For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
People may fast for a variety of reasons, both spiritual and health-related. Whether you seek spiritual clarity, a detoxification of chemicals and toxins from your body, or a kick-start to your weight-loss program, fasting must be done safely to ensure no ill health effects.
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Swimmer’s ear is a term used to describe outer ear or ear canal discomfort caused by infection, irritation or inflammation. It is formally known as otitis externa. If you get treatment for this disorder, you can usually resolve your symptoms in a matter of days.
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Having high cholesterol and high blood pressure increases your risk of developing cardiovascular problems, including atherosclerosis, a stroke and a heart attack. There are some over-the-counter medications and supplements you can take to help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure or both.
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Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering medication prescribed in dosages between 10 to 80 mg daily, depending on the patient. It lowers the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (“bad cholesterol”) to help combat heart disease by blocking an enzyme that the liver produces while making cholesterol.
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The digestive process transforms food into microscopic particles that nourish the body. Humans utilize two types of digestion -- mechanical, such as chewing, and chemical, using enzymes. Digestive juices hold these enzymes and are released by the pancreas, liver and small intestine.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, the top health problems in America vary slightly between men and women. Men are more likely to commit suicide, and it is the eighth most common health problem for men. Men and women both need to be concerned, however, about the health problems that are common to both of them.
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People with diabetes need to take special care with their diet to keep their blood sugar levels within the appropriate range. Although careful planning can make it so you can eat any food, at least in small doses, there are some foods that are particularly healthy for diabetics. Broccoli is among them.
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There are a number of medicines on the market used to treat high blood pressure. Losartan, marketed under the brand, Cozaar, is one of those agents. It is a member of a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers, also known medically as ARBs.
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According to the University of Washington School of Medicine, degenerative joint disease in the finger joints can result in bony growths, known as bone spurs. This type of bone spur usually forms near the joints of the fingers due to the wearing out of the joint cartilage, also known as osteoarthritis.
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Shingles is an intensely painful viral condition that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family and the same virus that causes chickenpox.
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Your feet may be swollen from a broken bone, medical condition, side effect of medication or medical treatment, pregnancy or simply from standing for a long period of time or wearing ill-fitting shoes. Being older or overweight puts you at higher risk of having swollen feet.
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Effexor, whose generic name is venlafaxine, can be an effective antidepressant but it may also have the annoying side effect of insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
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Eye exercises are somewhat controversial and may even offer false hope for eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts. Double vision, however, may be improved with eye exercises. An issue such as convergence insufficiency or a palsy of the third or fourth cranial nerves, or diplopia may all lead to double vision.
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Pimobendan is the generic name for a heart medication indicated to help dogs suffering from heart failure. This medication makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout a dog's body by dilating the blood vessels and decreasing blood pressure.
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Although the kidneys occupy a protected area toward the back of the abdomen, these vital organs remain subject to traumatic injury. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, and other high-force trauma to the abdomen or back can cause kidney injury.
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If you find yourself needing to hold books, magazines and other written material at arm's length to read the words, you are probably developing a condition known as presbyopia. Presbyopia is a common age-related change in vision that usually strikes around the age of 40.
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You just finished dinner and you have a sudden, sharp pain in your upper side that spreads to your right shoulder. It hurts when you inhale and you feel nauseous.
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Proteases are enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of proteins. Protein breakdown is a normal process necessary to maintain cellular homeostasis. Active proteases can be found throughout your body, including the digestive tract, inside cells and circulating in the blood.
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Stomach flu is a common name for what doctors call viral gastroenteritis, according to the staff at MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of stomach flu include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, sometimes fever and—of course—vomiting.
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Healthcare providers often need to know how well your lungs are functioning in transferring oxygen to your blood. Cells, tissues and organs need oxygen to function, and lack of it can cause a host of complications throughout your body.
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