VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Some medical words can be hard to pronounce. A prime example: gastroenterology, the branch of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract. It's easy to see why many people call it gastrologyby mistake. Gastrology does have a medical definition: It's the study of the stomach and stomach diseases. But it's not a medical specialty in the United States today. The type of doctor you'd see for stomach problems is a gastroenterologist, not a gastrologist. Gastroenterologists are doctors who are trained to diagnose and treat problems in your gastrointestinal ( GI) tract and liver. They have 5 to 6 years of specialized education after medical school. You may need to visit a gastroenterologist for health concerns with your: Esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach Stomach Small intestine Colon Rectum Pancreas Gallbladder Bile ducts Liver Technically, a gastrologist is someone who specializes in gastrology. That could mean caring for the stomach with medicine. It could also mean caring for the stomach with food. Gastrology may have been a medical term in the early 1900s, judging by journals from around that time. If so, the word was long ago replaced by gastroenterology. You won't find doctors who describe themselves as gastrologists today -- at least not in the U. S. There are many reasons you may visit a gastroenterologist. This is the type of doctor that performs routine colonoscopies, a test that looks at the inside of your colon. Your primary care doctor may also refer you to a gastroenterologist if you have problems with: Swallowing Heartburn Food coming back up after you swallow Severe diarrhea These could be minor health concerns or signs of a serious condition. Gastroenterologists have the tools and expertise to diagnose you correctly. A few of the diseases and conditions they manage include: Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis Hepatitis Cancer of the esophagus Colon polyps that may turn into cancer
context: Is your sleep different than it used to be when you were younger? It happens to a lot of people. Nearly half of men and women over the age of 65 say they have at least one sleep problem. With age, many people get insomnia or have other sleep disorders. It's true that as we get older, our sleep patterns change. In general, older people sleep less, wake up and go back to sleep more often, and spend less time in deep sleep or dreaming than younger people. But at any age, you still need quality rest to be healthy. Some common reasons include: Poor sleep habits: If you don't keep a steady schedule for going to bed and waking up, it can affect your body's internal clock and make it even harder to get good sleep. Also, at any age, it's a minus if you drink alcohol before bedtime, nap too much, or stay in bed when you're not sleeping. Medications: Some drugs make it harder to fall or stay asleep, or even stimulate you to stay awake. If you think that might be true for you, ask your doctor to check. Worry, stress, or grief. Aging brings many life changes. Some are positive. Others are really hard. When you lose someone you love, move from your family home, or have a condition that changes your life, that can cause stress, which can hamper your sleep. If changes like these affect you or an aging loved one, talk with your doctor or a counselor. It could help ease your mind so you can sleep better. Sleep disorders: Besides insomnia, these include apnea, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and REM behavior disorder. Your doctor can see if you have one of these conditions. Too much downtime. Many people stay active well into their golden years. But if your days are too idle, you may find it harder to get good sleep. Everyone is different. If you sleep less than when you were younger but still feel rested and energetic during the day, it might be that you now need less sleep. But if you have noticed that your lack of sleep affects you during the day, tell your doctor. There are steps you can take to get better rest. Many are simple tweaks to your daily routine, like setting a regular bedtime, being more active, and taking steps to ease your mind before you hit the hay.
context: Enterovirus D68 is a virus that can make you feel like you have a cold. If it's severe, it could also make you wheeze or have trouble breathing, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory problems. Most cases are mild and last about a week, but if it's severe, you may need to go to the hospital. Babies, children, and teens are the most likely to get it. People with weak immune systems and those with severe chronic medical conditions have the biggest risk for severe complications. This virus isn't new. Experts first identified it in 1962. In the decades since then, it only seemed to impact a very small number of people. That changed in 2014, when the CDC reported a national outbreak. There are more than 100 other enteroviruses. You could have a fever, a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. You might feel achy, too. The virus can also lead to wheezing and trouble breathing, especially in children who have asthma or other respiratory problems. It can cause bronchiolitis in babies and toddlers leading to wheezing and difficulty in breathing. It's very rare, but enteroviruses may cause other serious problems, such as muscle paralysis or inflammation of the brain or heart. Anyone can get it, but children age 6 weeks to 16 years may be especially vulnerable. Infants and people who have immune system disorders are the most likely to develop severe complications. You can catch this virus the same way you would catch the common cold: by having close contact with someone who's infected -- especially if that person coughs or sneezes on you -- or by touching a contaminated surface. You can lower your chances of getting it by following these tips: Wash your hands often. Scrub with soap for 20 seconds. (especially before eating) Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you've just washed your hands. Don't hug, kiss, or share food with anyone who's sick. If someone in your house is ill, it's a good idea to regularly disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot, such as toys and doorknobs. A person who is ill should always cover their mouth when coughing/sneezing, wear a mask and wash hands often. Staying in a separate room in the house helps contain the infection. No medicines target this virus. Antibiotics won't help, since the illness is not caused by bacteria. You can take an over-the-counter pain/fever reliever, which might help you feel a little better, just like with a normal cold. If your symptoms are severe, you should call your doctor or go to the emergency room. If it's an emergency -- for instance, you're having trouble breathing -- call 911. You may need to be hospitalized.
context: Researchers are still trying to figure out why some people get migraines and others don't. What experts do know is that certain things can be migraine triggers for some people. Staying away from those things can lower your chances of getting one. Here are some things to avoid. Don't go more than 2 hours without a glass of water. Water is important for your overall health, but it's especially important if you get migraine headaches. Dehydration is a trigger for about 1/3 of people with migraine. Aim for at least 2 liters of fluid a day unless your doctor says otherwise. Take a drink of water at the first sign of a headache. Don't skip meals. Being hungry to the point that you feel shaky can bring on a migraine. Some researchers think low glucose (blood sugar) levels may cause changes in your brain that bring them on. Don't take pain meds for more than 3 or 4 days. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen ( Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin), or a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine ( Excedrin Migraine) can sometimes help ease migraine headaches. It's best to take one of these as soon as you feel a migraine coming on. But using them for more than a few days in a row can lead to "rebound headaches." Your body starts expecting the pain medication, and migraines can happen if you don't have it in your system. If you have migraines more than a few times a month or they are severe, talk to your doctor. He may recommend prescription medications to help prevent your headaches. Don't sleep too much or too little. Both can trigger a migraine. It's important to keep a regular schedule. If you can't fall or stay asleep or if you're getting 7 to 8 hours a night and still feel tired, talk to your doctor. You could have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea or insomnia. They can cause headaches, including migraine headaches. Getting treatment for them may help ease your aching head. Don't power through the pain. Trying to ignore migraine pain or symptoms like an aura, which can include seeing light or zigzagging lines, hearing ringing in your ears, or feeling dizzy and unstable, can make the headaches worse. If you can, lie down in a dark, quiet place until it passes. You also can try putting a cool, damp cloth on your forehead. Some people find that massaging their scalp also helps relieve head pain. Don't skimp on magnesium. It's important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. But magnesium, may be especially important. Research, however, is divided on whether it can really help prevent migraines. Keep in mind that when you begin taking magnesium it may cause diarrhea. And always get your doctor's OK before taking any supplement or medication. Don't forget to jot down what you eat. A food diary can help you figure out whether a certain food or several foods are triggering your head pain. Common culprits include aged cheese; food additives like nitrates, which are often found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meat; nuts; and alcohol.
context: Lung cancer becomes advanced when it grows spreads to the other lung or spreads to other parts of your body. Sometimes it's called metastatic or stage IV disease. There are two main forms. Non-small-cell lung cancer is the most common one. About 85% of people with the disease have this type. The other kind is small-cell lung cancer. The names describe the type of cancer cells seen with a microscope. Lung cancer is very hard for doctors to find in its early stages. Even if you have symptoms, like a cough or feeling tired, you might not feel bad enough to see a doctor. Most people are diagnosed after their disease becomes advanced. Although there's no cure for lung cancer at this stage, there are treatments that can make symptoms easier to handle. Most of the time, surgery won't work for advanced lung cancer because it has spread. Most people with the disease can have treatment with a mix of radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies -- drugs that attack specific parts of the cancer cells. Your doctor will recommend the therapies she thinks are most likely to help you. Often, the goal of treatment isn't to get rid of the cancer but to help you live longer and feel better even with cancer still in your body. Your doctor may call this approach palliative care. It will make you more comfortable by improving your symptoms such as pain, nausea, and coughing. You can also get palliative care along with other treatments such as chemotherapy. It's normal to feel a mix of emotions when you learn you have cancer -- things like fear, anger, and sadness. You don't have to deal with them alone. Talk to friends, family, or a professional counselor to sort through what you're feeling. Other people with lung cancer might also be able to offer understanding and advice. The disease also might make you feel tired much of the time. Think about which activities are important to you, and focus your energy on them. You can also rethink your tasks around the house. Some people hire professional caregivers to take care of the basics. Or friends and relatives might help. Others opt for hospice care, which helps you and your family prepare for the end of life. People with advanced cancer often have pain, though not everyone does. Tell your doctor about it and talk about different ways to control it, such as medications. Shortness of breath is also common. It can help to pace your activities and take rests, even if you're just going to the bathroom. Some people can breathe easier with medications or oxygen therapy. You might also get peace of mind if you have your finances and legal documents in order. An advance directive tells people what kind of care you do and don't want if you can't make your own decisions in the moment. A durable power of attorney for health care (or health care power of attorney) will let you give someone the abilitiy to make those decisions on your behalf if you no longer can. If you take care of yourself and let others help you, you'll be better able to enjoy each moment as it comes.
context: When your child has diabetes, you have an important job to do. You check her blood sugar levels, give her insulin, make sure she eats the right foods, and keep her blood sugar in a healthy range at all times. It's a lot -- but you can manage when you know what to do in every situation. Your child's doctor will tell you how often to check her blood sugar levels, what the target numbers are, and what method is best for her. You can prick her finger or test another body part, or your child may have a special blood glucose meter. It may be up to you to give her insulin, either by injection or through an insulin pump. Your doctor will let you know how much to give and when to give it. Kids don't like needle pricks, but there are ways to make this easier: Breathing exercises. Breathe deeply with her to help her relax. If she is calm, the pinch won't be so bad. If you have a younger child, have her blow into a bubble wand. That'll encourage her to exhale slowly and deeply. Let her choose which finger to prick. Have her count down to zero with you so she knows when she'll feel the stick. If your child has diabetes, encourage the whole family to eat healthier. If everyone makes changes, she won't feel like she's missing out. Ask her doctor if she can have treats on special occasions like birthdays, and whether you'll need to adjust her insulin if she does. If your child plays sports or has plans to be more active than usual, check her blood sugar levels before she begins the activity. Check again while she's active and when she's done. Exercise can affect blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours, so she may need to take extra insulin or eat extra snacks. Work with her doctor to come up with a plan made just for her. Make a medical management plan with the help of your child's doctor. Give her school a copy. It should spell out what the school should do for every situation. The following questions can help you get started: What treatment should she should get when her blood sugar levels are too high or too low? Can she monitor blood sugar levels herself? What are the guidelines for playing sports based on blood sugar levels or other factors? Together, you and the staff at your child's school can help make sure her diabetes stays under control. Teenagers want more freedom and independence. If your teen has diabetes, it's very likely she'll want to manage it by herself, or at least with much less help from you. It may be scary for you to let go of some of that control, since there might be slip-ups and problems along the way, but it's an important step as she grows into an adult. If your teen is ready to manage her diabetes on her own, try these things to help her feel more responsible: Let go of control slowly, and make sure she can handle the job. Try not to nag about her self-care. Praise her when she does well. It will inspire her to want to keep up the good work. Allow her some alone time with the doctor. This can help her feel more in control of her care. Remind her that she can talk to you about anything, whenever she needs to.
context: An anal fissure is a cut or a tear in the thin, delicate lining of your anus. The tear often exposes the muscle around the anus, called the anal sphincter. The damage can cause that muscle to spasm, which can pull apart the edges of the fissure even more. The spasms can cause pain and slow down the healing. Bowel movements can also keep the fissures from getting better. An anal fissure is considered acute if it recently happened or if you've had it less than 6 weeks. It's considered chronic if it's been more than 6 weeks or it comes back often. These tears are common, although you might think the pain and bleeding are symptoms of other conditions, like hemorrhoids. They can happen to both men and women. They can also happen to babies. Adults between 20 and 40 are most likely to get them. But you can have them at any age, even though your risk generally goes down as you get older. Anal fissures are seen more often with certain medical conditions, such as: Anal cancer Leukemia STDs and HIV Complications from other conditions, like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis They're caused by trauma or injury that stretches your anal canal. Reasons for this can include: Constipation or passing large or hard stools Explosive or ongoing diarrhea Childbirth Less often, having anal sex or putting things into your anus can overstretch the skin and cause a fissure. Too much pressure, tight anal sphincter muscles, and poor blood supply to your anus may lead to their development and poor healing. Anal fissures don't usually give way to more serious problems. They don't cause cancer. But they can be very uncomfortable. To help these fissures heal and keep them from coming back: Eat a healthy diet that has plenty of fiber. Stay well-hydrated. Avoid being constipated.
context: If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD), your doctor may have prescribed Adderall (the brand name for the drug amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) to help you focus and concentrate. It boosts levels of a brain chemical called dopamine, a key player when it comes to focus and attention. When you quit taking the drug, your dopamine levels drop and your body and brain have to adjust to the change. Most people who take it as instructed don't have any issues if they take a break from it. But if you use it too often or take too much, you might notice some effects when you stop. These aren't the same as side effects. Withdrawal symptoms happen only after you stop taking a medicine. Side effects happen when you're using it. If you've taken Adderall for a long time or have misused it, you might have one or more of these after you stop: Depression, irritability, or other changes in mood A hard time sleeping Unusual tiredness (fatigue) Nausea Stomach aches or cramping Vomiting Sometimes, symptoms of stimulant withdrawal can make you seem hungover or drunk (intoxicated). Again, this happens more often with people who don't use the medication as directed. Signs of withdrawal usually show up a day or two after you stop taking it. They may last a few days to several weeks -- it's different for everyone. If you've taken the drug for a long time, your body and brain may have started to depend on it. The more often you took it, the harder it can be to stop. A few other things can affect how long your symptoms last and how bad they are: Your genes Your health history, especially mental health Your family's history of addiction There's no specific treatment for Adderall withdrawal. If you want to stop taking it, talk to your doctor about the safest way to do it. She may recommend lowering your dose over time and then stopping. Don't try to quit âcold turkey.â You can usually manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal on your own at home. But call your doctor or get medical help right away if you feel seriously depressed or have thoughts of suicide. Counseling or antidepressant medicines may help. Adderall should only be used under a doctor's care and typically for only a short time. There's no way to guarantee that you won't have withdrawal symptoms, but you may be less likely to if you: Take the medicine only as instructed. Get regular checkups while you're taking it. Talk to your doctor about lowering your dose before stopping.
context: It's a serious condition that affects people who are, or used to be, heavy drinkers. It can cause short- or long-term liver damage. The liver is the largest organ in the body, and it removes poisons such as alcohol from the blood. When it's damaged by decades of heavy drinking, it can become inflamed, scarred, and fatty. Over time, it stops working right. Up to 35% of long-time heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis. If you have it, you might wake up and notice that your skin or the whites of your eyes look yellow -- a condition called jaundice. You might also have a fever, stomachache, or liquid buildup in your belly, and you may lose weight. If you've been diagnosed with it or think you might have it, here's what you need to know. Medical history. Your doctor may ask about your medical past to see if there's reason to believe you may have alcohol-related liver problems. Questionnaire. He'll ask you questions to determine if your drinking has become a problem. Blood tests. These will check your liver enzymes. Abnormally high levels are a sign of liver damage. Liver biopsy. Your doctor may request one in addition to blood tests. Heavy alcohol use is binge drinking at least 5 or more times in the past month. That means 5 or more standard drinks within a few hours for men and 4 for women. A standard drink is about one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor. Most people who are diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis are between ages 40 and 60. It depends on how bad the condition is, but your doctor may suggest that you: Stop drinking alcohol. This is the most critical part of the treatment. It may reverse the disease if your alcoholic hepatitis is mild. Your doctor may recommend medications, therapy, and support groups to help prevent or treat any withdrawal symptoms. Change your diet. Thismay include eating low-sodium foods as well as taking diuretics and vitamin supplements. Antibiotics . If you have alcoholic hepatitis, you're more at risk for bacterial infections. Your doctor will watch for infections and treat it if one appears. Steroids. Your doctor may recommend corticosteroid drugs to reduce liver swelling. If those treatments don't work because your disease is too advanced, you may need a liver transplant. If you have alcoholic hepatitis, you could get other serious conditions, including: Fluid buildup in the abdomen Confusion or brain fog Bleeding in the esophagus or stomach Call 911 right away if you: Start vomiting blood Have black, tarry stools Have a fever and can't stop shaking Suddenly become confused
context: The spine, hips, and wrist are the most common places for a fracture when you have osteoporosis. Here's what to expect if it happens to you. This is a break of one or more of your vertebrae, the small bones in your spine. If you have osteoporosis, sometimes just the simple act of bending over, coughing, or lifting something heavy may cause it. If your compression fracture is minor and develops over a long time, you may not have any symptoms. If that's the case, it may heal on its own. You might not learn about it unless you have an X-ray of the area for other reasons. Pain often goes along with a compression fracture. You'll feel it along the spine, usually in your middle to lower back. It often gets worse when you stand or sit for a long period and gets better when you lie down. You may also notice that you're getting a little shorter. And you could get a curved spine or humped back, which may be a sign that you have more than one compression fracture. Some warning signs that you've got a fracture are: Pain in your hip Swelling or bruising You can't walk or stand normally The leg on your injured side looks shorter or twisted The pain can vary a lot, but most people with a hip fracture cannot stand up or bear any weight. Sometimes the bones of your hip are so weak from osteoporosis that even an ordinary activity causes a hairline break. If you have this type of fracture, you'll still be able to stand and walk, but you may feel pain in your groin, bottom, knee, or thigh. This often happens when you land on your outstretched hand as you try to stop yourself from hitting the ground after a fall. You'll have symptoms like: Pain, swelling, or bruising in your wrist or the base of your thumb Your wrist bends at an unnatural angle It hurts when you try to grip something in your injured hand
context: No kid likes homework. But for a child with ADHD, homework time can be extra hard. Assignments that might take other kids an hour can take yours 2 or 3 -- or more. Homework doesn't have to ruin your kid's day. And it doesn't have to turn you into a stressed out, nagging parent. A structured routine can help your son or daughter stay focused and on track. Choose one spot where your child can do his homework every day. Make sure it's away from distractions like noisy siblings and the TV. ( The kitchen table works well for some kids, since you can easily check in on them.) The seat should face a wall, not a window. White noise, from an MP3 player or a fan, can help drown out sounds to keep his mind on the work. Try to give siblings their own space, though this may be hard if you have to monitor more than one. Remember that different kids may have different needs. Does your child start strong, then sputter out? Split up assignments so she doesn't have to do it all at once. Instead of a solid hour, have her tackle three 20-minute sessions with playtime or a snack in between. Or switch subjects: math for 20 minutes, then English for another 20, then back to math. She'll struggle less, and her work may improve. Kids with ADHD have trouble managing time. They also get off track easily. A schedule can help with both problems. Ask your child to break down his homework into mini-assignments that take only a few minutes each. Then use an egg timer or alarm app to keep him on task for each section. Not only will it help him, but you won't have to nag as much. Like the daily assignments, break down big, long-term projects (like a diorama or a book report) into simple steps. Set up a schedule with a due date for each step. These small deadlines will help him get the project done on time. A child who takes ADHD medication may study better earlier in the afternoon, when the drugs are still in effect. She may have a hard time later in the evening, after they wear off. They're not bribes. It's OK to reward your child when she does a good job. A little encouragement can go a long way. Some parents set up a currency -- poker chips, for example -- in return for getting homework done. Your kid can turn the chips in later for rewards they like, such as time to watch TV or play a video game. Your child might spend hours on his homework, then lose it or forget to hand it in. An organized binder or folder system, with pockets for new assignments and finished homework, can help get the papers across the finish line. This last one is a bonus for you. It's not uncommon for a kid with ADHD to miss a due date or misunderstand instructions. Create a backup plan. Talk to your child's teacher -- weekly or even daily -- about upcoming assignments. Some teachers post homework on the Internet. Others may email copies of assignments directly to you. Ask the teacher to let you know about any late or missing homework.
context: Symptoms of chickenpox typically appear within 10 to 21 days after you've been exposed to the virus. The first sign is usually a general feeling of being unwell. That's normally followed by these symptoms: Body aches Fever Feeling extremely tired (fatigue) Feeling irritable Loss of appetite Headache Within a day or 2, you'll develop the telltale chickenpox rash. It unfolds in three phases. During the first phase, you'll develop itchy, raised, pink or red bumps. Doctors call these âpapules.â As many as 250 to 500 of them can pop up all over your body. In severe cases, they can even form in your mouth, eyes, anus, or genitals. Over the next several days, these bumps will turn into small, fluid-filled blisters called âvesicles.â They last about a day before they pop and start to leak. Finally, these open wounds crust over and turn into scabs. As they heal, new bumps continue to appear. You could have bumps, blisters, and scabs at the same time. You can spread the virus to other people until all the spots crust over. Most cases of chickenpox are mild and go away on their own. But see your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: The rash spreads to one or both eyes The rash gets very red, warm, or tender. You could have a bacterial skin infection. Dizziness Shortness of breath Vomiting Stiff neck You can't control your muscles Fever over 102 F
context: Many people with multiple sclerosis have stiff muscles and spasms, a condition called spasticity. It happens mostly in the muscles of the legs and arms, and it may keep you from moving your limbs freely. You might feel spasticity either as stiffness that doesn't go away or as movements you can't control that come and go, especially at night. It can feel like a muscle tightening, or it can be very painful. Spasticity also can make you ache or feel tight in and around your joints and low back. How you feel can vary depending on your position, posture, and how relaxed you are. Spasticity happens because of an imbalance in the electrical signals coming from the brain and spinal cord, often when multiple sclerosis has damaged the nerves there. This unevenness makes your muscles contract on their own and makes them tense. The condition can get worse when it's too hot or cold, when you have an infection, or if you're wearing tight clothing. Physical therapy, medications, surgery, or a mix of these treatments can ease spasticity when you have MS. To decide the best way to help you, your doctors will think about your overall health, how severe your symptoms are, and: Does the condition keep you from doing everyday tasks? Are you in pain? Which treatments have you tried, and how well did they work? How much will it cost? What are the side effects? Will the benefits outweigh the risks? Most of the time, a physical therapist will start treating MS spasticity with a basic physical therapy stretching program. The goal is to lengthen your muscles to ease the condition. An occupational therapist may recommend different tools, like splints, casts, or braces, to keep up your range of motion and flexibility. If physical and occupational therapy don't help, your doctor may want you to try medications. The most common medications to treat the condition include the muscle relaxants baclofen ( Gablofen, Kemstro, Lioresal) and tizanidine ( Zanaflex). Another option is diazepam ( Valium), which can help you sleep if nighttime spasms keep you awake. If pills don't work, your doctor might be able to put a pump inside your body to deliver the medication directly to your spinal fluid (such as the baclofen pump). You can also get shots of botulinum toxin (such as Botox or Myobloc) to relax your muscles. When other treatments don't work, there are two types of surgery that can treat spasticity. In one type, a surgeon cuts away part of the spinal nerve. The operation is called rhizotomy. The goal is to relieve pain or ease muscle tension. Tendon release, also called a tenotomy, is the second type. A surgeon cuts severely tight tendons away from the muscles. It may make spasticity happen less often and make it less severe, depending on how old you are. Over time, you may need to have the surgery again. These surgeries can help, but they're usually only for extreme cases of spasticity and are rarely performed in patients with MS..
context: Not only can you find these potent antioxidants in many vegetables, they are also in your eyes, especially the lens, retina, and macula. That's why doctors believe they play a key role in healthy vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin can help protect your eyes from harmful high-energy light waves like ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Studies suggest that a high level of both in eye tissue is linked with better vision, especially in dim light or where glare is a problem. Diets rich in these two nutrients may help hold off age-related eye diseases. For example, one study found that people who ate foods rich in zeaxanthin -- think âgreen veggiesâ like spinach, kale, and broccoli -- may be half as likely to get cataracts. Another showed that if you have macular degeneration, which causes damage to the middle of your retina and can take away your central vision, supplements with lutein and zeaxanthin can slow its progress. Note: Many studies combine these two nutrients with others such as vitamins C and E. It may be that the mix of nutrients does more for your eyes than any single one of them. Recommended daily allowance: No RDA has been set for either nutrient. Recommended level for eye health : 10 mg/day for lutein and 2 mg/day for zeaxanthin. Safe upper limit: Researchers have not set an upper limit for either. Potential risks: In excess, they may turn your skin slightly yellow. Research seems to show that up to 20 mg of lutein daily is safe. Kale (1 cup) 23.8 mg Spinach (1 cup) 20.4 mg Collard greens (1 cup) 14.6 mg Turnip greens (1 cup) 12.2 mg Corn (1 cup) 2.2 mg Broccoli (1 cup) 1.6 mg
context: Heat cramps are painful, brief muscle cramps. Muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Heat cramps can occur during exercise or work in a hot environment or begin a few hours later. Heat cramps usually involve muscles that are fatigued by heavy work, such as calves, thighs, and shoulders. You are most at risk if you are doing work or activities in a hot environment -- usually during the first few days of an activity you're not used to. You are also at risk if you sweat a great deal during exercise and drink large amounts of water or other fluids that lack salt. The exact cause of heat cramps is unknown. They are probably related to electrolyte problems. Electrolytes include various essential minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. They are involved in chemical reactions in your muscles. An imbalance can cause problems. Sweat contains a large amount of sodium, and drinking fluids with inadequate sodium content may result in a serious low-sodium condition called hyponatremia. Some factories have virtually eliminated heat cramps in their workers by supplying salt-enriched fluids. Muscle spasms that are: Painful Involuntary Brief Intermittent Usually self-limited (go away on their own) Heat cramps can be quite painful. Consider seeking medical attention if the symptoms do not go away with rest and after restoring fluid and electrolytes. Call your doctor if these conditions develop: If you are unable to drink sufficient fluids because you have nausea or are vomiting, you may need IV rehydration with normal saline. Heat cramps may accompany heat exhaustion. If you have more severe symptoms of heat illness, including dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, headache, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, or a high temperature (greater than 104 degrees), get immediate medical care. The doctor will check you for more severe heat illness and possibly provide you with IV fluid rehydration. Heat cramps usually go away on their own, but you can try one of these home remedies: Rest in a cool place and drink a sports drink, which has electrolytes and salt, or drink cool water. Make your own salt solution by mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon table salt dissolved in a quart of water. Salt tablets by themselves should not be used. They can cause stomach upset and don't adequately replace fluid volume lost. If you work in a hot environment, you may experience heat cramps during the first few days on the job. Once you get used to the environment, and make sure you have adequate fluid replacement, you are less likely to have problems.
context: You have two C-shaped discs of cartilage (soft tissue) that connect your thigh bone to your shinbone. These are called menisci. They're like shock absorbers for your bones. They also help to keep your knee stable. Athletes who play contact sports like football and hockey are prone to meniscus tears. But you can also get this injury when you kneel, squat, or lift something heavy. The risk of injury increases as you get older, when bones and tissues around the knee begin to wear down. If you tear your meniscus, your leg might swell and feel stiff. You might feel pain when twisting your knee, or be unable to straighten your leg fully. Treatment for a meniscus tear will depend on its size, what kind it is, and where it's located within the cartilage. Most likely, your doctor will recommend that you rest, use pain relievers, and apply ice to you knee to keep the swelling down. He may also suggest physical therapy. This will help to strengthen the muscles around your knee and keep it stable. If these treatments don't work -- or if your injury is severe -- he might recommend surgery. To be sure, your doctor will probably have an MRI done. And he might look at the tear with an arthroscope. That's a thin tool that has a camera and light at the end. It allows doctors to see inside your joints. If your doctor's exam shows your meniscus tear is mild ( Grade 1 or 2), you may not need surgery. If it's Grade 3, you probably will. Your doctor might choose to do any of the following: Arthroscopic repair. Your doctor will make small cuts in your knee. He'll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then he'll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up. Your body will absorb these over time. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Your doctor will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can function normally. Arthroscopic total meniscectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove the whole meniscus. Meniscus repair is low-risk. Complications are rare. They may include injury to skin nerves, infections, and knee stiffness. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help stave off infection. He may also recommend compression stockings to help prevent blood clots. You may have to wear a brace or cast to keep your knee stable. You'll likely also have to use crutches for at least a month to keep weight off your knee. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as part of your recovery. It'll help increase your range of motion and help your knee get stronger. He may also share some exercises you can do at home. If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month. If your meniscus was repaired, it may take as long as 3 months.
context: Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or HFMD, is caused by a virus. Symptoms include ulcers, or sores, inside or around the mouth, and a rash or blisters on the hands, feet, legs, or buttocks. And while it's not pleasant, it also isn't serious. Anyone can get the disease, but children under age 10 are most likely to catch it. You can take steps to ease the symptoms while it runs its course, though. The viruses that usually cause hand-foot-and-mouth are named coxsackievirus a16 and enterovirus 71. In fact, you might hear your child's doctor refer to it as the coxsackie virus. Your child can catch hand-foot-and-mouth through contact with someone who has it, or from something that's been in contact with the virus, like a toy, tabletop, or doorknob. It tends to spread easily in the summer and fall. Early symptoms may include fever and a sore throat (in younger kids fever and decreased eating or drinking). Painful blisters similar to cold sores can show up on the inside of your child's mouth (usually in the back portion of the mouth) or tongue. He might get a rash on the palms of his hands or the soles of his feet a day or two after the first symptoms appear. This rash may turn into blisters. Flat spots or sores may pop up on the knees, elbows, or buttocks. He could have all of these symptoms, or only one or two. Mouth sores can make it hurt to swallow, so be sure your child gets enough water and calories. Your doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and look at any sores or rashes. This is usually enough to decide if it's hand-foot-and-mouth disease with no extra tests. But he might take a throat swab or a stool or blood sample to be sure. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease should go away on its own after 7 to10 days. There is no treatment for the illness and no vaccine. You can ease your child's symptoms with: â¢ Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen ( Advil) or acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or numbing mouth sprays. Don't use aspirin for pain -- it can cause serious illness in children. â¢ Cold treats like Popsicles, yogurt, or smoothies soothe a sore throat. â¢ Anti-itch lotion, like calamine, can help against rashes. Your child is most contagious in the first 7 days. But the virus can stay in her body for days or weeks after symptoms go away and it could spread through her spit or poop. The best way to prevent that is to wash hands thoroughly. That applies to you, too, after you change a diaper or wipe a runny nose. Your child should be fever- and symptom-free before she goes back to school or daycare. Check with your doctor if you aren't sure whether she's still contagious. Ask her school or daycare about their policy on when a child can return after illness. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease, which comes from a different virus and only affects animals.
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(); }); } The BRAT diet ( Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast)was once a staple of most pediatricians' recommendations for children with an upset stomach. The idea was that it gave the gut a chance to rest and reduced the amount of stool produced. Experts now say the BRAT diet may not be the best option for children who are ill. Because BRAT diet foods are low in fiber, protein, and fat, the diet lacks enough nutrition to help a child's gastrointestinal tract recover. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that kids resume eating a normal, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age within 24 hours of getting sick. That diet should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates. Both children and adults who are ill need to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Water is good, but adding broth, a sports drink, or a rehydration solution can help replace lost electrolytes. Call your health care provider if you or your child experiences: Diarrhea that lasts for more than three days A temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher Reduced urine Lightheadedness No tears or sunken cheeks
context: Apply ice to reduce swelling. Immobilize the thumb with an elastic bandage or brace. Give acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) for pain. Do not give aspirin to anyone under age 19. The health care provider will likely X-ray the person's thumb. A partially torn ligament will typically be immobilized with a splint or cast. A fully torn ligament may require surgery.
context: The side effects of cancer treatment are often made worse if you are not eating enough or if you are not eating the right foods. Maintaining good nutrition can help you feel better and have more energy. The following strategies will help improve your diet: Meet your basic calorie needs. Calorie needs are different for everyone and depend on height, weight, side effects and treatment. The estimated calorie needs for someone with cancer is 15 calories per pound of weight if your weight has been stable. Add 500 calories per day if you have lost weight. Example: A person who weighs 150 lbs. needs about 2,250 calories per day to maintain his or her weight. Get plenty of protein. Protein rebuilds and repairs damaged (and normally aging) body tissue. The current recommended daily allowance ( RDA) for protein needs are 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weigh. Example: A 150-pound person needs 54 grams of protein per day. The best sources of protein include foods from the dairy group (8 oz. milk = 8 grams protein) and meats (meat, fish, or poultry = 7 grams of protein per ounce), as well as eggs and legumes (beans). Cancer stresses the body and you may need more protein while undergoing treatment. Make sure you are getting enough vitamins. Take a vitamin supplement if you are not sure you are getting enough nutrients. A recommended supplement would be a multivitamin that provides at least 100% of the recommended dietary allowances ( RDA) for most nutrients. Make an appointment with a dietitian. A registered dietitian can provide suggestions to work around any eating problems that may be interfering with proper nutrition (such as early feeling of fullness, swallowing difficulty, or taste changes). A dietitian can also suggest ways to maximize calories and include proteins in smaller amounts of food (such as powdered milk, instant breakfast drinks, and other commercial supplements or food additives). Note: Vitamin supplements do not provide calories, which are essential for energy production. Vitamins are not a substitute for food.
context: Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics approved to treat or prevent certain bacterial infections. The fluoroquinolone antibiotics include ciprofloxacin ( Cipro), gemifloxacin ( Factive), levofloxacin ( Levaquin), moxifloxacin ( Avelox), and ofloxacin ( Floxin). However, some people who take these medicines may develop disabling and potentially permanent side effects of the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system. A person can experience more than one of these side effects at the same time. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) advises against using fluoroquinolone antibiotics for the treatment of three common infections: acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and urinary tract infections ( UTI) without complications. The agency made this decision because the chances of serious side effects outweigh the benefits for most people. The FDA says it's OK use fluoroquinolones for other serious infections or for patients who have no other choice of treatment. This might include patients with allergies to other antibiotics or infections caused by hard-to treat, resistant bacteria. The FDA approved changes to the labels and medication guides of fluoroquinolones taken by mouth or by injection based on patient reports of side effects. The FDA revised the boxed warning, the agency's strongest, to address these serious safety issues, and updated the patient medication guide. The medication guide is a paper handout that comes with many prescription medicines. Serious side effects reported to the FDA include an increase in ruptures or tears in the aorta, which is the main artery in the body, significant drops in blood sugar levels, ruptured tendons, pain, âpins and needlesâ sensations, and depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide and other mental health issues. About half of the patients who had serious side effects from fluoroquinolones said the side effects began after the first or second dose. Most patients reported: Long-term pain Pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness Symptoms affecting tendons, muscles, and joints, including swelling, pain, and tendon rupture Symptoms that lasted longer than a year Depression, anxiety or other changes in mental health Sensation changes or nerve damage in hands, feet, arms, or legs Dramatic impact on quality of life such as job loss, financial problems, and increased family tension Since most patients reported symptoms lasting longer than a year, it is possible that some of these effects will be permanent. If you have side effects while on a medication, you can file a report with the FDA's Med Watch program.