VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Vision loss is a difficult condition, but fortunately there are many low vision aids that can help you cope day to day. If you are reading this you probably do not have low vision or you are already using these tools. Perhaps you know someone who is struggling, so pass on this information. Some eye conditions, like diabetic retinopathy and certain corneal diseases, can be treated so that vision is restored or maintained. Unfortunately, some eye conditions cannot be treated, resulting in low vision or blindness. While one obvious challenge of vision loss is restoring mobility and function, there is also the emotional toll of vision loss to consider. There are steps you can take to better cope with the condition, including: You can order written or taped materials on vision loss through state agencies and non-profit organizations. You may also find it helpful to discuss vision loss with your doctor, as well as other people who have lost vision. While vision loss can occur at any age, it occurs most often among mature adults. Like any other major life event, vision loss can bring feelings of loneliness, helplessness, anxiety, and depression. Doctors, state agencies, and non-profit organizations offer counseling services for those with vision loss and can provide referrals to other professionals based on individual needs. People with severe vision loss especially should be encouraged to consider these resources. The loss of vision is initially devastating. Understanding the process of grief associated with vision loss can help you and your loved ones cope with these physiological and emotional challenges. Tasks as simple as dressing in the morning or as complex as cooking a meal become new challenges after vision loss. In adjustment classes, individuals can learn new or alternative techniques to help maintain independence. While building mobility and motor skills, these classes and aids also teach the patience and confidence required to live with low vision on a daily basis. A variety of low vision aids are very useful. Popular low vision aids include: Telescopic glasses Lenses that filter light Magnifying glasses Hand magnifiers Closed-circuit television Reading prisms These devices are stronger than regular eyeglasses and can be hand-held or stationary. You can also buy computer software that can alter screen images or read typed text to make new technology and electronic information readily available. Non-optical aids are also helpful in daily activities. These devices "talk" to you, or offer enlarged print or Braille. Many also have special features, such as high contrast, that make them easier to see. Some popular non-optical devices include: Text reading software Braille readers Check guides High contrast clocks and watches Talking watches and clocks Large-print publications Clocks, phones, and watches with enlarged numbers Low vision clinics and agencies are available in many locations which can help people choose the most helpful vision aids and services for their personal visual problem.
context: Stress is our response to daily life. It affects us emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. The right amount of stress can be a positive force that helps us to do our best and to keep alert and energetic. Too much stress, however, can make us tense and anxious and can cause sleep problems. Common signs of stress include depression, sleep problems, tension, anxiety, work mistakes, poor concentration, and apathy, among many others. If high levels of unwanted stress are not properly managed, your health and sense of well-being can suffer. Therefore, it is important to learn how to manage stress. These tips can help you ease stress and hopefully get a better night's sleep: Assess what is stressful: The first step in getting a handle on stress is to figure out what is causing it. Take a good look at your physical condition and your daily activities. Do you suffer from pain? Are you overloaded at work? Once you identify your stressors, you can take steps to reduce them. Seek social support: Spending time with family and friends is an important buffer against stress. It can be helpful to share your problems with people who care for you. Practice thought management: What we think, how we think, what we expect, and what we tell ourselves often determine how we feel and how well we manage rising stress levels. You can learn to change thought patterns that produce stress. Thoughts to watch out for include those concerning how things should be and those that overgeneralize sets of circumstances (for example, " I'm a failure at my whole job because I missed one deadline.") Many commercial audiotapes and books can help you learn thought management exercises. Exercise: Exercise can help you blow off steam, thereby reducing stress. In addition, flexible, loose muscles are less likely to become tight and painful in response to stress. However, it's best to exercise at least 2 hours before bedtime so that your body temperature returns to normal. If you have a medical condition or are over age 50, it's best to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. Eat a healthy diet: Junk food and refined sugars low in nutritional value and high in calories can leave us feeling out of energy and sluggish. A healthy diet, low in sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, can promote health and reduce stress. Get adequate sleep: A good night's sleep makes you able to tackle the day's stress more easily. When you are tired, you are less patient and more easily agitated, which can increase stress. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Practicing good sleep hygiene along with stress-lowering tactics can help improve your quality of sleep. Delegate responsibility: Often, having too many responsibilities can lead to stress. Free up time and decrease stress by delegating responsibilities. These steps can help many people sleep soundly through the night. However, if you have frequent sleep problems, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can assess you for possible sleep disorders and recommend safe and effective sleep medicine.
context: When you look at your prescription for eyeglasses, you will see numbers listed under the headings of OS and OD. They are Latin abbreviations: OS (oculus sinister) means the left eye and OD (oculus dextrus) means the right eye. Occasionally, you will see a notation for OU, which means something involving both eyes. In general, the further away from zero the number on your prescription, the worse your eyesight and the more vision correction (stronger prescription) you need. A âplusâ (+) sign in front of the number means you are farsighted, and a âminusâ (-) sign means you are nearsighted. These numbers represent diopters, the unit used to measure the correction, or focusing power, of the lens your eye requires. Diopter is often abbreviated " D." 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(); }); } For example, if your prescription says -1.00, you have one diopter of nearsightedness. This is a fairly mild amount of nearsightedness. If you are -4.25, that means you have 4 and 1/4 diopters of nearsightedness. This is more nearsighted than -1.00, and requires stronger (thicker) lenses. Similarly, +1.00 would be a small amount of farsightedness and +5 would be more. For people who have astigmatism, there will be three numbers in your prescription. The general form for writing these numbers is S x C x Axis The S refers to the "spherical" portion of the prescription, which is the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness discussed above. The C refers to the "cylinder" or astigmatism, and can be a negative or a positive number. It measures in diopters the degree of astigmatism that you have. The bigger this number, the more astigmatism you have. Astigmatism most often is caused by a cornea that is shaped more like a football than a basketball. The Axis is a number anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees. It reveals the orientation of the astigmatism. It is not enough to specify how much astigmatism there is; you have to know where the difference in curvature is taking place. Here are two examples of what prescriptions for eyes with astigmatism could look like: -2.00 +1.50 x 180 +3.50 +3.00 x 45 The first prescription means that the person has 2 diopters of nearsightedness with 1.5 diopters of astigmatism and an axis of 180 degrees. The second prescription means that the person has 3.5 diopters of farsightedness, 3 diopters of astigmatism and an axis of 45 degrees.
context: So you're never going to have a thick, lush head of hair again. But at least you'd like to hang on to what you've got. Short of a transplant, is there anything you can do to stop thinning hair? Yes. With some treatments, you can slow down or stop hair thinning -- and maybe even grow back some hair you thought was gone forever. Read on to see what works and what doesn't. This is the only over-the-counter medication for hair loss approved by the FDA for use by both men and women. It won't rescue a receding hairline. It does stimulate hair growth, although scientists aren't quite sure how it works. Minoxidil is available as Rogaine or Theroxidil, or in generic form. It's sold as a liquid or foam and in two strengths: 2% and 5%. Effectiveness: Minoxidil works for about 2 out of 3 men. It's most effective if you're under age 40 and have only recently started to lose your hair. How to use it: Twice a day, when your hair is dry, apply minoxidil on your scalp where the hair has started to thin. Then be patient. You may not notice changes for 4 months or more. What it doesn't do: Minoxidil does not cure baldness. If you stop using it, you will start losing hair again. Your hair may fall out faster than before. Side effects: You may have redness, itching, dryness, flaking, or other scalp irritation, though this is uncommon. It's more likely if you use the stronger 5% solution. This medication stops your body from making the hormone at the root of male pattern baldness, DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It is available under the brand name Propecia. Effectiveness: Finasteride is very effective. It slows or stops hair loss in nearly 90% of men. About two-thirds of these men also regrow some hair. How to use it: Finasteride is a pill. Usually, you take it once a day. Your dermatologist may recommend using it in combination with minoxidil. What it doesn't do: Like minoxidil, it doesn't cure hair loss. If you stop taking it, you will lose hair again. Side effects: Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual side effects, though this is unusual. If it happens to you, it will likely clear up once you stop taking finasteride. But for some men, that can take 3 months or more. Biotin is a B vitamin that is essential for your health. You most likely get plenty of it in your diet in egg yolks, yeast, liver, and other foods. That's good news because too little biotin can cause hair loss. Does that mean that taking mega-doses of it will give you more hair? Probably not. No scientific studies have shown biotin to prevent or treat hair loss. You may have heard that laser combs, brushes, hoods, and caps can help halt hair loss. The theory is that when hair follicles absorb laser light at a certain level, it stimulates hair to grow. But there's not enough evidence that any of these devices restore hair or prevent balding. If you lose hair suddenly, see your doctor. It may be caused by illnesses, medicine, or low levels of iron or vitamin D.
context: Along with causing heart and kidney problems, untreated high blood pressure can also affect your eyesight and lead to eye disease. Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images focus. This eye disease is known as hypertensive retinopathy. The damage can be serious if hypertension is not treated. A person typically won't experience symptoms of mild to moderate hypertensive retinopathy; it is usually discovered during a routine eye exam. Symptoms of more severe and accelerated hypertension might include headaches and vision problems. Severe retinopathy can occur alongside high blood pressure during pregnancy, so prenatal care is important. An eye care professional can diagnose hypertensive retinopathy. Using an ophthalmoscope, an instrument that projects light to examine the back of the eyeball, the doctor will look for signs of retinopathy that include: Narrowing of blood vessels Spots on the retina known as cotton wool spots and exudates Swelling of the macula (the central area of the retina) and optic nerve Bleeding in the back of the eye The best way to treat hypertensive retinopathy is to adequately control your blood pressure. To prevent hypertensive retinopathy, keep your blood pressure under control by reaching and maintaining your optimal weight, sticking with a diet recommended by your physician, exercising regularly, and faithfully taking your high blood pressure medications as prescribed. In addition, see your doctor on a regular basis for follow-up care.
context: This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb saw palmetto -- common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Saw palmetto grows in the southern United States. Common Names--saw palmetto, American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm Latin Names-- Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata Saw palmetto is used mainly for urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). Saw palmetto is also used for other conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, bladder disorders, decreased sex drive, hair loss, and hormone imbalances. The ripe fruit of saw palmetto is used in several forms, including ground and dried fruit or whole berries. It is available as a liquid extract, tablets, capsules, and as an infusion or a tea. While several small studies suggest that saw palmetto may be effective for treating BPH symptoms, most larger trials found little or no evidence that saw palmetto affects prostate disease. In 2006, a large study of 225 men with moderate-to-severe BPH found no improvement with 320 mg saw palmetto daily for 1 year versus placebo. NCCAM co-funded the study with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Saw palmetto does not appear to affect readings of prostate-specific antigen ( PSA) levels. PSA is protein produced by cells in the prostate. The PSA test is used to screen for prostate cancer and to monitor patients who have had prostate cancer. Saw palmetto may cause mild side effects, including stomach discomfort. Some men using saw palmetto have reported side effects such as tender breasts and a decline in sexual desire. Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including saw palmetto. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
context: If you have the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as pain, swelling, and stiff joints, your doctor may use the rheumatoid factor blood test to help diagnose it. This is a simple blood test that measures rheumatoid factor, an antibody that, if it is present, will help your doctor know if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Your body produces antibodies when it detects harmful substances. The test also helps your doctor tell the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis, as well as other conditions. High levels of rheumatoid factor can show up in people with severe rheumatoid arthritis. But even if the test results show you have a high level of it, your doctor will want to do other tests before he makes a diagnosis. He will also examine you and may order other types of lab tests, such as X-rays, an MRI, an ultrasound, or other scans. It's quick and almost painless. Your doctor will use a needle to collect blood from a vein, and then send your blood sample to a lab for testing. You won't have to do anything to prepare. Some people are more sensitive than others about having blood taken. If you have questions, talk to your doctor before the test. If you feel faint or nauseated, let your doctor know. Test results, along with your physical exam, other tests, and your history of symptoms, give your doctor more information and may also help show how serious your rheumatoid arthritis might be. Remember, sometimes the rheumatoid factor is also found in the blood of healthy people. And it's found in people with other immune system conditions like lupus and Sjogren's syndrome. People with chronic infections like viral hepatitis can have it too.
context: SAM-e is a compound that's made naturally in the body and plays an important role in normal bodily function. A synthesized form of SAM-e is considered a supplement in the U. S., but SAM-e has been sold as a prescription drug in parts of Europe for decades. Its scientific name is S-adenosylmethionine. SAM-e is also known as ademetionine and SAMe. SAM-e has good evidence as a treatment for osteoarthritis pain. Some studies have found that oral SAM-e is as effective as NSAID painkillers, such as ibuprofen and Celebrex. SAM-e takes longer to act than drugs do, but it also has fewer side effects than NSAIDs. SAM-e has also been used to treat depression for many years. Some studies have found that SAM-e might work as well as tricyclic antidepressants in relieving symptoms. However, many of these studies were flawed or too small to be conclusive. Other uses of SAM-e have not been studied as thoroughly. There's some evidence that SAM-e might help ease the pain of fibromyalgia and spinal cord damage caused by HIV. SAM-e may also help control cholestasis -- a buildup of bile in the liver -- particularly in pregnant women during the third trimester. One trial suggested that SAM-e might be helpful for adults with ADHD. However, more research needs to be done. Some people use SAM-e as a treatment for other conditions, such as liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, pain, migraine, and bursitis. We don't know the potential risks or benefits of these uses. There is no established ideal dose of SAM-e. For depression, many studies have used between 800 -1,600 milligrams daily. For osteoarthritis, 600-1,200 milligrams daily of SAM-e divided into three doses is common. Ask your doctor for advice. Sometimes, the dose of SAM-e is increased gradually over a few weeks. This can help reduce side effects such as restlessness or anxiety. There are no food sources of SAM-e. Side effects. SAM-e seems to be a relatively safe drug. High doses of oral SAM-e can cause symptoms like gas, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, anxiety, and skin rashes. SAM-e can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Risks. If you have any medical issues, check with a doctor before you start using SAM-e supplements. SAM-e might not be safe for people with conditions such as bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. Because SAM-e can affect the blood vessels, stop using SAM-e two weeks before getting surgery. Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using SAM-e supplements. SAM-e could be dangerous when combined with antidepressants or supplements that treat depression, like St. John's wort. SAM-e could also interact with some prescription painkillers, cough medicines, and treatments for diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Patients taking MAOIs should not use SAM-e without discussing it with their doctor. Given the lack of evidence about safety, SAM-e is not recommended for children or for women who are breastfeeding. Although SAM-e has been studied as a treatment for liver problems during pregnancy, pregnant women should only use SAM-e if a doctor recommends it.
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(); }); } Epilepsy is a general term for the tendency to have seizures. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed only after a person has had more than one seizure. When identifiable, the causes of epilepsy usually involve some form of injury to the brain. For most people, though, epilepsy's causes aren't known. A seizure occurs when a burst of electrical impulses in the brain escape their normal limits. They spread to neighboring areas and create an uncontrolled storm of electrical activity. The electrical impulses can be transmitted to the muscles, causing twitches or convulsions. There are around 180,000 new cases of epilepsy each year. About 30% occur in children. Children and elderly adults are the ones most often affected. There is a clear cause for epilepsy in only a minority of the cases. Typically, the known causes of seizure involve some injury to the brain. Some of the main causes of epilepsy include: Low oxygen during birth Head injuries that occur during birth or from accidents during youth or adulthood Brain tumors Genetic conditions that result in brain injury, such as tuberous sclerosis Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis Stroke or any other type of damage to the brain Abnormal levels of substances such as sodium or blood sugar In up to 70% of all case of epilepsy in adults and children, no cause can be discovered. Although the underlying causes of epilepsy are usually not known, certain factors are known to provoke seizures in people with epilepsy. Avoiding these triggers can help you avoid seizures and live better with epilepsy: Missing medication doses Heavy alcohol use Cocaine or other drug, such as ecstasy, use Lack of sleep Other drugs that interfere with seizure medications For about one out of every two women with epilepsy, seizures tend to occur more around the time of menstrual periods. Changing or adding certain drugs before menstrual periods can help.
context: Nosebleeds can happen for a lot of different reasons, but they usually aren't serious and stop on their own. But there are times you should go to a doctor or get emergency care if you do have one. You should get medical care immediately if: You're injured or go through something traumatic, like a car accident. There's more blood than you expect for a nosebleed. It affects your ability to breathe. The bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes, even when you apply pressure. If you're losing a lot of blood and think you need emergency care, don't drive to the hospital. Instead, have a friend or family take you, or call 911 or your local emergency number. If you get nosebleeds a lot, you should talk to your doctor about them. Even if they're not serious enough to require emergency care, it's important for your doctor to know about them so she can figure out why they're happening. In some cases, your child might need immediate emergency care for a nosebleed. Take him to an ER if: He's bleeding heavily and/or they feel dizzy or weak. It happened because of a fall or an injury. The bleeding won't stop, even after two attempts to put pressure on his nose for 10 minutes at a time. Regardless of your child's age, you should take him to the doctor if: He gets nosebleeds often. The bleeding's caused by something he inserted into his nose. He bleeds heavily even when he has minor injuries. He bleeds from other areas of his body, like his gums. He develops bruises from minor injuries. The nosebleed(s) happened shortly after he started a new medication. Occasional nosebleeds are usually nothing to worry about, but if you take some medications or have certain health conditions, your nosebleed may be more serious and you should get emergency medical help. Blood thinners like warfarin ( Coumadin, Jantoven) or aspirin can cause you to bleed more than you normally would. If you're on one of these medications and you get a nosebleed, you may not be able to stop the bleeding on your own. In some cases, a doctor will need to put packing in your nose to stop the bleeding. It's rare, but a bleeding disorder can cause nosebleeds. If you have one, your blood may not clot properly. If your nosebleeds are hard to stop and/or you get bleeding from your gums or from minor cuts, you should see a doctor immediately or get emergency care.
context: Stuff happens. You nick your skin and bacteria get in. Or you rub your eyes, not realizing that the doorknob you touched had a cold virus on it. Or you ate something that maybe wasn't cooked or cleaned as well as it should have been. And just like that, you've got an unwanted guest in your body. Your immune system steps in, like a bouncer who means business. It releases white blood cells and other chemicals that destroy these threats. Or it causes a reaction, like a sneeze, to boot out a virus in your nose. It's an elite squad of agents that zap invaders -- like bacteria, viruses, and fungi -- ASAP. They zoom through your body and defend you. Germs look for ways to get under your skin -- literally. They could get in through a cut, ride in on something you ate, filter through the air, or wait on a coin for you to touch it and then rub your eyes. Once inside, they start to breed. You're infected, and it can make you feel sick. Your immune system should know that there's a problem. It reads a tell-tale âfingerprintâ of proteins on the surface of cells, so it can tell the difference between your own cells and what shouldn't be there. Your white blood cells aim to destroy the unwelcome guests. They get their start in your bone marrow. They have a short life -- ranging from a few days to a few weeks -- so your body constantly makes more. There are different types, and they all have the same goal: to fight infection. They wait, poised for duty, in many different places in your body, including your: Thymus Spleen Tonsils Blood vessels Lymph nodes Small intestine Adenoids Blood vessels Your lymphatic system is like an inner highway that carries white blood cells through your body. When you're sick, you might notice your lymph nodes -- small glands in your neck, groin, armpits, and behind your knees -- are swollen. This is normal. It means your immune system has kicked into high gear to get rid of infection. Lymph nodes are also filters for your immune system. They catch germs and dead or damaged cells and destroy them. Your white blood cells lock on to the germs in order to absorb or destroy them. They have antibodies that latch onto the germs. Experience makes your immune system stronger. The first time your body comes into contact with a certain type of germ, your immune response may take a while. You might need several days to make and use all the germ-fighting parts you need to get rid of your infection. It takes time to hack the germ's code and destroy it. If you come across that same germ later on, your body will remember and fight it off faster, so you can get over the infection and feel better. Mission accomplished!
context: Maybe you just spent an evening out with friends who can't get through an hour without lighting up. Or perhaps you're a regular smoker yourself. Either way, you're now trying to deal with a pounding headache that's got you holding your brow. Did all that smoke, you wonder, trigger the pain you're feeling? Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes -- or hang around with people who do -- there's a chance that tobacco is the source of your headache woes. The chemicals in tobacco and the smell of the smoke are a big part of the problem. But if you take the right steps you can help keep some of your headaches at bay. Nicotine. The substance nicotine is no longer linked to migraines. Nicotine is a chemical in tobacco products. It causes the blood vessels in your body to narrow. This reduces blood flow to your brain. Previous studies indicated that this reduced blood flow could trigger a migraine. However, migraines are complex, and reduced blood flow is no longer considered a migraine trigger. In addition, no controlled trials or studies have clearly linked nicotine to migraines, although people still report an association between headaches and tobacco (nicotine) exposure. Nicotine can make it harder for you to get rid of your headache once it starts. That's because the chemical affects your liver's ability to break down headache medicine. The result is that the medication you're counting on to give you pain relief won't work as well, just when you need it the most. Carbon monoxide. Like a lot of people, you may think of it as something that comes out of your car's tailpipe or leaks out of your furnace. But carbon monoxide is also in tobacco products. If you're a smoker, you may have high levels in your blood and brain. Carbon monoxide can trigger headaches. Sensitivity to smells. For some people, the smell that smoking gives off is enough to cause a headache or migraine. You can also have an allergy to cigarette smoke, which can trigger a headache when you're around it. They can. Electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, contain nicotine. Research shows that they can also cause headaches. No. Depending on the type of headache, there may be an improvement in symptoms. But studies have not shown that stopping smoking will stop headaches. It might be possible to prevent some of your headaches if you quit smoking or stay away from areas where other people are lighting up. For example, if you get cluster headaches, which causes sudden and severe pain around one eye or on one side of your head, you may notice improvement if you stop smoking. Even with there not being a clear indication that stopping smoking will stop your headaches, it's important to talk to your doctor about ways to end smoking for good. But there's one thing to keep in mind when you start your quit-smoking efforts. Sometimes headaches are among the symptoms that crop up when you cut back on cigarettes. It's due to nicotine withdrawal. These withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, are usually worse during the first week after you quit tobacco. But don't let that get in the way of your no-smoking campaign. The troubles will get better over time.
context: Some doctors say that the best treatment for warts is no treatment at all. Most people develop an immune response that causes warts to go away by themselves. One-fifth of all warts disappear within six months, and two-thirds are gone within two years. However, if your wart doesn't disappear, or if it's unsightly or uncomfortable, you can try self-treatment or seek help from your doctor. If you have diabetes or a weak immune system, it is recommended to avoid self-treatment and instead follow up with your doctor. If you decide to treat your own wart, your first-choice remedy should be an over-the-counter medication in liquid, gel, pad, or ointment form. Most of these contain salicylic acid, which softens abnormal skin cells and dissolves them. Some examples are Compound W, Duofilm, and Occlusal HP. First, soak the wart in water for five minutes to help the medication penetrate the skin. Then gently rub off dead skin cells with a washcloth or pumice stone. These compounds require daily treatment, often for at least several weeks. You should not reuse the same washcloth or pumice stone or you may keep reinfecting yourself with the wart virus. After applying the over-the-counter salicylic acid treatment, the area should be covered with a piece of duct tape. This will help to both adhere and penetrate the salicylic acid into the skin. Another over-the-counter option is using a freezing spray. The sprays generally contain liquid butane and are sprayed directly onto the wart to freeze and kill the tissue. Temperatures can reach as low as a negative 100 degrees. The down side of this home treatment is that it may not freeze the wart deep enough to be effective. It can also be painful because the spray needs to be applied longer than if you were being treated in a doctor's office. You may develop a blister around the wart after the freezing. Keep the area clean with an antiseptic or anti-bacterial. The blister and the wart should disappear within a few days. Examples of freezing treatments include Compound W, Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away, Histofreezer Wart Removal and Wartner Wart removal If over-the-counter treatment fails, your doctor can remove a wart by: Freezing it with liquid nitrogen. Burning it off with an electric needle or a laser. Applying acids to help destroy the wart. Injecting a drug called bleomycin into the wart (which kills the virus), used for severe cases. Injecting candida antigen to stimulate the body's immune system to fight off the wart. Prescribing a topical medication called imiquimod ( Aldara), which improves your body's fighting capabilities. This is mainly helpful for genital warts. Getting rid of warts takes persistence. It is in the rare situation that a wart is gone with a single treatment. There is no treatment that your doctor can do that has been proven to be more effective than the over-the-counter treatment with salicylic acid and duct tape. Oftentimes, your doctor will do a treatment in the office while you continue to do at-home treatments.
context: " Cracking joints" and "popping knuckles" are an interesting and poorly understood phenomenon. There are many theories as to why joints crack or pop, but the exact cause is simply not known. As a rule, painless cracking of joints is not harmful. However, common sense would generally suggest that the intentional and repetitive cracking of one's joints not only is potentially bothersome socially but could also be physically troublesome when it produces pain. Knuckle "cracking" has not been shown to be harmful or beneficial. More specifically, knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis. Joint "cracking" can result from a negative pressure pulling nitrogen gas temporarily into the joint, such as when knuckles are "cracked." This is not harmful. " Cracking" sounds can also be heard if tendons snap over tissues because of minor adjustments in their gliding paths. This can occur with aging as muscle mass and action change. If cracking is accompanied by pain, there could be underlying abnormalities of the structures of the joint, such as loose cartilage or injured ligaments. Some patients with arthritis (inflammation of joints, usually painful), bursitis, or tendinitis notice "cracking" sounds due to the snapping of irregular, swollen tissues.
context: Ingrown nails -- when the nail grows into the flesh instead of over it -- usually affect the toenails, particularly the big toe. People with curved or thick nails are most susceptible, although anyone can suffer from ingrown nails as a result of an injury, poorly fitting shoes, or improper grooming of the feet. People with diabetes, vascular problems, or numbness in the toes need to be aggressive in treating and preventing ingrown toenails because they can lead to serious complications, including the risk of losing a limb. A damaged or improperly trimmed nail can become ingrown, burrowing into the skin at the side of the nail. The site can become painful and infected, and may not heal until the nail is removed. To avoid ingrown nails, always trim nails straight across. Ingrown nails are most frequently caused by cutting your toenails too short or rounding the nail edges or by wearing ill-fitting shoes or tight hosiery that press the nail into your toe. You can also develop an ingrown nail after an injury, such as stubbing or jamming your toe. If the condition causing the ingrown toenail continues, overgrowth of the tissue over the nail can lead to permanent changes in the tissue that can cause infection, more pain, and more swelling.
context: Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. Snoring has a tendency to worsen with age. Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. However, if you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own sleep quality. Medical assistance is often needed for habitual snorers (and their loved ones) to get a good night's sleep. Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed. Air flow can be obstructed by a combination of factors, including: Obstructed nasal airways: Some people snore only during allergy seasons or when they have a sinus infection. Deformities of the nose such as a deviated septum (a structural change in the wall that separates one nostril from the other) or nasal polyps can also cause obstruction. Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue: Throat and tongue muscles can be too relaxed, which allows them to collapse and fall back into the airway. This can result from deep sleep, alcohol consumption, and use of some sleeping pills. Normal aging causes further relaxation of these muscles. Bulky throat tissue: Being overweight can cause bulky throat tissue. Also, children with large tonsils and adenoids often snore. Long soft palate and/or uvula: A long soft palate or a long uvula (the dangling tissue in back of the mouth) can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat. When these structures vibrate and bump against one another the airway becomes obstructed, causing snoring. Habitual snorers can be at risk for serious health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea creates several problems, including: Long interruptions of breathing (more than 10 seconds) during sleep caused by partial or total obstruction or blockage of the airway. Frequent waking from sleep, even though you may not realize it. Light sleeping. People with obstructive sleep apnea might sleep lightly as their body tries to keep their throat muscles tense enough to maintain airflow. Strain on the heart. Prolonged suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often results in higher blood pressure and may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risks of heart attack and stroke. Poor night's sleep. This leads to drowsiness during the day and can interfere with your quality of life. Low oxygen levels in the blood. This can lead to constricted blood vessels in the lungs and eventually pulmonary hypertension. Chronic headaches. Obesity. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
context: Cancer and cancer treatments can weaken your immune system and make it hard for it to protect your body against germs. Chemotherapy, for example, can lower the number of white blood cells you have. Because their job is to stop infections, it makes it tougher for your body to fight germs. Some things that can make it easier for you to get an infection include: Chemotherapy Radiation Stress Lack of sleep Poor nutrition Cancer that affects the blood or lymph nodes, such as leukemia or lymphoma Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body But you can do a few things to protect yourself. Wash your hands. Do it often, and use soap and water. Wash them before you eat and before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Always clean up after you go to the bathroom, sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. Other times to wash: after you handle trash, go to a public place, or touch an animal. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you in case you can't get to soap and water when you're out and about. Eat a well-balanced diet. Ask your doctor if you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Some doctors say it's OK as long as you wash the produce very well. Others say it's safer to just skip them. Stay away from raw meats, shellfish, and eggs. It may also be smart to avoid foods that have been linked to infection outbreaks in the past, like raw sprouts, berries, and fresh salsa. Don't eat deli foods, free food samples, or yogurt and ice cream products from soft-serve machines. Skip foods bought from self-serve or bulk bins. Don't buy dented cans or pre-cut fruits and veggies. Be careful around people. If you know that someone has a fever, cold, flu, or any other infection, stay away from them until they feel better. It's also best to skip large groups of people, so avoid shopping, schools, traveling, and crowds. If you do go out in public, use cleaning wipes before you touch door handles, elevator buttons, ATM keypads, or any other surface used by a lot of people. Take care of your body. Take a shower or bath every day. Pay special attention to your feet, armpits, and other sweaty areas. When you're done, use lotion so your skin doesn't get dry and crack. Consider using an electric shaver instead of a razor so you don't cut yourself. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Ask if it's OK to floss gently. Don't use alcohol-based mouthwashes -- your doctor or dentist may give you a special mouthwash. Use gloves. Be careful when you garden or do housework. Wear gloves so you don't hurt your hands or pick up germs from the soil. Use caution when you handle sharp things like scissors, knives, or gardening tools. Don't share. Don't use the same glasses, utensils, or food as others. Don't share towels, toothbrushes, or makeup, either. Watch what you touch. Try not to change diapers. If you do, wash your hands as soon as possible when you're done. Don't clean up after your pet in the yard, and don't touch dirt that could have animal droppings in it. Let someone else change the litter boxes, clean the birdcage, or clean the fish or turtle tanks.
context: In stage II, the cancer is still contained within the breast and in some cases in nearby lymph nodes. Several treatments may help. You would likely use a combination of them. Surgeryis standard. For smaller tumors, you might get a breast conserving surgery, or lumpectomy, in which only the tumor and some of the tissue around it are removed. For larger tumors, you might need a mastectomy, in which the breast is removed. In either case, the surgeon will likely remove some of the lymph nodes. After a mastectomy, you might choose breast reconstruction surgery. Radiation therapy usually follows a lumpectomy. It can kill cancer cells that were missed during surgery. Some women who get a mastectomy will also have radiation, especially if the tumor was large or there were cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy after surgery can help destroy remaining cancer cells that were missed. Some people have chemotherapy before surgery to try to shrink a tumor. If it works, the tumor might then be small enough to remove with a lumpectomy. You can get chemo several different ways. You may take pills or liquids, but often the drugs are put right into your veins. Depending on the type of treatment, it may be given in cycles that allow your body breaks in between. Hormone therapy after surgery may help women who have hormone receptor-positive cancer. That means the cancer needs hormones to grow. Medicines can prevent the tumor from getting the hormones. These drugs include tamoxifen for all women, and anastrozole ( Arimidex), exemestane ( Aromasin), and letrozole ( Femara) for postmenopausal women. There are also other estrogen receptor blockers: fulvestrant ( Faslodex) and toremifene ( Fareston), for metastatic breast cancer. Women who haven't reached menopause may consider having their ovaries removed to stop them from making hormones that help cancer grow. They also can take a drug, such as goserelin ( Zoladex) or leuprolide ( Lupron), to stop their ovaries from releasing hormones. Biological therapy is a newer approach. In about 25% of women with breast cancer, an excess of a protein known as HER2 makes the cancer spread quickly. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine ( Kadcyla), lapatinib ( Tykerb), neratinib ( Nerlynx), pertuzumab ( Perjeta), and trastuzumab ( Herceptin) treat women with HER2-positive cancer. They stop this protein from making the cancer grow and can make some chemotherapy more effective. It's often used in combination with chemotherapy. Clinical trials are open to many women with stage II breast cancer. A clinical trial may allow you access to cutting-edge treatments. Many new therapies -- new drugs, new treatments, and new combinations -- are in clinical trials now. Keep in mind that any successful treatment we have now started out in a clinical trial.
context: Shellfish poisoning can occur after eating clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles, starfish, and crustaceans that consume dinoflagellates during a red tide. During a red tide, sea waters turn a reddish color because large numbers of red organisms (dinoflagellates) are present. Dinoflagellates kill fish and other organisms by releasing toxins (poisonous substances). Consequently, shellfish take in the concentrated saxitoxin, a poison that causes paralysis. Red tides are most common in the cold waters of North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Japan. A red tide rarely occurs in warmer climates. People are poisoned when they unknowingly eat shellfish contaminated during a red tide with saxitoxins. Shellfish that is contaminated during a red tide does not have an abnormal taste, smell, or color, and the toxin is not destroyed by heating or cooking. Paralysis due to shellfish poisoning follows a similar progression to that of pufferfish poisoning. Symptoms of shellfish poisoning begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Numbness of the lips, tongue, and fingertips. Muscle paralysis may occur. The person who has been poisoned may also develop the following conditions: Headache Lower-back pain Vertigo (dizziness) Loss of balance Drooling Blurred vision Temporary blindness Elevated heart rate Low blood pressure Altered temperature perception Ingesting large amounts of contaminated shellfish can result in coma and respiratory failure. Do not induce vomiting In case of vomiting, turn the person on his or her side to prevent the person from breathing in any stomach contents (vomit). The person may become paralyzed. Medical liquid charcoal to absorb the toxins may be given as a drink. Artificial respiration may keep the person alive until he or she arrives at a hospital's emergency department. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. wilderness: shellfish poisoning, paralysis; red tide; food poisoning; diarrhea; abdominal cramps; vomiting; nausea; toxicity