For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
The sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, muscle originates on the breastbone and attaches to the collarbone and the temporal bone on the back of the skull. You have one SCM on each side of your neck. These muscles tilt and rotate your head to the right and left. Sudden movements, such as whiplash, can cause SCM injury.
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The glycemic index can be a useful tool for estimating the effect a food will have on your blood sugar, but it shouldn’t be the only way you plan your meals and snacks. Foods that cause moderate to high increases in your blood sugar, such as popcorn, may also be rich in nutrients your body needs.
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Hypothyroidism is a condition of an underactive thyroid gland that produces little or no thyroid hormone. Your thyroid hormones play a large role in the regulation of your metabolism and the support of a variety of other bodily functions.
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Despite the common notion that bacteria and fungi are infection-causing proponents, a variety of species are beneficial to people. In many cases, they are common food sources. Regularly consuming these organisms can improve your health, while providing a tasty addition to your everyday cuisine.
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Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, manifest themselves on the outside of our bodies, but are really an internal problem. They are caused by a virus called herpes simplex and are usually activated by fever, stress, trauma and intense exposure to the sun.
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Experiencing abdominal pain after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is not unusual, but in some cases it might only take a small amount of alcohol to elicit the same reaction.
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Convenia is a veterinarian-prescribed antibiotic medication indicated to treat certain types of bacterial infections in cats and dogs.
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Stress is a part of life. It can occur during major life events such as getting married, buying a home, retiring or when there are changes in family obligations. It can also occur daily when stuck in traffic, dealing with an illness or when worrying about finances.
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Gas is something everyone suffers from. However, sometimes gas can cause sharp and occasionally severe pain in the stomach. Most often, the pain will subside after a few minutes. If it does not, or if the pain is recurrent, several treatment options can help eliminate the symptoms.
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In congestive heart failure, a chronic condition which requires lifetime management, the blood vessels, lungs and other organs become overloaded with fluid. While a healthy heart pumps blood efficiently through vessels and organs, in CHF the heart’s pumping ability is weak.
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Calculation of intravenous medications can be time consuming, but once you become familiar with the conversion formulas it will be second nature. Although most pumps can calculate drips based on dosage and weight, the astute caregiver will always recheck these calculations with their own math.
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Stomach flu, known medically as viral gastroenteritis, occurs when specific viruses attack your gastrointestinal tract. This type of viral infection inflames the lining of your stomach and intestines, resulting in bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.
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Freezing oranges and lemons keeps them fresh, preserves convenient portions of citrus for drinks and recipes -- and ultimately saves money. Citrus fruits contain significant levels of vitamin C, folate and antioxidants that protect your cells from damage.
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Aluminum is a metallic element that makes up about 8.2 percent of the earth’s crust. Since the discovery of cheap processes to extract aluminum from compounds like aluminum oxide and bauxite in the late 1800s, aluminum has been used in a variety industries and products.
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Passing loose stools at least three times daily means you have diarrhea. Acute diarrhea -- which is common, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse -- typically lasts one to two days and alleviates on its own.
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Magnesium is an essential mineral that is found in a variety of foodstuffs, including kelp, wheat germ, almonds and whole grains. However, magnesium can also be taken as a supplement. Magnesium supplements are used to treat magnesium deficiency, and one of the side effects includes loose bowel movements.
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Lymph nodes are intricately involved in your body's immune response, contributing to your ability to fight off infections. Located in various regions of your body -- including behind your ears -- nodes fill with fluid when you are exposed to a bacteria or virus.
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The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet used to treat intractable epilepsy. The diet has been used as far back as biblical times, although it became a medically recognized therapy for epilepsy in 1921.
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Vitamin A is essential for many bodily functions, including healthy hair growth. However, because this vitamin is fat-soluble, your body stores the excess you take in, which can lead to toxicity, and the symptoms of this include hair loss. Along with vitamin A toxicity, many other causes of hair loss are possible.
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Elevated cholesterol can place your heart health at risk. A class of medications called statins help bring your levels into normal range by reducing cholesterol production by your liver.
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