What Causes High Creatinine Levels?
High creatinine levels are often caused by kidney damage. But high levels may have a number of other causes, including a urinary tract blockage, creatine supplements or some medications.
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How to Quickly Lower Your Blood Pressure
While the only safe way to quickly lower your blood pressure on your own is to relax, your doctor can provide other solutions including medication and lifestyle changes.
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What Are the Causes of Splitting and Peeling Nails?
Splitting and peeling nails are a common problem. They are most often caused by too little or too much moisture in the nails, trauma to the nails or a fungal nail infection. Various vitamin deficiencies and medical disorders may also lead to splitting and peeling nails.
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How to Lower Uric Acid Levels Naturally
Uric acid is a naturally occurring waste product resulting from the breakdown of purines, crystalline compounds found in certain foods. Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys and is eliminated in the urine.
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What Causes High Diastolic Blood Pressure?
One in every 3 adults in the United States has high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to 2016 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As blood pressure consists of 2 numbers -- a higher and a lower number -- there are 3 types of hypertension.
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How to Cure High Uric Acid
Uric acid is waste produced when the body breaks down substances, such as purine, from foods. MayoClinic.com indicates that uric acid is normally carried in the blood, passed through the kidneys and excreted in urine. Hyperuricemia, or high levels of uric acid, occurs when excess uric acid concentrates in the blood.
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Side Effects of MRI With Contrast
A contrast dye is sometimes injected into a vein during an MRI to improve the ability to see certain structures. All dyes used for MRIs contain a metal called gadolinium. These dyes -- called gadolinium-based contrast agents -- are generally very safe, but side effects are possible.
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Effects of Anesthesia After Surgery
While anesthesia acts mostly during the operation, some effects may persist afterward. The types of after-effects depend primarily on the type of anesthesia -- general, regional or local anesthesia. With all types of anesthesia, most effects resolve within the first 24 hours after surgery.
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Vitamin D & Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are an almost inevitable part of life. The relationship between vitamin D and nosebleeds is currently unclear. However, a small amount of scientific evidence suggests that both too little and too much vitamin D may increase the likelihood of a nosebleed.
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5 Things You Need to Know About Bone Spurs in the Toes
Bone spurs in the toes are quite common, but they often cause no symptoms so many people don't even know they have them. Sometimes toe bone spurs produce pain or stiffness and interfere with walking or wearing shoes.
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5 Things You Need to Know About a Bruised Heel
With every step you take, the whole weight of your body presses on your heels. It is not surprising that this may lead to heel problems, like a bruised heel. Although bruised heels are rarely serious, they can cause a significant amount of pain, especially when walking.
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Glutamine and Your Blood Sugar
When you hear the word glutamine, you might automatically think about muscle building. Glutamine is one of several amino acids, which are building blocks for protein in your body. But glutamine has other functions as well, including the ability to alter blood sugar levels.
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Antidepressants That Help You Lose Weight
Antidepressants were the third most common drug prescribed in the United States between 2005 and 2008, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In addition to their ability to treat depression, many of these drugs can affect body weight.
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Long-Term Side Effects of an Epidural
Epidurals provide excellent pain relief for women during labor and delivery. They are also a useful form of anesthetic for operations in the legs, pelvis or abdomen, and can be continued afterward for postoperative pain control.
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Causes of Knee Pain When You Straighten Your Leg
With every step you take, your knees not only bend and straighten but also bear the weight of your body. The knees usually accomplish these tasks without symptoms, but this is not always the case.
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Causes of Low HCT and HGB
HCT and HGB are extremely common blood tests, which are usually measured together. HCT -- short for hematocrit -- is the volume of red blood cells (RBCs) within a specific volume of blood. HGB -- or hemoglobin -- is the amount of HGB in a specific volume of blood.
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Stool Symptoms of Hepatitis C
When you think about hepatitis, the first thing that comes to mind is probably your liver. But infection with the hepatitis C virus can lead to stool symptoms as well. Diarrhea can occur in the early or late stages of hepatitis C infection, or it may be a side effect of medications used to treat the virus.
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Can Your Lungs Recover From Smoking?
Stopping smoking is one of the best decisions you can ever make for your health. Your lungs are resilient organs and will begin to heal shortly after they are no longer exposed to toxic cigarette smoke.
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Cold Symptoms and Anesthesia
Anesthesia may worsen cold symptoms, and having a cold may increase the likelihood of developing breathing-related complications during or after anesthesia.
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