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

    Down Syndrome

: When To Call a Professional

Most cases of Down syndrome are detected early in life. Call your doctor if you suspect that your child has Down syndrome that has not been diagnosed or if you have questions about your risk of having a child with Down syndrome.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Down Syndrome

: Prognosis

The outlook for a person with Down syndrome varies with the accompanying medical and developmental conditions. The outlook continues to improve, as educators and health care professionals recognize the importance of early interventions to promote both health and development. Advances in medical treatments have greatly improved the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome, with the majority living past age 55.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: What is it?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when there is an inadequate quantity or quality of tear production to moisten, protect and cleanse the eyes. Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye problems. And it becomes more common as people age because tear production can diminish as part of the aging process. More women are affected than men. And the syndrome is more likely to flare up at times of hormonal change such as after menopause or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Birth control pills can trigger dry eye syndrome, and so can many other medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, antianxiety agents and diuretics or other blood pressure pills. Some medicines that are used in the eye also can cause dry eyes as an allergic reaction. Several autoimmune disorders also can affect the body's ability to produce tears normally, including Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and myasthenia gravis, as well as other conditions such as Bell's palsy and thyroid dysfunction.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Symptoms

Dry eye syndrome can cause:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Diagnosis

After speaking with you about your eye symptoms and general health, including past medical problems, your doctor may suspect that you have dry eye syndrome. A complete physical examination, and sometimes, certain blood tests may help to determine whether you also have an autoimmune disorder. Your doctor may refer you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist so your eyes can be evaluated more completely for:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Expected duration

Dryness of the eyes may be brief if it is related to a medication, hormonal fluctuation or other reversible condition. However, if it is related to an autoimmune condition, it may be chronic (longer lasting).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Prevention

To reduce your chances of developing dry eyes, try the following:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Treatment

The two most common methods of treatment are to replace tears or to conserve them. In most cases, you can use artificial tears, which mimic the composition of natural tears, and are available over the counter. Lubricating ointments can be used for more severe cases, but they tend to blur vision and so should be applied at bedtime. If these do not relieve the symptoms, your doctor may try to conserve tears by plugging the tear drain holes, called puncta, with tiny plugs made of collagen or silicone. In the worst cases, the holes can be closed permanently using electric cauterization.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor if your symptoms last more than a few days. Consult a doctor before beginning treatment with over-the-counter artificial tears.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Prognosis

For most cases, the outlook is good because the condition is more of an annoyance than a danger to your health or your eyes. Symptoms often go away quickly if you remove contact lenses or change your medications or your environment. Even when symptoms persist, they usually can be controlled.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry eye syndrome

: Additional info

National Eye Institute

https://www.nei.nih.gov/
 
American College of Rheumatology

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

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

    Dry skin

: What is it?

Normal skin has a soft, supple texture because of its water content. For skin to feel soft, pliable and "normal," its top layer must contain a minimum of 10% water — and ideally between 20% and 35%. To help protect the outer layer of skin from losing water, the skin's sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is a complex mixture of fatty acids, sugars, waxes and other natural chemicals that form a protective barrier against water evaporation. If the skin doesn't have enough sebum, it loses water and feels dry. If environmental factors cause more water evaporation and overwhelm the ability of sebum to prevent water loss, the skin will shrivel and crack. Decreased production of sebum — This is often a factor in the elderly, since the number and activity of sebaceous glands in the skin tends to decrease with age. Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a very common problem in modern societies, affecting people of all ages, even infants. In the United States, most cases of dry skin are related to one or more of the following factors:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Symptoms

Sometimes, the only symptom of dry skin is itching, although most people also will notice that their skin is flaky and slightly more wrinkled than normal. Symptoms of dry skin may worsen during the winter months, especially if you spend a lot of time indoors, where the heated air is dry.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Diagnosis

In most cases of uncomplicated dry skin, you can make the diagnosis yourself. Begin by examining your normal skin care routine. Do you often take long, hot baths or showers that may be washing away your skin's protective sebum? Do you shower several times a day or scrub your skin surface with harsh soaps? Do you have a job that requires frequent handwashing? Next, examine your environmental risk factors, both indoors and outdoors. Do you live in a dry, desert climate? Do you usually spend your winter months indoors, in heated rooms without a humidifier? When you do go outdoors, do you protect your skin with appropriate clothing or with a sunscreen on exposed surfaces? When was the last time you used a moisturizer?
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Expected duration

Once you begin to take care of your skin properly, the flakiness and itch of dry skin should improve within one or two weeks. In many cases, a good moisturizer will begin to make your skin look softer and suppler within minutes. Without proper care, dry skin can become a chronic problem that can lead to skin thickening, cracking and bleeding. This may increase your risk of skin infections.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Prevention

You can help to prevent dry skin by taking these steps:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Treatment

If you have a simple case of dry skin, begin by trying the suggestions outlined in the Prevention section. If your dry skin persists, contact your doctor's office for advice.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: When to call a professional

Call your primary care doctor or a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin problems) if you have:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Prognosis

Overall, the prognosis is excellent. You can often prevent dry skin by making a few simple changes in lifestyle. If dry skin develops, there are many soothing and effective treatments available. Most can be purchased without a prescription.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dry skin

: Additional info

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

https://www.niams.nih.gov/
 
National Institute on Aging

httpss://www.nia.nih.gov/
 
American Academy of Dermatology

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

    Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

: What Is It?

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, also called anovulatory bleeding, is any bleeding from the vagina that varies from a woman's normal menstrual cycle. The normal cycle is triggered by signals from hormones. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding occurs when the cycle's hormonal signals get thrown off. This can include alternating periods that are heavy and light, spotting or unpredictable shorter and longer cycles. Regular monthly menstrual cycles flush out the endometrial lining, which is the blood-enriched layer of tissue that grows inside the uterus every month in anticipation of a possible pregnancy.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dyslexia

: What Is It?

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. It is defined by the International Dyslexia Association as: a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. It is another term for "reading disability."  These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonologic component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: What is it?

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a form of depression. It may be less severe than major depression, but — as the name suggests — it lasts longer. Many people with this type of depression describe having been depressed as long as they can remember, or they feel they are going in and out of depression all the time. The symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are similar to those of major depression. In this disorder, the long duration is the key to the diagnosis, not the intensity of symptoms. As with major depression, mood may be low (or irritable in children and adolescents). An individual with persistent depressive disorder may feel less pleasure and a lack of energy. He or she may feel relatively unmotivated and disengaged from life. Appetite and weight can increase or decrease. The person may sleep too much or have trouble sleeping. Indecisiveness, pessimism and poor self-image may also be present. Symptoms can grow into a full-blown episode of major depression. People with persistent depressive disorder have a greater-than-average chance of developing major depression. While major depression often occurs in episodes, persistent depressive disorder is defined as more constant, lasting for years. The disorder sometimes starts in childhood. As a result, a person with persistent depressive disorder tends to believe that depression is part of his or her character, and so self-defining that he or she may not even think to talk about this depression with doctors, family members or friends. Persistent depressive disorder, like major depression, tends to run in families. It is more common in women than in men, but in men it may be underdiagnosed because men are less likely to talk to their doctors about their mood. Some people with persistent depressive disorder have experienced a major loss in childhood, such as the death of a parent. Others describe being under chronic stress. But it is often hard to know whether people with the disorder are under more stress than other people or if the disorder causes them to perceive more stress than others do.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: Symptoms

The main symptom of persistent depressive disorder is a long-lasting low or sad mood. Children and adolescents with persistent depressive disorder may be irritable. Other symptoms include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: Diagnosis

Many primary care doctors can recognize when one of their patients has some form of depression, which may lead to a referral to a mental health professional for a full evaluation. Clinicians diagnose the depression as persistent depressive disorder when an adult has had low mood, along with some of the other depressive symptoms, for two years or more. (In children, presistent depressive disorder may be diagnosed after one year of symptoms.) It is not necessary to wait for two years before getting help! Someone who has symptoms for less than two years may still be treated for any persistent or distressing symptoms. Since many people with this disorder are embarrassed or ashamed to be labeled "depressed," they may be reluctant to raise the subject with a clinician. Sometimes the symptoms are the leading edge of another one of the mood disorders, such as
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: Expected duration

Persistent depressive disorder can start early in life, even in childhood. There can be ups and downs in mood, but lower moods dominate and are persistent. Treatment can reduce how long it lasts and the intensity of the symptoms.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: Prevention

There is no known way to prevent persistent depressive disorder.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: When to call a professional

Contact a health care professional if you suspect that you or a loved one has this disorder.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: Prognosis

Treatment may improve the duration and intensity of symptoms. In many people, the symptoms go away completely. Without treatment, the illness is more likely to persist, the person is likely to have a reduced quality of life and has an increased risk of developing major depression. Even when treatment is successful, maintenance treatment often is required to prevent symptoms from returning.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

: Additional info

National Institute of Mental Health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
 
National Alliance on Mental Illness

http://www.nami.org/
 
American Psychiatric Association

http://www.psychiatry.org/
 
American Psychological Association

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

    Dysuria

: What is it?

Dysuria is the medical term for pain or discomfort when urinating. Often described as a burning sensation, dysuria most commonly is caused by bacterial infections of the urinary tract. Lower urinary tract infection (cystitis or bladder infection) — Dysuria is a common symptom of a bladder infection (cystitis). Cystitis is very common in women aged 20 to 50. An infection often starts when bacteria enter the opening where urine comes out (urethra) during sexual intercourse. Bacteria also can enter the urethra in women and girls who wipe with toilet tissue from back to front. Once bacteria enter a woman's urethra, it only has to travel a short distance to the bladder. In men over age 50, a bladder infection usually is associated with an enlarged prostate or prostate infection. Upper urinary tract infection (pyelonephritis or kidney infection) — A kidney usually becomes infected because bacteria have traveled to the kidney from an infection in the bladder. Kidney infections occur more commonly:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Symptoms

Depending on the cause of dysuria, there may be other symptoms in addition to pain when urinating. Symptoms can include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Diagnosis

Many people have occasional episodes of brief discomfort when they start urinating. Usually this is caused by irritation, and does not need to be treated. However, you should see your health care professional if pain while urinating lasts longer, is severe or if it continues to happen. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and personal and sexual habits. During a physical examination, the doctor will check for tenderness over the kidneys and examine your genitals. For women, this may include a pelvic exam. Men with suspected prostate problems may have a digital rectal exam. If your doctor thinks you have a simple bladder infection, he or she usually can confirm this with a urine test in the doctor's office. To diagnose urethritis and vaginitis, a swab of the infected area may need to be taken and sent for testing. If your doctor suspects you have a kidney infection, a urine sample will be sent to a laboratory to identify the species of bacteria. If you have a fever or appear ill, a blood sample may be tested in a laboratory to check for bacteria in the blood. If you have dysuria and a have had unprotected sex with multiple partners, your doctor may order tests to look for various types of sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis and HIV.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Expected duration

How long dysuria lasts depends on its cause. Most people with infections of the urinary tract respond well to treatment within a few days. When the cause is more difficult to determine, symptoms may last longer.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Prevention

To help prevent dysuria caused by cystitis or pyelonephritis, you can drink several glasses of water each day to flush out your urinary tract. Women should wipe from front to back after having a bowel movement. Also they should urinate soon after sexual intercourse to flush bacteria away from the urethra. This helps prevent the bacteria from moving into the bladder. To prevent dysuria caused by irritation, women should keep the genital area clean and dry, change tampons and sanitary napkins frequently, and avoid using irritating soaps, vaginal sprays and douches. To avoid irritation in female children, limit bubble baths, wash girls thoroughly but gently after playing in sand and be wary of extended play in wet swimsuits, all of which can lead to irritation and redness of the vulva (vulvitis). To help prevent dysuria caused by sexually transmitted diseases, practice safe sex. This includes always using a condom unless you have only one steady sexual partner.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Treatment

Treatment of dysuria depends on its cause:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor or seek urgent care if you have painful urination or blood in the urine and any these other symptoms:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Prognosis

A single episode of infection in the bladder, urethra, vagina or kidney usually goes away completely after treatment with antibiotics if treated promptly. In most cases, there is very little risk of long-term damage. However, women with certain sexually transmitted diseases can lead to scarring of the reproductive tract and fertility problems if not diagnosed and treated.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Dysuria

: Additional info

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/
 
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

https://www.acog.org/
 
American Urological Association

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

    Earache

: What is it?

Pain in one or both ears can occur for many reasons, some not related to the ear at all. When the pain is caused by an ear problem, the most common reason is blockage of the passageway between the middle ear and the back of the throat. This passageway is called the Eustachian tube. The middle ear is the small, air-filled cavity just behind the paper-thin eardrum. Normally, air enters the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, equalizing the pressure between the middle ear and outer ear. The Eustachian tube also drains fluid out of the middle ear. When this tube becomes blocked, and air and fluid cannot flow freely, pressure builds in the ear, causing pain. If fluid behind the eardrum becomes infected with a virus or bacteria, it causes a middle ear infection that can lead to pain and fever. Other causes of pain related to the ear include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: Symptoms

Earache is most commonly described as a feeling of pressure in the ear. This feeling may begin gradually or suddenly, and it can be very severe. Other symptoms such as hearing loss, fever and feeling unwell usually indicate an ear infection. When the ear canal is inflamed or if the eardrum ruptures, there may be drainage from the ear. If the eardrum ruptures because of a middle ear infection, the pain is often relieved because the pressure is reduced. In young children, the only signs of an ear infection may be fever, irritability and pulling at the ear.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: Diagnosis

Adults and older children with mild ear pain or pressure who do not have a fever or hearing loss usually do not need to see a doctor. This type of pain usually is caused by a blocked Eustachian tube. If the ear pain is more severe, or there are other symptoms, it's a good idea to see a health professional. Your doctor will examine your ears, nose and throat, and use a device called an otoscope (a lighted instrument) to look inside the ears and check for redness and fluid buildup behind the eardrum. The doctor may blow a puff of air through the otoscope into your eye to see if the eardrum moves normally. Your doctor may test your hearing. One way is to check how well you can hear fingers rubbed together near your ear.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: Expected duration

An earache will continue until the problem causing it goes away or is treated. If the pain is due to a blocked Eustachian tube, an over-the-counter decongestant may help open it up. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) or naproxen (Aleve) will decrease pain until the underlying condition is treated or goes away.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: Prevention

Some people, particularly young children, are prone to recurring earaches. If a child continues to have frequent ear infections, the doctor may surgically insert a ventilation tube into the eardrum to prevent the ear from becoming blocked. Children are more prone to earaches if they: Breastfed infants are less likely to develop ear infections because breast milk contains antibodies that help to protect the baby from infection. Also, when a baby sucks on a bottle, the fluid is more likely to get pulled into the Eustachian tube, particularly if the infant drinks from a bottle while lying on his or her back. For this reason, it is better to hold the baby at least semi-erect during feeding.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: Treatment

Over-the-counter pain relievers will usually be enough to control pain. Examples include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen. Resting the infected ear on a warm (not hot) heating pad can provide some relief. For a blocked Eustachian tube, drugs commonly used include decongestants and antihistamines. Children with earaches and fever should not take aspirin without a doctor's approval because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal illness that can occur in children who have certain viral infections. If you have an ear infection, antibiotics may not be needed. A trial of a decongestant and pain medicine may be sufficient. However, if the symptoms are not getting better after a few days or they are quickly getting worse, contact your doctor to discuss treatment with an antibiotic. If the symptoms are severe when you first see your doctor, he or she may advise starting an antibiotic right away.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor if you or your child has a fever or hearing loss with an earache. See a doctor if you develop ear pressure that lasts for several days, even if you don't have other symptoms.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Earache

: Prognosis

Most earaches resolve within several days. Even with more prolonged ear infections, the outlook is positive.