For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Antibiotics are routinely prescribed to treat infections, and the kind your physician prescribes depends on the type of germ that’s likely to have caused your condition. It’s important to take your antibiotic exactly as instructed. This may include avoiding certain food-drug interactions, some of which involve fruits.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 1 million Americans are affected by shingles each year. Anyone who’s had chickenpox can develop shingles -- it occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates, often after lying dormant for many years.
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Making a major change in your diet in an effort to lose weight or improve your health takes dedication and hard work. But learning the ins and outs of a new diet isn’t always the most challenging aspect of committing yourself to a different eating regimen.
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Your sinuses are the tiny air-filled pockets located along your eyes, nose, cheekbones and forehead. While sinus infections often stem from a cold or some other upper respiratory infection, they can also be triggered by allergies, nasal problems or seasonal changes.
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Weighing an average of four pounds, the liver is your largest internal organ. It plays a vital role in numerous physiological processes, including metabolic function and blood detoxification.
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Even if you don't have chronic constipation, you’ve probably experienced random bouts of bowel irregularity. The food you eat, the medications you take and the amount of time you spend moving your body can all affect digestion, as can anxiety and illness. Drinking apple juice may provide some relief.
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Almost everyone develops heartburn at some time or another. The uncomfortable burning sensation -- which starts behind your sternum and sometimes spreads into your throat -- is the main symptom of acid reflux.
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The American College of Gastroenterology calculates that more than 60 million Americans experience recurrent heartburn, the No. 1 symptom of acid reflux. This common digestive condition occurs when the one-way valve between your esophagus and your stomach is too weak to keep the contents of your stomach down.
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Acid reflux -- also known as gastroesophageal reflux, acid indigestion or heartburn -- affects more than 60 million people in the United States, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Although multivitamins aren’t a common trigger, they can aggravate the problem.
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The average person may not experience heartburn as often as pregnant women and older adults, but it’s still one of the most common digestive complaints. A random bout of heartburn can usually be linked to something specific, such as a large meal, a spicy dish or too much caffeine.
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As common as they are, muscle cramps are something of a medical mystery -- they can affect anyone at any time, and it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why they develop.
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Dry mouth, known as xerostomia in medical terminology, is a common disorder characterized by a reduction in or total lack of saliva.
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It’s not surprising that abdominal bloating is a relatively frequent digestive complaint. It can be triggered by diet, lifestyle and certain chronic health conditions, and often it appears along with common digestive problems, such as constipation.
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The American College of Gastroenterology estimates that about 60 million Americans experience occasional heartburn, the predominant symptom of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when your lower esophageal muscle relaxes and allows the contents of your stomach to travel back up into your esophagus.
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The main purpose of your gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid your small intestine uses to break down fats. Gallbladder problems are fairly common in developed nations -- roughly 25 million Americans have gallstones, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Oatmeal is the proverbial poster child for a heart-healthy breakfast. It’s an excellent source of satiating complex carbohydrates and a top source of beta-glucan, a highly viscous soluble fiber that helps reduce high cholesterol levels.
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