For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Amoxicillin is a chemically modified version of naturally occurring antibiotic penicillin, derived from Penicillium mold. Compared to penicillin, advantages of amoxicillin include better absorption from the digestive system and effectiveness against a broader range of bacteria.
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Low blood pressure is also known as hypotension. While low blood pressure in adults is a wellness goal, in children, lower-than-normal pressure can be dangerous. Hypotension may occur for a variety of reasons. On one end of the spectrum are relatively mild, reversible causes of hypotension such as dehydration.
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Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a common virus: According to Dr. John Sullivan, writing in the medical database UpToDate, it is estimated that 90 to 95 percent of adults have evidence of being infected by the virus at some time. It commonly causes mononucleosis--infamously known as the "kissing disease"
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Effexor XR, also known as venlafaxine extended-release, is an antidepressant medication approved by the U. S. Federal Drug Administration to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
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The spine is composed of small bones called vertebrae that surround the spinal cord. Between each vertebra is a cushion called a disc. With time or trauma, the jelly-like center of the disc may shift and leak out through a crack in the tougher, outer covering. This is called a disc herniation or "slipped disc."
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Albuterol is a medication that is commonly used to treat acute asthma symptoms in children. Albuterol works by relaxing the bronchial muscles of the airways. It is often taken via an inhaler and begins working within just a few minutes of inhalation.
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Depression is a common mental health problem that is often treated by a class of medication called serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Examples of SSRIs include fluoxetine--Prozac--and sertraline--Zoloft.
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High blood sugar--abnormal, even dangerous levels of sugar in the blood--is known as hyperglycemia and is most often associated with the disease diabetes mellitus. However, different types of medications may also cause high blood sugar; this is sometimes known as medication-induced, or drug-induced, diabetes.
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An intravenous catheter, often shortened to IV, is commonly used to gain access to the circulatory system. It is often placed in one of the blood veins of the arm or hand, and once in place, can be used to deliver fluids to a patient or to give medication that cannot be taken by mouth.
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Hives (urticaria) are quite common in children. They may occur in response to a variety of substances, such as food, latex, medications or insect bites. Most hives are acute, meaning they disappear within a few days, but some cases are chronic and last weeks or longer.
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Numbness in your arms or hands can be caused by a variety of nerve or blood vessel conditions. However, some are more serious than others. Arm and hand numbness can be a sign of a heart attack -- a life-threatening condition. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack.
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The National Cancer Institute describes a brain tumor as a mass of tissue that grows within the brain. Such tumors can either be malignant or benign. A malignant tumor contains cancer cells that may spread throughout the brain and spinal cord.
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Dehydration is the term used to describe an imbalance between fluid needs and fluid loss: when more fluid is lost than is required for normal body processes, dehydration may occur. Symptoms indicating dehydration include feeling thirsty, dizzy or weak. Some people may notice that their eyes or mouth feel unusually dry.
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Beta blockers are a class of medications that work by blocking a type of cell receptor known as a beta receptor.
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Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurological disorders to affect older people. In patients with Parkinson’s, the nerve cells, or neurons, that produce the neurotransmitter called dopamine are destroyed, causing many different symptoms.
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