For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
If you're pregnant or have experienced very fast weight loss, you're at risk for developing gallbladder sludge, according to Massachusetts General Hospital. This sludge, which accumulates in the bottom of your gallbladder, can cause more serious gallbladder problems.
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Your red blood cells carry oxygenated blood throughout the entire body. In apparently healthy adults, the red blood cells that pass through the lungs are between 95 and 100 percent saturated with oxygen. Each red blood cell is able to carry four molecules of oxygen.
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Many conditions can cause pain in the lower left side of the abdomen. According to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, the lower left side or quadrant of the abdomen is a common location for pain.
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Bone bruising was a phenomenon that was not observed prior to magnetic resonance imaging, according to the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Bone marrow edema and bone bruising appear the same on MRI.
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Human hair gets greasy when it is not washed enough, but some people naturally have oily scalps, even if they shampoo frequently. This can lead to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, more commonly known as dandruff, according to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH.
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Lithium carbonate is a medication used frequently as a first line treatment for bipolar disorder. It is toxic in high doses. Toxic levels are more likely with kidney or heart disease, dehydration, or use of diuretic drugs or ACE inhibitors, a class of drugs often used for high blood pressure.
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Heartworms are microscopic parasites affecting canines, and are transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartgard Plus is a once-a-month beef-flavored chewable tablet containing the drugs ivermectin and pyrantal pamoate to prevent heartworms, and treat and control roundworms and hookworms.
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Fluid under the eyes causes puffiness and swelling. Although genetic factors and aging render some more susceptible to fluid retention than others, certain style factors and health conditions influence fluid accumulation under the eyes.
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Molds have several deleterious effects on human health. Pathogenic (disease-causing) molds gain access to the body in several ways, including through the foods we eat, through broken skin and the air we breathe.
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The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac located under the liver on the upper right side of the abdomen, according to MayoClinic.com. The liver produces bile—a digestive fluid that aids in the digestion of fat—and the gallbladder stores it.
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During a typical monthly menstrual cycle, a woman ovulates and her uterine lining thickens to prepare for conception. If pregnancy does not occur, the built-up tissue of the uterine lining is shed with the menstrual flow and a new cycle begins.
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The human body contains many thousands of different types of proteins. Each protein has its own job to do, such as clotting blood, regulating metabolism, and fighting off bacterial and viral infections. The total protein blood test measures the amount of all proteins found in the liquid part of the blood.
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Deep breathing can release stress and provide other noticeable health benefits. You will likely feel calmer after performing deep breathing exercises, and may trade feelings of anger or fear for a focused, relaxed state of mind.
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If you told a group of well-meaning friends that you had a pain in one side of your buttocks and the back of your thigh, one might suggest that you that you have "sciatica." But do you? How do you know it's not just a pulled muscle, or bursitis or some other less nefarious condition?
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Muscle injuries are known as strains, but knee sprains result from ligament injuries. Ligaments support the joints in your body and connect your bones to each other. Formed from fibrous tissue, ligaments stretch much like elastic. Most sprains occur in the ankle, knee or wrist and result from sports activities.
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Angina is a type of chest pain that feels like a pressure or squeezing on your chest. Angina occurs when not enough blood flow and oxygen are getting to a part of your heart. Angina can occur regularly or unexpectedly. Most people will experience angina pains with activity or stress.
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Albumin deficiency, or hypoalbuminemia, is an abnormally low level of the protein albumin in the blood. You might have it tested as part of a standard panel of liver function tests. The normal range for albumin is 3.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. If your albumin level is less than 3.5 mg/dL, it is considered low.
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Serotonin is an important chemical in your body that is responsible for a number of physiological functions and brain processes, such as mood and sleeping. Along with dopamine and norepinephrine, it is chemically categorized as a monoamine neurotransmitter.
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When you quit smoking, it can be a liberating feeling to break the addiction. However, dealing with the habits associated with smoking, such as lighting up after a meal or having a few puffs when stressed out, can be just as hard to break.
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Your psoas muscles are the muscles located in the front of your hip area. These muscles are responsible for helping you lift your leg and move your torso toward your thighs. If you experience a muscle cramp in the psoas area, a number of things could be to blame.
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