VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Permanent makeup, or cosmetic tattooing, is a fast-growing part of the health and beauty industry. If you have faint eyebrows, no eyebrows, or partial eyebrows, a cosmetic tattoo can help. A lip tattoo can reduce "lipstick bleed," and give definition to the lip line. With a colored lip tattoo, lip scars seem to disappear, plus you can kiss lipstick good-bye. After an eyeliner tattoo, you can put away your eye pencils for several years. Cosmetic tattooing also has more serious applications, such as improving the appearance of a nipple after breast reconstruction. Check your tattoo artist's credentials carefully. Ask to speak with former clients. Ask to see before-and-after photographs. To avoid infections and ensure professional results, it is important to work with a licensed aesthetician, ideally one recommended by a cosmetic surgeon. Make sure the aesthetician uses sterile gloves and sterilized equipment. The process is just like getting a tattoo. The person applying permanent makeup uses a needle that penetrates your skin and releases pigment. Proper sterilization, techniques, and licensing are key. Before getting permanent makeup applied, you'll get a patch test on your skin to check on whether you have an allergic reaction to the pigment that will be used. After that, you will choose the color, based on advice and suggestions from the makeup artist. The technician will then use a sterile surgical pen to sketch the area to be tattooed and then put an anesthetic gel on your skin. Using a hollow, vibrating needle, the technician will apply the pigment into the top layer of the skin. Each time the needle penetrates the skin, a droplet of pigment is released into the hole the needle makes. You will feel a slight stinging. After getting permanent makeup, it takes about three weeks for the color to fade to its permanent shade. At first, the color will likely look dark and shiny. The surrounding tissue will be swollen and red. You can use a cold compress to reduce swelling and antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection. Strict sun avoidance and use of sunscreens that block the entire ultraviolet light A and B spectrum for several weeks is important to prevent post-inflammatory color changes. Complications are rare but can include infection or allergic reactions to the tattoo dye. No.
context: Weight loss surgery is lifesaving for some people, taking off pounds that have hurt their health. But it's not right for everyone who has a lot of weight to lose. If you're thinking about it, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks, and whether it's a good idea for you. Weight loss surgery can help you shed a lot of pounds. That weight loss often leads to other health benefits. Obesity-related medical conditions usually improve with this weight loss, sometimes to the point where medication is no longer needed, including: Type 2 diabetes Obstructive sleep apnea High blood pressure After weight loss surgery, most people -- about 95% -- say their quality of life is better. Some studies also suggest people live longer after weight loss surgery, compared to equally obese people who don't get surgery. Weight loss surgery carries real risks. As many as 40% of people have complications afterward. These complications can occur soon after surgery or in the long term, and they vary based on the type of weight loss surgery you have. While some complications are unpleasant or inconvenient, others may cause pain and discomfort or require additional surgeries, including: Short-term complications: Wound infections Excessive bleeding Breathing problems Long-term complications: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Abdominal hernias Malnutrition Serious complications can happen, too. Those are rare, happening about 3% of the time. Some can be life-threatening: Blood clot to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) Leaks in the new surgical gut connections Bleeding ulcers Heart attacks The risk is higher for people over age 60. Having weight loss surgery at a center with very experienced surgeons reduces this risk. Even after successful weight loss surgery, other problems are common: Gallstones, often requiring gallbladder removal Vitamin deficiencies or malnutrition, from poor absorption of nutrients Sagging skin, requiring body contouring surgery
context: Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their lives. The causes of back pain are numerous; some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms. var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Symptoms of back pain can include: Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back -- especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity; (pain in the upper back can also be a sign of a heart attack or other life-threatening conditions.) Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes Inability to stand straight without having pain or muscle spasms in the lower back You feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your groin, arms or legs; this may signal damage to the spinal cord. Seek immediate medical help. The pain in your back extends downward along the back of the leg; you may be suffering from sciatica. The pain increases when you cough or bend forward at the waist; this can be the sign of a herniated disc. The pain is accompanied by fever, burning during urination, or frequent and/or urgent urination. You may have an infection. You begin to have problems controlling your bowels or bladder; seek immediate medical help. Other "red flags" that could point to a serious back pain problem include: A history of cancer Unintentional weight loss You have been on steroids or medication that weakens your immune system A history of trauma Pain that is getting worse and does not get better after you rest Pain that has lasted more than a month Nighttime pain Unresponsive to earlier back pain therapies A history of IV drug use
context: If you have heart failure, there's a good chance you also have high blood pressure, or "hypertension." About two-thirds of people whose hearts can't pump enough blood because of the condition also have high BP or once did. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart failure. That's because the force pushing on the walls of your arteries as blood moves through them is too strong. That pressure hurts your arteries and makes tiny tears in them that can turn into scar tissue, which makes it easier for cholesterol, fat, and other things to build up. That causes your vessels narrow and stiffen. Over time, these things make it harder for blood to flow through your vessels. That forces your heart to work harder than usual. After a while, your ticker can't keep up. It gets thicker and larger, and it doesn't pump blood quite as well. That brings the fatigue, breathlessness, and other symptoms people with heart failure deal with. Keeping your blood pressure in check can help you avoid heart failure -- and it's also important if you already have the condition. High BP can make it get worse. If you have heart failure, your doctor may ask you to get your blood pressure down to lower levels than others. Eat a healthy diet, don't smoke, and get exercise to help lower your BP. Have heart failure? You'll probably need to take medicine, too. Your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker, an ACE inhibitor, or an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Certain medicines, like diuretics or "water pills," also help lessen the buildup of fluid that's common with the condition. Regular checkups are key, but your doctor will probably want you to watch your blood pressure, too. Keeping tabs on it at home -- and working closely with your doctor -- can make a big difference, studies show. Ask him if you should chart the measurements you take yourself. Keeping a log can help provide a picture of your progress.
context: When you get a tension headache, the only thing you care about is how to prevent another one. That's no surprise. And it's no surprise that you get these headaches either. They're the most common type of headache, and nearly 80% of people in the U. S. get them. You know the tell-tale signs: Dull, aching pain Tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head Tenderness of your scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles If you get less than 15 per month, you have what doctors call episodic tension headaches. If you get more than 15 per month for three or more months, you have chronic tension headaches. Unlike migraines, tension headaches aren't caused by genes. The top cause: stress. Other things, like not getting enough rest, poor posture, or depression, can make them worse. You might not be able to stop every single one. But there are lots of things you can do to get fewer of them. For starters, try some of these lifestyle changes: Limit your stress. Try to plan ahead. Get, and stay, organized. Things that help you relax, like massage or meditation, can also help. Exercise regularly. At least 30 minutes, 5 times a week, is ideal. It eases stress and keeps you fit. It also helps to stretch. Pay close attention to your jaw, neck, and shoulders. These are areas where we tend to hold a lot of tension. Get enough sleep. When you're well-rested, it's much easier to deal with daily stress. Improve your posture. A strong stance can help keep your muscles from tensing. When you stand, hold your shoulders back and your head level. Tighten your belly and buttocks. When you sit, make sure your thighs are parallel to the floor and your head and neck don't slump forward. Drink lots of water. If you're dehydrated, you're more likely to get a tension headache. Drink several glasses of fresh, filtered water each day, even if you're not thirsty. It also helps to eat foods that are naturally rich in water, like most fruits and vegetables. Eat regular, balanced meals. Skipping a meal can cause a throbbing headache. Try to eat at the same times every day. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Limit caffeine and alcohol. There is caffeine in many over-the-counter headache medicines, but it can trigger headaches. Drink less coffee and tea, and fewer energy and soft drinks. Keep a headache diary. Record the date, time, and what you were doing or had eaten when you get a headache. This will help you spot triggers. It'll also help your doctor come up with a treatment plan.
context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Homocysteine is a common amino acid in your blood. You get it mostly from eating meat. High levels of it are linked to early development of heart disease. In fact, a high level of homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease. It's associated with low levels of vitamins B6, B12, and folate, as well as renal disease. Research has shown, however, that getting your homocysteine levels down with vitamins doesn't reduce your chance of having heart disease. Doctors aren't sure how. They're also not certain if your chance of having heart and blood vessel disease goes up if your homocysteine level is high. There does appear to be a relationship between high levels of homocysteine and artery damage. That can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and blood clots. There's no universal recommendation for checking homocysteine levels. The test is still relatively expensive, it isn't widely available, and insurance rarely covers it. If you have high homocysteine levels, talk to your doctor about how to change your diet.
context: When your triglycerides are high, your doctor has probably mentioned all the things that help: eat less fat and sugar, exercise more, and take medicine. That's a lot of change. But for every obstacle you face, there's a way to overcome it. Obstacle: You hate to exercise. Solution: You're more likely to make exercise a part of your healthier life if it's convenient and enjoyable. It also helps to work out with a buddy who shares your goals. If you have aches or pains, see if your doctor can recommend a physical therapist. Your health insurance company may cover the cost if your doctor refers you. If your insurer doesn't cover physical therapy, also check out certified personal trainers to design a custom approach to exercise that will work with your lifestyle. Either way, you want a workout program customized to your likes and your schedule. Obstacle: You're having a hard time staying on your diet. Solution: Try a new approach to your plate: Fill half with vegetables or fruit. Then, fill a quarter with high-fiber grains like quinoa or brown rice. Add a few ounces of protein -- fish, chicken, lean meat, or beans -- to the last quarter. Enjoy a serving of low-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese on the side. You can also consult a pro. Ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist who can help you plan a balanced diet. Obstacle: You can't remember to take the medicine your doctor prescribed. Solution: Put your pills in a weekly pill organizer and keep it on your kitchen counter. Try to take your medicine at the same time each day -- for instance, with breakfast or dinner. Program a reminder into your cell phone or write it on your calendar. If you're traveling, stick a note in your suitcase reminding you to pack your medicine. It'll jog your memory the next time you pack for a trip. Obstacle: You don't like how your medicine makes you feel. Solution: Let your doctor know. It may be possible to switch to another drug or adjust your dose. Like all medicines, triglyceride treatments can have side effects. Usually they're minor. You may feel nausea, weakness, or bloating. Some medication can have an aftertaste. There are several types of drugs that help lower triglycerides, including fibrates, prescription-strength fish oil, niacin, and statins. Each can affect people differently, so keep trying until you find the one that works best for you. It is possible that lifestyle changes alone will be the best approach. If you follow your treatment plan carefully, you could see start to see a drop in your triglycerides within a few weeks. Stay positive and focus on the goals you and your doctor have set. You'll get there!
context: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease ( STD). It's easily treated with antibiotics. If you have syphilis and don't get treated, the infection can lead to a number of serious -- even life-threatening -- conditions. They develop over many years and may include: Heart disease Nervous system disorders Mental disorders Blindness Aortic aneurysms If you have syphilis and are pregnant, you can pass it on to your unborn child. You might also have a higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirth (your baby being born dead), or your newborn dying within a few days. Untreated babies who are born with syphilis can also have problems with their bones, blood, liver, spleen, brain, and skin. It may also cause blindness, seizures, developmental delays, and deafness. If you have syphilis, you're up to 5 times more likely to get HIV. That's because syphilis sores can be open, making it easy for HIV to get into your body while you're having sex. These are small bumps of dead tissue and fiber. They can form throughout your body if you don't get treated. You can get them in your internal organs and on bones or skin in the late stages. They typically go away with treatment. If it's not treated, syphilis can cause problems with your nervous system. Symptoms include: Severe headache Stroke Loss of muscle coordination Paralysis or inability to move part of your body Numbness A mental disorder called dementia Blindness or changes to vision
context: See a health care provider as soon as possible if you develop any of the following: Any symptom of lung cancer New cough or change in an existing cough Hemoptysis (flecks of blood in your sputum when coughing) Unexplained weight loss Unexplained persistent fatigue Unexplained deep aches or pains Go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department if any of the following occur: Coughing up a large amount of blood Sudden shortness of breath Sudden weakness Sudden vision problems Persistent chest pain
context: When you've got multiple sclerosis, losing your keys or forgetting a name can be scary. You wonder whether the illness is clouding your thinking. It's true that over time, about half of people with MS can have some cognitive problems. That means poor focus, slowed thinking, or a fuzzy memory. Often these problems are mild and don't really interrupt your daily life. It's pretty rare to have severe thinking problems. They affect about 5% to 10% of people with MS. The clues that you have fuzzy thinking are often subtle. You might not notice them until a friend, co-worker, or family member points them out. You may: Struggle to find the right words to say Forget things you need to do or tasks already done Find it hard to plan ahead or set priorities Have trouble concentrating, especially when two things are happening at once. MS usually does not hurt your intelligence or long-term memory. It won't change your ability to read and carry on a conversation. If you think you have cognitive problems, talk with your neurologist or family doctor. Fuzzy thinking can have many causes. Your doctor can make sure your problems don't come from normal aging or drugs that may cause confusion, depression, anxiety, or fatigue. Once you have any health problems fully treated, the next step is usually testing. Your doctor may refer you to a neuropsychologist, speech pathologist, or occupational therapist. If test results show that MS is to blame for spotty memory or poor mental focus, you may want to try rehab to sharpen your thinking. This can include: Memory exercises on a computer Home or work strategies with notebooks, organizers, or filing systems to help you remember things It's possible, but rare, that thinking problems become so severe that someone with MS needs constant care or can't live on their own. If this becomes an issue, discuss your options with your doctor and family. A social worker or psychologist can also help explore options for care. Scientists are doing studies to see whether the drugs that slow the nerve damage in MS -- called disease-modifying medicines -- can help with thinking problems, too. Others are looking at treatments, such as Alzheimer's medications, that may temporarily improve your memory and focus. Ask your doctor to give you updates on any promising results.
context: The person displays signs of a severe allergic reaction. The sting is from a box jellyfish. The sting covers more than half an arm or leg. For more information about severe allergic reaction, see Anaphylaxis . Rinse the area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. Remove tentacles with a pair of tweezers. After you remove the tentacles, soak the affected area in hot water (104-113 F or 40-45 C) for at least 20 minutes. If you don't have a thermometer, make sure the water is hot but not scalding. A hot shower is OK if that's easier than soaking. Stay in the water for 20 to 45 minutes. These treatments are based on research done in the Indo- Pacific areas and may not work for all stings. Use mild hydrocortisone cream or an oral antihistamine to relieve itching and swelling. For less severe stings: Use ice packs or over-the-counter pain relievers or antihistamines for welts. Clean open sores three times a day and apply antibiotic ointment. Bandage if needed. For a severe reaction: You may be in the hospital for several days. You need antivenin (also called antivenom) for Australian box jellyfish stings. Get to an ER and get the antivenin as quickly as you can. How to Treat a Sting on or Near Your Eyes It's OK to wash your eyes with seawater. But get to the ER as soon as you can. They'll flush your eyes with saline and give you pain medications. The ER doctor will probably send you to an ophthalmologist, a doctor who specializes in eye care. Do Home Remedies Work? Not really. Most are unproven. You may hear about these, but don't try them: Baking soda Meat tenderizer Pressure bandage Urine Alcohol Scraping out stingers Rinse with fresh water Rub with a towel
context: Research hasn't shown that migraines are the cause of any other medical conditions. But they are linked to a number of ailments. The link may be stronger if you have aura -- symptoms that come before your migraine. They can include flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in your hands or face. What conditions have ties to migraines? Are you more likely to have some medical problems if you get those intense headaches? There's little evidence that a migraine will trigger a stroke, or that both things will hit at the same time. Still, the chance of a stroke is higher in some people who have migraines, like: Those who have aura Women People under 45 After 50, your odds of having a stroke from a migraine fall a great deal. Men with migraines are more likely to have a heart attack and heart disease. Women with migraines also have a higher chance of heart disease, especiallyif they have aura. How often your migraines come doesn't appear to change your chances of having these conditions. Studies have yet to find a solid link between high blood pressure and migraines. There is evidence that hypertension may make you have more of those types of headaches. If you get migraines, you're at least twice as likely to have these. There may be a genetic link between the two. Researchers believe seizures may have the same genetic cause as migraines with aura. More study is needed. Migraines make you more likely to have sudden hearing loss. That's an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing that happens over a few days. It's extremely rare. However, folks who get those severe headaches get sudden hearing loss twice as often as people who don't get migraines. This is a syndrome that causes chronic pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Migraines are common in people with fibromyalgia. Still, there's no evidence that having migraines makes you more likely to get it. Migraines are commonin people who have anxiety. If you have both, you're also more likely to have depression. Some research suggests that aura makes anxiety and depression more likely. But more study is needed. If you have migraines, you may be more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD). One study found the likelihood of having PTSD is 5 times higher if you have migraines.
context: Chlamydia, which strikes over 4 million Americans a year, is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease ( STD) in the U. S. Scientists believe it's twice as common as gonorrhea and 30 times as common as syphilis. The good news is that chlamydia is easily cured by antibiotics. The bad news is that most people who get chlamydia don't have symptoms or know that they have it. Only 10% of men and 5%-30% of women who have a lab test that confirms the disease even develop symptoms. About 30% of these women develop serious complications such as damage to the fallopian tubes (the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus). This damage is caused by pelvic inflammatory disease and may result in infertility. Damage to the fallopian tubes can also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus). Untreated chlamydia in pregnancy may result in premature birth. The infection can be passed on to an unborn child and cause serious complications. Babies born to infected mothers may suffer from pneumonia or conjunctivitis, an inflammation of membranes in the eye that may lead to blindness. Pregnant women are screened because it is so common to be without symptoms, and the consequences for the fetus/infant can be serious. Men with chlamydia may or may not have symptoms. If they do, their most common symptoms are pain with urination and a mucousy or watery discharge. They may develop epididymitis or orchitis, an inflammation of the testicles that can cause infertility. Men can develop a chlamydia urethritis (and infection of the tube that drains urine from the bladder) and symptoms of discharge from their penis or burning when urinating. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease is spread by oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
context: Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your throat. It's involved in some very big jobs, like managing your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. Your thyroid has two lobes, left and right, that are connected by a thin piece of tissue. If it's healthy, each lobe is about the size of a quarter and you won't see or feel it under your skin. If you have symptoms of thyroid cancer, they may include: Trouble swallowing Difficulty breathing that is sometimes compared to sucking air through a straw Hoarseness or other voice changes A constant cough that is not due to a cold A lump in the front of the neck (around the Adam's apple) that might grow quickly Swollen â but not painful -- glands in the neck Pain that starts in the front of the neck and goes up into your ears Also, if your face is turning red and you have frequent loose bowel movements, these may be signs of something called medullary thyroid cancer. Symptoms are not always a sign of thyroid cancer. In fact, they're usually caused by other things. You'll need to see your doctor to find out what it is. A lump in your thyroid could be caused by an infection or a goiter, which is an abnormal growth of the thyroid gland. It might not be cancerous at all. Lumps in the thyroid usually aren't. But it's possible to have thyroid cancer without any symptoms at all. Your doctor will examine your thyroid during routine physical exams. If you have any symptoms between checkups, such as a new nodule on the gland or a rapidly growing one, you should make an appointment to have your thyroid gland checked. Your doctor will do several tests to diagnose the source of the problem and decide on the best treatment.
context: Confusion, memory loss, or slurred speech Drop in body temperature below 95 Farenheit Exhaustion or drowsiness Loss of consciousness Numb hands or feet Shallow breathing Shivering In infants, symptoms include: Bright red, cold skin Very low energy level Get the person indoors. Remove wet clothing and dry the person off, if needed. Warm the person's trunk first, not hands and feet. Warming extremities first can cause shock. Warm the person by wrapping him or her in blankets or putting dry clothing on the person. Do not immerse the person in warm water. Rapid warming can cause heart arrhythmia. If using hot water bottles or chemical hot packs, wrap them in cloth; don't apply them directly to the skin. If the person is not breathing, start CPR immediately. Hypothermia causes respiratory rates to plunge, and a pulse might be difficult to detect. For a child, start CPR for children. For an adult, start adult CPR. Continue CPR until the person begins breathing or emergency help arrives. Give the person a warm drink, if conscious. Avoid caffeine or alcohol. Once the body temperature begins to rise, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket. Wrap the person's head and neck, as well. At the hospital, health care providers will continue warming efforts, including providing intravenous fluids and warm, moist oxygen.
context: Each adult person sheds about one and a half grams of skin every day. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that can live in your bedding and carpets and feed on this skin. Sound icky? It does explain why dust mite-proof pillow and mattress covers are your first line of defense against dust allergies! Dust mites are everywhere -- anywhere there are people or animals, warm temperatures, and high humidity. They like to be indoors, where they can get plenty of food like mold spores and dead skin cells from people and pets. If you are sensitive or allergic to them, you may have: Watery, red eyes Runny or itchy nose and sneezing Sore throat or hoarse voice Coughing and other breathing problems Skin rash and itching Worsening of your asthma Dust mites settle down in carpet, draperies, stuffed animals, and upholstered furniture. Mattresses, pillows, and soft bedding are favorite hangouts. Dust mite covers really work. One study found that some kids with asthma need less asthma medicine when they used mattress and pillow covers. Tests of their mattresses showed that dust mites colonies there dwindled. But never decrease your asthma medicine unless instructed by your doctor. You can find dust mite covers for mattresses, pillows, and box springs at mattress and allergy supply stores and in a variety of materials. Plastic or vinyl covers with zippers help seal in allergens so you don't inhale them when sleeping. Plastic or vinyl covers are easier to keep clean than covers made of natural fibers. Many plastic covers have an outer layer of material like nylon to make them more comfortable. If possible, cover your mattress and pillows when they are new. Put duct tape or electrical tape over cover zippers to double-block dust-mites from coming and going. Use a bed with a wooden or metal frame. Wash bedding in hot water. Cold water does not kill dust mites. Wash sheets and pillowcases at least once a week. Wash comforters and bedspreads every one to two months. Consider using an electric blanket, which can reduce humidity on bed surfaces. Wash and dry stuffed animals often and keep them off beds. Clean mattresses in late winter and early spring by vacuuming them with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner or a powerful handheld vacuum. That will kill any dust mites that survived the winter and reduce their numbers in the summer months.
context: Angiotensin II receptor blockers ( ARBs) are a type of drug your doctor may prescribe to help treat your heart disease. They lower certain chemicals that narrow your blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily through your body. ARBs also lower certain chemicals that cause salt and fluid to build up in your body. Examples of these medicines include: Atacand (candesartan) Avapro (irbesartan) Cozaar (losartan) Diovan (valsartan) Micardis (telmisartan) They have similar effects on heart disease as other types of drugs called ACE inhibitors, but they work a different way. Doctors prescribe them if you can't take ACE inhibitors. For instance, some people switch to ARBs if they get a cough while taking an ACE inhibitor. You can take most of these drugs on an empty or full stomach. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for specific instructions. Follow the label directions on how often to take it. The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you need to take the medication depends on the type of ARB, as well as your condition. It may take many weeks for you to feel the full effects of the drug. While you're taking an ARB, your doctor will check your blood pressure and test how well your kidneys are working. ARBs can cause potassium to build up in your body, so don't use salt substitutes, which contain potassium. Check with your doctor before you take aspirin or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen or naproxen. These over-the-counter medicines may cause sodium and water to build up in your body and lessen the effect of an ARB. Check food labels to choose low-sodium and low-potassium foods. A dietitian can help you. Digoxin and warfarin may interfere with the effects of Micardis. If you are taking these medications, tell your doctor before he prescribes an ARB. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and supplements. They can include things like: Dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness when you get up. It may be strongest after the first dose, especially if you have been taking a diuretic (water pill). Muscle cramps or weakness, back or leg pain Irregular heartbeat or fast or slow heartbeat Sinusitis or upper respiratory infection Confusion. If you have this symptom, call your doctor right away. Cough, although this is more likely with an ACE inhibitor Diarrhea or vomiting. If it's severe, you may become dehydrated, which can lead to low blood pressure. Contact your doctor. Swelling of your neck, face, and tongue. It's a potential emergency. Call your doctor right away if it happens to you.
context: Print these question and answers to discuss with your doctor. Skin is the body's largest organ. It regulates body temperature, protects against injury, and prevents infection. The skin contains nerves that sense cold, heat, pain, pressure, and touch. The skin consists of a thin outer layer (epidermis), a thicker middle layer (dermis), and the deeper layer (subcutaneous tissue or hypodermis). First-degree burns are red and painful. They swell a little and turn white when you press on them. The skin over the burn may peel off in a day or two. This is the least severe type of burn, affecting only the outer layer of skin. Second-degree burns have blisters and are painful. They affect both the outer and thicker middle layer of skin. Third-degree burns cause damage to all layers of the skin. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns may cause little or no pain if nerves are damaged. The following can help ease the discomfort of sunburn: Apply a cold compress to the affected area(s). Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) to relieve discomfort or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines ( NSAIDS, like Motrin) to relieve discomfort and inflammation. Apply a cooling gel or ointment containing aloe vera, or an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. In cases of severe sunburn or sunstroke, see your doctor immediately. Doctors can diagnose many skin problems by discussing the symptoms and examining the skin. Sometimes, additional testing may be necessary. A variety of skin tests are available to help diagnose skin problems such as bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections. A skin biopsy can be performed to tell the difference between rashes, malignant (cancerous) cells, and benign (noncancerous) growths. The exact cause of acne is not known, but one important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens. These male sex hormones increase in both boys and girls during puberty. Some things that can make acne worse include friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin, harsh scrubbing, picking or squeezing blemishes, and emotional stress. Acne is not caused by chocolate or other kinds of foods.
context: We may not be able to control stress, but we can manage it. Here are some stress-management tips that may help you feel better - and less stressed - every day: Accept that there are events that you cannot control. Keep a positive attitude; rather than defaulting to negatives ('' Nothing goes right for me,'' or '' Bad things always happen to me''), give yourself positive messages ('' I'm doing my best,'' or '' I'll ask for help''). Halt stress in its tracks; if you feel overwhelmed, take a walk or drive in the slow lane to avoid getting angry at other drivers. Manage your time. Give yourself time to get things done; set your watch so you have more time to prepare for an event. Do things that are pleasurable, like reading or gardening. Take 15-20 minutes every day to sit quietly and reflect. Learn and practice relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing. Exercise regularly by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, or working out at the gym. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. And don't smoke. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events. Seek out social support. Seek out a therapist or psychiatrist if things get too overwhelming.
context: Diabetic retinopathy is a common and potentially disabling long-term complication of diabetes. This condition arises when elevated levels of blood sugar damage the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the retina, the part of the eye that detects light. Typically, both eyes are affected. Retinopathy can also lead to glaucoma, increased pressure within the eye that can further threaten vision. Untreated, retinopathy can lead to progressive and irreversible vision loss. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in people between the ages of 20 and 60. But if retinopathy is diagnosed early, blindness can be prevented. Although many people with diabetes develop impaired vision, fewer than 5% suffer severe vision loss. For a person who has diabetes, the risk of developing retinopathy is directly related to the length of time that he or she has had diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to retinal damage. Although retinopathy usually does not appear for approximately five years after a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, it may already be present when type 2 diabetes is diagnosed. After 15 years of having diabetes, 98 percent of those with type 1 diabetes and 78 percent of those with type 2 have some degree of retinal damage. Diabetic retinopathy is usually silent. Severe and permanent retinal damage can occur before you notice any of the following symptoms: Blurred vision that does not improve with glasses Vision that worsens, improves, then worsens again Sudden loss of vision, particularly following events such as coughing or sneezing Seeing "cobwebs," "spots," or a "hole" in your field of vision Eye pain
context: These nonprofit organizations provide online information related to lung cancer and other conditions. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is a nonprofit alliance of 26 cancer centers throughout the U. S. that treats all cancers. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Get information for patients, family, friends, and survivors. American Cancer Society Information on all aspects of respiratory health, including lung cancer and emphysema. American Lung Association This website is designed for cancer doctors (oncologists). It can help you stay up to date on cancer research. American Society of Clinical Oncology
context: A colostomy is an opening, called a stoma, that connects the colon to the surface of the abdomen. This provides a new path for poop and gas to leave the body after a surgeon removes part of the colon or rectum because of disease or injury. Colostomy irrigation is a way to manage bowel movements by emptying the colon at a scheduled time. The process involves putting water into the colon through the stoma. This causes the colon to empty. By repeating this process regularly -- once a day or once every second day -- you can train your colon to empty without spilling waste in between irrigation. Colostomy irrigation also can help you avoid constipation. Should you do it? That's a personal decision. If you are a candidate (see below), your doctor or a nurse who is specially trained to help people with colostomies, will discuss this option with you while you are still in the hospital after your surgery. People with permanent colostomies and whose opening is in the descending or sigmoid portion of the colon are good candidates for irrigation. This is because their stools tend to be more formed. People with irritable bowel syndrome, stomal problems, or stomas in the ascending or transverse parts of the colon are less likely to have success with irrigation. So it's not a good option for them. It's most effective when done about an hour after a meal, which is when the colon is most likely to be full. You can do it once a day or once every other day, depending on your preference and ability to control your bowel movements. It generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the bowel to become regulated with irrigation. It helps to set a routine and irrigate at the same time each day.
context: Use this handy list of questions and tips when you visit your RA doctor. What's the goal of my treatment? Should I take methotrexate or other DMARDs? Do I need other drugs to help my symptoms right now? Could these drugs cause problems with any other medications, vitamins, or supplements I use? What will happen if I don't take my RA meds? What side effects should I watch out for? Do you advise using any nondrug treatments? Could a physical therapist or an occupational therapist help me? Can you tell if my joints have been damaged? Can you tell how quickly the disease is progressing? Aside from my joints, how else could RA affect my health? What will help with my fatigue? Can you suggest any support groups in the area? Will I be able to continue working? Read up on RA. The more you know about RA, the more you'll get out of your talk with your doctor. Bring a record of your symptoms. What makes them worse? What makes them better? It may help to keep a log of your symptoms and when they occur for a few weeks before you go to your appointment. Bring a list of all the drugs, vitamins, and supplementsyou use. Or bring the bottles, so the doctor can see the dosage and directions for use. Ask a friend or relative to go with you. He or she can take notes and remind you of important questions. Be honest. Tell the truth about your symptoms, how much exercise you get, and any alternative treatments you're using.
context: It's normal for kids to fidget, get overly excited, or do things without thinking about what will happen later. But these things can also be signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD). Only your doctor can say for sure whether your child has it. Your answers to these questions will help you decide whether you should call the pediatrician. It's hard to know if your child is more distracted, wiggly, or forgetful than other kids (they're all a little like that once in a while!). That's why teachers are often a good gauge. They see her in different situations than you do, and they can compare her to other kids. So pay attention if a teacher tells you that your child can't seem to follow the rules, is more disruptive than others, or has a harder time focusing than her friends. Kids with ADHD can have a hard time getting along with others because they can't read people's feelings and moods. Friends might get mad at them, or get their feelings hurt, because they may act without thinking. One kind of ADHD is the âhyperactive-impulsiveâ type. If your child has this, she'll squirm, fidget, talk a lot, and have a hard time waiting (for her turn, or anything else!). But if she has the âinattentiveâ type of ADHD, she'll daydream a lot, may be too wrapped up in her own thoughts to hear you, and often seem like she can't focus. Because she's so quiet, neither you nor her teachers may ever realize she has ADHD. If your child doesn't respond when you talk to her or even seem to notice you're there, you might wonder if she's hard of hearing. Or if she's simply ignoring you. The truth is, if she has the inattentive type of ADHD, she may be so distracted she just doesn't realize you're talking to her. Did the behaviors you're concerned about just pop up recently? Your child could just be shaken up because of a big life change, like a divorce, job loss, or death in the family. Medical problems, like serious ear infections, depression, or anxiety can cause ADHD-like symptoms, too. Symptoms of ADHD usually show up when kids are young -- around age 12 on average. But they can show up much earlier. Some kids have been diagnosed by age 3. There's no single test for ADHD. Your child's pediatrician will want to know her symptoms and when they started. He may also want to do some tests to rule out other health problems that could change the way your child acts. He might also want to send your child to a children's mental health specialist, like a child psychologist or psychiatrist, for a more detailed checkup. These doctors may ask to speak to other adults in your child's life, like coaches or teachers. Only then -- if your child meets the criteria for ADHD -- will she be officially diagnosed.
context: If your days of thick, full hair are behind you, fear not. You have other options beyond shaving your head, sporting a comb-over, and collecting baseball caps. A bunch of styling approaches can help you look and feel great. Try these tips to make the most of the hair you have. Choose the right shampoo and conditioner. Go for âvolumizingâ or âthickeningâ products. These are made to work without weighing down your hair, so you can get a fuller look. For added insurance against limp locks, apply conditioner mainly to the ends rather than your scalp. Style smart. Again, look for mousses and gels geared toward building volume. To give the most oomph to thin strands, blow-dry your hair until it's only a little damp, then apply a styler at the roots. This also keeps hair from sticking to your scalp, which makes thinness more obvious. Find a great barber or stylist. Exactly how this pro works her mane magic depends on your hair type, texture, personal preference, and pattern of hair loss. She might blunt the ends of your hair to make them look thicker, for example, or leave your hair longer in some areas to help disguise trouble spots. But the bottom line is that the right haircut can make a big difference for you. Switch your part. If you've always worn your hair parted on the left, try shifting it to the right or center. After years of lying in the same direction, a switch will help lift your hair away from your scalp. Consider coloring. Not only do the dyes on your strands help thicken them, but the right shade can make the contrast between your hair and scalp less obvious, which draws attention away from thinning. Talk to a pro to be sure you use the right shade. If you prefer to do the job yourself, ask your regular stylist for tips on how to get the same results with at-home color. It's key to have a plan for upkeep, since hair color can make hair loss stand out if your roots are too noticeable. Not keen on all-over color? This might be the time to try highlights, which need less upkeep. Fill up with fiber. If you have mild to moderate hair loss, fiber hair cosmetics can be a quick fix for adding volume. These products use statically charged fibers that you sprinkle over your hair to make it look thicker. Most of them come in a few different shades to match your color and will stay on until you shampoo them out. Add on. Hair weaves, extensions, pieces, wigs, and toupees will give you the appearance of a fuller head of hair. And many look better and fit more securely than the ones you might have seen in the past. These devices are made of human hair, synthetic fiber, or a mix of both. You anchor them to either your existing hair or your skin. Finally, treat the locks you do have with care. That means no vigorous towel-drying or blow-drying with high heat. Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair, and high heat can fry your strands and make them break off. It's best to let it dry a little before you use a wide-tooth comb on it.