VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Symptoms of diving ear pain (also known as barotrauma) include: Ear pressure Mild to severe ear pain Nausea Reduced hearing Ringing ear Vertigo Vomiting Help the person ascend until symptoms disappear. Do not go up faster than is safe. If ear still hurts as the person goes up or if there are other symptoms, end the dive. For pain, give ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen ( Tylenol). Avoid ibuprofen and other NSAIDs if the person has heart failure or kidney failure. Seek immediate medical care if: Pain, a feeling like there is water in the ears, or muffled hearing continues after the dive is over There are symptoms of inner ear damage, such as deafness, ear ringing, or vertigo The person has experienced ear pain when diving before If possible, see an ear, nose, and throat specialist with experience in treating diving-related ear problems. To avoid serious hearing loss or other problems, the person should not go on another dive until the pain goes away or the person sees a doctor.
context: You've got a bad cold, the kind that makes you feel like your head is stuffed with cotton and your nose is a drippy, leaky faucet. On top of the congestion, your sinuses feel like they're under pressure. Blame the cold virus. It has attacked the membranes of your nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell up and sends mucus production into overdrive. That clogs up your sinuses, which causes sinus pain and pressure. An antibiotic won't help. They only fight bacteria, not the viruses that cause colds. Until your cold goes away, you can try one of these remedies to ease the sinus pain and pressure. Over-the-counter medications . Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. This should ease sinus congestion, lessen the pressure, and help with drainage. You can get these meds as pills, liquids, and nasal sprays. Some medicines combine a decongestant with an antihistamine, which can help your runny nose, or a pain reliever that can ease sinus pain. Don't use nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3 days, because that can make your congestion worse after you stop. Decongestants can raise blood pressure. So if your blood pressure is already high, check with your doctor first. Also make that call if you have diabetes, an enlarged prostate, thyroid disease, or heart disease. While you take this type of medication, watch for side effects like nervousness, dizziness, and sleeplessness. Over-the-counter pain relievers -- such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen -- can ease the pain caused by sinus pressure. Read and follow the directions on the label on all your medicines, since they may be included in any combination cold or allergy drug. You don't want to accidentally take too much. Moisten the air. To breathe easier, turn on a humidifier while you sleep, or stand in a steamy shower for a few minutes. The steam will loosen tight mucus. You can hold a warm, wet washcloth to your nose or breathe in steam from a bowl of warm water to get a similar effect. Make sure it's not too hot, so you don't burn yourself. Saltwater (saline) sprays. Spraying a saline solution into your nose or pouring it into each nostril with a Neti pot can help clear out the mucus and other gunk that clogs you up. The salt water loosens up thick mucus, and it also flushes out some of the germs that made you sick in the first place. When you irrigate, flush, or rinse your sinuses, use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to make up the solution. Rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry. Sip some more. The liquid loosens the mucus that's backed up in your sinuses. Hot tea is good. So is chicken soup. Add a pillow. You need to rest when you're sick. Prop up your pillow to raise your head so you breathe better. Call your doctor if your symptoms stick around for more than a week, or if they get worse after about 5 days.
context: Over time, Addison's disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, leads to these symptoms: Chronic fatigue and muscle weakness Loss of appetite, inability to digest food, and weight loss Low blood pressure (hypotension) that falls further when standing; this causes dizziness, sometimes to the point of fainting. Blotchy, dark tanning and freckling of the skin; this is most noticeable on parts of the body exposed to the sun, but also occurs in unexposed areas like the gums. Darkened skin is particularly likely to occur on the forehead, knees, and elbows or along scars, skin folds, and creases (such as on the palms). Blood sugar abnormalities, including dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Inability to cope with stress Moodiness, irritability, and depression Intolerance to heat or cold Craving for salty foods Some of these symptoms may indicate conditions other than Addison's disease. Because symptoms of Addison's disease progress slowly, they may go unrecognized until a physically stressful event, such as another illness, surgery, or an accident, worsens symptoms quickly. When this happens, it's called an Addisonian crisis. For one in four people with Addison's disease, this is the first time they realize they are ill. An Addisonian crisis is considered a medical emergency because it can be fatal. Symptoms of an Addisonian crisis include: Shock, when the body does not get enough blood flow Sudden penetrating pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs Severe vomiting and diarrhea, followed by dehydration Fever Weakness and fatigue Low blood pressure Loss of consciousness Multiple organ failure, including kidneys, if circulation of blood cannot be restored
context: Clavicle fractures -- also called simply broken collarbones -- are a familiar woe to many athletes. Despite the name, the collarbone isn't really in your neck. Instead, it's one of two long, thin bones that connect the breastbone to your shoulder blades. You can feel or see your collarbones toward the top of your chest, running beneath the top of your shoulders. So how do people get broken collarbones? Usually, it's from an accident. You might get hit or fall on your shoulder. Or you could fall on your hand or arm, and the force of impact is transferred up to the collarbone, which snaps. Clavicle fractures are often associated with bicycle falls. A broken collarbone is usually pretty obvious. You might feel a crack when it happens. Afterward, you will probably have: Pain and swelling Difficulty moving your arm and shoulder A grinding feeling when you try to raise your arm Sagging in your shoulder A bump around the area of the break To diagnose a broken collarbone, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam. You will need X-rays to confirm the break. Usually, a broken collarbone will heal on its own. You just need to give it time. To help speed the healing, you might need: A splint or brace to keep your shoulder from moving A sling for your arm, which you might use for a few days Anti-inflammatory painkillers, like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin which will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs have side effects, like an increased risk of bleeding and ulcers. They should be used only occasionally unless your doctor specifically says otherwise as they may delay bone healing. Range-of-motion and strengthening exercises In rare cases -- especially when ligaments are damaged -- you may need surgery to mend a collarbone fracture. It might take six to 12 weeks for a broken collarbone to heal. But that's just a rough estimate. People recover at different speeds. You are ready to return to your previous level of physical activity when: You can move your arm and shoulder without any pain. Your doctor has taken an X-ray and confirmed that the break is healed. Remember: don't rush back into your activities too soon. If you start working out before your collarbone is healed, you could break it again. Collarbone fractures are tough to prevent, since they usually happen during accidental falls. Even the best-trained athletes can slip sometimes. Still, you should always take precautions to exercise safely.
context: Life with cancer -- and cancer treatment -- means learning to manage symptoms and side effects. That's where palliative care comes in. Its goal is to give you relief from pain and discomfort when you have a serious illness. You may also hear it called comfort care, supportive care, or symptom management. It focuses on easing symptoms like nausea, pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. And it helps you manage the stress of cancer by helping you handle the emotional side of the disease. Treatments might include medicine, nutrition therapy, physical therapy, and relaxation techniques like deep breathing. You may also be offered emotional and spiritual counseling, as well as practical help to manage insurance, legal, or employment issues. Palliative care can help guide you when it's time to make decisions about your treatment. It can also help out family and friends who are supporting you during this time. Your medical team can offer you parts of supportive care. But often with cancer treatment, you'll be referred to other people as well. They might include: Pharmacists Physical therapists Registered dietitians Social workers Mental health professionals Chaplains Your palliative care team may talk to your doctor to suggest ways to handle your pain and other symptoms. It's best if the care can start as soon as you're diagnosed. You can get it through all stages of the disease and treatment. Depending on what type of support it is, you could get it at your doctor's office, the hospital, a cancer center, another type of facility, or even in your home. People who get palliative care have less pain, depression, nausea, and shortness of breath. They spend less time in intensive care and are less likely to have to go back into the hospital. People who pair it with their cancer treatment have a better quality of life and mood than those who don't get it at all. Health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid usually pay for supportive care, depending on the situation. Ask your health care team or your hospital's social worker if you have questions. No. Hospice care is support given when treatment can no longer control an illness. It's offered as you approach the end of life -- usually when you have no more than 6 months to live. Some treatments might be the same. But the goal is to comfort, not cure. If you decide to stop cancer treatment, your team can focus on easing your symptoms and giving you the support you need.
context: Breast cancer surgery is generally considered safe, but as with any surgery, there are risks. Possible problems include: Infection. Hematoma . A build-up of blood under your skin Seroma. A build-up of fluid under your skin Lymphedema . Swelling in the arm A bad reaction to anesthesia Talk to your doctor about all these possibilities before you have your surgery. The medical staff will keep an eye out for problems while you're in the hospital. Once you're home, you'll need to know the symptoms of problems: Infection. Look for redness or swelling of the incision with pus or foul-smelling drainage. You may have a fever. Usually, antibiotics can treat these infections. Lymphedema. Look for swelling of the arm or hand on the side of the surgery. This happens to some women after the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. It may go away on its own, but you may need to see a physical or occupational therapist. Treatments may include: Draining the fluid Compression bandages to keep the swelling down Skin care Arm exercises Seroma. You may notice swelling from a build-up of fluid at the site of the surgery. Usually, fluid is absorbed by the body. If it doesn't go down on its own, your doctor may need to drain the area, using a needle. If you notice any of these symptoms, let your doctor know right away. You may have pain and stiffness in your shoulder as you recover. You may also have numbness or unusual sensations in the upper arm or armpit. Usually these side-effects go away with time. Many women opt to get their breast reconstructed right after their cancer is removed. Problems can stem from that operation, too. They include: Infection Poor healing A leak or rupture of your breast implant Scar tissue around your implant Before any surgery, your doctor should give you information about the procedure, recovery, and follow-up care. Read it over, and get all your questions answered beforehand. When you understand the surgery and the possible complications, you'll be better able to care for yourself and catch problems early on.
context: Chemotherapy can help you beat cancer, but side effects are almost certain. It's common for you to have a cloudy mind, called "chemo brain," during and after treatment. Maybe you have a hard time remembering names or can't multitask as well as you used to. As many as 3 out of 4 people with cancer say they're not as mentally sharp. It's often caused by your chemotherapy medicines, but it can also come from the cancer itself or other problems like infection, low blood counts, fatigue, sleep problems, or stress. Chemo brain can cause thinking and memory problems. Symptoms include trouble with: Concentrating and paying attention Remembering names, dates, and everyday things Finding the right word or doing simple math (like balancing your checkbook) Doing more than one thing at a time Mood swings If you're in a mental fog, talk to your doctor. He will ask about your symptoms. He will also want to know when your problems started and how they affect your everyday life. Your doctor may ask what makes your symptoms worse and better. Do you, for example, feel better in the morning than at night? Does it help when you're active, when you eat, or after you've rested? Bring a list of all the medicines you take, even if they aren't for cancer. If chemo brain is disrupting your daily life, your doctor may suggest a counselor or psychologist. There are other things that can help too, including: Some stimulants and antidepressants Exercise -- even 5 minutes a day Plenty of sleep and rest Exercising your brain with puzzles, playing an instrument, or learning a new hobby Simple strategies can help with memory loss and confusion. Try these tips: Carry a daily to-do list with reminders. Don't multitask. Do one thing at a time so you're not distracted. Put sticky notes around your home and office. Set reminders on your smartphone, too. Often, the fogginess will fade when your chemo ends. But for some people, the fuzzy feelings will linger for several months or sometimes a year or more. For those with lasting symptoms, researchers are looking at medicines for diseases like depression, ADHD, Alzheimer's, and dementia. But more testing needs to be done. If you have chemo brain that persists and you've tried all the self-help tips, talk with a neuropsychologist. This is a doctor who specializes in the brain and can help with attention span and memory. He will find areas where you need help and tell you if other treatable problems like depression, anxiety, and fatigue are to blame. You're not just imagining this. Studies show that cancer and its treatment causes changes in the brain. Don't be afraid to ask your family and friends for support and gentle reminders. Support groups are another great idea.
context: When you have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, finding the reason for it can help you get the right treatment. A renin test can shed light on what's happening in your body. Your doctor may order this kind of test if high blood pressure starts when you're young or medication doesn't keep it under control. It's an enzyme that helps control your blood pressure. It's made by special cells in your kidneys. When your blood pressure drops too low or your body doesn't have enough salt, renin gets sent into your bloodstream. That triggers a chain reaction that creates a hormone called angiotensin and signals your adrenal glands to release another hormone called aldosterone. Angiotensin makes tiny blood vessels narrower, and aldosterone tells your kidneys to hold on to salt and fluid. Both those things can raise your blood pressure. If that process gets out of balance, your blood pressure can get too high. Doctors usually test your levels of renin and aldosterone at the same time. They may call it a plasma renin activity test or an aldosterone-renin ratio. A nurse will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab. The test results will tell you if your renin and aldosterone levels are high, low, or normal. High or low levels may help explain why you have high blood pressure: High renin with normal aldosterone may show that you're sensitive to salt. Low renin and high aldosterone may mean your adrenal glands aren't working the way they should. If both are high, it can be a sign that there's a problem with your kidneys. The results can help your doctor decide which medications or other treatments will work best for you. Your levels of renin and aldosterone are highest in the morning and can change during the day. It also can make a difference if you're sitting up or lying down when your blood is taken. Talk to your doctor about what to do before the test to make sure the results are right. A few things can throw off a renin test: Medications: You may need to stop taking certain high blood pressure medicines, diuretics, hormones, steroids, or some over-the-counter painkillers for a while. Make sure your doctor knows all the drugs and supplements you take. Salt: Your doctor may have you cut back on the amount you eat for several days. Stress Pregnancy Exercise or other physical activity Severe illness: You shouldn't have the test done if you're very sick, because your aldosterone level may be unusually low.
context: The colonoscopy is performed by a doctor experienced in the procedure and lasts approximately 30-60 minutes. Medications will be given into your vein to make you feel relaxed and drowsy. You will be asked to lie on your left side on the examining table. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a colonoscope, a long, flexible, tubular instrument about 1/2-inch in diameter that transmits an image of the lining of the colon so the doctor can examine it for any abnormalities. The colonoscope is inserted through the rectum and advanced to the other end of the large intestine. Colonoscopy Animation The scope bends, so the doctor can move it around the curves of your colon. You may be asked to change position occasionally to help the doctor move the scope. The scope also blows air into your colon, which expands the colon and helps the doctor see more clearly. You may feel mild cramping during the procedure. You can reduce the cramping by taking several slow, deep breaths during the procedure. When the doctor has finished, the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn while the lining of your bowel is carefully examined. During the colonoscopy, if the doctor sees something that may be abnormal, small amounts of tissue can be removed for analysis (called a biopsy), and abnormal growths, or polyps, can be identified and removed. In many cases, colonoscopy allows accurate diagnosis and treatment without the need for a major operation. Before a colonoscopy, let your doctor know about any special medical conditions you have, including the following: Pregnancy Lung conditions Heart conditions Allergies to any medications If you have diabetes or take medications that may affect blood clotting; adjustments to these medications may be required before the colonoscopy. Never stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor. You may need to take antibiotics before the colonoscopy if you: Have an artificial heart valve Have ever been told you need to take antibiotics before a dental or surgical procedure There may be some diet or fluid restrictions before you have a colonoscopy, but this will vary according to your doctor's instructions. You may be asked to limit or eliminate solid foods for a few days before the test. You may also be asked to take laxatives by mouth. Make sure you arrange for a driver to bring you home after the colonoscopy. Because you receive sedating medication during the procedure, it is unsafe for you to drive or operate machinery for 8 hours after the procedure. After your colonoscopy: You will stay in a recovery room for about 30 minutes for observation You may feel some cramping or a sensation of having gas, but this usually passes quickly You can resume your normal diet Read your discharge instructions carefully. Certain medications, such as blood-thinning agents, may need to be avoided temporarily if biopsies were taken or polyps were removed. Bleeding and puncture of the colon are rare but possible complications of colonoscopy. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following: Excessive or prolonged rectal bleeding Severe abdominal pain, fever, or chills
context: Bone metastases - or bone "mets" - occur when cancer travels to the bone. It can have a big impact on your day-to-day life. Bone metastases can weaken bones, putting your body at risk for fractures and other problems. Fortunately, some simple changes at home, plus treatment and a healthy lifestyle, can reduce these risks. Here's what you need to know. As careful as you may be, you need medical treatment to help prevent fractures and other bone problems when you have bone metastases. First, your doctor will treat your primary cancer, the one that spread to your bones. Your doctor may also suggest starting bisphosphonate therapy as soon as possible to reduce the effects of bone metastasis on your body. In addition to preventing the breakdown of bone, these drugs often help with pain relief. Your doctor may prescribe denosumab ( Xgeva). This is a monoclonal antibody that interferes with cancer's ability to break down bone. You receive it by injection under the skin every four weeks. Your doctor may recommend radiation to kill cancer cells in the bones. This can be done with external beam radiation, which focuses on one section of bone, or with radiopharmaceuticals, which are given by injection and release radiation to many different areas of bone. Another procedure called cryoablation uses extreme cold to kill cancer cells. Your doctor might also recommend a noninvasive procedure that uses MRI scanning to focus ultrasound energy in order to destroy nerve endings around the tumor and provide relief from pain. If bone metastasis has already caused collapsed vertebrae in your spine, specialists can do a vertebroplasty to fill the space with bone cement and relieve pressure. Similarly, if a bone has broken and is causing pain, a surgeon can insert a device such as a screw, a rod, or a plate to stabilize the bone. Pain, in general, usually accompanies bone metastases. Doctors have found that Focused Ultrasound ( FUS) can be effective in treating palliation of pain resulting from bone mets. Treatment and lifestyle changes cannot cure bone mets. But they can be very effective at reducing your risk of bone fractures and greatly enhancing the quality of your life.
context: Often chlamydia will present no symptoms. When symptoms are present, common ones include: In men: A clear or whitish yellow discharge from the tip of the penis A frequent urge to urinate or a burning sensation while urinating Redness at the tip of the penis Painful or tender testicles In women: Mild discomfort that you may mistake for menstrual cramps Vaginal discharge that may have a bad smell Bleeding between periods Painful periods Pain when having sex Itching or burning in or around the vagina Pain when urinating You are a woman and you experience high fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as chills, backache, weight loss, and diarrhea, along with severe pelvic pain, bleeding after intercourse, severe nausea, or recurring back pain; you may have developed pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious complication of chlamydia that can result in sterility. You develop any of the symptoms listed above; chlamydia requires urgent medical treatment to avoid serious complications that can lead to sterility, especially in women. Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra, a condition known as Reiter's syndrome.
context: The best way to treat this type of allergy is to stay away from latex. If you're exposed, get away from it ASAP. Watch for these uncomfortable -- but not dangerous -- symptoms: Red, itchy rash where your skin touched latex Swelling around the skin where it touched you Sneezing, runny nose, or teary eyes If your skin is red and itchy at the spot where you touched latex, or your nose gets stuffy and you sneeze, don't worry too much. Those symptoms are uncomfortable but not dangerous. Take an antihistamine or try a soothing lotion like calamine or a 1% hydrocortisone cream. Skip antihistamine creams or gels. They might make your skin feel worse. Symptoms can show up anywhere from 12-36 hours later. The redness and swelling may cover more parts of your body, and you may have crusty sores or blisters. These symptoms aren't usually dangerous, either. Take an antihistamine and use a hydrocortisone cream. If they don't work, your doctor can prescribe a stronger steroid cream or ointment. You may need steroid pills if the latex causes a widespread reaction on your skin. These symptoms can be life-threatening: Trouble breathing or swallowing Feeling sick to your stomach Chest pain Drop in blood pressure Wheezing Tightness in your chest If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it and then call 911. You still need to go to the hospital even if the shot worked. If you've had a severe reaction in the past, ask your doctor if you need to carry an anaphylaxis kit with an epinephrine shot. If so, always have two injectors with you. Wear a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or other tag. That will help medical teams treat you as quickly as possible.
context: Erectile dysfunction takes more than a physical toll. The emotional impact the condition can have on a man and his partner can be just as difficult. It is common for men with ED to feel anger, frustration, sadness, or lack confidence. However, the condition can be treated. The first step in addressing your concerns about ED is to be honest with yourself, your partner, and your doctor. Once ED has been brought out into the open, coping with it as you go through treatment will be easier and less stressful. Communication is essential to a successful diagnosis and treatment, as well as, helping your partner understand your feelings. While you are being treated for ED, it is important to be patient with your progress and keep in mind that everybody is different and that a treatment that might work for one person may not work or be appropriate for you. It is also important to know that the treatment you choose may not work the first time or may not work every time. At least 90% of the time ED is caused by physical conditions such as diabetes or peripheral vascular disease or neurological conditions. For some couples, sex therapy may be necessary to help you and your partner cope. It may also help you to hear from some men who have ED and learn about their experiences. Contact your doctor about local support groups in your area.
context: This is one of several kinds of oral (mouth) cancers. Like other cancers, it happens when cells divide out of control and form a growth, or tumor. There are two types. One is called oral tongue cancer because it affects the part you can stick out. The other happens at the base of your tongue, where it connects to your throat. This type is often diagnosed after it has spread to the lymph nodes in your neck. Tongue cancer is less common than many other types. Most people who get it are older adults. It's rare in children. One of the first signs of tongue cancer is a lump or sore on the side of your tongue that doesn't go away. It may be pinkish-red in color. Sometimes the sore will bleed if you touch or bite it. You may also have: Pain in or near your tongue Changes in your voice, like sounding hoarse Trouble swallowing If you have a sore on your tongue or in your mouth that doesn't get better in a couple of weeks, see your doctor. If the problem is at the base of your tongue, you may not notice any symptoms. Your dentist may find signs of tongue cancer during a checkup, or your doctor might notice something during a regular exam. The human papillomavirus ( HPV) can cause cancers on the base of the tongue. HPV also can infect your genital area and cause cervical cancer, penile cancer, and anal cancer. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection. There are many types of HPV. The ones that raise your odds of getting cancer are called high-risk HPV. Other things that may raise your chances of getting tongue cancer include: Tobacco use Alcohol use Jagged teeth Not taking care of your teeth and gums Your genes also may play a role in whether you're likely to get tongue cancer. Your doctor will examine your mouth and ask questions about your symptoms. He may recommend an X-ray or CT (computerized tomography) scan -- several X-rays are taken from different angles and put together to show a more detailed picture. He also may take a sample of tissue from your mouth to test (a biopsy). Your treatment will depend on where your tumor is and how big it is. Surgery is often the best way to remove a tumor from the part of your tongue you can see. Your doctor will probably take out some healthy tissue and nearby lymph nodes as well, to make sure all the cancer is gone. If the cancer is on the back of your tongue, you may have radiation therapy ( X-rays and other radiation). Sometimes the best treatment is a combination of chemotherapy, or cancer-fighting drugs, and radiation. You might need therapy afterward to help you chew, move your tongue, swallow, and speak better. You'll need regular checkups to make sure the cancer hasn't come back. We know that many cases of base-of-the-tongue cancer are caused by HPV. Some things that may make you less likely to get this type of cancer are: If you're not sexually active, get vaccinated for HPV. If you are sexually active, use latex condoms every time you have sex. Don't use tobacco in any form. Avoid heavy or frequent alcohol use. Take good care of your teeth and gums.
context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and bones. The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities. Trauma to an area (jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes of pain include postural strain, repetitive movements, overuse, and prolonged immobilization. Changes in posture or poor body mechanics may bring about spinal alignment problems and muscle shortening, therefore causing other muscles to be misused and become painful. People with musculoskeletal pain sometimes complain that their entire bodies ache. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes, the muscles twitch or burn. Symptoms vary from person to person, but the common symptoms are: Pain Fatigue Sleep disturbances Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination and medical history. In addition, your doctor may perform diagnostic studies to confirm the diagnosis. Different types of manual therapy, or mobilization, can be used to treat people with spinal alignment problems. For some acute musculoskeletal pain, these techniques have been shown to speed recovery. Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories ( NSAIDs) may be used to treat inflammation or pain. In patients with musculoskeletal disorders such as fibromyalgia, medications to increase the body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and immune system function) may be prescribed in low doses. Some of the medicines used to aid sleep include zolpidem ( Ambien), eszopiclone ( Lunesta), and ramelteon ( Rozerem). Other treatments may include: Injections with anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medications in or around the painful sites Exercise that includes muscle strengthening and stretching Physical or occupational therapy Acupuncture or acupressure Relaxation/biofeedback techniques Osteopathic manipulation (a whole system of evaluation and treatment designed to achieve and maintain health by restoring normal function to the body) Chiropractic care Therapeutic massage
context: If you take the pill or other types of birth control that have hormones -- and you're healthy and young -- you can feel comfortable that it's a safe choice to prevent pregnancy. There are some women, though, who may see their risk go up slightly for heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. You may hear your doctor call the pill "hormonal" birth control. As the name suggests, it's got hormones in it, including estrogen and progestin. There are other methods to keep yourself from getting pregnant that also have them in it, like injections, IUDs (intrauterine devices), the patch, a device implanted under the skin called Nexplanon, and the vaginal ring. Studies show the hormones in these kinds of birth control can affect your heart in many ways. They may raise your blood pressure, for instance. So if you take birth control pills, get your blood pressure checked every 6 months to make sure it stays in a healthy range. If you already have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor to see if another way to prevent pregnancy would be better for you. Women who take certain birth control pills may see a change in some of their blood fats that play a role in heart disease. For example your levels of HDL "good" cholesterol could go down. At the same time, your triglycerides and LDL "bad" cholesterol may go up. This may cause a gradual buildup of a fatty substance called plaque inside your arteries. Over time, that can reduce or block the flow of blood to your heart and cause a heart attack or a type of chest pain called angina. Estrogen in birth control pills can also raise your risk of blood clots. Your chances of heart disease and other complications are higher if you: Are older than 35 Have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol Smoke Have ever had a stroke, heart attack, or blood clots Get migraines with aura Even if you're in one of those situations that raise your risk for heart disease, you may still be able to use birth control with hormones. The most important thing you can do is talk with your doctor. He'll help you weigh the pros and cons of your different options. For example, research shows that women with medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as long as they're well controlled, may be able to safely take birth control pills. If you're over 35, healthy, and don't smoke, you can keep using hormonal birth control. You shouldn't use birth control with estrogen if you have ever had blood clots, a stroke, or heart disease. Instead, check out methods that only have progestin. These include shots, a type of birth control pill called the mini pill, Nexplanon, and IUDs. Women with congenital heart disease may be able to use most forms of birth control. Research suggests that progestin-only options as well as IUDs may be safest for you. Get your doctor's advice. No matter your age, if you use birth control pills, don't smoke. The combo raises your risk for blood clots and heart disease.
context: There's a lot you can do to lower the chances that your rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) will flare up. Some simple steps can keep joint pain and stiffness from coming back. Infections can be a culprit. So can stress. Some people get flares if they overdo it. Others say certain foods trigger problems, though there's not a lot of research to back that up. The important thing is to find out what tends to bring on a flare. The next time you have one, make notes about what's going on in your life. For instance: What's your overall health? What kind of things do you do every day? What foods do you eat? Once you learn your triggers, you can take steps to avoid them. Look for new ways to ease your mind. For instance, exercise releases "feel-good" hormones called endorphins. Studies show that moving around improves your mood and helps you sleep better. Pick activities that don't put pressure on your joints. Go for a walk instead of a jog. Mind-body techniques also can lower stress. Examples are: Meditation Visualization Biofeedback Yoga Check to see if your local community center offers free or low-cost classes. On days when you feel good, you may be tempted to catch up on the things you couldn't get done when your RA was bothering you. Be careful not to do too much. You can bring on fatigue and trigger a flare if you push yourself too hard. Decide which of your chores are most important, and then do them leisurely. Take a lot of breaks, even if you don't feel tired. Don't forget to ask your friends and family to help. These simple methods work: Use canes, special jar openers, and padded handles. Make it easier to lift, carry, or bend. Use your bigger joints instead of your smaller ones. Use your whole arm to lift things, not just your hands and wrists. Wear safety gear like knee and elbow pads, or wrist guards when you play sports or do outdoor activities. Put your joints through their full range of motion. Use slow, gentle movements. Strengthen the muscles and ligaments around your joints. If you don't have a physical therapist, ask your doctor to help you find one. Try to avoid putting on extra pounds, which puts pressure on your joints. Your doctor can tell you what your goal should be. The most important thing you can do to avoid a flare is to take your medicine on time. A regular schedule helps you keep a constant level of medicine in your body. Don't skip doses. Use a pillbox, calendar, or alarm to help stay on track. Call your doctor right away if you feel a flare coming on. He may be able to tweak your meds to get your symptoms under control.
context: Having a hard time breathing Constantly coughing Unable to talk, eat, or play Vomiting Turning blue in the lips or fingers Convulsing while breathing (using stomach muscles excessively to breathe) If he does not have the above symptoms but is still complaining of trouble breathing or coughing, do the following: 1. Notify the Child's Health Care Provider Immediately 2. Follow the Child's Asthma Plan, if Possible Find out if the child has an individualized asthma action plan from a health care provider. If so, follow directions for giving asthma medication and seeking medical help for acute asthma attack. Bring a copy of the child's asthma action plan to show the ER staff. 3. Give Quick- Relief Medicine If the child has no asthma action plan but has an inhaler: Sit child upright comfortably and loosen tight clothing. Give one puff of quick-relief medicine (albuterol) from child's rescue inhaler, always with a spacer. Ask child to take four breaths from a spacer. Follow Up An emergency room doctor will check the severity of the attack and provide treatment, including medication. The child may be discharged home or hospitalized for further care, depending on response to treatment.
context: The person may be having sudden cardiac arrest. For an adult or older child, shout and shake the person to confirm consciousness. Do not use AED on a conscious person. For an infant or young child, pinch skin. Never shake a young child. Check breathing and pulse. If absent or irregular, prepare to use AED as soon as possible. Make sure the person is in a dry area and away from puddles or water. Check for body piercings or outline of an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. AED pads must be placed at least 1 inch away from piercings or implanted devices. For newborns, infants, and children up to age 8, use a pediatric AED, if possible. If not, use an adult AED. Turn on the AED. Wipe chest dry. Attach pads. Plug in connector, if necessary. Make sure no one is touching the person. Push â Analyzeâ button. If a shock is advised, check again to make sure no one is touching the person. Push â Shockâ button. Start or resume chest compressions. For an adult, see The Importance of CPR for information about giving CPR. For a child, see CPR for Children. Follow AED prompts. After 2 minutes of CPR, check the person's heart rhythm. If it's still absent or irregular, give another shock. If a shock isn't needed, continue CPR until emergency help arrives or the person begins to move. Stay with the person until help arrives.
context: For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms may include: An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin; it may disappear when you lie down and may be tender. A heavy feeling in the abdomen that is sometimes accompanied by constipation or blood in the stool. Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over. var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Symptoms of a hiatal hernia may include heartburn and upper abdominal pain. You suspect that you have a hernia. If you can't get the hernia to go back in; seek medical care immediately, as this is an incarcerated hernia and can lead to organ strangulation. You know you have a hernia, and you have pain, are nauseated and vomiting, or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas; you may have a strangulated hernia or an obstruction. Seek medical care immediately.
context: Pericardial disease, or pericarditis, is inflammation of any of the layers of the pericardium. The pericardium is a thin tissue sac that surrounds the heart and consists of: Visceral pericardium -- an inner layer that envelopes the entire heart A middle fluid layer to prevent friction between the visceral pericardium and parietal pericardium Parietal pericardium -- an outer layer made of fibrous tissue Causes of pericarditis include: Infections Heart surgery Heart attack Trauma Tumors Cancer Radiation Autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma) For some people, no cause can be found. Pericarditis can be acute (occurring suddenly) or chronic (long-standing). When present, symptoms of pericarditis may include: Chest pain . This pain is frequently sharp and located in the center of the chest. The pain may radiate to the neck and shoulders, and occasionally, the arms and back. It can be made worse when lying down, coughing, or swallowing and may be relieved by sitting forward. Low-grade fever. Increased heart rate. Your doctor can diagnose pericarditis based on: Reported symptoms Electrocardiagram ( EKG or ECG) results Echocardiogram Cardiac MRI Physical exam Other tests may be performed to determine the cause of pericarditis. Treatment of pericarditis is based on the cause and may include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents ( NSAIDs) to decrease the pain and inflammation Steroids, used occasionally for severe attacks Antibiotics, if the pericarditis is due to infection Colchicine, particularly if symptoms last for several weeks or occur on a repetitive basis Most patients recover from pericarditis in two to four weeks. Constrictive pericarditis occurs when the pericardium becomes thickened and scarred. This can make it difficult for the heart to expand with blood. The symptoms of constrictive pericarditis are the same as pericarditis, with the addition of: Shortness of breath Fatigue (feeling over-tired) Heart failure symptoms (swelling of legs and feet, unexplained weight gain) Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) The same tests used to diagnose pericarditis are used to diagnose constrictive pericarditis. Other diagnostic tests used for constrictive pericarditis include: Echocardiogram Cardiac catheterization MRI CT scan Treatment of constrictive pericarditis may include: Analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents to treat pain or inflammation Diuretics to treat heart failure symptoms Antiarrhythmics to treat any abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation Pericardiectomy (the surgical removal of the stiff pericardium from the heart)
context: If you have eczema, you want to do all you can to try to stop the irritation and itching it can cause. So you may be eager to try eczema diets you've read or heard about. How helpful are these plans? Doctors aren't sure, and research on the link between food and the skin disease is conflicting. There's no evidence that specific foods cause eczema or make symptoms flare. But some people say their symptoms get worse after they eat a particular food. Keep in mind that it's not always easy to figure out exactly what's making your skin condition flare. The link may seem clear, but because you're around many triggers every day, it's often hard to tell if the problem is food, or another trigger, like stress. Some people with eczema try to completely cut out one or more foods from their diets, like eggs or cow's milk. It's called an elimination diet. But there's not much good evidence that they help adults with the condition. Unless you know you have a specific food allergy, be sure to talk to your doctor before you cut out entire food groups or make other major changes to what you eat. Food allergies can sometimes cause eczema for young children. But after age 3 or 4, it's rare. An allergic reaction to things like dairy products, eggs, nuts, soy, or wheat may cause hives or other skin problems that look like eczema, but they're not the same. If you think a food allergy is playing a role in your child's skin disease, talk with her doctor. Ask if testing is likely to help get her condition under control. Most of the foods and supplements that scientists have studied haven't shown much promise for eczema relief, but research is ongoing. For example, some studies say that probiotics, a type of live bacteria you can get in yogurt or supplements, may help relieve the symptoms of the condition in children. Most of these studies happened in other countries and tested different kinds of probiotics. So it's not clear what types are most useful. Scientists are studying tea as well. Although there's no clear evidence, a few studies suggest that drinking black, green, or oolong tea may help relieve symptoms. Researchers are also looking at omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and fish oil, which help fight inflammation, as a way to help eczema. Your best bet is to choose a well-balanced eating plan. Despite the uncertain links between food and eczema, there's no doubt that enjoying plenty of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains is good for your overall health.