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

    Hepatitis B

: What Is It?

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is hepatitis caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B virus spreads through contact with infected blood. Specifically, hepatitis B may be spread through:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hepatitis C

: What Is It?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection. It can inflame and damage the liver. Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through contact with infected blood. It can be spread through:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hereditary-Patterned Baldness

: What Is It?

Hereditary-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss. Hereditary-pattern baldness is not really a disease, but a natural condition caused by some combination of genetics, hormone levels and the aging process. Almost all men and women will notice hair loss or hair thinning as they age. However, up to 40% of men and women will experience a more obvious form of this condition. Hair loss typically begins in the 20s and 30s, although in women the changes are most noticeable after menopause. The condition is also called androgenetic alopecia and, in men, male-pattern baldness.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: What is it?

A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes through an opening into another area where it ordinarily should not be located. There are many different types of hernias, but the most common is when a portion of the intestine protrudes through a weak area in the muscular wall of the abdomen. This causes an abnormal bulge under the skin of the abdomen, usually near the groin or the navel. Hernias occur in various locations. Some hernias are present at birth, while others develop during adulthood. Hernias may enlarge due to increased pressure inside the abdomen, such as during straining, persistent coughing, obesity, or pregnancy.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Symptoms

Most hernias cause a bulge under the skin (except hiatus hernias). The location of this bulge depends on the specific type of hernia. For example, an inguinal hernia appears as a bulge in the groin, while an umbilical hernia appears as a bulge near the navel. Some hernias can cause twinges of pain or a pulling sensation, but most do not cause pain. Hernias are usually easier to see with coughing or straining. They also tend to be more prominent with standing and often disappear with lying down. A hernia is considered incarcerated if a portion of intestine becomes trapped in the hernia and is unable to slide back into the abdomen. Rarely, the trapped intestine can strangulate. This means that the contained intestine dies because its blood supply has been cut off by the constriction of the hernia. This causes severe pain and requires urgent surgery.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Diagnosis

Most people discover their own hernias by noticing a bulge. Sometimes, however, your doctor will find a small hernia as part of a routine examination. Your doctor makes the diagnosis by physical examination. He or she may ask you to strain or cough (especially while standing), which may make the bulge easier to see or feel. Rarely, you may have symptoms that suggest a hernia, but the doctor will be unable to find one at the time of examination. In these circumstances, your doctor may recommend a computed tomography (CT) scan or an ultrasound of the abdomen.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Expected duration

Most hernias stay the same or slowly get larger over time. Umbilical hernias, however, are a special situation. Most small umbilical hernias that appear before a baby is 6 months old will disappear before the child's first birthday. Even larger umbilical hernias may disappear before age 3 or 4.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Prevention

Losing weight is helpful if you are overweight. If you frequently need to strain when you move your bowels, speak to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe stool-softening medication or suggest that you modify your diet to include more high-fiber foods.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Treatment

Although not all hernias need to be operated on, hernias that cause symptoms or that become larger should be repaired by a surgeon. The technique used to repair your hernia depends on its type, size, and location. The surgical options include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor right away if there is significant pain at the site of a hernia. This can be the first sign that a hernia is incarcerated or strangulated. See your doctor if you notice a new, painless lump or swelling in a location where hernias typically occur.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Prognosis

When surgery is used to repair hernias, the outlook is generally very good.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia

: Additional info

American College of Surgeons (ACS)

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

    Hernia repair

: What is it?

A hernia repair is the surgical procedure to fix a hernia. This procedure is also known as herniorrhaphy. A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes into an area where it should not. The most common hernias occur in the abdominal area. A small portion of the intestine, or a piece of fat, pokes through a weak area in the muscular wall of the abdomen. This causes an abnormal bulge under the skin of the abdomen, usually near the groin or navel. For most situations, there are two kinds of hernia repair:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia repair

: When is it necessary?

There are many different types of hernias. The most common occurs when a portion of the intestine or a bit of fat pokes through a weak area in the muscular abdominal wall. This causes an abnormal bulge under the skin. This bulge is usually near the groin or the navel. Men are much more likely than women to develop groin hernias. Men have a small hole in the abdominal wall in the groin. This is where the cord to the testicle passes through. If this hole enlarges abnormally, it can lead to a hernia. Hernias can cause pain or pressure. Or, they can appear as a painless lump. Most hernias become larger over time and will not permanently resolve on their own. There is a small risk that part of the bowel could get trapped within the hernia. This can lead to a medical emergency. However, not all hernias need to be repaired. You may choose to have surgery if:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia repair

: Preparation

Most hernias are diagnosed during an office visit with your doctor. Surgery is planned for a later time, at your convenience. Your doctor will review your medical history and examine you. If there is any chance you might be pregnant, inform your doctor before surgery. Your doctor may order certain tests to make sure that you can undergo surgery safely. These tests may include blood tests or an electrocardiogram (EKG). About one week before your hernia repair, your doctor may ask you to stop taking aspirin and other medications that could increase the risk of bleeding. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything beginning the night before surgery (except medicines). This will reduce the risk of vomiting during surgery. On the day of your surgery, you should wear loose-fitting clothing. Ask your doctor if you should take your regular medications with a sip of water. You also should arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia repair

: How it's done

Hernia repair can be done under different kinds of anesthesia. If you receive general anesthesia, you will be unconscious during the procedure. If you are given spinal, regional, or local anesthesia, you will remain awake. But the pain will be blocked in the area of surgery. An intravenous line will be inserted into one of your veins to deliver fluids and medications. The procedure generally takes less than one or two hours to complete. Traditional hernia repair — In a traditional repair, the surgeon makes an incision several inches long near the hernia. Once the surgeon can clearly see the herniated body part, he or she gently pushes it back into its proper place. Then the weakness or hole in the abdominal wall is repaired with stitches. Finally, the outer skin incision is closed with stitches. Surgeons frequently use a synthetic mesh patch to repair hernias. These patches may reduce the tension on the repair. They may also reduce pain and make it less likely that your hernia will return. However, mesh patches may slightly increase the possibility of scarring or infection. Laparoscopic hernia repair — In a laparoscopic repair, a harmless gas is injected into your abdomen to inflate it. This gives your surgeon more room to work and a better view. Next, the laparoscope is inserted through a small incision at your navel. Other surgical instruments are inserted in several other small incisions in the abdomen. These may include tools for cutting and stapling. A camera on the laparoscope transmits images from your abdomen to a viewing screen. These images guide the surgeon in using the surgical instruments. The surgeon gently pulls the herniated body part back into its proper place. He or she then positions a mesh patch over the weakness in your abdominal wall. The patch is secured in place with harmless staples, surgical clips, or stitches. At the end of the procedure, your abdomen is deflated. The small incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape. Traditional hernia repair can be done with the patient under local anesthesia. But laparoscopic repair requires general anesthesia. Traditional repairs of groin hernias have a longer track record of success. However, laparoscopic surgery causes less pain and often allows people to return to their usual activities more quickly. After surgery, you will be monitored closely and given pain medication. Most people recover within a few hours and can go home the same day.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia repair

: Follow-up

Most people can return to desk work, driving, and other light activities within a few days of surgery. If you work at a more physical job, you may need to wait for two weeks or more. You will visit your doctor for follow-up some weeks after surgery. Your doctor will remove any stitches and check the healing of your incisions. Ask your doctor about when you can resume specific activities such as sports, heavy labor, and lifting.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia repair

: Risks

Hernia repair is generally very safe surgery. Nevertheless, there is always a small risk of complications. These include
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hernia repair

: Additional info

American College of Surgeons (ACS)

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

    Herniated disk

: What is it?

The disks in your spine, called intervertebral disks, are thin, oblong structures that serve as cushions between the bones of your back (vertebrae). Each disk is made of a soft gel core surrounded by a tough, fibrous outer shell. This structure allows the disk to be firm enough to maintain the space between the vertebrae, but soft enough to compress when the spine flexes during bending, leaning and turning sideways. In some people, mostly middle-aged adults, a disk's tough outer shell develops an area of weakness or a small tear. When this happens, part of the disk's soft inner core can bulge out of its normal position (herniate), producing a condition called a herniated disk. If the herniated disk presses on nerves in the nearby spinal canal, this can cause variety of nerve-related symptoms, including pain, numbness and muscle weakness. In the most severe cases, a herniated disk can compress nerves that control the bowel and bladder, causing urinary incontinence and loss of bowel control.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Symptoms

The first symptom of a herniated disk is usually back pain in the area of the affected disk. Some researchers believe this pain is a signal that a disk's tough outer shell has been injured or weakened, not necessarily that the inner core has herniated. If the inner core does herniate and press on a nearby nerve, the resulting symptoms vary depending on the location of the herniated disk:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Diagnosis

Your health care professional will review your medical history, including any history of fever, cancer, steroid use or recent back injuries. Your doctor then will ask you specific questions about your pain:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Expected duration

In most people, back pain gradually improves within four to six weeks of treatment.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Prevention

In many cases, it is not possible to prevent a herniated disk. However, if you have suffered from a herniated disk in the past, you may be able to decrease your chances of it happening again by:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Treatment

In most cases, a herniated disk (with or without sciatica) will respond to conservative treatment. This may include limited bed rest (generally no more than a day or two); warm baths; heating pads; and medications, such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants. Some doctors prescribe oral corticosteroids, although the benefits of this treatment are uncertain. Because prolonged inactivity can promote deconditioning, your doctor may suggest that you start an exercise regimen early. Even if you begin your treatment with one to two days of bed rest, you may still be asked to complete two or three 20-minute periods of walking each day. After one to two weeks, you usually can begin a more strenuous program of daily aerobic exercises (walking, biking, swimming) and physical therapy. Other types of conservative treatment that have been helpful to some people include ultrasound, massage and acupuncture. When these more conservative measures don't work, epidural steroid injections may be helpful. This involves the careful injection of a long-acting steroid and an anesthetic into the space near the spinal cord and compressed nerves. These injections are guided by X-rays or CT scanning so that the needle can be placed precisely in the proper location. If you have lost bowel or bladder control, if you have evidence of progressive nerve damage, or if you have unrelenting pain that persists despite weeks of conservative treatment, more aggressive treatment may be needed, including surgery. In most cases, this means removing the disk (diskectomy), which may require major surgery. Increasingly, though, a less invasive operation is done in which the herniated disk is removed through a hollow tube inserted through a tiny incision.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: When to call a professional

Call your health care professional immediately if you develop severe back pain, especially if you also have pain or numbness in your arms or legs or if you lose control of your bowels or bladder.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Prognosis

About 60% of people respond to conservative therapy within 1 week, and 90% to 98% respond within 6 weeks. Surgical intervention has a high success rate when MRI or CT shows that the cause of the symptoms can be corrected.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Herniated disk

: Additional info

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Insitutes of Healthhttps://www.niams.nih.gov/ 
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/
 
North American Spine Society

https://www.spine.org/
 
American Physical Therapy Association

https://www.apta.org/
 
Arthritis Foundation

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

    Hiatal Hernia

: What Is It?

A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes through an opening into an area where it shouldn't. A hiatal hernia is named for the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm between your chest and your stomach. Normally, the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach) goes through this opening. In a hiatal hernia, part of the stomach and/or the section where the stomach joins the esophagus (called the gastroesophageal junction) slips through the hiatus into the chest. There are two types of hiatal hernias:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hiatal Hernia

: Symptoms

Sliding hiatal hernias may not cause any symptoms, or they may cause heartburn that is worse when you lean forward, strain or lie down. There may be chronic belching and, sometimes, regurgitation (backflow of stomach contents into the throat).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: What is it?

Blood pressure has two components:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: Symptoms

Usually, hypertension does not directly cause symptoms. When blood pressure is very high, it can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue or visual symptoms.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: Diagnosis

The diagnosis of hypertension depends on blood pressure readings. Therefore, it's essential that blood pressure be measured carefully. To obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: Prevention

To prevent high blood pressure:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: Treatment

Elevated blood pressure. If your blood pressure is simply elevated, meaning the first number (systolic blood pressure) falls in the range of 120 to 129 while the second number (diastolic blood pressure) remains below 80, medication is not recommended. Instead, you should focus on healthy lifestyle changes:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: When to call a professional

Adults should have their blood pressure measured at least every few years. If your blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or higher, schedule regular appointments with your doctor. Have your blood pressure monitored more regularly. And get advice about modifying your lifestyle to prevent future problems.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: Prognosis

The prognosis for hypertension depends on
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    High blood pressure (hypertension)

: Additional info

American Heart Association

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

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: What is it?

Hirsutism is excessive hair growth in certain areas of a woman's face and body, such as the mustache and beard area, that creates a "male pattern" of hair. Women normally can have fine, pale, faintly visible hair in these areas, but heavy hair growth in a male pattern with coarse or colored hair is not expected. Normal patterns of hair growth and hair distribution vary widely, determined mostly by racial background. For example, whites as a group have more facial and non-scalp hair growth than do blacks or Asians, and white women of Mediterranean heritage normally have more hair growth than do women from Nordic countries. Hirsutism in women means that hair follicles are being over-stimulated by testosterone or other androgen hormones. Androgens are the dominant sex hormones in men. Women normally have low levels of androgens. Hirsutism can be caused by abnormally high levels of androgens or abnormal stimulation of hair follicles even when androgen levels are normal. In some cases, the extra androgen comes from medications  such as certain progestins used in some brands of birth control pills  or bodybuilding steroids that contain androgens or have some effects similar to androgens. Other medicines may indirectly cause the body to manufacture extra androgen hormones. These include some medicines to treat nausea, schizophrenia, agitation, epileptic seizures, migraine headaches, bipolar disorder, aggression and high blood pressure, as well as estrogens and opiate medications. Occasionally, the overproduction of androgen hormones is caused by an abnormality in the ovaries, the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland of the brain. Some excessive hair growth does not fit the pattern of growth triggered by androgen hormones (for example, hair between the eyes, on the forehead, on the temples or high on the cheeks of the face). This hair growth, called hypertrichosis, can be caused by thyroid problems or by anorexia nervosa. It also can result from long-term use of certain oral medications, including cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune, SangCya), phenytoin (Dilantin), minoxidil (Loniten), and penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Symptoms

A woman with the mildest form of hirsutism may notice significant growth of hair that is mature (the same color as scalp hair) on the upper lip, chin, sideburn area, around the nipples or lower abdomen. More advanced hirsutism will cause mature hair to grow on the upper back, shoulders, sternum and upper abdomen. It most often begins during puberty. If hirsutism starts before or after puberty, the cause could be hormonal and the woman should be evaluated by a doctor.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your medical history with special attention to your menstrual cycles. He or she also will examine you. If you have a normal cyclic pattern of menstrual periods, the hirsutism is most likely genetic (inherited). If your menstrual cycles are irregular and have always been irregular, the cause could be polycystic ovary syndrome. If the hirsutism and menstrual irregularity are new, you will need to be evaluated for a potentially more serious condition, such as a tumor of the ovary, adrenal glands or pituitary gland. This is especially important is you are skipping periods. If you have mild hirsutism and don't have any symptoms that suggest you are significantly overproducing androgen hormones, you may not need any additional testing. If you need more testing, you are likely to have several blood tests:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Expected duration

Most causes of hirsutism create a tendency to have lifelong excessive hair growth. However, many women will have a satisfactory response to medical treatment if they continue the therapy for several months or longer. A few causes of hirsutism (such as tumors that produce androgen hormones or tumors in the pituitary gland) can be cured with surgical treatment, radiation or both. Cosmetic treatments can remove unwanted hair temporarily, and may limit hair regrowth in treated areas.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Prevention

Most causes of hirsutism are beyond a woman's control. You should avoid unnecessary medicines that are known to cause hirsutism.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Treatment

If a specific cause of hirsutism is diagnosed, your doctor may suggest appropriate treatment for that cause. For women who are overweight, losing weight may reduce androgen levels and improve hirsutism. For all women with hirsutism, cosmetic treatments and medical treatments that decrease the levels of androgens or their impact on hair follicles can be helpful:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: When to call a professional

If you have excessive, male-pattern hair growth or unusually rapid growth of male-pattern hair in a short period of time, you should see a medical professional. Also discuss hirsutism with a doctor if you have any symptoms of overproduction of androgens:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Prognosis

Most cases of hirsutism can be treated successfully with medication and cosmetic attention. It may require time and persistent use of these therapies, but most cases will respond to a combined approach.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Hirsutism

: Additional info

American Academy of Dermatology

https://www.aad.org/
 
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

https://www.acog.org/