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

    Long QT syndrome

: Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made after you've had a standard EKG that shows a long QT interval. Your doctor might order this test if you have a family history of long QT syndrome or a family history of sudden death. The prolonged QT may also be identified when a person has an EKG for some other, unrelated reason. Since long QT syndrome does not always create longer than normal QT intervals all the time, there's a chance your EKG may be normal even though you have prolonged QT intervals at other times. If your doctor suspects this is the case, you may be asked to wear a Holter monitor. Like an EKG, a Holter monitor records the electrical signals of your heart. The device is small, portable and can fit in your pocket. A technician will apply electrodes to the skin on your chest and attach them to wires connected to the monitor. You wear the monitor for 24 or 48 hours, as you go about your normal activities. You also keep a diary noting when you have symptoms. Since some people only have long QT intervals when they exercise, you might be asked to walk or run on a treadmill while hooked up to an EKG machine. This is often called a stress test. If you can't exercise, you may get an injection of medicine that makes your heart work hard and beat fast, as if you were exercising. Your doctor will also examine you and ask about any medications you take, including over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements, and illegal drugs. He or she will look for signs of conditions that can lower blood levels of potassium and magnesium, such as the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia, excess vomiting or diarrhea, and certain thyroid disorders. Genetic testing for long QT syndrome may be recommended in certain situations, for example if many people in your family have it. The genetic test is simple to have done—it just involves giving a blood sample.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Long QT syndrome

: Expected duration

Inherited long QT syndrome does not go away. If you have a long QT interval caused by a medication you are taking or by a mineral imbalance, it will most likely go away once you stop taking the medication or treat the imbalance. Note that if one type of medication causes you to have a prolonged QT, other medications that affect the QT interval will likely affect you in the same way. Ask your doctor about this any time you are starting a new medication.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Long QT syndrome

: Prevention

There's no way to prevent inherited long QT syndrome. However, people with the inherited syndrome want to avoid taking medications that can make the QT even longer than it is naturally. Eating enough food and a balanced diet can prevent mineral imbalances that may lengthen the QT interval. Everyone starting a new medication should check with a pharmacist or doctor about potential interactions with current medications. This includes people who don't have any history of long QT intervals. Some drug combinations can significantly prolong the QT interval, which would increase the risk of an arrhythmia.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Long QT syndrome

: Treatment

Treatment for people with inherited long QT syndrome generally doesn't shorten the length of the QT interval. But it can greatly reduce the risk of life-threatening abnormal heartbeats and fainting spells. Most people with inherited long QT syndrome take beta blockers, which prevent the heart from beating fast during exercise or stressful events. If your symptoms occur when you exercise or are under stress, it is best to avoid very strenuous exercise and keep stress at bay. Breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga are all ways to help manage stress. Your doctor may also suggest you eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas, or take potassium supplements. If you've fainted or developed dangerous heart rhythms because of long QT syndrome, then you are at higher risk for having serious complications from the syndrome. Your doctor may suggest that you have surgery to implant a pacemaker or implanted cardioverter defibrillator in your chest. These devices monitor the heart rhythm and deliver electrical currents to the heart when they detect an abnormal heart rhythm. Another surgical option is to have a procedure where the nerves that prompt the heart to beat faster in response to physical or emotional stress are cut. After the surgery, you are much less likely to develop dangerous heart rhythms in response to stress or exercise.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Long QT syndrome

: When to call a professional

See your doctor if you experience fainting, arrhythmias, or unexplained shortness of breath.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Long QT syndrome

: Prognosis

The scary thing about long QT syndrome is that it can cause sudden death in otherwise healthy people. But people who are discovered to have a long QT interval can significantly decrease their risk of an arrhythmia by avoiding things that could make the QT interval longer, such as stress and strenuous exercise. Ask your doctor for advice on how much and what types of exercise are best for you. Medications, such as beta blockers, and surgical implantation of a pacemaker-defibrillator can greatly improve the prognosis.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Long QT syndrome

: Additional info

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

www.nhlbi.nih.gov
 
Heart Rhythm Society

www.hrspatients.org
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: What is it?

One of the most common cancers, lung cancer usually occurs when a cancer-causing agent, or carcinogen, triggers the growth of abnormal cells in the lung. These cells multiply out of control and eventually form a tumor. As the tumor grows, it destroys nearby areas of the lung. Eventually, tumor cells can spread (metastasize) to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body. These include the
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Lung cancer risk factors

Your risk of all types of lung cancer increase if you
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Symptoms

In some cases, lung cancer is detected when a person with no symptoms has a chest x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan for another reason. But most people with lung cancer have one or more of these symptoms:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect lung cancer based on
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Non-small cell lung cancer stages

Stages of non-small cell lung cancer reflect the tumor's size and how far the cancer has spread. Stages I through III are further divided into A and B categories.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Small cell lung cancer stages

Many experts divide small cell lung cancers into two groups:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Expected duration

Lung cancer will continue to grow and spread until it is treated.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Prevention

To reduce your risk of lung cancer:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Treatment

After lung cancer has been diagnosed, the type of treatment depends on the type of cancer and how much the tumor has spread (its stage).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor promptly if you have any symptoms of lung cancer, especially if you smoke or have had a job with high exposure to asbestos.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Prognosis

The outlook depends on the type of lung cancer, its stage, and the overall health of the patient.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lung cancer overview

: Additional info

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

https://www.nci.nih.gov/
 
American Cancer Society (ACS)

https://www.cancer.org/
 
American Lung Association

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

    Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

: What Is It?

Lupus is thought to develop when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.  Immune proteins called autoantibodies attack many different parts of the body causing inflammation and tissue damage.  This may include the joints, skin, kidney, nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves), blood, heart, lungs, digestive system and eyes. Autoantibodies also can attach themselves to body chemicals, forming abnormal molecules called immune complexes that trigger additional inflammation and injury when they are deposited in various organs and tissues. The exact cause of lupus remains a mystery, although scientists are investigating many different possibilities and believe several factors may play a role in the development of the disease. Since 90% of all lupus patients are women, usually of childbearing age, researchers think hormones may be involved. Lupus tends to run in families, so genetic factors may play a role. In the U.S., lupus is more common among African Americans, African Caribbeans, Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans than Caucasians.  Some researchers think lupus may be triggered by a virus or another type of infection in people who are genetically susceptible to the disease.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: What Is It?

Lymphedema is the buildup of fluid called lymph in the tissues under your skin when something blocks its normal flow. This causes swelling, most commonly in an arm or leg.   Lymph normally does an important job for your body. It carries foreign material and bacteria away from your skin and body tissues, and it circulates infection-fighting cells that are part of your immune system.   Lymph flows slowly through the network of vessels called your lymphatic system. Lymph flow stops at points along the way to be filtered through lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs that are part of your immune system.   Lymph is formed from the fluid that surrounds cells in the body. It makes its way into very small lymphatic vessels. After traveling through these small vessels, lymph drains into deeper, wider lymph channels that run through the body. Eventually, lymph fluid returns to the blood.  Lymphedema occurs when there is inadequate lymph drainage from the body, usually from a blockage in a lymph channel. Lymphatic fluid builds up underneath the skin and causes swelling. Most commonly lymphedema affects the arms or legs.  Swelling from lymphedema can look similar to the more common edema caused by leakage from tiny blood vessels under the skin.   In most cases of lymphedema, the lymphatic system has been injured so that the flow of lymph is blocked either temporarily or permanently. This is called secondary lymphedema. Common causes include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: Symptoms

Lymphedema causes swelling with a feeling of heaviness, tightness or fullness, usually in an arm or leg. In most cases, only one arm or leg is affected. Swelling in the leg usually begins at the foot, and then moves up if it worsens to include the ankle, calf and knee. Additional symptoms can include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you whether you have had any surgery, radiation treatments, or infections in the affected area. The doctor may ask if you have ever had a blood clot. If a child has lymphedema, the doctor will ask if anyone in your family had leg swelling starting at a young age. This may indicate an inherited disorder.   Your doctor will examine the swollen area and press on the affected skin to look for a fingertip indentation (pitting). The skin will be indented in people with the much more common type of edema caused by leaky blood vessels. Pitting does not happen when you press on skin if you have lymphedema.   Your doctor may measure the circumference of the affected arm or leg to determine how swollen it is compared to the other one. The doctor will look for signs of infection, including fever, redness, warmth and tenderness.   Usually, no specific testing is necessary to diagnose lymphedema. But tests may be ordered if the diagnosis is not clear or there is no obvious cause for your condition:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: Expected Duration

How long lymphedema lasts depends on its cause. If lymphedema develops immediately after surgery, it can clear up within one week as the swelling goes down and the arm or leg is elevated to allow better drainage. If surgery or radiation therapy produced long-term damage to the lymphatic system, lymphedema can become a long-term or recurring problem.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: Prevention

After breast cancer or prostate cancer surgery, your doctor or physical therapist may advise that you do specific exercises once you have fully recovered from the surgery. Using your muscles can encourage the flow of lymph through small channels.   After breast surgery, you are less likely to develop lymphedema if you can avoid having injections, intravenous (IV) lines, or blood drawn in the arm on the side of the surgery. Also, be sure to get prompt treatment if you think you may have a skin infection on the side of your surgery.   Other ways to help decrease the risk of secondary lymphedema include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: Treatment

The basic treatment for lymphedema includes:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: When To Call a Professional

Make an appointment with your doctor if you develop symptoms of lymphedema in an arm or leg.  You should call your doctor the same day if you have symptoms that could be from an infection:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphedema

: Prognosis

It isn't always easy to predict whether edema will last. Most of the time, treatments can improve lymphedema symptoms.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Lymphoma Overview

: What Is It?

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph (or lymphatic) system. It is part of the immune system. It collects and destroys invading organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, and abnormal cells. It protects the body from infection and disease.  The lymph system is a network of tissue, vessels, and fluid (lymph). It includes:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Macular Degeneration

: What Is It?

Macular degeneration is a common cause of vision problems among older people. Macular degeneration is also called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD.  AMD damages the macula. The macula is a part of the eye that is responsible for seeing sharp details directly in the center of the field of vision. Damage caused by AMD can interfere with:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: What Is It?

In major depression, the most prominent symptom is a severe and persistent low mood, profound sadness, or a sense of despair. The mood can sometimes appear as irritability. Or the person suffering major depression may not be able to enjoy activities that are usually enjoyable.  Major depression is more than just a passing blue mood, a "bad day" or temporary sadness. The symptoms of major depression are defined as lasting at least two weeks but usually they go on much longer — months or even years.  A variety of symptoms usually accompany the low mood and the symptoms can vary significantly among different people.  Many people with depression also have anxiety. They may worry more than average about their physical health. They may have excessive conflict in their relationships and may function poorly at work. Sexual functioning may be a problem. People with depression are at more risk for abusing alcohol or other substances.  Depression probably involves changes in the areas of the brain that control mood. Nerve cells may be functioning poorly in certain regions of the brain. Communication between nerve cells or nerve circuits can make it harder for a person to regulate mood. Hormone changes may also negatively affect mood. An individual's life experience affects these biological processes. And genetic makeup influences how vulnerable a person is to getting this illness.  An episode of depression can be triggered by a stressful life event. But in many cases, depression does not appear to be related to a specific event.  A major depressive episode may occur just once in a person's life or may return repeatedly. People who have many episodes of major depression may also have periods of persistent but milder depressed mood.   During a major depressive episode, thinking can get out of step with reality. The person has "psychotic symptoms" such as false beliefs (delusions) or false perceptions (hallucinations).  Some people who have episodes of major depression also have episodes of relatively high energy or irritability. They may sleep far less than normal, and may dream up grand plans that could never be carried out. The severe form of this is called "mania" or a manic episode. Psychotic symptoms also occur in mania. If a person has milder symptoms of mania and does not lose touch with reality, it is called "hypomania" or a hypomanic episode.  A major depressive episode may occur within the first two to three months after giving birth to a baby. In that case, it may be called major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Most people refer to it as postpartum depression.  Depression that occurs mainly during the winter months is usually called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. It also may be called major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern.  Episodes of depression can occur at any age. Depression is diagnosed in women twice as often as in men. People who have a family member with major depression are more likely to develop depression or drinking problems.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: Symptoms

A depressed person may gain or lose weight, eat more or less than usual, have difficulty concentrating, and have trouble sleeping or sleep more than usual. He or she may feel tired and have no energy for work or play. Small burdens or obstacles may appear impossible to manage. The person can appear slowed down or agitated and restless. The symptoms can be quite noticeable to others.  A particularly painful symptom of this illness is an unshakable feeling of worthlessness and guilt. The person may feel guilty about a specific life experience or may feel general guilt not related to anything in particular.  If pain and self-criticism become great enough, they can lead to feelings of hopelessness, self-destructive behavior, or thoughts of death and suicide. The vast majority of people who suffer severe depression do not attempt or commit suicide, but they are more likely to do so than people who are not depressed.  The thoughts of people with major depression are often colored by their dark mood. For example, pessimistic ideas may be out of proportion with the reality of the situation. Sometimes, the depressed thinking is distorted enough to be called "psychotic;" that is, the person has great difficulty recognizing reality. Sometimes, depressed people develop delusions (false beliefs) or hallucinations (false perceptions).  Symptoms of major depression include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: Diagnosis

A primary care physician or a mental health professional usually can diagnose depression by asking questions about medical history and symptoms. By definition, major depression is diagnosed when a person has many of the symptoms listed above for at least two weeks.  Many people with depression do not seek evaluation or treatment because of society's attitudes about depression. The person may feel the depression is his or her fault or may worry about what others will think. Also, the depression itself may distort a person's ability to recognize the problem. Therefore family members or friends may need to encourage the depression sufferer to seek help.   There are no specific tests for depression. However, it is important to be evaluated by a primary care physician to make sure symptoms are not being caused by a medical condition or medication.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: Expected Duration

On average, untreated episodes last several months. However, episodes of major depression can last any length of time. And symptoms can vary in intensity during an episode.   If depression is not treated, it can become chronic (long-lasting). Treatment can shorten the length and severity of a depressive episode.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: Prevention

There is no way to prevent major depression, but detecting it early can help. Treatment can both reduce symptoms and help to prevent the illness from returning.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: When To Call A Professional

Depression is a painful and potentially dangerous illness, so you should contact a health care professional if you have any suspicion that you or a loved one is depressed.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Major Depression

: Prognosis

Treatment of depression has become quite sophisticated and effective. The prognosis with treatment is excellent. The intensity of symptoms and the frequency of episodes often are significantly reduced. Many people recover completely.  When treatment is successful, it is important to stay in close touch with your doctor or therapist, because maintenance treatment is often required to prevent depression from returning.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: Symptoms

Symptoms of malaria can begin as early as six to eight days after a bite by an infected mosquito. They include
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect that you have malaria based on your symptoms and your history of foreign travel. When your doctor examines you, he or she may find an enlarged spleen because the spleen commonly swells during a malaria infection. To confirm the diagnosis of malaria, your doctor will take samples of blood to be smeared on glass slides. These blood smears will be stained with special chemicals in a laboratory and examined for Plasmodium parasites. Blood tests will be done to determine whether malaria has affected your levels of red blood cells and platelets, the ability of your blood to clot, your blood chemistry, and your liver and kidney function.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: Expected duration

With proper treatment, symptoms of malaria usually go away quickly, with a cure within two weeks. Without proper treatment, malaria episodes (fever, chills, sweating) can return periodically over a period of years. After repeated exposure, patients will become partially immune and develop milder disease.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: Prevention

Researchers are working to create a vaccine against malaria. Vaccination is expected to become an important tool to prevent malaria in the future. One way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites with the following strategies:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: Treatment

Malaria is treated with antimalarial drugs and measures to control symptoms, including medications to control fever, antiseizure medications when needed, fluids, and electrolytes. The type of medications that are used to treat malaria depends on the severity of the disease and the likelihood of chloroquine resistance. The drugs available to treat malaria include
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: When to call a professional

See your doctor before you travel to a tropical country where malaria is common, so that you can take medications to prevent malaria. After you return, call your doctor if you develop a high fever within the first several months.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Malaria

: Prognosis

In the United States, most people with malaria have an excellent prognosis if they are treated properly with antimalarial drugs. Without treatment, malaria can be fatal, particularly P. falciparum. People with severe malaria have the greatest danger of death. From 10% to 40% of people with severe malaria die even with advanced medical treatment. P. falciparum is more likely to cause severe disease among young children, pregnant women, and travelers who are exposed to malaria for the first time.