VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Bromelain -- also called bromelin -- is an enzyme. It occurs naturally in pineapple. As a supplement, it's often used to ease pain and swelling. Bromelain seems to reduce inflammation, at least in some cases. When taken along with trypsin and rutin, bromelain appears to help with osteoarthritis, relieving pain and improving joint function. Studies have also found that bromelain might help with knee pain not caused by arthritis, sinus infections (especially when paired with antibiotics), recovery from surgery (like sinus surgery), and colitis. As a cream, it might help relieve rashes and burns. Researchers have looked at bromelain as a treatment for other conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and urinary infections. For now, we don't know if it helps. There is no standard dose for bromelain. For swelling, some experts have recommended a range of 80 milligrams to 300 milligrams of extract taken two to three times daily. One or two 200-milligram bromelain tablets are used for knee pain. Ask your health care provider for advice. Bromelain might work best when taken without food. Bromelain comes from the stem and fruit of the pineapple. Side effects. Bromelain can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and heavy menstrual periods. It can trigger reactions in people with allergies to pineapples, certain pollens, carrots, celery, rye and wheat flour, latex, bee venom, and other substances. Risks. Bromelain can raise the risk of bleeding. Make sure to stop taking it at least two weeks before surgery. Check with a doctor before using bromelain if you have any health conditions, such as a bleeding disorder, asthma, heart problems, liver or kidney disease, or stomach ulcers. Interactions. If you take any drugs or supplements regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using bromelain. It could interact with certain antibiotics, blood thinners, aspirin and NSAID painkillers, and cancer drugs. Eating potatoes or soybeans when you take bromelain could make it less effective. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, bromelain is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
context: When you're sniffling and sneezing from a cold, you may be tempted to reach for a bottle of vitamin C pills or drink some orange juice. But does vitamin C prevent or treat your symptoms? So far, the evidence is mixed. Vitamin C is a nutrient your body uses to keep you strong and healthy. It helps maintain your bones, muscles, and blood vessels. It also helps you absorb iron. You can get vitamin C when you eat fruits and veggies, especially oranges and other citrus fruits. It's also sold as a dietary supplement in the form of pills or chewable tablets. There have been a lot of studies, but the findings aren't consistent. Overall, experts find little to no benefit if you use vitamin C to prevent or treat a cold. In 2010, researchers looked at all studies and found that taking vitamin C every day did not prevent the number of colds that a person got. In some cases it made symptoms improve. However, vitamin C didn't help if people took it after they showed signs of getting sick. The results were different for people who were in extremely good physical condition, such as marathon runners. People like that who took vitamin C every day cut their risk of catching a cold in half. So what does all this mean? If you take at least 0.2 grams of vitamin C every day, you're not likely to have fewer colds, but they may end a day or two quicker. In general, vitamin C won't harm you if you get it by eating food like fruits and veggies. For most people, it's also OK if you take supplements in the recommended amount. Higher doses of vitamin C (greater than 2,000 milligrams per day) may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor if you're thinking of taking vitamin C pills and let him know about any other dietary supplements you use.
context: No. Don't wait until pain becomes severe to take pain medication. Pain is easier to control when it is mild. You should take your pain medication regularly, just as prescribed. Sometimes this means taking medicine on a regular schedule, even when you don't feel pain. Not necessarily, if you take your medication exactly as prescribed. There are also effective pain medications that are non-addictive. A person's likelihood of becoming addicted depends, in part, on his or her addiction history. Addiction is less likely if you have never abused drugs or had an addictive disorder. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have. This situation occurs when you have developed tolerance to a drug. Tolerance is a normal physiological response to narcotics and occurs when the initial dose of a substance loses its effectiveness over time. Changing the dose or the medication often solves the problem. Just because you have become tolerant to a drug does not mean that you are addicted to that drug. Yes. Your health care provider needs to assess your pain, so it is very important for your health care team to know if you are in pain. You might notice at times that you are in more pain than usual (such as at the end of a tiring day or as a result of certain activities). If you notice that certain activities contribute to your pain, or that you feel worse at certain times of the day, medication can be taken prior to the activity (or time of day) to help prevent the pain from occurring. You may also be prescribed a long-acting pain medication with a short-acting one for breakthrough pain that you take as needed. Always be sure to follow your doctor's instructions. Describe your pain clearly and in as much detail as possible. Most doctors and nurses ask you to describe your level of pain on a scale. Friends and family can help by encouraging you to live as normally and independently as possible. Not necessarily. With proper treatment, people can live full, normal lives after having experienced chronic pain.
context: To prevent future spinal compression fractures, it's also important to treat the osteoporosis that likely caused your fracture and begin building stronger bones. Natural ways to prevent spinal compression fractures include taking calcium supplements, getting more vitamin D, quitting smoking, preventing falls, and doing weight-bearing and strength-building exercises. You can also take medications to halt or slow osteoporosis, including: Bisphosphonate drugs. Alendronate ( Binosto, Fosamax), ibandronate ( Boniva), and risedronate ( Actonel, Atelvia) can slow bone loss, improve bone density and help prevent fractures. Bisphosphonates can cause bone loss in the jaw, known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. This complication has been linked to the use of these medications for the treatment of osteoporosis. The risk of this occurring is very low; however, people with cancer or people who receive these medications intravenously are at higher risk. Some people complain of numbness, heaviness, and pain in the jaw, usually where a tooth has been extracted. If you have concerns, speak with your dentist. Teriparatide ( Forteo), an injectable synthetic hormone that stimulates bone growth and reduces spinal fractures for women with severe osteoporosis Raloxifene ( Evista), an estrogen-like drug that slows bone loss and helps increase bone thickness Zoledronic acid ( Reclast), which is given as a once-yearly 15-minute infusion in a vein; Reclast is said to increase bone strength and reduce fractures in the hip, spine and wrist, arm, leg, or rib Duavee (a combination of estrogen and bazedoxifene), a type of hormone replacement therapy approved to treat menopause-related hot flashes; Duavee may also prevent osteoporosis in high-risk women who have already tried non-estrogen treatment. The drugs are very effective in strengthening bones. If you're at high risk for compression fractures, it's critical to take action. See a doctor and get the right medication to prevent future fractures.
context: When you have AIDS, your body may find it hard to fight off colds. Make sure you do what you can to avoid catching one, and take good care of yourself if you do get sick. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, kills or damages cells in the immune system, your body's defense against germs. That makes it tougher for you to beat back infections. When you get sick with a cold, you're more likely to get complications, like pneumonia. When you first get sick, call your doctor. There aren't any medicines that can fight the virus that causes a cold, but he'll recommend treatments that can ease your symptoms. A cold normally lasts about a week and goes away on its own, even in people with HIV. But if your symptoms are severe, don't improve, or you get shortness of breath or fever, let your doctor know right away, in case you need more aggressive treatment. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have fever. If your temperature goes above 102 F, it could be a sign that you have the flu. If your doctor says you've got it, he may suggest medicines that may make it go away more quickly. But the sooner after you get sick you take them, the better they work. Whether you have a cold or the flu, if your appetite is down it's important to try to eat something and drink plenty of fluids. Smaller meals may help until you get hungry again. Also, rest as much as you can and get plenty of sleep so your body has a chance to recover. Always use good hygiene to lower your chance of getting sick. Ask your family and friends to do their part in keeping germs away from you. Tell them to cover their mouths when they cough and wash their hands often. They should also avoid touching surfaces after rubbing their eyes or nose. Use an antibacterial cleaner or a mild bleach solution to kill germs on common household hotspots, such as telephone receivers, doorknobs, kitchen and bathroom countertops and sinks, and the refrigerator handle. Also, keep your computer mouse, television remote control, and keyboard clean. Check with your doctor about vaccinations against pneumonia and the flu. The CDC recommends that people with long-term medical conditions, including HIV/ AIDS, be among the first to get a flu vaccine each year.
context: If you've been through a crisis, you know it's not always easy to get your life back to normal. You may feel anxious, angry, scared, or guilty. And you might have trouble with sleep, focus, or even become physically ill. A critical incident stress debriefing ( CISD) can help you get better. These sessions, often offered by a workplace or city, provide a chance to talk about the trauma with others who were involved. A CISD usually takes place within the first 3 days after the event and is open to people who were hurt, saw others hurt or killed, or served as first responders. CISD is usually sponsored by a government agency. The agency will tell local businesses, churches, and community groups about it, so people know where and when to meet. CISD is typically open to anyone who was affected by the crisis. The CISD program has three goals: Lessen the impact of a trauma Help those involved recover Find people who might need extra help A normal session involves a small group talking about their shared experience with help from a trained leader. It sounds like -- but should not take the place of -- therapy. The group leaders are often counselors or experts in disaster response who are certified by the National Organization for Victim Assistance ( NOVA). Groups that lead CISD are typically members of either NOVA or National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. Most groups meet for less than 2 hours at a time, so you don't get too overwhelmed. You may take a break and meet again later that day. The group typically meets several times over a few days. The group usually sits together so you can share your experiences, but if someone needs to talk one-on-one, a leader can take him aside. Group leaders will offer ways to manage the stress and help people understand their feelings and emotional reactions to the event. Participants are encouraged to describe details of the event from their own point of view and discuss their reactions. Leaders will also make sure that participants know what symptoms to watch for (such as nightmares or re-experiencing and reliving the event), and they'll ensure that group members have access to resources for ongoing support and help. When you've made it through a crisis, it can help to talk with others who went through it too. With CISD, you can work your way through your feelings with the help of trauma experts as you get your life back to a new kind of normal.
context: See a health care provider or go to a hospital emergency room if: Pain is severe or sudden or radiates into the abdomen. Pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, fever, urinary frequency or urgency, or painful urnation. There is swelling or bruising of the scrotum, or the scrotum or testicle is punctured. For pain, take over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin). For swelling, apply an ice pack to the scrotum. The person should wear supportive underwear. The person should avoid strenuous activity. See a health care provider as soon as possible for mild pain. The health care provider will examine the scrotum and testicles and may order blood and urine tests to check for infection. He may also check for infection using a urethral swab or scrotal doppler ultrasound. Treatment will depend on what's causing the problem.
context: Do you find yourself shivering when no one else is? Although you might just have a natural tendency to be cold, there are also a variety of conditions that could explain your chill. Anemia happens when your system can't make enough normal red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. There are a number of different types of anemia. A tendency to feel cold is a common symptom for many of them. Other symptoms of anemia: Fatigue Looking pale Irregular heartbeats Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. It helps to regulate your metabolism -- the chemical reactions that maintain the body. If this gland does not make enough thyroid hormone, or if your body cannot process that hormone effectively, you may become hypothyroid. Besides feeling cold, other symptoms of hypothyroidism include: Thinning hair Dry skin Fatigue Irregular or heavy menstrual periods Constipation Weight gain If you feel cold in your hands and feet, you may have a blood vessel disorder in which blood flow to your arms and legs is restricted. Blood vessel problems include conditions such as: Clotting disorders Arteriosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels) Raynaud's disease (spasms of narrowing arteries to the fingers and toes) Besides feeling cold, symptoms of blood vessel problems include: White or blue coloring in fingers and toes Tingling, throbbing, or numbness in your arms and legs Clammy and cold skin The kidney damage that happens as a result of diabetes is known as diabetic nephropathy. One symptom of diabetic nephropathy is feeling cold all the time. Other symptoms of diabetic nephropathy include: Nausea and vomiting Itchiness Loss of appetite Shortness of breath Confusion Swelling in the face, feet or hands This is a type of eating disorder. People with anorexia become dangerously thin because of an extreme worry about gaining weight. Feeling cold is one of the symptoms of having anorexia. Other symptoms: You are 15% or more below typical body weight for your height. You are constantly thinking about your weight. You have not had a period for three months or more. Since feeling cold all the time can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, it's important not to ignore these symptoms. If you feel cold frequently even when you're in a warm place, or long after you've come in from cold temperatures, check with your doctor to find out what might be going on. The treatment for your chronic coldness will depend a lot on the cause. For example, if you have a blood vessel disorder and you smoke, quitting smoking will probably go a long way toward helping with the problem. If your feelings of constant coldness are caused by a thyroid condition, on the other hand, you may need medication to reverse your low thyroid.
context: When you find out you have genital herpes, it can be a shock. As you adjust, keep in mind that it's a common condition. In the U. S., 1 in 5 women ages 14-49 and 1 in 10 men in the same age range have it. It's also something that you can treat. Whether you take medication every day depends on how often you have a flare. You and your doctor will decide what's right for you. Remember that symptoms tend to calm down in time. Your first outbreak may be the worst you'll ever have. Having herpes won't stop you from moving ahead in any area of your life. Learning that you have an STD may stir up some feelings. You might be angry at the person who gave it to you or upset about having a chronic condition. Keep in mind that the person who passed on genital herpes probably didn't mean to put you at risk. Most people with genital herpes don't know they have it. Because herpes may not flare up for a long time, it might also be hard to figure out exactly when you got it. And while there's a lot you can do to have safer sex, you might not completely avoid STD risks every time. Don't be too hard on yourself, or anyone else, about it. Try to focus on what you can do now: Take care of your condition, tell your partner what's going on, ask your doctor how to avoid spreading it, and get support. If you find that it's hard to get past feeling betrayed or down about the situation, you may want to talk with a counselor who can help you handle those emotions. Joining a support group is also an option. Ask your doctor for help finding one.
context: Looking for a natural way to help your digestive problems? Probiotics may be for you. These "good bacteria" live in your gut, where they help keep you healthy. You can also find them in supplements and some foods. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons. They may work for some conditions but not others. Studies show they may help problems like: Diarrhea that's a side effect of antibiotics or from an infection Colitis caused by the bacteria C. difficile Ulcerative colitis Irritable bowel syndrome Probiotics may also help improve Crohn's disease, allergies, and some types of skin problems, but there's no strong proof. Your doctor can tell you if a probiotic is a good choice for your specific problem. Probiotics aren't a cure-all. They may help prevent disease, or they might only work after you're sick. Tell your doctor about your symptoms and see what she suggests. They're generally considered safe, but they may cause problems for young children, seniors, and those with a serious illness or a weak immune system -- your body's defense against germs. If you decide to take them, make sure to tell your doctor. There are many different probiotics. Some have just one helpful type of bacteria, while others are a mixture. Scientists have studied only a small number of them. Choose one that has evidence it works. Ask your doctor which types might help your condition. Probiotics come in many forms. You'll find them as capsules, powders, and liquids. They're also in certain foods, like yogurt and dairy drinks. Your doctor may point you to a product that's been tested and shown to work for your condition. To work well, probiotics must have enough good bacteria to allow them to grow in your intestines. The right dose varies for each product and for the condition you use them for. Some may not have as many helpful microbes as their labels say. Ask your doctor if she knows which products and how much of them are helpful. That depends on the reason you take them. For instance, your doctor may tell you to take them only while you are treated with antibiotics. But foods that contain probiotics, like yogurt, can be a regular part of your healthy diet. The effects of supplements last for just a few weeks after you stop taking them. If your doctor has prescribed them, follow her instructions.
context: If stress is starting to run you ragged, take heart. There are some easy ways to help keep it from overtaking your day. This simple strategy is a powerful stress fighter. It helps you: Lower stress hormones Lower your heart rate Bring down your blood pressure Here's how to do it: Sit quietly with one hand on your stomach, the other on your chest. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, filling your lungs. Hold your breath for a few seconds. Breathe out slowly through your mouth until all the air is out of your lungs. Repeat four more times. This ancient practice relaxes your mind and the body. For several minutes each day, sit quietly and comfortably. While you do this, focus your mind on one of these things: Your breathing An object A specific word or phrase (mantra) As thoughts and distractions intrude, gently push them away. Return to your focus. You can do meditation alone or with a group. To get your heart rate up with an aerobic exercise: Walk Cycle Swim Just 20 minutes a day will help calm your mind and lower stress hormones. Exercise also boosts endorphins, brain chemicals that improve your mood. Even light exercise can relax you, though harder workouts offer greater health rewards. Check with your doctor before you start a new exercise program. This technique has the same relaxation benefits of deep breathing. Here's how it works: Sit somewhere quiet and picture yourself in a calm and peaceful place, such as a beach. Imagine walking through this place and taking in its sights, sounds, and smells. While your imagination is working, breathe slowly and deeply. Keep this up until you are fully relaxed. Ease back slowly into the real world. To get started, you can search online for podcasts that will talk you through the process. Nurses, counselors, therapists, or other professionals can also help you learn how to do this on your own. Foods rich in vitamin C, like oranges and grapefruits, may help lower your stress hormones. Omega-3s, like those found in salmon and other fatty fish, as well nuts and seeds, may also be calming. In general, fueling your body well with a balanced diet can help keep your body healthy and better able to handle stress. Part of eating well means focusing on getting whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Want something sweet? Dark chocolate may have a calming effect by lowering stress hormones. Being self-critical can add to your stress. So try the opposite approach. Help yourself relax by practicing positive self-talk. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. In other words, be the little engine that could. Tell yourself " I think I can" rather than " I know I can't." Getting a good night's sleep can help you fight stress the next day. Go for at least 7 hours a night. Try these tips if you're having trouble: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day -- even on the weekends. Avoid caffeine after 3 p.m. and alcohol close to bedtime. If you take naps, do so early in the day rather than too close to bedtime. Exercise regularly, and try to exercise early in the day.
context: It's fine to sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or use it in baking. Go ahead and enjoy it if you like its taste. But if you hope that it will help you manage your diabetes, you might want to pause before you head to your spice rack. It's not yet clear if cinnamon is good for diabetes. Research findings have been mixed, and the American Diabetes Association dismisses cinnamon's use in diabetes treatment. Several small studies have linked cinnamon to better blood sugar levels. Some of this work shows it may curb blood sugar by lowering insulin resistance. In one study, volunteers ate from 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days. ( One gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon.) The researchers found that cinnamon cut cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%. But in other studies, the spice did not lower blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Unless you have liver damage, it should be OK for you to enjoy it in food. If you do have liver problems, be careful, because large amounts of cinnamon may make them worse. If you are considering cinnamon supplements, talk with your doctor first, especially if you take any medication. Also, look for brands labeled with a quality seal. These include the NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, or Consumerlab seal. This helps assure that the supplement actually has the ingredients stated on the label and doesn't have any contaminants or potentially harmful ingredients. Unlike medications, supplement makers don't have to prove their products are safe or effective. But the FDA can order a supplement off the market if it proves it's unsafe. Use caution if you also take other supplements that lower blood sugar levels, including: Alpha lipoic acid Bitter melon Chromium Devil's claw Fenugreek Garlic Horse chestnut Panax Siberian ginseng Psyllium The same holds true with diabetes medications. If you and your doctor decide it's OK for you to try cinnamon, pay close attention to your blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor if your levels fall too low. Taking cinnamon with drugs that affect the liver may make liver problems more likely.
context: Common sleep apnea symptoms include: Waking up with a very sore or dry throat Loud snoring Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day Sleepiness while driving Morning headaches Restless sleep Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex Recurrent awakenings or insomnia var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/basics/definition/con-20020286; Audio Jungle; Renars Jurkovskis; Stockbyte; Photo Talk; ukrainec; Brian Chase; Peter Cade; i Stock. [ MUSIC PLAYING] 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(); }); }
context: When you have osteoporosis and break your wrist or forearm, your treatment options mainly depend on the kind of fracture you have. At the base of your hand are eight small bones. This group is right next to the ends of your two forearm bones: the radius and ulna. Along with the ligaments that connect them, they make up your wrist joint. Your radius and ulna can break at any point along their length. Usually both fracture at the same time. When it happens close to the base of your hand, it's called a broken wrist. If it's farther up the bone toward the elbow, you've got a broken forearm. Sometimes fractures due to osteoporosis can't grow back together easily, because too much bone is missing. If your doctor thinks your bones may not be stable enough for a cast, he might recommend surgery. You may also need an operation if the fracture shattered your bone, or if the broken pieces don't line up right. Surgery. Your surgeon attaches something to the bone to hold it in place, such as: Metal pins or rods A plate and screws A device outside your body that he connects to your bone through the skin Treatment without surgery. If the pieces of your bone are lined up correctly, your doctor will put your wrist or arm in a cast. This keeps it still while it heals. You'll probably have to wear the cast for about 4 to 6 weeks. Forearms can sometimes take up to 3 to 6 months to grow back together. How quickly you recover depends on your bone health. While you heal your doctor will: Help you manage your pain with over-the-counter drugs. Look at your cast or surgical site to make sure everything is dry, clean, and continues to help your bones grow back together. Check on the movement of your fingers and hand. You should be able to move both within a day of surgery or casting. Start some kind of treatment for osteoporosis to prevent future fractures. It takes a year or more to fully recover from a broken wrist or forearm. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as you get back to normal.
context: Making healthier choices is sometimes as simple as making time. If you're convinced that your day is already overscheduled and overbooked, think again: There might be a minute or two (or 10!) that you can use to work toward your food or fitness goals. Decide what you truly want, and prioritize your life around it. Use these tips to help you fit in healthy habits. For a day or two, keep a journal. Write down what you do and what time you do it, in real time. ( Stayed an extra hour at work, 5:30-6:30 p.m., or Hit the snooze button, 7:00-7:15 a.m., for example.) Then, evaluate. Does anything surprise you? Snoozing longer than you thought? Maybe that's an extra 10 minutes of found time. Staying late at work consistently? Perhaps you can stay 45 minutes instead of an hour (or leave on time one day a week) and use the time to make a healthy dinner. Sometimes, those âextraâ minutes won't jump out at you so easily. So when you're reviewing your time journal, ask yourself: What tasks take longer than they should? Do I push my priorities aside to do things that seem urgent but are really less important? What am I doing that someone else should be doing? What can I say no to? Do you overestimate what's realistic to get done in a day? Highly successful people often have very short to-do lists. When you create your to-do list, pretend you have only about 80% of the time you think you do to get it all done. That can keep you from overloading yourself. Set clear priorities at the start of each day, so you know what you need to finish by the end of it. Write down everything that âshouldâ get done. Then edit it down to only the top few, and make sure they include your health goals. Is your final number doable? Move things you know you won't get to today to another day. That's OK! Spending hours picking the perfect font for your Power Point presentation? Or stressing over whether your toddler's clothes match? Focus on completion, not perfection. It frees up more time for your healthy habits. You want your day to be more productive, but you need rest, too. Skimping on shut-eye hurts your decision-making abilities and makes you likelier to binge-eat and less likely to exercise. So the time you might take from your day to put toward your sleep gives you more than you lose. Sleeping at least 7 hours a night leads to better and longer workouts, according to the Sleep Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Getting enough sleep helps with memory, coordination, and mood, too. Check your time log to see if you have habits that keep you up late at night. Are you watching TV from 9 p.m. to midnight? Surfing the web? You can save 10 minutes out of every 30 minutes of TV by watching them on DVR and zooming past commercials. Watch three shows a night? You've just banked 30 minutes for some healing ZZZs. Morning is a great time to get things done, before other things intrude and pile up. Plus, you start the day with a big check mark on your to-do list.
context: The cramps you get during your period can be tough. But if you have endometriosis, the pain can feel so intense it can affect your daily routine, and it even can stop you from doing some of the things you love. Endometriosis is when the same cells that make up the lining of your uterus, the endometrium, grow outside of the uterus and attach to other parts of your body. This can be very painful, especially during your period. If you think you might have it, knowing what it feels like is the first step in getting help. Menstrual cramps are common, and you can usually get rid of them with over-the-counter medication or home remedies. But the pain from endometriosis is sometimes called âkiller crampsâ because it can be severe enough to stop you in your tracks. For a lot of women, it gets worse as they get older. Aside from the pain, other symptoms include: Really long or extremely heavy periods Severe migraines or lower back pain during your period Painful bowel movements Allergies that get worse around your period Bleeding between periods Fatigue Nausea Diarrhea Pelvic or belly pain might start before your period and last for several days. It can feel sharp and stabbing, and it usually won't go away with medication. Some women say it feels like their insides are being pulled down, and they have a gnawing or throbbing feeling that can be severe. Backache. Your uterus and ovaries are near your back, and belly pain that makes you hunch over can hurt your back, too. Leg pain. Endometriosis can affect nerves that connect to your groin, hips, and legs. This can make it hard to walk, and you may have to rest often or even limp. Painful sex. Many women with endometriosis feel pain while having sex or for up to 2 days later. For some, it feels stabbing or sharp. Others describe it as an ache in the pelvic area. Painful bowel movements . Depending on the areas affected by endometriosis, it might hurt to go to the bathroom. If it's severe, it might also cause bleeding and constipation. Endometriosis can make it hard to get pregnant. It may happen if the tissue growing outside the uterus causes scarring, which can affect your fallopian tubes and keep an egg and sperm from meeting. It can also stop a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. Surgery can remove the extra tissue, which may make it easier to get pregnant. Or you may decide to look into assisted reproductive techniques (such as in vitro fertilization) to help you conceive.
context: If you have a bad reaction to a certain food, it may be an allergy or it could be a food intolerance. An intolerance means your body has a hard time digesting a food or an ingredient in it, such as a dye or a chemical. That's different from an allergy. An allergy is when your body's immune system thinks the food is harmful and tries to fight it off. Some symptoms of food intolerance -- sometimes called sensitivity -- and allergies are similar. You should see a doctor to learn for sure what's causing your problem, but there are some clues. Intolerances usually show up as stomach trouble like gas, pain, bloating, or diarrhea -- not the rashes, hives, and watery eyes that are common with allergies. You often have to eat a lot of the food, and it may take an hour or more for you to have symptoms. It can be uncomfortable, but food intolerances usually aren't dangerous. Intolerances are often linked to things in the food, such as: Lactose, a natural sugar found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products Sulfites, for instance in wines, pickled foods, and sodas Gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and some other grains Fructose, a natural sugar found in most fruits and also in high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener used in some soft drinks and some processed foods, like pastries and cereal FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides monosaccharides and polyols), carbohydrates that draw water into your intestine during digestion FODMAPs cause gas, bloating, and abdominal pain in some people (usually those with other digestive issues). Many plant foods contain FODMAPs, including apples, honey, garlic, and wheat. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, the foods you eat, and your symptoms and may suggest some screening tests. You also may need to keep a detailed food and symptoms diary. Your doctor may suggest an exclusion diet: You'll stop eating foods that are the most common intolerance triggers. As these foods are slowly brought back into your eating plan, you and your care provider will keep track of your symptoms so you can see which foods or additives you are sensitive to. Lactose intolerance is very common in adults. To see if you have it, your doctor may ask you to take dairy out of your diet for a couple of weeks to see if you feel better. Your doctor also may recommend a test called a hydrogen breath test, which you can take at her office. Depending on what she thinks your intolerance might be, she'll give you a drink with large amounts of lactose, fructose, sucrose, or glucose. She'll then test your breath every 15 minutes to check the amount of hydrogen or methane. If you have too much of one of these, it indicates your body isn't able to break it down. That likely means you have an intolerance. For this test to work the way it should, you may need to eat a low-carb diet for a few weeks before testing. Prevention for food intolerances is much the same as for allergies: Read labels and be careful when eating out to avoid the food or ingredient as much as possible.
context: Many forms of arthritis commonly affect the feet. When they do, walking can be difficult and painful. Osteoarthritis frequently causes degeneration of the cartilage and bony spurs at the base of the big toe. This is what leads to bunions. Wider shoes may be necessary. High-heeled and pointed shoes should be avoided since they can put pressure at the point of the bunion. Degeneration of the arch of the foot can lead to spur formation on the top of the foot. This can put pressure on adjacent nerves of sensation, which can cause burning of the foot and toes. When this discomfort occurs, patients should avoid tying the shoe tightly or wear a shoe that does not bind at the point of the spur. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the joints at the ball of the foot, which loosens their ligaments. This can cause the bone to push against the skin of the bottom of the foot. The result can be tender calluses and ulcerations at the ball of the foot. These may even require surgical repair. A bar of leather attached to the bottom of the shoe behind the arch of the foot can help by displacing pressure from the ball to the middle of the foot. Another option for taking pressure off the bottom of the foot is to wear shoes with rocker bottom soles and proper arch support. Further rheumatoid deformity can cause the toes to cock up, which can lead to abrasion of the tops of the toes. Box-toed shoes can be extremely comfortable for persons with these deformities. Lumps of soft tissues, called nodules, can form on the sides of the foot, heel, or toes. Nodules can ulcerate from abrasion of shoes. Sometimes, slits cut into the shoe at the point of the nodules can help relieve painful pressure. Also, non-tie style laces are now available. These make it easier for a person with rheumatoid arthritis to fasten the shoes. Gout can cause hard deposits of uric acid crystals to form a lump at the inner side of the base of the big toe. Depending on the size of the deposit, there can be abrasion and even ulceration from the shoe. Wider style shoes can be helpful. Doctors will sometimes examine the shoes that a patient has worn to find evidence of deformity -- such as a shoe leaning to one side or another, wear, and alignment. The shoe exam is like a history of how the foot was used in recent months. It can sometimes help define not only causes of foot pain but also causes of ankle, knee, or hip pain. In general, running shoes are often an advantage because of their light weight. Proper shoes can provide welcome relief and often improve function for patients with foot damage from arthritis. When picking out a shoe, ALWAYS try on several pairs and walk around in them before purchasing. The salesperson will understand that you are interested in both function and comfort. Great-fitting shoes are worth investing time and effort. Be kind to your feet and they will get you where you want to go!
context: Chest pain, including pain that is crushing, squeezing (feels like a heavy weight on the chest), or is sharp and stabbing, especially if it is worse with deep breaths Difficulty breathing Racing heartbeat Fevers or chills Calm the person to help reduce anxiety. Go to a hospital emergency room if: The person's symptoms don't get better after several minutes. Symptoms get worse or the person is in pain.
context: Wouldn't it be nice if you knew exactly what to do to lose weight successfully? What you need is a fitness tracker and a smart goal! S. M. A. R. T. is an acronym to remind you how to set a goal that maps out exactly what you need to do. These goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Don't just stack up data you get from a fitness device. Use the info you track, your calories burned, food eaten, and hours slept to shape S. M. A. R. T. goals for yourself. Here's one example of how to do it. Look at your fitness device to see how many calories you burn a week by exercising. Let's say it's 1,000 calories. Use that data to bump up your calorie burn. For example, a S. M. A. R. T. goal is â I will walk enough to burn at least 1,250 calories through exercise this week.â Specific. Rather than simply saying, â I'm going to exercise more,â you've specified how many calories you'll burn. Measurable. Your device will track the calories you burn, so you'll be able to clearly know when you succeed. Attainable. Since you're already burning 1,000 calories a week through exercise, bumping it up a bit should be manageable. To burn 1,250 calories, you'll need to add about one extra workout. Relevant. Exercise is totally relevant to weight loss! So exercising more fits into your larger weight loss plan. Time-bound. This is your goal for this week. Period. You can choose to pursue this goal again next week, or you can set a new goal. It's easier to commit to a goal -- and be successful -- if you do it for a set amount of time.
context: People with Alzheimer's disease can get anxious or upset easily. They might be restless, unable to sleep, or pace back and forth. These problems, called agitation, can keep them from a normal day-and-night routine and might become harmful for your loved one or her caregivers. Often, change is the biggest trigger of agitation. It might be a difference in her routine, surroundings, or the caregivers she sees. Sometimes, it comes from fear or fatigue, which are common with Alzheimer's. In some cases, agitation can happen because of an infection or another medical problem. If your loved one is agitated and you can't figure out the reason, take her to the doctor to see if he can find the cause. You may be able to lessen the agitation by simplifying her routine or distracting her from the stress that caused the problem. A few things to try: Create a calm place for her. Cut out background noise from the TV or radio, clear away clutter, and make her daily tasks as simple as possible. Check for physical reasons she might be agitated, like hunger, thirst, needing to use the bathroom, or being too hot or cold. Exercise can ease anxiety and stress. Take her for a walk, do some gardening, or put on her favorite music and dance. Use low lighting or night-lights to help her feel less confused and afraid at night. ï¿½ï¿½ Keep your emotions in check. You may feel frustrated, but try to keep your voice calm and steady and avoid arguing or criticizing her. If you can't stop her agitation on your own or the problem is very severe, the doctor may recommend medications that can help. The drugs he prescribes will depend on your loved one's symptoms. But common ones that can ease agitation include: Medicines that treat paranoia and confusion, called neuroleptics or antipsychotics. Examples of these are aripiprazole ( Abilify), haloperidol ( Haldol), olanzapine ( Zyprexa), quetiapine ( Seroquel), risperidone ( Risperdal), and ziprasidone ( Geodon). These drugs can cause side effects, like drowsiness, rigidity, and unusual movements. Studies have linked some of these to a higher risk of death for people with dementia. The FDA has placed a "black box" warning on these drugs describing the risks. Ask the doctor if they're a good choice for your loved one. Antidepressants can help if your loved one is depressed and irritable. Options include citalopram ( Celexa), fluoxetine ( Prozac), nortriptyline ( Pamelor), paroxetine ( Paxil), and sertraline ( Zoloft). Side effects of these medicines can include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications, which include alprazolam ( Xanax), buspirone ( Bu Spar), lorazepam ( Ativan), and oxazepam ( Serax), often cause drowsiness. The best way to help your loved one with agitation is to work with her doctor. He can recommend the right mix of medication and caregiving tips to keep her calm and make things easier for you, too.
context: This rare type of headache doesn't stop. It causes pain on one side of your face or head. Doctors don't know what causes this "continuous headache." But women seem to get it more often than men. With the right treatment, though, most people can get nearly complete relief from the pain. People with hemicrania continua describe a dull ache or throb that's interrupted by pain that is: Jolting Sharp Stabbing These attacks usually happen three to five times a day. Some people will have these headaches steadily for months or years. For others, the pain will last for at least 3 months and then will go away for weeks or months, then come back. The headaches often have some of the same symptoms as other kinds of headaches. This overlap can make them tricky for doctors to diagnose. Like migraines, they can cause: Nausea or vomiting Sensitivity to noise or light Throbbing pain Hemicrania continua also shares features of cluster headaches. For example, people who have it may have problems with how part of their nervous system works. That causes symptoms that happen on the painful side of the face and head, including: Stuffy or runny nose Nosebleeds (which are rare) Tearing, redness, or irritation of the eyes Drooping eyelids Sweating Some things tend to make symptoms worse, such as: Stress Changes in sleep patterns Bright lights Fatigue Overdoing exercise Alcohol Some people have symptoms when they: Feel pressure on their neck Flex or rotate their neck Doctors can make a diagnosis of hemicrania continua if you've had pain consistently, without it switching sides or disappearing even briefly, for at least 3 months. Some anti-inflammatory medications ease hemicrania continua headaches. Indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ( NSAID), often gives fast relief. One way doctors know that you have hemicrania continua is if your headaches go away after a dose of the drug. But some people may need more testing -- such as an MRI -- to look into their symptoms. Daily doses of indomethacin for hemicrania continua typically range from 25 to 150 milligrams. A common side effect of the drug is irritation of the lining of the stomach and digestive tract. So, people who take it may also need medication to help their stomach make less acid. If the side effects of indomethacin are too much for you, another NSAID, celecoxib, may also help. Tricyclic antidepressants, like amitriptyline, may also prevent these headaches.
context: If gout runs in the family, men in particular should limit their intake of alcohol, fats, and foods that are more likely to increase uric acid level in the body -- meat, sardines, bacon, mussels, and yeast. Alcohol, especially beer, can also bring on an attack of gout. Such men should watch their weight with extra care. Drinking plenty of liquids may help minimize the risk of kidney stones. Blood and urine tests can be used to determine your potential risk of a gout attack. Medications can also help prevent gout attacks in people with multiple attacks of gout. These drugs either decrease the production of uric acid in the body or increase the excretion of uric acid in urine. These medications include allopurinol ( Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim), canakinumab ( Ilaris), colchicine ( Colcrys, Mitigare), lesinurad ( Zurampic), pegloticase ( Krystexxa), probenecid ( Probalan), and rasburicase ( Elitek). If none of these medications are effective, you doctor may prescribe febuxostat ( Uloric). Febuxostat should be taken with caution by anyone with heart related issues.