For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Bronchial washing is part of a procedure called a bronchoscopy, in which a physician looks into the lungs with a fiber-optic bronchoscope to check for irregularities and take tissue samples. The physician injects saline through the bronchoscope into the lung and then suctions it back out.
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Salicylic acid is an ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription topical medications used to treat acne, psoriasis and some types of warts. It may also be used to produce a light cosmetic peel. Salicylic acid works by dissolving the top layer of skin and encouraging new skin to form beneath it.
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Your gallbladder is a small organ located just below your liver and is important for fat digestion and the storage of bile produced by your liver, which helps break down fat in your stomach.
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Calcium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in bone growth and strength. But calcium is also useful for individuals suffering from gastrointestinal conditions like GERD and heartburn.
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Fever blisters are small, fluid-filled bumps that appear around a person's mouth. They can affect anyone, from adults to infants. Also called cold sores, they are caused by a common virus called Herpes simplex, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
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The term upset stomach describes symptoms of gastroenteritis, or inflammation of your stomach or intestines.
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A simple blood test can check liver enzyme levels. Elevated levels can indicate liver damage; liver function is usually tightly regulated, but a damaged liver can "leak" extra enzymes into the bloodstream because its function is compromised. This liver damage can be acute or chronic.
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The deltoid is a three-headed muscle that consists of the anterior deltoid, lateral deltoid and the posterior deltoid. The anterior deltoid is involved in many chest-related movements. If this muscle becomes tight, it can alter your posture and can put you at risk for injury.
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Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread muscle pain and fatigue. The Arthritis Foundation lists it as one of the more then one hundred forms of arthritis, however the current belief is that the symptoms are caused by an overactive nervous system.
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Excess hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods even after you've had a meal can cause the weight to pile on. Some herbal plants you may already have in your kitchen, as well as other more exotic ones, can help suppress your appetite in a healthy manner.
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A boil is a painful swelling that grows from beneath your skin. In many cases, you can employ home treatments or even alternative remedies to treat boils, but theyβre sometimes so painful or severe that you have to undergo certain convention medical treatments.
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A sore throat is discomfort, pain or swelling in the throat, according to MedlinePlus. A pollen allergy causes the hormone, histamine, to be released in the body, causing inflammation and irritation in the throat. Once the throat swells, it becomes increasingly sensitive and agitated.
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Finger numbness can significantly affect your ability to perform daily tasks. Normal sensation allows you to type without looking at your fingers, and prevents you from burning yourself or touching a sharp object.
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Pain relief measures after gallbladder surgery vary according to the setting; the type of surgery performed; and the number of days since the surgery. Pain control in the hospital may involve intravenous or injectable narcotics while patients at home may take milder pain medication by mouth.
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Tuberculosis, an airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs though it can spread to other organs. More than 13,000 new cases of tuberculosis, or TB, were reported in the United States in 2007, according to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
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Only recently, scientists discovered that the miniaturization of hair follicles has a direct hormonal pathway with a genetic origin. Whether you are just experiencing hair thinning or trying to restore lost hair, knowing the cause and the treatments available can help you make the best decisions.
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The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that is transmitted via the blood and bodily fluids. HIV attacks the CD4+ T cells, which are blood cells that help the body fight diseases and germs.
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Approximately 2 million individuals in the U.S. are pathologically problematic gamblers, while an additional 4 to 6 million can be considered problem gamblers, according to licensed clinical social worker Susan Gadoua in her PsychologyToday.com article "So You're Married to An Addict: Is Divorce Inevitable?"
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Postnasal drip is mucous that runs from the nose down the back of the throat, often causing a cough, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The purpose of mucous is to lubricate and clean nasal passages. Under normal circumstances, the mucous is swallowed without the individual realizing it.
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Nicotine and other substances in tobacco smoke immediately affect the cardiovascular systems of smokers and those who inhale the secondhand smoke. Active cigarette smoking elevates the heart rate and blood pressure for up to 20 minutes after tobacco use, says the American Lung Association.
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