VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Normally, your pancreas releases insulin when your blood sugar, or âblood glucose,â gets high -- after a meal, for example. That signals your body to absorb glucose until levels get back to normal. But if you have diabetes, your body doesn't make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or doesn't respond to it normally (type 2 diabetes). That can leave your blood sugar too high for too long. Over time, that can damage nerves and blood vessels and lead to heart disease and other problems. If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to keep track of your blood sugar by testing it at home with a special device called a blood glucose monitor or home blood sugar meter. It takes a small sample of blood, usually from the tip of your finger, and measures the amount of glucose in it. Follow your doctor's instructions about the best way to use your device. Your doctor will tell you when and how to test your blood sugar. Each time you do it, log it in a notebook or online tool or in an app. The time of day, recent activity, your last meal, and other things can all affect whether a reading will be of concern to your doctor. So try to log relevant information like: What medication and dosage you took What you ate, when you ate, or whether you were fasting How much, how intense, and what kind of exercise you were doing, if any That will help you and your doctor see how your treatment is working. Managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes well can delay or prevent complications that affect your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes doubles your risk for heart disease and stroke, too. Fortunately, controlling your blood sugar will also make these problems less likely. Tight blood sugar control, however, means a greater chance of low blood sugar levels, so your doctor may suggest higher targets.
context: Breathe in. In that one simple motion, your diaphragm tightened up and moved down. This made your chest cavity bigger. Your intercostal muscles between your ribs tightened up, too. This made your rib cage move up and out. Now breathe out. Your diaphragm loosened up and moved back up into your chest cavity. Your intercostal muscles relaxed as well, making your chest cavity smaller. Sometimes it's not this simple. When you have trouble breathing, also called respiratory distress, your muscles can't do their job. They're still trying to get air into your lungs, but the lack of air pressure causes the skin and soft tissue in your chest wall to sink in. This is called a chest retraction. It's easy to spot in babies and small children because their chests are softer and haven't fully grown yet. Usually, they're caused by: Croup, swelling in a baby's upper airways Respiratory distress syndrome, breathing trouble in newborns Bronchiolitis, or swelling in the smallest airways of the lungs Buildup of infected pus in the back of the throat Chest retractions can happen at any age if something's blocking your windpipe. In adults, they're also caused by: Asthma Pneumonia A bad allergic reaction Epiglottitis, when the tissue that covers your windpipe swells up The kind of chest retractions you have depends on their location. Subcostal retractions: When your belly pulls in beneath your rib cage Substernal retractions: If your belly pulls beneath your breastbone Suprasternal retractions: When the skin in the middle of your neck sucks in. It's also called a tracheal tug. Superclavical retractions: Happen on the part of your neck above your collarbone Intercostal retractions: Happen between each rib Wherever they're happening, chest retractions mean your body's not getting enough air. If you're having them, or you're with someone who is, get help fast.
context: If you have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia ( He FH), you'll need to make some long-term changes to manage the disease. Medicines, the right diet, and exercise will help bring your cholesterol numbers down and cut your chances of getting heart disease. To help prevent complications from He FH, doctors suggest you tweak your diet to make it as healthy as possible. Watch your calories and eat foods that are low in unhealthy fat and cholesterol. Some high-fat items to avoid are fast food, margarine, cakes, and cookies. Eat more food that's high in fiber, like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. You can track what you eat by keeping a journal or working with a nutritionist. Once you learn some easy tips on what foods to avoid or substitute, the diet will become second nature. Some ways to get started: Stay away from prepackaged, highly processed, and deep-fried foods. Avoid butter, margarine, salad dressing, and mayonnaise. Try vegetable oil instead. Choose lean meat like chicken, fish, and turkey and avoid red or fatty meat like beef and bacon. Limit drinks with alcohol or a lot of sugar. Choose nonfat or low-fat dairy. Eat a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Even if you eat an ideal diet and are a healthy weight, it's important to stay active. Do some aerobic exercise -- activity that gets your heart pumping -- for at least 30 minutes, 4 or more times a week, to help lower the levels of fats and cholesterol in your blood. Some ways to stay active are walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, biking, climbing stairs at work, or playing sports. Set a goal for how much you want to exercise and start slowly. Then gradually increase the number of times per week you work out and the length of time you do it. Studies with people who have He FH show that the healthier your lifestyle, the less likely you are to get heart disease in the future. Try to maintain a healthy weight, keep your blood pressure under control, and if you smoke, quit. Talk to your doctor about how to make these changes in the safest way for you.
context: Your liver is one of your the largest organs and one of the most important. It makes proteins and cholesterol your body uses in digestion. It helps turn food into energy, and along with the spleen it acts as a filter that flushes harmful wastes. But if your liver is injured or diseased, it can have trouble doing its job. If that happens, your doctor might order a liver-spleen scan to find out what's wrong. The scans give your doctor tons of valuable information. A liver scan uses a trace amount of radioactive material, which is also called radionuclide, to take pictures of your liver. The scan is painless. The procedure is often called a liver-spleen scan because your spleen works closely with your liver, and your doctor might want to examine that organ, too. Using an IV tube, a radiologist will inject a tiny amount of radioactive material called a tracer into your bloodstream. The tracer collects in your liver and spleen. A special device called a gamma camera pinpoints the location of the radioactive tracers. The device produces detailed, computerized, 3- D images that show how your liver and spleen are functioning. ( Areas where the tracers collect in low amounts show up as dark spots. Large amounts of tracers show up as bright, or âhot,â spots). The radiologist will be able to tell from the scan if your liver has any tumors, abscesses, hematomas, cysts. The images also can show whether the liver and spleen are enlarged. Liver scans can do several important jobs: Check for liver cancer, hepatitis and cirrhosis Make tumors, abscesses, or cysts of the liver or spleen visible Help doctors see whether and how liver disease is advancing Watch the progress of treatment Look at damage to the liver or spleen from an accident Scan for any unexplained pain There are few risks for most people when having a liver scan. Although the injection might cause a bit of discomfort, the amount of radioactive material you receive is tiny. Your liver and spleen, or your bone marrow, will absorb it. A patient might be allergic to the tracers, but this is very rare. You need to tell your doctor if you're pregnant, suspect you're pregnant, or if you're breastfeeding. Like any medical test or procedure, you will have to prepare for your liver scan: Tell the radiologist if you're allergic to any medications, dyes, latex, or iodine Remove your jewelry Be ready to lie still on your back for at least 30 minutes When the scan is over, drink plenty of fluids afterward and go to the bathroom as often as possible to help flush out any remaining radionuclide. You can get back to your normal activities, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you notice swelling or redness around the IV site, call your doctor.
context: Each year, between 25% and 50% of people in the U. S. see a doctor for shortness of breath. You may have felt it, too -- the uncomfortable feeling you get when you can't seem to get enough air. It's a common symptom, and one that's usually harmless -- the result of a tough workout or a stressful day. But it can also be a sign that you have another health problem, such as anxiety, a lung infection like pneumonia, asthma, or heart disease. How do you find out what's going on? Your doctor can do some basic tests to help you get to the bottom of your shortness of breath. If shortness of breath keeps you from doing your regular daily activities, that's reason enough to call the doctor. But definitely schedule an appointment if you have trouble breathing along with any of these symptoms: Shortness of breath when you're resting or lying down Fever, chills, night sweats Fast, fluttering heartbeats Wheezing At your appointment, your doctor will ask a few questions about your medical history and do a physical exam. This might include listening to your heart and lungs for signs of congestion, murmur, or anything else unusual. The results of the exam may lead her to order a few tests to help figure out what else might be causing your breathing problems. Chest X-ray. It can show the doctor signs of conditions such as pneumonia or other heart and lung problems. It's painless and easy -- a radiology technologist can do one in about 15 minutes. Oxygen test. Also called pulse oximetry, this helps your doctor measure how much oxygen is in your blood. She'll place a clothespin-like sensor on your finger, which uses light to detect oxygen. Other than the pressure of the sensor, you won't feel anything. Electrocardiography ( EKG). You might get this test in your doctor's office or a hospital. A technician will attach small electrodes to your chest with gel or tape, and a machine will measure the electrical impulses that make your heart beat. An EKG can show your doctor if blood flow to the heart is impaired. Lung function test. This measures how well your lungs work and lets your doctor know if something is blocking or keeping them from using air properly. It can also show how well your lungs can transport and use oxygen. One type of lung function test is called spirometry. You breathe into a mouthpiece that connects to a machine and measures your lung capacity and air flow. Your doctor may also have you stand in a box that looks like a telephone booth to check your lung capacity. This is called plethysmography. Each of these tests helps your doctor diagnose problems such as asthma, emphysema, or COPD. Blood test. A doctor or nurse will use a needle to take blood from a vein in your arm and send it to a lab for tests. The results can tell them whether or not conditions such as anemia or heart failure are making you short of breath. If your shortness of breath is severe or comes with other symptoms such as confusion, chest pain, jaw pain, or pain down your arm, call 911 right away.
context: Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called "good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. You can find probiotics in supplements and some foods, like yogurt. Doctors often suggest them to help with digestive problems. Researchers are trying to figure out exactly how probiotics work. Some of the ways they may keep you healthy: When you lose "good" bacteria in your body, for example after you take antibiotics, probiotics can help replace them. They can help balance your "good" and "bad" bacteria to keep your body working the way it should. Many types of bacteria are classified as probiotics. They all have different benefits, but most come from two groups. Ask your doctor about which might best help you. Lactobacillus. This may be the most common probiotic. It's the one you'll find in yogurt and other fermented foods. Different strains can help with diarrhea and may help people who can't digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Bifidobacterium. You can find it in some dairy products. It may help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS) and some other conditions. Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast found in probiotics. It appears to help fight diarrhea and other digestive problems. Among other things, probiotics help send food through your gut by affecting nerves that control gut movement. Researchers are still trying to figure out which are best for certain health problems. Some common conditions they treat are: Irritable bowel syndrome Inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD) Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites) Diarrhea caused by antibiotics There is also some research that shows they're useful for problems in other parts of your body. For example, some people say they have helped with: Skin conditions, like eczema Urinary and vaginal health Preventing allergies and colds Oral health The FDA regulates probiotics like foods, not like medications. Unlike drug companies, makers of probiotic supplements don't have to show their products are safe or that they work. Ask your doctor if taking probiotics is a good idea for you. In general, probiotic foods and supplements are thought to be safe for most people, though some people with immune system problems or other serious health conditions shouldn't take them. In some cases, mild side effects might include an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and bloating for the first couple of days after you start taking them. They may also trigger allergic reactions. Stop taking them and talk to your doctor if you have problems.
context: Sleepwalking is a disorder that causes people to get up and walk while they're asleep. It usually happens when a person is going from the deep stage of sleep to a lighter stage or into the awake state. The sleepwalker can't respond during the event and usually doesn't remember it. In some cases, he may talk and not make sense. Sleepwalking mostly happens in childhood, typically between the ages of 4 and 8. But adults can do it, too. When someone sleepwalks, they might quietly walk around their room. Or they might run or attempt to "escape." Typically, the sleepwalker's eyes are open with a glassy stare as he roams the house. If you question him, he'll be slow to respond or not respond at all. When you get him back to bed without waking him up, he usually won't recall the event. Older children may wake up more easily at the end of a sleepwalking episode. Several things can lead to sleepwalking. It can run in the family. Identical twins are more likely to sleepwalk. If you have a parent, brother, or sister who sleepwalks, you're 10 times more likely to do so than someone from a family with no sleepwalkers. You might also have the disorder if you're: Sleep deprived On a chaotic sleep schedule Stressed Drunk Taking drugs such as sedative-hypnotics (which promote relaxation or sleep), neuroleptics (used to treat psychosis), stimulants (which boost activity), and antihistamines (used to treat symptoms of allergy) Medical conditions that have been linked to sleepwalking include: Heart rhythm problems Fever Heartburn Nighttime asthma Nighttime seizures Obstructive sleep apnea (a condition in which you briefly stop breathing during sleep) Restless leg syndrome Psychiatric disorders, for example, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, or dissociative states, such as multiple personality disorder
context: Sometimes, especially as they get older, people can develop little bulging pouches in the lining of the large intestine. These are called diverticula, and the condition is known as diverticulosis. When the pouches become inflamed or infected, it leads to a sometimes very painful condition called diverticulitis. In addition to having abdominal pain, people with diverticulitis may experience nausea, vomiting, bloating, fever, constipation, or diarrhea. Many experts believe that a low-fiber diet can lead to diverticulosis and diverticulitis. This may be why people in Asia and Africa, where the diet tends to be higher in fiber, have a very low incidence of the condition. Diverticulosis usually causes no or few symptoms; leaving many people unaware that they even have diverticula present. Diverticulitis may need to be treated with antibiotics or, in severe cases, surgery. If you're experiencing severe symptoms from diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend a liquid diverticulitis diet as part of your treatment, which can include: Water Fruit juices Broth Ice pops Gradually you can ease back into a regular diet. Your doctor may advise you to start with low-fiber foods (white bread, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products) before introducing high-fiber foods. Fiber softens and adds bulk to stools, helping them pass more easily through the colon. It also reduces pressure in the digestive tract. Many studies show that eating fiber-rich foods can help control diverticular symptoms. Women younger than 51 should aim for 25 grams of fiber daily. Men younger than 51 should aim for 38 grams of fiber daily. Women 51 and older should get 21 grams daily. Men 51 and older should get 30 grams daily. Here are a few fiber-rich foods to include in meals: Whole-grain breads, pastas, and cereals Beans (kidney beans and black beans, for example) Fresh fruits (apples, pears, prunes) Vegetables (squash, potatoes, peas, spinach) If you're having difficulty structuring a diet on your own, consult your doctor or a dietitian. They can set up a meal plan that works for you. Your doctor may also recommend a fiber supplement, such as psyllium ( Metamucil) or methylcellulose ( Citrucel) one to three times a day. Drinking enough water and other fluids throughout the day will also help prevent constipation. In the past, doctors had recommended that people with diverticular disease (diverticulosis or diverticulitis) avoid hard-to-digest foods such as nuts, corn, popcorn, and seeds, for fear that these foods would get stuck in the diverticula and lead to inflammation. However, recent research has noted that there is no real scientific evidence to back up this recommendation. In fact, nuts and seeds are components of many high-fiber foods, which are recommended for people with diverticular disease.
context: Yes, you can. The pull out method, also called the withdrawal method, is not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. But it works better than doing nothing. And it can be an option for some couples who wouldn't mind getting pregnant. You might hear it called coitus interruptus. The man takes his penis out of the woman's vagina before he ejaculates so fewer sperm get inside. But it isn't as easy as it sounds. The man needs a lot of control to time it right. It doesn't work if he can't feel when he's close to orgasm or if he's so caught up in the moment that he doesn't pull out in time. Here are some tips to make it work better: Use a spermicide. Don't rely on withdrawal on the days you're most likely to get pregnant. You can keep track of which days are safest with an ovulation calendar. Have your partner pee before sex to clear out any sperm that may have gotten an early start. When your partner ejaculates outside of you, make sure no fluid gets on your upper thighs or groin. Sperm on your skin can work its way inside your vagina. Pulling out isn't a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. It works about 78% of the time, which means that over a year of using this method, 22 out of 100 women would get pregnant. By comparison, condoms are 98% effective when used correctly every time. In addition to not preventing pregnancy all that well, this isn't a good method of birth control because: It does nothing to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases ( STDs). So it can't help if there's any chance you could get something from your partner. It takes a lot of control for the man to pull out before ejaculation. The woman has no control at all. Even if he pees before sex, the man can still release a fluid before he ejaculates. This is called pre-ejaculate and it does contain sperm. But for couples who wouldn't mind a surprise pregnancy, the withdrawal method has benefits. It's free and convenient. It has no side effects, and you don't need to see a doctor or get a prescription. If you're worried you could be pregnant, talk to your doctor about emergency contraception.
context: The bone has broken through the skin. The finger is bleeding heavily. The finger is numb, white, or blue. The finger has been amputated or the nail bed is affected. With the right treatment, broken fingers usually heal well. So it's important to see a doctor right away. You think your child has broken a finger. Do not try to straighten the finger. If the bone has broken through the skin, do not touch it. Drape gauze or a clean diaper over the injury, control the bleeding, and get emergency help. Wrap the finger with a soft cloth. Splint the wrapped finger by taping it to an adjacent non-broken finger. Make sure the splint and wrapping aren't cutting off circulation. Watch for signs such as numbness, warmth, or changes in skin color. Ice the finger for a few minutes at a time. Wrap ice in a towel or cloth to avoid injuring the skin. If possible, keep your child's hand elevated. Go to the pediatrician's office or the emergency room.
context: The primary symptom of golfer's elbow is pain that is centered near the bony knob on the inside of the elbow. Sometimes, it extends all along the inner forearm. You're likely to feel it when you bend your arm inward or flex your wrist toward the body. In most cases, the pain worsens gradually. Your doctor will need to do a thorough medical exam to diagnose golfer's elbow. He or she may want to do a bone scan or an MRI to rule out other conditions.
context: When you have itchy skin, you'll do anything to ease the discomfort. You may want to scratch, but an oatmeal bath is a better way to get relief. Many things can make you want to scratch: Eczema Dry skin Dermatitis Psoriasis Poison ivy Insect bites Hives Shingles Chickenpox Sunburn The kind you put in your bath water isn't the same type that you eat for breakfast. It's called colloidal oatmeal. You can make your own or buy over-the-counter products. Colloidal oatmeal binds to your skin and forms a protective barrier. It also helps hold in moisture and ease inflammation. If that isn't enough, it cleans your skin, too. People have used it for centuries to ease irritated skin. Start with uncooked, whole oats. You can get them from the grocery or health food store. Use a clean food processer or blender to grind them into a fine, even powder. To test the results, add some ground oats to a glass of water. They should quickly turn the liquid milky white. If you're using a store-bought product, follow the directions on the package. Dermatologists suggest: Make sure the water is lukewarm, not hot. Sprinkle the recommended amount or 1 cup of your DIY oatmeal under running water as the tub fills. Soak for about 10-15 minutes. After the bath, gently pat yourself dry so your skin still feels damp. Immediately apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. The water should feel soft and silky on your skin. If you soak too long, your skin will dry out. That'll make your itch worse. Oatmeal is safe for most people. But you might get a skin rash from it. Your doctor will call this contact dermatitis. If your skin is red and itchy after an oatmeal bath, don't try it again. Topical steroid creams or antihistamine pills can help. See your doctor if the rash doesn't clear up.
context: If you have HPV, you might never know it. It's so common that the CDC estimates that almost 80 million people in the United States have it. 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(); }); } Depending on the type of HPV you get, you may or may not have symptoms. Many people don't. Some HPV types can cause genital warts. Others are linked to cancer of the cervix and other organs. And some HPV types cause common warts that you can find on other areas of the body like your hands or feet. If you have genital warts, that's a sign of HPV. These growths don't all look the same. They can be raised, flat, pink, or flesh-colored. They might even be shaped like cauliflower. You could have a single wart or several. They can be small or large. They may grow on the anus, cervix, scrotum, groin, thigh, or penis. Genital warts can show up weeks, months, or even years after you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who's infected with an HPV virus. He (or she) might not know he's infected. Some types of genital HPV infection are linked to cancer, including cervical cancer and cancer of the vulva, anus, oropharynx (the middle part of the throat, behind the mouth), or penis. If you get infected with one of these virus types, it's possible that you could have precancerous changes in cells in the tissue without any symptoms. If you're healthy, doctors don't routinely test for HPV. For women, the Pap test doesn't check for HPV. It looks for changes in cells in your cervix. If you have certain changes in those cells, your doctor may ask the lab to check for the virus. If you're over age 30 and your pap is normal, your doctor may still test you for HPV. This is called âco-testing.â If you have HPV and abnormal cervical cells, your doctor might order more tests right away. If you have HPV but your Pap results are normal, you may also need to get checked again in a year.
context: A ''black eye'' is a bruise to the eyelid skin caused by blunt trauma to the eye region. Like many bruises, a "shiner" is usually nothing to worry about and will disappear in 1-2 weeks. In some cases, however, a black eye is a warning sign of more serious injury to the eye or to the skull. Any damage to the eyeball that causes it to become red and swollen must be promptly evaluated by a doctor or an eye specialist. Blunt force eye injuries, as happens in fighting, competitive sports, and ordinary accidents, could involve an unsuspected detached retina, internal bleeding, or other serious problems. An orbital fracture involving one of the five delicate bones around the eye may trap an eye muscle or soft tissues. A fracture could also damage the optic nerve and permanently damage eyesight. If so, emergency surgery may be required to correct the condition. Most black eyes are the result of blunt trauma that causes bleeding beneath the thin eyelid skin, producing the characteristic black and blue discoloration. A fracture deep inside the skull can also blacken both eyes, even though the eye area itself was not injured. People with sinusitis from allergies sometimes get "allergic shiners" -- darkening under the eyes caused by inflamed and engorged blood vessels -- but this is not the same thing as a black eye, which is caused by an injury.
context: You're smart about protecting yourself from the sun. You slather on sunblock to walk the dog. You wear a hat and duck under an umbrella when you're at the beach. But you need to protect your skin all the time. Sun can cause damage year-round, and skin cancer can show up in surprising places. The next time you grab your sunscreen, don't forget these spots. They're also important places to look when you search your body for signs of sun damage: Scalp: The top of your head is a common place for skin cancer. That's why you need to cover up in the sun. Ears : Both the outside and inside can be spots for cancer. Remember this when you apply sunscreen. Eyelids: It's hard to put sunscreen in this area, so people often skip it, but you shouldn't as many skin cancers occur here. Physical blocker sunscreens are not as likely to cause eye irritation. Choose a broad spectrum sunblock with at least a SPF 30 or higher. To be safe, always wear sunglasses that block 99%-100% of UV rays. Mouth: Your lower lip is the most common spot around the mouth for skin cancer. The good news: It's easy to see, which means it's easy to catch and treat early. Use a lip product with sun protection when you go outside. Cancer can also affect the mucous membranes that line your mouth, nose, and esophagus. It can be hard to spot because it can seem like more common conditions. Soles of the feet: Skin cancer here is often linked to viruses, inflammation, or inherited conditions, not the sun. It usually doesn't hurt, but you may have repeated bleeding and cracking in the area. Under nails: This rare skin cancer looks like a dark spot under your fingernail or toenail. People often ignore it because it looks like a bruise or streak. Remove nail polish once in a while so you can check your nails for changes. Underarms: Lumps or bumps in your armpits could be swollen lymph nodes. That might mean skin cancer has spread. Palms of your hand: Skin cancer here can look like a bruise or an irregular spot. Between fingers and toes: These are places most people wouldn't necessarily think to check for skin changes. Groin: Lumps or bumps in the genital area could mean swollen lymph nodes. Have your doctor check. Cancer can also grow in the membranes of the vagina, anus, and urinary tract. There are more causes than just sun exposure. That's especially true when cancer pops up on places that rarely see the sun. Inherited genes can cause it. You're more likely to have skin cancer if other people in your family had it. Viruses, exposure to radiation, and a weakened immune system can also trigger skin cancer. Your chances may also rise if you have fair skin, lots of moles, or a history of sunburns or tanning bed use. Check your body often for new growths or any changes in ones you already have. Use hand mirrors to get a closer view: Chest and back Each side Underarms Hands, palms and fingernails Fronts and backs of your arms and legs Tops and soles of your feet Spaces between your toes and toenails Scalp -- part your hair to get a closer look Behind and inside your ears Face and neck Backside and genitals
context: People lose hair for various reasons. Illness and medication (like chemotherapy to treat cancer) can cause hair loss. Hair loss can also be inherited from a parent. Often, hair thins because it is fine-textured -- or because too many harsh chemicals have been used on it -- so it breaks easily. These are hair care tips to help protect hair, prevent further hair loss, and add volume to your existing hair. If you inherited a tendency for hair loss, you likely have very healthy hair overall. Therefore, your hair can benefit from permanent or semipermanent color to give body and volume to hair. Medications can weaken hair, causing it to break or fall out. Semipermanent color is good in this case, too, because it does not contain ammonia or peroxide. It will not damage hair, but will give it body and volume. If your hair is fine-textured, semipermanent or permanent color is fine, as long as it is professionally applied. Colored hair can easily get overprocessed, which damages it, causing further hair loss. Many volume-building hair products contain paraffin, which is beeswax. That's not good for hair, because it builds up and can make hair break. However, volumizing products sold in salons do help. They won't weigh hair down, and they won't damage it. Mousse, for example, can be applied at the root area for support. Then, begin blow drying the root area, applying gentle tension with a brush to build volume. Use a light finishing spray to hold it. To protect hair, the best practice is to shampoo only when hair is dirty. Because fine hair gets dirty faster, people with fine-textured hair need to shampoo more frequently -- even though fine hair breaks more easily. For that reason, fine-textured hair benefits from a good shampoo and volume-building conditioner. Blow dryers should not be a problem, even if you have fine hair. However, be very careful about putting high heat directly onto hair. Flat irons and curling irons can cause damage and breakage. Because they contain very strong chemicals, curl-relaxing products are a no-no for fine hair. Permanents can help give volume to fine-textured hair -- but hair must be healthy, not dry or brittle. Only a gentle body wave is advised, because tighter waves can damage the hair. Because chemicals in permanents are harsh, a permanent should be only a last resort for fine-haired people. Again, make sure a professional stylist gives you your permanent, so that hair is not damaged.
context: Anyone can get them, at any age. You could develop them as a child, or you might not have any symptoms until you're an adult. Why are some people sensitive to certain allergens while most aren't? The major difference is in your genes. Allergies run in families. If your parents have allergies, you probably will, too. If one parent is allergic, your odds go up. If both are, your chances more than double. If neither parent is allergic, there's still a small chance you'll get them. Your parents can pass on the tendency to get allergies, but you may never actually have symptoms. Or you may wind up with allergies, but not the same ones as your folks. The world around you plays a part, too. You have to have a tendency and be exposed to an allergen before you develop an allergy. The more intense the exposure is, the more often you come into contact with the allergen, and the earlier in life this happens, the more likely you'll be allergic. Other things that may lead to allergies include smoking, pollution, infection, and hormones.
context: If you have type 2 diabetes and take multiple insulin shots, you may want to ask your doctor about the insulin pump. Insulin pumps are small, computerized devices (about the size of a small cell phone) that allow for a continuous flow of a rapid-acting insulin to be released into your body. The pumps have a small, flexible tube (called a catheter) with a fine needle on the end, which is inserted under the skin of your abdomen and taped in place. The devices can be worn on a belt or placed in a pocket. The insulin pump is designed to deliver a continuous amount of insulin, 24 hours a day according to a programmed plan unique to each pump wearer. The user can change the amount of insulin delivered. Between meals and overnights, a small amount of insulin is constantly delivered to keep the blood sugar in the target range. This is called the basal rate. When food is eaten, a bolus dose of insulin can be programmed into the pump. You can measure how much of a bolus you need using calculations based on the grams of carbohydrates consumed. When using an insulin pump, you must monitor your blood glucose level at least four times a day. You set the doses of your insulin and make adjustments to the dose depending on your food intake and exercise program. Some health care providers prefer the insulin pump for diabetes because its slow release of insulin mimics how a normally working pancreas would release insulin. One large study concluded the insulin pump is a safe and valuable treatment option for those with poorly controlled blood sugar. Another advantage of the insulin pump is that it frees you from having to measure insulin into a syringe.
context: You get up in the middle of the night and you're wide awake. You need rest for your big day at work. What can you do to get back to sleep? It may not sound like the obvious thing to do, but if can't get back to sleep within 20 minutes or so, go to another room. Do something quiet and unexciting, like listening to soothing music or reading something you've read before. When you feel sleepy again, go back to bed. If you check the time over and over, it only adds to your stress when you're trying to get some shut-eye. Turn the clock away so it's out of your sight line. Light makes you feel alert, which isn't what you want when you need to sleep. If you get up to go to the bathroom, get a drink, or have a snack, keep the lighting dim. If you read, don't use backlit screens such as computers, cell phones, or tablets. They can keep you awake. Put your mind and body at ease with these techniques: Deep breathing . Do it slowly and steadily from your belly. Meditation. You can quiet your mind if yourepeat a phrase while you do some rhythmic breathing. Visualization. It's a type of meditation that helps you distance yourself from stress by imagining the sights, sounds, and scents of a peaceful place. Progressive muscle relaxation. First tense your muscles, then relax them. Do this over and over throughout your body, starting with your feet and working your way up. To learn more about these and other techniques, take a class or use self-guided books or videos. You can also check out online videos or articles. This mind-body technique requires equipment and training from a specialist. It can help you learn ways to control your tension levels. Once you master it, biofeedback can help you get back to sleep. This isn't something you should do in the middle of the night. But during the daytime, keep a record of your sleep patterns and other habits. For instance, write down how often you woke up during the night, what disturbed your sleep, and how much caffeine or alcohol you had during the day. Then take the diary to your doctor. It will help the two of you plan a strategy to get more shut-eye. Let your doctor know that you have trouble sleeping. Find out your options, perhaps including medication, that can help you get a good night's rest.
context: Collapses Becomes unresponsive Tap the person's shoulder and shout, " Are you OK?" Look for normal breathing. Call 911 if there is no response. Start Hands- Only CPR. Hands- Only CPR should not be used for adults whose cardiac arrest is due to drug overdose, near-drowning, or an unwitnessed cardiac arrest. In these cases, do a conventional CPR combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing. Note: For hands-only CPR instructions, watch this video from the American Heart Association. Place the heel of your hand on the center of the person's chest. Place the heel of your other hand on top of your first hand, lacing fingers together. Keep arms straight and your shoulders directly over your hands. Push hard and fast, compressing chest at least 2 inches. Let chest rise completely before pushing down again. Compress at least 100 times per minute. The person starts breathing normally. A trained responder or emergency help takes over. You are too exhausted to continue. There is an automated external defibrillator ( AED) to use. Turn on the AED. It will give you step-by-step instructions. Wipe chest dry. Attach the pads. Plug in connector, if needed. Make sure no one is touching the person. Say " Clear" so that people know to stay back and not touch the person. Push the " Analyze" button if necessary. If a shock is advised, push the " Shock" button. Resume compressions and follow AED prompts.
context: Want to avoid getting the flu? A good start is to know what causes it. This illness is different from a cold. While more than 100 different viruses can cause a cold, only influenza virus types A, B, and C cause the flu. Type A and B viruses cause the large seasonal outbreaks. Type C usually causes milder respiratory symptoms. While the flu vaccine can help protect you from types A and B, there is no immunization for type C virus. Type A flu viruses are also found in many different animals, including ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, and seals. Type B viruses only affect people. The flu is a highly contagious disease. It spreads when you come into contact with the stuff someone else sneezes or coughs up. You could breathe it in, or get it from kissing. You could get it on your hands from objects like silverware, doorknobs, handles, television remotes, computer keyboards, and telephones. The virus enters your body when you touch your hands to your nose, eyes, or mouth. Outbreaks are grouped in two ways: Epidemics happen in a set area. Pandemics take place on a worldwide scale. The CDC says winter flu epidemics affect 300,000 to 600,000 people each year. About 200,000 people wind up in the hospital and between 3,000 and 49,000 don't survive. Many things may play a role: The virus lives longer indoors in winter, because the air is less humid than outside. While it's alive and in the air, it's easy for people to inhale it, or for it to land on the eyes, nose, or mouth. We spend more time indoors and have closer contact with each other, which makes it easier for the virus to spread. You can spread the flu 7 days after symptoms start. The virus can live in your mucus and spit up to 24 hours before you start to feel bad. This means you might give it to someone else a full day before your symptoms begin. Young children can still spread the flu even into the second week of illness. Keep your hands clean. Wash them often to remove germs. And get a flu shot. The CDC makes a flu vaccine based on the type A strain that it believes will be most prevalent in the coming flu season. This is what you get with the annual flu shot or Flu Mist nasal spray. That said, Flu Mist is not recommended for use during the 2017-2018 season because it might not be effective. Also see Web MD's " What Is Flu Mist?"
context: Suddenly develops a rash along with symptoms such as difficulty breathing 1 out of 10 infants and children have eczema, a dry itchy rash that comes and goes. It's not a dangerous condition, but it can be itchy and uncomfortable for baby and frustrating for parents. Your baby develops a new rash. The rash looks infected, appears redder, or has a yellow crust or ooze. Home eczema treatments aren't helping. Your baby has a fever associated with the rash. Use lukewarm water. Hot water can make eczema worse. Limit your use of soap and discuss with your doctor the type of soap you should use. Rinse your child's skin twice to remove soap residue. Keep baths short since prolonged contact with water can be irritating. Put a gentle moisturizer on your baby's skin as soon as your child is out of the bath. Reapply it several times a day or with every diaper change. Do not use any medications or medicated creams unless a doctor recommends it. Hypoallergenic fragrance-free moisturizers are best. Light, breathable cotton fabrics may be most comfortable. Wash clothes before wearing. Avoid heavy, tight, or scratchy material such as wool, nylon, or synthetic fibers. Try to keep your child from scratching. Keep your child's fingernails short and clean. Avoid any substance you know will trigger an allergy. Avoid irritants such as perfumed soaps and detergents. Use cold compresses to relieve the itch. Don't let your baby get too hot or sweaty. Either one can make eczema worse. Never give a baby an antihistamine without talking to a pediatrician first. Ask your pediatrician about medications to relieve itching and whether food or environmental allergens could be triggering the eczema.
context: An electrocardiogram (also called EKG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart through small electrode patches attached to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. An EKG may be part of a routine physical exam or it may be used as a test for heart disease. An EKG can be used to further investigate symptoms related to heart problems. EKGs are quick, safe, painless, and inexpensive tests that are routinely performed if a heart condition is suspected. Your doctor uses the EKG to: Assess your heart rhythm Diagnose poor blood flow to the heart muscle (ischemia) Diagnose a heart attack Evaluate certain abnormalities of your heart, such as an enlarged heart To prepare for an EKG: Avoid oily or greasy skin creams and lotions the day of the test. They interfere with the electrode-skin contact. Avoid full-length hosiery, because electrodes need to be placed directly on the legs. Wear a shirt that can be easily removed to place the leads on the chest. During an EKG, a technician will attach 10 electrodes with adhesive pads to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. Men may have chest hair shaved to allow a better connection. You will lie flat while the computer creates a picture, on graph paper, of the electrical impulses traveling through your heart. This is called a "resting" EKG. This same test may also be used to monitor your heart during exercise. It takes about 10 minutes to attach the electrodes and complete the test, but the actual recording takes only a few seconds. Your EKG patterns will be kept on file for later comparison with future EKG recordings. If you have questions, be sure to ask your doctor. In addition to the standard EKG, your doctor may recommend other specialized EKG tests, including a holter monitor or a signal-averaged electrocardiogram. A holter monitor is a portable EKG that monitors the electrical activity of a person's heart, generally for one to two days, 24 hours a day. It is most often used when the doctor suspects an abnormal heart rhythm or ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). It is a painless test; electrodes from the monitor are taped to the skin. Once the monitor is in place, you can go home and perform all of your normal activities (except showering). You will be asked to keep a diary of your activities and any symptoms you experience and when they occur. If your symptoms are infrequent your doctor may suggest an event monitor. This is a device that, when you push a button, will record and store the heart's electrical activity for a few minutes. Each time you develop symptoms you should try to get a reading on the monitor. Event monitors are typically used for one month. This information can later by transmitted by telephone to the doctor for interpretation. This is a painless test used to assess whether a person is at high risk of developing a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia. It is performed in a similar manner to the EKG, but uses sophisticated technology to look for risk of heart arrhythmias.