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

    Chronic hepatitis

: Expected duration of chronic hepatitis

By definition, chronic hepatitis is inflammation that continues for more than six months. With mild or nonexistent symptoms, you may have chronic hepatitis for some time before it is discovered. Treatment for some types of viral chronic hepatitis can eliminate active infection. However, the virus can remain dormant in cells, so the condition can return.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic hepatitis

: Preventing chronic hepatitis

Until recently, most cases of chronic hepatitis were caused by infection with the hepatitis B or C virus. These viruses primarily are passed from person to person through sexual contact or through contact with blood or other bodily fluids when needles are shared or during blood transfusions. The reason some cases of viral hepatitis become chronic hepatitis and others do not remains unknown. The best way to protect against chronic hepatitis from hepatitis B and C viruses is vaccination. Vaccinations for hepatitis B are recommended for health care workers, people traveling to certain countries and those who are concerned about acquiring hepatitis B through sexual contact or drug use. Infants are now routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B. Condoms always should be used during sexual contact to help prevent infection. Needles should never be shared. When getting a tattoo or any body piercing done, make sure to choose an establishment where all equipment is sterilized adequately. Because of effective therapy to eradicate hepatitis C and improved therapies for hepatitis B, persistent liver inflammation due to fatty liver is now the more cause of chronic hepatitis in developed countries. Non-alcoholic liver disease with inflammation is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is seen most often in people who are overweight, especially if they accumulate excessive fat around the midsection. Women with waist size 35 inches or greater and men with waist size 40 inches or greater are at highest risk of developing this type of chronic hepatitis. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly give you the best chance of preventing NASH. Avoiding and even better eliminating alcohol use helps prevent both NASH and alcoholic hepatitis. If you are taking a medication that could affect your liver, make sure to have your blood tested regularly to avoid the development of chronic hepatitis or liver damage.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic hepatitis

: Treating chronic hepatitis

The goals of treatment for chronic hepatitis are to prevent the disease from getting worse and to prevent cirrhosis and liver failure. Chronic hepatitis B and C are treated with antiviral medications. The newest drugs have incredibly high success rates. If you have hepatitis C, you should receive the vaccine for hepatitis A and B unless blood tests show that you are already immune to these viruses. You can develop more severe symptoms from hepatitis A or B than someone who does not have hepatitis C. Treatment of alcoholic hepatitis is complete abstinence from alcohol. People with NASH usually need to lose weight and always need to exercise more. In addition, many people with NASH have elevated blood sugars and frequently progress to type 2 diabetes. Good control of blood sugar can help to decrease the fatty accumulation and inflammation in the liver. If you already have evidence of cirrhosis, you should have a test called endoscopy to look for esophageal varices, enlarged veins in the esophagus that can cause life-threatening bleeding. In an endoscopy, a flexible viewing tube is inserted through your mouth into your esophagus. You also should be screened periodically with a blood test (alpha fetoprotein) and an ultrasound study to search for an early liver cancer. Corticosteroids and other medications such as azathioprine to suppress the immune system are the main treatment of autoimmune chronic hepatitis. These drugs usually decrease symptoms, reduce liver inflammation and prolong survival. Treatment for the less common forms of chronic hepatitis focuses on the disease that is causing the condition. Medication-related chronic hepatitis requires stopping or changing the drug. If cirrhosis or liver failure develops, a liver transplant may be needed. If you have chronic hepatitis, you must avoid further liver damage from alcohol or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Discuss with your doctor how much acetaminophen you can take, if any. Remember that certain cold formulations and pain medications also contain acetaminophen. A healthy lifestyle is so important for people with chronic hepatitis. A well-balanced diet and good physical fitness can help you battle fatigue and improve overall health. You may need to limit your salt intake if you tend to accumulate fluid as a consequence of cirrhosis. Also, always talk to your physician before taking any additional drugs, including prescription, nonprescription and alternative medications. Your injured liver may not be able to detoxify these.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic hepatitis

: When to call a professional

If you experience persistent fatigue, the most common symptom of chronic hepatitis, make an appointment to see your doctor. If you show signs that could come from chronic hepatitis or liver failure, such as jaundice, abdominal swelling or weight loss, you should call your doctor for an evaluation.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic hepatitis

: Prognosis

The prognosis for chronic hepatitis has improved dramatically over the last few years. In fact, for hepatitis C, many people can now be cured. Despite treatment, some people will progress to cirrhosis. Advanced cirrhosis can lead to liver failure and death unless a liver transplant can be done. The likelihood of developing cirrhosis depends on the severity of the disease and the response to treatment. When a biopsy shows more severe damage, treatment can be important to help decrease the risk of developing cirrhosis even if you do not have symptoms. Other factors that affect the prognosis include age, other medical illnesses, the subtype of virus and alcohol use. Cirrhosis increases the risk of developing liver cancer. Periodic screening with a blood test and ultrasound examination of the liver improves the chance of early detection.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic hepatitis

: Additional info

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)

https://gi.org/
 
American Liver Foundation

https://www.liverfoundation.org/
 
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Disorders

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

    Chronic Laryngitis

: What is chronic laryngitis?

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, the "voice box" that contains the vocal cords in the upper portion of the neck. Laryngitis occurs in two forms, acute and chronic. Acute laryngitis typically is a brief illness producing hoarseness and a sore throat. In most cases, an upper respiratory tract infection causes it. Chronic laryngitis is a more persistent disorder that produces lingering hoarseness and other voice changes. It usually is painless and has no significant sign of infection.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Symptoms of chronic laryngitis

The most common symptom of chronic laryngitis is hoarseness. For the condition to be truly chronic, this hoarseness must persist for at least two weeks. Depending on the cause of chronic laryngitis, other symptoms can include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Diagnosing chronic laryngitis

After reviewing your symptoms, your doctor will ask you about your lifestyle, especially:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Expected duration of chronic laryngitis

For laryngitis to be truly chronic, hoarseness must last for at least two weeks. Once chronic laryngitis develops, it is usually a long-term problem in people who continue to smoke, drink alcohol heavily, work with irritating dusts or chemicals, or abuse the voice by shouting or constant talking. Chronic laryngitis caused by GERD will last as long as acid reflux continues.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Preventing chronic laryngitis

You can take these steps to help prevent chronic laryngitis:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Treating chronic laryngitis

If your chronic laryngitis is due to smoking, alcohol use, work-related exposures or voice overuse, your doctor will probably recommend that you follow the standard prevention guidelines. In addition, your doctor may refer you to a voice coach or a speech-language pathologist for voice therapy. Voice therapy teaches you to use your voice correctly and to avoid speaking in ways that might injure your vocal cords.  If you have chronic laryngitis due to GERD, your doctor may recommend that you try the following:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: When to call a professional

Hoarseness that doesn't go away or keeps coming back should never be ignored because it also can be a symptom of certain head and neck cancers. People who drink or smoke heavily are at especially high risk of these cancers. So, if hoarseness lasts more than two weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist (an otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose and throat doctor) for evaluation and treatment.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Prognosis

If you are willing to make lifestyle changes to treat your chronic laryngitis, the outlook is usually very good. This is especially true for people whose chronic laryngitis is related to smoking, alcohol, work exposure or voice abuse. For people with GERD, a combination of dietary changes and medications to decrease acid production can cure chronic laryngitis in up to two-thirds of cases.  On the other hand, if you have chronic laryngitis and you continue to expose yourself to factors that irritate your larynx, you eventually can develop small nodules or polyps (fingerlike growths) on your vocal cords, which may need to be removed surgically to improve your voice.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Laryngitis

: Additional info

American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery
https://www.entnet.org/ American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
https://www.asha.org/ U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
https://www.osha.gov/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

: What is chronic lymphocytic lukemia (CLL)?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a cancer that occurs when the bone marrow and/or lymph nodes make too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. CLL/SLL usually grows slowly compared to other leukemias and lymphomas, and it may not cause symptoms for some time. CLL is one of four main types of leukemia. Most people with CLL are middle-aged or older. The disease is very rare in children.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: What is chronic otitis media?

Chronic otitis media describes some long-term problems with the middle ear, such as a hole (perforation) in the eardrum that does not heal, or a middle-ear infection (otitis media) that doesn't improve or keeps returning. The middle ear is a small bony chamber with three tiny bones — the malleus, incus, and stapes — covered by the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Sound is passed from the eardrum through the middle-ear bones to the inner ear, where the nerve impulses for hearing are created. The middle ear is connected to the back of the nose and throat by the eustachian tube, a narrow passage that helps to control the air flow and pressure inside the middle ear. The middle ear can become inflamed or infected when the eustachian tube becomes blocked, for example, when someone has a cold or allergies. When fluid remains in the middle ear, the condition is called chronic serous otitis media. 


 Sometimes a middle-ear infection causes a hole (perforation) in the eardrum. A hole that does not heal within six weeks is called chronic otitis media. This problem can take one of three forms:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Symptoms of chronic otitis media

A person can have chronic otitis media caused by a persistent hole in the eardrum for years with no symptoms or only mild hearing loss. There may be mild ear pain or discomfort. When the middle ear is infected, fluid will drain from the ear and hearing loss can worsen. Symptoms that can be a sign of a more serious condition, and that require immediate attention, include
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Diagnosing chronic otitis media

The doctor will ask about a history of ear infections, treatments used, and any previous ear surgery. The doctor also will want to know about any medications being taken to treat an ear problem, including the type, dose, and length of treatment. The doctor may suspect chronic otitis media based on a history of prior ear infections, persistent ear drainage, or both. To confirm the diagnosis, he or she will look inside the ear with a special light called an otoscope and may take a sample of drainage fluid to be examined in a laboratory. In some cases, the primary care doctor may refer you or your child to an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the ears, nose, and throat. If the otolaryngologist suspects mastoiditis or a cholesteatoma, additional tests may be needed. These could include x-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. If there is any concern that hearing may have been affected, it can be evaluated by a test called an audiogram.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Expected duration of chronic otitis media

How long symptoms last varies. Antibiotic treatment of the infection causing the chronic otitis media may be enough to stop the ear from draining. Sometimes, despite appropriate antibiotics, the infection continues, and surgery may be needed to remove the infected tissue and repair the eardrum perforation and any injury to the tiny bones in the ear.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Preventing chronic otitis media

One of the best ways to prevent chronic otitis media is to have any ear infection treated promptly. A child with chronic eustachian tube problems may need special tubes (tympanostomy tubes) inserted into his or her eardrums to prevent repeated ear infections by allowing air to flow normally in the middle ear. After an infection clears up, a perforated eardrum may need to be repaired to prevent another infection.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Treating chronic otitis media

The goals of chronic otitis media treatment include
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor immediately if you or your child develops a cloudy or foul-smelling discharge from one or both ears or has difficulty hearing. Also, seek emergency care for fever, swelling, tenderness, or redness behind the ear, persistent or severe ear pain, dizziness, headache, confusion, or facial weakness.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Prognosis

With prompt antibiotic treatment and ear aspiration, the outlook is excellent. About nine out of 10 patients are free of infection after this therapy. Surgery is not required in most cases, but may be necessary to correct a persistent eardrum perforation or to remove a cholesteatoma. After this surgery, the infection almost always goes away. Whether full hearing returns depends on the extent of damage and how well the ear heals after surgery.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis

: Additional info

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/
 
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

http://www.entnet.org/
 
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

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

    Chronic pancreatitis

: What is it?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. People with chronic pancreatitis have persistent inflammation of the pancreas that leads to permanent damage.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Symptoms

The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain, which often radiates to the back and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The pain can occur daily or off and on, and can be mild or intense. As the disease gets worse and more of the pancreas is destroyed, pain may actually become less severe. During an attack, the pain often is made worse by drinking alcohol or eating a large meal high in fats. Because a damaged pancreas can't produce important digestive enzymes, people with chronic pancreatitis may develop problems with digesting and absorbing food and nutrients. This can lead to weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, diarrhea, and greasy, foul-smelling stools. Over time, a damaged pancreas also can fail to produce enough insulin, which results in diabetes.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Diagnosis

There is no single test that can be used to diagnose chronic pancreatitis. If you have long-lasting abdominal pain or signs that your food is not being properly absorbed, such as weight loss or greasy stools, your doctor will ask you about alcohol use, and other factors that increase your risk of chronic pancreatitis and other digestive problems. The diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis can be made based upon
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Expected duration

Once the cells of the pancreas have been destroyed, they do not regenerate easily. For this reason, diabetes and other problems that are associated with chronic pancreatitis require long-term treatment. It is unclear why pain develops with chronic pancreatitis, but once chronic pain develops, it tends to be long-lasting or even lifelong. Many patients require long-term medications for pain.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Prevention

Since most cases of chronic pancreatitis are associated with alcohol use, the best way to prevent the problem is to avoid or limit alcohol use. Anyone who has had an episode of alcohol-related acute pancreatitis should stop drinking entirely to lower the possibility of developing chronic pancreatitis. People who have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis can prevent further damage by eliminating alcohol use. If blocked bile or pancreatic ducts can be opened by surgery or ERCP, it may prevent further damage to the pancreas. If caught early, scarring can be minimized. However, only a minority of people with chronic pancreatitis actually benefit from this procedure.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Treatment

Because chronic pancreatitis cannot be cured, treatment is directed toward relieving pain, improving food absorption, and treating diabetes. For milder pain, medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others) may help. Pain management can be very challenging and often requires the help of a pain specialist. In rare cases, surgery to open blocked ducts or remove part of the pancreas may be done to relieve pain. Problems absorbing food, and the resulting vitamin deficiencies, can be helped by taking supplemental digestive enzymes in pill or capsule form. Your doctor also may recommend that you follow a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet that also restricts some types of fats. Once digestive problems are treated, people often gain back weight and diarrhea improves. Diabetes caused by chronic pancreatitis almost always requires treatment with insulin.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: When to call a professional

See a health care provider if you have
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Prognosis

Although chronic pancreatitis is an incurable condition, the severity, frequency, and type of symptoms can vary. Some people — especially those who quit drinking alcohol entirely — have very mild or occasional symptoms that are easily managed with medications. Other people — especially those who continue to drink alcohol — can have disabling, daily pain and may require frequent hospitalizations.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic pancreatitis

: Additional info

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/
 
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)

https://gi.org/
 
American Gastroenterological Association

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

    Chronic prostatitis

: What is chronic prostatitis?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder in men. This gland makes fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

Prostatitis usually causes swelling of the prostate gland. The prostate surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder). The swollen prostate presses on the urethra causing pain or other problems with urination. Typical symptoms of chronic prostatitis include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: Diagnosing chronic prostatitis

If your doctor suspects prostatitis, he or she will ask you to describe your symptoms in detail. Your doctor will also want to know:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: Expected duration of chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis may last for weeks or months before it is diagnosed. Some cases of chronic prostatitis respond promptly to treatment, and symptoms disappear over several days. In other cases, symptoms may linger for weeks or months or may come and go over a period of years.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: Preventing chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis cannot be prevented.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: Treating chronic prostatitis

For many years, antibiotics have been the mainstay of treatment for chronic prostatitis. Antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfa (Bactrim, Septra), ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin) are used most often to treat chronic bacterial prostatitis. Because it is difficult for antibiotics to get into the prostate gland, they must be given at high doses for an extended period, often four or more weeks. Even if no bacteria are seen in the urine, your doctor may still be concerned that you have a chronic bacterial prostatitis. In that situation, he or she may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Some men may get relief from this treatment. However, in many cases, antibiotics alone will not eliminate the problem. Other treatments that men may consider include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: When to call a professional

Contact a health care professional if you develop:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Chronic prostatitis

: Prognosis

Chronic prostatitis can be very difficult to cure. Many men do not respond to one or more prolonged courses of antibiotics. Because little is understood about prostatitis that is not caused by infection, finding the right treatment may be difficult. Nonetheless, several potentially effective treatments are available. Don't be discouraged if your symptoms have not responded to the first or even second treatment. Keep working with your doctor to help you get relief. If you have unusual or particularly troubling symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a urologist or other specialist. There is no evidence that chronic prostatitis increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.