VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: When you live with nerve pain from peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes, it's normal to feel down sometimes. You'll probably have to deal with fear, anger, denial, disappointment, guilt, or loneliness. But there's room for hope, because the right treatment and lifestyle changes can bring you relief. Your doctor may prescribe medications that treat depression. These drugs can pull double duty, easing the physical pain and its emotional effects. Talk with your diabetes doctors before you take this kind of drug, though. Some of these meds can cause weight gain, which could make it harder to control your blood sugar. Also consider trying psychotherapy if you're diagnosed with depression. Talking with a therapist will let you sort out problems or events in your life that may have led to depression. This can help you solve problems, regain a sense of control over your life, and help you enjoy it again. Here are more ways to handle the emotions related to your diabetes and nerve pain: Learn how to relax. Try deep breathing and other relaxation techniques like meditation. Set reachable goals. Don't try to overdo things on good days. Learn to pace yourself. Don't put yourself down. If you do, just notice that you're being harsh, and think of something positive about yourself instead. Make time for de-stressing. You need exercise and relaxation every day. Join a chronic pain support group. It often helps to share your feelings. Don't drink alcohol. Pain often disrupts sleep. So does alcohol. Quit smoking . Research shows that smokers are at higher risk for pain in general. Also, smoking worsens peripheral neuropathy. The American Pain Society and the National Pain Foundation both offer local support groups in many areas. You can meet people facing the same challenges as you. Plus, you can learn what pain-relieving tricks work for them. For example, some people say wearing socks to bed can help. You can also ask them if they've taken medications that have helped. If you're in a relationship, be candid with your partner. Discuss any fears you have about intimacy, be it fear of rejection, or pain from sex. Also discuss what's good, and be frank about what you need. Make time to be by yourselves, too. Take a bath together, go for a walk, or just hold each other in bed. If you're having sexual problems, consider seeing a counselor or sex therapist.
context: Almost all children have at least one ear infection by the time they're 5. But if they occur over and over or your child has hearing loss because of fluid build-up, your doctor might suggest ear tubes. If other treatments aren't working, they can provide relief for your child. They also prevent long-term hearing problems. They happen when viruses or bacteria collect in the middle ear, the space right behind the eardrum. Children get more ear infections than adults because their bodies are still developing. In kids, the parts of the ear that drain fluid, the Eustachian tubes, are smaller and almost level to the ground. That means they don't drain as well even when a young one is healthy. When the Eustachian tubes swell or fill with mucus, perhaps during a cold, it's even worse. It creates just the right conditions for bacteria to thrive, which can lead to infection. And for some kids, it just happens more often. During an infection, fluid builds up in the middle ear. That creates pressure and pain. It also explains the following signs and symptoms: Fluid coming from the ear Hard time sleeping More fussiness or crying than normal, especially when lying down Seeming clumsy or having trouble with balance Tugging at an ear Your doctor might take a wait-and-see approach. Often, a typical infection goes away on its own, especially if it's from a virus. Sometimes your child needs antibiotics to kill infections caused by bacteria. But some kids just get a lot of ear infections and sometimes they don't clear up very easily. Usually, it doesn't cause long-term problems, but frequent ones can lead to: Delays in learning speech and developing social skills Hearing loss Infection that spreads to other parts of the head Tears, or holes, in the eardrum It depends on your child's history with infections. Your doctor might suggest tubes if your child gets a lot of them, meaning: Three or more in six months Four or more in a year Your doctor may also talk to you about tubes if your child has a long-term problem and antibiotics haven't helped. The other main reason is if your child has fluid build-up that causes hearing loss, even if there's no infection. Ear tubes are like a section of a really tiny drinking straw. They're round, hollow, and usually made of metal or plastic. Your doctor makes a small opening in the eardrum and puts in the tube to let air into the middle ear. The tubes act as small windows for the ear. They help air flow into the ear, which keeps pressure even and helps the ear drain better. With better airflow, fluid won't build up and bacteria won't have such a friendly home. If your child has hearing loss from fluid build-up, it goes away as soon as the tubes are in. For delays in development, you'll likely see improvement in the weeks and months ahead. Some ear tubes are for the short-term. They go in for 6 to 18 months and usually fall out on their own. Others are designed to stay in for longer. They may fall out on their own or might need to be taken out by a doctor. Once the tubes are out, the opening in the eardrum usually closes on its own.
context: Pinkeye, also known as conjunctivitis, spreads very easily. But you can take steps to avoid getting it, or spreading it to other people. Keep your hands clean. Wash them thoroughly and often, especially if you touch your eye or the area around it. If you have pinkeye, keep your hands off that eye. Infection can also enter the body through the nose and mouth. So don't share washcloths, bath towels, pillowcases, or handkerchiefs with others, even with family. Don't use other people's eye drops or cosmetics, particularly eyeliner pencils and mascara. If your child gets pinkeye, keep him out of school for a few days until the eye discharge stops and the redness is completely gone. Once one student comes down with pinkeye, it can easily spread to an entire class. If your pinkeye is tied to allergies, avoid your triggers. Don't rub your eyes. This makes it worse. Splash your face and eyes with cold water. Use aqueous-based âartificial tearsâ . Stick with your allergy treatment. Sometimes, chemicals used to clean contact lenses can irritate your eyes. You may find relief if you change how you clean your contacts, but be sure to disinfect them before you put them back in your eyes. Ask your eye doctor about the best way to do this. If you wear contact lenses and you get pinkeye, you should remove them and: Switch to glasses until your eye heals. Get rid of the disposable lenses you were wearing when you got pinkeye. Disinfect your lenses -- if they aren't the kind you can throw away -- before you use them again. Clean your lens case or replace it. Ask your eye doctor if you should throw away other things, such as the solution you were using.
context: Psoriatic arthritis treatment has come a long way since doctors first recognized the condition in the 1950s. These days, your doctor can help you figure out how to ease symptoms and prevent joint damage. Your plan probably will involve medicine, exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management. There are medicines that treat psoriatic arthritis. Your doctor will decide exactly what you need. It may take some time to find the drugs that work best for you. If you've noticed any of the following things, let your doctor know. She'll look for solutions that'll help you feel better. Many meds that treat psoriatic arthritis make a big difference, but they all have risks. For instance, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen or ibuprofen) can make stomach irritation and bleeding more likely. Methotrexate, which is prescribed for many types of arthritis, can damage the liver. And because medicines called biologics work on your immune system, they can make serious infections more likely. Let your doctor know if you have side effects from your medication. This can mean different things for different people. If you're a college professor and your treatment gets rid of all your symptoms except two swollen finger joints, you might be OK with that. But if you're a concert violinist who relies on those joints for a living, those same symptoms could be a show-stopper. Tell your doctor what you need to keep up with your day-to-day activities. Some drugs may take a few weeks before you start to feel an improvement. So give your medicine a chance to help. But let your doctor know if your symptoms don't improve or they get worse. She'll figure out what's best for you. This is a common side effect of psoriatic arthritis. It's also a side effect of many meds that treat it. Your condition may also cause anemia, which leads to fatigue. If you feel more tired than usual, tell your doctor so she can find out what's causing it and how to fix it. Ask your doctor if there's a medicine you can put on your skin to help. You might need a corticosteroid shot to ease inflammation in a specific joint. Physical therapy also helps. Even if your joints feel less sore, it's important to keep track of swelling and inflammation. It can mean your joints are being harmed. If the swelling doesn't go down after you've taken your meds for a while, ask your doctor what else you can do to prevent more damage. In some cases, your condition can cause extreme joint damage. If this happens to you, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair it. Psoriatic arthritis and all that comes with it can affect your mood. If you've felt down for more than a few weeks, tell your doctor. She can tell you how you can start feeling like yourself again. This may include talking with a professional counselor and, in some cases, taking medicine. Your symptoms will come and go, so you may be able to take less medication when you're feeling better. Ask your doctor about taking a drug holiday. Don't stop taking medication on your own.
context: To date, no evidence proves that you can prevent prostate cancer. But a few simple things may help lower your odds. A diet that helps you stay at a healthy weight may cut your chances of having prostate cancer. These steps can help: Choose whole-grain breads, pasta, and cereals over refined grain products. Cut back on red meats, especially processed meats such as hot dogs, bologna, and certain lunch meats Eat at least 2 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables each day Antioxidants in foods, especially in fruits and vegetables, help prevent damage to the DNA in the body's cells. Such damage has been linked to cancer. Lycopene, in particular, is an antioxidant that has been thought to lower the risk of prostate cancer. It can be found in foods such as: Tomatoes -- both raw and cooked Pink and red grapefruit Watermelon Guava Papaya It isn't clear whether lycopene actually helps prevent prostate cancer. Recent studies haven't been able to show that it does. Testing or screening for prostate cancer can help find the disease earlier. But experts disagree on when and if this testing should be done. The American Cancer Society recommends that men talk to their doctor before having a test to check for prostate cancer. Men need to understand the risks and benefits of testing. Then, the man and his doctor can decide whether to proceed with testing using a PSA test (a blood test that can screen for prostate cancer) and digital rectal exam. When that discussion should take place is based on a man's age, level of risk, and general health status. Here are the general recommendations about what age to consider testing: 50 -- Men with no symptoms and average risk. 45 -- Men with higher risk, including African- Americans and men who had a brother, father, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65. 40 -- Men who have two or more first-degree relatives -- brother, father, or son -- diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65. The American Urological Association suggests that men ages 55 to 69 who are considering screening should talk with their doctors about the risks and benefits of testing and proceed based on their personal values and preferences. The group also says: Under 40 -- Screening isn't recommended 40 to 54 -- Routine screening isn't recommended for men at average risk 55-69 -- Screening every 2 years 70 and older -- Screening isn't recommended The U. S. Preventive Services Task Force says PSA testing may be right for some men ages 55 to 69. The group recommends that men in this age group discuss the potential risks and benefits of testing with their doctor. Whether it's from sex, masturbation, or wet dreams, men who ejaculate more appear to be less likely to get prostate cancer. Doctors aren't sure why it helps, but they think it may help move potentially irritating substances out of the prostate.
context: You have a lot of options for treating your psoriasis. Along with medications, you have some simple alternatives you can try to fight flares and ease your symptoms. Scientists aren't sure how it helps, but many people say their symptoms get better when they get a little sun on a regular basis. Just don't overdo it. Sunburns can make patches worse. Ask your doctor how much time you should spend catching rays. And when you go out, put sunscreen on areas that don't have psoriasis. Make sure the screen is SPF 30 or higher and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Ones with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are less likely to bother your skin. There are many things you can put on your skin to relieve itching, burning, and redness: Aloe vera: It soothes skin and may improve psoriasis, although scientists haven't studied it enough to know for sure. Look for creams or gels that have 0.5% aloe. Steer clear of the tablet form. It can be dangerous. Tea tree oil: It's sometimes added to shampoos and may help scalp psoriasis. Oat extracts: These can be found in many skin care products. They may ease itching and cut redness. Soaking in an oatmeal bath may also help. Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts: These can remove scales and relieve itching. Add them to a warm bath and soak for about 15 minutes. Use a lotion or cream to return moisture to your skin afterward. Some people say certain foods trigger their psoriasis. Scientists don't have much evidence, though, to show how eating habits affect this skin condition. Keep a journal. If you want to see the effect some foods have on your psoriasis, make small changes in your diet. Then keep track of what happens. The best approach is to eat a wide range of healthy foods that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Try supplements. Some people have found that supplements, including fish oil, vitamin D, and oregano oil, can help. There's not much evidence, however, that these work. And, the FDA doesn't regulate supplements as closely as they do medications. So check with your doctor before you give them a try. She can let you know if they're safe and explain how they might affect the other drugs you take. Stress can trigger a new outbreak and make an existing one worse. These techniques won't replace your medicines, but they might make them work better: Meditation: This focuses your attention to quiet your mind. A few studies suggest it can help with psoriasis when practiced along with traditional treatments. Yoga: People have used yoga to improve their health and relieve stress for thousands of years. If it helps you relax, it's worth a shot. Massage: Be sure to let your masseuse know ahead of time about your psoriasis. Or find one who's worked with people who have it.
context: 1. Your knees and hips may get "wear and tear." Cartilage covers your joints and lets them glide smoothly. Over time, it can wear away, particularly in the knee and hip joints. The result is that the bones of the joints rub against each other without enough cushioning. This is called osteoarthritis ( OA). 2. The first sign you've got hip OA is often stiffness in your groin or thigh. You may also notice pain in your groin, thigh, or buttocks when you exercise. It may be worse in the mornings. If your OA is in the early stages, rest usually makes you feel better. 3. The first sign of knee OA is often pain and stiffness. Just like hip trouble, it usually aches more in the morning. You may find that your knee locks or buckles when you walk. Eventually it starts to hurt and you may have trouble flexing the joint. You may feel worse when you kneel or go up and down stairs. 4. You can relieve OA at home. Make sure you get enough rest. While it's important to stay active, give your joints time off when they hurt. You can also try acetaminophen ( Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) or naproxen ( Aleve) if your doctor says these are safe for you. They provide fast relief for mild to moderate arthritis pain. 5. You can ease pain and stiffness if you lose weight. Being overweight puts extra stress on your knees and hips. Doctors say that every 10 pounds you lose can lower your arthritis pain by as much as 20%. 6. Exercise helps your joints work better. Keep limber and start with stretching. Try a "low-impact" workout like swimming or cycling. It will make your joints stronger and increase their range of motion. A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your knees or hips. That will help reduce the stress on your joints during everyday activities, too. 7. OA of the knee or hip can make it hard for you to walk. If there isn't enough cartilage lining your joint, it can hurt when you take a stroll. Your joint may get so stiff that you can't bend your knee or rotate your hip. People with severe OA of the knee or hip may need a cane to get around. 8. Without treatment, OA usually gets worse. As the cartilage continues to wear away, your joint may get swollen and painful. In severe cases, bone rubs directly against bone, which makes it hurt a lot when you move. Even at this point, though, you can still take steps to slow the damage. 9. Joint replacement gets rid of pain. When other things don't provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend a hip or knee replacement. Your surgeon may replace all of the joint or part of it. After recovery, most people can walk more easily and are mostly pain-free. 10. Rehab is essential after joint replacement surgery. You'll need a program of vigorous exercises to get your new joint flexible and to strengthen the muscles around it. People who stick to the plan have the best range of motion, which means they are more likely to be able to resume the activities they used to do.
context: The symptoms of tendinitis (also called overuse tendinopathy) include: Pain or tenderness at or near a joint, especially around a shoulder, wrist, elbow, or ankle Stiffness that, along with the pain, restricts the movement of the joint involved Mild swelling or thickening of the tendon near the joint Your pain doesn't ease up in seven to 10 days; you want to avoid letting chronic overuse tendinopathy set in. Your pain is extremely severe and accompanied by swelling and a marked loss of motion; you may have a ruptured tendon, which requires immediate medical attention.
context: Antiarrhythmics are drugs that are used to treat abnormal heart rhythms resulting from irregular electrical activity of the heart. They include: Amiodarone ( Cordarone) Flecainide ( Tambocor) Procainamide ( Procanbid) Sotalol ( Betapace) Other types of heart drugs can be used to treat arrhythmias, too: Beta-blockers such as metoprolol or Toprol XL lessens the heart's workload and heart rate. Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or Calan also lower the heart rate. Drugs alone may be enough to control heart rhythm, or you may take them in addition to getting a procedure, such as putting in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator ( ICD). Because these drugs only control abnormal heart rhythms, not cure them, you may have to take them for life. In an emergency, doctors use a variety of drugs to control or convert an abnormal heart rhythm. Talk to your doctor before taking any other drugs (prescription or over-the-counter), herbal remedies, or supplements in case they could cause problems because of the antiarrhythmic you're taking. Tell your doctor right away if: Your arrthymia gets worse Your heartbeat gets faster or slower Your chest hurts You get dizzy, lightheaded, or faint Your vision gets blurry Your feet or legs swell You should also call your doctor if you have: Allergic reaction Cough You might: Get a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth, or your sense of taste may change Lose your appetite Be more sensitive to sunlight Have diarrhea or constipation When you start taking an antiarrhythmic, don't drive until you know how the medication affects you. Ask your doctor for advice about what else to avoid doing and when you can resume.
context: Despite what you might read on the Internet, there's no special hepatitis C diet or exercise plan that cures the disease. But what you eat and how much you move makes a difference in how healthy you are with the disease. What should you be eating? The same diet everyone should follow for good health. That means lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. You should also cut back on fatty foods, salt, and sugar. If you want to try a diet that sounds too good to be true, check it out with your doctor first. Some people with hepatitis C find that the disease makes them less hungry. If this happens to you, you don't have to force down a big breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. Exercise can make you feel stronger. It can also help with the depression that some hepatitis medications can cause. Of course, a trip to the gym may feel like the last thing you want to do. One of the main symptoms of hepatitis C is fatigue. When you're tired, it might seem like a workout would only drain you more. But it actually helps you get more energy. The CDC suggests you get 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week. If that's too much for you, start with 10 minutes and work your way up. Check in with your doctor about a workout plan before you start it to make sure it's safe for you. It can damage your liver. That's why it's especially risky for people with a liver infection like hepatitis C. But doctors don't agree about whether you should stop drinking or just cut down. Some say that you should cut out all alcohol. Others feel it's OK to limit it to a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at the ballgame. No one with hepatitis C should drink regularly, though. Ask your doctor whether you can drink alcohol and, if so, how much is safe.
context: You are sure the person was exposed to cyanide. If you are not sure it is cyanide, call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. Treat the person as follows, depending on whether cyanide was inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin: Get the person to fresh air immediately. If you can't get away from the area where cyanide gas is, stay low to the ground. If the person has difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing, do hands-only CPR: For a child, start CPR for children. For an adult, start adult CPR. Do not do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Avoid touching a person whose skin has been exposed to cyanide; only emergency personnel with special protective clothing should have direct contact with the victim, as secondary contamination is possible. Remove the person's contact lenses or glasses. Immediately irrigate eyes with plain water for at least 10 minutes. Put contact lenses in a plastic bag for emergency personnel to dispose of. Glasses may be used after washing with soap and water. At the hospital, the person will be treated with antidotes and oxygen.
context: When you live with diabetes, what you eat and how much you exercise make a big difference to your health. So get smart about the foods you choose and the way you move. You'll not only get your blood sugar under control, you'll cut your chance of having a heart attack and stroke, too. Count your carbohydrates. They affect your blood sugar more than protein and fats. Track the number of carb grams you eat throughout the day to help keep your blood sugar levels steady. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can coach you on how to do it. Make healthy meal choices. A good rule of thumb is to fill half your dinner plate with nonstarchy vegetables like spinach, carrots, lettuce, or tomatoes. Split the other half between nutritious whole grains or starches (think brown rice or sweet potatoes) and lean protein like skinless chicken. Eat healthy fats, like avocado or nuts, in small amounts. Limit how much salt you eat, too. Snack smarter. Sodas and packaged foods are usually high in calories, salt, and added sugar, but low in vitamins and minerals. If you get hungry between meals, eat something healthy like carrots or grapes. Measure your meals and snacks. Keep an eye on your food portions to manage your blood sugar. Use measuring cups and a food scale at home. Check serving sizes listed on the " Nutrition Facts" labels. There are also easy ways to get a picture in your mind of a serving size. For instance, one serving of meat is about the size of your palm. A cup of salad or a casserole is a big as your fist. Get moving. Exercise that makes your heart pump, like brisk walking, dancing, and swimming, helps your body use insulin better. You can start slow with 5-10 minutes, then work up to 30 or more minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. ( If you're trying to lose weight, aim for your workouts to last around 60 minutes.) Your activities should be at least "moderately intense," which means that you're able to talk, but not sing, while you do it. Build your strength. Resistance (strength) training builds muscle and keeps your bones healthy. It also helps keep your blood sugar in check. Twice a week, use hand weights or elastic bands at your gym or at home. Exercises like pushups and squats, which use your own body weight to build strength, are also good choices. Make exercise fun. You're more likely to stay active if you find a workout you enjoy. Switch between a few activities to keep from getting bored with just one. That lets you work different muscles and lowers your odds of an injury. For more motivation, ask a friend to be your workout buddy.
context: If you have a small, red, tender bump inside or outside your eyelid, it's probably a stye. It looks like a pimple, and it can be sore. But it's not usually serious and won't affect how you see. A stye happens when one of the glands along your eyelid becomes clogged and irritated -- like a skin gland on your face gets clogged and irritated and becomes a pimple. People usually have it on just one eyelid, but you can have one in both eyes at the same time. A stye may be a one-time thing or may come back. When you first get a stye, you may have redness or a tender feeling near your eyelid. Here are other signs: A red bump with or without a small pus spot in the center The feeling that there's something in your eye Your eye feels sensitive to bright light Crust along the eyelid A scratchy or itchy feeling around the eye Your eye makes extra tears After several days, most styes burst or go away on their own. But cleaning it will help bring the pus out. Then it will drain on its own. You can do a few things to get rid of it faster: Soak a clean washcloth in very warm water and put it over the stye (wash your hands first). Do this for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day. Afterwards, gently massage the area to try to get the clogged gland to open so the stye can drain. Keep your face and eyes very clean, and get rid of any crust you see around your eye. Because the stye looks like a pimple, you might want to squeeze it. Don't do that. It can make things worse. If the stye is sore, you can try a pain reliever like ibuprofen ( Advil or Motrin). Don't wear eye makeup, and switch to glasses if you wear contacts. After the stye has healed, make sure you clean and disinfect your contact lenses in the solutions recommended by your eye doctor. Or, better yet, go with a new pair of lenses. Styes that recur are often related to an eye disease called blepharitis. If you have recurring styes, you should see an eye doctor for evaluation. You shouldn't have to see your doctor for a stye. But it's a good idea to make an appointment if: It doesn't get better after a few days, or it gets worse. Your eye (not just your eyelid) hurts a lot. You can't see well. Your eyelid swells, turns very red, and won't open completely. You keep getting styes. If the stye won't go away on its own or if you have trouble seeing, your doctor may give you an antibiotic cream or drain the stye after numbing the area around it. If you get styes often, scrub your eyelids every couple of days with watered-down baby shampoo on a washcloth, or use an over-the-counter lid scrub.
context: Improved techniques have made bleeding after surgery much less common than it once was. However, you still need to be aware of the risk. Here are some tips for prevention: Show your doctors all the medicines you take. When you're in the doctor's office, it's easy to forget the names of your medications. So here's a simple solution: Bring every drug and supplement you use -- prescriptions, over-the-counters, vitamins, teas, homeopathic medications -- to the doctor's office or the hospital. That way, your doctor can see exactly what you're taking and at what dose. Don't assume that over-the-counter drugs, homeopathic, or natural medications are harmless. People often think that common drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen can't have any serious risks because they're sold without a prescription. In fact, both of these medications can increase your risk of bleeding after surgery. Garlic supplementation or extensive dietary garlic intake has also been associated with an increased bleeding tendency. Before surgery, tell your doctor if you've had uncontrolled bleeding after surgery before. The biggest predictor for bleeding after surgery is having bled after surgery -- even minor surgery -- in the past. So make sure your doctor knows if you've had this problem. If you have, he or she may recommend that you bank some blood before surgery as a precaution. Ask for a blood test. If you have any concerns that you may have a tendency to bleed easily or that your blood count is low, ask to have it tested before undergoing surgery, Griffin tells Web MD. Be certain that your doctor will be checking for signs of bleeding after surgery. It never hurts to ask. If you're at risk, make sure you're being watched closely for signs of bleeding, says Peter B. Angood, MD, co-director of the Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety.
context: In this serious condition, your retina -- a thin layer of nerve tissue in the back of your eye -- pulls away from its normal spot. There are three different types of retinal detachment: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common type. It happens slowly over time. With it, you get a hole, tear, or break in the retina. That lets the vitreous gel -- the fluid from the middle of your eye -- leak under the retina. When the liquid settles, the retina pulls away from the layer beneath it like the way water separates off wallpaper. That's the part that nourishes it and keeps it healthy. Posterior vitreous detachment ( PVD) is a common cause of retinal tears. It's a normal part of aging that causes the vitreous gel to pull away from the retina in places. It's usually harmless and often has no symptoms. But sometimes, the gel builds up so much and pulls so hard that it tears the retina. Most people with retinal tears don't end up with a detachment. But if you notice new symptoms like floaters, spots, or flashes of light, it could be happening. You might also have weak vision or see what looks like a curtain or shadow coming from one corner of your eye. Consider that an emergency and go to an ophthalmologist right away. A torn retina could be more likely to lead to a detachment if you are nearsighted or you recently had cataract or other eye surgery. Tractional retinal detachment happens when scar tissue or other tissue grows on your retina and pulls it away from the layer underneath. It can lead to serious vision loss. This type is often found in people with diabetes who have severe diabetic retinopathy, or damage to blood vessels in the retina. Exudative (serous) retinal detachment is rare. It happens when fluid collects under your retina, but there's no tear. It can affect both eyes. This type of detachment is often comes from an eye injury or as a complication of a wide range of diseases. They include various inflammatory and kidney diseases, as well as Lyme disease, eye tumors, and severe high blood pressure.
context: Congestive heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped. It means it's not pumping blood the way it should. When that happens, blood and fluid can back up in your body and make it harder for your kidneys to flush out sodium and water. That can make you hold on to too much fluid, which causes swelling. There's no cure. But your doctor may give you medication to do things like lower your blood pressure, relax your blood vessels, make your heart beat stronger, or ease swelling. And diet and lifestyle changes -- like not smoking -- can help, too. Congestive heart failure can cause: Shortness of breath: This happens when fluid collects in your lungs. It's also called pulmonary edema. It may be worse when you're lying down or when you're active. If you're having a hard time breathing, call your doctor or 911 right away. Coughing: Like shortness of breath, this is usually caused by extra fluid in your lungs. Tiredness: With heart failure, your body doesn't pump out enough blood to keep your cells healthy. That can make you tired. You might find it hard to do everyday things like climb stairs. Swelling (also called edema): This happens when there's too much fluid in your tissues. Your legs and ankles are the most likely places to swell. But other areas of your body, like your arms or belly, can also swell. Weight gain: This is caused by extra fluid that doesn't get flushed from your body the way it should. A need to pee more often. Anything that damages your heart muscle or makes it work too hard can lead to congestive heart failure. Some examples include: Diabetes: This causes high blood sugar. That can damage your heart muscle over time. High blood pressure: Blood pressure is the force of your blood as it pushes against the walls of your arteries. Too much pressure eventually will weaken your heart muscle. Other forms of heart disease, including heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, and coronary heart disease. Certain medical treatments, including cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Thyroid disease. HIV and AIDS. Alcohol or drug abuse.
context: Don't let rheumatoid arthritis bench you! Your body will appreciate it if you stay as active as possible. The perks include: Better flexibility. Moving your joints helps relieve stiffness and keeps them flexible. Stronger muscles. Exercise strengthens your muscles, which helps them support and protect your joints. Denser bones. Arthritis-related inflammation, and some of the drugs that treat it, can make your bones more fragile and more likely to break. Working out boosts bone density, which could mean fewer fractures. A healthier heart. Exercise is good for everyone's ticker. If you have RA, that's especially important, since the condition makes you more likely to get heart disease. You'll feel better. A good workout boosts your mood, gives you more energy, helps you sleep better, and can make you feel better about yourself. Exercise with a friend to make it more fun and to motivate each other. Check with your doctor first. Ask if any activities are off-limits. You may be able to do more than you think. Got the doc's approval? It's time to make a plan. To give your body everything it needs, make sure your exercise plan covers these basics: Cardio (aerobic exercise). Anything that gets your heart rate up counts. If you want to succeed, do what you enjoy. Whether it's hiking, low-impact aerobics, rowing, swimming, or dancing, it's all fair game. Aim for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Strength training. You could do pushups or other exercises that use your body weight. You can also use machines at a gym or hand-held weights at home. Try out resistance bands, too. It'll take time to get stronger. Make your strength training workouts harder over time. Do them every other day. If you're new to weightlifting, book a few sessions with a physical therapist or a trainer for pointers. Flexibility. Do gentle stretches daily. They should be relaxing, and they shouldn't hurt. They'll help you stay limber and move better.
context: Trying to trim down? Whether you have a few pounds to shed or you need to drop more than that for your health, these tips will keep you on the path to success. Cut up veggies and fruit and keep them in the front of the fridge for smart snacks. Write down your reasons for wanting to lose weight. Post them where you'll see them every day. Use a food diary or app to track and manage what you eat. Keep moving! Sitting at home watching TV could be a trigger to eat when you're not hungry. Put your fork down between bites. Think about what you are eating. Eat only when you're really hungry. If you're bored or stressed, go for a walk or text a friend. Work your way up to 30 minutes of exercise on most days. Serve your meals on smaller plates. You'll be likely to eat less. Don't eat snacks out of the bag or box. Put a single serving into a bowl. Drink water instead of high-calorie, sugary drinks. Eating out? Box up half your food as soon as you get it. Wear a pedometer to motivate you to walk more. Eat breakfast every day. That way you won't get too hungry and overeat later in the day. Pack a healthy lunch for work or school to help you avoid temptation. Weigh yourself daily to track your weight loss. Celebrate your progress! Plan meals ahead of time, so you know they'll be healthy.
context: Your doctor may suspect lung cancer if a routine physical exam reveals: Swollen lymph nodes above the collarbone Weak breathing Abnormal sounds in the lungs Dullness when the chest is tapped Unequal pupils Droopy eyelids Weakness in one arm Expanded veins in the arms, chest, or neck Swelling of the face Some lung cancers produce abnormally high blood levels of certain hormones or substances such as calcium. If a person shows such evidence and no other cause is apparent, a doctor should consider lung cancer. Lung cancer, which originates in the lungs, can also spread to other parts of the body, such as distant bones, the liver, adrenal glands, or the brain. It may be first discovered in a distant location, but is still called lung cancer if there is evidence it started there. Once lung cancer begins to cause symptoms, it is usually visible on an X-ray. Occasionally, lung cancer that has not yet begun to cause symptoms is spotted on a chest X-ray taken for another purpose. A CT scan of the chest may be ordered for a more detailed exam. Though exams of mucus or lung fluid may reveal fully developed cancer cells, diagnosis of lung cancer is usually confirmed through a lung biopsy. With the patient lightly anesthetized, the doctor guides a thin, lighted tube through the nose or mouth and down the air passages to the site of the tumor, where a tiny tissue sample can be removed. This is called a bronchoscopy and the scope is called a bronchoscope. This is useful for tumors near the center of the lung. If the biopsy confirms lung cancer, other tests will determine the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Nearby lymph nodes can be tested for cancer cells with a procedure called a mediastinoscopy, while imaging techniques such as CT scans, PET scans, bone scans, and either an MRI or a CT scan of the brain can detect cancer elsewhere in the body. If fluid is present in the area between the tissue layers lining the chest wall and lungs, removal of the fluid with a needle (called a thoracentesis) may help diagnose cancer as well as improve breathing symptoms. If the fluid tests negative for cancer cells -- which occurs about 60% of the time -- then a procedure known as a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (or VATS) may be performed to examine the lining of the lung for tumors and to perform a biopsy. Because saliva, mucus, and chest X-rays have not proved particularly effective in detecting small tumors characteristic of early lung cancer, annual chest X-rays for lung cancer screening are not recommended. However, groups such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute say low-dose helical CTscreening should be offered to those at high risk of lung cancer. That includes smokers and former smokers ages 55 to 74 who have smoked for 30 pack-years or more and either continue to smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Their guidelines are based on research that showed CT screening decreases the chance of death overall but increases the chance of having a false alarm that requires more testing.
context: Once is funny, twice is hilarious, and anything more than that is usually just annoying. We've all had them, but do you actually know where they come from? They're hiccups, and they're the strange little sounds that can escape from your mouth without warning. Hiccups start much lower in your body, though -- in the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle between your lungs and stomach. Normally, the diaphragm pulls down when you inhale to let air into your lungs, and then relaxes when you exhale so air can flow back out of your lungs to exit your nose and mouth. But if something irritates your diaphragm, it can spasm, forcing you to suddenly suck air into your throat, where it hits your voice box. That makes your vocal cords suddenly close, creating the distinct âhic!â sound. Hiccups can happen for a lot of reasons -- some of them are physical, and some emotional. That's because the actual irritation happens in the nerve connecting the brain to the diaphragm. Some common causes include: Eating too much or too quickly Feeling nervous or excited Drinking carbonated beverages or too much alcohol Stress A sudden change in temperature Swallowing air while sucking on candy or chewing gum Hiccups are usually temporary, but in rare cases, they can stick around -- for a while. It's usually because of damage or aggravation to the nerves connected to the diaphragm. Everything from a hair touching your eardrum to a sore throat can affect these nerves, and in more serious cases, a tumor, goiter, or cyst in the neck can damage them. Hiccups that last a while can also be because of central nervous system disorders like encephalitis or meningitis, or metabolic disorders like diabetes or kidney failure. Drugs like steroids or some tranquilizers can trigger long-term hiccups, too. And even certain procedures, especially ones that require anesthesia, can give you hiccups. If you've been hiccupping for more than 2 days, or if they are severe enough to interfere with eating, breathing, sleeping or are causing you distress, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Also, talk to your doctor immediately if you have any kind of stomach pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, or cough up blood with your hiccups. If you're hoping that hanging upside down or having a friend scare you will get your hiccups to stop, we hate to disappoint you. But there's no scientific proof that these remedies work. However, some experts think holding your breath or breathing into a paper bag might do the trick; both techniques make carbon dioxide build up in your lungs, which might relax the diaphragm. If all else fails, and your hiccups continue for several days or more, your doctor may try different medications to see if she can put an end to those uncomfortable hiccups. Good luck!
context: When the temperatures drop, dogs need special care to stay healthy, safe, and warm. Whether your pup spends lots of time outdoors or goes out for a couple of quick walks, he needs your help to avoid cold-weather health hazards. Keep a few basic tips in mind this winter. Watch out on walks: Snow and ice can take a toll on your dog’s paws. If he suddenly starts limping during a walk, check for ice between his toes, and soothe cracked or red paw pads with a little petroleum jelly. You can buy booties to protect pets’ paws from the cold and ice, but be sure that they fit well and that they don’t keep your dog from enjoying his time outdoors. Grab a sweater: Dogs with thick fur probably don’t need an extra layer when they head outside, but smaller breeds and those with short coats may be happier in a cozy sweater or coat. Don’t leave pets in the car: Just as your vehicle traps heat in the summer, it can stay cold on a winter day, making it feel like a refrigerator for your pup. Dogs left in a cold car for too long can freeze to death. Make your house the dog’s house: If your dog spends most of his time outside, you need to be careful when winter sets in, even if he has a doghouse. The best way to keep your pooch safe is to keep him inside with you. But if you must keep him outdoors, make sure he has a doghouse that’s dry, free of drafts, with a floor that’s off the ground, and a doorway covered with a flap to keep out wind and rain. But even with all that, bring him indoors when the temps fall below freezing. Keep chemicals away: Your car’s antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but it can be deadly if they swallow it. So clean up any spills right away and keep containers of the chemical out of pets’ reach. Ice melt and salt can dry out the pads on your dog’s paws, which makes them more likely to get cracked and irritated. Wipe his paws clean after every walk. Give extra helpings: If your dog spends a lot of time exercising outside in the cold, he’ll burn more calories and may need a little extra food to help him refuel. Ask your vet if you should add a little more to his bowl in the colder months. It may help to give him several small meals throughout the day instead of one large one. Take care of sensitive skin: Just like your skin, your dog’s skin gets drier, itchier, and flakier in the winter. Don’t bathe him as often as you do in the summer -- that strips away his coat’s natural oils. When you do get him into the tub, use a moisturizing shampoo. Recheck his collar, tag, and chip: It’s easier for dogs to get lost in the winter than at other times of the year. If he gets away from you, piles of snow and ice can cover up the familiar scents he would normally use to find his way back home. So make sure his collar is secure, his tag information is up to date and, if he has a microchip, make sure the registration for that is current.