For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Home remedies such as over-the-counter medications, herbs, relaxation and light physical activity can help to relieve an episode of indigestion and bloating. Although uncomfortable, these symptoms -- an upset stomach and gassiness -- are relatively minor and often respond to simple remedies.
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Pain relief measures after gallbladder surgery vary according to the setting; the type of surgery performed; and the number of days since the surgery. Pain control in the hospital may involve intravenous or injectable narcotics while patients at home may take milder pain medication by mouth.
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Postnasal drip is mucous that runs from the nose down the back of the throat, often causing a cough, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The purpose of mucous is to lubricate and clean nasal passages. Under normal circumstances, the mucous is swallowed without the individual realizing it.
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If you notice a strong smell to your urine, your first thought may be that something is wrong. If you are a typically healthy adult, however, the cause may be as simple the foods you're eating or not drinking enough fluids.
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Gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy, is usually performed with a laparoscope or tiny camera that allows the surgeon to remove the gallbladder through a small incision. Laparoscopic cholecystectomies are less invasive than the alternate "open"
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Approximately 40 percent of Americans have a sliding hiatal hernia, according to 2006 information from the Merck Manual. The esophagus--the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach--passes through an opening in the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity.
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Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. A high number of red blood cells--more than 5.72 million red blood cells per mcL for men and 5.03 million per mcL for women--requires further evaluation, according to MayoClinic.com.
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The swimming pool might be a great place to show off your new belly button ring, but don't jump in the water until your piercing heals. Even chemically treated water can harbor germs that cause infections in open wounds. People heal at different rates.
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If your doctor has prescribed Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) for depression, you may wonder if the drug will affect your weight. Some antidepressant drugs can cause weight gain, a side effect that patients sometimes dislike so much that they stop taking their medication.
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Peeling and breaking of fingernails can be a frustrating problem, but it usually does not indicate that you have a significant medical condition. Nails that peel and break -- often called brittle nails -- are often part of the natural changes that occur with age.
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Lip cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects the mouth. This disease occurs most frequently in people who use tobacco or spend a lot of time in the sun, without using lip protection. If recognized early, the cure rate for lip cancer can be as high as 90 percent.
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Damage to the structures of the knee commonly causes inflammation and swelling, also called fluid on the knee. The swelling may occur suddenly after a traumatic injury to the knee, or it may be a long-term problem for patients with gout or arthritis.
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