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

    Earache

: Additional info

American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery

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

    Eczema

: What is eczema?

Dermatitis is a skin inflammation. Eczema is the most common type of dermatitis. Eczema first appears as an episode of itching and redness of the skin. You also may have tiny bumps or blisters. When eczema develops into a long-term condition, it is called chronic eczema. This leads to:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Symptoms of eczema

Short-term symptoms of eczema include itchy skin, redness and tiny bumps or blisters. If these symptoms remain untreated, the skin can become thick, scaly and dry. There can be areas of hair loss and color changes. Skin affected by long-term eczema is more vulnerable to secondary infections. Each type of eczema has specific characteristics and patterns of symptoms:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Diagnosing eczema

Depending on your pattern of skin symptoms, your doctor will ask about your:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Expected duration of eczema

Duration depends on the type of eczema. Symptoms may go away after a week or two. Or they may persist for years.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Preventing eczema

There are many things you can do to prevent or reduce eczema flare-ups.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Treating eczema

Your doctor should review your skin care routine. Your doctor can ensure you are doing everything possible to prevent symptoms. But sometimes eczema remains bothersome despite these measures. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid ointment or cream. In atopic dermatitis, mild or medium strength topical steroids generally are used. These are applied to the affected areas of the skin. When topical corticosteroids are not sufficient or needed for long periods of time to control atopic dermatitis, your doctor may prescribe a topical calcineurin inhibitor. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus topical agents are approved for use in children older than 2 years of age. Strong steroids and oral antihistamines may be needed to treat allergic contact dermatitis. If there are signs of bacterial skin infection, oral antibiotics usually are needed. Sometimes, in very severe cases of eczema, your doctor will prescribe a short course of oral steroids or stronger immunosuppressants. However, these medications can have serious side effects. They must be used cautiously. In some people, treatment with ultraviolet (UV) light is another option. Seborrhea in adults is best treated with dandruff shampoo. Occasionally prescription antifungal facial creams or rinses may be needed. Cradle cap in infants eventually clears up without treatment. However, it can last several months. The crust usually can be loosened. To do so, apply baby oil to the scalp 30 to 60 minutes before brushing with a soft brush. Then wash with baby shampoo. When treating a contact allergy in a child, avoid topical treatments containing antihistamines. Skin reactions can occur.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor if you have an area of skin that is red and very itchy. Also call if your skin is cracked, blistered or painfully dry. Ask your doctor for an urgent evaluation if you have signs of infection. These include an area of skin that:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Prognosis

The prognosis varies from person to person. It depends on the type of eczema and its response to treatment. Most contact dermatitis heals within two to three weeks. Most stasis dermatitis lasts for years. About half of children with atopic eczema still have the problem as adults.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Eczema

: Additional info

National Eczema Foundation

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

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

    Edema

: What Is It?

Edema is swelling of both legs from a buildup of extra fluid. Edema has many possible causes:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: Symptoms

Symptoms vary according to the type of edema and its location. In general, the skin above the swollen area will be stretched and shiny.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: Diagnosis

To check for edema that is not obvious, you can gently press your thumb over the foot, ankle or leg with slow, steady pressure. If you have edema, you will see an indentation where you pressed. You should see a doctor to determine the cause of leg swelling. If both legs are swollen, your doctor will ask about other symptoms and will examine you. A urine test will show if you are losing protein from the kidneys. Blood tests, a chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram (EKG) also may be done.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: Expected Duration

Edema can be temporary or permanent, and it can come and go depending on the cause.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: Prevention

The only way to prevent edema is to prevent the cause. Smoking is the main cause of chronic lung disease. Congestive heart failure most often is caused by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or drinking too much alcohol. To avoid leg swelling on long trips, stand up and walk around often. Ideally, you should get up once an hour. If that's not possible, then exercise your feet and lower legs while sitting. This will help the veins move blood back toward the heart.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: Treatment

Treatment of edema focuses on correcting the cause of the fluid accumulation. A low-salt diet usually helps. You also should avoid drinking too much fluid. If you are not short of breath, elevate your legs above the level of your heart to keep swelling down. Your doctor might suggest that you take a low dose of a diuretic (water pill). For swollen ankles and feet caused by pregnancy, elevate your legs and avoid lying on your back to help improve blood flow and decrease swelling. If you have mild leg edema caused by venous insufficiency, elevate your legs periodically and wear support (compression) stockings. Sometimes surgery is needed to improve the flow of blood through the leg veins. No matter what the cause of edema, any swollen area of the body should be protected from pressure, injury and extreme temperatures. The skin over swollen legs becomes more fragile over time. Cuts, scrapes and burns in areas that have edema take much longer to heal and are more likely to get infected.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: When To Call a Professional

Call your doctor immediately if you have pain, redness or heat in a swollen area, an open sore, shortness of breath or swelling of only one limb.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Edema

: Prognosis

The outlook for edema of the legs depends on the cause. For most people with edema, the prognosis is excellent.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: What is it?

Emphysema is a respiratory disease. In this condition, millions of the lungs' tiny air sacs (alveoli) stretch out of shape or rupture. As these thin, fragile air sacs become damaged or destroyed, the lungs lose their natural elasticity. They become unable to empty easily. Emphysema is a progressive disease, which means it continues to get worse. As the condition progresses, the lungs lose their ability to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Breathing becomes more difficult. A person feels easily short of breath, like he or she is not getting enough air. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They often occur together. Bronchitis is an inflammation and swelling of the bronchial walls. A person with chronic bronchitis typically has a daily cough with phlegm that lasts for months at a time over several years. Smoking is responsible for the vast majority of cases of emphysema. Exposure to secondhand smoke and airborne toxins also can contribute to emphysema, though to a much lesser degree. Smokers exposed to high levels of air pollution appear to be at higher risk of developing COPD. Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis are caused by damage to the lungs and bronchial tubes. When the damage is caused by smoking, symptoms may improve after a smoker quits. A small number of people in the United States develop emphysema from an inherited disease known as alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. In this genetic condition, the body doesn't make enough of a protein called alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT). AAT protects the lungs from damage by enzymes. When levels of AAT are low, the lungs are prone to being damaged by these enzymes. Smoking makes this condition worse.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Symptoms

During the early stages of emphysema, most people will have few symptoms. The disease usually progresses slowly. Changes in breathing may be hardly noticed. A typical person will not experience symptoms until they have smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for more than 20 years. However, over time, almost all people with emphysema will develop shortness of breath. At first, this may be noticed only during strenuous activities, such as climbing several flights of stairs or playing sports. As time goes on, the shortness of breath may occur with daily activities, such as housework or walking short distances. Eventually, the person may be short of breath for much of the day, even while at rest or sleeping. At its worst, emphysema can cause "air hunger." This is the constant feeling of being unable to catch one's breath. These respiratory symptoms are the same regardless of the cause of the emphysema. However, two people with the same degree of lung damage may have different symptoms. One person with mild emphysema may feel very short of breath. Another person with more advanced stages of the disease may be hardly bothered by symptoms. Other symptoms caused by emphysema include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask for details about your smoking. He or she will ask how long you've smoked, and how many cigarettes per day. Other questions may include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Expected duration

Regardless of the cause, lung damage in emphysema cannot be reversed. If the disease is not treated, damage and symptoms will continue to get worse. If treated, the symptoms can improve.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Prevention

If you smoke, stop. If you don't smoke, don't start. By quitting smoking you can either prevent emphysema or slow its progression. You also should limit your exposure to air pollution. Restrict your outdoor activity when there are reports of high smog levels. People exposed to harmful chemicals at work should speak to their employers about respirator masks. Or, consult with a specialist in occupational medicine. If you have emphysema, ask your doctor about vaccinations against influenza (flu) and pneumococcal pneumonia. These vaccinations can help to prevent life-threatening respiratory infections in people with lung disease.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Treatment

No treatment can reverse or stop emphysema. But treatment can help to:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: When to call a professional

Call your doctor if you develop:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Prognosis

There is no cure for emphysema. But the condition can be controlled. People with mild emphysema who quit smoking have a normal life expectancy. Those who adopt good health habits can enjoy a fairly normal lifestyle for a long time. Even people whose emphysema is severe have a good chance of surviving for five years or more. In people with emphysema who continue to smoke, smoking dramatically increases the severity of the illness. It may reduce life span by 10 years or more.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Emphysema

: Additional info

American Lung Association

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

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

    Encephalitis

: What is it?

Encephalitis means inflammation of the brain. This inflammation usually is triggered by a viral infection, although sometimes it can be caused by a bacterial infection of the brain, such as Lyme disease. In some cases, symptoms are caused by direct infection of the brain. In other cases, the brain inflammation is caused by the immune system's response to the brain infection. Even if the immune system attack succeeds in eliminating the infection, it may injure the brain in the process. This is called post-infectious encephalitis. Often, viruses that cause encephalitis also cause inflammation of the delicate tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord, which are called the meninges. This condition is meningitis. When encephalitis and meningitis occur together, it is called meningoencephalitis. Of the many different viruses that can cause meningoencephalitis, enteroviruses (particularly coxsackievirus and echovirus) are the most common cause in the United States, particularly if the illness occurs in the summer or fall. Encephalitis also can be caused by the herpes simplex virus, which also causes cold sores and genital herpes. This type of encephalitis is less common but tends to be more severe. The mumps and measles viruses also can cause encephalitis, with mumps occurring most often in the winter or spring. Other viruses that can cause encephalitis include several related viruses: varicella-zoster virus (the cause of chickenpox and shingles), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis) and human herpesvirus-6 (a cause of transient encephalitis in very young children). HIV also can cause encephalitis, particularly in the early stages of infection. Other viruses that cause encephalitis are transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans. Arboviruses are indirectly transmitted from animals and birds to humans by insects, especially mosquitoes and ticks. The West Nile virus is an arbovirus that commonly infects birds. Mosquitoes that bite an infected bird and then bite a human can transmit the virus. Most people infected with the West Nile virus don't develop encephalitis symptoms. If they do, they usually recover. This virus does not spread directly from human to human. Arboviruses that can infect horses are called equine viruses, such as Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE or triple E). A mosquito that bites an infected horse can carry the virus to a human. Fortunately, human infection is rare because, unlike West Nile virus infection in humans, triple E infection is often much more serious. Like West Nile, triple E does not spread through direct contact with an infected human. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus rarely infects humans. When it does, it can occur through contact with small animals.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Symptoms

The symptoms of encephalitis range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. Fortunately, most cases are not severe. Possible symptoms, beginning with the two most common, include the following:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects you have encephalitis, he or she will order tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the brain. A procedure called a lumbar puncture or spinal tap may be used to draw fluid from the spine and test it to determine what virus is causing the encephalitis.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Expected duration

Encephalitis can last from a few days to several months, depending on the virus involved and the severity of the case.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Prevention

When outbreaks of insect-borne encephalitis occur, people in the affected communities should remove pools of standing water, where mosquitoes can breed, and should use insect repellent. The most effective insect repellents contain a chemical called DEET. Travelers can be given vaccines against one cause, Japanese B encephalitis, which is common in Japan and other parts of Asia.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Treatment

Antiviral drugs, such as intravenous acyclovir, are often given when encephalitis is initially diagnosed, even before the cause is known. Acyclovir is the best treatment for herpes simplex encephalitis. If the drug can be started soon after symptoms begin, the chance of full recovery is much better. Without acyclovir treatment, herpes encephalitis can cause severe permanent brain damage. Antiviral drugs don't have much effect on the other viral agents that cause encephalitis. Encephalitis caused by Lyme disease is treated with intravenous antibiotics, usually ceftriaxone. Other treatments are known as supportive therapies. These include drugs to reduce fever, relieve headache, and treat seizures if they occur.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: When to call a professional

Contact a doctor if someone in your family suddenly becomes confused, is very hard to arouse, seems to have lost consciousness, or has severe headaches. Whether these symptoms are caused by encephalitis or another condition, they require immediate medical attention. In babies, a bulge in the fontanelle (the soft spot of the skull) is another important warning sign.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Prognosis

Encephalitis is most dangerous in babies and senior citizens, but it can be serious and even fatal in people of all ages. With severe cases, recovery is slow and may involve therapy to regain certain skills. The prospects for a complete recovery vary depending on the type of virus involved. Encephalitis from the herpes virus can cause permanent injury. Eastern equine encephalitis is rare, with fewer than 10 cases per year in the United States. However, 50% to 60% of cases are fatal, and most survivors have permanent brain damage.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encephalitis

: Additional info

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases

https://www.cdc.gov/
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: What Is It?

Encopresis is when a child who is toilet trained passes stool (bowel movements) into his or her underwear. To have encopresis, the child must be at least four years old, the age by which most children can control bowel movements. Encopresis is also called fecal incontinence.  In most children, encopresis is related to chronic constipation. Constipation is when bowel movements don't occur often enough. Also, the stool is hard and dry.   When stool needs to be passed, it collects in the lower bowel (rectum). There, it stretches the bowel wall. This feeling of the bowel being stretched is what normally makes us realize we have to go to the bathroom.   However, if the bowel wall is stretched for long periods without passing a bowel movement, the rectum loses its normal muscle tone and feeling. This makes it harder and harder to pass the hard stool collecting in the rectum. Also it becomes more difficult for your child to know when stool is ready to be passed.   As newer stool continues to be made in the intestines, it leaks around the large chunk of hard stool. It passes out of the rectum, and soils the child's underpants. In almost all children with encopresis caused by constipation, this is not done on purpose. In fact, many children do not even realize that the stool has leaked out. The first clue that the child has a problem may come when someone notices that the child smells bad.  Chronic constipation that turns into encopresis can have many different causes. These include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: Symptoms

In most children with encopresis, the most obvious signs are:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: Diagnosis

The doctor will begin by asking about your child's bowel habits, including:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: Expected Duration

With treatment, most children will recover from encopresis.  The length of treatment varies greatly depending on the child and the circumstances. Almost all children with encopresis stop soiling by the time they reach their mid-teen years.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: Prevention

To help prevent encopresis caused by chronic constipation, you can:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: Treatment

If your child has encopresis because of chronic constipation, treatment is a three-step process. It involves:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor if your child is older than age four and consistently soils his pants with stool. Also call if your child has started soiling after being clean for many months or years. Call your doctor if your child frequently has constipation, even if he or she is not having a problem with encopresis.   Call your doctor immediately if your child begins to intentionally drop or smear stool anywhere, including around the home or school.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children

: Prognosis

Most children with encopresis either outgrow the problem or respond to treatment. Treatment may involve changes in diet, medication and motivational therapy.   When encopresis is related to psychological or emotional problems, treatment may take longer.
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Endocarditis

: What is it?

Endocarditis, also called infective endocarditis, is an infection and inflammation of the heart valves and the inner lining of the heart chambers, which is called the endocardium. Endocarditis occurs when infectious organisms, such as bacteria or fungi, enter the bloodstream and settle in the heart. In most cases, these organisms are streptococci (andquot;strep"), staphylococci (andquot;staph") or species of bacteria that normally live on body surfaces. The infecting organism enters the bloodstream through a break in the skin caused by a skin disorder or injury; a medical or dental procedure; or a skin prick, especially among intravenous drug users. Depending on the aggressiveness (virulence) of the infecting germ, the heart damage caused by endocarditis can be swift and severe (acute endocarditis) or slower and less dramatic (subacute endocarditis).
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Endocarditis

: Symptoms

Symptoms of acute endocarditis include:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Endocarditis

: Diagnosis

Your doctor will review your medical history with particular attention to possible risk factors for endocarditis, including congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, an artificial heart valve or pacemaker, a history of IV drug use, and a history of chronic illness. Your doctor also will ask whether you have ever been told that you have a heart murmur and whether you have had any recent medical or dental procedure in which bacteria might have had an opportunity to entire your bloodstream (dental scaling, periodontal surgery, professional teeth cleaning, bronchoscopy, certain diagnostic tests of the genitourinary tract, colonoscopy). Your doctor will examine you, and will check for fever; skin symptoms of endocarditis (tiny hemorrhages in the skin, tender nodules on finger and toes); and a heart murmur, which indicates possible heart valve damage. Additional testing includes:
### Instruction:  Disease name:

    Endocarditis

: Expected duration

Symptoms of acute endocarditis usually begin suddenly and get worse quickly. It is an infection that can develop dramatically over a few days. Subacute endocarditis develops more slowly, and its milder symptoms can be present for weeks or months before the illness is suspected.