CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a relatively safe and effective treatment for sleep apnea and certain other breathing problems, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. A CPAP machine blows a steady stream of air into a mask that the patient wears over the mouth and nose.
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Blocked tear ducts cause excessive tearing and eye irritation when your tears cannot drain normally. Typically, tears drain out of small holes in the corner of your eye, and then pass through tiny tubes into the nose to be eliminated.
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Metamucil is an over-the-counter laxative with the active ingredient of psyllium, a soluble fiber derived from a plant called Plantago ovata. Psyllium can help relieve constipation, diarrhea and a variety of other disorders and may also help lower cholesterol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecological cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. There is no reliable screening test for the disease, and the symptoms are easy to mistake for those of less serious diseases.
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Ginger root, the common Asian spice, is also used medicinally to treat many kinds of stomach complaints, such as morning sickness, upset stomach and nausea, according to MedlinePlus. It is also sometimes used to treat respiratory infections and other diseases.
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Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection in the deepest layer of the skin, according to MayoClinic.com. It’s usually caused when bacteria get into an injury in the skin. It is treatable with antibiotics, but in some cases the infection can spread rapidly through the body and may endanger the patient’s life.
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Preparation H, an over-the-counter remedy for hemorrhoids, comes in a variety of formulations including those that contain hydrocortisone, creams, suppositories and wipes. The product works by shrinking the hemorrhoid as well as reducing irritation and discomfort, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
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Lockjaw is the common term for temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, that causes pain in the joint where the lower jaw meets the skull, according to the Mayo Clinic. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR, estimates that 10 million Americans are affected.
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Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of small pouches that pop out of the lining of the large intestine, often because of a weakness in the lining, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
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Psyllium husk is a common, high-fiber laxative made from the seeds of a shrub. It’s also used to treat a number of conditions, such as high cholesterol and colon cancer, which may benefit from a high-fiber diet; however, some of these uses do not have proven benefits.
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Iron is a mineral commonly found in red blood cells, where it helps transport oxygen around the body. An iron deficiency can cause anemia and fatigue that can be treated and prevented with supplements.
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Echinacea is a medicinal herb first used by Native Americans to treat infections. Today, it is most often used to treat the common cold. It is unclear if echinacea works, as the research evidence is conflicting.
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