VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: When you have advanced prostate cancer, you can turn to palliative care to manage your symptoms and get the emotional support you need. It can be a big help at a time when you may be looking for relief from pain or new ways to deal with a swirl of intense feelings. Unlike hospice care, which is only given at the end of life, you can get palliative care at any stage of a serious illness, starting at your diagnosis. It can continue for weeks or months, including while you get treatment. Any medical professional -- such as a doctor, nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or therapist -- can provide palliative care, but there are also specialists in the field. Most hospitals have palliative services, and some have centers that you can visit without having to stay overnight. Your primary care doctor may also be involved in the palliative care you get. One of the most important goals of palliative care is easing the physical symptoms of the cancer itself and any side effects from treatment. Some of the prostate cancer symptoms you can get help with are: Trouble peeing or needing to pee often Problems with erections or ejaculation Loss of sex drive Pain in your lower back, hips, and upper thighs Different pain relief drugs can help, and palliative care specialists are trained to spend time to pick the right medicine for your needs. One common side effect of treatment, especially radiation and hormone therapy, is fatigue. Your palliative care team may recommend exercise and other lifestyle changes that can give you more energy. They may also suggest drugs, changes in diet, physical therapy, or deep breathing to handle other side effects such as nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, sleeping problems, and lack of appetite. Sometimes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are considered "palliative" because they ease pain by shrinking tumors. The goal of all of these is to make your life more comfortable. Palliative care extends far beyond the physical. Experts can recommend support groups and counselors to help you manage depression, fear, and anxiety. They can also help you open the doors of communication with your partner to talk about sensitive issues like sex. Chaplains and other palliative care professionals can discuss spiritual or religious issues. They can even help you achieve lifelong goals. Palliative care staffers helped one person with cancer, who regretted not marrying his fiancee, to tie the knot right at his bedside. If you decide to stop treatment and move into hospice care, a palliative care team can help with that as well. Your health may not be the only thing on your mind. You may also be worried about having enough money and navigating the insurance maze. You might need legal advice about wills and advanced directives. Members of your palliative care team can offer assistance directly or can tell you where to get financial and legal help. They can also tackle transportation and housing issues if you have family members visiting from out of town. Palliative care can also help your family, friends, and caregivers manage their stress.
context: LEEP stands for âloop electrosurgical excision procedure.â It's named for the tool the doctor uses and how the tool works. It has a wire loop on the end. An electric current heats the wire loop so your doctor can remove (excise) some cells and tissue on your cervix or in your vagina. Your doctor may have recommended a LEEP if your Pap smear or a tissue sample from your cervix showed some cells that didn't look normal. You may also get one if your doctor found something unusual during an examination of your vagina. Doctors use LEEP to diagnose or treat abnormal things, including cells that look like they might become cancer. Before you agree to get one, make sure your doctor explains: Why they want you to have one What the results could mean What the risks, benefits, and complications could be Who will do it If there are other options A LEEP usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes. In most cases, you can have it done at your doctor's office. You'll lie on the exam table and your doctor will use a speculum to open your vagina, as if you were getting a Pap smear. Your doctor will look at your cervix and the inside of your vagina using something called a colposcope. It looks a little bit like a microscope, and it lets your doctor look at the cells close up. Your doctor will put it near your vagina, but not inside. To get a good look at the cells, your doctor may clean and soak your cervix with a vinegary liquid. It can make abnormal cells turn white and make them easier to see. It may sting a little. Then you'll get a small shot in the area to numb it. Next, your doctor will put the LEEP tool through the speculum into your vagina and take out abnormal tissue. How much your doctor takes depends on whether they're using the LEEP to figure out what's wrong or to treat the problem. During the LEEP, you may feel cramps or like there is pressure inside. Some women feel faint. Tell your doctor if you get lightheaded or you feel like you might pass out. You'll be able to go home right after it's done. The tool closes up your blood vessels, so there shouldn't be much bleeding. Your doctor will put medicine on the area to stop what little bleeding there is. The medication can cause a dark discharge or spotting for a few days. Your doctor will probably give you instructions for when you go home. You'll probably have to avoid some things for a few weeks: Douching Using tampons Sex Strenuous activity Heavy lifting Check with your doctor before you take any over-the-counter pain meds. Some of them can make bleeding more likely. There are a few associated with a LEEP, including: Infection Bleeding Changes or scarring in your cervix Trouble getting pregnant Having a premature or small baby Call your doctor right away if you have: Bleeding heavier than your period Bleeding with chunks in it (clots) Discharge from your vagina that smells bad Fever or chills Severe pain in your belly
context: For most people with sacroiliac ( SI) joint pain, medication, physical therapy, and injections are enough to take care of the problem. But if they don't knock the pain out in 6 months, your doctor may suggest more intense treatment, including surgery. Sacroiliac Joint Fusion The SI joint lies between two bones, the sacrum and the ilium. The sacrum is a big, triangle-shaped bone at the base of your spine. The ilium is the big bone in your hip. The SI joint is where the sacrum meets the inside of the ilium. The idea behind SI joint fusion surgery is to join these bones together. There are two kinds of fusion surgery: minimally invasive and open. Both happen in the hospital, and you'll get medicine to put you to sleep for either one. Minimally invasive surgery. Most SI joint fusion surgeries are this kind. The surgeon makes small cuts in your buttocks and uses X-ray scans to see where to go with the surgical tools. Then he drills holes in the sacrum and ilium and puts in implants to make the joint more stable. The operation usually takes about an hour, and you'll likely be in the hospital for a day or two to recover. You'll need crutches for 4 to 6 weeks afterward. It can take up to 6 months to get back to full speed on all of your usual activities. Open surgery. In this type of operation, the surgeon makes a cut about 7 or 8 inches long and opens up your muscle and tissues to get to the SI joint. He removes tissue called cartilage from between the sacrum and the ilium. The surgeon usually takes a piece of bone from your pelvis, called a bone graft, and puts it into the joint. He will also put a few screws in the joint to hold it together while it heals. Eventually, the bone graft turns into bone and the joint is fused together. The surgery can take up to 3 hours or more, and you might be in the hospital up to 5 days afterward. The kind of surgery you get depends on what's causing your SI joint pain. Some studies suggest that people who get minimally invasive surgery have less pain a year or two later than people who get open surgery. They're also less likely than people who have open surgery to have to go back and get the implants taken out because of pain later on.
context: Sometimes breast cancer can spread from your breast to other parts of your body, most often to your bones, lungs, liver, or brain. This is called advanced breast cancer. You may also hear it called metastatic or stage IV disease. Although it's in other areas, it's still breast cancer and doctors treat it with breast cancer drugs. Advanced breast cancer mainly affects women, but men can get it, too. For anyone, it can turn life upside down. There's no cure for the disease, but there are treatments that can control it. And new therapies can help you feel better and often live longer. Doctors think this happens because cancer cells spread to other organs through the blood or lymph system. Some people with advanced breast cancer may not have symptoms, but many do. The ones you have depend on the size of your tumor and where it has spread in your body. Cancer in your bones can be painful and cause fractures. Tumors in your lungs can make it harder to breathe. Treatments can help relieve these problems. For instance, you can take drugs to make your bones stronger. For other types of breast cancer, where tumors are only in the breast, surgery is the main way to fight the disease. But once cancer has spread, the most common treatments are ones that travel through your blood to treat your whole body. These include hormones that shrink tumors, chemotherapy and medicines that target certain types of cancer cells. Chemo shrinks tumors faster than hormones, but it has more side effects and may stop working after a while. Some people may choose to have a few different types of chemotherapy over time. Your doctor will recommend treatments she thinks will work, but only you can decide the types you want and how long to have them. Talk openly with your doctor about what you want to get out of your care. Most people with advanced breast cancer have common concerns. Here are some tips that may help: Stay ahead of pain. Not everyone will have pain from their disease or treatment. If you do, don't assume that you just have to live with it. There are almost always ways to control it. If you hurt, talk to your doctor. You may need a new drug or a treatment plan that doesn't cause uncomfortable side effects. It may also help to add a pain doctor to your cancer team. Stay connected. Besides friends and family, there are many support services for people with advanced breast cancer. You can share how you're feeling and learn ways to live better every day. Your doctor can tell you how to find the right groups. Stay positive. Treatments for advanced breast cancer are getting better all the time. One that's right for you could be around the corner.
context: Chordee is a congenital condition (birth defect) resulting from abnormal development of the penis. In chordee, the penis usually curves downward. The urinary opening may be on the underside of the penis (hypospadias). Surgery can usually correct chordee. The cause of chordee is unknown. During development in the womb, more elastic tissue may develop on the top half of the penis than on the bottom half. This can cause the penis to curve during erections. Other developmental problems that can lead to chordee include: Skin tethering, usually on the underside of the penis, making a straight erection impossible Abnormal development of scar tissue in or around the urethra (urinary tube) Often in chordee, the urinary opening also does not develop properly. Instead of the tip of the penis, the urinary opening may be on the underside of the penis (hypospadias). Some doctors may use the term chordee for any downward curvature of the penis, including those not due to a problem with development. Most often, these forms of chordee occur in adulthood after surgery to correct some other problem with the penis. Chordee may not be noticeable except during erections. That's especially the case in boys or men without hypospadias. When hypospadias is not present, chordee may more easily go undetected until late childhood or adulthood. Hypospadias often causes difficulty for a man or boy in controlling his urine stream. When significant hypospadias is present, he may need to sit down to urinate. Hypospadias also often results in abnormal ejaculation. In adolescence and adulthood, chordee may cause pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, for a man and his partner. Erections may not be of sufficient quality for sex in some men with chordee. Surgery is the only effective treatment for chordee. The ideal time for chordee repair is before age 2. If chordee is detected prior to this time, surgery can usually repair chordee (and hypospadias, if present). The surgery will make possible the normal growth and development of the penis. It can be done as outpatient surgery. After the surgery, a dressing will be wrapped around the penis to decrease swelling. The surgeon may ask that the child use a catheter instead of urinating for the first seven days after surgery. Chordee repair is generally very successful in childhood. If chordee is not diagnosed until adulthood, surgery can still be an effective treatment. Some men or older boys may require additional surgery to achieve a final repair of chordee. If hypospadias is present, additional techniques are used during surgery to try to bring the urethral opening to its proper place at the tip of the penis. In infant boys, correction of hypospadias is usually a routine part of surgery to repair chordee. In adult men, correction of severe hypospadias can be difficult, and may require multiple surgeries.
context: Do not remove any part of the nail. If an artificial nail is on an infected finger, remove it. For mild nail infection or while waiting to see a doctor: Soak the affected foot or hand 3 to 4 times daily for 20 minutes in warm water. You can add hydrogen peroxide (half of the solution). Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and bandage. An oral antibiotic will likely be prescribed. Seek medical help as soon as possible if: Symptoms don't improve after 2 to 3 days. A pus-filled abscess pocket forms on the side or base of the nail. The person has a fever and red streaks around the nail, nail discoloration, or joint or muscle pain. The person has diabetes. If you seek medical help: The doctor may sample pus or fluid and prescribe an oral antibiotic. In chronic cases of paronychia, your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal topical. If a pus-filled abscess pocket develops, a doctor may need to drain it.
context: Your comb is tangled in your hair again, so you apply another product. Except this product doesn't help either, and your hair is even more dry and brittle. If your hair is dry, you know how important it is to keep it hydrated to avoid damage and breakage. Whether you're washing, drying, styling, or just getting out of the shower, these essential dos and don'ts can help protect your hair and keep it healthy. Squeeze wetness out of your hair. Rubbing a towel back and forth causes friction, which breaks your hair. Spray on a detangling, moisturizing product before using the blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron. This protects against the heat and keeps your hair from drying out. For maximum protection, spray it on from the ends to the roots and then brush through, rather than combing, to cover hair completely. Use natural boar bristle brushes while blow drying. Hold the blow dryer 4 to 6 inches away from the brush as you style. Always clean your blow dryer's vents regularly or buy a new one. When lint or hair build up in the dryer vents, the air can't flow through freely and the pressure goes down. This means that you end up using too much heat to style your hair. Ask your stylist to check your blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron and other styling tools to make sure they're in good working condition. Use products that contain nourishing oils, like argan, avocado, and olive instead of heavily fragranced or volumizing products, which can dry out hair. Deep condition at home up to twice a week and in the salon once a month. Get regular trims from your stylist to keep your hair healthy and manageable without having to overuse conditioners or detangling products. After showering at the gym, apply conditioner from ends to roots, then spend 10 minutes in the steam room. The steam opens the hair's cuticle, allowing the conditioner to penetrate the hair. After leaving the steam room, rinse hair with cool water to close the cuticle. Spray in a leave-in conditioner with UV filters before going to the beach or pool to protect your hair from the sun. Pull your hair back in a silk scarf, or braid it, to prevent the elements from damaging it.
context: Strep throat is an infection caused by group A Streptococcusbacteria. It can make your throat red, swollen, and sore. You can usually clear it up with antibiotics, but in rare instances, it can lead to more serious complications. These can be related either to the infection itself or to the way your immune system responds. Some of the people with a higher chance of getting a strep complication include: Children with chickenpox Those with weakened immune systems Older folks with diabetes or cancer Someone who has been burned Most of the time, you can avoid complications if you get treated and follow your doctor's instructions on how often and how long to take antibiotics. The bacteria that create strep throat can spread to other parts of your body if antibiotics don't kill them. This can cause infections in places near your throat, including your: Middle ear Sinuses Tonsils There are other problems the bacteria can cause, too. You may hear these called âinvasive strep infections.â They include: Infection of tissue underneath the skin: Fat and muscle can become infected with the strep bacteria. The formal name for this is necrotizing fasciitis, and you may hear it called the âflesh-eating disease.â It's life threatening, but strep throat very rarely leads to this condition -- less than 1 child in a million each year. Blood infections: The strep bacteria can also get into your bloodstream, where they don't normally live. This is called âbacteremia.â If the strep bacteria release toxins in multiple organs, it can create another rare, life-threatening condition called âstreptococcal toxic shock syndromeâ that can cause organ failure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, fever, aches, pains, and chills. These signs are much more likely to point to a common case of the flu rather than toxic shock. But call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. Other problems: It can also lead to pneumonia as well as bone and joint infections. Rheumatic fever: An inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system, and skin. This is most often seen in children from 5 to 15. It causes high fever, joint pain, nosebleeds, and a rash as well as long-term symptoms. Fast treatment of a strep infection can prevent this fever. Scarlet fever: You get a noticeable rash with this. Like rheumatic fever, it's most common in children. The rash usually first appears on the neck, underarm, and groin area. From there, it spreads. Your child can take antibiotics for it. It can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated. Inflammation of the kidneys: Its formal name is âpoststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.â Usually, this goes away on its own. Taking antibiotics to treat strep doesn't always prevent this complication. Researchers are also looking at a possible connection between a complication called PANDAS ( Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with group A streptococci) and strep throat. This term describes children with things such as obsessive compulsive disorder and tic disorder whose symptoms get worse after strep throat or scarlet fever.
context: Hydroxycut isn't just one product. It's a family of dietary supplements sold without a prescription as weight loss aids. The key ingredient in most Hydroxycut products is Robusta coffee extract ( C. canephora robusta). The Hydroxycut website refers to two small studies. One states that when people took C. canephora robusta for 60 days they lost about 10.95 pounds as opposed to the placebo group, which lost an average of 5.40 pounds. Both groups were on a low-calorie diet. The other small 8-week study showing that those taking C. canephora robusta lost about 3.7 pounds versus the placebo group members, who lost 1.25 pounds. Hydroxycut's maker, Iovate Health Sciences International, says it puts raw ingredients through extensive quality assurance procedures. In 2009, Iovate recalled Hydroxycut after the FDA got reports of liver problems, seizures, and a muscle-damaging condition called rhabdomyolysis. Those products aren't on the market anymore, and Hydroxycut products no longer contain the ingredients that were in question. Unlike drug manufacturers, the makers of supplements don't have to show that their products are safe or effective before selling them. The warnings on Hydroxycut labels say the products shouldn't be used by anyone under age 18, and to seek medical attention if any "unusual symptoms" occur. The labels also advise users to consult a doctor before using Hydroxycut if they or a family member have ever been treated for or diagnosed with any medical condition.
context: About 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis ( RA). This chronic inflammatory arthritis affects two to three times as many women as men. Although RA is most commonly associated with joints of the hands and wrists, it can also affect larger joints, such as the hips, knees, and shoulders. Symptoms of hip arthritis may occur later than those from RA affecting smaller joints. Hip RA can cause symptoms such as severe pain, stiffness, and swelling. With RA hip pain, you may have discomfort and stiffness in the thigh and groin. Other symptoms of RA include fatigue, loss of appetite, pain, swelling, and stiffness in other joints. RA symptoms can come on gradually or suddenly. RA is an autoimmune disease -- the immune system attacks the patient's own body. Although the cause of RA is not known, experts believe the following may play a role: Genetics Environmental factors Hormones To make a diagnosis of RA, your doctor will do a physical exam, take a patient history, and order tests such as blood tests and X-rays. Other tests that may be helpful in diagnosing RA include: MRI Ultrasound Bone scan Treatments for RA include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs ( DMARDs). These drugs may be used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) and/or corticosteroids in low doses. DMARDs include: hydroxychloroquine ( Plaquenil) leflunomide ( Arava) methotrexate ( Folex, Rheumatrex) sulfasalazine ( Azulfidine) tofacitinib ( Xeljanz) DMARDs also include drugs known as biologic modifiers; these are usually used with methotrexate. Biologic agents include: abatacept ( Orencia) adalimumab ( Humira) adalimumab-atto ( Amjevita), a biosimilar to Humira anakinra ( Kineret) certolizumab ( Cimzia) etanercept ( Enbrel) etanercept-szzs ( Erelzi), a biosimilar to Enbrel golimumab ( Simponi, Simponi Aria) infliximab ( Remicade) infliximab-abda ( Renflexis), a biosimilar to Remicade infliximab-dyyb ( Inflectra), a biosimilar to Remicade rituximab ( Rituxan) sarilumab ( Kevzara) tocilizumab ( Actemra) NSAIDs may also be used to treat hip RA. NSAIDs may be over-the-counter or prescription strength. Regular exercise is important for RA. Exercise strengthens muscles that support joints. Exercise also helps you stay flexible. This is important to prevent painful falls. Physical therapy can help you learn ways to move without pain or injury. Occupational therapy is helpful to learn easier ways to perform activities of daily living, such as dressing, cooking, eating, or cleaning. Hip surgery is an option when severe pain or joint destruction causes immobility. For more severe disease, total joint replacement may be recommended. It's estimated that about 80% of patients will have good results for 12-15 years after hip replacement. Most patients have little pain after this surgery.
context: Babies are born with a full visual capacity to see objects and colors. However, newborns cannot see very far -- only objects that are 8-15 inches away. Newborns prefer to look at faces over other shapes and objects and at round shapes with light and dark borders (such as your adoring eyes). Just after birth, a baby sees only in black and white, with shades of gray. As the months go by, he/she will slowly start to develop his color vision at around 4 months. So you're not imaging it when you see your baby fixate on your face and eyes, especially during a feeding, when your face is about a foot away. If your baby never seems to fixate on objects about a foot away -- especially your face -- in the first weeks or months, tell your pediatrician. At three to four months, if your baby still looks "cross-eyed" (the left and right eyes seem to be looking in different directions), this could be a sign of a visual or eye muscle problem and should be evaluated at your next check-up. Be sure to tell your pediatrician if you're concerned.
context: Your body needs some cholesterol, but not too much. A surplus can cause plaque to build up in your arteries and make it hard for blood to get to your heart. That can cause chest pain, called angina. If the blood supply is completely blocked, you will have a heart attack. There are different types of cholesterol. You want to lower the âbadâ kind, LDL, and triglycerides, which your body stores in fat cells. On the other hand, you want to raise your âgoodâ ( HDL) cholesterol. It helps get rid of the bad kinds. A few simple changes can lower your cholesterol and cut your risk for heart disease. Ask for expert advice. You doctor can help you come up with a plan for healthy eating and exercise. Give your diet a makeover. Go for foods, like oatmeal, walnuts, tuna, salmon, sardines, and tofu. Stay away from items that are high in trans and saturated fats and simple sugars. No smoking. It lowers your âgoodâ ( HDL) cholesterol. If you quit, you'll have more of it. There are lots of other benefits too, for your whole body. Get moving! Even modest amounts of exercise, like half an hour a day of brisk walking, helps you control weight. It's also good for other things that put you at risk for heart disease, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Exercise can lower your triglyceride levels and raise your âgoodâ ( HDL) cholesterol. Both are good for your heart. Take your medications. Your doctor may prescribe some medicine to help lower your cholesterol. Take them as directed. Questions? Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
context: What is the prescription? Why do I need this drug? What will this drug do for me? How much do I take, how often, and for how long? Does it matter what time of day I take this drug? What side effects should I watch for? What should I do if I have a bad reaction? How will this drug interact with other prescription or over-the-counter drugs I am taking? How will this drug interact with vitamins, herbal supplements, or foods? If I feel better before I finish the prescription, should I keep taking this drug? Are there other prescription, over-the-counter, or generic drugs I could take instead? What else should I know about this drug?
context: It's the best situation: Stop a migraine before it starts. To do that, your doctor may consider these types of prescription drugs. Anticonvulsants. These are medicines that prevent or reduce seizures. Your doctor may recommend topiramate ( Qudexy XR, Topamax) or valproic acid ( Depakene, Depakote) to prevent your headaches. Beta-blockers. These relax your blood vessels. Your doctor may suggest metoprolol ( Lopressor, Toprol XL) or propranolol ( Inderal, Innopran XL). Botulinum toxin ( Botox). A doctor can inject small amounts around your face and scalp every 3 months to stop migraines from happening. Calcium-channel blockers. These include diltiazem ( Cardizem, Cartia, Covera HS, Tiazac) and verapamil ( Calan, Verelan). They ease the narrowing of your blood vessels. Antidepressants . Your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline ( Aventyl) or nortriptyline ( Pamelor). Research suggests duloxetine ( Cymbalta) and venlafaxine ( Effexor XR) may be helpful in preventing migraines. CGRP Inhibitors. CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) is a molecule involved in causing migraine pain. CGRP inhibitors are a new class of drugs that block the effects of CGRP. Erenumab ( Aimovig) and fremanezumab ( Ajovy) are specifically approved to prevent migraine attacks. You give yourself an injection once a month with a pen-like device. You may want to consider medicine to prevent migraines if you: Have pain that hampers your life despite treatment Get at more than three moderate to severe headaches per month Take a lot of painkillers Don't get enough relief from meds you now take Have side effects from your headache drugs Have uncommon migraine conditions like continuing aura (blurred vision or seeing spots or wavy lines) Preventive medicine might not be right for you if: Your headaches are infrequent and controlled by anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and naproxen. Other health conditions keep you from taking preventive drugs. Those drugs could mix badly with other medicines you take. You prefer treatments that don't involve meds. If you can't take medication or prefer not to, there's also a device you and your doctor could consider. It's called Cefaly, and it's the first FDA-approved machine that prevents migraine in people over 18. It's a portable headband-like device that you wear around your forehead. It gives out electrical impulses that stimulate a nerve connected with migraines. You'll feel a tingling sensation and should use it once a day for 20 minutes. Your headaches may ease up during your second and third trimesters. If you have severe migraines, your doctor may suggest that you first try a treatment that's not a drug -- such as biofeedback, relaxation therapy, or stress management training. He may also recommend a preventive drug that has the lowest risk possible. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of taking preventive medications for migraine. Together, you can decide the best approach for you.
context: When you have a headache or an aching back, you may reach for an over-the-counter pain reliever. Or maybe you take medication to help with a long-term condition. Most of the time, medicines make you feel better. But some can upset your stomach or cause other trouble with your digestive system. If you have issues like this, talk with your doctor. She might suggest something else or suggest you change your dose. Aspirin can affect the lining of your stomach and cause belly pain and other problems. Other pain relievers, like ibuprofen and naproxen, can lead to heartburn, irritation, and other stomach trouble, too. If that happens, you might try taking these with food or with a drug that treats heartburn. Doctors use these to clear up infections caused by bacteria, but some people have nausea, diarrhea, and gas when they take them. A mix of bacteria helps your body break down food you eat and turn it into energy. Antibiotics can kill the âgoodâ bacteria in your body, along with the âbad,â and upset the healthy balance that makes your digestive system work like it should. Foods that have âgoodâ bacteria known as probiotics -- like yogurt that says âactive and live culturesâ on the label -- may help keep things in check. And be sure to follow any directions your doctor gives you about taking them on an empty or full stomach. If your blood has high levels of cholesterol, which can cause heart problems, your doctor might recommend medicine to bring those down. Some of those can affect your digestion and cause problems like gas, constipation, or diarrhea. It's rare, but cholesterol drugs known as statins can cause problems with your liver, too. Powerful opioid painkillers, like oxycodone or hydrocodone, can make you feel nauseous or have constipation, belly cramps, or bloating. Most over-the-counter laxatives don't help with this, but your doctor may be able to give you something that will. Iron helps your blood carry oxygen to your cells. If you don't have enough, you can have a condition called iron-deficiency anemia. It's usually treated with supplements, but those can cause stomach pain and constipation and irritate your esophagus -- the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are among the most common side effects of the powerful drugs used to treat cancer. Your doctor can give you medicine to ease those effects. Changes to what you eat -- like staying away from fried or spicy foods -- can help, too.
context: Cells in the body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed. Sometimes cells will divide for no reason and without order, creating a mass of tissue called a tumor. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Testicular cancer is a malignant tumor in a testicle. The testicles are oval-shaped sex glands in a sac of skin called the scrotum. The scrotum is located behind the penis. This type of cancer, although relatively rare, mostly affects men between ages 15 and 35 (although it can affect males at any age), and in a man's 60s. You can detect testicular cancer by doing a monthly testicular self-exam. Such an exam is a way that men can look for signs of cancer of the testicles. To do a self-exam, follow these steps. Do the exam after a warm shower or bath. The warmth relaxes the skin of the scrotum, making it easier to feel for anything unusual. Use both hands to examine each testicle. Place your index and middle fingers underneath the testicle and your thumbs on top. Roll the testicle between your thumbs and fingers. ( It's normal for testicles to be different sizes.) As you feel the testicle, you may notice a cord-like structure on top and in back of the testicle. This structure is called the epididymis. It stores and transports sperm. Do not confuse it with a lump. Feel for any lumps. Lumps can be pea-size or larger and are often painless. If you notice a lump, contact your doctor. Also check for any change in size, shape, or consistency of the testes. You should also get a physical exam once a year. After a while, you will know how your testicles feel and will be more alert to any changes. Symptoms of testicular cancer include: A lump in either testicle. An enlarged (swollen) testicle. A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin. A sudden gathering of fluid in the scrotum. Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. Low back pain Swollen breasts If you have symptoms of testicular cancer, don't panic. Many times, changes in the testicles are not cancer. But, you should contact your doctor to find the cause of your symptoms. During your visit, you will be asked to talk about symptoms and any illnesses you have had in the past. The doctor will feel the scrotum for lumps. Samples of blood and urine may be taken for testing. An ultrasound exam of the scrotum and its contents may be performed. ( Ultrasound is a painless test that creates images by using high-frequency sound waves that are transmitted through body tissues.) You also may be given a chest X-ray or computed tomography ( CT) scan. When testicular cancer is present, the testicle typically is removed. In most men, removing the testicle should not lead to problems with having children or sex. The remaining testicle will continue making sperm and the male hormone testosterone. To re-establish a normal appearance, a man may be able to have a testicular prosthesis surgically implanted in the scrotum which looks and feels like a normal testicle. If the cancer has already spread, either radiation therapy or chemotherapy is needed. Most cases of testicular cancer can be cured, even if the cancer has spread.
context: You've probably heard of cholesterol. You might even know if your levels are too high. But what do you know about your triglycerides? If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other things that make you more likely to get heart disease, your doctor may want to keep a check on your triglyceride levels. Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of fat, or lipid, in your blood. Too much triglyceride can raise your chance of heart disease or cause sudden pancreatitis. Just as you can have high cholesterol without knowing, you may not have any symptoms of high triglyceride levels. So your doctor will often check them regularly, especially if you: Smoke Are overweight or obese Don't exercise Have high blood pressure Had a heart attack or have heart disease Have diabetes or prediabetes, thyroid disease, or kidney disease A blood test called a lipid panel checks both your triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Usually, your doctor will ask that you fast, or not eat or drink anything other than water, for 9-12 hours before the test. You'll get blood drawn from a vein in your arm. Some labs offer non-fasting lipid panels, or they may prick your fingertip for blood. Your triglyceride levels are measured in one of two ways: milligrams per deciliter (mg/d L) or millimoles per liter (mmol/ L). Normal: Less than 150 mg/d L, or less than 1.7 mmol/ L Borderline high: 150 to 199 mg/d L or 1.8 to 2.2 mmol/ L High: 200 to 499 mg/d L or 2.3 to 5.6 mmol/ L Very high: 500 mg/d L or above or 5.7 mmol/ L or above If you're a healthy adult, you should get a lipid profile every 4-6 years. Children should have it done at least once between the ages of 9 and 11, and one more between 17 and 21. If you're making changes to your diet or taking a medication for high cholesterol or triglycerides, experts advise you to get a lipid profile afterward.
context: People with antisocial personality disorder ( ASPD) can be witty, charming, and fun to be around -- but they also lie and exploit others. ASPD makes people uncaring. Someone with the disorder may act rashly, destructively, and unsafely without feeling guilty when their actions hurt other people. Modern diagnostic systems consider ASPD to include two related but not identical conditions: A "psychopath" is someone whose hurtful actions toward others tend to reflect calculation, manipulation and cunning; they also tend not to feel emotion and mimic (rather than experience) empathy for others. They can be deceptively charismatic and charming. By contrast, "sociopaths" are somewhat more able to form attachments to others but still disregard social rules; they tend to be more impulsive, haphazard, and easily agitated than people with psychopathy. ASPD is uncommon, affecting just 0.6% of the population. People with ASPD may often do the following; Lie, con, and exploit others Act rashly Be angry, vain, and aggressive Fight or assault other people Break the law Not care about the safety of others or themselves Not show signs of remorse after hurting someone else Fail to meet money, work, or social duties Abuse drugs or alcohol Antisocial personality disorder affects more men than women. Experts don't know for sure what causes it, but genetics and other biological factors are thought to play a role (especially in psychopathy), as can growing up in a traumatic or abusive environment (especially in sociopathy). Brain defects and injuries during developmental years may also be linked to ASPD, research shows. Possibly because people with ASPD often break the law, a lot of prisoners have ASPD. As many as 47% of male inmates and 21% of female inmates have the disorder, research shows. To be diagnosed with ASPD, a person would have to have shown symptoms before age 15. A diagnosis can't be made until age 18, though. Symptoms are usually at their worst during a person's late teenage years and in their 20s, but may improve on their own over time. The disorder is hard to treat. People with ASPD rarely seek help on their own, because they often think they don't need it. When treatment is sought, behavioral therapy or psychotherapy in individual or group settings may help. Doctors sometimes use certain psychiatric medications like mood stabilizers or some atypical antipsychotics to treat symptoms like impulsive aggression. The FDA has not approved any medications specifically for antisocial personality disorder. If someone close to you has ASPD, consider attending a support group, or seek help from a psychiatrist, social worker, or psychologist. You won't be able to change your loved one's behavior, but you can learn coping skills to help you set boundaries and protect yourself from harm.
context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } If your child gets red sores, especially around the nose and mouth, he could have impetigo. It's a skin infection caused by a bacteria, and it spreads easily. It's most common in babies and young children, but adults can get it too. Impetigo sores can appear anywhere on the body, but children tend to get them on their face. Sometimes they show up on their arms or legs. The infected areas range from dime to quarter size. They start as tiny blisters that break and reveal moist, red skin. After a few days, it gets covered with a grainy, golden crust that gradually spreads at the edges. In serious cases, the infection invades a deeper layer of skin and turns into a form of impetigo called ecthyma. When that happens, your child gets pus-filled bumps with a crust that's much darker and thicker than ordinary impetigo. Ecthyma can be very itchy. If your child scratches the irritated area, it can cause the infection to spread quickly. If you don't get it treated, the sores may cause permanent scars and changes in skin color. A rare complication of impetigo is a severe kidney disease called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. The most common cause of impetigo is bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. Another bacteria source is group A streptococcus. These bacteria lurk everywhere. The most common way for your child to get impetigo is when he has contact with someone who has the infection, such as playing contact sports like wrestling. It's especially easy to pick it up if your kid has an open wound or a fresh scratch. You can also catch impetigo if you share the same clothes, bedding, towels, or other objects with someone with the infection. Your child is more likely to get impetigo if he has other skin problems, such as eczema, body lice, insect bites, or fungal infections.
context: Early pancreatic cancers usually cause few symptoms, most of which are vague. Because signs and symptoms of most pancreatic cancer may be mistaken for less-serious digestive problems, the disease is rarely detected before it has spread to nearby tissues or distant organs via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Symptoms that may arise include: Significant weight loss accompanied by abdominal pain -- the most likely warning signs. Vague but gradually worsening abdominal pain that may decrease when leaning forward and increase when lying down. Pain is often severe at night and may radiate to the lower back. Digestive or bowel complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, gas pains, bloating, or belching. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Jaundice, which is usually painless and is indicated by yellowish discoloration of the skin and eye whites, very dark urine, and light-colored stools. Sudden onset of glucose tolerance disorder, such as diabetes. Black or bloody stool, indicating bleeding from the digestive tract. Overall weakness. Enlarged liver and gallbladder. Itching. Blood clots in the legs. Mental status changes, such as a new onset of depression. A few rare types of pancreatic cancer cause hormonal imbalances that produce their own symptoms, which might include: Episodes of weakness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, irritability, or skin flushing related to low blood sugar Severe watery diarrhea A new, unusual skin rash Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomach pain and watery diarrhea, which do not respond to antacids or ulcer medications If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor for a full physical exam.
context: If you or a loved one has heart failure, you probably know how important good daily habits are to treatment. A healthy weight, active lifestyle, and proper medication are all key ways to take charge of the disease. But even you've been carefully following doctor's orders, it's crucial to keep an eye out for the return of symptoms. That's because heart failure can be under control for a time and then become an issue again. Keep up with your regular checkups, and know which symptoms may mean your treatment needs to be tweaked. When your heart can't properly fill and empty, blood backs up in your veins. This causes fluid to leak into your lungs. Your doctor may call it pulmonary edema. This can make it hard to breathe during activities, rest, or even sleep. A sudden lack of breath might wake you up. You may need to prop yourself up with extra pillows to breathe easier. This constant search for air can leave you tired and anxious. When your heart doesn't pump right, the body starts to move blood from less vital parts like your arms and legs to the centers for survival -- the heart and brain. This can leave you feeling exhausted after everyday activities. An ongoing wheeze or cough that brings up white or slightly blood-colored mucus can signal fluid building up in your lungs. Call the doctor if you notice it. Fluid can build up in your tissues just like it does in your lungs. As a result, your feet, ankles, legs, or belly may swell. Your shoes and socks to feel tight. You might notice a sudden weight gain. Because blood is being moved away from your digestive system, your appetite may not be as big as it usually is. You might also feel sick to your stomach. When your heart struggles to pump the right amount of blood, it may speed up to make up for it. This can lead to palpitations, which could cause your heart to race or feel like it's fluttering or throbbing. Unusual amounts of things like sodium in your blood can bring disorientation, confusion, or memory loss. If you've seen any of these seven red flags, get medical help right away. Waiting for symptoms to get worse can be dangerous. With the right care, you can keep things under control.
context: It's important to know your cholesterol levels through a simple blood test. Your doctor may suggest you track your progress toward healthy cholesterol levels with the use of a cholesterol diary. The diary will show the progress you have made in improving your cholesterol. Even after you achieve your goal, you should keep recording your cholesterol levels. This will show how successful you are at sticking to your plan and maintaining your goal. To make a diary, use a sheet of lined paper. Near the top, write your personal goals, which should be determined by your doctor. Each time you have your cholesterol checked by a blood test, write in the new level and the date of the test. Below find an example of a cholesterol diary. Total Cholesterol Goal: Triglycerides Goal: HDLGoal: LDL Goal: Cholesterol- Lowering Medications and Doses Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: