VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Skin cysts and tumors are skin problems that sometimes cause pain. Skin cysts are non-cancerous closed pockets or pouches of tissue that are filled with fluid or other material. They feel like small peas beneath the surface of the skin and usually feel smooth and roll under the skin when pressure is applied to them. If you look closely, you will see a small opening to the surface, called an epidermal pore. If you look closely, you will likely see a small opening to the surface, called an epidermal pore. Skin tumors are abnormal growths of tissue that can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (harmless). Skin tumors become extremely common as people get older. Some common benign tumors include: Warts (skin tumor resulting from a virus) Seborrheic keratoses (growths on the skin ranging from light skin color to dark brown) Nevi (skin growths such as moles or birthmarks) Dermatofibromas (scar tissue from an old bug bite or acne lesion) Lipomas (normal fat in an abnormal location, most often from a traumatic injury) What Causes Skin Cysts? Cysts can develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands, or around foreign bodies. How Are Skin Cysts Treated? It is rare but some cysts disappear on their own without treatment. Others require treatment that involves lancing (piercing with a sharp object) the cyst and draining it. Some cysts can be treated with an injection of cortisone medication. Cysts that do not respond to treatment can be removed through surgery - especially if they become infected more than once and/or grow. What Causes Skin Tumors? The cause of skin tumors is not known, but some people may be likely to develop more or less of them based on heredity. How Are Skin Tumors Treated? Often, no treatment is required for skin tumors. However, methods to treat skin tumors may include: Curettage and electrodesiccation: This involves scraping away the tumor tissues with a sharp surgical instrument called a curette. An electrosurgical unit may then be used to stop bleeding. Surgical excision: This involves cutting into the skin, removing the growth, and closing the wound with stitches. Cryosurgery: During this procedure, liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly onto the skin or an instrument is used to freeze the tissue. Pain is alleviated once the cyst or tumor is removed. For short-term pain resulting from treatment, Tylenol or Aleve may be taken.
context: When you have heart disease or you've had heart surgery, exercise is an important part of keeping your condition under control. But you'll also want to be smart about what you do and how. Your doctor can let you know what activities are OK for you and your situation. You may have more options than you think. Ask about things like pushups and situps. These involve straining muscles against other muscles or a heavy object. You may need to avoid them. Make sure that lifting and pushing heavy objects, and chores like raking, shoveling, mowing, and scrubbing, aren't off-limits. Chores around the house can drain some people. Do only what you can do without getting tired. Some drugs can greatly affect how your body handles exercise. Your doctor can let you know if you need to change your exercise plans because of what you're taking. Pace yourself. Don't do too much, too soon. Give your body time to rest between workouts. Don't exercise outdoors when it's too cold, hot, or humid. High humidity may make you tired more quickly. Extreme temperatures can interfere with circulation, make breathing difficult, and cause chest pain. Indoor activities such as mall walking are better choices. Stay hydrated. Drink water even before you feel thirsty, especially on hot days. Skip extremely hot and cold showers or sauna baths after exercise. These extreme temperatures make your heart work harder. Resume slowly after a break. If your regular exercise gets interrupted for a few days (because you were sick, went on vacation, or had bad weather, for example), ease back into it. Start with shorter and less intense activity, and gradually build up until you're back to the level you were before. Don't exercise if you're not feeling well or have a fever. People with heart problems should wait until all symptoms disappear before you get back to your routine, unless your doctor gives other directions. Stop activity if you get a rapid or irregular heartbeat or have heart palpitations. Check your pulse after you've rested for 15 minutes. If it's still more than 100 beats per minute, call the doctor. Being too tired or short of breath is also a signal to stop. Tell your doctor what happened, or schedule an appointment. Does it hurt while exercising? Don't ignore it. Stop when you have pain anywhere in your body. You could injure your joints. Stop and rest if you: Feel weak Are dizzy or light-headed Have unexplained weight gain or swelling -- call the doctor right away Feel pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm, jaw, or shoulder Are concerned for any reason Call the doctor if those feelings don't go away.
context: A seizure happens because of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may go nearly unnoticed. Or, in some severe cases, it may cause unconsciousness and convulsions, when your body shakes uncontrollably. 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(); }); } Seizures usually come on suddenly. How long and severe they are can vary. A seizure can happen to you just once, or over and over. If they keep coming back, that's epilepsy, or a seizure disorder. Less than one in 10 people who have a seizure get epilepsy. Experts put seizures into two general categories: These involve your entire brain from the start. Common subtypes include: Tonic-clonic (grand mal): This is the most common subtype. Your arms and legs get stiff, and you may stop breathing for a bit. Then your limbs will jerk around. Your head will move about, as well. Absence seizures (petit mal): You lose awareness briefly when you have one of these. Children get them more often than adults. Typically, they last only a few seconds. Febrile seizures: These are convulsions a child may have from a high fever caused by an infection. They can last a few minutes but are usually harmless. Infantile spasms: These usually stop by age 4. The child's body gets stiff suddenly and his head goes forward. Many kids who have these get epilepsy later in life. This type begins in a specific area of the brain. They may spread to the entire brain. There are two types: If you have a focal onset aware seizure, you remain conscious. The seizure is very brief (usually less than 2 minutes). You may or may not be able to respond to people while it's happening. Focal onset impaired awareness seizures can cause unconsciousness. You may also do things without knowing it, like lip smacking, chewing, moving your legs, or thrusting your pelvis. Often, it's unknown. Many things can bring them on, including: Stroke Cancer Brain tumors Head injuries Electrolyte imbalance Very low blood sugar Repetitive sounds or flashing lights, as in video games Some medications, like antipsychotics and some asthma drugs Withdrawal from some medications, like Xanax, narcotics, or alcohol Use of narcotics, such as cocaine and heroin Brain infections, like meningitis
context: Tape the broken finger to an adjacent non-broken finger. Cool the finger by applying ice that is wrapped in a towel -- don't apply ice directly to the skin; it can cause a burn. Call a health care provider or go to a hospital emergency room immediately so the broken finger can be X-rayed and properly set. Without treatment, it may not heal properly and could lead to a permanent deformity. Use an over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin).
context: Everyone loves a healthy glow, but the simple truth is that tanned skin is damaged skin. Years of getting too much sun can lead to early wrinkling and age spots, and makes you more likely to get skin cancer. To avoid sun damage: Stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's burning rays are the strongest. Protect your skin with clothing, a hat, and sunscreen if you go outside. Look for sun-protective clothing. Sunscreen protects your skin against the sun's ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet rays include UVA and UVB. UVA penetrates the skin deeper than UVB rays, causing wrinkles and contributing to skin cancer. UVB causes sunburn and is also a factor in skin cancer. The sun protection factor ( SPF) in sunscreens tells you how well they prevent sunburns. Choose a sunscreen with the right SPF to avoid sunburn and skin damage. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher that says "broad-spectrum" on the label (which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays) and is water-resistant. You should wear sunscreen every day, in every season, even if it's cloudy, rainy, or cold outside. Put it all over your skin about 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Remember, the sun's UVA rays come through car windows and glass, so you still need to apply sunscreen even if you're only going to be driving. Reapply sunscreen every one and a half hours after you sweat or swim. If you wear foundation, apply sunscreen first and then put on your foundation. Foundation does not have the broad-spectrum sunscreen that you need. If you notice any mark, bump, blemish, or mole that is changing, growing, or bleeding, call your doctor. It may be skin cancer. Skin cancer is often treatable when it's found early. Also, talk to your doctor about any medications that you take. Some antibiotics, antidepressants, and diabetes drugs can make skin more sensitive to sun. Some drugs that you put on your skin, such as Renova and Retin- A, can make your skin very sensitive and cause it to burn quickly. If you use these treatments, ask your doctor how to protect your skin from the sun. Immediately apply 90% aloe vera gel or the juice squeezed directly from the aloe plant. Every tropical culture uses aloe vera as a treatment for sunburn. It soothes damaged skin because it is anti-inflammatory and may prevent the burn from deepening. If you don't have aloe, apply a moisturizing lotion that doesn't contain alcohol. Preliminary research suggests that taking up to 200,000 IU of vitamin D by mouth may help decrease the inflammation and damage of sunburn. A sunburn with blisters is a second-degree burn and puts you at high risk for skin problems. See a doctor if your sunburn has blistered.
context: It's easy to think back pain is just part of getting older. But be careful. If you're nearing age 60, it may be a sign that you have tiny cracks in the bones called vertebrae that form your spine. When these small hairline fractures add up, they can eventually cause a vertebra to collapse, which is called spinal compression fracture. Soft, weakened bones are at the heart of the problem. Compression fractures are usually caused by the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis, especially if you are a woman over age 50 who has been through menopause. When bones are brittle, your vertebrae aren't strong enough to support your spine in everyday activities. When you bend to lift an object, miss a step, or slip on a carpet, you can put your spinal bones at risk of fracture. Even coughing or sneezing can cause compression fractures if you have severe osteoporosis. After a number of small compression fractures, your body begins to show the effects. The strength and shape of the spine can change. You lose height because your spine is shorter. Most compression fractures happen in the front of the vertebra. When you get enough of them, the front part of the bone can collapse. The back of the vertebra is made of harder bone, so it stays intact. That creates a wedge-shaped vertebra, which can lead to the stooped posture you might know as a dowager's hump. Doctors call it kyphosis. Two groups of people are at highest risk for spinal compression fractures: People with osteoporosis People with cancer that has spread to their bones If you have been diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer -- including multiple myeloma and lymphoma -- your doctor may monitor you for compression fractures. On the other hand, sometimes a spinal fracture may be the first sign that a person has cancer. But most spinal compression fractures happen because of osteoporosis. Some people have a higher chance of getting the disease because of: Race: White and Asian women have the greatest risk. Age: The chances are higher for women over 50 and go up with age. Weight: Thin women are at higher risk. Early menopause: Women who went through it before age 50 have higher chances of getting osteoporosis. Smokers: People who smoke lose bone thickness faster than nonsmokers. You can have osteoporosis and not even know it. In fact, about two-thirds of spinal compression fractures are never diagnosed because many people think the back pain is just a part of aging and arthritis. But if osteoporosis isn't treated, it can lead to more fractures. It's important to see your doctor if you're in pain. Osteoporosis treatment won't guarantee that you'll never get another compression fracture, but it will significantly lower your odds.
context: Simple classroom adjustments make it easier for a teacher to work with the strengths and weaknesses of a child with ADHD. It may be helpful for teachers to: Pair written instructions with oral instructions. Give clear, concise instructions. Ask a volunteer in the class to repeat the directions. Use a timer to help with transitions and organizations. Speak when the child is paying attention. Set up clear rules of behavior and consequences for breaking these rules. Set up a program that rewards appropriate behavior. Seat the child near a good role model or near the teacher and away from distractions. Establish a nonverbal cue to get the child's attention. Establish a routine so the child knows what to expect (this may be a daily agenda or checklist that can be posted visibly in the classroom). Set up times to check in with the child and with the child's parents because kids with ADHD may be reluctant to ask for help.
context: It takes time to find the best treatment for your child's ADHD. There are about a dozen drugs to choose from. Getting the right one at the right dose can be a long process of trial and error. You'll need to keep a close eye on your child's symptoms. Before starting a new treatment, you and your child's teacher can make a checklist of the symptoms and how strong they are. That will be your baseline. After your child is on the medication for a while, you can each go through the list again. If a symptom isn't as strong, the drug is probably helping with it. Some things to check might include how often your child: Misses details or makes careless mistakes Gets off task Seems not to listen when spoken to Doesn't follow directions or finish a task Can't get organized Dislikes activities that take concentration Loses things Gets distracted easily Forgets things Fidgets and squirms Doesn't stay in his seat Runs around when everyone else is seated Can't play quietly Seems to be in constant motion Talks too much Blurts out answers Won't wait his turn Interrupts others It depends on the medication your child takes, and if it's extended release or short-term. Most kids with ADHD get stimulant medication, which helps nerve cells in the brain communicate. These drugs work quickly. Behavior can change within an hour. They also leave the system quickly. Some formulas wear off in just 3-4 hours. The longest-acting can last 12 hours. So before doing a symptom check, you should know when your child last took his medication to make sure it's in his system. Non-stimulant drugs act differently. They need time to build up in your child's system but their effects last for 24 hours. You may not see a difference for weeks, and it may take several more to fine-tune the dose. If you think your child's personality has changed or he seems irritable all the time, his dose may be too high, even if his symptoms have gotten better. Talk to his doctor. Many parents find that after several years, the medicine that used to help their child no longer does the job. Older kids have more demands on their concentration, especially in high school. And they don't end with the school bell. Their day may include hours of homework, sports, or a job. If his old behavior seems to be returning, tell his doctor. It may be time to increase the dose or try a different drug. They can also switch to a formula that lasts longer, or add another shorter-acting pill later in the day. For some people, the symptoms of ADHD get better with age. At some point, your child may not need medication. Don't try to check this by stopping the medication on your own, though. Talk to his doctor about taking a monitored break from the drug to see what happens.
context: Protein can help you shed those unwanted pounds -- and keep your belly full. But it's important to eat the right amount and the right kind of protein to get its health benefits. 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(); }); } Seafood is an excellent source of protein because it's usually low in fat. Fish such as salmon is a little higher in fat, but it is the heart-healthy kind: it has omega-3 fatty acids. Stick to the white meat of poultry for excellent, lean protein. Dark meat is a little higher in fat. The skin is loaded with saturated fat, so remove skin before cooking. Not only are dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt excellent sources of protein, but they also contain valuable calcium, and many are fortified with vitamin D. Choose skim or low-fat dairy to keep bones and teeth strong and help prevent osteoporosis. Eggs are one of the least expensive forms of protein. The American Heart Association says normal healthy adults can safely enjoy an egg a day. One-half cup of beans contains as much protein as an ounce of broiled steak. Plus, these nutritious nuggets are loaded with fiber to keep you feeling full for hours. This versatile white meat is 31% leaner than it was 20 years ago. Fifty grams of soy protein daily can help lower cholesterol by about 3%. Eating soy protein instead of sources of higher-fat protein -- and maintaining a healthy diet -- can be good for your heart. Lean beef has about two grams more saturated fat than a skinless chicken breast. Lean beef is also an excellent source of zinc, iron, and vitamin B12. If you don't have time to sit down for a meal, grab a meal replacement drink, cereal bar, or energy bar. Check the label to be sure the product contains at least six grams of protein and is low in sugar and fat. Research shows that including a source of protein like an egg or Greek yogurt at breakfast along with a high-fiber grain like whole wheat toast can help you feel full longer and eat less throughout the day.
context: If the person has: Uncontrolled bleeding Difficulty breathing A possible spine injury (do not move the person) Or if the person is: In shock (faint, pale, rapid shallow breathing) Go to a hospital emergency room. Allow any blood in the mouth to dribble out or have the person spit it into a handkerchief. Without touching the roots, gently remove any broken or lost teeth from the mouth and place them in cold milk, salt water, or saliva. Take the broken teeth in their solution to the health care provider or emergency room with you. Do not attempt to align the jaws. Make a bandage out of a handkerchief, scarf, or necktie, and tie it around the jaw and over the top of the head to keep the jaw from moving. The bandage should be easily removable in case the person starts to vomit. Apply cold compresses. Medical treatment depends on the location and severity of the break. A surgeon may be able to set the bone without surgery, although wires may need to be placed to stabilize the jaw. Surgery may be needed to repair the break. The surgeon will place plates or screws to hold the broken pieces of bone together while they heal.
context: When you're resting at home after your operation, you'll need to keep an eye on the wound your surgeon left behind. It's going to go through some changes in the next month, and you'll probably find yourself wondering: Is this normal, or am I getting an infection? Learn a little bit about how your will cut heal to help you figure out when to relax and when you need to call the doctor. Your wound will go through three phases. Stage 1: Swelling. The first steps toward healing start right away. Blood vessels in the area of the cut begin to form clots that keep you from losing too much blood. White blood cells in your body move into the wound. Think of them as infection-control agents. Their job is to fight bacteria. When you're in this phase, which can go on for up to 6 days after your surgery, it's normal to see some redness and swelling. Your doctor can tell you how much is OK. Also, your wound may feel warm, and it may hurt around the site. Watch out for oozing pus that smells bad. It could be a sign that an infection is starting. Another tip-off: Your pain, redness, and swelling don't go away or are getting worse. Call your doctor if this happens. Stage 2: Rebuilding. This part of your healing lasts from about 4 days to a month after your surgery. A scar starts to form on the cut. The edges will pull together, and you might see some thickening there. It's also normal to spot some new red bumps inside your shrinking wound. You might feel sharp, shooting pains in your wound area. This may be a sign that you're getting sensations back in your nerves. The feeling should become less intense and happen less often over time, but check with your doctor if you're concerned. Stage 3: Remodeling. You're in the home stretch: Your wound has filled in and a new surface has formed. This final period can last from 6 months to 2 years. You'll see some changes in your scar. It will go from looking thick, red, and raised to thinner, flatter, and more like your usual skin color. They're rare, but they do happen. If you're going to get an infection, it's usually in the first month after your surgery. Your wound could be infected if you have: Fever Delay in your healing Pus, redness, and pain getting worse Tenderness, warmth, and swelling near your wound Most of the time, infections in the area of your wound can be treated with antibiotics.
context: The amount of sleep a person needs depends on many factors, including age. In general: Infants (ages 0-3 months) require 14-17 hours a day. Infants (ages 4-11 months) require 12-15 hours a day Toddlers (ages 1-2 years) require about 11-14 hours a day. Pre-school children (ages 3-5) require 10-13 hours a day. School-age children (ages 6-13) require 9-11 hours a day. Teenagers (ages 14-17) need about 8-10 hours each day. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night for the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as 6 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day. Older adults (ages 65 and older)need 7-8 hours of sleep each day. Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual. However, experts say that if you feel drowsy during the day, even during boring activities, you haven't had enough sleep. The amount of sleep a person needs also increases if he or she has been deprived of sleep in previous days. Getting too little sleep creates a "sleep debt," which is much like being overdrawn at a bank. Eventually, your body will demand that the debt be repaid. We don't seem to adapt to getting less sleep than we need. While we may get used to a sleep-depriving schedule, our judgment, reaction time, and other functions are still impaired. Too little sleep may cause: Memory problems Feeling depressed A weakening of your immune system, increasing your chance of becoming sick Increase in perception of pain Many studies make it clear that sleep deprivation is dangerous. Sleep-deprived people who are tested by using a driving simulator or by performing a hand-eye coordination task perform as badly as or worse than those who are intoxicated. Sleep deprivation also magnifies alcohol's effects on the body, so a fatigued person who drinks will become much more impaired than someone who is well rested. Driver fatigue was responsible for an estimated 83,000 motor vehicle accidents between 2005 and 2009 and 803 deaths in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some researchers, though, believe the numbers are actually much higher. Since drowsiness is the brain's last step before falling asleep, driving while drowsy can -- and often does -- lead to disaster. Caffeine and other stimulants cannot overcome the effects of severe sleep deprivation. The National Sleep Foundation says you are probably too drowsy to drive safely if you: Have trouble keeping your eyes focused Can't stop yawning Can't remember driving the last few miles Are daydreaming and have wandering thoughts Have trouble holding your head up Are drifting in and out of lanes
context: Treat athlete's foot at the first sign of itchiness. Most cases of athlete's foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene. Wash and dry your feet (including between the toes) every morning and evening, change socks or stockings daily, and don't wear the same shoes day after day to allow them time to dry completely before wearing them again. Sprinkle antifungal powder on feet and in your shoes daily. Antifungal creams and sprays are also effective at managing the infection. Continue treatment for one to two weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from recurring. Make sure your feet get plenty of air. If you can't go barefoot or wear sandals, wear synthetic socks which will wick away moisture. Cotton and wool tend to trap the moisture and promote fungal growth. Wear shoes made of a porous material. If not treated properly and promptly, athlete's foot can be very stubborn. Even when treated with antifungal drugs, the infection may take several weeks to disappear and may come back after treatment. Most of the time it responds well to these over-the-counter interventions. However, more severe cases may need to be seen by a doctor. If you have athlete's foot, try using an over-the-counter antifungal powder, cream, or spray. There are many types to choose from. They are equally effective if used properly. Do not tear or scrape off flaking skin; you may break nearby healthy skin and spread the infection. Don't go barefoot in public areas such as the pool or gym where many others are also barefoot. Cut your risk by keeping your feet clean, dry, and powdered with an over-the-counter antifungal foot powder. Other sensible steps: Wear synthetic socks, and shoes that breathe; shoes that keep water out also keep sweat in. Never share shoes, socks, or towels. If you get athlete's foot, wash your socks and towels in the hottest water possible. Be doubly cautious if you take an antibiotic. The medication can kill beneficial bacteria that normally control the fungus that causes athlete's foot. Take your shoes off when you go home and let your feet get exposed to the air.
context: Preventive eye care is the first line of defense against vision problems. Early detection of vision problems may offer more effective treatment options: Have periodic eye exams (every 2-3 years for healthy patients under 50, yearly for patients over 50 or those with known health risk factors). Know your family's history for any eye problems. Follow a healthy lifestyle. Eat a nutritious diet for eyesight. Wear durable eye protection when involved in activities that could cause traumatic risk to your vision, such as sports, dealing with firearms, playing paintball. Occupations where hammering, cutting, sawing, drilling, or working overhead are other examples. Avoid hazards such as fireworks, using harsh chemical like drain cleaners, and jumping car batteries (which do explode). Maintaining healthy eyesight also depends on getting sufficient vitamins and dietary nutrients. These nutrients play a key role in keeping the eye moist and helping protect your eyes from infection. A well balanced diet will provide most of what normal adults need. Foods rich in omega fatty acids, and leafy green veggies contain lots of valuable nutrients. Vitamins A, C, and E are essential for good eyesight. Lutein and zeaxanthin may protect the macula and retina. Watch your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. If you smoke, stop! Smoking is a major risk factor in the development of macular degeneration. If you have diabetes, you need to schedule regular eye exams and carefully monitor your blood sugar levels. Eyestrain is common in the healthiest of people, especially today as we spend more time in front of computers. Try these tips to prevent or ease eyestrain. Stay fresh! When using a computer or doing concentrated activity such as sewing or reading, rest your eyes for five minutes every hour. Look away from your work, close your eyes, or simply stare off into space. Blink regularly. Blinking helps reduce evaporation of the tear film that protects the cornea. Forceful blinking also relieves the strain of the continuous focus when you have been reading or looking at a computer screen, increasing the amount of concentrated activity you can perform. While driving for long stretches, alternately focus on the dashboard and a faraway object. Changing the focus periodically will relax the eye muscles and prevent eyestrain.
context: Autism spectrum disorder ( ASD) is a disability that affects development. The word spectrum refers to the range of symptoms and their severity. Kids with ASD have problems with social skills, language, communication, and behavior. They may behave differently or repeat the same activities over and over again, like touching the same objects or flipping them repeatedly. Not all children with ASD have the same problems or behaviors. The usual signs of ASD usually show up when a child is between 2 and 3 years old, but experts think it begins much earlier, when the brain is starting to develop. In the past, experts talked about several disorders as subtypes of autism. The American Psychiatric Association decided to simplify it and call all of them âautism spectrum disorder.â The spectrum has a wide range. People who are âon the spectrumâ could have very different abilities and experiences. Some people with ASD also have special skills in specific areas like math, music, or art. There are common signs of the disorder, and a child with ASD might show any of the following behaviors: Has trouble relating to others Avoids eye contact Prefers to be alone Dislikes being embraced Repeats words, phrases, or actions Has trouble expressing needs and emotions Doesn't get signals from body language, tone of voice, and expressions Needs routines Is sensitive to smell, taste, or sound Experts don't fully understand all of the causes of autism spectrum disorder. It seems to be genetic, mostly. And it usually involves more than one gene, so it's complicated. For instance: A person is more likely to be on the spectrum if a brother, sister, or parent is. But it doesn't always run in families. About 10% of kids with ASD have a form of genetic disorder such as Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. Some prescription medicines taken during pregnancy have been linked to ASD. But they aren't proven to cause the condition.
context: If you're looking for a supplement that may ease your joint pain, glucosamine might be worth a try. Some studies show it gives relief for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, and it may work for other joints, too. Glucosamine is a natural chemical compound in your body. But it also comes in the form of a supplement. There are two main types: hydrochloride and sulfate. The glucosamine in your body helps keep up the health of your cartilage -- the rubbery tissue that cushions bones at your joints. But as you get older, your levels of this compound begin to drop, which leads to the gradual breakdown of the joint. There's some evidence that glucosamine sulfate supplements help counteract this effect, although experts aren't sure how. Some people have also used glucosamine to try to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergies, chronic venous insufficiency, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint problems ( TMJ), and long-term low back pain. So far, though, there's not much scientific evidence that it works for those problems. In most studies on treating osteoarthritis, the typical dose was 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate, three times a day. Ask your doctor what he recommends for you. Some experts suggest you take it with meals to prevent an upset stomach. Although glucosamine sulfate supplements are often manufactured from the shells of shellfish, there aren't any natural food sources of glucosamine. On the whole, glucosamine seems to be a fairly safe supplement. Side effects are generally mild. You're more likely to get them if you take high doses. They may include things like: Upset stomach Heartburn Drowsiness Headache Risks. If you have a shellfish allergy, be cautious about using glucosamine because you could have a reaction. Also, check with your doctor before taking supplements if you have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, bleeding disorders, or high blood pressure. Interactions. Check with your doctor before you use glucosamine if you take other medicines, including heart drugs, blood thinners, and diabetes drugs. Also, glucosamine isn't recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, because there isn't enough evidence yet about whether it's safe for those groups.
context: The airway is blocked or partially blocked The person cannot breathe or talk 1. If Airway Is Blocked For an adult or child over 12 months, see Choking Treatment. 2. If Airway Is Partially Blocked Encourage the person to cough to dislodge swallowed object. Do not perform Heimlich maneuver, thump the back, or attempt to remove object. 3. When to See a Doctor See a doctor immediately if: The person has swallowed a battery. See Battery Ingestion Treatment. The person may have swallowed something poisonous. See Poisoning Treatment. The person swallowed a sharp object or something metal. The object may be stuck in the esophagus. The person is coughing, wheezing, or vomiting. 4. Follow Up If you see a doctor, follow-up will depend on the type and location of the swallowed object and severity of symptoms. The doctor may order X-rays to locate the object in the body. The doctor may try to remove it. In most cases, swallowed objects pass through the system without causing injury or requiring surgery. If you do not see a doctor after an object is swallowed or if your doctor asks you to: Check stools for the object. Call doctor if the object doesn't show up in stools within seven days.
context: It is estimated that about 35% to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of erectile dysfunction -- also called ED or impotence -- during their lifetime. Men with diabetes tend to develop erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes. As men with diabetes age, erectile dysfunction becomes even more common. Above the age of 50, the likelihood of having difficulty with an erection occurs in approximately 50% to 60% of men with diabetes. Above age 70, there is about a 95% likelihood of having some difficulty with erectile dysfunction. The causes of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes are complex and involve impairments in nerve, blood vessel, and muscle function. To get an erection, men need healthy blood vessels, nerves, male hormones, and a desire to be sexually stimulated. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control erection. Therefore, even if you have normal amounts of male hormones and you have the desire to have sex, you still may not be able to achieve a firm erection. Men with diabetes having trouble with achieving and/or maintaining an erection can take oral medications like sildenafil ( Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil ( Adcirca, Cialis), avanafil ( Stendra), or vardenafil ( Levitra, Staxyn). However, because people with diabetes also tend to have problems with their heart, these medications may not be appropriate and could cause dangerous interactions with some heart medicines. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment is best. Additional treatments men with diabetes might want to consider include intracavernous injection therapy, vacuum erection (not constriction) devices, venous constriction devices (for venous leak syndrome), intraurethral therapy, penile prostheses (inflatable and malleable), and sex therapy. So what treatment is best? It depends on many factors including a man's health and his ability to tolerate the treatment. Ask your doctor if you should see a specialist (a urologist) to determine the best treatment for your situation.
context: Avastin (bevacizumab) belongs to a unique class of cancer drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors. A: Cancers need blood in order to grow. To get enough blood, tumors tell the body to grow new blood vessels. Angiogenesis inhibitors block this process. A: Avastin is a monoclonal antibody, a synthetic version of antibodies that occur in our bodies and which fight foreign substances. Avastin binds to a molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF. VEGF is a key player in the growth of new blood vessels. Avastin turns VEGF off. A: Avastin doesn't work all by itself. Chemotherapy is still needed. But Avastin makes chemotherapy work better. A: Avastin is approved for the treatment of cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other parts of the body. It must be given along with chemotherapy that includes a drug called 5-fluorouracil (5- FU) or capecitabine ( Xeloda). Other types of cancers that Avastin helps includes certain types of lung cancer, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer cervical cancer, and glioblastoma (a type of brain tumor). Clinical trials are underway to see if Avastin helps in other cancers. Avastin, which had been used to treat breast cancer, is no longer approved by the FDA for this purpose, because the risks of the drug outweigh the benefits. A: No. But Avastin significantly extends survival time. In clinical trials, patients treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy like 5- FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan survived about five months longer than patients treated with the chemotherapy alone. A: Avastin has several serious side effects, although not all patients experience them. These side effects include: Holes in the colon; when this happens, surgery is usually required. Slower healing of wounds Internal bleeding that may cause stroke or death Patients receiving chemotherapy that injures the heart may have heart failure after Avastin treatment. Avastin may cause kidney damage. Patients taking Avastin may also experience high blood pressure, fatigue, blood clots in veins, diarrhea, headache, appetite loss, and sores in the mouth. Blood in the urine
context: Everyday things can trigger a migraine headache -- foods, drinks, exercise, medications, stress, too much or too little sleep, bright lights, hunger, smells, and hormones, to name a few. To figure out what brings yours on, print the list below. Then check any possible triggers at the first signs of a headache. Review the list every few weeks or months to see if you can spot a pattern. Chances are, the items that get the most checks are your triggers. After you've narrowed down what affects you, talk about the list at your next doctor's visit. _____ Aged cheeses _____ Alcohol (red wine, beer, whiskey, champagne) _____ Artificial sweeteners _____ Caffeine (getting too much or withdrawal) _____ Chocolate _____ Citrus fruits _____ Cured meats _____ Dehydration _____ Depression _____ Dried fish _____ Dried fruits _____ Exercise (too much) _____ Eyestrain or other visual triggers _____ Fatigue (extreme) _____ Food additives (nitrites, nitrates, MSG) _____ Lights (bright or flickering; sunlight, particularly glare) _____ Lunch meats (cured with nitrites or MSG) _____ Menstrual periods _____ Medications _____ Noise (too much) _____ Nuts _____ Odors _____ Onions _____ Salty foods _____ Sleep (too much, too little, other changes) _____ Skipped meals _____ Stress _____ Watching TV or movies _____ Weather (changing conditions) _____ Others
context: A number of alternative (also called complementary) therapies can help you deal with outbreaks of genital herpes. First, simple self-care may be enough to relieve most discomfort caused by genital herpes. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, can help ease the pain of herpes symptoms. Doctors sometimes recommend soaking the affected area in warm water. But the area should be kept dry most of the time. If toweling off after bathing is uncomfortable, try using a hair dryer. Then put on cotton underwear. Cotton absorbs moisture better than synthetic fabric does. Scientists have studied herbal extracts and nutritional supplements based on some herpes patients' claims that they help relieve symptoms. Some study results have been promising, others discouraging. Many people say that an extract of the echinacea plant helps boost the immune system's ability to fight infection. Some say it decreases the frequency and severity of genital herpes outbreaks. Researchers in the U. K. compared the effect of echinacea with that of a placebo. They gave echinacea to 50 people with genital herpes for six months and a placebo for another six months. There was no significant difference in the number of herpes outbreaks during the two periods. Another study showed that an ointment containing propolis, a waxy substance that honeybees make, may help herpes sores heal. Sores healed faster for people using the propolis ointment than in those using ointments containing the antiviral drug acyclovir or a placebo. The ointment was applied to herpes sores four times a day. After 10 days, 24 of the 30 people using propolis ointment said their sores healed, compared with 14 of the 30 people using acyclovir ointment and 12 of the 30 using a placebo. Researchers have also found that the herb Prunella vulgaris, and an edible mushroom, Rozites caperata (the "gypsy mushroom"), contain chemicals that fight both HSV-1 and HSV-2. These treatments have not been approved for treating genital herpes by the FDA. You can buy them in stores, but they are considered nutritional supplements, not drugs, so they are not subjected to the same quality standards that FDA-approved drugs are.
context: Because you have rheumatoid arthritis, you'd probably benefit a lot from physical therapy and occupational therapy. It's often part of the RA treatment plan. Healthy joints are the "hinges" that let you move around. Many of us take that for granted. These simple movements aren't always automatic or easy when you have RA, though. They can be painful. The goals and treatments used by physical therapists and occupational therapists sometimes overlap, but there are some general differences. The goal of it is to keep you moving. It uses exercise and other methods to stimulate muscles, bones, and joints. The result is more strength, tone, and overall fitness. Physical therapists understand the mechanics of bones, joints, and muscles working together, the problems that can happen, and what to do about them. It's a good idea to work with a therapist, whether you've had RA for a long time, you're newly diagnosed, and no matter how severe it is. In the early stages of the disease, your physical therapist can check on your strength, fitness, and how well your joints work. She'll make an exercise plan to keep your joints as healthy as possible. If you have moderate or advanced rheumatoid arthritis, physical therapy can help you keep or improve your strength and flexibility. Together, you'll make a plan for each muscle and joint group, and for your overall fitness. It will probably include: Exercise. This is the cornerstone of any physical therapy plan. It will match your ability and fitness level, and include flexibility, strength, and cardio (aerobic exercise). Heat or ice. Treating inflamed or painful joints with heat or ice packs helps some people feel better. Massage. It can also help you feel better. Motivation and encouragement. It's a big plus to have a pro to cheer you on and push you to keep going. This helps you stay independent. A therapist will check to see what you need help with. Then, he can teach you better or easier ways to accomplish those things. If activities like dressing, cooking, or bathing become hard or painful, occupational therapists can recommend or provide solutions. Assistive devices are products or improvements that make common tasks easier.
context: Not all brain tumors cause symptoms, and some (such as tumors of the pituitary gland) are often not found unless a CT scan or MRI is done for another reason. The symptoms of brain cancer are numerous and not specific to brain tumors, meaning they can be caused by many other illnesses. The only way to know for sure what is causing the symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing. Symptoms can be caused by: A tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of the brain and keeping them from functioning normally. Swelling in the brain caused by the tumor or surrounding inflammation. The symptoms of primary and metastatic brain cancers are similar. The following symptoms are most common: Headache Weakness Clumsiness Difficulty walking Seizures Other nonspecific symptoms and signs include the following: Altered mental status -- changes in concentration, memory, attention, or alertness Nausea, vomiting Abnormalities in vision Difficulty with speech Gradual changes in intellectual capacity or emotional response In many people, the onset of these symptoms is very gradual and may be missed by both the person with the brain tumor and the family. Occasionally, however, these symptoms appear more rapidly. In some instances, the person acts as if he or she is having a stroke. Seek emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: Unexplained, persistent vomiting Double vision or unexplained blurring of vision, especially on only one side Lethargy or increased sleepiness New seizures New pattern or type of headaches Although headaches are thought to be a common symptom of brain cancer, they may not occur until late in the progression of the disease. If any significant change in your headache pattern occurs, your health care provider may suggest that you go the hospital. If you have a known brain tumor, any new symptoms or relatively sudden or rapid worsening of symptoms warrants a trip to the nearest hospital emergency department. Be on the lookout for the following new symptoms: Seizures Changes in mental status, such as excessive sleepiness, memory problems, or inability to concentrate Visual changes or other sensory problems Difficulty with speech or in expressing yourself Changes in behavior or personality Clumsiness or difficulty walking Nausea or vomiting (especially in middle-aged or older people) Sudden onset of fever, especially after chemotherapy.