For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
The constantly changing landscape of a rapidly growing child can create episodes of anxiety. Going to an unfamiliar house to meet new people or going to a new daycare center can create anxiety. Rather than using drug therapy, there are natural remedies for anxiety that are generally considered safe for children.
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Ascaris lumbricoides, also known as the giant intestinal roundworm, is one of several soil-transmitted nematodes that are infectious to humans. According to the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, ascariasis is the most common human worm infection. More than 60,000 people die from the disease annually.
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Approximately 5 percent of all Americans will develop appendicitis. The Merck Manual states that before surgery and antibiotics were readily available, 50 percent of those patients would die, a rate that is now almost zero.
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Radiation can disrupt both healthy and cancerous cell growth. The reason you wear a lead vest and the dental hygienist steps out of the room when she gives your teeth an x-ray is because too much radiation on your body can have negative effects.
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Quitting smoking can be a challenge because of the physical and mental dependency people develop on nicotine, the addictive drug found naturally in tobacco.
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Known among mountaineers as “dex,” dexamethasone is a steroid used to treat high-altitude cerebral edema. Every year about 2 percent of mountain climbers suffer from this life-threatening condition, according to Ken Kamler’s 2005 article, “Steroids on Everest” on the National Geographic website.
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Your child takes his shoes off to scratch an itch, which was a big mistake because now his feet are burning. Athlete’s foot, which is likely causing your child's itchy feet, does not only affect adults. However, scabies also causes an intense itch.
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Vitamin B6, also referred to as pyridoxine, is an essential component for your health. This vitamin aids in the conversion of food into energy, maintains healthy hair, skin and eyes, and cleanses the liver. It is also responsible for normal brain function and development, as well as the production of red blood cells.
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Anxiety is a normal response to fear and stress; however, persistent feelings of anxiety and worry may be a sign that you have an anxiety disorder.
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On a gluten-free diet, wheat, barley and rye are off limits. You may be directed to eat “alternative” grains, such as teff and amaranth, as substitutes. Kamut is not among these alternatives, however, as it is an ancient relative of durum wheat. Cereals, breads and baked goods made with kamut contain gluten.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects up to 25 percent of Americans and Europeans, according to a 2009 review in "American Family Physician." Heartburn is the most prominent symptom of GERD, but other symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, abdominal pain and cough, are not uncommon.
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Antidepressants were the third most common drug prescribed in the United States between 2005 and 2008, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In addition to their ability to treat depression, many of these drugs can affect body weight.
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Discs in the spinal cord serve as cushions between the vertebrae. With age, the cartilage in the body changes and can become weaker, discs dry out and shrink, small tears occur or bone spurs grow. These changes are tied to degenerative disc disease.
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Hair loss from weight loss is generally due to a condition known as telogen effluvium, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Under normal circumstances, hair grows as much as ½ inch per month for approximately 2 years then goes into a resting phase knows as telogen.
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A dry roof of the mouth is more than an inconvenience. It can cause major discomfort and even prevent you from completing your regular daily tasks. A dry mouth -- including a dry roof of the mouth -- can also lead to more serious complications.
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According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the nose contains a number of small blood vessels or arterioles, which can be easily broken and result in frequent nosebleeds.
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Almonds are a rich source of protein, vitamin E, fiber and many other nutrients. Many people enjoy them as a healthy, guilt-free snack. However, some find themselves regretting their choice a short time later when mild to severe abdominal pain sets in.
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Birth marks are patches of hyper-pigmented skin that may look similar to a mole or have irregular borders. The marks frequently have a rough or goosebump-like texture and are present at birth or a few weeks after birth. Birth marks rarely become cancerous, but it is always best to have it check by a doctor to be sure.
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Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common injury characterized by soreness and tenderness in the outer or top part of the elbow.
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Symptoms of lightheadedness and fatigue during a cold are about as common as the cold itself. While some cold-sufferers may experience more coughing and others more sinus pain, it seems that feeling tired and lightheaded are constant features to some degree.
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