For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Kidney stones, hard deposits of minerals and acid salts that form inside the kidneys, can be very painful. Several things can cause kidney stones, including over-concentration of the urine, metabolic or genetic disorders, and infections.
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When you cut yourself or scrape the skin, the blood will flow freely at first, then slow and begin the process of forming a clot. Eventually the injury will scar over and heal. Large, deep cuts that lose blood easily or injuries to arteries can be very dangerous.
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Iron is a very important mineral. Red blood cells in the body contain hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen to the cells. Myoglobin performs a similar function for muscle cells. Both hemoglobin and myoglobin contain iron, although most of the iron in the body is found in hemoglobin.
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The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the four main ligaments that support the knee. The ACL crosses the front of the knee diagonally, and provides support during rotation as well as keeping the tibia from sliding in front of the femur.
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Many people ingest caffeine on a daily basis, whether through coffee, tea or soft drinks. Energy drinks, chocolate and some medications may also be sources of caffeine. While this habit may not create any problems for most people, caffeine can have an impact on your blood pressure.
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Your metabolism, temperature, heart action and digestion are all controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, or SNS, and the parasympathetic nervous system. Ideally, these two systems are balanced, but either system can become overactive and cause problems.
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Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Commonly used for the relief of anxiety and in alcohol withdrawal, diazepam is also used to treat some seizure disorders, help relax muscles and relieve muscle spasms. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants; they slow down the nervous system.
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Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining nerve function and preventing peripheral neuropathy. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.
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Burning when you urinate can range from annoying to truly painful. The medical term for burning on urination is dysuria. Although dysuria is a symptom rather than a disease, it is not something you should ignore, as several potentially serious conditions could cause dysuria.
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At first glance, there may seem to be no connection between thyroid disease and lactose intolerance. Thyroid disease is an immune system disorder; the body mistakenly recognizes a gland or tissue such as the thyroid as an “enemy” and attacks, either destroying the gland or causing it to malfunction.
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Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in your intestines called diverticula become infected or inflamed. Diverticula most commonly occur in the large intestine or colon. Weak spots in the wall of the colon give way under pressure and small pouches protrude through the colon wall.
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Bronchitis is the medical term for a chest cold. Viral infections are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. Dr. Alan Greene, pediatrician and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University, notes that research indicates cold air in and of itself does not cause colds or bronchitis.
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Heart palpitations, including the feeling that your heart has skipped a beat, though not necessarily serious, may startle you. They have a variety of causes, including chocolate, or more specifically, some of the compounds in chocolate.
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Passing a kidney stone can be a painful experience. And kidney stones often recur. According to Roger L. Sur, MD, director of University of California San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center, if you’ve had one kidney stone, there is a 50 percent chance that you will develop another within five to 10 years.
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Hip pain can have many causes. The hip joint is a complex joint with a number of supporting tendons, ligaments and muscles. A weakness in any of the supporting structures can cause pain. Arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, muscle strain and nerve irritation can also be potential sources of hip pain.
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Estrogen and progesterone are the two major hormones that affect women’s reproductive cycles. Presence, absence or timing of menstrual cycles, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy and menopause are all influenced by the amount of estrogen or progesterone circulating in the body.
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The area called the shoulder includes two major bones – the humerus, or upper arm bone, and the scapula, or shoulder blade. In addition, the clavicle, or collarbone, is connected to the front part of the shoulder. All of these bones are held together and supported by tendons, ligaments and muscles.
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When humans eat carbohydrates, the body converts them to sugar. The sugar fuels every cell in the human body, but it’s important that sugar levels be neither too high nor too low. Low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, can cause brain damage and even shock. High blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia, is another matter.
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Testosterone is a male reproductive hormone that is also produced in smaller amounts by women. Testosterone determines male sexual characteristics and plays a role in some of the female signs of puberty, such as hair growth in the genitals and underarm area. Testosterone also helps prevent osteoporosis in women.
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Any toddler might have gastrointestinal symptoms occasionally. When your child has them on a regular basis, however, it could be related to diet. Lactose intolerance is a deficiency in the enzyme toddlers need to break down the milk sugar called lactose.
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