VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: The key to managing heart failure is to take your medicines, make proper changes to your diet, live a healthy lifestyle, and keep your doctor's appointments. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to visit. But if you have any unusual symptoms, do not wait until your next appointment to discuss them with your doctor. Call your doctor immediately if you: Gain 2 or more pounds in 1 day or 5 or more pounds in 1 week Have swelling in your ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen that's gotten worse Have shortness of breath that has gotten worse or is happening more often, especially if you wake up short of breath Feel bloated with a loss of appetite or nausea Are really tired or have a harder time doing daily activities Have a respiratory (lung) infection or a cough that has gotten worse Get a fast heart rate (around 120 beats per minute) Have a new irregular heartbeat Feel chest pain or discomfort during activity that gets better if you rest Have trouble breathing during regular activities or if you're resting Sleep differently, including if you have trouble sleeping or you feel like you need to sleep a lot more than usual Don't pee as much Feel restless or confused Get dizzy or lightheaded Feel nauseous or don't want to eat much Always keep the following close to your phone for easy access: A list of your doctors' phone numbers A list of your medications and dosages, as well as any allergies you have Go to your local emergency room or call 9-1-1 if you have: New chest pain or discomfort that's severe, unexpected, and comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or weakness A fast heart rate (more than 120-150 beats per minute) -- especially if you are short of breath Shortness of breath not relieved by rest Sudden weakness or paralysis (inability to move) in your arms or legs A sudden or severe headache A fainting spell with loss of consciousness
context: Nosebleeds usually aren't serious. You can treat most by yourself at home by doing the following: Stay calm. If you start to get nervous, it can actually make you bleed more. Try to relax. Sit up, don't lie down. Keep your head above your heart. Lean a little bit forward. This keeps the blood from draining down the back of your throat. Pinch your nostrils closed. Use your thumb and index finger to hold your nostrils closed for 5 to 10 minutes while you breathe through your mouth. This puts pressure on the part of your nose that's bleeding and can make the blood stop flowing. 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(); }); } Once the bleeding has stopped, do not touch or blow your nose. This may start it bleeding again. But if it does restart, gently blow your nose to get rid of any blood clots. You can also spray a decongestant such as oxymetazoline ( Afrin, Vicks Sinex or Mucinex) in both nostrils. Then pinch your nostrils shut and breathe through your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes. At this point, call your doctor. You can't always prevent nosebleeds from happening, but there are certain things you can do to help lower your chances of getting them: Keep the inside of your nose moist. Dryness can cause nosebleeds. Use a cotton swab to gently smear a thin layer petroleum jelly in your nostrils three times a day, including before you go to sleep. You can also use an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Polysporin. Use a saline nasal product. Spraying it in your nostrils helps keep the inside of your nose moist. Use a humidifier. Your nostrils might be dry because the air in your house is dry. Don't smoke. Smoking can irritate the inside of your nose and dry it out. Don't pick your nose. Also, don't blow or rub it too hard. If your child is getting nosebleeds, keep his fingernails short and discourage him from picking his nose. Don't use cold and allergy medications too often. These can dry out your nose. In some cases, certain medications can cause nosebleeds or make them worse. You may need to discuss your medications with your doctor. But keep taking them unless your doctor tells you to stop.
context: Schizophrenia can be hard to spot in teens. Sometimes it can be tough to see the difference between ordinary teenage moodiness and signs of more serious illness, although this disease usually begins in late adolescence or young adulthood. It helps to know what symptoms to watch for and when you should check with your doctor. Symptoms in teens can come on gradually over days, weeks, several months or more. This is called the prodromal period. The early symptoms of schizophrenia can sometimes look like those of other problems such as anxiety or depression. Especially at first, symptoms may look like the stuff of typical teen years: bad grades, changing friends, trouble sleeping, or irritability. But there are some early warning signs in teens that show up as changes in thinking, emotions, and behavior. Lack of concentration or being able to follow a train of thought Seeing or hearing things that aren't real (hallucinations) Confusing TV and dreams with reality Strange ideas that may not make sense (for example, thinking that parents are stealing things or that an evil spirit possesses him or her) Paranoia -- thinking that people are after him or talking about him Dwelling unreasonably on the past Being extremely moody or irritable Angry outbursts Severe fearfulness or anxiety Unblinking, vacant expression Awkward or unusual movements of the face or body Talking to himself, using odd speech that you can't understand, or making rapid shifts in topics Inappropriate responses, such as laughing during a sad movie Trouble "reading" social cues in others Problems making and keeping friends Becoming more and more isolated Poor personal grooming and self-care Substance abuse Threatening behaviors If you notice symptoms like these, your teen needs to be checked by a doctor right away. That's especially true if anyone on either side of his family has had schizophrenia. The doctor will ask your teen questions about his thinking and behavior, possibly perform a brief physical exam, and give him blood or urine tests to make sure there isn't another medical condition or drug abuse problem that's to blame. For a schizophrenia diagnosis, the symptoms have to last for at least 6 months and don't seem to be due to another medical or psychiatric condition. Sometimes it takes longer than 6 months to make a confident diagnosis, based on how symptoms appear over time. Your family doctor can refer you to a psychiatrist who works with teens. A psychiatrist has special training in how to diagnose and treat schizophrenia. If your teen has the condition, a combination of treatments may work best. These might include medication and individual and family therapy. The diagnosis can be tough news to hear. But with the right treatment, people with schizophrenia do go to college, hold jobs, and have a family life.
context: Medication is the main way to treat this long-lasting liver disease. Your doctor will work with you to find the best drug treatment plan. But you can also make simple changes in your daily life that will help ease your symptoms. What you put in your mouth matters when you have primary biliary cholangitis. Your body can't absorb vitamins and minerals the way it's supposed to, so you may not be getting the nutrients you need. The disease can change your metabolism, too, so you may be eating less because you just don't feel hungry. Your doctor can suggest a healthy meal plan. It's smart to eat a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you still can't get enough nutrients and calories, your doctor may prescribe a liquid supplement. These nutritional drinks give you the vitamins you need. Other diet tips to consider: Watch your salt. Choose low-salt and no-salt foods when possible. Too much salt can cause swelling. Go low-fat. Watch the fat in your diet, especially if you aren't at your ideal weight or have fatty liver. Drink up. Water, that is. If swelling is a problem, ask your doctor if you should drink less. Cut back on booze. If you drink alcohol, you should stop or at least cut back. It's your liver's job to process what you drink. Drinking can make your already damaged liver work even harder. Skip raw shellfish. It can be home to bacteria that could cause a serious infection. Primary biliary cholangitis affects your immune system, so you're more likely to get this kind of infection. Get some kind of exercise every day. Walking and swimming are good ways to strengthen your bones and fight osteoporosis, which often comes with PBC. Plus even a light workout can boost your mood and make you feel less tired. Take care of your skin. It may get itchy or look darker. Good skin care will help. Ease your stress. It can make many symptoms worse, including fatigue. Go to the dentist. The dry mouth that comes with PBC can raise your odds of problems like tooth decay. Your dentist can catch issues early on. Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit. Studies show that it can trigger the disease or make it worse.
context: You've just come home from your annual checkup, and this time, the doctor says your blood cholesterol levels are a little high. There's no reason to panic -- more than a third of your fellow Americans have the same problem. But too much of the fat-like substance can build up in your arteries. It can slow your blood flow, raise the likelihood of dangerous blood clots, and put you at greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Yes, there are medications that can help you bring your levels to a healthier range. But even if your doctor prescribes one for you, you still need to make some adjustments in your everyday life to get your cholesterol under control. So where do you start? The first thing you need to do to improve your health is to change what you put into your body. You can lower your cholesterol by swapping out certain foods for healthier choices. Start by loading your plate with plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Not only are they low in cholesterol, they're high in fiber. That'll keep things moving through your digestive tract. Fish, nuts, low-fat dairy, and lean poultry are good choices, too. Saturated fat and trans fats raise the level of cholesterol in your blood. You find them in meat, skin-on poultry, full-fat dairy products, and in many processed foods. To make sure you don't get too much of them, check out the Nutrition Facts label on a food's package. Along with the listed amounts of saturated and trans fats, look at the list of ingredients. If it says âpartially hydrogenated oil,â the food has trans fats. A balanced diet also will help you manage your weight, which is another part of your risk for heart disease. Keep in mind that âfatâ and âcholesterolâ are not always bad words. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in fish and nuts help reduce LDL, the so-called âbad cholesterol,â in your blood. Some of these foods also boost HDL, the âgood cholesterol,â which flows through your bloodstream and removes LDL. Want to maximize the effects of your new, low-cholesterol diet? Get moving. Physical activity doesn't have much direct effect on your LDL levels, but it does raise HDL as it lowers the amount of fat in your blood called triglycerides. Exercise also helps you keep off extra pounds and lowers your blood pressure -- two other contributors to heart disease. You should try to get a total of 30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise almost every day, like walking, running, swimming, biking, or hitting the elliptical or step machine. If you've been inactive for a long time, you'll want to start off slow, walking for a few minutes at a time. Talk to your doctor about what kinds and how much exercise is right for you. Your cholesterol levels are yet another reason to stop smoking. The carbon monoxide you inhale from cigarettes increases the level of cholesterol that builds up along the walls of your arteries. If you need help to kick the habit, talk to your doctor about medicines or counseling programs that can make it easier.
context: Powassan is a rare tick-borne disease caused by a virus. It can cause swelling in the brain (doctors call this encephalitis) and in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (you may hear this called meningitis). Only about 75 cases were reported in the U. S. over the last 10 years. Yet experts warn the disease could start to spread faster now that it's transmitted by the deer tick -- the same tick that spreads Lyme disease. Powassan spreads from ticks to people faster than Lyme disease. Although the viral infection is usually mild, it can be life-threatening in a small number of people, and in severe cases, some symptoms, like weakness and memory loss, can be permanent. That's why health officials caution people who live in Northeast and Great Lakes states, where the virus often spreads, to take steps to avoid infection. Infected ticks spread the Powassan virus when they bite people. In the past, types of ticks that rarely bite humans -- such as woodchuck ticks and others -- mainly spread it. But now, the deer tick, which is more likely to bite people, also carries the virus. The ticks that carry Powassan mainly live in wooded areas around the Northeast and Great Lakes. These ticks are most active in late spring, early summer, and mid-fall. Not every tick is infected with the virus, and not everyone who is bitten will get sick. But ticks that are infected can transmit it quickly -- within minutes of attaching to a person. Lyme disease takes much longer -- 24 to 48 hours -- to spread from tick to human. You can't catch Powassan from another person. Most Powassan infections are mild. Some people don't have any symptoms. If you do, they'll show up a week to a month after you were bitten and may include: Fever Headache Vomiting Weakness Confusion, memory problems Trouble walking and talking Seizures See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms and might have been exposed to ticks. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for severe symptoms. Your doctor will ask you questions like these: What symptoms do you have? When did they start? Could you have been exposed to ticks? You might need tests of your blood and spinal fluid to check for antibodies that your immune system makes to fight the Powassan virus. Although no specific drug or procedure treats Powassan, and many cases are mild, doctors have ways to manage symptoms. If yours are severe, you might need to go to a hospital to get care, such as: Breathing support Fluids through a vein ( IV) Medicine to bring down swelling in the brain The best way to protect yourself from Powassan and other tick-borne diseases is to avoid tick bites: Stay out of wooded or grassy areas whenever you can. When you are in the woods, spray all areas of your bare skin with an insect repellent containing DEET. Also, treat your clothes and gear with permethrin. Keep in mind that repellents only last for a few hours. When you come back inside, check your whole body for ticks. Don't forget about your scalp. Also, check your clothes and pets. Take a bath or shower to find and wash off any ticks on your skin. There's no vaccine that can prevent the illness.
context: People with poorly controlled diabetes are at greater risk for dental problems. They're more likely to have infections of their gums and the bones that hold their teeth in place, because diabetes can reduce the blood supply to the gums. High blood sugar may also cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. Less saliva can allow more tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. With good blood sugar control and dental care, you can avoid these problems. You should call your dentist if you: Have bleeding or sore gums Get infections often Have bad breath that won't go away Take good care of your gums and teeth. Brush and floss at least twice a day. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash daily. Get a dental checkup every 6 months. Let your dentist know that you have diabetes. Keep your blood sugar under control. If you smoke, quit.
context: If you have a rotator cuff tear, you're not alone. It happens to millions of people every year. It's a common cause of shoulder pain. The right treatment can make you feel better, keep a small injury from getting worse, and help you heal. For many people, physical therapy ( PT) is the answer. It may be all you need to treat an injured rotator cuff. PT is a way to get back strength and movement after an injury. It includes things like exercise, ice, heat, massage, and equipment to help return your shoulder back to its normal range of motion. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles in your shoulder. They form a âcuffâ over the top end of your arm. It helps you lift and rotate your arm. And it keeps the shoulder steady as your arm moves. A rotator cuff tear can be caused by different things. It can get sore from normal wear and tear over the years. This happens mostly to people over age 40. But you can also get one in a fall or by repeating the same activity over and over. When you do the same thing again and again, the rotator cuff can start to fray, like a worn sock. It can separate or tear, especially if you lift something heavy. If you think you have a tear, see your doctor. He may send you to someone who treats bones, joints, muscles, and tendons, called an orthopedic doctor. She can talk to you about surgical and nonsurgical options, including PT. Unless the injury is severe, PT is a typical starting point. Your physical therapist will ask questions about your life and the things you do. He'll do some tests to learn more about your pain. The therapist will ask you to raise your arm, move it to the side, or push against something to see what your limits are. PT helps in lots of ways. One study shows that people who got PT for a rotator cuff tear did just as well as those who had surgery. The therapist will help you: Get back your range of motion Learn exercises to strengthen your shoulder muscles Improve the way you sit and stand (your posture) to help reduce pain Find a way to sleep that doesn't hurt your shoulder Learn to carry objects safely Use ice or heat to ease the pain Understand why you need to keep moving Find ways to do things so that they don't hurt your shoulder Return to your regular activities (be patient -- this can take a while) PT can also help you recover after rotator cuff surgery. It's the same idea -- to improve strength and movement and get back to regular life. The therapist will show you how not to injure your shoulder again after surgery. As you recover, pay attention to your pain and ask for help if you need it. That's the best way to heal your injured shoulder and keep it as strong as possible for the rest of your life.
context: Diabetes: Tips for a Healthy Mouth When you stay on top of mouth care you'll prevent some of the problems diabetes can cause in your mouth -- and have a better smile! The Diabetes- Dental Link Diabetes raises your chances of getting gum disease, as well as other dental problems such as dry mouth. Gum disease is caused by sticky plaque that builds up on your teeth and gums. The germs in plaque can cause sore, swollen, and red gums. When gum disease, or gingivitis, gets worse, it can cause infections and even tooth loss. Since diabetes can make gum disease more severe than usual and infections can be harder to fight, prevention is the name of the game. What You Can Do Brush at least twice a day. The American Diabetes Association advises brushing for at least 2 minutes to make sure you brush every tooth. Use a soft toothbrush with rounded bristles, which are less likely to hurt your gums. Put the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then brush gently back and forth on all sides of your teeth. Be sure to brush the top of your tongue, too, to get rid of germs there. Use fluoride toothpaste to protect against tartar buildup. Floss at least once a day. Flossing helps keep plaque from building up by removing food and germs that lodge between teeth. Ask your dentist about mouth rinses. Bacteria-fighting mouth rinses can reduce germs in dental plaque and help prevent gum disease. Keep your dentures clean. Bacteria can build up on dentures just like on teeth. If you wear dentures, keep them clean. Be sure to also brush your gums and tongue. See your dentist regularly. Let your dentist know you have diabetes. Eat before your office visit. It's best to have dental work when your blood sugar level is normal. Keep your blood sugar under control. Good blood sugar levels are the best way to prevent and control mouth problems. Don't smoke. Smoking raises your chance of having gum disease. It also can make many mouth problems -- like dry mouth and infections -- worse. How to Spot a Problem Plaque can be difficult to see. That's why it's so important to visit your dentist twice a year. Also see your dentist if you have any of these symptoms. They could be signs of tooth or gum problems. Red, sore, swollen gums Bleeding gums Gums that pull away from your teeth Pus between your teeth or gums Loose or sensitive teeth Changes in the way your teeth fit when you bite Bad breath Soreness from dentures
context: Vomiting severely Agitated or lethargic Unconscious Having convulsions Not breathing For an overdose of aspirin: Call Poison Control at 800-222-1222 for instructions, even if there are no signs of poisoning. If possible, provide this information: all medications the person may have taken, how much the person may have taken, and when. For small amounts, you may need to watch the person carefully at home. For a larger amount, you may need to take the person to a hospital emergency department. Take the aspirin bottle to show the health care provider. At the hospital, health care providers will check the level of aspirin in the blood and will do testing to determine the aspirin's toxic effect on the body. They may give activated charcoal or other medication to slow or prevent toxicity. The providers may also give IV fluids.
context: Assistive devices are tools that can make life with multiple sclerosis a little easier. They help you with tasks like walking, dressing, and bathing, and help you use less energy. An occupational or physical therapist can recommend devices that will help you the most and teach you how to use them. Always talk with your doctor or therapist before you use any assistive device. Some of these devices may help you get around: Orthotics: These are lightweight inserts you wear inside your shoes that can keep you more stable and ease fatigue. They also can brace your feet, which helps if you have spasticity in your feet. Leg braces: Weakness in your leg muscles can make it harder to go up and down stairs, rise from a chair, or walk. An ankle-foot brace can keep your ankle stable when you have trouble with the muscles that raise the foot. It fits into a regular shoe and keeps your toes from dragging. If you have muscle weakness in your neck, a neck brace may make you more comfortable. Canes: One of these may be the most useful tool when one leg is weaker than the other, or when you have mild problems with balance. Here are some tips for using one: Hold the cane on the stronger side of your body while your weight is shifted away from your weaker side. A quad, or four-legged, cane can give you more stability than a standard one. It's a good idea to have a session with a physical therapist to learn how to properly use your cane or any other assistive device. Walkers: These are best if you have a lot of leg weakness or a balance problem. You can add wheels or platforms to the walker if you need to. Wheelchairs or scooters: They can give you more freedom to go where you need to if it's getting harder for you to get around on your own. They're usually best if you have serious fatigue, are very unsteady on your feet, or you fall some times. There are a lot of ways to make everyday tasks easier and less tiring. Talk to your physical or occupational therapist about trying some of the following tools. Bathing Tub bench Hand-held shower head Grab bars in the shower or tub Using the Toilet Bedside commode Grab bars near the toilet Toilet seat with armrests (you can put a raised seat over a regular toilet) Dressing Velcro, buttons, zippers, and hooks on clothing Sock pull Long-handled shoehorn Buttonhook A stool to sit while you get dressed Cooking Utility cart with wheels Electric can opener Pot stabilizer Reacher devices Eating Special utensils, such as large-handled spoons and forks, rocker knives, and âsporksâ (a mix of a spoon and fork) Plate guard Wrist supports Writing Special grips for pens and pencils Wrist supports Sleeping Electric beds or mattresses
context: Finding out that you have an allergy to a drug can throw you. It can also bring up a lot of questions. The eight facts below are a good start. Talk with your doctor if you're still not sure about things after you read them. Anybody can be allergic to any drug. That includes prescription medications and ones you can get over the counter. Some drugs are much more likely to trigger allergic reactions, like some antibiotics, seizure medications, and some pain relievers. Symptoms can start right away or weeks later. You may start to feel things within minutes -- or even seconds -- of taking a drug. Others times, it may take days or weeks. That can make it harder for you and your doctor to figure out what caused the problem. Symptoms can be mild or severe. Drug allergies are most likely to affect your skin, causing rash or hives. They can also affect your nose, airways, ears, or lining of your stomach. For some people, they may be life-threatening. A drug allergy isn't the same as a drug side effect. Having a bad side effect to a drug is common. It can be anything from a mild side effect (like upset stomach) to a serious problem (like damage to your heart). True drug allergies are different. When you have an allergy, your immune system is to blame. Your body mistakes something harmless -- like pollen, food, or a medicine -- for a hazard. Your immune system makes special cells and chemicals to fight it, which brings swelling and other symptoms. You can develop a drug allergy at any time. Even a drug you've been taking for years can trigger an allergic reaction. You may not have an allergic reaction the first time you take a drug. When you first take a drug, your body just becomes sensitized to it. The problem usually starts the next time you take it. By then, your body is prepared. As soon as it senses the drug in your body, it sounds the alarm and your immune system attacks. People can have a reaction the first time they take a drug. It differs from person to person. Some people may have a reaction right away, while others might take the drug several times before they have a reaction occurs. Or, they may have taken the drug -- or a similar drug -- in the past and not know it. Sometimes, being exposed to a similar chemical in cosmetics is enough to sensitize a person. Some people have a greater risk of drug allergies . We don't know why people get drug allergies. Some things seem to increase the risk, such as: Having other allergies, like hay fever Previous drug allergies Family history of allergies Having certain diseases, like Epstein- Barr, leukemia, or HIV Being a woman You can manage your drug allergy. It can be scary, and diagnosing it can be hard. But by working with your doctor, you can figure out your drug allergy and learn how to work around it.
context: Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that makes people more likely to develop certain cancers. People who have it also have about a 40% to 80% chance of getting colorectal cancer by age 70. They're also at risk for cancers of the uterus, ovaries, and stomach. And they tend to get cancer at younger ages than other people, often in their 30s and 40s. Lynch syndrome is sometimes called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer ( HNPCC). Other forms of the condition are Muir- Torre and Turcot syndromes, both of which put a person at higher risk of other cancers, and in the case of Muir- Torre, skin lesions. It comes from changes in genes that can be passed down in families. If one of your parents has it, you have a 50% chance of getting it too. Your doctor will take a detailed family history to see how many of your relatives have ever had colon cancer. If you're high risk, your doctor will send you for genetic counseling and DNA testing. If one person in your family is diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, your other relatives may want to get tested. It's very important to get screened if even one of these things is true for you: Three of your relatives had or has colorectal cancer You have a relative under age 50 who has or had colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer has been in two generations of your family (like a great aunt and a cousin, or a grandparent and parent) If you have Lynch syndrome, be sure to get regular screenings in order to find any cancers at their earliest and most treatable stages. When caught early, colon cancer is 90% curable. If you're at risk, you should start getting check-ups much earlier than usual. Exactly when you should first get tested depends on your family history and whether you've had DNA testing. Here are some general guidelines: Colonoscopies every one to two years, beginning at age 20 to 25 Upper endoscopies every three to five years, starting in the early- to mid-30s Pelvic exams, uterine biopsies, and transvaginal ultrasounds to check the uterus and ovaries once a year starting around age 30. Your doctor may also recommend urine and stool testing plus blood tests to check for liver function. Colonoscopies are very good at finding colon cancer early. But some people with Lynch syndrome choose to have their colon removed to help prevent cancer from forming. Women who are finished having children may also have their uterus and ovaries removed. Aside from cancer screenings, living a healthy lifestyle may help you prevent colorectal cancer. Diets high in veggies, fruit, and whole grains can help lower your risk. So can regular exercise, being at a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol. There is some evidence that taking aspirin every day for at least 2 years may decrease the risk of Lynch-related cancer, but more research is needed to find the best dose and length of time for treatment.
context: Has my ovarian cancer spread? Do I have to have both of my ovaries removed? If so, will I have hot flashes? How confident are you that all of the cancer has been removed? What are my treatment options? Surgery? Chemotherapy? Radiation Therapy? Targeted therapy? Hormone therapy? How long will I have to undergo chemotherapy? What side effects should I look for? Are there ways to minimize these side effects? Will I need any additional surgery? Should I be tested for the BRCA-1 BRCA-2 mutations? What will the results tell me? What signs should I look for that might indicate the ovarian cancer has come back? How often should I come in for follow-up visits?
context: There are a number of steps women in postmenopause can take to stay healthy and feel better. It's as easy as remembering your ABCs, and D, E, and F. Avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, excess salt, and sugar. Balanced diet -- Nutritionists recommend whole grains, cold pressed oils, leafy vegetables, and nuts to help keep your body healthy and potentially help relieve hot flashes. Soy may also ease mild hot flashes. Calcium to help keep bones strong. Vitamin D also helps keep bones strong. Exercise -- Weight bearing, daily, at least 30 minutes. Fat -- Choose foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Hot flashes are probably the most common symptom of menopause. Here are tips for easing them: Avoid getting too warm by dressing in layers and sleeping in a cool room. Avoid eating hot and spicy foods. Avoid alcohol, as it can trigger hot flashes. Reduce stress. Eat several servings of soy a day, after first checking with your doctor. There is some evidence that soy may relieve mild hot flashes, although the effects may take several weeks to realize. Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers available without a prescription can help lubricate the vagina and make sexual intercourse more comfortable during menopause and in postmenopause. If over-the-counter treatments don't work, ask your doctor about topical estrogen, available in creams, tablets, or in a vaginal ring. This type of estrogen will not improve other symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. To protect your bones and avoid osteoporosis: Get adequate calcium and vitamin D. Exercise. Ask your doctor if you need a test to check your bone strength. The risk for heart disease goes up as we age. Tips for protecting your heart include: Get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly. Take steps to reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure if they are too high. If lifestyle changes are not enough to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level and your blood pressure normal, talk to your doctor about prescription medication. If you are diabetic, control your blood sugar.
context: Doctors use the Dix- Hallpike test (sometimes called the Dix- Hallpike maneuver) to check for a common type of vertigo called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. Vertigo is the sudden feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning. Inside your inner ear are three small structures called semicircular canals. They help you sense motion and keep your balance. BPPV happens when a tiny crystal of calcium breaks free from the wall of one of these canals and moves into the canal. That can cause vertigo or make you feel like you're moving when you're not. Along with that spinning feeling, you also might have: Dizziness or lightheadedness A loss of balance or unsteadiness Unusual or repetitive eye movements A hard time concentrating Nausea or vomiting You'll probably have these when you move your head up and down or get in and out of bed. They typically last less than a minute. Your doctor will ask you to sit on the exam table with your legs stretched out. He'll turn your head 45 degrees to one side, then will help you lie back quickly so your head hangs slightly over the edge of the table. This movement may make the loose crystals move within your semicircular canals. Your doctor will ask if you feel symptoms of vertigo and watch your eyes to see how they move. After you have a few minutes to recover, your doctor may do the test on the other side of your head. If the Dix- Hallpike test didn't trigger any symptoms, your doctor may want to do other tests to figure out what's causing your issues. If it did, your doctor may move your head in certain ways to help get the crystals out of your semicircular canals and into a place where they can be reabsorbed. Your doctor may teach you these movements so that you can do them at home if needed. BPPV often goes away on its own, but it can come back.
context: You feel crummy as it is. All that sneezing and coughing is misery enough. Don't make one of these common mistakes that can make your cold even worse. It never works. You can't ignore a cold. When you get sick, you have to take care of yourself. Your body needs extra energy when it fights an infection. If you try to push through a cold, especially if you have a fever, you'll exhaust yourself. That could make your symptoms worse. Getting enough shut-eye is key for a healthy immune system, your body's defense against germs. One study shows that sleeping less than 7 hours a night almost triples your risk of catching a cold in the first place. If you have a cold and your symptoms are keeping you up at night, go to bed earlier or take naps during the day. You need extra rest, however you get it. It can make you more likely to get a cold. Over time, high levels of stress hormones can stop your immune system from working normally. The result: more sick days. You need a lot of fluids when you're sick. They help thin your mucus, which makes your sinuses drain better. Just about any liquid will help. Water, juice, hot tea, and soup are all good. Even milk is OK, despite what you may have heard. The idea that it causes mucus buildup is a myth. Too much of it leaves you dehydrated and makes symptoms like congestion worse. Alcohol puts a damper on your immune system. And it might mix badly with cold medications you're taking. So until you feel better, it's best to lay off the booze. They may work well at first. But if you use them for more than 3 days, your stuffy nose will get worse when you stop. Smoking is bad for your lungs, even when you are not sick. Still, smokers get more colds than non-smokers. Their symptoms are also worse and they last longer. Lighting up damages cells in your lungs, which makes it harder for you to fight off a cold. If you're sick, don't smoke -- and don't let anyone around you do it either.
context: A doctor can usually tell if you have the flu based on your symptoms, especially if it's during peak season. But he may want to give you a quick test to be sure the influenza virus is to blame, and not another health problem. When your doctor finds the flu virus, he can give you antiviral drugs early on. This is when they work best. If you get diagnosed early --within 48 hours after symptoms show up -- these drugs can ease your symptoms and shorten the illness by a day or so. After the first 2 days, though, these meds won't do much for you. A flu test can also help your doctor rule out giving you antibiotics. Those don't work against viral infections like the flu. Your doctor will rub a swab -- just like the cotton swabs in your bathroom, but longer -- along the back of your throat or up your nose. He'll seal it in a packet and run a quick test on it himself, or send it out to a lab. If your doctor does the test himself, or they do it in the lab at his office, the answer usually comes back within 15 minutes. It's checking for the virus. Some tests can help your doctor figure out which flu virus you have, influenza A or B. No. The quality of the test depends on the maker, how the test works, and how big a sample of the virus your doctor can collect.
context: To lower your chances of getting kidney disease, you'll actually want to focus on two other conditions: diabetes and high blood pressure. They're two of the biggest threats to your kidneys. Many people have diabetes and/or high blood pressure and don't know it. So if it's been a while since your last checkup, you may want to schedule one. If your doctor tells you that you've got diabetes or hypertension (another name for high blood pressure), work to bring it under control. That will spare your kidneys from the extra wear and tear that high blood sugar levels or high blood pressure cause over time. The things you do to take care of your heart and weight -- like eating a healthy diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, staying active, and taking any medicines your doctor prescribes -- also are good for your kidneys. So keep your healthy habits going strong! If your odds for kidney disease are higher than most -- that is, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, or if kidney problems run in your family -- you may need to get regular tests to see how well your kidneys work. Urine tests show if you have too much protein, glucose (sugar), or blood in your urine. Blood pressure readings check whether your blood pressure is elevated. Fasting blood glucose tests (taken after you haven't eaten for several hours) measure your blood sugar. Another blood test that can be used to determine diabetes is a hemoglobin A1 C, which will show your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. Creatinine tests measure the amount of waste from muscle activity. When the kidneys don't work properly, creatinine levels rise. These tests won't prevent kidney disease. But if you find out that you have a problem when it's still in the early stages, it could help you prevent kidney failure.
context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Erectile dysfunction ( ED) means you can't get or keep an erection that's firm enough to have sex. But you may still be able to masturbate. It depends in part on what's causing your ED. For most men, ED is caused by health problems such as heart disease, depression, insomnia, and diabetes, or the medications that treat them. These conditions make it tough to get an erection in any circumstance, including masturbation. For some, ED is related to performance anxiety, relationship problems, or stress. This can make it hard to get aroused enough with a partner. But you might be able to keep an erection if you masturbate. You might have heard this, but it's a myth. Masturbation is normal and won't cause problems when you have sex with a partner. Can masturbation help treat ED? Or prevent it? There's not much evidence that any sexual activity can keep you from getting the condition. But masturbation can play a role in helping with ED that's caused by stress, anxiety, or another psychological issue. If you're able to perform sexually, even with masturbation, you may feel more confident that you can get and keep an erection during sex with a partner. If you try counseling or sex therapy to treat your ED, your therapist may suggest that you try masturbation or other forms of touching at home on your own or with a partner. Therapy can also teach you other ways to take the stress out of sex, communicate with partners, and find more sexual stimulation. Other ED treatments, including medications, vacuum erection devices, and penile implants, can help you get a healthy erection for sex with a partner or for masturbation. ED isn't easy for many men to talk about. But sex, whether through masturbation or with a partner, is a part of a healthy life. The sooner you can discuss erection problems with a doctor and start exploring treatments, the sooner you may be enjoying a more satisfying sex life.
context: Researchers are hard at work on new treatments to fight genital herpes, otherwise known as herpes simplex virus 2. Microbicides are one option scientists are exploring in the search for new genital herpes treatments. Microbicides are chemicals that protect against infection by killing microbes (small organisms such as bacteria and viruses) before they enter the body. Two products show some promise -- tenofovir gel and si RNA nanoparticles -- microbicides that are applied to the vagina. Studies show these may be able to kill herpes, as well as some other sexually transmitted viruses, and even reduce the spread of the herpes virus from person to person. Scientists also are working on new drugs that keep the herpes virus from replicating. To replicate (make copies of itself), a virus has to duplicate its DNA exactly. Scientists hope these new drugs will prevent the virus from doing that. Everyone would like a vaccine that protects against HSV-2, but experimental products have had mixed and somewhat discouraging results. Although these new genital herpes treatments are just on the horizon, it may be years before any are available to consumers. The process of introducing a new treatment to the public can be a long one. Before the FDA approves a drug, it must go through rigorous clinical trials, which are divided into three phases. In phase I, researchers try to find out if the drug is safe for people to take. If the drug is deemed safe, it may go on to phase II, when researchers aim to determine if the drug works as it should. They also collect more safety data. In phase III trials, they expand their research to include more patients in more places. To conduct a clinical trial, scientists need people to participate voluntarily. Clinical trials often involve thousands of patients who volunteer to take the experimental drug. The FDA and an independent review board carefully monitor every aspect of the trial. There are rules the researchers must follow to ensure that their work is scientifically correct and ethically sound. Study volunteers have clearly defined rights, such as the right to drop out of the trial at any time. While there are risks involved in joining a clinical trial, there may be benefits, too. You might get a new "wonder drug" long before it hits the market. If you're interested, ask your doctor if you could benefit by joining one. Your doctor may know of a trial that is seeking volunteers in your area. The National Institutes of Health also has an online database that you can search. This web site provides detailed information on what's involved in joining a clinical trial.
context: There are many medications for treating bipolar disorder, so a psychiatrist, who is best qualified to identify which drugs work best for a specific patient, should oversee treatment. A psychiatrist is a type of medical doctor ( MD or DO) with specialized training in mental health care. Primary care doctors (also sometimes called general practitioners, or internists, or family practitioners, as well as pediatricians) are general medical doctors who obtain some training in mental health during medical school and residency. They often provide basic or initial assessment and medication treatment for common mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. Bipolar disorder is often misrecognized as "just" depression and usually a medical doctor who is not trained as a psychiatrist will refer patients with bipolar disorder to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional for more specialized care. Psychologists and some mental health counselors ( Ph Ds and Psy Ds) can provide psychotherapy, or talk therapy, another critical part of treatment. Through therapy, people can develop coping methods that prevent long periods of illness, extended hospital stays, and suicide. They also are uniquely qualified to perform psychological and neuropsychological testing, which can help clarify diagnoses, learning and educational problems, developmental problems, and other behavioral or emotional problems. Nurses sometimes obtain further training to obtain their doctoral degree in nursing ( DNP), Doctor of Nursing ( DN) or Doctor of Nursing Science ( DNSc). Nurses who pursue doctoral-level training often do so in order to obtain advanced training in research methods, administrative leadership, and teaching. Social workers are psychotherapists who often treat bipolar disorder using talk therapy. They do not prescribe medications. Some may have obtained a professional doctorate degree in social work ( DSW) and thus some can be nonmedical doctors.