For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Adenosine is a chemical in your brain and body that belongs to a class of substances called neurotransmitters. These substances support basic nervous system communication by carrying โmessagesโ across the gaps between individual nerve cells.
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Itchy skin can be uncomfortable and have a number of causes, including dry skin, allergies, eczema, lice, hives, chickenpox, anemia, cancer, pregnancy, allergic reactions and nerve disorders. Scratching is likely your first instinct when you have an itch. Scratching often provides temporary relief.
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Gluten intolerance, also called celiac disease, is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and causes the malabsorption of vitamins and other nutrients. Celiacs have a chronic reaction to glutens found in cereals such as wheat, barley and rye, and oats when contaminated with these other grains.
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Consuming fiber is beneficial because it helps add bulk to your diet. The increased bulk aids your digestion and helps prevent constipation. It also helps you feel fuller faster, which can help keep your weight under control.
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The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland found in the neck, produces hormones that affect nearly all other cells and tissues in your body, making thyroid hormone vital for maintaining normal function. To produce thyroid hormone, the gland requires iodine, a relatively rare element that forms only 0.
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Your thighs are home to three large muscle groups. In the front portion are the quadriceps, four muscles that help to extend and straighten the lower leg. On the back of your thighs are the hamstrings, three muscles that bring the leg backward and help you flex the lower leg toward your buttocks.
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If you wonder why your hands might hurt after boxing practice, just look at your hand, then look at your arm and shoulder. The forces a trained boxer generates with a punch are significantly more than those your hand and wrist are meant to withstand.
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Lowering your sodium intake may help lower high blood pressure, according to the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. The recommended sodium intake is no more than 2,300 mg per day, but most Americans exceed that amount.
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A diseased liver cannot detoxify protein metabolites, such as ammonia, leading to increased levels in the blood. Liver damage prevents use of metabolites in your body because the liver is unable to filter, convert or utilize end-products.
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Milk is a major source of many nutrients that support bone health. Although kids are encouraged to drink their milk, adults often pass up milk and consume soda, tea, coffee or juice instead. Adults need milk to reduce their risk of losing bone mass.
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Lipitor belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which have proved effective in lowering overall blood cholesterol levels. When combined with a healthful diet and adequate exercise, statins can add years of life to those who would otherwise suffer from fatal or debilitating cardiovascular diseases.
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Some people cannot stop drinking on their own. The disease is too serious and they may suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to death. Other people, whose drinking is not so severe, may suffer from mild symptoms and can manage through a self-detox process with guidance from a professional.
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Food allergy affects approximately 5 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the United States, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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Mucus in the chest is a common result of bronchitis, allergies, post nasal drip and pneumonia. Choosing the right medication to reduce the amount of mucus in the chest depends on the condition causing it.
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Gel-filled discs cushion the spaces between the cervical vertebrae, the bones that protect the spinal cord in the neck area. If the disc is damaged, it can bulge or herniate into the spinal canal and compress the nerve closest to the defect.
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Bleeding in the brain, or hemorrhagic stroke, is a life-threatening situation. It typically occurs when an aneurysm, a bulge in a blood vessel, bursts. Brain cells, starved of blood supply, immediately begin to die. Brain tissue begins to swell in response to the bleeding, which can also kill cells.
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The aorta, the main artery carrying blood to the body, runs through the middle of the abdomen. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) results from a weak spot in the abdominal segment of the aorta that causes it to bulge. Rupture of the bulge is a life-threatening emergency because of internal bleeding.
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Magnesium helps regulate levels of calcium, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals. It also helps the body produce energy and contributes to proper organ function.
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If you purchase an over-the-counter expectorant, the active ingredient is almost certain to be guaifenesin. Guaifenesin thins secretions in the lungs and nasal passages, makes it easier to cough up phlegm and eases lung congestion. Guaifenesin has few side effects when taken at recommended dosages.
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Diabetes is an increasingly common condition. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), approximately 1.4 million new cases are diagnosed every year in the U.S. Diabetes can be challenging to control, and many natural remedies, including cucumbers, are touted to help lower blood sugars.
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