VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Going to the doctor may be the last thing on your mind right now, but regular check-ups may save your health -- and your life -- later. Starting in your 20s and 30s, your doctor can perform or recommend a number of simple tests to look for problems that can rob people of their health. Here's a list of the basic tests you should ask for. ( Note that your doctor may recommend additional tests based on your personal health profile.) Stepping on the Scales. We all hate to do it, but weight -- rather, too much of it -- puts you at high risk for developing a number of diseases later in life. Blood Pressure. It's simple, it's cheap and it's quick. Your heart (and arteries, brain, eyes, and kidneys) will thank you later. Cholesterol Profile. You do have to have blood drawn for a cholesterol test, but it's worth it. The CDC recommends screening once between ages 9 and 11 (before puberty), once between ages 17 and 21 (after puberty), and every 4 to 6 years thereafter. People with a family history of heart disease and children with obesity and diabetes should have their cholesterol checked more often. For Women Only: Pelvic Exam and Pap. You knew it was coming -- the pelvic exam, breast exam, and Pap smear. Ten minutes of mild discomfort from the pelvic exam pays big dividends in protecting you from cancer and diseases that can cause infertility. Pap testing should begin at age 21. Routine screening is recommended every three years for women ages 21 to 65. For women ages 30 to 65 who have a normal Pap test with a negative HPV test, screening can be done every five years. Sexually active women ages 24 and younger also need to have a gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV screening. For women at average risk for breast cancer who don't have symptoms, clinical breast exams are recommended every 1-3 years for women ages 25 to 39 and every year for women ages 40 and older. Protecting Your Eyes. You may not have considered this, but at some point before you reach age 40, visit an eye care provider for an exam. ( Go more often if you have vision problems). Checking Your Immunizations. Be sure to ask your doctor to update any immunizations that you might need. Each year around your birthday, give yourself a gift. Schedule a visit to your dentist and call your doctor to see if there are important tests you should take. With an investment of an hour or two, you may be able to add years to your life.
context: The hemoglobin A1c test tells you your average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. It's also called Hb A1c, glycated hemoglobin test, and glycohemoglobin. People who have diabetes need this test regularly to see if their levels are staying within range. It can tell if you need to adjust your diabetes medicines. The A1c test is also used to diagnose diabetes. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It gives blood its red color, and its job is to carry oxygen throughout your body. The sugar in your blood is called glucose. When glucose builds up in your blood, it binds to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The A1c test measures how much glucose is bound. Red blood cells live for about 3 months, so the test shows the average level of glucose in your blood for the past 3 months. If your glucose levels have been high over recent weeks, your hemoglobin A1c test will be higher. For people without diabetes, the normal range for the hemoglobin A1c level is between 4% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4% mean you have a higher chance of getting diabetes. Levels of 6.5% or higher mean you have diabetes. $('.ua_type_mobile .article table').css('width','100%'); The target A1c level for people with diabetes is usually less than 7%. The higher the hemoglobin A1c, the higher your risk of having complications related to diabetes. A combination of diet, exercise, and medication can bring your levels down. People with diabetes should have an A1c test every 3 months to make sure their blood sugar is in their target range. If your diabetes is under good control, you may be able to wait longer between the blood tests. But experts recommend checking at least two times a year. People with diseases affecting hemoglobin, such as anemia, may get misleading results with this test. Other things that can affect the results of the hemoglobin A1c include supplements such as vitamins C and E and high cholesterol levels. Kidney disease and liver disease may also affect the test.
context: A prostate biopsy is a when a doctor removes small samples of tissue from your prostate to test for cancer. Your doctor will order one if the results from a screening (a blood test or a digital rectal exam) show you might have prostate cancer. This type of cancer is very common. An estimated 174,000 men will be diagnosed with it this year, and about 31,000 will die from it. Still, for most men, it often causes no problems or is easily treated. A diagnosis of prostate cancer cannot be made without a biopsy. The prostate is beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It's a walnut-shaped gland that surrounds part of the urethra. ( That's the tube that carries pee and semen out of the penis). Here's what it does: It produces fluid for semen, which includes sperm produced in the testicles. It prevents urine from being included during ejaculation. If it gets too big, your prostate can block pee from passing through the urethra and out the penis. Your doctor may order a biopsy if your prostate-specific antigen ( PSA) level in your blood work is elevated or there is an abnormal lump found during a digital rectal exam. During a digital rectal exam, your doctor inserts a finger up your bottom to feel if your prostate is enlarged or has bumps. Another option before a biopsy is an ultrasound. Instead of a finger, a small probe is inserted to take pictures of the prostate. Once your doctor decides to do a prostate biopsy, it's a simple, 10-minute procedure. He inserts a needle through the wall of your rectum and into the prostate to extract the cells for testing. Doctors usually take a dozen samples from various parts of the prostate. The idea of such a procedure can make men nervous and it sounds painful. But the biopsy usually causes just brief discomfort. You may notice some blood in your pee and there could be some light bleeding from your bottom. There can also be blood in your semen. This can last for several weeks. The sample will be sent to a lab, where they'll be looked at under a microscope. It takes 3 days or so to get results back. If there's cancer, you'll be given something called a Gleason score. The higher your score, the more likely it is that your cancer will grow and spread quickly, and the more aggressively it should be treated. Since biopsies can miss the cancerous parts of the prostate, sometimes a repeat is ordered to be sure. If you and your doctor decide treatment is necessary, surgery to remove the prostate and nearby tissue is common if the cancer hasn't spread. Other treatment options include: Radiation Cryotherapy (using very cold temperatures to freeze cancer cells) Hormone therapy Chemotherapy Some men with the disease might only need âactive surveillance,â also called "watchful waiting." This means regular blood tests, rectal exams and possibly biopsies to keep an eye on things. If the cancer gets worse, you might discuss treatment options with your doctor.
context: The treatment you need for ringworm depends on where the infection is on your body and how severe it is. In many cases, your doctor may recommend a drug you can buy over-the-counter ( OTC) at your local drugstore. Others require a prescription. If the infection is on your skin â as in the case of athlete's foot or jock itch â your doctor will likely suggest an OTC antifungal cream, lotion, or powder. Some of the most popular include: Clotrimazole ( Lotrimin, Mycelex) Miconazole ( Aloe Vesta Antifungal, Azolen, Baza Antifungal, Carrington Antifungal, Critic Aid Clear, Cruex Prescription Strength, Derma Fungal, Desenex, Fungoid Tincture, Micaderm, Micatin, Micro- Guard, Miranel, Mitrazol, Podactin, Remedy Antifungal, Secura Antifungal) Terbinafine ( Lamisil) Ketoconazole ( Xolegel) In most cases, you'll have to use the medicines on your skin for 2 to 4 weeks to make sure you kill the fungus that causes ringworm. It'll also lower your chances of it coming back. If you have ringworm on your scalp or in many different places on your body, OTC treatments may not be enough. Your doctor will write you a prescription for an antifungal medication that you'll have to take by mouth for 1 to 3 months. You might also have to use an antifungal shampoo. Griseofulvin ( Grifulvin V, Gris- PEG), Terbinafine, and Itraconazole are the oral medicines doctors prescribe most often for ringworm. Terbinafine. If your doctor puts you on these tablets, you'll have to take them once a day for 4 weeks. They work in most cases. Side effects usually are mild and don't last long. They might include nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and rashes. You won't get a prescription for this if you have liver disease or lupus. Griseofulvin. You'd have to take this for 8 to 10 weeks. It's also available as a spray. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, headache, and indigestion. Griseofulvin can cause birth defects, so you can't take it if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Men should use condoms during sex for up to 6 months after stopping treatment. It also can cause birth control pills not to work. Use condoms or another form of contraception if you're on it. And, you shouldn't drive or drink alcohol while you're taking it. Itraconazole. This is prescribed in pill form for 7 or 15 days. It's not for use in children, the elderly, or those with severe liver disease. While taking it, you may experience nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, or headache. See your doctor if your symptoms or infection gets worse or doesn't get better after you've finished your treatment.
context: There's no cure yet for this long-term liver disease. But there are ways to slow its progress and help ease your symptoms. The main drug used to treat the disease is ursodeoxycholic acid, or UDCA. Your doctor might also call it ursodiol. It's a natural bile acid that helps move bile out of your liver and into your small intestine. UDCA will probably be the first treatment your doctor suggests. It can do a lot of good if you start it early on. If your doctor prescribes it, you may have to take it every day for the rest of your life. It slows liver damage and may make it less likely that you'll need a transplant. You might notice side effects like weight gain, diarrhea, and hair loss. If UDCA alone doesn't help, or if you can't handle its side effects, your doctor may recommend obeticholic acid ( Ocaliva). You might take it alone or along with UDCA. It boosts bile flow and eases how much bile acid your liver makes. Side effects might include itchy skin, belly pain, achy joints, and a sore throat. Doctors are researching other drugs to see if they can help. Some, like colchicine and methotrexate, suppress your immune system. Other studies suggest that fenofibrate or prednisone might help. Your doctor can help you decide what's best for you. There are ways to help ease the discomfort. Itchy skin: This common symptom may also be the most annoying. It can be mild or so severe that it bothers you day and night. If it isn't too bad, try over-the-counter antihistamines that contain diphenhydramine. They can make you sleepy, so you might try them if itching keeps you awake at night. If they don't help, your doctor can prescribe something else like cholestyramine ( Novo- Cholamine, Prevalite, Questran), naltrexone ( Revia), rifampin ( Rifadin, Rimactane), and sertraline ( Zoloft). Dry eyes and mouth: Start with over-the-counter artificial tears. If they don't work, see your eye doctor for prescription drops. You can also find saliva substitutes to help with a dry mouth. Prescription options are available if they don't do the trick. You can also suck on hard candy or chew gum to help with dry mouth. Fatigue: PBC can make you tired all the time. But your daily habits, other medical conditions, and even drugs you take can make it worse. Work with your doctor to take care of those issues, and you might ease your fatigue. A drug called modafinil ( Provigil) might help. Treatments usually keep primary biliary cholangitis from getting worse. If they don't, your liver could start to fail. If that happens, your doctor will discuss a liver transplant. In this surgery, your liver is removed and replaced with a healthy, donated liver. PBC can return even after a liver transplant. But it might take years.
context: When you have knee or hip replacement surgery, your doctor will suggest you do physical rehab afterward. Don't brush this off! A regular exercise program is a key part of recovery from your operation. When you build up strength in the muscles around your new joint, it will help you get back to your normal activities. Get the most out of your new knee. Rehab will help you: Restore normal movement in your joint Build up strength in the joint and surrounding muscles Ease pain and swelling Let you get back to your normal activities Help with circulation, particularly right after surgery, so you don't have problems with blood clots Your doctor will probably refer you to a physical therapist. He may come to your home for regular visits. He may give you exercises to work on between sessions that help you improve your range of motion in the new joint. You may also go to a physical therapy center to continue your rehab. Here you can work with a therapist as well as do exercises on your own. Some rehab can also be informal -- exercises and movement you do by yourself. For example, when you have hip replacement surgery, every time you sit down and stand up you're working on your joint's range of motion. This is can keep the muscles around the joint strong long after surgery. If you've just had surgery, your doctor will have you start moving your joint very soon. If you're not in too much pain, you may actually start the day of the operation. At first you'll sit up on the edge of the bed, and maybe stand and walk a few steps with some help. You'll work with a physical therapist on some simple exercises. For instance, he may ask you to pump your ankles or tense and relax your thighs. During your hospital stay, you'll get up and walk around with the help of crutches or a walker. You'll gradually add more strengthening exercises as you build up your endurance. You should exercise 20-30 minutes, two or three times every day -- or as much as your doctor suggests. Walking several times a day may also help. Start with only 5 minutes, and work your way up to 20-30 minutes, several times a day. Use a cane if you need it. Whether you work with a therapist or on your own, stay as active as possible for your overall health. Now that you have a new joint, keep it in good shape!
context: It's rare, but some women do gain a little bit of weight when they start taking birth control pills. It's often a temporary side effect that's due to fluid retention, not extra fat. A review of 44 studies showed no evidence that birth control pills caused weight gain in most women. And, as with other possible side effects of the pill, any weight gain is generally minimal and goes away within 2 to 3 months. If you happen to be one of those few women who put on pounds, talk to your doctor. She may suggest a different type of birth control pill. Why? Because all pills are not the same. There are two types: Combination pills, which contain estrogen and progestin Progestin-only pills. Most birth control pills use the same type of estrogen in various doses, but each brand of pill may offer a slightly different type of the hormone progestin, at different doses. The result? Potentially different side effects. Whichever one you try, give it at least 3 months for any side effects to pass. When birth control pills were first sold in the early 1960s, they had very high levels of estrogen and progestin. Estrogen in high doses can cause weight gain due to increased appetite and fluid retention. So, 50 years ago they may indeed have caused weight gain in some women. Current birth control pills have much lower amounts of hormones. So weight gain is not likely to be a problem.
context: Protective eye gear may not look all that cool when you're on the basketball court or the baseball diamond, but it gets the job done when it comes to protecting your eyes. If you're into a sport, you don't think twice about wearing a helmet to cushion your head, or pads and braces for your bones and joints. You take extra steps to prevent concussions, broken bones, bruises, and chipped teeth, so why not do the same to guard against vision loss, a scratched cornea, or a fractured eye socket? Broken bones and bruises will heal, but a serious eye injury can put you on the disabled list for the rest of your life. No matter which one you choose, your eyes are at risk from wayward balls, flying equipment like racquets or bats, and even other players' body parts -- fingers, elbows, and feet are the most common. Kids should always use eye protection, especially if they aren't all that skilled yet or haven't developed good physical coordination. Baseball: Choose a sturdy plastic or polycarbonate face guard, along with goggles or eye guards. Basketball: Goggles Soccer: Eye guards Football: Eye guards and a full face guard Hockey: A mask made of polycarbonate material or wire Tennis or racquetball: Goggles Regular sunglasses and sometimes even safety glasses don't provide all the protection you need. Look for products designed for your specific sport. And try these tips: Buy eye guards at a sports store or optical store, and have someone familiar with your eyesight and the sport fit them for you. Make sure lenses are secure. If one pops inward, it could damage your eye. Look for cushioning along your eyebrows and the edge of your nose so they don't cut or scratch your face. Get a product with UV protection to shield your eyes from the sun's harmful rays.
context: People with mental illness are entitled to fair treatment, and they should: Be treated with respect and dignity Have their privacy protected Receive services appropriate for their age and culture Understand treatment options and alternatives Get care that doesn't discriminate on the basis of age, race, or type of illness Laws that may cover their rights include: Americans with Disabilities Act. This law protects people who have physical and mental disabilities from discrimination in employment, government services and activities, public accommodations, public transportation, and commercial businesses. Fair Housing Amendments Act. This act outlaws housing discrimination on the basis of certain conditions, including disability. Landlords and owners of rental housing must make reasonable attempts to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. Under this law, the U. S. government can investigate government facilities (such as institutions) for people with mental and physical disabilities in order to make sure that they are safe and get appropriate care. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This law is designed to help children with disabilities get a quality education. Under the law, public school systems must create an education plan for each child with a disability, based on his or her needs.
context: Maybe you've got a big deadline at work. Or perhaps your long-planned dream vacation is just around the corner. No matter what's ahead on your calendar, one thing is clear: You can't afford to let a cold or the flu slow you down. So don't sit idly by. Get a flu shot, of course, but you can also do more. Try this eight-step plan to keep healthy so you don't miss out on the action. No. 1: Wash Your Hands There's no mystery about how cold and flu viruses spread. Someone who's sick sneezes in his hand and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, or a kitchen glass. You can pick up the germ when you touch that object, even hours later. So wash your hands often. If you can't get to a sink, rub them with a hand sanitizer that's got alcohol in it. No. 2: Don't Cover Your Sneezes and Coughs With Your Hands Do your part to keep germs away from your family and friends. Viruses cling to your bare hands, so don't use them to muffle your coughs and sneezes. When you feel one coming, use a tissue, then throw it away. If you don't have one with you, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. No. 3: Don't Touch Your Face Cold and flu viruses enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth. Teach your kids not to touch their faces -- and follow your own advice. No. 4: Do Aerobic Exercise Regularly Aerobic exercise is any activity that gets your heart pumping. It helps increase your body's natural virus-killing cells. No. 5: Eat Foods Containing Phytochemicals " Phyto" means plants, and the natural chemicals in them give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away the vitamin pill and eat dark green, red, and yellow veggies and fruits. No. 6: Don't Smoke Heavy smokers get more severe and frequent colds. Even being around smoke hurts the immune system, your body's defense against germs. Smoke dries out the passages in your nose. It affects your cilia -- the delicate hairs that line your nose and lungs and help sweep away cold and flu viruses. Experts say just one cigarette can stop them from working for as long as 30 to 40 minutes. No. 7: Cut Back on Drinking Alcohol Heavy drinking curbs the immune system. It can make you more likely to get infections as well as complications. Alcohol also dehydrates your body. No. 8: Relax Your germ-defense system will appreciate it. There's evidence that your immune system revs up when you de-stress. One way to relax: train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months.
context: Essential Tremor, sometimes referred to as ET, is a nerve disorder characterized by uncontrollable shaking -- or "tremors" -- in different parts and on different sides of the body. Areas affected often include the hands, arms, head, larynx, or voice box (making the voice sound shaky), tongue, chin, and other areas. The lower body is rarely affected. Essential Tremor is not a life-threatening disorder, unless it prevents a patient from caring for him/herself. Most people are able to live normal lives with this condition -- although they may find everyday activities like eating, dressing, or writing difficult, which leads them to withdraw socially. But it is only when the tremors become severe that they actually cause disability. The term "tremor" is used to describe the uncontrollable shaking associated with ET, but that's a symptom that can be caused by a multitude of different factors and diseases -- including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, fatigue after exercise, extreme emotional distress, brain tumors, some prescription drugs, metabolic abnormalities, and alcohol or drug withdrawal. Tremors can be classified as those that occur when: A person is moving (action tremor). A person is not moving (rest tremor). A person attempts to maintain posture against gravity (postural tremor), as in holding arms out in front of his/her body. Essential tremor is a postural tremor, so symptoms are usually relieved with rest. But as the disorder advances, the tremors may begin to occur when the muscles are relaxed. Symptoms more unique to essential tremor include: Uncontrollable tremors that occur for brief periods of time. A shaking voice. Nodding head. Tremors that worsen during periods of emotional stress. Tremors that get worse with purposeful movement. Tremor lessens with rest. Tremors are the only symptom, although rarely a person with essential tremor may suffer from balance problems.
context: It's a big word, but it simply means your eye isn't completely round. Almost all of us have it to some degree. A normal eyeball is shaped like a perfectly round ball. Light comes into it and bends evenly, which gives you a clear view. But if your eye is shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon, light gets bent more in one direction than another. That means only part of an object is in focus. Objects at a distance may look blurry and wavy. It's fairly easy for an eye doctor to fix with glasses, contacts, or surgery. It's totally natural and most people are born with it. We don't know the exact cause. You can also get it after an eye injury, eye disease, or surgery. There's a myth that you can get it if you read in low light or sit too close to the TV, but that isn't true. Blurry vision. You might chalk it up to fatigue or eyestrain, but it's the major sign of astigmatism. If you can't see clearly, schedule an eye exam to find the source of your problems. You'll need a thorough eye exam. Your doctor may also find another problem -- you could be nearsighted or farsighted. Because astigmatism symptoms come on slowly, you should go to an eye doctor if you notice changes in your vision. Almost all cases can be corrected with glasses or contacts. But if you only have a slight astigmatism -- your doctor may refer to it as a degree -- and you don't have another vision problem, you may not need them. Irregular astigmatism is far less common and is linked to problems with your cornea, the front part of the eye. A common one is keratoconus, in which your normally round cornea becomes cone-shaped. There are two treatments for the common levels of astigmatism: Corrective lenses. That means glasses or contacts. If you have astigmatism, your doctor will probably prescribe a special type of soft contact lenses called toric. They can be made to bend light more in one direction than the other. If your case is more severe, you might go with a gas-permeable rigid contact lens. Your eye doctor will figure out which one is best for you. Refractive surgery. This laser surgery changes the shape of your cornea. There's more than one type, so your doctor will help you pick the one that's right for you. You'll need to have healthy eyes with no retina problems or corneal scars.
context: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome ( ME/ CFS) is more than feeling tired all the time. It comes with a lot of other symptoms that can make it hard to handle daily life. Even simple things like walking to the mailbox or writing a letter can make it worse. The fatigue and symptoms can last 6 months, or can go on for years. Sleep and rest don't make it better, either. A doctor can help relieve your symptoms, but first you need to get diagnosed. If you have ME/ CFS, you'll have these three âcoreâ symptoms: Reduced ability to do usual activities for six months or more because of fatigue Worsening of symptoms (difficulty thinking, problems sleeping, sore throat, headaches, feeling dizzy, or severe tiredness). after usual physical or mental activity Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep Along with the three symptoms, you must have one of these for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome: Problems with thinking and memory Worsening of symptoms while standing or sitting upright ; you might feel lightheaded, dizzy or weak, and you may have blurred vision or see spots. If you have any the symptoms, and believe you have ME/ CFS, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask about his experience in treating the condition. You can also request a referral or choose to get a second opinion.
context: Some forms of hearing loss aren't reversible, but many are. Talk to your doctor about what type you have so you'll know what to expect. Earwax helps clean and protect the ears. Normally, your ears will clear it out on their own. If you use cotton swabs to clean them, you may be pushing the wax in deeper. This can make it gather and get stuck. That'll make it hard for you to hear. It's not hard to treat that buildup and get your hearing back. Home treatments work well in most cases. Put a few drops of mineral oil or baby oil in the ear to help wax work its way out. You can also buy drops at the drugstore that soften ear wax. See a doctor if home treatments don't work or if you have diabetes. He can remove the wax safely with medical tools. Or he might flush it out with water or saline. If you have one, you may notice mild hearing loss, as if you were wearing earplugs. An infection usually happens when fluid gets stuck in your middle ear. That's because the fluid makes it easier for bacteria to grow. Viruses can also cause hearing loss. Some ear infections get better on their own. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. If you or someone you know gets these infections often, ear tubes -- small cylinders that keep the middle ear open -- can treat them, especially in children. This happens when you lose all or part of your hearing (usually in just one ear) all at once or over a few days. About half of people with the condition regain their hearing on their own, but sometimes it doesn't come back completely. It usually gets better in a week or two. It is critical to see an ear, nose and throat ( ENT) specialist when this happens so treatment can begin right away. This type of hearing loss can be treated with corticosteroid pills or shots. It's common for people to lose hearing gradually as they age. Because it happens slowly, you might not notice a difference at first. You may first pick up on it if you have trouble hearing someone on the phone or if you have to ask people to repeat what they say. Most of the time it's caused by natural changes to the inner ear as you get older. A lifetime of listening to loud noises, like playing music through headphones, can also cause hearing trouble. Once noise damages the hairs in the ear that help you hear, they don't grow back. But there are ways to work around age-related hearing loss, like hearing aids. She may be able to reverse the problem or keep it from getting worse. She may refer you to a specialist, such as: An audiologist, who specializes in hearing loss treatment and testing An ear, nose, and throat ( ENT) doctor, also called an otorhinolaryngologist A hearing aid expert who does tests and fits the devices
context: Mitral valve regurgitation happens when one of the valves on the left side of your heart doesn't close properly. It allows some blood to flow backward instead of out to the rest of your body. You may feel it in a variety of ways. Some people with this condition may not feel any symptoms while others may have chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or dizziness, among other things. These kinds of symptoms are no fun, but they might be your first clue something isn't right with your heart. Be sure to visit your doctor if you have any concerns. Some cases are mild and just need to be watched. Others are more severe and may require medications or surgery. You need to make sure your doctor knows your symptoms so he can decide what to do. The mitral valve controls the flow of blood through the left side of your heart, where oxygen-rich blood comes in from the lungs and gets pumped out to the rest of your body. It's supposed to be a one-way passage. But if the valve doesn't close properly, blood can flow backward into the left atrium, one of the heart's 4 chambers. That's mitral valve regurgitation. These can vary from person to person, but you may find yourself feeling some of the following: Fatigue and shortness of breath: The blood coming through the left side of your heart fuels your body, bringing oxygen from your lungs to your cells. If some of that blood is flowing back into the heart instead, you might end up feeling tired or lightheaded, particularly if you've been active. In severe cases, you can find yourself feeling tired or short of breath even when you're at rest. Heart palpitations: These occur when your heart skips a beat. The feeling in your chest might range from fluttering to pounding. This may be more likely to happen when you're lying on your left side. Swelling of feet and legs: This is caused by a buildup of fluid in your body, known as edema. It's a sign that your heart may be struggling to pump enough blood to the rest of your body. Some other things you or your doctor may notice: You get very tired more easily You have a heart murmur (blood whooshing or swishing around) You have low blood pressure You might faint A doctor may first suspect you have this condition during a normal physical while listening to your heart with a stethoscope. If he doesn't hear the telltale signs but you're having many of the symptoms, he may order some other tests. A common follow-up test is called an echocardiogram. It uses sound waves to make an image of your beating heart. Your doctor might also want to get a CT or MRI scan of your chest to help figure out what's going on. These are tests which give the doctor a picture of your insides.
context: Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit also known as the Malabar tamarind, is a popular weight-loss supplement. People say it blocks your body's ability to make fat and it puts the brakes on your appetite. Loss of excess weight could help could help keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check, too. You'll find it in bottles on the shelf at the store as well as mixed with other ingredients in diet products. Does it live up to its hype? Maybe a little, but it might not be worth it. The active ingredient in the fruit's rind, hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, appears to block an enzyme called citrate lyase, which your body uses to make fat. It also raises levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which may make you feel less hungry. But actual weight loss results aren't impressive. A review published in the Journal of Obesityfound that people who took garcinia cambogia in studies lost about 2 pounds more than people who didn't take it. The reviewers couldn't say for sure that the weight loss was because of the supplement. It could have been from the lower-calorie diet and exercise programs the people in the studies typically followed. Better studies are needed to find out if HCA really helps people lose a lot of weight and keep it off. Garcinia cambogia may make it easier for your body to use glucose, the sugar your cells need for energy. Mice that got garcinia cambogia in one study had lower insulin levels than mice that didn't. That's another reason, besides weight loss, that people with diabetes are interested in it. However, if you're taking garcinia cambogia along with a medication to control your blood sugar, your glucose could get dangerously low. Some research has found that garcinia cambogia can also improve cholesterol levels, lowering triglycerides and LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol). But you shouldn't use it if you're already on a prescription for your cholesterol. When you take garcinia cambogia, you might get: Dizziness Dry mouth Headache Upset stomach or diarrhea In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration warned everyone to stop using a weight-loss product that contained garcinia cambogia because some people taking it got serious liver problems. The product had other ingredients, too, so it's not clear that garcinia cambogia was to blame. While some research suggests the supplement is safe for your liver, other research says no. Garcinia cambogia may interact badly with: Asthma and allergy medicines such as Accolate and Singulair Diabetes medicines, including pills and insulin Iron, for anemia Pain medicines Prescriptions for psychiatric conditions Statins, drugs that lower cholesterol Warfarin, a blood thinner You definitely don't want to use it when you're pregnant or nursing, or if you have kidney or liver problems. It is possible that manic symptoms may emerge as a side effect. Since study results are mixed, you should talk with your doctor to help you decide if taking garcinia cambogia is a good idea. Even if it's safe, it may not help you lose much weight. It's probably wiser to spend your money on healthy food or an exercise DVD.
context: Pelvic inflammatory disease ( PID) is a bacterial illness of the female reproductive system, including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It's usually the result of a sexually transmitted infection like gonorrhea or chlamydia. It can cause pain in your lower belly and hurt your ability to have a baby if it's not treated properly. About 770,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with PID each year. There are a variety of problems that could be a sign of PID. They include: Pain or tenderness in the lower or upper right abdomen A foul-smelling discharge from your vagina Pain when you pee Pain during sex Fever Throwing up, or feeling like you're going to throw up More bleeding than usual during your period You should see a doctor if you're experiencing these symptoms. But some of these things can also be signs of other serious conditions, so your doctor will most likely run some tests to figure out whether you have PID or something else. When you visit your doctor, she'll likely give you a pelvic examination. She'll check for signs of tenderness in your cervix, uterus or surrounding organs (ovaries and fallopian tubes). She'll also: Look for signs of any fluid in the vagina or cervix that doesn't look right Ask about your symptoms and your medical and sexual history Take your temperature You doctor may check fluid samples under a microscope and send cultures for gonorrhea and chlamydia to the lab. She might also recommend some tests: Blood test. This is to check for sexually transmitted infection. Ultrasound. This will make a picture of your internal organs. If the exam or your tests show a high suspicion for PID, your doctor will talk to you about what treatment you need to get rid of it. You should also talk about your diagnosis with anyone you had sex with in the 60 days before your exam. That way they can get tested as well.
context: f you have advanced non-small-cell lung cancer ( NSCLC), you doctor may consider a treatment called immunotherapy. Doctors use these medicines to boost your immune system so it will recognize and kill cancer cells. Scientists continue to research immunotherapies for lung cancer, including checkpoint inhibitors, therapeutic vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy. They're also looking to see if combinations of these drugs will help. Four immunotherapy drugs have been approved for use in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. All are checkpoint inhibitors: Atezolizumab ( Tecentriq) Durvalumab ( Imfinzi) Nivolumab ( Opdivo) Pembrolizumab ( Keytruda) Immune checkpoints are meant to hold back your body's natural defenses so they don't damage healthy tissues. The drugs block proteins ( PD-1, PD- L1) that stop your body from killing the tumor. But immunotherapy doesn't work for all types of metastatic NSCLC, and it's not for all people with the disease. How do you know if it's right for you? Immunotherapy as First Treatment Scientists know that lung tumors with high levels of the protein PD- L1 are more likely to respond to a pembrolizumab than to the other approved treatments. About a third of people with late-stage NSCLC have very high levels of PD- L1. If you have metastatic lung cancer with PD- L1 in more than half the cells, you can use pembrolizumab right away. You won't have to try chemotherapy or other drugs first. Atezolizumab and pembrolizmab are sometimes used in combination with other treatments. If you have a change in your genes (known as a mutation) called an epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) or an aplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK), you shouldn't get immunotherapy as your first treatment. Another type of treatment called targeted therapy will shrink the tumor better. Immunotherapy as Second Treatment If you have late-stage lung cancer that hasn't responded to platinum-based chemotherapy or that has started to come back after chemo or other drug treatments, your doctor may suggest you try a checkpoint inhibitor. Both nivolumab and atezolizumab are approved for anyone with advanced NSCLC who's already tried chemotherapy, regardless of the levels of PD- L1 in the tumors. Even if your tumor biopsy shows no PD- L1, immunotherapy may still work for you. Pembrolizumab and durvalumab are also sometimes used to treat advanced lung cancer after other treatments have been given. Who Shouldn't Get This Treatment? If you have an autoimmune disease -- like lupus, thyroiditis, Crohn's disease, or rheumatoid arthritis -- immunotherapy may not be safe for you. Your doctor will also want to make sure any active or chronic infections are under control before starting this type of treatment.
context: If you use insulin for diabetes, you still might get swings in your blood sugar levels once in a while. But what if they won't go down, even with insulin? Don't worry. It's not the only way to get your condition under control. Healthy habits and diabetes medicine can also help. Some of best ways to prevent high blood sugar are old-school: Exercise. When you do it regularly, it's like adding another medicine to your care. It makes the insulin you take work better, and it removes the sugar, or glucose, from your blood. It also helps you lose weight, which can lower blood sugar. Try to build up to at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days, even if you start with just 5 minutes. Talk to your diabetes care team first about how to work out safely. Eat right. A healthy diet keeps your blood sugar within a safe range. It's the most important way to help you shed pounds if you're overweight. Work with a registered dietitian or a certified diabetes educator to learn about the best food to eat and how to build a meal plan that works for your lifestyle. Weight loss medications are another option you can consider if you need to get thinner. Talk to your doctor about which ones might be a good choice for you. Relax. Stress blocks your body from releasing insulin, and that lets glucose pile up in your blood. If you're stressed for a long time, your sugar levels will keep building. Regular exercise and relaxation techniques -- like yoga, meditation, tai chi, and breathing exercises -- can help. If the insulin dose you take isn't enough to lower high blood sugar, your doctor may change how much you take and how you take it. For instance, he may ask you to: Increase your dose. Take a fast-acting type before meals to help with swings in blood sugar after you eat. Take a long-acting type once or twice a day to help give you smoother blood sugar control. Use an insulin pump, which may make it easier to manage your blood sugar levels. There are other possible causes of your high blood sugar, such as insulin resistance, which may run in your family. That's when your body doesn't respond as well as it should to the insulin it makes. Or, you may be taking a drug for another health problem that keeps your body from using it well. How you use insulin can also matter. If you give yourself shots in the same place over and over, for instance, that area may scar, which can affect how your body absorbs the hormone. It helps to change spots or use an insulin pump. Some people also take less insulin than they should. It might be because they're afraid of low blood sugar, or they're nervous about needles. You might feel more comfortable by slowly increasing your insulin dose. Consider an insulin pump or pen if you don't like needles. Whatever the cause of your blood sugar highs, work closely with your doctor to find a solution. And always talk with him before you make any changes in your insulin dose.
context: It's time to put a little sizzle back in your relationship. Besides the joy of being intimate with your partner, there's an extra perk when you have rheumatoid arthritis ( RA). Sex is a painkiller, thanks to your body's feel-good chemicals called endorphins, and those effects can last for hours. Ask yourself some questions to see if you're making the most of your love life. Do and your partner talk about it? When you're open about your RA and how it makes you feel, it can help you and your partner have a more satisfying sex life. If you're nervous about talking about how your symptoms affect the way you want to be intimate, write your partner a letter. Share what feels good and what hurts. If you make the first move on good days, your partner will be more understanding on the days you don't feel 100%. Do you rush romance? Take time to enjoy foreplay. Use gentle massage to relax muscles and joints. And don't be afraid to set up some time for sex. For instance, if you know you feel in the mood during the afternoon, make a date for some private time with your partner at home. Take pain medication -- and perhaps a nap -- at least 30 minutes before sex so you're more comfortable and energized. Do you try different positions or props? Get creative to avoid putting stress your painful joints. Let go of your traditional sexual position if it hurts. Also, try props like pillows or cushions to support your hips, shoulders, neck, or back. Or add a vibrator for stimulation during foreplay. Many women have vaginal dryness as they get older. It's also a problem if you have Sjogren's syndrome, a condition often seen with RA. If you have that, try vaginal lubricants, vaginal moisturizers, or vaginal estrogen creams. Have you ever tried warming up together? You already know that warm showers or baths can help your painful joints. You can use them to enhance your sex life, too. Take a bath together as part of foreplay. Or gently wash each other with an aromatic body wash in a warm shower. You might also try an electric blanket on your bed to make it cozy. If you have sexual problems, talk to your doctor. You may want to get a referral to a sex therapist who has experience helping people with RA.
context: Kegel exercises (also called âpelvic floor exercisesâ) strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support your uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum. Kegels don't just help keep them âfitâ -- they can help you avoid embarrassing accidents, like bladder leakage and passing gas and -- or even stool -- by accident. They can even improve your orgasms. When they're working like they should, your pelvic floor muscles may never cross your mind. But over time -- as we age -- these muscles can start to weaken. This puts us at risk for a condition doctors call âpelvic organ prolapseâ ( POP). Basically, your pelvic organs start to droop. They can start to fall into or out of your vagina. Sometimes, if you've had a hysterectomy, your vaginal tissues can start to come out of your body, too. Other things that put you at risk for POP include: Pregnancy Giving birth through the vagina Surgery in the pelvic area ( C-section or hysterectomy) Genetics Frequent coughing, laughing, or sneezing (it pushes on the pelvic organs) Sit on the toilet and try to pee. Once urine starts to flow, squeeze your muscles to hold it in. You should feel the muscles inside your vagina âlift.â You just did one Kegel. Relax the muscle and do it again. But don't get into the habit of doing them while you pee. You can actually cause other problems, like urinary tract infections. Start slowly. Try squeezing your pelvic floor muscles for 3 seconds, then release for 3 seconds. Do this 10 times in a row. That's one set. If you can't do 10, do as many as you can and build up over time. Try to work up to one set of 10 Kegels two to three times a day. Kegels aren't harmful. In fact, you can make them a part of your daily routine. Do them while you're brushing your teeth, driving to work, eating dinner, or watching TV. Most women who do Kegels regularly see results (such as reduced urine leakage) within a few weeks or months. If you're still concerned about your prolapse or don't feel your symptoms are getting better, talk to your doctor about other treatments.