If the bowels are injured, inflamed or parts need to be removed due to cancer, a colostomy may be necessary. This procedure involves attaching one end of the intestines to the abdominal wall. Next, an opening is made in the abdominal wall and a colostomy bag is attached, allowing the stools to empty into it.
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Having too high or low of a level of blood sugar or blood glucose can lead to various symptoms and health problems. This can include mild symptoms if your levels are off just a small amount occasionally. You can also develop chronic diseases if your levels are off on a regular basis.
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Acid reflux can be a chronic condition that requires watching everything you eat and drink to manage your symptoms. Each case of acid reflux is different, and you will have to experiment with your diet to find out if salt or other foods are personal triggers.
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Arthritis can be painful and make your knee joints stiff, limiting your mobility and making everyday tasks difficult. To counteract this, you need to exercise to keep the legs muscles strong and the knee joint flexible. Walking is a great form of exercise. It is free and can be done anywhere at any time.
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The brain is a complex organ. It controls and regulates everything your body does. The human brain is divided into sections. Each section is responsible for various functions such as breathing, speaking, vision and so forth. At the back bottom part of the brain is the brain stem.
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The main job of platelets is to make blood sticky so that it can form clots. This is important when you are injured so that you do not bleed to death. When you bleed, platelets swarm to the area and attempt to stop the blood flow.
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If you are having pain in your inner thigh or the lower portion of your outer hip, you may have pulled or strained your sartorius muscle. It is common for this muscle to become tight because it is involved in many leg movements. It is important to understand how this muscle works.
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Whether you suffer from occasional or chronic headaches, you have probably tried different techniques to relieve the pain. Many people use a warm or cold compress, either alone or with other treatments. Unfortunately, this time-honored practice has not been well studied.
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Shortness of breath while laying down -- a symptom medical professionals call orthopnea -- is concerning as it often suggests the presence of a serious underlying disease. Orthopnea can result from disorders of the heart, lungs and gastrointestinal system. It can also occur with obesity.
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Being exposed to certain bacteria when a cut or wound occurs can cause a disease called tetanus, or lockjaw. This disease leads to all over muscle pain and tightness, locking of the jaw that inhibits the ability to open the mouth and swallow and, in some cases, death. Tetanus shots can help to prevent this disease.
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Bone spurs are caused by extra bone growth and can exist for years without ever causing any symptoms. In these cases, no treatment is required. However, they can also rub on nearby tissues, nerves and muscles and cause pain and swelling.
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Strep throat is a painful condition that is highly contagious. In some cases medication will help, while in others it will clear up on its own. When dealing with strep throat you may be looking for remedies to ease the pain, and sea salt can help.
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High blood pressure raises the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. To help control blood pressure, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors, including quitting smoking, eating a diet low in fat, salt and cholesterol and getting regular exercise.
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The symptoms of heartburn occur when the lining of the esophagus is irritated by stomach acids that have backed up into it. A band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus is called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. The LES opens to allow food into the stomach, and then closes.
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Blood pressure measures the force that blood places against the artery walls as it's pumped through the body. It's an indicator of how hard the heart is working to supply the body with blood and oxygen it needs. Blood pressure is recorded as a fraction, such as 120/80mmHg.
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Applying ice to an injury is often one of the first steps to treat sprains, strains, muscle pulls and other common injuries. Cold therapy helps to constrict the blood vessels, reduce swelling and decrease inflammation. It can also numb the area to reduce pain.
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Hypertension or high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Stage 1 hypertension is the beginning stage of high blood pressure. Your blood pressure is measured in numbers that are in a fraction. Your systolic pressure is the top number and represents when your heart beats.
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Migratory arthritis is an uncommon condition where arthritis symptoms travel from one joint to another. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, warmth and stiffness. In most cases, the cause of migratory arthritis is an underlying medical condition.
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Even if you do not have diabetes, you can experience drops and spikes in blood sugar levels for many reasons. If your blood sugar level gets too high or too low, you might develop many symptoms and/or health problems.
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A stroke occurs when the arteries that supply the brain with blood and oxygen become blocked reducing the flow to the brain. A stroke can also be the result of a burst aneurysm. Both can cause brain cells to die and can affect any area of the brain.
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