VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: If your doctor says your triglycerides are too high, here are some of the things you'd need to know: 1. What are triglycerides? Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. You get some from the food you eat, and your body makes some. Your levels of triglycerides may also be high with other conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, or heart problems such as high blood pressure. If you're overweight and have a large waistline, you're also at risk for high levels. Your triglycerides are more likely to be high if you have one or more of these health issues: high levels of LDL -- the âbadâ cholesterol -- or low levels of HDL - the âgoodâ cholesterol. 2. What should my triglyceride level be? Your doctor may recommend a goal of 150 mg/d L or less. Recently, though, The American Heart Association has suggested a lower level is best for health. That level is less than 100 mg/d L. 3. Why are high triglycerides dangerous? They can increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke, especially when you have a low level of HDL. They also make you more likely to develop diabetes. Here are some facts to keep in mind: You are on your way to being high risk if your number is between 151 and 200 mg/d L. You have a higher risk of heart disease if your number is above 200 mg/d L. Your doctor may prescribe medicine in addition to other steps you already take if your number is above 500 mg/d L. 4. What can I do on my own to lower my triglycerides? Lifestyle changes -- diet, exercise, and weight loss -- are effective ways to improve your levels. Ask your doctor for a sensible diet that will help you lower your levels. If you smoke, get suggestions on ways to help you quit. If your numbers are very high, you will likely need to take medicine to reach a healthy range. 5. Will eating certain foods increase my levels? Yes. â Whiteâ foods -- sugar, bread, pasta, and potatoes -- can raise levels. Red meat, butter, and cheese contain triglyceride-raising fats, too. Alcohol can also boost your levels. 6. What types of exercise lower my numbers? Any kind is helpful, especially aerobic workouts such as a brisk walk or bike ride, a steady jog, or swimming laps in the pool. 7. What's the best way to lose weight? Talk to your doctor about a weight loss plan that's best for you. Make positive changes, like choosing smaller portions, keeping a food diary, and limiting your snacks. Add physical activity to help boost your metabolism and burn fat. 8. How long will I be on medicine? That depends. You may need to take meds indefinitely to keep your triglyceride levels out of the danger zone. Stick with your new healthy habits, and you may be able to work with your doctor to reduce the amount of medicine you take or stop it altogether.
context: Watching your child have his or her first seizure was probably one of the most frightening moments of your life. Finding out that your child has epilepsy may have been another one. The future may suddenly seem terrifying and uncertain for both your child and your whole family. But as you may already know, the news is not nearly as bad as it sounds. Here are some things to keep in mind if your child has had a seizure: Most children who have a seizure don't have another one. Most children who have epilepsy -- which by definition means that they've had more than one seizure -- will outgrow the condition. Most children with epilepsy are perfectly healthy and normal in other ways. 70% to 80% of children with epilepsy can control the condition completely with medication. Experts point out that there is no cure for epilepsy and that treating seizures is about controlling them. They also point out that, in children, seizures that are controlled with medication will often go away on their own. About 400,000 children in the U. S. have epilepsy, and most of them are able to control their seizures and lead normal lives. That's not to say that dealing with epilepsy is easy, and it will almost certainly change your family. As a parent of a child with epilepsy, you'll have new responsibilities. Obviously, you'll need to make sure that your child is getting good medical care, but there's more to it than that. You'll have to make sure that your child takes medications. You may also have to become an advocate for your child, explaining epilepsy to family, friends, and teachers who may not understand the condition or be frightened by it. So while it may be tough being the parent of a child with epilepsy sometimes, just remember that treatment works, and a child with epilepsy should have a pretty normal life with few limitations. Epilepsy is not nearly as scary as it sounds. Epilepsy isn't a single disease. Instead, it's a blanket term: A person who has epilepsy has seizures, but the cause and the type of those seizures can be very different. Experts point to prostate and breast cancer as an analogy. Both are cancers, but the causes, development, and treatment of those conditions are not the same. There are many different types of epilepsy that may require different kinds of treatments. Likewise, the impact of epilepsy is a lot more complicated than the results of the medical condition. Experts say that treating epilepsy is more than just treating seizures. With epilepsy, there are psychological and cognitive effects that need to be dealt with, along with the impact on the entire family. But the first thing that you and your doctor must do is stop the seizures, usually with medication. Fortunately, there are many effective epilepsy drugs available.
context: If it's going around during flu season, the doctor may judge the child to have flu simply from observing the classic symptoms such as fever, listlessness, headaches, chills, body aches, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and cough. Your child may also have diarrhea and vomiting. Keep in mind that other viruses can cause similar symptoms as the flu. The doctor may take swabs of mucus from the nose or throat and send them for lab analysis. Several rapid diagnostic kits are now available that vary in sensitivity. The tests can be incorrect; your child may have the flu but his test may come back negative. Or, when it is not flu season, the test result can be falsely positive. Therefore, it is important to also rely upon your health care provider's clinical opinion. Your doctor may decide not to do a flu test, because the result will not affect the way you are treated. Treatments for flu include fever reducers and good hydration. Tamiflu, an anti-viral medication, can be given within 48 hours of feeling symptoms to shorten the duration of the illness. If your child is a high-risk patient, or may have complications, your doctor may consider additional treatment.
context: The job of your thyroid gland is to make hormones that help your body use energy, stay warm, and control your blood pressure and heart rate. Cancer happens when healthy cells in the gland change and grow out of control. On the list of most common cancers in the United States, thyroid cancer ranks fifth, and no other cancer is being diagnosed at a faster rate. One reason for this may be better tests. They allow doctors to find thyroid tumors that were too small to see in the past. Most of the time, thyroid cancer can be cured with treatment. Experts don't always know what causes it, but they do know some things may raise your chance of getting it. Women are three times more likely to get thyroid cancer than men. You can get it at any age. But women are often diagnosed in their 40s and 50s. Men tend to be older -- in their 60s and 70s -- when they find out they have it. And in men, thyroid cancer grows and spreads more quickly. Children who get radiation therapy for some cancers, such as lymphoma, have a higher chance of getting thyroid cancer. Compared with children, adults exposed to radiation have lower odds of getting it. Your chances of getting thyroid cancer are higher if your mother, father, brother, sister or child got it. Also, thyroid cancer may be linked to certain genetic or hereditary problems. One of these causes extra tissue called polyps to form in the colon -- it's called familial adenomatous polyposis. If you have it, there's a higher chance you'll get certain kinds of cancer, including thyroid cancer. Other genetic problems that increase the risk of thyroid cancer include: Familial medullary thyroid cancer Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 Cowden disease Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. Your body needs it to make thyroid hormones. Certain thyroid cancers are more common in parts of the world where people have low levels of iodine. In some countries, including the U. S., iodine is added to table salt and other foods to help give you a boost.
context: Sometimes if you have a latex allergy, you can have a reaction even if you haven't touched latex. That's because when you're allergic to latex, you may also be allergic to certain foods -- and vice versa. It's called a cross-reaction, and it only happens to some people. If you're sensitive to latex, your body reacts to certain proteins. Some of these proteins are found in foods. Like latex reactions, cross-reactions are different from person to person. You may react to all foods that cause cross-reactions or only to one. Some fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains can cause cross reactions with latex. Some of the fruits that can cause cross-reactions include: Bananas Figs Kiwi Peaches Papaya Nectarines Melon Cherries Strawberries Pineapple These vegetables may also cause cross-reactions: Celery Tomatoes Avocados Potatoes Chestnuts and almonds can cause cross-reactions, as can peppermint and mustard. Most people don't have cross-reactions. But if you're allergic to latex, you may want to be careful around these foods. And if you have allergies to any of these foods, tell your doctor and dentist. They can make sure you're not exposed to latex at their offices or in the hospital.
context: Sex therapy is a short-term form of counseling, generally involving five to 20 sessions with a sex therapist. A typical session may be one hour every week or every other week. During the session, the counselor will give the patient "assignments" to do at home, such as: Reading books about sexuality Touching exercises that are designed to take away the pressure to perform during sex Practicing better sexual communication skills Sex therapy may be useful for treating erectile dysfunction if a man is able to have a normal erection during sleep, the results of his physical exam and blood tests are normal, and he is generally in good health. Sex therapy may also be helpful when erectile dysfunction is caused by stress resulting from work worries, financial worries, relationship conflicts, and poor sexual communication. In these cases, sex therapy may be the best treatment option. Sex therapy is most effective when a man's sexual partner is willing to be part of the treatment. Studies have shown that for men with stress-related ED, having the partner involved in the therapy resolves the problem 50%-70% of the time. When the man must go through counseling alone, the results are somewhat lower. Sex therapy is unlikely to work if a man drops out of treatment after only one or two sessions. Sometimes, several sessions of sexual counseling can be helpful to a man who is going to receive medical or surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction. A counselor can help guide a couple in agreeing on a treatment or help them improve their sexual communication and lovemaking skills. A single man may benefit from counseling on how to talk to his partner about penile injections or a vacuum constriction device, both treatments for ED. Some insurance plans cover sex therapy. Once you select a therapist, call him/her to ask whether services are covered by your insurance provider. If payment cannot be worked out through insurance, many therapists can adjust their fees. Sex therapy clinics tend to be less expensive than private therapists. The cost of sex therapy programs vary, but generally range between $600 and $2,300 dollars, depending on the nature of the problem and the response to treatment. Call your local hospital or university medical center to see if it has a sex therapy clinic. Also, ask your doctor if he or she can recommend a therapist.
context: It's easy to work foods rich in omega-3s into your everyday diet. You'll find them in many familiar foods. Two kinds, EPA and DHA, are in naturally fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel). They're the best source, and the American Heart Association recommends eating this type of fish at least twice a week. ( If you don't eat fish, you can ask your doctor if supplements would help.) Another type, called ALA, comes from plant foods like walnuts, canola oil, chia seeds, soy, flaxseeds, leafy green vegetables, and navy beans. Your body can change it into EPA and DHA, but it doesn't do this very well. Some cereals, milks, eggs, and yogurt are fortified with omega-3s. Try these options: A bowl of cereal with fortified milk, soy milk, or almond milk An omelet with fortified eggs Cold cereal or oatmeal with chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, ground flaxseeds, or chia seeds A breakfast shake with fortified milk, tofu, frozen berries, fruit juice, and ice Soups and salads with walnuts, flaxseeds, or chia seeds Leafy greens and albacore tuna salad with low-fat mayonnaise A tossed salad with walnut oil and balsamic vinegar A grilled salmon burger with fresh baby spinach Sardines in mustard or tomato sauce with flaxseed crackers A handful of walnuts and dried fruit Yogurt with chia seeds and fresh fruit Edamame (steamed green soybeans) with a little bit of salt Salmon, trout, or halibut. Your serving should be a little bigger than a pack of cards. Bake, broil or grill it. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts. Kale and white bean stew Navy bean and ham soup Chili with kidney beans and ground turkey Soybean pasta with ground turkey breast and light tomato sauce
context: When you find out you have lung cancer, it can be overwhelming. Use this list of questions to help you get the answers you'll need to make decisions. It's also a good idea to bring a family member or close friend with you for support. What kind of lung cancer do I have? Where is the cancer and how far has it spread? What stage is my cancer? What treatment do you recommend? Why? What are the side effects? What would help make them less of a problem? Can you remove my lung cancer with surgery? Will I need chemotherapy or radiation? Would newer types of medicine, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy,also help me? Should I get a second opinion? Could I join a clinical trial? Will you help me find one? What other resources (like a support group or counselor) might be helpful? What lifestyle habits will help me as I go through treatment? Would integrative medicine help me feel better or ease side effects?
context: You're sneezy, stuffed up, and feel bad all over. Is it a cold, or do you have the flu? The symptoms can be a lot alike. But if you know the warning signs of the flu, you can get treatment quickly and work on feeling better, sooner. Unlike a cold, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Another key difference is a fever, which might not happen with a cold. You might also have: Severe aches in muscles and joints Pain and tiredness around your eyes Weakness or extreme fatigue Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes A headache A dry cough A sore throat and runny nose Adults with seasonal flu don't usually vomit or have diarrhea, but children might. Some symptoms can mean your illness is severe. Get immediate medical help if you have any of the following: Trouble breathing or shortness of breath Pain or pressure in your chest or belly Sudden dizziness Confusion Severe vomiting In most cases, the best way to treat it is to: Rest at home. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid contact with other people. You might need treatment with prescription medications called antiviral drugs if: you're very sick or you have other medical conditions, you are under 2 years old or are 65 or older have a weak immune system are pregnant or are at higher risk for complications from the flu. are Native American or Alaska native These medicines -- baloxavir marboxil ( Xofluza), oseltamivir ( Tamiflu), peramivir ( Rapivab), or zanamivir ( Relenza) -- work best when you take them within 48 hours after your symptoms start. They can shorten the length of your illness by a day if you take them within this early window. They might help even after 2 days. Your doctor may want you to take antiviral drugs if you have a high risk of complications from the flu. Seasonal flu follows a fairly predictable pattern, starting in the fall and ending in the spring. A sign that it's started is the sudden rise in the number of school-aged children sick at home with a flu-like illness. This first outbreak is soon followed by an uptick in other groups, including parents.
context: A child's mouth contains 20 initial teeth, called primary teeth, baby teeth, or deciduous teeth, consisting of the following teeth types: 4 second molars 4 first molars 4 cuspids (also called canine or eye teeth) 4 lateral incisors 4 central incisors For each set of four teeth, two teeth are located in the upper arch (one on each side of the mouth) and two are located in the lower arch (one on each side of the mouth). To find out when primary teeth begin to appear, see the primary eruption illustration and the Teeth Eruption Charts. The adult mouth contains 32 permanent teeth, consisting of the following teeth types: 4 third molars (also called wisdom teeth) 4 second molars (also called 12-year molars) 4 first molars (also called 6-year molars) 4 second bicuspids (also called second premolars) 4 first bicuspids (also called first premolars) 4 cuspids (also called canine or eye teeth) 4 lateral incisors 4 central incisors To find out when permanent teeth begin to appear, see the permanent eruption illustration and the Teeth Eruption Charts. Your teeth are used for: Biting and tearing. The central incisors and lateral incisors are primarily used for biting and cutting and canine teeth are primarily used for tearing food. Grinding and crushing. The premolars, molars, and wisdom teeth are primarily used for chewing and grinding food. Each tooth consists of three main parts - the crown, the neck and root. The crown is the visible part of the tooth. A protective layer called enamel covers the crown. The neck is the area of the tooth between the crown and the root. The root is the portion of the tooth that extends through the gum and into the bone of the jaw.
context: Erectile dysfunction can take a toll on a relationship. You'll want to support and encourage your partner as he manages his condition. It's also important to take care of yourself, too. Start with these strategies. Learn as much as you can about ED. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be able to help your partner. You can talk about the lifestyle changes and medical treatments that could help. Let him know how much you value him. Remind him that ED isn't a reflection on his masculinity, and that it hasn't changed how you feel about him. Assure him that you'll get through this together. Talk about how you feel. You're affected, too. Just like anything else that's going on in your relationship, it can help to talk about it. Stay positive. Discuss what you and your partner want and need and how to achieve it. Also, keep in mind that the condition is common and can be treated. Adjust your sex life. Find other ways to please and satisfy each other so that he doesn't feel pressured to perform. Offer to go with him to the doctor. Even if he decides to go on his own, he'll know you want to be there for him. Remind him to let his doctor know how he's doing. Is his treatment working? Does he have questions or side effects? Encourage him to update his doctor about that. Keep up the other intimate parts of your relationship. Feeling close to each other can include more than sex. You may also want to talk to a counselor, if the changes related to ED are worrying the two of you.
context: Not everyone who has psoriasis will get psoriatic arthritis, even though the conditions are often related. Psoriasis causes patches of scaly, red, or white skin called plaques. Psoriatic arthritis sets off joint swelling and pain that can lead to permanent damage. Your immune system is responsible for both. Inflammation is part of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Both of these conditions occur because your immune system attacks your own body instead of something foreign to you. A little less than a third of people who have psoriasis will get psoriatic arthritis. Doctors can't yet tell who before it happens, though. Usually, you'll have the skin symptoms first. But sometimes, arthritis symptoms appear months, or even years, before skin problems do. That makes it hard to diagnose. People with severe psoriasis could have a greater chance of getting psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis skin plaques can flare up and then get better. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms may also come and go. About 40% of people who get psoriatic arthritis have relatives with it or with psoriasis. Scientists don't know which genes are responsible for these conditions. Figuring that out will help doctors predict who is likely to get these conditions. It may lead to new treatments, too. There's no connection between the location of your plaques and which joints are affected. For example, you could have: Skin lesions on your elbow, but no pain, no swelling, and no problems bending and moving it Swollen toes, but no redness or scales on your feet Psoriasis doesn't cause scarring or any other lasting harm to skin. But psoriatic arthritis can damage joints and leave them stiff and deformed if it isn't treated. That's why you need to work with your doctor even if your symptoms get better. Don't stop taking medications unless your doctor says it's OK.
context: Has been bitten or stung and has sudden hives, swelling in the face, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or fainting Had a serious allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting before Insect stings and bites in young children may be painful, frightening, or irritating, but they're rarely a cause for concern unless your child has an allergic reaction. Your child has been bitten or stung near the mouth The area seems to be getting larger or redder or is oozing, which are signs of infection. Honeybees and yellow jackets are the only insects that leave a stinger in the skin. Scrape the area with a fingernail or credit card to remove it. Don't pinch the stinger with your fingers or tweezers -- that can inject more venom. Wash the bite or sting with mild soap and water. Remove any tight jewelry from the area of the bite or sting. It could be hard to get off once the area swells. Ice the area for 10 minutes and then remove the ice for 10 minutes. Then repeat. If the sting was on an arm or leg, elevate the area. Pain relievers that are formulated for babies or children, such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) can help. Be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the bottle. If your child is under the recommended age, call a pediatrician. An antihistamine formulated for children may help with swelling and itch. Call a pediatrician before using an antihistamine in infants or toddlers. Apply a mixture of baking soda and water or calamine lotion for itch.
context: Dermatitis herpetiformis ( DH) is a bumpy, itchy skin rash that's common in people with celiac disease. That's an autoimmune disorder that keeps your body from digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. DH, also known Duhring's disease, causes blisters that look like herpes, but the condition doesn't come from the herpes virus. It's linked to gluten sensitivity. If you have celiac disease and eat gluten, your intestines make an antibody called Ig A in response. This chemical flows into your bloodstream and builds up in blood vessels under your skin. It triggers the DH rash. This condition is rare in children. It usually shows up for the first time when you're between 30 and 40 years old. Men tend to get it more often than women. It's most common in people of European descent and rare among African- Americans and Asian- Americans. The first thing you'll probably notice is a burning or stinging sensation on certain places on your skin. After that, clusters of small, red bumps pop up. They're very itchy, and can take several forms, like: Blisters Fluid-filled sores Sores that look like hives Raised sores You may mistake your bumps and blisters for eczema. Most often, DH shows up on your: Elbows Knees Scalp Butt Back Shoulder Blades You can also get them in other places on your body, like your neck, face, or groin. Usually, they show up on both sides of your body at once. Sometimes, DH can even affect the enamel on your teeth. It takes 1-2 weeks for your blisters to scab over and heal, but new blisters often grow in their place. Symptoms can die down and flare back up over time. Once you get DH, you usually deal with it for the rest of your life. Your doctor will need to do a skin biopsy. After numbing the area, he'll use a very small instrument that works like a cookie-cutter to âpunchâ out part of your skin. You may need a stitch or two to close up the site. It should heal quickly, with very little scarring. A lab will use dye to see if you have Ig A in a certain type of pattern. This tells your doctor whether you have DH. He can then also take some of your blood to test it for celiac disease. There's no cure for DH, but medications can help heal your rash. Your doctor might prescribe dapsone, which you take by mouth. It gets rid of your itching and bumps within 1-3 days. Your doctor may also recommend a topical corticosteroid cream to help with itching. If tests show that you have celiac disease, your doctor will tell you to completely cut gluten out of your diet. Iodine, a common ingredient in salt, can make symptoms worse in some cases. So you may need to avoid that, too. A gluten-free diet is important, but it's only part of the solution. In most cases, you'll also need to take medicine to get full relief.
context: Diarrhea can be a temporary thing, or it can signal something more serious. If you have diarrhea, how can you tell whether you should wait it out or see a doctor? var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; NIH; American College of Gastroenterology; Kids Health; Audio Jungle [ MUSIC PLAYING] if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Diarrhea makes its presence known with several urgent trips to the bathroom in a short time. You know it's diarrhea when you pass loose, watery stool two or more times a day. You may also have: Cramping Abdominal pain Bloating Nausea Fever Vomiting Even without medicine, diarrhea usually goes away on its own within 48 hours. The most important things you can do in the meantime are: Stay hydrated while the diarrhea runs its course. Avoid foods that will make your symptoms worse. It can follow close on the heels of diarrhea, especially when symptoms linger, or if you vomit. As soon as you realize diarrhea is on its way, make fluids a top priority. When you have diarrhea, drink plenty of water. Also get fluids that will boost your sodium and electrolyte levels. Examples include: Broth Soup Fruits and fruit juices Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition. Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment. Call your doctor right away if you have: Severe abdominal or rectal pain Blood in your stool Black, tarry stools High fever (greater than 101.3 F) Signs of dehydration These can be warning signs of things like: Infection Inflammatory bowel disease Pancreatitis Colon cancer Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it. If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea. To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You'll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell him: How long you've had diarrhea Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery Other symptoms you have and how long you've had them If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea Places you've traveled to recently Unusual foods you've tried in the last little while Any medication or supplements you're taking If you've lost a lot of weight
context: Sometimes, people with Alzheimer's disease lash out for no clear reason. They may get upset or angry easily. They may curse, hurl insults, or scream. They might even throw things or resist caregivers by pushing and hitting. This kind of aggression usually starts when people get to the later stages of the disease. No one knows for sure why it happens. Aggression may be a symptom of Alzheimer's disease itself. It could also be a reaction when a person feels confused or frustrated. If your loved one becomes aggressive, it's important to remember that she isn't doing it on purpose. There are also things you can do to make her feel better and keep outbursts from happening. Alzheimer's aggression can flare up without warning. There may not be an obvious cause. But many times, there are triggers you can spot before or during a problem. Common ones include: Discomfort from lack of sleep, side effects from medication, or pain that she can't describe The environment around her, including loud noises, too much activity, or clutter Confusion from being asked too many questions at once, trying to understand complex instructions, or feeling the stress of caregivers Once you understand the triggers for Alzheimer's aggression, you can take steps to prevent it. A few things to try: Think ahead of time if a situation might make your loved one uncomfortable, overstimulated, or confused. Don't ask too many questions at once, give instructions that are too complex, or criticize. That way, you're less likely to confuse and upset the person you are caring for. Limit the amount of loud noises, activity, and clutter around her. Don't argue. People with Alzheimer's disease see a different reality than you do. Rather than challenge them about it, sit and listen. Ask questions about it. Focus on the past. Alzheimer's affects short-term memory, so it's often easier and less stressful for someone to recall and talk about distant memories than what they watched on TV the night before. Use memory cues. As the disease gets worse, remembering when and how to do everyday tasks like brushing teeth or getting dressed gets harder. Reminder notes around the house can help prevent frustration. It's not easy to care for a person with Alzheimer's disease, especially when they lash out at you. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed, isolated, or sad. If you are a caregiver, do yourself and the person you care for a favor. Let someone know if you start to feel depressed, anxious, exhausted, or irritable. If you take good care of yourself, you can take better care of others.
context: If you just learned you have hepatitis C, your doctor may have told you that it's linked to liver cancer. It's natural to feel worried and have lots of questions. You can ease your concerns. Get the facts and find out how some changes in your life can improve your chances of staying healthy. Here's what you need to know: Do most people with hep C get liver cancer? No. Over 3 million Americans have hepatitis C, but less than 5% of them will get liver cancer. Why do some people with the disease get liver cancer? You're at a higher risk if you also have scarring in your liver called cirrhosis. This happens to about 20% of people with long-term hepatitis C. Why does cirrhosis sometimes lead to liver cancer? Cirrhosis can take 20 or more years to develop. During that time, the healthy cells in your liver are slowly replaced with scar tissue. While these scars grow, your liver tries to heal itself by creating new cells. But this process has a downside. It can raise your odds of getting liver cancer. The more cells your liver creates, the higher the chances that a change, or mutation, will take place. And that's what causes cancerous tumors. Does everyone who gets cirrhosis develop liver cancer? No. Of people with hep C who get cirrhosis, only about 20% get liver cancer. Can I cut my chances of getting cirrhosis? Yes. The best thing you can do is to stop drinking alcohol. If you have hep C and you drink, it speeds up liver damage. You could get cirrhosis quicker. Will it help to quit smoking? Absolutely. Smoking increases the risk of liver cancer even for people who don't have hepatitis C. One study shows that current and former smokers have double the risk of liver cancer compared with people who had never smoked. Should I avoid any medications? Some over-the-counter painkillers, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, can damage your liver. So can some sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Ask your doctor about whether you should avoid these drugs. Which type of hep C is most likely to lead to liver cancer? People with a type of hepatitis C virus known as HCV genotype 1b are almost twice as likely to get it as those with other types. A test can tell you which kind of virus you have. Is there a test that checks to see if I have liver cancer? Yes. A CAT scan or MRI can help your doctor look for tumors on your liver. If you have cirrhosis, ask your doctor how often you should get screened. Your doctor may also suggest you get a blood test. It checks how much of a protein called AFP you have. A high amount could be a sign of liver cancer.
context: When it comes to heart health, extra-virgin olive oil is a pantry staple. But there's a crop of trendy oils popping up at farmers' markets, in specialty grocery stores, and on your foodie friend's shelf. So, what are the new choices, and how do they compare to your heart-healthy favorite? Here's an explainer. First, you should stick to the guidelines your doctor gave you. Your body needs some fat, but fat is rich in calories (9 calories per gram), and some types of fat are healthier than others. It's possible to get too much, even of the "good" fats. Your doctor, or a registered dietitian, can let you know what limits you should follow. Also, know that each oil has a unique chemical makeup, so some will be more suited for sauteing, some for searing, and others for no-heat preparations, like salad dressings. When cooking, always keep in mind an oil's smoke point -- that's the temperature at which the oil begins to smoke and produce dangerous fumes and free radicals. Generally, the more refined the oil, the higher the smoke point. If you're looking for a distinctive, nutty flavor to add to a recipe, almond oil is tasty and typically low in saturated fat. Recent studies show that a diet rich in almonds may help reduce blood pressure. Cooking Tip: With its high smoke point, almond oil is good for searing and browning as well as on salads. A diet rich in avocados may lower blood pressure and offer cholesterol-lowering benefits similar to olive oil. Whole avocados have magnesium, which has blood pressure-lowering properties, and potassium, which lessens the effect of sodium in the body. But it's not clear yet if the same is true for avocado oil. Cooking Tip: This oil has a high smoke point, making it perfect for searing and browning, and on salads. It doesn't have as much blood pressure-lowering omega-3 as extra-virgin olive oil, but canola oil boasts one of the lowest levels of saturated fats. That can make it a good choice to help your heart health. Cooking Tip: This oil has a medium-high smoke point. Use it for baking, oven cooking, and stir-frying. The buzz on this tasty, trendy oil is that it may have disease-preventing properties, but the blood pressure-conscious should beware: This oil packs the highest amount of saturated fat. It's easy to be tempted by a great flavor boost, but too much saturated fat is a heart health no-no. Stick with traditional, nontropical vegetable oils. Olive and canola are better options. Cooking Tip: If you want to give coconut oil a try, use it sparingly for light sauteing, low-heat baking, and in sauces. It has a medium smoke point. Walnuts, pumpkins, pecans, and other nutty oils are showing up on fine dining menus and even grocery shelves. All of them contain healthy fats for heart health benefits, including lowering blood pressure. Cooking Tip: These are no-heat oils that aren't great for cooking. Use them moderately in dressings. These seed-based oils are rich in omega-3 and omega-6, which may help lower blood pressure. Cooking Tip: These are no-heat oils, making them good choices for salad dressings and dips. Just be sure to watch your portions.
context: If you have neck or back pain, or you're dealing with some other condition that causes muscle spasms, your doctor might prescribe a muscle relaxer (or muscle relaxant) for you. Having a muscle spasm means that one or more of your muscles is contracting and the twitching or cramping is out of your control. It can happen for a lot of different reasons, and can sometimes be very painful. While there are many different treatments for pain, your doctor may decide that a muscle relaxer is the best solution for you. Your doctor might first suggest you try an over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil) to treat your pain. But if those don't work, or you can't take them because you have another issue like liver problems or ulcers, you may need to try a muscle relaxant. Muscle relaxants are ideally prescribed for acute rather than chronic pain. They may be an option if pain is preventing you from getting enough sleep. Because muscle relaxants cause drowsiness, they can help you get rest when you take them at night. No matter what kind of muscle relaxer you take, you'll experience one or more side effects. Some muscle relaxants, however, can have potentially serious side effects, like liver damage. Your doctor will work with you to find the medication that makes the most sense for your situation. The most common side effects include: Tiredness, drowsiness, or sedation effect Fatigue or weakness Dizziness Dry mouth Depression Decreased blood pressure You shouldn't drink alcohol while taking muscle relaxants. These medications make it hard to think and function normally, even if you take a low dose, so combining them with alcohol can increase your risk of an accident. You also shouldn't drive or operate heavy machinery while taking muscle relaxants. Some muscle relaxers start working within 30 minutes of taking them, and the effects can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. Muscle relaxants can be addictive for some people. Taking them without a prescription, or taking more than your doctor has recommended, can increase your chances of becoming addicted. So can using them over a long period of time. Almost all cases of addiction and abuse are due to the drug carisoprodol ( Soma), which is considered a schedule IV controlled substance. That's because when the drug breaks down in your body, it produces a substance called meprobamate that acts like a tranquilizer. People who become addicted to carisoprodol sometimes abuse the drug because it makes them feel relaxed. Other kinds of muscle relaxants may be addictive too. Cyclobenzaprine ( Flexeril) has also been linked to misuse and abuse. With prolonged use you can become physically dependent on some muscle relaxants. This means that without the medication, you can have withdrawl symptoms. You may have insomnia, vomiting or anxiety when you stop taking it.
context: When a headache strikes, most of us head for the medicine cabinet or local pharmacy and take an over-the-counter pain pill, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or pain-relieving drugs with caffeine. But when you don't follow the instructions on the bottle or from your doctor, these medicines could give you a rebound headache. When the pain reliever wears off, your body may have a withdrawal reaction, prompting you to take more medicine, which only leads to another headache. And so the cycle continues until you start to have daily headaches with more severe pain more often. This rebound syndrome is especially common if your medication has caffeine, which is often included in many pain relievers to speed up the action of the other ingredients. Though it can be helpful, caffeine in medications, along with the other sources you get (coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate), makes you more likely to have a rebound headache. Overuse of pain relievers also can lead to addiction, more intense pain when the medication wears off, and other serious side effects. Any person with a history of tension headaches, migraines, or transformed migraines can get rebound headaches if they take too much of their pain medications. Many common pain relievers, when you take them in large enough amounts, can cause rebound headaches. These include: Aspirin Sinus relief medications Acetaminophen Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen Sedatives for sleep Codeine and prescription narcotics Over-the-counter combination headache remedies that have caffeine (such as Anacin, Bayer Select, Excedrin) Ergotamine medications (such as Bellergal- S, Bel- Phen- Ergot S, Cafatine PB, Cafergot, Ercaf, Ergomar, Migergot, Phenerbel- S, Wigraine) Butalbital combination pain relievers (fioricet, fiorinal, Goody's Headache Powder, Supac) While small amounts of these drugs per week may be safe and effective, at some point, you could use enough to get mild headaches that just will not go away. It's not a good idea to take larger doses of these medicines or to take the regular amount more often. That can make the headache worse and continue indefinitely. Usually, headaches will get easier to control when you stop taking the medicine or gradually take lower doses. Your doctor will probably ask you to record your headache symptoms, how often you have them, and how long they last. Some people may need to be "detoxified" with closer medical supervision, so it's important to work with a headache specialist. People who take large doses of sedative hypnotics, sedative-containing combination headache pills, or narcotics such as codeine or oxycodone may need to be in the hospital while they start to come off of the drugs. After the first few weeks of the process, you may have more headaches. But eventually, they'll disappear and go back to how they used to be. You can prevent rebound headaches when you use pain relievers on a limited basis, only when you need them. Do not use them more than once or twice a week unless your doctor tells you to. Also, avoid caffeine while you're taking pain relievers, especially medication that already has caffeine.
context: Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), including: Difficulty breathing or wheezing Tightness in the throat or a feeling that the airways are closing Hoarseness or trouble speaking Swollen lips, tongue, or throat Nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting Fast heartbeat or pulse Anxiety or dizziness Loss of consciousness Had severe reactions in the past Questions to ask your doctor: Can the reaction happen again? What's my risk of anaphylaxis, a serious reaction that's sometimes life-threatening? What exactly am I allergic to? What should I do if I come in contact with it? Should I carry an epinephrine injection kit ( Auvi- Q, Adrenaclick, Epi Pen, Symjepi or a generic version of the auto-injector)? If available, do not hesitate to use the epinephrine auto-injector if you suspect a severe allergic reaction or there are any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Using the pen as a precaution is safe and could save his or her life. Call 911 even if you gave an epinephrine injection as the allergic reaction may still get worse or the symptoms may come back. See Severe Allergic Reaction Treatment. Hives and angioedema that happen suddenly are usually triggered by an allergic reaction to a food, drug, or insect bite or sting. If you know what the trigger is, keep the person away from it if possible. Give an adult an over-the-counter antihistamine. Check with a doctor before giving an antihistamine to a child. Put a cool compress on the area or have the person take a cool shower. Avoid strong soaps, detergents, and other chemicals that can make itching worse. It may take several days for the trigger substance to leave the body. Continue treatment until symptoms subside. If symptoms persist or return, to help identify the allergen that caused the hives, see a doctor.
context: A physical exam by your health care provider is often enough to diagnose a hernia. Sometimes hernia swelling is visible when you stand upright; usually, the hernia can be felt if you place your hand directly over it and then bear down. Ultrasound may be used to see a femoral hernia, and abdominal X-rays may be ordered to determine if a bowel obstruction is present. In babies, umbilical hernias may heal themselves within four years, making surgery unnecessary. For all others, the standard treatment is conventional hernia-repair surgery (called herniorrhaphy). It is possible to simply live with a hernia and monitor it. The main risk of this approach is that the protruding organ may become strangulated -- its blood supply cut off -- and infection and tissue death may occur as a result. A strangulated intestinal hernia may result in intestinal obstruction, causing the abdomen to swell. The strangulation can also lead to infection, gangrene, intestinal perforation, shock, or even death. Hernia surgery is performed under either local or general anesthesia. The surgeon repositions the herniated tissue and, if strangulation has occurred, removes the oxygen-starved part of the organ. The damaged muscle wall will frequently be repaired with synthetic mesh or tissue. Increasingly, herniorrhaphy is being performed using a laparoscope, a thin, telescope-like instrument that requires smaller incisions and involves a shorter recovery period and less post-operative pain. Hernia repairs are usually performed as an outpatient procedure. There are usually no dietary restrictions, and work and regular activity may usually be resumed in one or two weeks. Complete recovery usually takes three to four weeks, with no heavy lifting for two to three months. Ask your surgeon for specific instructions after your surgery. Hernias may return after surgery, so preventive measures are especially important to help avoid a recurrence.