For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the digestive tract. Although diet does not cause ulcers, certain foods and beverages may worsen your pain, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of ulcers and promote healing.
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The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland found in the neck, produces hormones that affect nearly all other cells and tissues in your body, making thyroid hormone vital for maintaining normal function. To produce thyroid hormone, the gland requires iodine, a relatively rare element that forms only 0.
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A rash is an area of irritated, swollen and often red skin. Rashes may be itchy, bumpy, scaly, crusted or blistered, as described by the National Institutes of Health. Rashes may appear quickly, or develop over time. Some rashes will resolve on their own while others may require treatment.
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Methotrexate, sold under the trade names Rheumatrex and Trexall, is classified as an antimetabolite medication. This means that it effectively interferes with the normal metabolism of cells. Methotrexate is effective in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, cancers and ectopic pregnancies.
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Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension can lead to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S..
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Opiates are a group of medications produced from the opium poppy plant, or Papaver somniferum. Opiate medications relieve pain by altering the transmission of pain signals in the brain. The amount of pain relief experienced by a user depends on his metabolism and tolerance to the drug.
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Diarrhea, the occurrence of loose watery stool, affects everyone periodically. Acute diarrhea describes a sudden onset that can occur due to viral infections, bacterial infections or parasites.
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Candida is a yeast, also classified as a fungus, that is commonly found on the skin, in the digestive tract and on the genitals of humans.
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The pancreas, a small organ located behind your stomach, produces digestive enzymes that flow through the pancreatic ducts to the small intestine, where they help break down food particles into usable nutrients.
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Doctors prescribe Ambien, the brand name for the drug zolpidem, to treat insomnia--a condition characterized by the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
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Tonsillitis is a condition where the tonsils, clumps of fleshy tissue located on each side in the back of the throat, become infected by a virus or bacteria.
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The human endocrine system consists of a network of glands responsible for the production of hormones. Hormones, defined as chemicals produced in one part of the body that act on other parts of the body, regulate nearly all bodily functions.
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The muscular and skeletal system of the body consists of the bones, along with the muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons, cartilage and connective tissues. The main function of the musculoskeletal system is to provide the body with support. Without bones, the body would be a heap of tissue, flexibility and movement.
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The heart functions as the motor of the circulatory system, which consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood. The heart pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood through the body each and every day, according to the American Heart Association.
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Candida, the genus name for a group of yeast, is a fungus that lives on the skin, in the digestive tract and the reproductive systems of humans. Normally the growth of the yeast is controlled by other organisms, including beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and acidophilus.
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Anxiety occurs as a normal reaction to stress; however, when it becomes excessive or interferes with everyday activities, it can become disabling. A stroke occurs when something interferes with the blood flow to the brain.
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As any adult knows all too well, wounds occur in countless ways and vary broadly in severity. A wound generically refers to a tissue injury caused by physical means. In everyday parlance, wounds typically refer to skin injuries.
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The brain contains three main parts: the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. Located in the forebrain, it is divided into the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe.
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A tingling sensation, a symptom also known as paresthesia, can result from many different conditions and diseases. The conditions most likely to cause tingling in the fingers include those that affect the nerves and blood vessels.
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Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. This slightly yellow fluid is made up of 90 percent water, according to the Franklin Institute. Although often thought of as less important than the cells of the blood that carry oxygen and provide immunity, the plasma is equally important.
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