VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: A urinary tract infection ( UTI) affects your urinary tract. That's the system though which your body gets rid of waste and extra water. UTIs are most often caused by bacteria, but they can also be brought on by fungi, or viruses. Normally, your body gets rid of these germs before they cause a problem. But if the germs win, you can get a painful UTI. If you've ever had one, you know the telltale signs: an intense urge to pee, having to pee more often, peeing very little when you go, and a burning sensation during urination. If you think you have a UTI, see your doctor. He'll find out whether your symptoms are caused by that or another infection. He'll also be able to prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Can't wait to find out if you have a UTI? A home test can help you find out faster. You can buy over-the-counter UTI dipstick tests at your local drugstore or online. They work much like a pregnancy test: Each kit comes with a testing strip (usually three to a kit). You wet a test strip by holding it in your urine stream for a few seconds. Or, you can collect urine in a clean cup and dip the strip into the sample. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for the color of the test strip to change. This will vary depending on the brand you use. Check the chart on the home test kit to find out if you've tested positive for a UTI. Home test kits might be useful if you have UTIs that keep coming back. They check for white blood cells and bacteria in the urine. But the results can be affected by a number of things, like medications you're taking. And studies show that urine cultures are far more reliable for showing whether you have a UTI. The bottom line: See your doctor to be sure, no matter what your UTI home test reveals.
context: You might not feel hungry when you're having chemotherapy, but it's important you keep eating well. Nutritious food keeps up your strength, fights fatigue, and helps your body heal. Here are 11 healthy tips to think about, even when food is the furthest thing from your mind: Fight off nausea. It's tough to eat when even the thought of food makes you sick. Fend off an upset stomach with dry foods like crackers. Eat them first thing in the morning, then every few hours. Sip ginger ale or ginger tea throughout the day. Ginger, lemon, lavender, and peppermint can also help settle your stomach. Eat your favorite foods. Your appetite, and the foods that appeal to you, can change from day to day. It's OK to eat high-fat, high-calorie foods you normally try to stay away from, or to eat, say, breakfast foods for dinner. For now, eat what sounds good, when it sounds good. Try small meals. Many people who get chemo find they have more of an appetite when they eat every few hours. Try having six to eight small meals a day rather than three big ones. Make it easy. You won't want to grocery shop or cook on some days. Plan ahead and keep your pantry stocked with easy-to-prepare foods. On days you feel well enough to cook, make extra portions and freeze them for later. Ask friends and family to help you shop and prepare meals, or consider getting your meals delivered. Sip liquids throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps your body get rid of toxins, but drinking too much at once can make you too full to eat. Try to drink most of your fluids between meals, rather than during. It's best to make sure you get plenty of water. But if you're losing weight, you may want to drink high-calorie liquids like fruit nectars, milkshakes, or cream soups. Pay attention to protein. It helps repair body tissue and keeps your immune system healthy. Snack on peanut or almond butter with fruit. Add chopped or ground nuts to baked goods, salads, or ice cream. Other easy options: cheese and crackers, egg salad, or a bowl of cereal with milk. Add calories to healthy foods. Your body needs fat to keep up energy stores and move vitamins through your blood. Top salads with avocado or seeds, and add olive oil to rice and pasta or dip your bread into it. Liquid meal replacements can be another good option. Make mealtimes an event. You tend to eat more when you're distracted. Eat while you watch TV or listen to music. Or invite a friend over to keep you company during meals. The social support can help you feel better, too. Get moving. Any physical activity, even if it's just a short walk around the block, can fuel your appetite. Keep an open mind. Cancer treatments can change your sense of smell and taste for a while. Maybe you get a bitter, metallic taste with some foods. To solve this, try plastic silverware rather than metal. Choose frozen or fresh vegetables and fruit over canned. Try foods you've never eaten before, so you won't notice if they taste âoff.â Get help from an expert. Ask your doctor about seeing a registered dietitian. She can make an eating plan, suggest vitamins and supplements, and help you deal with side effects.
context: While you're getting treated for psoriasis, make sure you find a way to manage the stress and emotions that may tag along. Reach out to family, friends, and support groups to get the backing you need. Your close relatives, like your parents, spouse, or a brother or sister, can be a huge help. You can usually count on them to understand your feelings and offer practical help. Don't take their backing for granted, though. A support role doesn't come easily to everyone. To make sure you and your family are on the same page, follow these tips: Help them understand what the treatments involve and why they're important. Ask for practical help, such as a ride to the clinic, or someone to keep you company. Remember that psoriasis can be stressful for those around you. Tell your loved ones how much their support matters to you. Your best pals can be another source of help. Since most people know very little about psoriasis, it's important to help your friends learn about it and its treatment. Reassure your friends that they can't catch psoriasis from you. Explain that unlike many diseases, there's no cure. It's a condition you'll need to manage for the rest of your life. If you're trying a new treatment, tell your close friends how it works and what the side effects might be. Ask for practical help if you need it. Don't be afraid to let them know how you feel. That's what close friends are for. You may have to take time off from work for treatments or the side effects they may cause. Talk to your supervisor and any co-workers who need to know. The more they understand about psoriasis and your treatments, the more supportive they're likely to be. Do your part to make sure it's not disruptive when you have to miss work. If you have to be away for part or all of a day, plan ahead. Get caught up on assignments before you have to go. Find people to cover for you, if needed. If you don't get the support and help you need at work, make an appointment to see a human resources counselor. If you can't manage the stress on your own, talk to your doctor. They may be able to refer you to a psychologist or counselor who can help. If you're having serious side effects from treatment, let your doctor know right away. Treatments can cause depression, fatigue, skin sensitivity, joint pain, and other things. Your doctor may suggest ways to ease those problems. It's helpful to speak to other people who also have psoriasis. They understand what you're going through and can offer personal suggestions. To find a support group in your area, check with the National Psoriasis Foundation. It keeps a list of active chapters. The organization also offers mentoring to connect newly diagnosed people with volunteers who know about the condition. Events such as walkathons and benefits organized by the National Psoriasis Foundation or local groups in your area can help, too.
context: A hydrocele is a swelling in a boy's scrotum, the thin sac that holds his testicles. It happens when too much fluid builds up inside. The condition is most common in newborns, though older boys and men can get it, too. It may sound or look serious, even painful, but don't worry, it won't hurt your baby. It might even go away on its own, though you should still see the doctor about it. A hydrocele can start before your son is born. His testicles grow inside his belly and then move down into his scrotum through a short tunnel. A sac of fluid goes with each testicle. Normally, the tunnel and the sac seal off before birth, and the baby's body absorbs the fluid inside. When this process doesn't go as it should, he can get a hydrocele. There are two types: Noncommunicating hydrocele happens when the sac closes like normal, but the boy's body doesn't absorb the fluid inside it. Communicating hydrocele happens when the sac doesn't seal. With this type, his scrotum may swell more over time. Babies born prematurely are more likely to have a hydrocele. A hydrocele doesn't hurt. The only symptom you'll notice is that one or both of your son's testicles look swollen. Even if he's not in pain, you should see the pediatrician to make sure he doesn't have other health problems that are causing the swelling, such as an infection, a tumor, or a hernia. The swelling from a noncommunicating hydrocele doesn't change in size. A communicating hydrocele can get bigger during the day, and if you gently squeeze it, the fluid will move out of the scrotum and into his belly. When you take your son to the doctor, she'll do a physical exam. She'll check his scrotum for fluid and tenderness, and she'll shine a light through it to see if there's fluid around his testicle. She'll also check to make sure your baby doesn't have a hernia. Your son may also have a blood test and an ultrasound to make sure nothing else is causing the swelling. A hydrocele usually goes away on its own before a boy's first birthday. If it doesn't, or if it gets bigger, his doctor will refer him to a specialist called a urologist. If your son has a communicating hydrocele, the pediatrician will usually recommend surgery without waiting for it to go away. The doctor can remove a hydrocele in a brief operation called a hydrocelectomy. Your baby will get medicine to numb his body or to put him under completely. Then, a surgeon makes a cut in his scrotum or lower belly. The surgeon then drains the fluid and sews the sac closed. Once it's finished, your son can go home the same day. In the days after surgery, you'll need to keep the area clean and dry. The doctor and her team will show you how to care for your son as he heals. After a few days, you may need to take him back to the doctor to make sure he's healing well.
context: Major pharmaceutical companies continually research and develop new cancer medications and treatments, which must be shown to be safe and effective before doctors can prescribe them to patients. Through cancer clinical trials, researchers test the effects of new drugs on a group of volunteers with cancer. Following a strict protocol and using carefully controlled conditions, researchers evaluate the drugs under development and measure the ability of the new drug to treat cancer, its safety, and any possible side effects. Some patients with cancer are reluctant to take part in clinical trials for fear of getting no treatment at all for their cancer. This is simply not true. Patients with cancer who participate in cancer clinical trials receive the most effective therapy currently available for their cancer -- or they may receive cancer treatments that are being evaluated for future use. These cancer treatments may be even more effective than the current cancer treatment. The only way to determine if the newer treatment is better than the currently available treatment is by clinical trial participation. The following websites offer information and services to help you find a cancer clinical trial that is right for you. Trial Check This website, developed by the nonprofit Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, is an unbiased cancer clinical trial matching and navigation service enabling patients to search for cancer trials based on disease and location. It has now merged with a cancer decision-support platform called eviti, which contains treatment guidelines. National Cancer Institute This website lists thousands of cancer clinical trials, describes them, gives eligibility criteria, and explains what to do when you find one that you think may be right for you. Clinical Trials.gov This website offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for cancer in the U. S. and around the world. Center Watch This web site lists industry-sponsored clinical trials that are actively recruiting patients. Onco Link Cancer Clinical Trial Matching Service This website enables you to create a detailed profile to see if you match the eligibility requirements of more than 10,000 trials in the U. S. and Canada.
context: If your child has trouble sitting still and paying attention in school, is constantly losing things, interrupting, and talking in an âoutside voice,â don't just assume that he has attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder, or ADHD. It might seem like an obvious diagnosis, but before you start forming opinions, you should know that it's not that simple. A doctor has to identify ADHD through observing your child's behavior. There are no blood tests or brain scans to give a definite diagnosis. And there are many other disorders that have the same, or similar, symptoms as ADHD, so it's important for your doctor to look for all possibilities before coming to a conclusion. Your child's behavioral issues could be due to any number of biological, physiological, and emotional disorders that appear like ADHD. These are some of the most common. Anxiety disorders. About one-fifth of kids with ADHD also have some type of anxiety disorder, including separation anxiety, social anxiety, or general anxiety. And children with ADHD are more likely than others to get anxiety. The type of medication they take for ADHD makes a big difference if they also have anxiety. Stimulants can make anxiety worse, but antidepressants can help it. Depression. About 1 in 7 children with ADHD are also diagnosed with depression. Experts think it could be made worse by the stress from having ADHD. To complicate things even more, certain ADHD medications have side effects that can look like symptoms of depression, including changes in eating and sleeping habits. Oppositional defiant disorder. Kids who lose their temper a lot, refuse to follow rules, argue with adults, and say mean things to other people are often diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD. It usually goes away within 3 years in about 60% of kids. But studies have shown that about 30% of children with ODD develop conduct disorder. Learning disabilities. Around half of children with ADHD also have a learning disability. Many kids with learning disabilities also get into trouble at school for not listening, not finishing work, or being disorganized. Like ADHD, a learning disability doesn't affect intelligence, but can make kids lag behind others in school and at work. Bipolar disorder. Studies have shown that symptoms of bipolar disorder often overlap with those of ADHD, making it hard to diagnose both these disorders. Hearing or vision loss. If your child can't see or hear properly, he can have trouble at school. He might not be able to see the board, or hear his teacher. These issues can lead to poor grades and bad conduct, which might seem like ADHD-like symptoms when they're not.
context: The person is seriously injured. Injury includes amputation. Bone is protruding through skin. Bleeding cannot be stopped after several minutes of firm pressure. Blood spurts from the wound. The hand feels numb or cold. Apply direct pressure until bleeding stops. Remove rings and bracelets that may impede blood flow or compress nerves if swelling occurs later. Clean area with warm water and soap. Apply antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage. Apply ice and elevate hand to reduce swelling. If a finger or part of a finger has been cut off, collect all parts and tissue and place in a plastic bag on ice for transport to the hospital with the person. See a health care provider immediately for a deep cut, puncture wound, animal bite, human bite, or a scrape that you cannot get clean or if the cut shows signs of infection. Apply ice to reduce swelling. Keep finger elevated above the heart If finger is bent or deformed, don't try to straighten it. See a doctor immediately. See your health care provider if a hand injury shows signs of infection, including redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge. See a health care provider immediately for any hand injury if: The person cannot move the hand or fingers There are persistent new symptoms If the person sees a health care provider, the next steps depend on the nature and severity of the hand injury. For bites, puncture wounds, burns, and some other hand injuries, the health care provider will give a tetanus shot or booster if the person hasn't had one recently. The health care provider will also clean the wound and remove embedded dirt and debris. For a fracture or dislocation, a doctor will X-ray the hand and may apply a splint or cast. To prevent or treat an infection, the health care provider may prescribe antibiotics. Surgery may be required for some hand injuries. Physical therapy or occupational therapy may be prescribed to assist the person in regaining full function.
context: Many people with irritable bowel syndrome turn to laxatives to relieve constipation. But it's important to understand exactly how much these treatments can help the condition. Laxatives do ease constipation and help you have more regular bowel movements. There's no proof they relieve stomach aches, bloating, and other problems that come with IBS, though. Researchers haven't done enough of the right kinds of scientific studies to know exactly how well they work. But that doesn't mean a laxative won't help if you have IBS with constipation. If you're thinking about taking one, talk with your doctor first. There are different kinds, and some are safer than others for long-term treatment of constipation. Your doctor can guide you to the one that will help you the most. If you want to try a laxative, fiber is a good place to start. Ideally, you should get most of it from your diet. You can start by getting a little at a time, and work your way up to 25 grams a day. But some people may need more help from bulk-forming laxatives. They add soluble fiber to your stool, which makes it easier to pass by absorbing more water in your intestines. Make sure you drink plenty of water when you take one, though. These laxatives include methylcellulose ( Citrucel), polycarbophil ( Fiber Con), and psyllium ( Metamucil). These pull water back into your colon, which softens your stool so it's easier to get it out of your body. They are fairly safe to take for long-lasting constipation. Just make sure you drink plenty of water when you take them to avoid getting dehydrated. Osmotic laxatives can cause problems for some people, like bloating, diarrhea, and dehydration. In rare cases, some of them may lead to kidney or heart disease. These laxatives include milk of magnesia, magnesium citrate, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, and lactulose. You can buy many brands over the counter at the pharmacy. These usually have a chemical called senna, which triggers muscles around your intestines to squeeze and move stool through your colon. While they do relieve constipation, you shouldn't take them on a regular basis. When you take them for a long time, your body can get used to them so that they won't work for you anymore. You can also get dependent on them, during which you need them to stay regular. You can buy stimulant laxatives at the drugstore, like bisacodyl ( Dulcolax) and sennosides ( Senokot). Side effects can include diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, and stomach cramping. Talk with your doctor before you take a laxative to see if it will help with your symptoms. Remember, there are other ways to treat IBS with constipation, like medications, fiber supplements, diet changes, stress management, behavioral therapy, and alternative treatments.
context: Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs, and it can keep you in bed feeling very sick. It's usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In the U. S. about 30% of pneumonias are viral. These include: Dry cough Fever Chills Shortness of breath Pain in your chest when you cough or breathe Rapid breathing If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor. Viruses that can lead to pneumonia include: Influenza (flu) A and B viruses are the most common causes in adults. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is more common in infants and children than in adults. Others include coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and adenoviruses, which can also cause pinkeye. Other viruses that more rarely cause viral pneumonia include herpes simplex, measles, and chickenpox. Viruses that cause pneumonia travel through the air in droplets of fluid after someone sneezes or coughs. These fluids can get into your body through your nose or mouth. You can also get viral pneumonia after touching a virus-laden doorknob or keyboard, then touching your mouth or nose. Your doctor's diagnosis will depend on how severe your infection is. If you have mild symptoms, your doctor may suggest blood tests or a chest X-ray. If your symptoms are serious, and you are 65 or older (or an infant or young child), the doctor might recommend collecting fluids. She or he may also put a camera down your throat to check your airways. If a virus is causing your pneumonia, antibiotics won't help, but your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication. If you have an influenza virus, your doctor may prescribe medications such as oseltamivir ( Tamiflu), zanamivir ( Relenza), or peramivir ( Rapivab). These drugs keep flu viruses from spreading in your body. If RSV is the cause of your pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe a medication such as ribavirin ( Virazol). This helps to limit the spread of viruses. When you have pneumonia, it's important to get plenty of rest. Check back in with your doctor after treatment to make sure your lungs are clear. The same steps you would take to try to prevent the flu also help lower your chance of pneumonia. Wash your hands often. Scrub them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before you eat or prepare food. When you are in public places, use sanitizer. Get a flu vaccination each year at the beginning of flu season. Stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing. Keep your hands away from your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
context: A successful eye doctor visit is only half the battle when it comes to helping your child see better. The hard part comes when you have to persuade him to wear his new glasses every day. Follow these steps to find the right specs and help him want to keep them on. Fit the frames: They shouldn't pinch his ears or nose, or weigh down his face. Check the spots where they touch his face every so often to make sure his skin isn't irritated. Get the prescription right: If your child looks over the tops of his glasses or complains that he can't see with them, his prescription may be wrong. Go back to your optician or eye doctor and get it checked out. Start slowly: Have him wear the glasses for short periods of time while he sits down at the beginning. Then gradually increase how long he keeps them on. Set a schedule: Make his eyeglasses part of his daily routine. Encourage him to put them on in the morning when he gets dressed and take them off at night before he goes to bed. Pile on the praise: Let him know what a good job he's doing every time he wears his glasses. If he just won't do it, troubleshoot first. Is the prescription correct? If it is, explain again why he needs them. And don't forget to praise him when he wears them. Whether it's prescription or not, protective eyewear is a great way to prevent injuries. It's a good idea for any kid who's into: Baseball/softball Basketball Soccer Hockey Tennis Karate Racquetball Your child may not want to use protective eyewear at first, especially if he's the only one on the team who has it. But you can help. Let him pick out the eye gear, so he's in charge of style. Or lead by example and wear the gear yourself when you play sports.
context: Every person and every illness is unique. After you've asked your primary care doctor for a referral, you'll meet with your palliative care team to discuss your goals and desires during your illness. Once the members of your palliative care team understand your needs, they will work with your primary care doctor and other experts to create an individualized palliative care plan. The goals are: Relieve pain and other symptoms Address your emotional and spiritual concerns, and those of your caregivers Coordinate your care Improve your quality of life during your illness For example, a palliative care doctor may prescribe medications and other therapies to treat pain, constipation, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. A social worker may coordinate your care and serve as an advocate on behalf of you and your family. A chaplain may offer spiritual support and help you to explore your beliefs and values. The palliative care team can also help your family by offering medical information, emotional support, and home care assistance. In general, the interdisciplinary palliative care team includes a doctor, a nurse, and a social worker. But other experts often fill out the team, according to a patient's needs. These include chaplains, counselors, pharmacists, dietitians, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, music and art therapists, and home health aides. There's no single model for a palliative care team. Hospitals have their own types of palliative care programs. Often, large hospitals have more extensive palliative care services, but smaller hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices also offer palliative care. Your palliative care team can provide the following services: Expert treatment of pain and other symptoms Open discussion about treatment choices for your illness (including difficult and complex choices) and management of your symptoms Coordination of your care with all of your health care providers Help with navigating the health care system Help with making a smooth transition from the hospital to home care or a nursing home Emotional, spiritual, and practical support for you and your family Here are questions to ask your palliative care team, according to the Center to Advance Palliative Care: What can I expect from palliative care? Where will I receive my care (for example, in the hospital, home, nursing home, or hospice?) Who will be part of my palliative care team? What are your recommendations for my care? What will you do if I experience severe pain or uncomfortable symptoms? How will you communicate with my other doctors? What decisions will my family or I need to make? Will you be able to help explain the issues involved in making these decisions? Will you communicate candidly about my illness with me and my family? What support will you provide to my family or caregivers? Will you still be involved in my care when I'm discharged from the hospital? Can you explain the difference between hospice and palliative care? Will you still be available to me throughout my care, including hospice, if needed? What resources do you recommend for me to learn more about palliative care?
context: Sexuality is an important part of who we are as humans. Beyond the ability to reproduce, sexuality also defines how we see ourselves and how we physically relate to others. Sexual orientation is a term used to refer to a person's emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender (male or female). Sexual orientation is usually divided into three categories: Heterosexual: attracted to individuals of the opposite sex Bisexual: attracted to members of either sex Homosexual: attracted to individuals of one's own sex Sexual orientation involves a person's feelings and sense of identity; it may or may not be evident in the person's appearance or behavior. People may have attractions to people of the same or opposite sex, but may elect not to act on these feelings. For example, a bisexual may choose to have a monogamous (one partner) relationship with one gender and, therefore, elect not to act on the attraction to the other gender. Most scientists today agree that sexual orientation (including homosexuality and bisexuality) is the result of a combination of environmental, emotional, hormonal, and biological factors. In other words, there are many factors that contribute to a person's sexual orientation, and the factors may be different for different people. However, homosexuality and bisexuality are not caused by the way a child was reared by his or her parents, or by having a sexual experience with someone of the same sex when the person was young. Also, being homosexual or bisexual does not mean the person is mentally ill or abnormal in some way, although there may be social problems that result from prejudicial attitudes or misinformation. For many people, their sexual orientation becomes evident to them during adolescence or young adulthood, and in many cases without any sexual experience. For example, homosexuals become aware that their sexual thoughts and activities focus on people of the same sex. It is possible, however, to have fantasies or to be curious about people of the same sex without being homosexual or bisexual, or choosing to act on these impulses/attractions. Most experts agree that sexual orientation is not a choice and, therefore, cannot be changed. Some people who are homosexual or bisexual may hide their sexual orientation and live as heterosexuals to avoid prejudice against people who are homosexual and bisexual. They may live as heterosexuals in order to avoid their own moral dilemmas when their sexual orientation is incompatible with their personal beliefs. Yes. There are a number of different support groups and organizations available to those struggling with sexual orientation. They can help a person develop strategies for dealing with the prejudice associated with homosexuality and the damaging effects of bias and stereotypes.
context: Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It helps cut your chances of getting heart disease. It's good for your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, energy level, and mood, too. If you're not active now, check in with your doctor before you start. She'll let you know what you can do safely. If you take any prescription medicines, ask her if you need to adjust them when you start exercising. If you're not active now, gradually work up to an aerobic session of about 20 to 30 minutes, at least three or four times a week. While the more exercise you can do, the better, any amount is good for you. Anything that makes your heart beat a bit faster counts. Think about what you need. For instance, if you're looking for something easy on your joints, consider walking and swimming. Don't forget to think about what would be fun, too. Maybe you could do something you used to do or something you've always wanted to try. What's convenient for you is important, too. Do you need an at-home workout? Would you go to a gym if you joined? How about joining a recreational sports team, hiking group, or dance class? You're more likely to stick with it if you enjoy it. Each exercise session should include a warm-up, conditioning phase, and a cool down. Warm-up: Go easy for a few minutes as your body gets used to what you're asking it to do. Conditioning: This is the main part of your workout. Cool down: You're transitioning out of your workout. Don't sit, stand still, or lie down right after exercise, or you may feel dizzy or lightheaded or have heart palpitations (fluttering in your chest). The best cool-down is to ease up on the intensity of your activity. A cardio workout is moderate if you can talk but not sing. You're exercising vigorously if you can't say more than a few words without taking a breath. Ask your doctor if you should limit the intensity of your exercise. It's much better to start out taking it easier and work up to more challenging workouts. That'll help prevent injury. Ban boredom. Pick a variety of activities that you like. Don't do the same thing over and over. Make playlists. Use music to keep you entertained. Commit. You won't always feel like it, and you'll find all sorts of excuses not to do it. You'll need to make a decision ahead of time and ignore that impulse and exercise anyway. Socialize. Working out is more fun if you have a friend with you. Stay within your budget. Don't buy expensive equipment or health club memberships unless you know you'll use them.
context: It's not about weight loss. You're not out to delete unneeded calories or drop some extra pounds. Instead, the goal of an elimination diet is to pinpoint food that you might be sensitive to or allergic to. You'll need to partner with your doctor on this and make sure that you still get all the nutrients you need. This method takes several weeks. Don't do it if you've had a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis). If you have, you need to know your trigger food as soon as possible so you can avoid it. Talk with your doctor about that. The most common plan is to remove specific foods or ingredients from your diet because you and your doctor think they may be the reason for your allergy symptoms. Common allergy-causing foods include milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, shellfish, and soy. Your doctor will supervise this diet over a few weeks. The first step is to stop eating the suspicious food(s). You'll need to read food labels carefully and ask how foods are prepared at restaurants. Keep a food diary and write down everything you eat. Make sure you eat other foods that provide the same nutrients as the food you need to avoid. For example, if you're supposed to eliminate dairy products temporarily, you'll want to look for foods that are fortified with calcium. ( Soy can be a good source, but check to see if it's allowed on your plan.) A dietitian can help you make your shopping list. Then, you'll slowly add back suspicious foods, one at a time. This process helps you know exactly which foods are a problem. In your food diary, note any symptoms that you get as you add each food back in. Lastly, you will once again stop eating the problem foods, one at a time. The list should be smaller this time. The goal is to see if the symptoms clear up for good. Keep in mind that you could be sensitive to a food but not allergic to it. Still, the elimination diet can help you know which foods you're better off avoiding.
context: More than half of all pregnant women report symptoms of severe heartburn, particularly during their second and third trimesters. Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is an irritation or burning sensation of the esophagus caused by stomach contents that reflux (comes back up) from the stomach. Heartburn in pregnancy may occur because of changing hormone levels, which can affect the muscles of the digestive tract and how different foods are tolerated. Pregnancy hormones can cause the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus) to relax, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus. In addition, the enlarged uterus can crowd the abdomen, pushing stomach acids upward. Although it's rare, gallstones can also cause heartburn during pregnancy. To reduce heartburn during pregnancy without hurting your baby, you should try the following: Eat several small meals each day instead of three large ones. Eat slowly. Avoid fried, spicy, or rich (fatty) foods or any foods that seem to cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of heartburn. Drink less while eating. Drinking large amounts while eating may increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn. Don't lie down directly after eating. Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. Or place pillows under your shoulders to help prevent stomach acids from rising into your esophagus. Ask your doctor about using over-the-counter medications such as Tums or Maalox, which are generally safe to use during pregnancy. You may find that liquid heartburn relievers are more effective in treating heartburn, because they coat the esophagus. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight-fitting clothes can increase the pressure on your stomach and abdomen. Avoid constipation. If your heartburn persists, see your doctor. He or she may prescribe medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Heartburn usually disappears following childbirth.
context: Simple changes at your workplace and help from job counselors can keep you on your career path when you have multiple sclerosis ( MS). The key is to learn where to get the advice you need. State government agencies and health care facilities offer job rehabilitation services to help you find the right job or succeed in the one you have. They can work with you to: Figure out what you're good at and match you with jobs that fit your skills and talents Think about what you want -- and don't want -- in a career Define your job goals These programs may offer tests to help you think about your interests, strengths, and limitations. You can also look online for self-assessments to get a better idea of your job needs. Counselors could use a computer database to match jobs with your work history and your current physical and mental skills. They can also support and guide you through your decision-making process. They'll even help you write your resume and learn job interview techniques. A counselor can watch to see if it's safe for you to do certain tasks. He might recommend a change in your duties or your work site to improve safety. Your rights are protected by a law called the Americans with Disabilities Act. In general, it means employers need to make "reasonable accommodations" for any disabilities you have because of your MS. " Accommodations" means that your employer makes changes to the way a job is done or to the equipment you need to do it. It's best to work with your employer to make adjustments rather than take legal action right away. For example, it can help to show your company how changes to your workplace or equipment will make you more productive. Community agencies may offer job coaching for people with severe disabilities. This provides on-the job help to learn procedures, organize and prioritize tasks, and meet your employer's production standards. A job coach works closely with you to set up your duties based on your overall strengths and limits.
context: Fluorescence in situ hybridization ( FISH) is a test that "maps" the genetic material in human cells, including specific genes or portions of genes. Because a FISH test can detect genetic abnormalities associated with cancer, it's useful for diagnosing some types of the disease. When the type of cancer has previously been diagnosed, a FISH test also may provide additional information to help predict a patient's outcome and whether he or she is likely to respond to chemotherapy drugs. In breast cancer patients, for example, a FISH test on breast cancer tissue removed during a biopsy can show whether the cells have extra copies of the HER2 gene. Cells with extra copies of the gene have more HER2 receptors, which receive signals that stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. So patients with extra copies of the gene are more likely to respond to treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab), a drug that blocks the ability of HER2 receptors to receive growth signals. Because FISH testing is expensive and not widely available, it's not as commonly used as another breast cancer test: Immuno Histo Chemistry ( IHC). During a FISH test using a sample of the patient's tissue, special colored dyes are attached to specific parts of certain chromosomes in order to visualize and count them under a fluorescent microscope and to detect cancer-promoting abnormalities. Abnormalities found in cancer cells include: Translocation. Part of one chromosome has broken off and relocated itself onto another chromosome. Inversion. Part of a chromosome is in reverse order, although it is still attached to the correct chromosome. Deletion. Part of a chromosome is missing. Duplication. Part of a chromosome has been copied and the cell contains too many copies. Translocations can help doctors identify some types of leukemia, lymphomas, and sarcoma. Duplications in breast cancer cells can help doctors choose optimal treatments. Compared to standard cytogenetic (cell gene) tests, one advantage of FISH is that it can identify genetic changes that are too small to be seen under a microscope. Another advantage is that FISH doesn't have to be performed on cells that are actively dividing. Because other tests cannot be performed until cancer cells have been growing in lab dishes for about two weeks, the process usually takes about three weeks. FISH results are usually available within a few days. Although the FISH test is often used to analyze genetic abnormalities in breast cancer, it also can provide important information about many other types of cancer. In the diagnosis of bladder cancer, for example, FISH testing of urinary cells may be more reliable than a standard test that looks for abnormal cells. In addition, FISH may detect bladder cancer recurrences three to six months earlier. FISH also can identify chromosomal abnormalities in leukemias, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( CLL) cells, some of which are associated with aggressive forms of the disease. Patients with more aggressive forms of CLL may need urgent treatment, while those with less aggressive forms may only require observation.
context: If your doctor of osteopathic medicine ( DO) recommends âosteopathic manipulative treatment, or â OMT,â and youï¿½ï¿½ve never had it before, you'll want to know what it is and what it will feel like. All DOs learn this hands-on technique in medical school. Many use it in the practice along with -- or, in some cases, instead of -- other treatments, such as medication and surgery. One of the keys to osteopathic medicine is the idea that tightness and restriction in your nerves and muscles can be caused by or lead to other problems. So DOs are trained to use their hands to gently move your joints and tissues to correct any restrictions in your range of motion. OMT is the way that they do that. If you get OMT, you should expect your DO to use their hands to apply light pressure, resistance, and stretching. It should not hurt. The practice includes 40 different techniques, including: Soft tissue: You'll feel stretching and pressure on your muscles. Muscle energy: In this technique, you move your muscles in a specific direction while the DO counters that movement. Think push-pull. Myofascial release: Your DO uses firm but gentle pressure to release tension in the fascia, which is the layer of connective tissue that surrounds your bones, muscles, and organs. Osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine: Your DO applies soft pressure to your skull to stimulate healing. DOs often use OMT to relieve pain. Research shows that people with low back pain who got OMT needed fewer painkillers and days off compared to those who didn't have the treatment. This technique may also ease migraines. In one study, people who got OMT needed less medicine, had fewer migraine days, and felt less pain than those who took medication but didn't receive OMT. OMT can also treat other conditions, such as: Shoulder problems Headaches Neck pain Knee problems Depending on your case, your DO may find that you also need other treatments, such as medicine or surgery. From infants to the elderly, people of every age and just about any condition can get OMT. Your doctor may adjust it to fit your needs. For instance, someone with a bone or joint condition, such as osteoporosis or arthritis, may need a gentler form of OMT. One study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology concluded that OMT was a safe and effective way to help ease pain in women during the third trimester of pregnancy.
context: Iodine is a mineral that's important for good health. It's available in the U. S. as an FDA-approved treatment and a supplement. Iodine is essential for everyone. Supplements may be needed if you don't get enough in your diet. But most people in the U. S. get enough iodine through their normal diet. In other parts of the world, though, low iodine levels are a serious cause of health problems. In the U. S., pregnant women have a higher risk of low iodine levels. Low iodine raises the risk of developmental problems in babies. Iodine plays a key role in thyroid health. As a treatment, iodine helps with goiters (enlargements of the thyroid gland) and high thyroid levels such as in thyroid storm. After exposure to radiation, iodine can provide some protection against thyroid damage. Iodine may have other uses. There's some evidence it can be applied to the skin to help treat foot ulcers related to diabetes. It may help protect against mouth irritation caused by chemotherapy. It also seems to help with fibrocystic breast change. That's a noncancerous condition that happens to some women around the time of their period. Most people get more than enough iodine in their diets. One teaspoon of iodized salt contains 400 micrograms of iodine. That's more than twice as much as most adults need each day. For other uses of iodine for specific medical conditions, ask your doctor about the amount you need. Iodine is in many foods, especially ones that come from the sea. Seaweed is an especially good source. Other seafood sources include: Tuna Sardines Salmon Lobster Shrimp Iodine is also in foods such as: Dairy products Grains Eggs Vegetables Iodine is in breast milk and added to baby formula. It's also added to many brands of table salt. Tell your doctor about any supplements you're taking, even if they're natural. That way, your doctor can check on any potential side effects or interactions with medications. Side effects. More than 1,100 micrograms of iodine a day for adults can be dangerous. It could cause thyroid problems and other issues. Iodine supplements can also cause: Upset stomach Stomach pain Headache Runny nose Diarrhea Metallic taste in the mouth Risks. Don't use an iodine supplement if you have thyroid problems unless a doctor recommends it. Pregnant women sometimes need iodine supplements. Ask your doctor about it. Interactions. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using iodine supplements. They could interact with lithium and drugs for heart problems, high blood pressure, and thyroid problems. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) does regulate dietary supplements; however, it treats them like foods rather than medications. Unlike drug manufacturers, the makers of supplements don't have to show their products are safe or effective before selling them on the market.