Chinyemba/medical-QA huggingface dataset:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atherosclerosis

: Preventing atherosclerosis

You can help to prevent atherosclerosis by changing your risk factors for the illness. You should practice a lifestyle that promotes good circulation and combats atherosclerosis:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atherosclerosis

: Treating atherosclerosis

There is no cure for atherosclerosis, but treatment can slow or halt the worsening of the disease. The major treatment goal is to prevent significant narrowing of the arteries so that symptoms never develop and vital organs are never damaged. To do this, you would begin by following the healthy lifestyle outlined above. If you have high cholesterol that cannot be controlled by diet and exercise, your doctor will likely recommend medication. The most common medicines used to lower cholesterol are statin drugs, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Statins block an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which controls the production of cholesterol in the liver. Examples include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atherosclerosis

: When to call a professional

It is possible to have atherosclerosis for many years without having symptoms. If you experience symptoms of an atherosclerosis-related medical condition, contact a doctor immediately.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atherosclerosis

: Prognosis

Atherosclerosis leads to the number one cause of death in the United States and many other countries: cardiovascular disease. However, people with atherosclerosis are living longer with better quality of life than ever before. For many, this is disease can be prevented. Even those people genetically programmed for atherosclerosis can delay the beginning and worsening of the disease with a healthy lifestyle, the right foods, and medication to lower LDL cholesterol.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atherosclerosis

: Additional info

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
 
American Heart Association (AHA)

http://www.heart.org/
 
American College of Cardiology

http://www.acc.org/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: What is athlete's foot (tinea pedis)?

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common foot infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. Found in many different places indoors and outdoors, dermatophytes are especially common in the warm, moist environments of pools, showers, locker rooms and other sports facilities, where people walk with bare feet. Once dermatophytes contaminate the skin of a foot, the warm, moist environment of sweaty socks and shoes encourages them to grow.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Symptoms of athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

Symptoms of athlete's foot include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Diagnosing athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and about factors that make you more likely to develop athlete's foot, such as your use of public sports facilities, clubs or showers. Your doctor will ask about the type of shoes and socks you wear, what kind of work you do and what you wear on your feet to work. Your doctor usually can diagnose athlete's foot simply by looking at your feet. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor can gently scrape some flakes of skin from a scaly portion of your foot onto a slide. The dermatophytes that cause the infection often show up under a microscope.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Expected duration of athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

It usually takes several weeks to months for the infection to respond to treatment. Even after proper medical treatment, the infection can return easily if your feet are exposed again to fungi and sweaty, warm conditions. For this reason, many people have athlete's foot infection that lasts or keeps returning for many years. Successfully curing the infection often requires changes in how you care for your feet and what you wear on your feet.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Preventing athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

You can help to prevent athlete's foot by keeping your feet clean and dry. More specifically, you can try the following:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Treating athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

There are many effective topical medications, including ciclopirox (Loprox), clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), econazole (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Micatin), naftifine (Naftin), oxiconazole (Oxistat), sulconazole (Exelderm), terbinafine (Lamisil), terconazole (Terazol), and tolnaftate (Desenex, Tinactin and others). Some are available without a prescription. Many weeks of treatment may be necessary. For people with long-standing or recurring athlete's foot, topical antifungal drugs may relieve symptoms without actually curing the infection. Medications by mouth can be more successful at curing an infection. However, you still can be susceptible to recurrences, and oral medications may be more likely to cause side effects. These require a prescription and include griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin), itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: When to call a professional

If you think you have athlete's foot, try a nonprescription antifungal ointment, cream or powder. Keep your feet as dry and clean as possible. If these measures do not help, make an appointment to see your doctor. Call your doctor for a more urgent evaluation and treatment if you see spreading redness or have fevers. If you have diabetes and any foot problems, see your doctor right away. People with diabetes easily get skin infections, so they should see a doctor as soon as anything unusual appears on their feet.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Prognosis

Several weeks of treatment with a medication applied to the feet can usually cure athlete's feet in people with new or short-term symptoms. Chronic or recurring athlete's foot infections also can be cured this way, but may require significant changes in foot care and several weeks of treatment. More severe cases may call for an oral medication. Even after successful treatment, people remain at risk of re-infection if they do not follow prevention guidelines. Relapses are common.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

: Additional info

American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

https://www.apma.org/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that causes a rapid and irregular heartbeat. The heart is a muscle that has four chambers through which blood flows. The two upper chambers are the atria. The two lower chambers are the ventricles. Atrial fibrillation affects the atria. Normally, the muscular walls of the atria contract at the same time, pumping blood into the lower two chambers (the ventricles). Then the walls of the ventricles contract at the same time, pumping blood to the rest of the body. For the heart to work efficiently, the atria need to pump first, followed by the ventricles. How is this coordinated? Normally, each heartbeat starts with an electrical impulse that comes from a small part of the atrium called the sinus node. That signal first causes the atria to beat, pumping blood into the ventricles. Then the signal travels to another part of the heart called the atrioventricular node. From there, the signal travels down to the ventricles, and causes them to beat, sending blood throughout the body. In contrast, during atrial fibrillation, instead of one coordinated signal that causes all parts of the atria to pump at the same time, there are multiple uncoordinated signals. Instead of pumping efficiently, the atria just quiver. As a result, the atria do not pump all of their blood into the ventricles. Also, the ventricles sometimes pump when they don't have much blood in them. So the heart is not pumping efficiently. In atrial fibrillation, the heartbeat is rapid and irregular. A normal heartbeat is 60 to 100 beats per minute, and very regular: beat...beat...beat...beat. During atrial fibrillation, the heart beats at 80 to 160 beats per minute, and is very irregular: beat..beat.....beat....beat.beat.beat....beat. Such blood clots can cause serious problems. They can travel out of the heart and get stuck in an artery to the lungs (causing a pulmonary embolism), an artery to the brain (causing a stroke) or an artery elsewhere in the body. Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots inside the atria. That's because blood tends to form clots when it's not moving. The quivering atria don't move all of the blood along to the ventricles. Some blood just pools inside the atria, and the pool of still blood tends to form clots.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation often doesn't cause any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: Diagnosing atrial fibrillation

Your doctor will:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: Expected duration of atrial fibrillation

How long the condition lasts depends on the cause. Atrial fibrillation caused by a treatable condition may go away when the condition is treated. However, atrial fibrillation is often a lifelong condition. This is more likely when it has no known cause or results from a long-standing cardiac disorder.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: Treating atrial fibrillation

Treatment depends on the cause. If the cause is coronary artery disease, treatment may consist of:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation. This includes:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: Prognosis

When a cause of atrial fibrillation is identified and treated, the arrhythmia often goes away. It is less likely to go away in people who have long-standing rheumatic heart disease or any condition in which the atria are enlarged. Blood thinning medications can reduce the risk of a stroke or other complications.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Atrial fibrillation

: Additional info

American Heart Association (AHA)

https://www.heart.org/
 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
 
American College of Cardiology

https://www.acc.org/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: What is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), usually first diagnosed in childhood, can appear in a variety of forms and has many possible causes. People with ADHD probably have an underlying genetic vulnerability to developing it, but the severity of the problem is also influenced by the environment. Conflict and stress tend to make it worse. The main features of this disorder are found in its name. Attention problems include daydreaming, difficulty focusing and being easily distracted. Hyperactivity refers to fidgeting or restlessness. A person with the disorder may be disruptive or impulsive, may have trouble in relationships and may be accident-prone. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness often improve as a person matures, but attention problems tend to last into adulthood. ADHD is the most common problem seen in outpatient child and adolescent mental health settings. It is estimated that ADHD affects more than 5% of children. Boys are diagnosed with ADHD about twice as much as girls. ADHD can continue into adulthood. The activity component is less apparent in adults, who tend to have problems with memory and concentration. They may have trouble staying organized and meeting commitments at work or at home. The consequence of poor functioning may be anxiety, low self-esteem, or mood problems. Some people turn to substances to manage these feelings.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The symptoms of ADHD — inattention, hyperactivity or impulsive behavior — often show up first at school. A teacher may report to parents that their child won't listen, is "hyper," or causes trouble and is disruptive. A child with ADHD often wants to be a good student, but the symptoms get in the way. Teachers, parents and friends may be unsympathetic, because they see the child's behavior as bad or odd. A high level of activity and occasional impulsiveness or inattentiveness is often normal in a child. But the hyperactivity of ADHD is typically more haphazard, poorly organized and has no real purpose. And in children with ADHD, these behaviors are frequent enough that the child has a harder than average time learning, getting along with others or staying reasonably safe. ADHD symptoms can vary widely. Here are common characteristics of the disorder in the two major groups (inattention and hyperactivity).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Diagnosing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. For a child, a pediatrician may make the diagnosis, or may make a referral to a specialist. Parents and teachers may be alert to the problem and may have the child evaluated. For adults, a mental health professional generally performs the evaluation. The clinician will ask about symptoms related to ADHD. Since, in children, many of these characteristics are seen in a school setting, the clinician will also ask about behavior in school. To help collect this information, the evaluator will often interview parents, teachers and other caregivers or ask them to fill out special behavioral checklists. Since other conditions may cause the symptoms of ADHD, the medical history and physical examination are important. For example, the doctor may look for trouble hearing or vision, learning disabilities, speech problems, seizure disorders, anxiety, depression, or other behavior problems. In some cases, other medical or psychological testing may be useful to check for one or more of these conditions. These tests can sometimes help clinicians and teachers develop practical suggestions.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Expected duration of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

In most children with ADHD, symptoms begin before age 12 and last through adolescence. Symptoms of ADHD may continue into adulthood.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Risk factors and preventing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The causes of ADHD are not fully understood. There are numerous factors that are associated with the development of ADHD. It may be difficult to avoid these factors, but addressing them may reduce the risk of developing the disorder.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Although no treatment eliminates ADHD completely, many helpful options are available. The goal of treatment is to help children improve social relationships, do better in school, and keep their disruptive or harmful behaviors to a minimum. Medication can be very helpful, and it is often necessary. Drug treatment by itself is rarely the answer. Medication and psychotherapy together usually have the best results. For example, a behavioral program may be put in place where structured, realistic expectations are set. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and forms of amphetamine (Dexedrine), have been used for many decades. They are relatively safe and effective for most children to help them focus their thoughts and control their behavior. Long-acting forms of stimulants are usually preferred for children, because one dose in the morning can provide a day-long effect. Despite their name, stimulants do not cause increased hyperactivity or impulsivity. If the disorder has been properly diagnosed, the medication should have the opposite effect. Common mild side effects are decreased appetite, weight loss, stomachaches, sleep problems, headaches and jitteriness. Adjusting the dose can often help eliminate these problems. Stimulant drugs are associated with some serious concerns and side effects.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor if your child shows symptoms of ADHD, or if teachers notify you that your child is having academic difficulties, behavioral problems or difficulty paying attention.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Prognosis

ADHD can cause significant emotional, social and educational problems. However, when ADHD is diagnosed early and treated properly, the condition can be managed effectively, so children can grow up to have productive, successful and fulfilling lives. Although some children appear to grow out of their ADHD as they reach their adolescent years, others have lifelong symptoms.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

: Additional info

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

https://www.aacap.org/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

: What is autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?

Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain. People with autism have problems communicating and interacting socially. They also may have unusual patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Doctors use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the past, there were different kinds of autism disorders, but in 2013 the criteria for autism were updated to include all of them under a single diagnosis. The criteria for a diagnosis of autism include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: What is back pain?

Back pain can be a symptom of many different illnesses and conditions. The main cause of the pain can be a problem with the back itself or by a problem in another part of the body. In many cases, doctors can't find a cause for the pain. When a cause is found, common explanations include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Symptoms of back pain

Back pain varies widely. Some symptoms (often called "red flag" symptoms) may suggest that the back pain has a more serious cause. These include fever, recent trauma, weight loss, a history of cancer and neurological symptoms, such as numbness, weakness or incontinence (involuntary loss of urine or stool). Back pain is often accompanied by other symptoms that may help point to its cause. For example:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Diagnosing back pain

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your medical history. He or she will examine your back muscles and spine and will move you certain ways to check for pain, muscle tenderness or weakness, stiffness, numbness or abnormal reflexes. For example, if you have a disk problem, you may have pain in your lower back when the doctor raises your straightened leg. Your symptoms and the physical examination may give your doctor enough information to diagnose the problem. However, with back pain, your doctor may only be able to tell you that the problem is not serious. If your doctor determines that your back pain is caused by muscle strain, obesity, pregnancy or another cause that is not urgent, you may not need any additional tests. However, if he or she suspects a more serious problem involving your vertebrae or spinal nerves, especially if your back pain has lasted longer than 12 weeks, you may need one or more of the following tests:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Expected duration of back pain

How long back pain lasts depends on its cause. For example, if your pain is caused by strain from overexertion, symptoms usually subside over days or weeks and you may be able to return gradually to your normal activities. However, you should avoid heavy lifting, prolonged sitting or sudden bending or twisting until your back gets better. Women who have back pain caused by the added weight of pregnancy almost always will get better after delivery. People who are obese may need to lose weight before back pain eases. People with back pain caused by pyelonephritis often begin to feel better within days after they start taking antibiotics, although they usually need to continue taking antibiotics for up to two weeks. People with more serious forms of back pain caused by problems with the vertebrae or spinal nerves may have more persistent back pain that lasts for months and may last for years.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Preventing back pain

You can help prevent some forms of back pain by strengthening your back with exercises and by avoiding activities that lead to back injury. Measures that may help prevent back pain include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Treating back pain

Most episodes of back pain are not serious and may be treated with:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: When to call a professional

Contact your doctor if:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Prognosis

More than 90% of people with back pain get better after conservative treatment. Only 5% of people with back pain will have symptoms for more than 12 weeks and even among these people, the cause is usually not serious.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Back pain

: Additional info

American College of Rheumatology

http://www.rheumatology.org/
 
Arthritis Foundation

http://www.arthritis.org/
 
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

http://www.niams.nih.gov/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella vaginitis)

: What is it?

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal odor and discharge. It is caused by a change in the type of bacteria found in the vagina. Normally, bacteria belonging mostly to the Lactobacillus family live harmlessly in the vagina and produce chemicals that keep the vagina mildly acidic. In bacterial vaginosis, Lactobacillus bacteria are replaced by other types of bacteria that normally are present in smaller concentrations in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis often occurs during pregnancy. It may cause premature labor and delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and postpartum uterine infections. This is why pregnant women with a history of premature labor or other complications may be checked for bacterial vaginosis even when they don't have any symptoms.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Balanitis

: What is balanitis?

Balanitis is an infection or inflammation of the skin on the head (glans) of the penis. In men who are not circumcised, this area is covered by a flap of skin known as the foreskin, or prepuce. Balanitis can occur in both circumcised and uncircumcised men, although it occurs more commonly in men who are not circumcised. Young boys generally are affected only if they have a very tight foreskin that is difficult to pull back. A variety of infections and skin conditions can cause balanitis. These include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Balanitis

: Symptoms of balanitis

Symptoms include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Balanitis

: Diagnosing balanitis

Your doctor usually can recognize balanitis immediately. Occasionally, a swab or scraping of skin may be examined under the microscope, or may be sent to the laboratory for further testing to confirm the diagnosis. When balanitis does not respond to treatment or appears different from a typical infection, your doctor may recommend that you see a dermatologist (skin specialist) or that a skin biopsy be done. In a biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed and examined in the laboratory. This is done to determine if you have an unusual type of infection or other type of skin condition that is causing your symptoms.