For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
High-fiber foods can help lower cholesterol, improve digestive health and control your blood sugar levels. Harvard University recommends aiming for 25 to 35 grams of total fiber per day, along with plenty of water to help fiber function in your system.
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Your calf muscles, comprised of the soleus and the gastrocnemius, are important in your bipedal motion. You use them to walk, run and jump. As such integral muscles, they are prone to injury if not properly strengthened and stretched.
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Blood pressure is the measure of the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels. Several essential minerals including sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium function as electrolytes, defined as minerals that help balance the amount of water in your body.
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease that leads to progressive weakness and degeneration of the muscles that control movement. The most common form of muscular dystrophy is duchenne.
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Blood consists of protein-rich liquid and platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells, collectively known as formed blood elements. A complete blood count, or CBC, includes counts of the formed blood elements along with other measurements that help doctors interpret the test results.
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Formaldehyde is a widely used chemical in many industries and household products. This compound is used in a variety of products such as paint, adhesives, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, wood products, disinfectants, antiseptics and tobacco.
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Toenails are made up of a protein called keratin. This protein works to cover and protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed. Sometimes, when the nail becomes injured, it detaches from the nail bed and turns black. Home removal of a toenail should only be done in this case.
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Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco plants. Nicotine has a physiologic effect because it binds to receptors on the neuromuscular system.
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The American Headache Society claims that up to 78 percent of Americans suffer from tension headaches, 12 percent from migraines and 1 percent from cluster headaches. Headache pain around, behind or within either eye is suggestive of a cluster headache. Other causes might indicate medical emergencies.
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Discover the various diseases that can cause calf muscle pain, including intermittent claudication, deep vein thrombosis, and cellulitis. Learn about symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options for these conditions.
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According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), over 580,000 total knee replacement surgeries occur every year in the U.S. Common reasons for a total knee replacement include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and injuries.
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If you notice a rough, round bump on your finger that seemed to appear out of nowhere, you may have a wart. Warts that appear on the fingers are known as common warts and are caused by the human papillomavirus, says the Mayo Clinic. In most cases, warts on the fingers are not a serious medical condition.
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The differences between chiropractors and osteopathic physicians seem subtle when the philosophies are compared. The differences become obvious when considering the scope of practice and the educational requirements of the two. Both subscribe to the whole body concept of treatment.
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Stopping Seroquel without talking to a doctor first could prove risky. Seroquel, or quetiapine fumarate, is a FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved prescription medication used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The drug is considered an "atypical antipsychotic"
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Diet plays a very important role when it comes to managing diabetes. Your food choices, the amount of food you eat and the timing of your meals, all affect your blood sugar.
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Living with acid reflux can often be a guessing game of wondering which foods will provoke symptoms. Shelled nuts contain many beneficial nutrients, including fiber, protein and healthy fats. But if eating them causes reflux symptoms, such as heartburn and sour burps, they may be a personal trigger food.
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A sensitivity or allergy to petroleum can be a major problem because petroleum and its derivatives are present in many everyday products. Most petroleum-related allergies are respiratory in nature because the inhaled vapors are potent and even toxic to some people.
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IBS -- or irritable bowel syndrome -- is a condition affecting the large intestine. IBS often causes abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. IBS does not lead to permanent diseases or conditions but can cause a lot of discomfort and pain.
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Food allergies occur when the immune system has a negative reaction to the proteins found in a certain food. MayoClinic.com states that 6 to 8 percent of children under age 5 have food allergies, as do 3 to 4 percent of adults.
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Diarrhea is not always a sign of illness. For some children, the occasional bout may be normal, even if it contains mucus. The key is to know when diarrhea is a symptom of a problem. Factors to evaluate include the frequency and consistency of the stool.
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