One out of every 10 Americans over 40 has diverticulosis, a chronic digestive disorder that creates small pouches, or diverticula, in the lining of the colon, or large intestine. If these pouches become inflamed, this acute attack is known as diverticulitis.
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The A1c blood test is one of the laboratory tests used to diagnose diabetes and an important measure of average blood sugar levels in someone who has diabetes.
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With heart disease reaching near epidemic proportions in the U.S., health care professionals are urging patients to reduce their risk factors through exercise and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. The U.S.
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Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that your liver and other body cells produce; however, the animals that humans use as food sources produce it as well, which means that you also obtain it from some of the foods you eat.
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Adderall is a combination drug that contains two central nervous system stimulants: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
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Flu shots contain deactivated, or killed, flu viruses. For the 2010-2011 flu season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months be vaccinated against the flu.
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Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines deliver compressed air throughout the night to keep airways open in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
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People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, OAS, seldom get a good night’s sleep. As the muscles at the back of their throats relax, the upper airways may narrow or collapse during inspiration. Snoring, followed by airway collapse, leads to periods of intermittent pauses in breathing known as apnea.
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Although testosterone is commonly known as the male hormone, it’s present in both males and females throughout the lifespan. It plays an important role in the development and function of body organs like your brain, heart, blood vessels, bones and muscles.
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Diverticular disease includes two phases: a chronic phase known as diverticulosis and an acute component called diverticulitis. Health care professionals recommend a specific two-phase diet during flare-ups of diverticulitis.
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Sinus infections, or sinusitis, develop when viruses or bacteria invade the cavities behind the nose. Middle ear infections, or otitis media, occur when organisms infect the fluid behind the eardrum. Doctors often prescribe amoxicillin, a penicillin-like antibiotic, for ear infections or sinusitis.
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Every time you breathe in and out, your lungs inhale oxygen-rich air and blow out carbon dioxide. The number of breaths you take in one minute is known as your respiration rate, or breathing rate.
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The skin serves as a protective barrier against a wide range of bacteria that are present in the environment. Breaks or cracks in the skin allow these bacteria to enter and cause a skin infection called cellulitis.
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Diverticular disease is a chronic digestive disorder with two phases: a chronic condition known as diverticulosis and an acute disorder called diverticulitis.
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An ingrown toenail develops when the nail grows into the flesh of the toe, causing pain, swelling and redness. In some cases, the ingrown toenail breaks through the skin and allows bacteria to enter the underlying tissues. The resulting infection is typically treated with an antibiotic such as amoxicillin.
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"Retinol is vitamin A in its purest and most active form," according to the Retinol Resource Center. Retinol often is an ingredient in aging products because it helps smooth wrinkles while adding elasticity. However, you also can use over-the-counter retinol products to treat acne.
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Benzoyl peroxide is an acne medication that comes in many forms, including a soap that’s impregnated with the medication. Benzoyl peroxide treats your acne in three ways: by killing bacteria, peeling away dead skin cells and drying excess skin oil. It is sold over the counter and by prescription.
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According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is caused by four factors: an overabundance of oil, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation. The acne cycle starts when extra oil blocks the pores leading to the surface of your skin. Bacteria grow in the oil and irritate your tissues.
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Rapid flu tests, otherwise known as influenza rapid antigen tests, offer a quick way to see if your body is harboring a particular strain of influenza virus.
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When you visit your doctor for confirmation of pregnancy, she will determine your due date by adding 40 weeks to the beginning of your last period. Those 40 weeks are known as the gestation period, a time of rapid fetal growth and development. Fetal movement is one of the most exciting events during this process.
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