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### Instruction: Disease name: Spinal cord tumors : Prognosis

The prognosis will depend upon the location of the tumor on the spinal cord, the type of tumor and the size of the tumor at the time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to restoring function and preventing permanent damage to the spinal cord.

### Instruction: Disease name: Spinal cord tumors : Additional info

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/ American Brain Tumor Association https://www.abta.org/ Children's Brain Tumor Foundation https://www.cbtf.org/ Brain Tumor Society https://braintumor.org//

### Instruction: Disease name: Spinal cord tumors : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Sprain (Overview) : What Is It?

A sprain is a tear of ligaments, the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to one another at a joint. Normally, ligaments stabilize a joint, keep the joint's bones aligned and limit the motion of a joint to the normal range. When a joint is sprained, its torn or stretched ligaments can lose part or all of their ability to reinforce the joint and to keep it moving normally. In severe cases, the sprained joint can become unstable and loose, bones can move out of alignment and the joint may extend beyond its normal range of motion. Although ligaments can be sprained in a variety of ways, the actual ligament damage is usually caused by at least one of the following:

### Instruction: Disease name: Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin : What Is It?

Squamous cells are small, flat skin cells in the outer layer of skin. When these cells become cancerous, they typically develop into flat or raised, rounded skin tumors. Sometimes the skin around the tumors gets red and swollen. Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma occur in people who have spent lots of time in the sun—especially those with fair skin and blue eyes. Some cases develop on skin that has been injured or exposed to cancer-causing agents. This type of squamous cell cancer can develop on:

### Instruction: Disease name: Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin : Related Content

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : What is it?

A stroke is a brain injury that occurs because the brain's blood supply is interrupted. The brain's blood supply can be disrupted for different reasons. Doctors generally classify strokes into three categories, depending on the cause:

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Symptoms

Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. These include sensation, movement, sight, speech, balance, and coordination. The symptoms of stroke vary depending on which area of the brain is damaged. Symptoms can include

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Diagnosis

Your doctor will review your medical history and your risk factors for stroke. Risk factors for stroke include

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Expected duration

If circulation to the brain is restored quickly, symptoms can improve within a few days. If the blood supply is interrupted for longer periods, brain injury can be more severe. Symptoms can last for many months. You may need physical rehabilitation. Permanent brain damage can cause permanent disability. Some people, especially those who have a large hemorrhagic stroke, can die.

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Prevention

You can help to prevent stroke by controlling risk factors. Risk factors for stroke include

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Treatment

It is important to be aware of stroke symptoms. Seek immediate emergency care if you experience stroke symptoms. The doctor will first try to determine whether your stroke is caused by a clot or bleeding. Based on this information, he or she will begin the appropriate treatment.

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : When to call a professional

If you or someone you are with develops any of the symptoms of stroke, call a doctor right away. Or call an ambulance or go to an emergency room. It is important to be evaluated even if your symptoms last only a few minutes, and then go away. Symptoms of a stroke that go away are called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA can be a warning sign of a coming stroke. About 1 of 10 people who experience a TIA has a stroke during the next three months. People who see a doctor immediately after having a TIA can receive treatment. This might include treatment for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, or an aspirin plan. If these risks are addressed quickly, you can significantly lower your risk for having a stroke over the next three months.

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Prognosis

If the brain's blood supply is restored quickly and completely, the person may recover with little or no disability. In people with thrombotic strokes, early treatment with the clot-dissolving drug t-PA may reduce disability significantly.

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : Additional info

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/ National Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/ American Heart Association (AHA) https://www.heart.org/

### Instruction: Disease name: Stroke overview : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Stuttering : What Is It?

Stuttering is an interruption of the normal flow of speech, which takes on many different patterns. Commonly, it involves either saying a string of repeated sounds or making abnormal pauses during speech.   In early childhood, stuttering is sometimes part of normal speech development. In fact, about 5% of all young children go through a brief period of stuttering when they are learning to talk. Stuttering typically is first noticed between the ages of 2 and 5. It usually goes away on its own within a matter of months. In a small number of children (around 1%), stuttering continues and may get worse. Boys are more likely to stutter than girls.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : What is it?

A sty, also called hordeolum, is a small abscess of the oil gland associated with an eyelash hair follicle. It typically contains Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, the cause of staph infections. When a sty develops, a small area of the upper or lower eyelid or the corner of the eye becomes red, tender and swollen. Swelling subsides gradually over a period of days after the sty develops an opening, and the pus is able to drain out. A chalazion, like a sty, is a swelling within the eyelid caused by inflammation of an oil gland. A chalazion differs from a sty in that it does not contain an active bacterial infection. A chalazion is sometimes the after effect of a sty. It is less tender but lasts longer. Natural oils from the eyelid's oil glands must drain through ducts out to the eyelashes. If debris blocks this normal drainage, it may cause a sty or chalazion. Sometimes, this debris accumulates because of a condition called blepharitis, a long-standing inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, with redness, thickening and scales and crusts.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Symptoms

A sty or chalazion begins as a tender red lump or bump within the eyelid at the base of the eyelash. It may cause tearing, light sensitivity and the sensation of having something in the eye. Swelling usually involves only a small area of the lid, but in some cases it can lead to irritation and redness of the whole eyelid. A small, yellowish spot eventually appears in the center of a sty, when the pus collection expands to become visible just beneath the skin or eyelid surface. Pain usually is relieved when the sty ruptures, draining the pus through an opening in the skin, the lid margin or the undersurface of the lid. A chalazion at first may be red and swollen for a few days, but eventually it changes to a painless, slowly growing, round mass in the lid. The skin around this firm rubbery lump can be moved loosely over the swelling.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Diagnosis

You or your doctor can diagnose a sty or chalazion by looking at it. Both styes and chalazions usually go away on their own without medical attention.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Expected duration

A sty usually goes away in a week or two. Chalazions generally take longer, disappearing after a month or more. Warm compresses can help both styes and chalazions go away sooner.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Prevention

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent styes and chalazions. Keep your hands clean, don't rub your eyes, and don't share eye makeup. This is particularly important for people who have had styes or chalazions more than once.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Treatment

Warm compresses can help styes and chalazions heal faster. Moisten a clean, folded washcloth with warm water and hold it gently against the eye for 5 minutes several times a day for several days. The moist washcloth can be heated in a microwave over. This will encourage a sty or chalazion to open a drainage channel, allowing any pus to drain away and restoring normal drainage from oil glands. Change the washcloth frequently, particularly as a sty drains. Pus should never be removed by squeezing. A sty that fails to drain can be lanced (opened) by a doctor. If a chalazion does not go away on its own after six weeks, it may need to be treated surgically under local anesthesia.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : When to call a professional

Seek medical attention if a lump or bump on the eyelid impairs vision, or if it does not go away on its own after one week of treatment with warm compresses. Very rarely, a tumor of the eyelid can look like a chalazion. If redness spreads to the entire lid, you should arrange for prompt examination by a doctor.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Prognosis

Most styes will resolve within one week of treatment with warm compresses. Chalazions take longer to resolve, sometimes more than a couple months. Persistent chalazions may need treatment by an ophthalmalogist.

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : Additional info

American Academy of Ophthalmology www.aao.org

### Instruction: Disease name: Styes and chalazions : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : What Is It?

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding from a damaged artery at the surface of the brain. This bleeding often causes a sudden, severe headache. It is a medical emergency. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke. It can cause permanent brain damage.  Blood from a subarachnoid hemorrhage pulses into the space between the brain and the skull. It mixes with the cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord. As blood flows into the cerebral spinal fluid, it increases the pressure that surrounds the brain. The increased pressure can interfere with brain function.   In the days that immediately follow the bleeding, chemical irritation from clotted blood around the brain can cause brain arteries to go into spasm. An artery spasm can cause additional new brain damage.   Most often, a subarachnoid hemorrhage happens because a bulge in the wall of an artery ruptures. The sac-like bulge is called a saccular aneurysm. A subarachnoid hemorrhage also can occur because blood leaks from an abnormal tangle of blood vessels called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).  Ruptured Aneurysm Several large arteries form a circle at the base of your brain. When a subarachnoid hemorrhage is caused by a ruptured saccular aneurysm, the aneurysm usually is located where a blood vessel branches from one of these large arteries. About 20% of patients who have had a subarachnoid hemorrhage have multiple aneurysms.   Although it is not possible to predict whether an aneurysm will rupture, an aneurysm is more likely to rupture when it has a diameter of 7 millimeters or more. In most cases, a person who has a brain aneurysm never has a symptom related to it.  Leaking AVM An AVM is a tangled, abnormal mesh of blood vessels that connects an artery and a vein in the brain. AVMs form accidentally prior to birth. An AVM can form almost anywhere in the brain or spinal cord, but they usually are near the back of the brain.   AVMs can appear in several generations of the same family and are more common in men. Bleeding from an AVM most often occurs between the ages of 10 and 30. If an AVM is too deep to cause bleeding onto the outer surface of the brain (a subarachnoid hemorrhage), it can cause bleeding inside the brain itself (intracerebral hemorrhage).

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : Symptoms

The symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage can include:

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : Diagnosis

If you have a subarachnoid hemorrhage, you will be ill enough that you need to be evaluated in an emergency room. The doctor will do a physical examination, including a neurological examination, and will check to see if your neck movement is limited or uncomfortable, which can be a sign that there is an irritant such as blood in the spinal fluid.  One of two brain imaging tests will be used: either a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. CT scans provide an image more quickly.   A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, can confirm that you have a subarachnoid hemorrhage even when the hemorrhage is too small to appear on a CT scan. This test also can test whether you have meningitis, an infection that can cause similar symptoms. During a lumbar puncture, a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid is removed through a needle inserted into your back. This fluid is examined to see if it contains blood.   Two other tests, called brain angiography and MRI angiography, can evaluate blood flow patterns within your brain. One of these tests can be used to detect an aneurysm or AVM abnormality.   You also may have an electrocardiogram (EKG). The dramatic stress on the brain during a subarachnoid hemorrhage can trigger chemical changes within your heart muscle. These changes can stress the heart muscle and may result in a heart attack, even if your heart arteries are not narrowed by atherosclerosis.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : Expected Duration

For those who survive a subarachnoid hemorrhage, recovery is slow. Most people do not recover complete functioning within months of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Up to 50% of people who survive subarachnoid hemorrhage will have neurological disabilities that last much longer or become permanent.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : Prevention

It is almost impossible to prevent subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm or AVM. These blood vessel abnormalities usually do not cause any symptoms before the hemorrhage occurs. Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of forming an aneurysm, so avoiding smoking may prevent some cases of hemorrhagic stroke.  Some people have proposed screening tests, such as MRI angiography, that would identify aneurysms before they cause a problem. However, this idea has been impractical for most people, because surgery to remove an aneurysm can leave you with decreased function after your recovery. For most people, this is a risk that is not worth taking, since most aneurysms never cause serious bleeding.   Screening and surgery are not recommended for people who have a single close relative who has a brain aneurysm or a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Screening and surgery may make sense for people who have two or more close relatives who have had bleeding, since this family is at an especially high risk. Because aneurysm screening is controversial, you should consider the risks of surgery carefully with your doctor before you ask for a screening test.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : Treatment

When a large hemorrhage occurs in or around the brain, the entire brain is in danger because of increasing pressure within the skull. Much of the emergency treatment for hemorrhagic stroke involves measuring and lowering this pressure. Depending upon the patient's level of consciousness and intracranial pressure, he or she may need to be hooked up to a breathing machine. Also intravenous medications can be given to decrease the pressure.   Blood pressure must be kept in a tight range. Blood pressure that gets too low can be even more dangerous than high readings.  Subarachnoid hemorrhages commonly cause arteries nearest to the site of bleeding to spasm and become narrower. The calcium channel blocker called nimodipine is usually given to help prevent the spasm from further damaging the brain.    A subarachnoid hemorrhage frequently causes shifts in the level of blood chemicals called electrolytes. Your doctor will adjust the amount of chemicals in the intravenous fluids based upon results of daily blood tests.  If bleeding occurred because of an abnormally formed blood vessel, you will likely need a procedure to prevent recurrent bleeding. Ideally the procedure is performed when your condition is more stable.   For an aneurysm, your doctor may recommend endovascular coiling or aneurysm clipping.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : When To Call A Professional

Call for emergency help immediately whenever a friend or family member shows any unexpected symptoms that suggest to you they may be having a subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially if that person loses consciousness or suddenly develops a seizure. Call your own doctor promptly or have a friend bring you to the emergency room if you develop a severe headache and you are vomiting. Less-intense headaches should be evaluated by your doctor if you have them often or if they are accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weakness or numbness in any part of the body.   If you have a sudden, very severe headache but it goes away, it is critically important to discuss this with your doctor. Sometimes blood leaks briefly from a blood vessel 6 to 20 days before a subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs. The headache this leak causes is called a sentinel headache. Your doctor may be able to provide treatment that can prevent more serious bleeding.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : Prognosis

Many patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage do not survive long enough to reach a hospital. Of those who do, the prognosis depends upon the severity of the initial brain damage. If the person is awake and has minimal or no neurological abnormalities, the immediate prognosis is good. However, the person's condition can change rapidly.  Without treatment of an aneurysm or AVM that bled, the risk of rebleeding is significant. Successful treatment greatly lowers this risk.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : What is it?

A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood vessel near the surface of the brain bursts. Blood builds up between the brain and the brain's tough outer lining. The condition is also called a subdural hemorrhage. In a subdural hematoma, blood collects immediately beneath the dura mater. The dura mater is the outermost layer of the meninges. The meninges is the three-layer protective covering of the brain. A subdural hematoma is a life-threatening problem because it can compress the brain.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Symptoms

Acute subdural hemorrhage usually develops after severe head trauma. Injuries that result in this condition are typically forceful enough to cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Usually, in the minutes to hours after head injury, the person recovers consciousness. Then, the person gradually loses consciousness again, this time from subdural bleeding. Other common symptoms of an acute subdural hemorrhage include

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Diagnosis

All head injuries should be evaluated promptly by a physician. This is especially true if there has been any loss of consciousness. A doctor usually will want to know

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Expected duration

An acute subdural hemorrhage develops over minutes to hours. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can cause severe brain injury and sometimes death. A chronic subdural hemorrhage develops over many days to weeks. The symptoms may be subtle and develop so slowly that the person and family are not alarmed. As is the case with any brain injury, symptoms can be slow to go away after treatment. Some symptoms may be permanent. Occasionally, a subdural hematoma is small enough that you may not need surgery to remove the blood. The blood will be reabsorbed gradually by the body. This process may require a few months. But it is sometimes the safest treatment plan.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Prevention

Accidents, including head injuries, are the leading cause of death in young people. Many of these accidents are related to drugs and alcohol. Many others could be prevented with simple precautions or safety equipment. To help prevent head injuries:

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Treatment

An acute subdural hemorrhage requires immediate medical attention. In most cases, emergency surgery must be done to drain the hematoma and to control bleeding. In contrast, only some chronic subdural hemorrhages require emergency surgery. Most physicians will recommend surgery for larger hemorrhages and those that cause neurological symptoms. However, treatment with bed rest, medications, and observation may be reasonable in some cases. This may be the case for smaller hematomas that cause minimal or no symptoms. People who develop a subdural hemorrhage are at risk of seizures. Seizures may occur even after the hematoma has been treated.

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : When to call a professional

Call for emergency assistance if you find someone unconscious at an accident scene. Also seek immediate attention if someone with a head injury experiences

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Prognosis

The outlook for acute subdural hemorrhages generally is guarded and some people die even with prompt surgery. Usually there are injuries to other parts of the brain from the trauma. This tends to be true regardless of the size of the hematoma. Many of those who survive may be left with permanent neurological problems. The prognosis for an acute or chronic subdural hematoma is best in people who:

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : Additional info

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/ Brain Injury Association of America https://www.biausa.org/

### Instruction: Disease name: Subdural hematoma : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : What is it?

Although most people love the warmth and light of the sun, too much sun exposure can significantly damage human skin. The sun's heat dries out areas of unprotected skin and depletes the skin's supply of natural lubricating oils. In addition, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause burning and long-term changes in the skin's structure. The most common types of sun damage to the skin are:

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Symptoms

Sun-damaged skin shows the following symptoms:

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Diagnosis

In most cases, your doctor can confirm that you have sun-damaged skin simply by examining the area. Often, a biopsy is done to rule out skin cancer in a patch of actinic keratosis. In a biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed and examined in a laboratory.

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Expected duration

The painful redness of sunburn will fade within a few days, provided that you do not re-expose your injured skin to the sun without using a sunblock or sunscreen. Some sun damage is permanent, although prescription medications, nonprescription remedies and skin-resurfacing treatments may improve the skin's appearance.

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Prevention

You can help to prevent sun-damaged skin by taking the following steps:

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Treatment

The type of treatment depends on the form of sun damage:

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : When to call a professional

Call your primary care physician or a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin problems) if you have any of the following problems:

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Prognosis

Sun damage may result in a permanent cosmetic concern. Some treatments for actinic keratoses can leave a pale (de-pigmented) area of the skin surface. More important than appearance is the long-term impact of sun damage on your chances of developing skin cancer. The more unprotected sun exposure you have during your lifetime, the greater your risk of skin cancer, especially if you have a light complexion.

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : Additional info

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/ American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/ National Cancer Institute (NCI) https://www.cancer.gov/ American Cancer Society (ACS) https://www.cancer.org/ The Skin Cancer Foundation https://www.skincancer.org/

### Instruction: Disease name: Sun-damaged skin : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : What is it?

Thrombophlebitis is a blood clot (thrombus) inside an inflamed vein. When it affects the body's superficial veins — those that are seen easily near the surface of the skin — it's known as superficial thrombophlebitis. Thrombophlebitis is very common in people who have varicose veins. However, it also can occur in people with medical conditions that lead to sluggish blood flow in the legs, especially pregnant women and people who are immobilized because of stroke or cancer. People who receive injections or medications intravenously (into a vein) also are more likely to get thrombophlebitis because their veins can become irritated by the tubes used or by the medication itself. Intravenous drug users are at high risk of a very serious type of thrombophlebitis that can develop into a vein infection. Thrombophlebitis in a superficial leg vein is not the same as deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition that is not treated with simple local therapy. It requires administration of anti-clotting drugs.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Symptoms

Thrombophlebitis causes pain in the area of the clotted vein, together with redness and sometimes swelling in the surrounding skin.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Diagnosis

Your doctor looks for redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness in the affected vein and in the surrounding skin. The clotted and inflamed vein also can be very firm and can feel like a hard line or string under the skin. Your doctor usually can diagnose thrombophlebitis with a simple physical examination. In people with many episodes of thrombophlebitis, or with thrombophlebitis involving more than one vein, further tests may be necessary to check for problems with blood flow in the veins.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Expected duration

With treatment, most episodes of thrombophlebitis resulting from varicose veins, sluggish blood flow, or irritation from administration of intravenous medications typically heal quickly, usually within a few days. Thrombophlebitis resulting from vein infection requires longer treatment.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Prevention

If you are pregnant or have varicose veins, you can help to relieve sluggish blood flow in your legs by wearing elastic support stockings or graduated compression stockings, as your doctor directs. Avoid prolonged periods of standing and, if possible, elevate your legs when you sit. Regular exercise, especially walking, also can help to improve blood flow. To prevent thrombophlebitis from infection, avoid injecting illegal drugs into your veins.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Treatment

Treatment is very effective for most simple cases of thrombophlebitis. For leg vein thrombophlebitis, treatment includes bed rest, elevating the legs and applying warm compresses. In some cases, wrapping the legs with an elastic bandage and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also can help. In patients with varicose veins who have had several episodes of thrombophlebitis, the affected veins can be surgically "stripped," a procedure in which the vein is tied off, cut and removed through a small incision. If the vein becomes infected, you will be treated with antibiotics. Mild cases can be treated with oral medications, but more severe cases usually require antibiotics given intravenously (into a vein) or by injection. In patients with superficial thrombophlebitis that is not improving with standard therapy, anticoagulant (anti-clotting) medication sometimes is used to prevent blood clots from extending into the deeper leg veins. Blood clots in the deep leg veins, a condition called deep vein thrombosis, can lead to blood clots, called emboli, that float in the bloodstream. These blood clots can travel to the lungs, which can be life threatening.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : When to call a professional

Call your doctor whenever you have pain, redness or swelling along the length of a vein.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Prognosis

In pregnant women, thrombophlebitis is often a short-term condition that doesn't return after delivery. In people with varicose veins, thrombophlebitis may not return as long as the patient wears support stockings, walks regularly, and elevates the legs while sitting.

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : Additional info

American College of Cardiology https://www.acc.org/

### Instruction: Disease name: Superficial thrombophlebitis : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : What is it?

Young children, and sometimes older children and adults, may swallow toys, coins, safety pins, buttons, bones, wood, glass, magnets, batteries or other foreign objects. These objects often pass all the way through the digestive tract in 24 to 48 hours and cause no harm. But problems may arise when objects are stuck for a long time, are sharp, are magnetic or contain corrosive materials. Complications can include tears in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and stomach), movement of the object into the tissue of the esophagus, and infection. Small magnets can pose a special problem. If more than one is swallowed, they can stick together and erode through tissue. Three areas of the esophagus are the most likely places for objects to lodge:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Symptoms

If the object gets caught in the esophagus, it can cause:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Diagnosis

After your doctor examines your child and asks about his or her recent medical history, the doctor may order an X-ray to help show where the object is. Some things cannot be seen with an X-ray. If the X-ray does not show the object, but the symptoms and circumstances still suggest that an object is stuck in the esophagus, the child may need a computerized tomography (CT) scan, or other radiologic tests.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Expected duration

Most objects that do not cause symptoms will pass through the digestive tract in one or two days without causing harm.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Prevention

Keep all small objects such as coins, pins, magnets, small toy pieces and batteries away from young children, especially those younger than age 3.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Treatment

If your child has swallowed a foreign object, call your doctor for advice, and:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : When to call a professional

If your child swallows a battery, magnet or an object larger than a quarter, contact your doctor immediately or bring them to a local emergency room, even if your child has no symptoms. The same is true if your child has swallowed something sharp, such as a piece of glass or an open safety pin. Sharp objects sometimes can injure the esophagus, stomach or intestines. If your child has swallowed a smooth object that is smaller than a quarter, and has no symptoms, contact your doctor to decide the best course of action. You may be able to wait and see if the object passes through the digestive tract on its own. If more than 24 to 48 hours pass and you do not see the object in the toilet or in your child's diaper, or if your child begins experiencing symptoms of a lodged object, contact your doctor.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Prognosis

In most cases the outlook is excellent; the object will pass on its own or can be removed without complications. Complications from endoscopy or surgery can include bleeding, tears in the esophagus or intestine, infection or complications from the anesthesia. These complications are uncommon, and usually treatable.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : Additional info

National Library of Medicine (NLM) https://www.nlm.nih.gov/

### Instruction: Disease name: Swallowed object : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : What Is It?

Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal caused by bacteria or fungi. It often is called swimmer's ear because it is associated with frequent swimming. Prolonged exposure to water, which may contain certain bacteria, makes the skin of the ear canal swollen and more likely to get infected. Summer humidity also changes the skin of the ear canal, increasing the possibility of infection. While swimmer's ear is most common in the summer, it can happen any time of the year. People with skin conditions such as eczema and seborrhea may be more prone to infections. Others who are more likely to develop swimmer's ear include people who:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : Symptoms

Symptoms of swimmer's ear include:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : Diagnosis

Swimmer's ear usually is diagnosed by examining the ear with a special viewing tool called an otoscope. The doctor looks for:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : Expected Duration

With treatment, symptoms usually improve within 1 to 3 days and go away completely in 7 to 10 days. The problem can return, especially if you don't take steps to prevent getting water in the ear canals repeatedly.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : Prevention

To help prevent swimmer's ear:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : Treatment

Swimmer's ear usually is treated with prescription eardrops. The most commonly used drops combine either acetic acid or an antibiotic with a corticosteroid to calm the inflammation. There are multiple commercial combinations available.  Drops usually are placed in the ear canal three or four times per day for about five days. Follow the instructions on your prescription.  In the past, the most commonly prescribed topical treatment was a combination of neomycin, polymixin and hydrocortisone. In people who are allergic to neomycin, the use of these drops may cause the ear canal to become red and swell. The reaction may extend to the outer ear and surrounding skin and may be accompanied by blisters. If you get a reaction like this, stop using the eardrops and contact your doctor immediately.   In some cases of swimmer's ear, swelling may make it difficult for the medicated drops to get down into the ear canal. In these cases, your doctor may place a wick in the ear canal to help the eardrops get deeper into the canal. For very severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an oral or intravenous antibiotic.

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : When To Call a Professional

The treatment of swimmer's ear usually requires prescription medication. Call your doctor if you or your child has symptoms of this condition.  With treatment, symptoms usually improve within 24 hours and go away in two or three days. If you currently are being treated for swimmer's ear, call your doctor for follow-up if:

### Instruction: Disease name: Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) : Prognosis

Uncomplicated cases of swimmer's ear should go away within five days with appropriate treatment. Muffled hearing should return to normal as the swelling subsides.

### Instruction: Disease name: Syphilis : What Is It?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a type of bacteria called Treponema pallidum. In its earliest stage, syphilis produces an open sore (ulcer) that leaks fluid filled with syphilis bacteria. Syphilis can be transmitted by contact with this ulcer or other infectious sores that form later in the disease, usually during vaginal, oral or anal sex. If untreated, syphilis moves through a series of stages that affect different parts of the body, although the stages can overlap:

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : What is it?

Tachycardia is a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute. The heart normally beats at a rate of 60 to 100 times per minute, and the pulse (felt at the wrist, neck or elsewhere) matches the contractions of the heart's ventricles, the heart's two powerful lower chambers. Tachycardia can be part of the body's normal response to anxiety, fever, rapid blood loss or strenuous exercise. It also can be caused by medical problems, such as an abnormally high level of thyroid hormones, called hyperthyroidism. In some people, tachycardia is the result of a cardiac arrhythmia (a heart-generated abnormality of heart rate or rhythm). Tachycardia can also be caused by lung problems, such as pneumonia or a blood clot in one of the lung's arteries. In other cases, tachycardia can be a side effect of some foods and drinks, including coffee, tea, alcohol and chocolate; tobacco; or medication.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Symptoms

Tachycardia can be part of the body's normal response to anxiety, fever, rapid blood loss or strenuous exercise. It also can be caused by medical problems, such as an abnormally high level of thyroid hormones, called hyperthyroidism. In some people, tachycardia is the result of a cardiac arrhythmia (a heart-generated abnormality of heart rate or rhythm). Tachycardia can also be caused by lung problems, such as pneumonia or a blood clot in one of the lung's arteries. In other cases, tachycardia may be a side effect of caffeinated drinks, alcohol, illegal substances, or medication.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms. He or she will review your personal medical history and potential causes of tachycardia, including lung disease, thyroid disorders, and medications. Your doctor will want to know if you have a family history of heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias. During the physical examination, your doctor will check your heart rate and rhythm. Your doctor also will check for an enlarged heart, for heart murmurs (one sign of a heart valve problem), for abnormal lung sounds and for physical signs of thyroid abnormalities (enlarged thyroid gland, hand tremor and an abnormal protrusion of the eyes). To further evaluate your tachycardia, your doctor will order an electrocardiogram (EKG). However, because some forms of tachycardia come and go, a one-time office EKG may be normal. If this is the case, you may need a test called ambulatory electrocardiography. For this test, you will wear a portable device that can continuously monitor your heart rate and rhythm. You press a button to record EKG readings when symptoms occur. Depending on the results of your physical examination, other tests may be necessary, such as blood tests to measure your red blood cell count and levels of thyroid hormones and an echocardiogram to see if there are any structural abnormalities of your heart. Sometimes, physicians do "electrophysiology testing," in which they insert special catheters within the heart to collect information on the patterns of the heart's electrical activities.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Expected duration

How long tachycardia lasts depends on its cause. For example, tachycardia resulting from fever will go away when body temperature returns to normal. Tachycardia resulting from blood loss will end when the patient is stabilized with intravenous (IV) fluids and/or blood transfusions. Tachycardia resulting from hyperthyroidism or an adrenal gland tumor will go away when the disorder is treated. Tachycardia caused by medications or diet will go away quickly, usually within hours, when the chemical that is causing the problem is used up by the body or excreted in the urine. Tachycardia caused by cardiac problems can last a long time.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Prevention

Since tachycardia is usually a sign of some underlying medical problem, discovering and treating the cause is the best way to prevent recurrent tachycardia. The first episode of an arrhythmia that causes a rapid heart beat usually cannot be prevented.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Treatment

The treatment of tachycardia depends on its cause. For example:

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : When to call a professional

Call your doctor if you experience unexplained tachycardia, not the normal increase in heart rate after exercise. This is especially important if you also have palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting spells, fatigue, breathlessness or chest pain.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Prognosis

The long-term outlook is usually good when tachycardia is caused by fever, blood loss, hyperthyroidism, medication or diet. Many tachycardias related to heart or lung problems can be controlled with medication, surgery or other procedures.

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : Additional info

American Heart Association (AHA) https://www.heart.org/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ American College of Cardiology https://www.acc.org/

### Instruction: Disease name: Tachycardia : About the Reviewer

### Instruction: Disease name: Takayasu's arteritis : What is it?

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic (long-term) disease in which arteries become inflamed. It is also known as Takayasu's aortitis, pulseless disease, and aortic arch syndrome. The name comes from the doctor who first reported the problem in 1905, Dr. Mikito Takayasu. In most cases, Takayasu's arteritis targets the aorta and its major branches, including arteries to the brain, arms, and kidneys. The aorta is the body's main artery, which pumps oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Less frequently, the pulmonary artery and coronary arteries also are involved. This problem causes damage to the body's major organs; reduced or absent pulses in the arms and legs; and symptoms of poor circulation, such as a cool or cold arm or leg, muscle pains with use or exertion, or symptoms of stroke if brain arteries are narrowed or blocked. Over time, Takayasu's arteritis can cause scarring, narrowing, and abnormal ballooning of involved blood vessels. The disease can be fatal. Although the cause of Takayasu's arteritis is unknown, it may be an autoimmune disorder, meaning that immune defenses attack the body's own cells rather than protecting them from outside invaders. Researchers have identified a number of genes that appear to increase the risk of developing this disease. In Asia, Takayasu's arteritis is a major cause of high blood pressure in teenagers and young adults. In North America and Europe, however, Takayasu's arteritis is a very rare illness that affects only two or three of every one million people every year. It is eight times more common in females than in males. Although 75% of people begin to have symptoms during their teenage years, the average age at which the problem is diagnosed is usually much later at age 29. This is because early symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis are more general and common, such as fatigue. Up to 96% of people are not diagnosed until they have later, more specific symptoms.

### Instruction: Disease name: Takayasu's arteritis : Symptoms

The symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis vary depending on the stage of the illness and the arteries affected. Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, poor appetite, weight loss, night sweats, joint pain, and chest pain. Later symptoms typically are related to narrowing of the arteries and a decrease in blood flow to certain organs. These later symptoms can include:

### Instruction: Disease name: Takayasu's arteritis : Diagnosis

Because Takayasu's arteritis is so rare and because the early symptoms are not specific, a doctor may not suspect you have the disease until you develop symptoms of narrowed arteries. This could be months, or even years, after the disease started. The earliest clues that you may have Takayasu's arteritis may be high blood pressure that can't be explained by anything else, difficulty obtaining a blood pressure measurement on one side, a difference in blood pressure reading between the two arms, or symptoms of poor circulation — all of these are unusual findings in a younger person. Your doctor may suspect that you have Takayasu's arteritis if you have at least three of the six criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology to distinguish it from other forms of vasculitis:

### Instruction: Disease name: Takayasu's arteritis : Expected duration

How long Takayasu's arteritis lasts varies. In many cases, the active illness lasts for years, causing continuing inflammation and ongoing damage to blood vessels. If symptoms go away, either on their own or after treatment, they can return later. Damage to arteries may be permanent. Even when Takayasu's arteritis itself is no longer active, narrowed arteries may continue to disrupt blood flow to organs.

### Instruction: Disease name: Takayasu's arteritis : Prevention

There is no way to prevent Takayasu's arteritis.

### Instruction: Disease name: Takayasu's arteritis : Treatment

Doctors usually begin treatment for Takayasu's arteritis with glucocorticoid medications, such as prednisone. If these medications alone do not work well or if there is a high risk of steroid-related complications, another immunosuppressive drug, such as tocilizumab (Actemra), etanercept (Enbrel), or infliximab (Remicade), may be added. Other treatment options include methotrexate (Folex, Methotrexate, and Rheumatrex), azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate (CellCept), leflunomide (Arava), or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar). Blood pressure medications also may be necessary to control high blood pressure. If Takayasu's arteritis has caused significant narrowing of an artery, the narrowed segment may need to be widened or repaired. Depending on the artery affected, there are several ways this can be accomplished, including: