For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, develops in the tissues lining the stomach. According to the National Cancer Society, approximately 22,220 cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in 2014. There are no known exact causes of stomach cancer.
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White blood cells (WBCs) are the foot soldiers of the immune system. They help fight infections, limit injury from other harmful substances, and initiate healing if tissue damage occurs. WBCs are made and primarily stored in the bone marrow.
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The term "pinched nerve" refers to compression of some sort on one of the delicate spinal nerves that branch off the spinal cord and travel to the distal parts of the body. In the low back or lumbar spine, a pinched nerve is often caused by a herniated disc or by the formation of bone spurs with osteoarthritis.
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Testosterone is a male sex hormone. This hormone is what makes males appear male. The responsibilities of testosterone include producing sperm, growing facial and body hair, building muscle and maintaining a man’s libido.
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Insulin and glucagon are hormones that help your body regulate blood sugar level. The level increases with the secretion of glucagon and decreases with the release of insulin, advises the “Journal of Clinical Investigation.” The amount of sleep you get affects your body’s release of glucagon and insulin.
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Green tea may help your liver -- or it may not, depending on how you consume it and in what quantities. While drinking a moderate amount of green tea may reduce the risk of liver cancer and other liver disorders, taking large amounts of green tea supplements could have toxic effects on your liver.
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Most health-focused organizations will affirm that exercise is a vital part of your health. The American Heart Association recommends exercising or engaging in some type of physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes per day for at least five days.
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Your body makes its own cholesterol, so whenever you eat food high in cholesterol or saturated fat, it adds to your body’s supply. Saturated fat also raises your cholesterol levels. One out of every two Americans has high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association.
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A herniated disc, also called a slipped or bulging disc, occurs when disc material protrudes outside the boundaries of the disc itself. This can produce irritation of the nerves near the disc and cause back pain.
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You have numerous foot tendons, but the one that most commonly causes pain is the Achilles tendon. Your Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscle to your heel bone. If the back of your heel hurts when you squat, Achilles tendonitis is the likely culprit.
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Gastric bypass, one of the most frequently performed bariatric surgeries in the United States, is an option for severely obese people -- those weighing a minimum of 100 lbs.
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A hiatal hernia occurs when a small part of your stomach pokes through a hole in the wall of your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is the muscle that controls breathing and is located in your abdomen. Hiatal hernias can be mild and asymptomatic or they can become large and produce heartburn.
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Lamictal is the brand name for a medication called lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is an anti-convulsant, which means it is often prescribed as a treatment for epilepsy. However, Lamictal can also be used to treat depression.
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Numerous health problems are associated with impaired fat digestion. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, fat molecules are a rich source of energy for your body. Many of your organs participate in the digestion of fatty foods.
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Floaters are small objects appearing to float on your eyeball. They take many shapes including specks, cobwebs, and squiggly threads, and are most commonly visible when looking at bright objects, such as a white wall or blue sky.
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The Academy of General Dentistry reports that 30 percent of Americans suffer from fever blisters, which are sometimes also referred to as cold sores or oral herpes. A fever blister usually ruptures spontaneously after four days, leaving behind a shallow pink ulcer that “weeps” highly infectious clear fluid.
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Doctors use the medication isotretinoin or Accutane to treat severe acne or psoriasis. According to the PDRHealth, an online version of the "Physician's Desk Reference," Accutane should only be used in patients who have not had any success with any other acne medications.
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When a child says that his heart is racing, more than likely he is experiencing an arrhythmia, or an abnormal deviation of the regular heart rate. When it is a fast heart rate, it is called tachycardia.
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The liver is the largest gland in the body. It has several important functions, including control of metabolism, deactivation of hormones, manufacture of digestive compounds and detoxification of drugs and toxins.
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Electrolytes, such as sodium, calcium and potassium, are important minerals in the body responsible for maintaining acid levels, fluid balance, and muscle functioning. A number of factors can lead to electrolyte imbalance, such as excessive sweating, medical conditions, and medications.
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