illnesses such as the common cold or other bacterial or viral infections can often develop and get in the way of your regular exercise routine.
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The term “fluid on the knee” refers to a condition called prepatellar bursitis, also known as knee effusion, water on the knee and housemaid’s knee. As these names suggest, this condition is characterized by inflammation of the protective layer of tissue that lines the patella, or kneecap.
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A cell is the basic structure of the body. Organelle means tiny organs and these structures within a cell perform specialized functions. For example, the nucleus contains all the DNA and directs the synthesis of proteins and the process of cell replication.
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Dandruff is an embarrassing scalp condition that plagues many individuals. The causes of dandruff range from genetics to poor diet and hygiene to environmental reasons. Dandruff often flakes off of the scalp in white or yellow flakes of skin that sometimes land on the collar of your shirt.
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