For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Every year, millions of Americans experience the common cold. Symptoms of a cold include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, a sore throat, cough and headache. More than 200 viruses can cause the condition, which can occur any time of the year.
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Viruses cause a broad array of human diseases. These microscopic particles spread easily, typically via person-to-person contact or touching contaminated surfaces. Once inside the body, viruses enter cells and reproduce quickly.
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Shingles is an infection by the herpes zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. This happens in people who have had chicken pox and the virus present in the nerve reactivates later on in life. Shingles causes a painful rash on one side of your body and can affect your ears.
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According to various claims, wearing copper can provide a wealth of benefits — including easing arthritic soreness, preventing athlete’s foot and much more.
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Tonsillitis is a condition where the tonsils, clumps of fleshy tissue located on each side in the back of the throat, become infected by a virus or bacteria.
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Medical conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can all cause your lungs' airways to become inflamed and make it difficult for you to breathe.
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Headaches and tiredness are common complaints among new mothers. Medical conditions, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, certain nursing positions and trying to do too much all contribute to headaches and tiredness in breastfeeding mothers.
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Sun hives, or photodermatitis, occur when the skin has an abnormal reaction to sunlight. Several factors can cause sun hives, including an allergic reaction to sunlight, diseases such as lupus or medications that cause photosensitivity, such as St. John’s Wort.
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Gallbladder problems occur fairly frequently in people with diabetes, so if you're a diabetic and you've recently had your gallbladder removed, you're not alone. While you tried to cope with your diseased gallbladder before your surgery, you probably needed to cut back on fat in your diet to minimize symptoms.
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Getting your blood drawn requires a trip to the lab, so health care providers often request that several tests be performed on one blood specimen. Common blood work for multiple issues includes glucose tolerance tests to check for diabetes and lipid panels to assess your cardiovascular risk.
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The relationship between the supplement SAM-e and weight loss, as of May 2011, is quite speculative. SAM-e is currently used for the relief of joint pain and for people suffering from depression. Symptoms of depression include loss of appetite and rapid weight loss or binge eating and rapid weight gain.
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Grapefruit is a popular and wholesome breakfast food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grapefruit is the second leading citrus fruit consumed per capita in the United States. Grapefruits are rich in vitamin A, ascorbic acid, folic acid, potassium, fiber and flavonoids.
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Sulfamethoxazole-Tmp, sold under the brands names of Bactrim or Septra, is an antibiotic medication used to treat such bacterial infections as bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (a type of lung infection usually found in patients with AIDS).
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Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) medications, but because it is used to make methamphetamine or crystal meth, many stores have taken the precaution of keeping it behind the counter.
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Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, occurs when your body cannot tolerate the gluten found in wheat, barley or rye. Gluten causes an autoimmune response in the body which damages the lining of the small intestine.
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Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties can have several causes, including asthma, emphysema, heart disease or anxiety. One cause of several health problems that may present with breathing difficulties is being overweight. In some cases, losing weight may help if you have difficulty breathing.
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A normally functioning digestive tract is essential for good general health and well-being. If you have problems with a spastic colon, also called irritable bowel syndrome, it's essential to pay attention to your diet.
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Red blotches on the breast can indicate a range of conditions, including hives, rash or dermatitis. Sometimes red blotches are caused by cancer. You may experience symptoms of itch or pain, or none at all.
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Are tight and sore muscles keeping you from increasing your workout intensity, or, worse, sidelining you? After heavy exercise, it is important to replace lost fluids and minerals. Along with strenuous activity and overuse, other causes include poor posture, dietary deficiencies, and certain disorders.
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Numerous conditions may cause sudden, severe perspiration. Perspiring or sweating -- the release of a salty liquid from the body's sweat glands -- helps cool the body and is an essential body function.
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