VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of tissue (also called a fascia) at the bottom of your foot that runs from your heel to your toes. Doctors once thought bony growths called heel spurs brought on the pain. Now they believe that heel spurs are the result -- not the cause -- of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis causes pain in your heel. It's usually worse when you take your first steps in the morning or after you've been sitting for a long time. It tends to feel better with activity but worsens again after you spend a long time on your feet. Your fascia supports the muscles and arch of your foot. When it's overly stretched, you can get tiny tears in its surface. This can bring on pain and inflammation. You're at greater risk of plantar fasciitis if you: Are female Are 40 to 60 years old Are obese Have flat feet or high arches Have tight Achilles tendons, or âheel cordsâ Have an unusual walk or foot position Often wear high-heeled shoes Spend many hours standing each day Wear worn-out shoes with thin soles Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and check your feet to see where you're having pain. They sometimes want you to have imaging tests to make sure something else isn't causing your problem. These tests include: An X-ray to rule out bone fractures or arthritis An MRI to look for fractures Your treatments may include: Icing the area. Night splints. You wear these to stretch your calf and foot while you sleep. Physical therapy. Certain exercises can stretch your fascia and Achilles tendon and strengthen your leg muscles, which will make your ankle and heel more stable. Rest. Stop doing things that make the pain worse. This might include some types of exercise, like running or jumping. Supportive shoes or inserts. Shoes with thick soles and extra cushioning will make it less painful for you to stand or walk. Arch supports can distribute pressure more evenly across your feet. Taking pain-relieving non-steroidal anti-inflammatories ( NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. You shouldn't take these for more than a month, so talk with your doctor. Once you begin treatment, you'll usually see improvement within 10 months. If you aren't better then, your doctor might try treatments like shots of cortisone, a type of steroid, to ease inflammation. In rare cases, you might need surgery.
context: If you have osteoarthritis that affects your knees, an injection of hyaluronic acid could help ease your pain and stiffness. People with arthritis get these shots to help lubricate their joints so that they work more smoothly. Your doctor can let you know if it would help you based on your symptoms and other treatments you've tried. Though the shots have been available for more than a decade, studies on how effective they are have shown mixed results. Normal synovial fluid contains a substance present throughout the body's soft tissues. It helps lubricate your joints. If you have osteoarthritis, your supply of synovial fluid has thinned. The procedure is simple. Your doctor injects hyaluronic acid directly into your knee joint. Most people get a shot a week for 3 to 5 weeks. The FDA has only approved this treatment for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, but some people get it in other joints as well. There are different brands of hyaluronic acid that haven't been shown to differ in their effectiveness. Hyaluronic acid joint injections don't work for everyone. The research is mixed on how well they work. They seem to work better for some people than for others. If you are older or have advanced osteoarthritis, you may be less likely to find relief from this treatment. Usually, people only try hyaluronan when treatments like physical therapy, exercise, and injections with painkillers and steroids don't provide enough help. One advantage is that the side effects, such as swelling and discomfort on the area of your skin where you get the shot, are mild. Since the risks are small, your doctor may think that hyaluronan is worth a try, especially if your only other option is surgery. Hyaluronan may also be a good choice if you have trouble with side effects of other treatments. For instance, some people can't take common painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen because of the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. And steroid injections, another common treatment for osteoarthritis, can harm your joints if overused. Check with your insurance company before you start this treatment. Some cover the injections, but not all do. You'll want to know ahead of time, since the shots are expensive.
context: Little things you do every day can help keep your ticker healthy and prevent heart disease. Unwind and connect. Find ways to ease stress. Three ideas to try: exercise, meditate, and talk to people you trust. Work on your weight . It's a plus for your heart if you bring it to a healthy level. Upgrade your next meal. Favor fruits, veggies, lean protein, and whole grains. Pass on foods that are salty, high in unhealthy fats, or fried. Repeat for the meal after that, and so on, until it's routine. Make an exercise menu. Pick a couple of activities that sound like fun. That way, you always have some choices about what to do. Exercise at least three to four times a week for 30 minutes at a time. It burns calories and helps keep extra pounds off. Rethink your drink. Limit alcohol. Moderate drinking may be OK, but more than that isn't good for your health. What's moderate drinking? Up to 1 glass a day for women, and up to 2 glasses a day for men. Check your numbers. You may have levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar and not realize it. Your doctor can check all of these things. If any of your numbers are too high, he'll suggest a plan of action. Don't smoke. The tobacco habit isn't just bad for your lungs. It also makes heart disease more likely. Don't forget to talk your doctor. He'll help you focus on healthy habits. He'll also let you know if your family's medical history makes you more likely to get heart disease and tell you if there's anything else you should be doing.
context: It's never been easier to brighten your smile at home. There are all kinds of products you can try: rinses, gels, chewing gum, toothpastes, and strips. If you do decide to try whitening at home, the American Dental Association suggests you talk with your dentist first, especially if you have: Sensitive teeth Dental restorations Very dark stains or a single dark tooth Lots of fillings or crowns Here's a guide to help your sort your choices if you want to perk up your pearly whites and keep them shiny. The answer depends on the dollars -- and days -- you want to spend on brightening your smile. Your choices include: Toothpastes: These are just like the mildly abrasive, fluoride toothpaste you might use now, but with added polishing agents or chemicals to help remove stains. You might spend anywhere from $1 to $20, though any prices may vary. Mouthwashes and rinses: These often use a mild hydrogen peroxide solution to brighten your teeth. To give whitening mouthwashes a boost, some people rinse first, and then brush their teeth with a whitening toothpaste. Be ready to spend around $5. Whitening strips and gels: They use peroxide to help bleach away tooth stains. You put them right on your teeth with a brush or thin strip. A full course takes between 10 and 14 days. You may need to apply them twice a day. You can buy whitening strips and gels from your pharmacy, dentist, or online for around $10 to $55. Tray-based bleaching systems: These use a mouth guard-like tray filled with a peroxide-based bleaching solution to help whiten teeth. The bleaching tray is worn several hours a day for as long as a month. You can buy tray-based tooth whitening systems from your nearest pharmacy for around $30, or get a custom-fitted tray from your dentist for $150 to $600. After you've gotten your teeth looking good, you want to keep them bright. Here's how: Watch out for foods and drinks that stain: Just about anything with acids or tannins can dull your teeth. To keep your smile bright, go easy on white and red wine, sports drinks, carbonated beverages (light and dark), black tea and coffee, berries and other strongly colored foods, as well as sauces such as soy, curry, and tomato. Dig in to produce and calcium-rich foods: When you munch on fruits and veggies, it can help âscrubâ your teeth. Think about how clean your mouth feels after eating a fresh, crisp apple. High-calcium foods such as cheese can aid in keeping your teeth white. Avoid tobacco: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco can yellow your teeth. Kick tobacco, and you'll have whiter teeth as well as a healthier heart. Get regular cleanings at your dentist's office: Professional cleanings will remove plaque, which can pick up stains from what you eat and drink. Your dental hygienist can help keep teeth looking and feeling great. Sip through a straw: This will reduce your teeth's exposure to staining liquids.
context: To diagnose pink eye (conjunctivitis), your doctor will ask about the usual symptoms, such as burning, itchy eyes that discharge a thick, sticky mucus and tearing. The doctor will also observe that your eye is inflamed or red. Often, the cause can be determined from your symptoms, medical history, and the eye exam findings alone. Most of the time, treatment is started right away. If there are additional lab results, treatment may be modified based on the results of lab tests. Home remedies might be enough to soothe pink eye symptoms associated with colds, minor infections, or allergies. Treatment consists primarily of cleansing the eyes with artificial tears. Cool compresses can also be soothing. To help relieve the discomfort of pink eye, apply a cool compress for 5 to 10 minutes, three to four times a day. Preservative-free artificial tears can be applied a few times a day. Never use steroid eye drops or medications from a friend without a doctor's prescription. And be extremely careful not to share towels or washcloths with others so as not to spread an extremely contagious viral or bacteria pink eye to others. You should also be careful about using the same cloths or drops between your two eyes so as not to transfer the infection to your other eye. Discard cosmetic eye products which may have been contaminated. Do not wear contact lenses. Pink eye that includes itching and affects both eyes would suggest an allergy. Place a cool compress on your closed eye and use nonprescription allergy or antihistamine eye drops to relieve itching and burning. If the condition worsens or does not improve in a few days, consult your doctor. Marked discomfort, loss of vision and involvement of one eye only suggests a more serious problem which needs to be medically evaluated by your health care provider or eye doctor. Pink eye caused by a virus usually runs its course in one to three weeks. Because it is not caused by bacteria, viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics. It can also be highly contagious. If viral pink eye is suspected, your hands are "weapons" that will spread the infection. Don't share towels or washcloths. Artificial tears may help relieve symptoms of viral pink eye. Pink eye caused by the herpes virus can be very serious and may be treated with prescription antiviral eye drops, ointment, or pills. For pink eye caused by bacteria, the treatment will usually be antibiotic eye drops or ointment. This generally clears the symptoms within a few days. Be sure to complete the full course of antibiotic treatment. For more stubborn infections, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed. Oral antibiotics are prescribed for highly unusual cases of pink eye caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia. Sexual partners should also treated. Also, if pink eye doesn't go away after a month, you may be tested for chlamydia. Allergic pink eye should respond to topical vasoconstrictors (medicines that narrow the blood vessels), antihistamines, or steroid eye drops. Again, never apply steroid drops for any eye symptoms without a doctor's prescription.
context: Anger is a very powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance, or disappointment. It is a normal human emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage. Suppressed anger can be an underlying cause of anxiety and depression. Anger that is not appropriately expressed can disrupt relationships, affect thinking and behavior patterns, and create a variety of physical problems. Chronic (long-term) anger has been linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, heart problems, headaches, skin disorders, and digestive problems. In addition, anger can be linked to problems such as crime, emotional and physical abuse, and other violent behavior. When you start feeling angry, try deep breathing, positive self-talk, or stopping your angry thoughts. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm. Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as "relax" or "take it easy." Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply until the anger subsides. Although expressing anger is better than keeping it in, anger should be expressed in an appropriate way. Frequent outbursts of anger are often counter-productive and cause problems in relationships with others. Anger outbursts are also stressful to your nervous and cardiovascular systems and can make health problems worse. Learning how to use assertiveness is the healthy way to express your feelings, needs, and preferences. Being assertive can be used in place of using anger in these situations. Seek out the support of others. Talk through your feelings and try to work on changing your behaviors. If you have trouble realizing when you are having angry thoughts, keep a log of when you feel angry. Try to gain a different perspective by putting yourself in another's place. Learn how to laugh at yourself and see humor in situations. Practice good listening skills. Listening can help improve communication and can facilitate trusting feelings between people. This trust can help you deal with potentially hostile emotions. Learn to assert yourself, expressing your feelings calmly and directly without becoming defensive, hostile, or emotionally charged. Consult self-help books on assertiveness or seek help from a professional therapist to learn how to use assertiveness and anger management skills. If you believe that your anger is out of control and is having a negative affect on your life and relationships, seek the help of a mental health professional. A psychologist or other licensed mental health professional can work with you to develop techniques for changing your thinking and your behavior. A mental health professional can help you to deal with your anger in an appropriate way. Choose your therapist carefully and make sure to seek treatment from a professional who is trained to teach anger management and assertiveness skills.
context: In this early stage, the cancer either hasn't spread beyond the breast or has spread in a very small amount to a lymph node. You have a number of treatments to choose from. Women usually do well with a combination of treatments. Surgery is standard treatment for this stage. Since the tumor is small, you may have a lumpectomy -- just the tumor and some of the tissue around it are removed. Some women get a mastectomy, in which the whole breast is removed. In either case, the surgeon will likely take out one or more lymph nodes. After a mastectomy, you might choose to have breast reconstruction surgery. Radiation therapy can kill cancer cells that were missed. It's usually given after a lumpectomy. Women with stage I cancer who get a mastectomy sometimes need radiation, too. Chemotherapy after surgery can lower the risk of the cancer coming back. The drugs attack cancer cells. Women who had larger tumors removed are more likely to get chemo. You can get chemo several ways. You may take pills or liquids, but often the drugs are put right into your veins. The treatment is usually given in cycles that allow your body breaks in between. Hormone therapy is a good option after surgery for women who have tumors that use hormones to grow, called hormone receptor-positive cancer. Medication can help prevent tumors from getting hormones. These drugs include tamoxifen for all women, and anastrozole ( Arimidex), exemestane ( Aromasin), and letrozole ( Femara) for postmenopausal women. Women who haven't reached menopause may consider having their ovaries removed to stop making hormones that help cancer grow. Targeted therapy is a newer treatment. About 20% of women with breast cancer have too much of a protein known as HER2 that sometimes makes the cancer spread quickly. Trastuzumab ( Herceptin) is a drug that's been approved to treat women with HER2-positive cancer. It stops this protein from making the cancer grow and makes some chemotherapy more effective. Clinical trials are something else to consider. They're open to many women with stage I cancer, and they may allow you access to cutting-edge treatments. Talk to your doctor to find out more about them.
context: Nausea and vomiting are less common with chemotherapy today, thanks to newer cancer drugs and medicines to treat these side effects or prevent them. When they do happen, it tends to be less severe and pass more quickly than in the past. Different drugs work for different people, and you may need more than one drug to get relief. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse if you feel very queasy, have been throwing up for more than a day, or if it's so bad that you can't keep liquids down. That could lead to dehydration, which can cause serious problems if not treated. Instead of eating three large meals every day, eat small meals, and eat more often. Nausea is often worse if your stomach is empty. Try to eat more food at a time of day when you feel less ill. Eat slowly, and chew your food completely. Choose foods that are cold or at room temperature. The smell of hot or warm foods may make you feel sicker. Avoid spicy and fatty foods, including rich and creamy sauces, because they're hard to digest. Foods that cause gas (like vegetables, beans, and soda) can make nausea worse. Rest after eating, but don't lie down. Sit up, keeping your head higher than your feet. If you feel queasy when you first wake up, keep a box of crackers on your nightstand and eat a few before getting out of bed. Or try having a high-protein snack such as lean meat or cheese before going to bed. ( Protein stays in your stomach longer than other foods.) You'll to prevent dehydration. Choose cold beverages such as water, flat soda, or flavored drink mixes. You can also suck on ice cubes and eat Popsicles to stay hydrated. Instead of drinking beverages with your meals, drink beverages and other fluids between meals. Take your anti-nausea medicine on schedule. Your body can lose a lot of water and nutrients from repeated vomiting. If you vomit more than three times a day and you don't drink enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. Also, your cancer drugs can't work if you've thrown them up. If vomiting continues, you may have to stop your cancer treatment temporarily. You may also need fluids through an IV to help your body reset its chemical balance and regain nutrients for energy. Call your doctor if your vomiting is severe or comes back often so you can't keep anything down, or when you also have any of these symptoms: Dark urine Small amount of urine Rapid heart rate Headaches Dizziness when standing up Flushed, dry skin Coated tongue Irritability and confusion Before each treatment session, tell your health care team if you've been feeling queasy.
context: A pulmonary embolism ( PE) is caused by a blood clot that gets stuck in an artery in your lungs. That blockage can damage your lungs and hurt other organs if they don't get enough oxygen. It's a serious condition, and recovery can take weeks or months. Once you've had one, your chances of another go up. But you can do some things to keep your blood flowing and prevent future clots. You'll also want to watch your legs for signs of a new blood clot. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these: Swelling Pain Tenderness Warmer-than-normal or red skin Drugs called anticoagulants are the first tools doctors reach for if you've had a pulmonary embolism. They're known as âblood thinnersâ because they make it harder for your blood to clot. They don't break up a clot, but they keep it from getting bigger as your body dissolves it. When you take blood thinners, you'll need to change what you eat and drink. For example, foods rich in vitamin K, which helps your body form blood clots, may keep blood thinners from working like they should. That means you may need to eat fewer leafy green vegetables and limit fish, liver, and some kinds of vegetable oil. Ask your doctor if it's OK for you to drink alcohol while you take blood thinners. You also should talk to your doctor about any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines you take. Some common ones can affect how blood thinners work, too: These include: Aspirin Cold medicines Pain medicines Sleeping pills Antibiotics You can expect to take blood thinners for at least 3 months and possibly much longer. Some people need to take them for life. Most people can walk and do light housework right away after a pulmonary embolism, but you may get tired easily or feel short of breath. Your doctor probably will give you specific exercises to do for several weeks or months to help boost your strength and breathing. Follow those recommendations, but don't push yourself, especially if anything hurts or you notice any swelling. A pulmonary embolism most often starts in your legs, in one of the veins that brings blood to your heart and lungs. Making sure that blood flows freely can help prevent another blood clot. One way to do that is with special socks known as compression stockings. These socks get tighter as they go down toward your ankle, which helps your leg muscles move blood up your leg. Your doctor will give you a prescription for compression stockings that says how much pressure they need to apply. This kind of serious, painful experience can leave you feeling sad or scared, especially if your recovery puts new limits on what you can do. If you feel anxious or depressed, talk with your doctor about a referral to a counselor or support groups in your area.
context: Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth. It makes teeth "feel fuzzy" to the tongue and is most noticeable when teeth are not brushed. Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), such as milk, soft drinks, raisins, cakes, or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth. To prevent plaque buildup, brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft, rounded-tip bristled toothbrush. Pay particular attention to the space where the gums and teeth meet. Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Floss between teeth at least once a day to remove food particles and bacteria. Use an antibacterial mouth rinse to reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease. See your dentist or oral hygienist every 6 months for a check-up and teeth cleaning. Ask your dentist if a dental sealant is appropriate for you. Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating that are painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to protect them from cavities and decay. Eat a balanced diet and limit the number of between-meal snacks. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit, or raw vegetables. Vegetables, such as celery, help remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque-causing acids.
context: Each year, between 5% and 20% of Americans get the flu and miss a staggering 70 million work days as a result. The costs? Roughly $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults. Both the flu shot and the nasal flu vaccine work really well to keep you from getting ill. But they aren't 100% effective. You can still get sick even if you get vaccinated, although it's usually less severe and goes away more quickly. Try these five tips to lower your risk of sharing cold and flu viruses at work. 1. Call in sick when you need to. Viruses are easy to spread in close quarters like offices. Stay home if you have any of these symptoms: Fever Headache Extreme tiredness Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle aches Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 2. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough . Viruses are mostly spread through mucus. Cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow so you don't cough or sneeze into your hand. 3. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Rub them together for 15 to 20 seconds. If you can't get to soap and water, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gels. 4. Don't touch your eyes , nose, or mouth . Germs are easy to pick up when you touch something with germs and then touch those parts of your face. 5. Wipe down your desk and other common areas. Telephones, desks, water fountain handles, microwave door handles, and computer keyboards in offices contain large amounts of germs. The Web MD Cold & Flu Survivor's Guide
context: A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled sac behind your knee. It often causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness. You might hear your doctor call it a popliteal cyst. They might not cause any symptoms, but symptoms of a Baker's cyst may include: Swelling behind your knee Swelling in your leg Knee pain Stiffness -- you won't be able to bend your knee Causes of a Baker's cyst may include: Swelling in the knee . This happens when the fluid that lubricates your knee joint increases. When pressure builds up, fluid squeezes into the back of the knee and creates the cyst. Arthritis. People with all forms of arthritis often have Baker's cysts. Injury. A sports-related injury or other blow to the knee can cause A Baker's cyst. Gout . This a type of arthritis, which results from the buildup of uric acid in the blood, can lead to a Baker's cyst. See your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above and they're causing problems. They'll examine you to rule out conditions that are more serious, like a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis). He may also order an imaging test, like an ultrasound or MRI, to get a better look. You may not need any treatment for a Baker's cyst. They aren't dangerous and tend to go away on their own. In the meantime, try these at-home remedies to ease your pain and make yourself more comfortable: Keep it cold. Apply a cold pack to the affected area. It'll help keep the swelling down. A compression wrap might also help. Relieve pain. For pain (and to reduce inflammation), take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. Rest your leg. Keep it raised above your heart level when possible. This will keep down swelling. Use a cane or crutch when you walk to keep pressure off your leg. If these at-home treatments don't work, see your doctor. They may recommend one of the following: Steroids . These can help reduce inflammation. Aspiration. Your doctor can drain the cyst. They'll likely do it with the aid of an ultrasound. This treatment may not work if your case is severe. Surgery. If you're in serious pain or if the cyst makes it hard for you to move your knee, this might be an option. But it'll only work if your doctor also treats the issue that caused the Baker's cyst to begin with, such as arthritis. Exercise. A physical therapist can teach you gentle exercises to help improve your range of motion and strengthening moves to build up the muscles around your knee. This could ease your symptoms. RICE: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Rest the joint when you can, use a compression bandage, apply ice, and raise your knee, especially at night. If your leg turns red or starts to swell, see your doctor right away. This could mean your Baker's cyst has burst. Possibly -- by preventing knee injuries in the first place. Wear the right shoes when you work out. Be sure to warm up before you exercise. And if you do get a knee injury, take care of it right away. See your doctor if it doesn't get better. Sometimes, the cysts break open. This can cause pain, swelling, and bruising on the back of your knee and calf. The pain might get worse when you fully extend your knee or when you're active.
context: Can a few drinks really be good for your heart? Yes, but only a few, and not for everyone. Moderate drinking -- one drink a day for women and two for men -- appears to protect some people against heart disease. One drink is 12 ounces of beer or wine cooler, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. Alcohol may help your heart in a few ways: It raises HDL or "good" cholesterol. It stops blood from clotting. This can be good or bad. It may hold off heart attacks, but it could make you bleed more easily. It helps prevent damage caused by high LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. But before you break out that cocktail shaker, know this: Doctors aren't sure if those healthy effects come from the alcohol or from other good lifestyle choices that light drinkers make. So if you don't drink already, your heart isn't a reason to start. A healthy diet and regular exercise provide many of the same good effects that are tied to alcohol. To get any health benefits from alcohol, keep your drinking light or moderate. Heavy drinking can make you more likely to get serious health problems like liver disease, cancer, and peptic ulcers, among others. Regular or high alcohol use can hurt your heart and lead to diseases of the heart muscle, called cardiomyopathy. Drinking alcohol regularly also can raise your blood pressure. Binge drinking -- four or more drinks for women and five or more for men in about 2 hours -- can cause irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias. So even if you don't have any alcohol during the week, you shouldn't save all of your drinking for the weekend and overdo it. Alcohol can be harmful for some people who have health problems. Talk to your doctor if you have one of these conditions and aren't sure whether you should drink: Heart failure Cardiomyopathy High blood pressure Diabetes Irregular heart rhythm A history of strokes High triglycerides Pregnant women and anyone with a history of alcoholism should not drink. Some medications don't mix well with alcohol. These usually come with a warning sticker from your pharmacy that tells you not to drink while you take them. But check with your pharmacist if you aren't sure about your medicine.
context: An MRI is a test that makes clear images of the brain without the use of X-rays. Instead, it uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce these pictures. The scan can give doctors information about the structure of the brain and brain chemicals to help them find the cause of your headaches. Your doctor might recommend one if you're getting headaches daily or almost every day. You might also get one if you had a CT scan that didn't show clear-cut results. MRI scans also can look at parts of the brain that aren't as easily viewed with CT scans, such as the spine at the level of the neck and the back portion of the brain. An MRI can't diagnose migraines, cluster, or tension headaches, but it can help doctors rule out other medical conditions that may cause your symptoms, such as: A brain tumor An infection in your brain, called an abscess The buildup of fluid in the brain, called hydrocephalus Spinal cord problems, such as a herniated disc Strokes Injuries Yes. The MRI exam poses no risk to the average person. The scan is also safe for people who've had heart surgery and people who have these medical devices: Surgical clips or sutures Artificial joints Staples Cardiac valve replacements (except the Starr- Edwards metallic ball/cage) Disconnected medication pumps Vena cava filters Brain shunt tubes for hydrocephalus Some things may mean you shouldn't have an MRI. Tell your doctor if you: Have a heart pacemaker A cerebral aneurysm clip (metal clip on a blood vessel in your brain) Are pregnant Have an implanted insulin pump (for treatment of diabetes), narcotics pump (for pain medication), or implanted nerve stimulators " TENS" device for back pain Metal in your eye or eye socket Cochlear (ear) implant for hearing problems Implanted spine stabilization rods Severe lung disease (such as tracheomalacia or bronchopulmonary dysplasia) Gastroesophageal reflux ( GERD) Weigh more than 300 pounds Have trouble lying on your back for 30 to 60 minutes Claustrophobia (fear of closed or narrow spaces) Set aside about 2 hours for the test. In most cases, it takes 40 to 80 minutes, during which technicians will get several dozen images of your brain. Leave personal items such as a watch, wallet, including any credit cards with magnetic strips (they will be erased by the magnet), and jewelry at home if possible, or take them off before the scan. Sometimes, you'll get a drug to make you feel relaxed and drowsy. You may also need to change into a hospital gown. Also, MRI machines can be loud, so if you're sensitive to noise, ask for earplugs before the scan starts. As it begins, you'll hear the equipment making a muffled thumping sound that will last for several minutes. Other than the sound, you shouldn't feel anything unusual during the scanning. For some MRI exams, you'll need a shot of a "contrast material" into your vein. It helps doctors see certain structures in your brain on the scan images. Feel free to ask questions. Tell the person giving you the test or the doctor if you have any concerns. Generally, you can go back to your usual activities and normal diet right after a MRI test.
context: Native Americans, Europeans, and Chinese people have long used the hawthorn shrub, including its fruit, leaves, and flowers, as a remedy for health problems. Researchers are still looking into hawthorn as a treatment for disease. People take hawthorn to try to treat conditions that include: Heart problems. A common use for hawthorn has been to try to treat heart problems, especially heart failure. During heart failure, the heart can't properly do its job of pumping blood around the body. Problems like coronary heart disease and high blood pressure can lead to heart failure. In one study that combined the results of earlier studies on people with heart failure, hawthorn extract was linked to fewer symptoms of heart failure. People taking hawthorn had less fatigue and shortness of breath. But other studies have shown no benefit. There have also been reports of increased rates of death and hospitalization. More research is needed. Cholesterol. Research on animals shows that hawthorn extract lowers levels of total cholesterol and LDL "bad" cholesterol. It is not known how hawthorn might affect cholesterol levels in humans. Blood pressure. Hawthorn may lower blood pressure. In one study, people with type 2 diabetes who took hawthorn extract for four months had a drop in diastolic blood pressure -- the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. But hawthorn can interact with many different types of blood pressure medications. More research is needed. Optimal doses of hawthorn have not been set for any condition. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it hard to set a standard dose. Hawthorn fruit can be eaten as food. The fruits are also canned and processed into jam, candy, and drinks. Side effects. Unwanted effects from hawthorn seem to be rare. Dizziness is the most common side effect. Other side effects include: Agitation Digestive distress Fast heart rate Fatigue Headache Nausea Skin outbreaks Sweating Trouble breathing Trouble sleeping Risks. Avoid using if you are allergic to hawthorn or plants in the hawthorn family. Also avoid using hawthorn if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as little is known about its safety in these cases. Interactions. Hawthorn may increase the effect of certain drugs. For instance, it may increase the effect of drugs that: Affect heart-muscle contraction, like digoxin Lower blood pressure Cause blood vessels to dilate, like nitrates Hawthorn may also decrease the effect of drugs that cause blood vessels to contract. It may affect drugs and foods that lower cholesterol. 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 any medications. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
context: When you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood sugar throughout the day. It can help you decide what to eat and whether your medication needs to be adjusted. It can also help you steer clear of diabetes-related problems like: Heart disease Stroke High blood pressure High cholesterol Blindness Kidney disease Skin problems Self- Checking: Give yourself a blood sugar test as often as your doctor advises. To do it, you use a gadget that pricks your finger with a tiny needle. You'll put a drop of blood onto a test strip. The strip goes into a handheld device that measures your blood sugar level. Record the test results, so you can share it with your doctor. Based on your results, the two of you may adjust your diet, exercise, or medication. A1c Test: This is a blood test you'll get in your doctor's office at least twice a year, or as often as he recommends. The results show your average blood sugar control for the past 2 to 3 months. You and your doctor need this test to see how well your diabetes treatment plan is working, so you can make changes if you need to. Think of it this way: Self-checking is like a daily snapshot of your blood sugar control. The A1c test gives you the big picture. Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: If you choose this method, your doctor will place a tiny sensor under your skin to check blood sugar levels every 5 minutes. It sends data to a monitor that you wear like a pager for a few days. You'll still need to check your levels throughout the day; continuous glucose monitoring doesn't replace that. It gives your doctor more information about trends that self-checking might not show.
context: Get an immediate appoingtment with an eye doctor (ophthamologist), call 911 or take the person to a hospital emergency room. Do not put rub the eye or put pressure on the eyeball. Avoid giving aspirin or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin). They can make bleeding worse. A medical eye doctor will examine the eye and prescribe treatment based on what's causing the bleeding and how severe it is. The person may need to use eye drops or wear a patch. Rarely, surgery is needed to relieve pressure in the eye.
context: Central diabetes insipidus is completely unrelated to diabetes, even though they share the symptoms of peeing more and feeling thirsty. It's also called "central DI," "pituitary DI," "hypothalamic DI," "neurohypophyseal DI," or "neurogenic DI." Central DI is much less common than diabetes, and treatments for the two diseases are different. The key sign of central diabetes insipidus is extreme thirst and excessive urination. The disease happens when the body doesn't make enough of the hormone vasopressin, which controls how much urine the kidneys put out. Without vasopressin, the kidneys can't work properly. As a result, the body loses a lot of water, quickly, in diluted urine. This makes people very thirsty, so they drink lots of water. Anyone can get central DI, but it's not common. Only about 1 in every 25,000 people gets it. In about half the cases, doctors don't know what causes central DI. Other times, it happens because of damage or injury to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. This damage can be due to surgery, head trauma, tumor, inflammation, or infection. In very rare cases, genetic defects are the cause. Prompt treatment of injuries, infections, and tumors can lower the odds of getting the disease. People with central DI usually have the following symptoms: Frequent urination -- more than 3 liters of urine a day Frequent nighttime awakening to pee Involuntary urination during sleep (bed-wetting) Pale, colorless urine Low measured concentration of urine Extreme thirst -- often drinking more than 1 gallon of liquid per day In severe cases, or if a person can't get enough liquid to drink, central diabetes insipidus can cause: Dehydration Confusion Loss of consciousness Symptoms of central DI in children may be: Low energy Irritability Slow growth Weight loss Fever Vomiting A checkup may not show any signs of central DI, except perhaps for an enlarged bladder or symptoms of dehydration. If your doctor thinks you have central DI, he will test a sample of your urine. You will also take a water restriction test, which usually involves staying at a hospital to check on how well your kidneys work, how much urine you make, and how much sodium is in your plasma. You may get vasopressin and then take more blood and urine tests. Your doctor may also recommend that you get an MRI of your head, to see if there are any problems in or around your pituitary gland. If your central DI is mild, the treatment for central DI is simple: Drink more water. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe desmopressin or DDAVP, which is a type of vasopressin. Desmopressin controls urine output, maintains fluid balance, and prevents dehydration. You take it two to three times a day, usually as a nasal spray, tablets, or injections. Carry your medication with you and avoid situations where you can't get water. It's also a good idea to wear "medic alert" jewelry, or keep a note with you about your condition, so that health care workers know about it.
context: Teething pain can be hard for babies and parents alike. Treatment at home can help. Your child has a fever of 101 ° F or higher, has diarrhea, is dehydrated, or seems especially cranky; these are not typical symptoms of teething. Use a firm rubber teether. Avoid teethers filled with liquid, which can leak, or freezable teethers, which may be too cold or hard. Never tie a teether around a baby's neck -- it's a choking hazard. Gently massage the gums with a cool wet washcloth or a clean finger. If your child is eating solid foods, offer cold applesauce or yogurt. Use baby acetaminophen ( Tylenol) to dull pain. Do not use ibuprofen unless the baby is at least 6 months old. Do not use topical pain medicine that contains benzocaine. They could cause dangerous side effects. Benzocaine can be found in over-the-counter products such as Baby Orajel. Keep a cloth with you to wipe away drool from baby's chin.
context: Researchers don't know exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease. There are probably a lot of things that are behind it. But as scientists have learned more about the condition, they've found clues about where symptoms come from and who's at risk. When a person has Alzheimer's, his brain changes. It has fewer healthy cells, and it gets smaller over time. Most of the time, the brain cells also form two types of flaws: Neurofibrillary tangles. These are twisted fibers inside brain cells that keep nutrients and other important things from moving from one part of the cell to another Beta-amyloid plaques. These are sticky clumps of proteins that build up between nerve cells instead of breaking down like they do in healthy brains. Plaques and tangles damage the healthy brain cells around them. The damaged cells die, and the brain shrinks. These changes cause the symptoms of Alzheimer's, such as memory loss, speech problems, confusion, and mood swings. Brain cells affected by the disease also make lower amounts of the chemicals called neurotransmitters that nerves use to send messages to each other. Scientists don't know if these brain cell changes cause Alzheimer's or happen because of it. There are a few things that may make people more likely to get Alzheimer's. So far, research has linked the disease with: Age. Your risk for Alzheimer's goes up as you get older. For most people, it starts going up after age 65. Gender. Women get the disease more often than men. Family history. People who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's are more likely to get it themselves. Down syndrome. It's not clear why, but people with this disorder often get Alzheimer's disease in their 30s and 40s. Head injury. Some studies have shown a link between Alzheimer's disease and a major head injury. Other factors. High cholesterol levels and high blood pressure may also raise your risk.
context: Retinitis is a disease that threatens vision by damaging the retina -- the light-sensing tissue at the back of your eye. Although there's no cure, there are steps you can take to protect your sight and make the most of the vision you have. Retinitis pigmentosa ( RP). This is a group of genetic eye diseases you inherit from one or both parents. Some examples of RP and related diseases: Usher syndrome Leber's congenital amaurosis ( LCA) Rod-cone disease Bardet- Biedl syndrome CMV retinitis. This is a type of retinitis that develops from a viral infection of the retina. CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a herpes virus. Most people have been exposed to the virus, but it usually causes no harm. When a herpes virus is reactivated in people with weaker immune systems, it can cause retinitis. Symptoms of RP. You're most likely to get a diagnosis of RP as a teen or young adult. Vision loss is slow, and the rate of vision change varies from person to person. How quickly it moves depends on the genetic makeup of your RP. Early RP symptoms: Loss of night vision, making it harder to drive at dusk or night or to see in dimly lit rooms. Later RP symptoms: Loss of side (peripheral) vision, leading to tunnel vision -- like looking through a straw. Sometimes you lose central vision first. Then, reading or doing close work isn't easy. This loss of central vision also affects color vision. Symptoms of CMV retinitis. In early stages, CMV retinitis causes no symptoms. You may develop symptoms, first in one eye, over a few days. Symptoms may include: Floaters (specks or clouds in your field of vision) Blurred vision Loss of side vision Just as with RP, symptoms may occur first with central vision. This affects reading and perception of color. If you have retinitis, it's important to see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) regularly. Treatment for RP. Supplements may slow the disease. Research has shown some promise with a combination of vitamin A, lutein, and oily fish high in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acid include: Salmon Tuna Sardines Ask your eye doctor how much vitamin A is safe to take. In high levels, it can be toxic. It may also help to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet ( UV) light. Researchers are looking into a range of treatment options, such as stem cells, medications, gene therapy, and transplants. They are already making progress. For example, patients in a small genetic study have had some sight restored with genetic therapy. One day, it may be possible to treat RP by inserting healthy genes into your retina. If you have RP, there are some devices that can help make objects look brighter and larger, such as low-vision magnifiers. These devices can help you remain independent and active. You can also try rehabilitation services that can help you use the vision you have in a more effective way. Treatment for CMV retinitis. To help prevent blindness, doctors both treat the retinitis and work to strengthen your immune system. You may need an antiviral medication such as ganciclovir. You might take pills by mouth or receive an injection into a vein or eye.