For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Cholesterol is an important substance in the body and is needed to build cells; however, elevated cholesterol can lead to heart disease or strokes. Medications can be used to lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood. One class of drugs is the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
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Hemorrhoids are swollen, sensitive veins in the rectum most often caused by straining during bowel evacuation or pregnancy. Half of those over the age of 50 have suffered from hemorrhoids at some point in their lives, so it is a common if embarrassing problem.
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Uric acid is the byproduct of protein digestion, and in healthy individuals, it is removed from the blood stream and excreted by the kidneys. Excess uric acid is deposited in the joints in crystal form and creates a painful arthritic condition known as gout.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 652,000 Americans died of heart disease in 2005. In fact, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United states.
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Antibiotics are prescribed for some types of bacterial ear infections in adults. Since different types of ear infections require different treatment, your doctor will do a careful examination and obtain your health history before deciding how best to treat your ear infection.
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Herpes is an incurable viral infection that can be managed with over-the-counter and prescription medications. MayoClinic.com suggests that some medications can significantly reduce the frequency and duration of outbreaks. Medications available without a prescription should only be used as directed.
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Mental abuse is a type of domestic violence. Being involved in a mentally abusive and controlling relationship can wreak havoc on many different parts of your life, including your self-esteem, relationships, career and overall psychological well-being. Give yourself credit for getting out of the relationship.
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Numerous diseases can cause lightheadedness and stomach sickness. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, dizziness is lightheadedness, or the feeling of imminent fainting. Lightheadedness occurs when there is inadequate blood flow to the brain.
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Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common species of bacteria of the Chlamydia genus. Approximately 50 percent of Americans aged 20 and older have experienced a Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, and reinfection later in life seems common, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The neurotransmitter serotonin, also known by its chemical name 5-hydoxytryptamine, is released by neurons in the pineal gland of the brain but can affect structures all over the body. Some of the effects of serotonin seem unrelated, making this compound one of the most diverse in the body.
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The adrenal glands produce the hormone norepinephrine, a potent form of the “fight or flight” hormone epinephrine. Tumors of the adrenal glands called pheochromocytomas produce abnormally high levels of norepinephrine. The majority of pheochromocytomas are noncancerous.
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A rash is an area of irritated, swollen and often red skin. Rashes may be itchy, bumpy, scaly, crusted or blistered, as described by the National Institutes of Health. Rashes may appear quickly, or develop over time. Some rashes will resolve on their own while others may require treatment.
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If you suffer from chronic acid reflux and are concerned about side effects from long-term use of acid-blocking drugs, you may be seeking natural remedies. DGL licorice is one herbal solution recommended by many practitioners of alternative medicine.
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Many conditions cause light flashes in the eye, known medically as photopsia. Seeing phantom light flashes is sometimes harmless, but this symptom might signal a serious disorder requiring urgent medical treatment.
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When the nervous system detects the body overheating, it responds by changing breathing and blood flow patterns, causing a person to sweat as a cooling mechanism. Sweat can happen anywhere in the body, but is generally associated with the armpits, hands, feet and face.
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Chewing sugar-free gum promotes dental health, but it offers just a few benefits if you have recently brushed your teeth. The increased use of artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol has helped gum transition from a candy to a useful dental tool. Unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners do not contribute to tooth decay.
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The serratus anterior muscle covers the outer and posterior portions of the rib cage. It attaches to the upper ribs as well as to the shoulder blades.
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Lower back spasms, also often referred to as cramps, occur because of inflammation that follows an injury to the muscles in your lower back. Besides being painful, lower back spasms can increase your blood pressure because as your muscles repeatedly contract, they restrict regular blood blow.
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Because doctors measure pregnancy from the start of your last menstrual cycle, when you're four weeks pregnant, you may just have missed your first menstrual period. At this point, implantation of the embryo just occurred around one week ago, but already your baby is making his presence felt through hormonal changes.
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Several common childhood diseases can cause fever and a splotchy rash on the face. Most of the time, these simple illnesses go away on their own, but occasionally a rash and fever requires the care of a doctor.
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