VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: Prostate cancer is not often a cause of erectile dysfunction (or ED). However, treatments for the disease can cause it. The current methods of treating prostate cancer, including surgery with radical prostatectomy (removal of the entire prostate gland), radiation therapy -- whether by external beam or brachytherapy (seed implant) -- and hormone therapy, can all cause ED. Radical prostatectomy. Erectile dysfunction can begin immediately following the removal of the entire prostate and surrounding tissues, whether the nerve-sparing or non-nerve-sparing technique is used. If the nerve-sparing technique is used, recovery from ED may occur within the first year following the procedure. Recovery of erectile function after a non-nerve-sparing technique is unlikely but possible. Radiation therapy. The onset of ED following radiation therapy is gradual and usually begins within 2 to 3 years following treatment. Without treatment for erectile dysfunction, ED is usually permanent. Hormone therapy. When hormone therapy is used, ED may occur approximately two to four weeks following the initiation of the therapy and is usually accompanied by a decreased desire for sex. Without treatment, the ED may become permanent. The current treatment options for erectile dysfunction for people who have received treatment for prostate cancer include: Pills, including Cialis, Levitra, Stendra, Staxyn, and Viagra Intracavernous injection therapy Vacuum constriction device Intraurethral therapy Penile prosthesis
context: FALSE Sweet treats -- like candies, pies, cakes -- were once off-limits for people with diabetes. Not anymore. In fact, research has shown that starches like potatoes and white bread affect blood glucose levels much like sugar -- causing sometimes dangerous spikes in blood sugar. Carbohydrates found in most vegetables or whole grains don't affect blood sugar as much. Counting carbs and choosing the healthiest of them is more important than eliminating sugar altogether. A little sweet treat is OK. If you're at a wedding, for instance, you can have a small slice of cake -- very small. Just substitute it for another starchy carb you might eat, like a small potato or a piece of bread. If you really have a sweet tooth, choose desserts, candy, and sodas made with sugar substitutes. Many artificial sweeteners have no carbs or calories, so you don't need to count them in your meal plan. Others have carbohydrates that are absorbed into the blood more slowly than table sugar, so they don't pose a threat to your blood sugar levels. But once you come off sugar and sweeteners for a few weeks, your body and taste buds will adapt, and you won't need or crave as much sweetness. Fruits and other natural foods will taste sweeter and more satisfying. TRUE Within limits, alcohol is OK. But there are exceptions. You shouldn't drink if your blood sugar levels aren't under control or if you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you do drink, keep portions modest: up to one drink a day for women, or up to two drinks a day for men. Remember, one serving is: Five ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor TRUE A high-fiber diet (more than 50 grams/day) can lower blood sugar levels. How? Your body digests fiber-rich foods slowly -- which means glucose (a form of sugar) is absorbed into the blood gradually, helping to control blood sugar levels. You have to eat a very high-fiber diet to attain this effect. High-fiber diets have also been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, lose weight, feel fuller, and stay regular. Fiber-rich foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread and crackers, and bran cereal. Always check food labels for carbohydrates and sugars. Many high-fiber foods have sugar added to them. TRUE A high-protein diet can be a problem if you have kidney problems. How much protein is too much? If you have kidney problems, the American Diabetes Association suggests you get just 15% to 20% of your calories from protein. And do your heart a favor: Choose protein such as beans, fish, or chicken more often than fatty cuts of meat. If you want to lose weight, eat a balanced diet that cuts calories by 500 calories a day. You should be able to lose 10% of your body weight without putting your kidneys at risk.
context: You can find the right oral surgeon with a little research and a little help from the pros. Whether it's searching for someone to fix a broken jaw or someone who will finally get rid of your troublesome wisdom teeth, you can find someone to suit your needs. Your dentist and insurance company can help you find your person. Your first stop should be with your regular dentist, who may have suggested surgery in the first place. He's very likely to have a recommendation. If your dentist recommends an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, he's talking about someone who can treat disease and injuries of the areas around and in your mouth. After he gives you a name, ask him these questions. Why do you recommend this surgeon? What are his specialties? What's this surgeon's background? Would you go to this surgeon? You can find doctors that are in your insurer's network by calling them or visiting their web site. Most companies will list doctors by specialty and show you where their offices are. Make a list, cross-check it with any recommendations you get, and go from there. You can choose out-of-network doctors, too. But that usually costs more. There are more than 9,000 oral surgeons in the United States. So if you don't have a regular dentist who can recommend an oral surgeon, and friends or family can't help you out, take advantage of the web. Lots of sites rate surgeons and their offices. Remember, though, you have to read the patient reviews critically. To one person, someone who's all-business has no bedside manner. To another, that same professional is great because he's all-business. Web sites can also give you background on the doctor, too. Education, experience, professional affiliations, and more are probably at your fingertips. Call your state medical board for more information. Find a specialist who has experience in the surgery you need. Dental implant surgery is different than jaw alignment, also called orthognathic surgery. Many websites can help you get specific. If the doctor's specialties aren't listed -- many will simply say âoral surgeryâ or something generic like that -- do another search. Look for the doctor specifically. See if you can track down a site for the hospital where the doctor works or the doctor's office. These places may list specialties and have a short biography on the doctor. Ask for an introductory appointment. When you meet your prospective surgeon, ask questions like: Is surgery really necessary? What kind of experience do you have? What are some success stories and your failure rates? It's important to look into where your surgery will take place. Make sure the hospital, clinic, or doctor's office is accredited, highly rated, and has experience dealing with surgeries of your type. If you can't find the information online, ask the office for it. Make sure you look for information about the staff and how it cares for patients. It takes a little effort to find the right oral surgeon. But if you do your homework, you'll have a much better chance of finding the doctor who's right for you.
context: Children's blood sugar levels -- especially when they're little -- can be all over the place. No one expects that they'll be perfect all the time. Your goal is simple: Get it into the target range when it isn't, because your child's body can't. Test his blood sugar several times a day so you'll know what you need to do to adjust it. What causes the ups and downs? Food Exercise Growth Illness Stress and other emotions Medication Remember, the numbers on the meter aren't "good" or "bad" -- they're just numbers. And they give you information about how to keep your child healthy and happy throughout the day and night. Testing is the best way to avoid dangerously high and low levels. You might not notice symptoms, and your child may not be able to explain what's happening. If he can't talk yet, he certainly can't tell you he feels funny. As your child gets older, his targets will change. Your doctor will help you figure out what levels are right for your child.
context: Most people who take medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) take a drug called a stimulant. Adderall and Ritalin are both in that category. They help control levels of two chemicals in your brain, dopamine and norepinephrine, that affect how well you concentrate. Studies show that stimulants work well on ADHD symptoms for about 80% of people who take them. About half of those people get the same results from either Adderall or Ritalin. But for the other half, one drug works better than the other. This is because they work in different ways and can cause different side effects. It usually takes some trial and error to find the drug and dosage that work best for you. If the first one you try doesn't help enough or causes too many side effects, your doctor can switch you to another one. Adderall is the brand name for a mix of two stimulants called amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. Ritalin is the brand name for a stimulant called methylphenidate. Both medications come in two forms, short-acting and long-acting. You take the long-acting form in the morning, and it's meant to last all day. The short-acting form lasts about 4 hours. Some long-acting forms are capsules that hold two kinds of beads: Half dissolve right away and give you one dose of the drug. The rest of the beads don't go into your system until later. The long-acting version of Adderall can last 10 to 12 hours, while the long-acting form of Ritalin lasts 6 to 12. The two drugs can cause some of the same side effects, like: Fast heartbeat Headaches Irritability Anxiety Loss of appetite Raised blood pressure Stomach upset Skin rash Trouble sleeping Weight loss Restlessness Tremors Tics Diarrhea Constipation Mood swings Hives Insomnia Nervousness Dizziness Belly pain or nausea They also come with warnings about the chance of heart problems, mental health problems, seizures, blurred vision, and circulation problems in your fingers and toes. With Adderall, men also may notice changes in their sex drives, impotence, frequent erections, or erections that last longer than usual. Some people who take it might have hair loss or rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition in which muscles break down. Prices can vary widely, so check with your insurance plan to see what's covered and compare prices at your local pharmacies. In general, the longer-acting forms of both Ritalin and Adderall are more expensive than the shorter-acting forms. And the generic versions can cost much less than brand names. The FDA classifies both medications as Schedule II controlled substances. That means it's possible for you to depend on them. But that may be less likely with the long-acting forms because they're designed to release their medicine slowly. If you've had a problem with drug or alcohol abuse in the past, talk to your doctor about whether you should take stimulant medications.
context: If you have diastolic heart failure, your left ventricle has become stiffer than normal. Because of that, your heart can't relax the way it should. When it pumps, it can't fill up with blood as it's supposed to. Because there's less blood in the ventricle, less blood is pumped out to your body. As we get older, our heart and blood vessels become less elastic. That makes them more likely to get stiff. So diastolic heart failure is more common as people get older. Other than normal aging, the most common causes are: High blood pressure : If you have it, your heart has to work harder to pump more blood through your body. Thanks to that extra work, your heart muscle may get thicker or larger, and it eventually gets stiff. Diabetes : The disease can cause the wall of your heart to thicken. That makes it stiffen. Coronary artery disease : The amount of blood flowing to your heart muscle is blocked or less than normal. Obesity/inactivity: With either, your heart has to work much harder to pump blood. Common signs of heart failure can include: Shortness of breath Tiredness, weakness Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen Lasting cough or wheezing Fast or irregular heartbeat Dizziness, confusion Having to pee more often at night Nausea, lack of appetite To figure out if you have heart failure, your doctor will examine you, ask about your medical history, and run some tests. Those tests might include: An echocardiogram to check for diastolic dysfunction Blood tests Electrocardiogram ( EKG) Chest X-ray Exercise test (stress test) Heart catheterization Although diastolic heart failure can't be cured, treatment can help ease symptoms and improve the way your heart pumps. Your plan can include: Lifestyle changes: Your doctor will probably suggest: A heart-healthy diet Regular exercise Work to get to a healthy weight You quit smoking Medication: You may need to take one or more drugs as part of your treatment. Common heart failure medications for diastolic heart failure include: Diuretics, which help ease swelling Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, a type of diuretic to get rid of extra salt and fluid but help the body keep potassium High blood pressure medication
context: What does it mean to be quarantined? People who have been exposed to an infectious disease and may be infected but are not yet ill may be quarantined. That is, they may be asked to remain at home or another location to prevent further spread of illness to others and to carefully monitor for the disease. During quarantine people are able to do most things they can do indoors within the constraints of the location they are at. For example, if people are asked to stay at home then they would usually be asked to take their own temperature and report daily to health authorities on how they are feeling. They are given instructions on what they can do and not do around family members and are informed of other disease precautions. If they are asked to stay in a place away from home they are provided with meals, sleeping accommodations, and other necessities. They would stay there until the risk of developing the disease or spreading the disease is over. Another measure of disease control is called isolation. This is for individuals who are sick from the contagious disease. These individuals are kept separate from others -- or "isolated" -- usually within a health care facility or at home. Typically, the ill person will have his or her own room, and caretakers will take certain precautions such as wearing protective clothing. Quarantine and isolation are usually undertaken voluntarily but in rare circumstances can be required by public health authorities. These measures are implemented to contain and prevent the transmission of an infectious disease. It will last enough time for medical personnel to assess the situation or for the duration of the contagious period.
context: The most common -- and often, the first -- symptom is blood in your urine. It may be just a little, or it can be enough to change the color of your pee. It may turn orange, pink, or darker red. You may see blood one day, but not the next. If you have bladder cancer, the blood eventually comes back. In some cases, you can't see blood in your urine. Your doctor or lab tech will only detect it with a urine test. Make an appointment if you have any of these other symptoms: You have to pee more often than usual. Your urine changes color. It hurts or burns when you pee. You feel like you have to pee -- even if your bladder's not full. You can't pee, or you pee very little. If you notice any of these things, call your doctor, but don't panic. Having these symptoms doesn't mean you have cancer. You could have a urinary tract infection, bladder infection, or some other less serious condition. Once bladder cancer starts to spread, you may notice that: You can't pee, even when you feel like you have to. Your lower back hurts. You're losing weight without trying. You're not as hungry as usual. You have swollen feet. Your bones hurt. You often feel extremely tired or weak. Again, see your doctor if any of these things happen to you. They more likely signal that you have something other than bladder cancer.
context: You want to lose weight and keep it off for good. These five strategies will help you do just that. Most people trying to lose weight only focus on their ultimate goal: dropping pounds. But it's important not to lose sight of the diet and exercise changes that will get you there. Choose two or three diet and exercise goals at a time that you are willing to take on. And make sure they are specific and realistic. For example, "exercise more" is a wonderful goal, but it's not specific. " Walk 5 miles every day" is specific and measurable. But is it realistic if you're just starting out? " Walk 30 minutes every day" is better, but what happens if work or weather interferes? " Walk 30 minutes for 5 days each week" is specific and realistic. Are there situations that make you want to eat more? Start noticing them. For example, you may learn that you're more likely to overeat while you're bored or stressed. Then figure out ways to get around those triggers. Do something else to soothe your stress, for instance. Also, you might want to put treats away. You're more likely to eat them if they're visible and easy to get to. That's right: You should feel full. But how you do that might surprise you. It's mostly about time: 15 minutes, to be specific. You need at least that much time to feel full. So eat slower, giving your brain enough time to notice that you've eaten. What you eat can also help. Think fiber (like fruits and veggies) to fill up. Another trick is to use smaller plates so that small portions do not appear too small. Also, changing your eating schedule can help you reach your goal, especially if you tend to skip or delay meals and overeat later. A good reward is something that is desirable, timely, and depends on meeting your goal. Rewards may include treating yourself to a movie or massage, taking an afternoon off from work, or giving an hour of time to yourself. Keep in mind that many small rewards, given for meeting small goals, can work better than bigger rewards for long, difficult goals. Jot down things like how much you exercise and what you eat. There are many apps that can help. Doing this can really open your eyes to what you are doing and what you need to do to meet your weight loss goals.
context: For teens and tweens with ADHD, simple tasks like cleaning their room or doing homework can seem to take forever, to you and them. And trying to enforce these tasks may often lead to arguments and frustration. By teaching time management, you can make these daily responsibilities more manageable and lessen the stress for everyone. These life skills will also allow your child to become more independent. He'll gain confidence in knowing he can take care of himself. Routines give the day structure, which is helpful for kids with ADHD. An unplanned day can seem overwhelming to a child with ADHD. There are ways to make things more manageable for you and your teen or tween. Sit down with your child and make a list of all of his daily responsibilities. Together, break down big activities into smaller steps, and decide how long he needs for each task. Don't make the schedule just about tasks. Schedule breaks and other activities your child wants to do. As much as possible, schedule activities for the same times every day, so they're easier for your teen to remember. If you know your mornings are rushed, why not plan for him to pick out clothes or put homework in his backpack the night before, when the pace is a bit slower? Put the list where you both can see it. Have your child cross off each item when finished. Kids get a sense of accomplishment from knowing they've completed tasks. It may be scheduled homework time, but when you check in, you find your child still sharpening pencils a half-hour later. It's common for kids with ADHD to put off doing things. Stick to the start and end times you agreed on for each task. Set a timer for each activity, and make his goal to finish tasks before the timer dings. Make sure to reward success. An incentive-based program with rewards for positive behavior is the best approach, but there need to be consequences for missing the mark. For example, you could: Tell your child: " The kitchen is open at 7:30 a.m. At 7:50 a.m., it closes." Set an alarm to go off at 7:30 a.m. when breakfast starts. Establish a rule that if your child isn't in the kitchen by 7:50, he or she doesn't get breakfast. Enforce the rule. It won't help if you don't stick with it. Your child shouldn't just rely on you to keep him on schedule. Have him set an alarm clock to get himself up in the morning. To keep aware of time, you may want to get him a watch. Clear the clutter off your teen's workspace so there's room to organize homework and space to study. It's hard for kids to get anything done when their desk is covered in a messy pile of papers. Have organizers and storage bins handy to keep papers, pencils, and other desk accessories in their proper places. Once you show your child how to organize things, tell him you expect him to keep it organized. Schedule time to put things away. Not just in the work space, but in his room as well. You will have good days and bad days. Your child's time management skills won't improve overnight. But if you stick with these steps and stay consistent, your tween or teen will get better at staying on task.
context: If your allergies flare up in the late summer or early fall, you're probably allergic to ragweed. It's the most common trigger for hay fever. About 1 out of 5 people get a reaction to it. Ragweed causes symptoms like stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. It can also trigger asthma flares. People who have ragweed allergies are reacting to its pollen. During ragweed season, one plant can release a billion grains of it into the air. Ragweed is worse when nights are cool and days are warm and dry. Its season usually starts in early August and ends in mid- October. Some researchers think climate change may be extending that season. Everywhere in the U. S. has ragweed. It's most common in the East and Midwest, but it's in every state. Because it's so light, the wind carries ragweed pollen far. Researchers have found ragweed pollen 2 miles up in the atmosphere and 400 miles out at sea. Avoiding ragweed may be impossible. But there are ways to limit your exposure -- and lower your risk of symptoms. During ragweed season you should: Track pollen counts. Check them in the newspaper or on the web. Stay inside when they're high. Avoid peak ragweed hours. Limit your time outside between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Counts are lower in the early morning and late afternoon. Keep windows closed. At home and in the car, don't open the windows. Using central air conditioning with a HEPA filter will keep you cool and help filter out pollen. Change your clothes and wash your hands after you've been outside. Ragweed can stick to skin or clothing. Watch out for food triggers. Eating foods that contain similar proteins to ragweed pollen proteins can worsen symptoms. Possible triggers are: Bananas Melons Honey Sunflower seeds Chamomile tea Don't dry laundry outside. It will pick up ragweed pollen. Dry your laundry in a dryer. Staying away from ragweed may not be enough. You may get help from: Testing to make sure that you really have a ragweed allergy Over-the-counter or prescription medications For most people with frequent symptoms, nasal steroids are the best treatment. If your symptoms are more mild, an oral antihistamine may be enough. Both are available over-the-counter. Early treatment. If your doctor says it's OK, start taking medications 2 weeks before ragweed season starts. That way you can stop the allergic reaction before it starts. Allergy shots, which can -- over the course of months or years -- get your body to develop a tolerance to ragweed so it no longer triggers an allergic reaction. Oral tablets placed under the tongue contain the same type of extracts used in allergy shots.
context: The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- or ADHD -- vary from person to person, but consist of some combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Inattention. People who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind focused on one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. Focusing conscious, deliberate attention to organizing and completing routine tasks may be difficult. Often they lose track of things or forget things easily. You may notice restlessness, procrastination, problems remembering obligations, trouble staying seated during meetings or activities, or starting multiple projects at the same time but rarely finishing them. Hyperactivity. People who are hyperactive always seem to be in motion. They can't sit still and may dash around or talk incessantly. Children with ADHD are unable to sit still and pay attention in class. They may roam around the room, squirm in their seats, wiggle their feet, touch everything or noisily tap a pencil. Older adolescents and adults with ADHD may feel intensely restless. Impulsivity. People who are overly impulsive seem unable to think before they act. As a result, they may blurt out answers to questions or inappropriate comments, or run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it difficult for them to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy from another child or hit when they are upset. They often have difficulty making and keeping friends. ADHD often coexists with other conditions, such as learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder. Some symptoms may overlap with other medical conditions, as well. You or your child shows symptoms of ADHD. Because the disorder can be difficult to assess, be sure to see a doctor who is experienced with diagnosing and treating ADHD and similar problems.
context: If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to have a sleep apnea test, called a polysomnogram. This may be done in a sleep disorder center or even at home. A polysomnogram -- or sleep study -- is a multiple-component test that electronically transmits and records specific physical activities while you sleep. The recordings are analyzed by a qualified sleep specialist to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea or another type of sleep disorder. If sleep apnea is determined, you may be asked to do further sleep testing in order to determine the best treatment option. On the night of your sleep study if you are in a sleep center lab, you will be assigned to a private bedroom in the sleep center or hospital. Near the bedroom will be a central monitoring area, where the technicians monitor sleeping patients. You will be hooked up to equipment that may look uncomfortable. However, most people fall asleep with little difficulty. Similar, more portable equipment is now available for home testing, especially for less complicated cases or situations. During a sleep study, surface electrodes will be put on your face and scalp and will send recorded electrical signals to the measuring equipment. These signals, which are generated by your brain and muscle activity, are then recorded digitally. Belts will be placed around your chest and abdomen to measure your breathing. A bandage-like oximeter probe will be put on your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. EEG (electroencephalogram) to measure and record brain wave activity. EMG (electromyogram) to record muscle activity such as face twitches, teeth grinding, and leg movements, and to determine the presence of REM stage sleep. During REM sleep, intense dreams often occur as the brain undergoes heightened activity. EOG (electro-oculogram) to record eye movements. These movements are important in determining the different sleep stages, particularly REM stage sleep. ECG (electrocardiogram) to record heart rate and rhythm. Nasal airflow sensor to record airflow. Snore microphone to record snoring activity.
context: If you have diabetes, there's a higher chance that you could have many other health problems, like heart disease and high blood pressure. A protein in your blood called haptoglobin helps protect you from some of the heart-related complications of diabetes. But whether it works like it should depends on your DNA, or genes. Several studies have looked at why some people with diabetes have heart and artery problems and others don't. It appears that the kind of haptoglobin you have has a lot to do with it. Your liver makes haptoglobin, and it's found in your plasma, the watery part of the blood. It's an antioxidant. That means it protects your body from damage caused by certain chemical reactions. Your body makes more when you have an injury, infection, or inflammation. Hemoglobin is what carries iron in red blood cells. When these cells reach the end of their natural lifespan, they break down, and what's left goes into your bloodstream. That loose hemoglobin can damage your blood vessels. Haptoglobin's job is to soak up loose hemoglobin molecules before they make trouble. A certain gene controls haptoglobin, and it has two versions. You get one gene from each parent. So your pair of haptoglobin genes could be both version 1, both version 2, or one of each. Your particular combination is called your genotype. Problems come when you have diabetes and 2-2 (version 2 from both your parents). 2-2 haptoglobin doesn't get rid of hemoglobin molecules as well as the other types do. Among other problems, that seems to keep âgoodâ cholesterol from doing what it should to lower your overall cholesterol level. Research shows that people with the 2-2 genotype are more likely than people with either the 1-1 or 2-1 genotype to have heart problems if they have diabetes. That's true for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Other studies have found the 2-2 genotype also may give people with type 1 diabetes a greater chance of kidney failure. And kidney disease can affect your heart health. A DNA test is the only way to find out what kind of haptoglobin you have. Ask your doctor whether you should get tested. If you know you're more likely to have problems with your heart and your blood vessels, you can manage the other things that cause them, like your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Here's how to keep those under control: Don't smoke. Get to a healthy weight. Exercise most days. Eat less saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, ask your doctor about medicines to lower your blood pressure and bring your cholesterol and blood sugar into healthy ranges. Vitamin E might also help. It's a powerful antioxidant, and some research shows it may help with the problems that 2-2 haptoglobin can cause in people with diabetes. But don't take vitamin E unless your doctor says to. If you don't have the 2-2 genotype, antioxidant supplements may do more harm than good.
context: If you're like most people in the U. S., you likely don't get enough potassium in your diet. Like calcium and sodium, potassium is a mineral that's found in some foods. Having the right amount of potassium in your diet helps to keep you healthy, so it's crucial to eat plenty of potassium-rich foods. Many of the foods that you already eat contain potassium. The foods listed below are high in potassium. If you need to boost the amount of potassium in your diet, make healthy food choices by picking items below to add to your menu. Many fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium: Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium) Cooked spinach Cooked broccoli Potatoes Sweet potatoes Mushrooms Peas Cucumbers Zucchini Eggplant Pumpkins Leafy greens Juice from potassium-rich fruit is also a good choice: Orange juice Tomato juice Prune juice Apricot juice Grapefruit juice Certain dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, are high in potassium (low-fat or fat-free is best). Some fish contain potassium: Tuna Halibut Cod Trout Rockfish Beans or legumes that are high in potassium include: Lima beans Pinto beans Kidney beans Soybeans Lentils Other foods that are rich in potassium include: Salt substitutes (read labels to check potassium levels) Molasses Nuts Meat and poultry Brown and wild rice Bran cereal Whole-wheat bread and pasta You should get 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium every day. Most Americans don't meet that goal. Your needs might be different if you have kidney disease. Some people with kidney disease should get less potassium than the 4,700 mg guideline. If your kidneys don't work well, too much potassium could stay in your body, which can cause nerve and muscle problems. If you have kidney disease and your doctor hasn't already told you what your potassium limit is, ask about it. For a long time, potassium wasn't listed on the Nutrition Facts food labels of packaged food items. But in May 2016, the Nutrition Facts rules were changed, and potassium will now be listed. Companies will need to update their food labels on or before January 2020. That should make it easier for you to track your potassium intake for better health. For starters, it helps your blood pressure. It does this in two different ways: First, with the aid your kidneys, potassium helps remove extra sodium from your body through your urine. This is a good thing, because too much sodium can cause high blood pressure. Second, potassium helps the walls of your blood vessels to relax or loosen up. When they're too tense or rigid, it can lead to high blood pressure, which can cause heart problems. Getting enough potassium is good for your heart. You also need enough potassium for good muscle health -- so that your muscles can flex or contract the way they should. And your nerves need potassium so that they can work well.
context: Any disease can cause problems in other parts of your body. Your doctor will call these complications. Myelofibrosis is no exception. There's no guarantee you'll have other problems. But if you do, they're likely to show up after you've been diagnosed for a while. You may not get them. But if you know what types of issues can affect you, you'll be more likely to spot them early on. Belly and back pain: Do you have a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper left area of your tummy? You may have an enlarged spleen. If the organ gets too big, it can cause pain when it pushes against other body parts. Bleeding: After you've had myelofibrosis for a while, the number of platelets in your blood will drop below normal levels. When you don't have enough platelets, you tend to bleed more easily. Keep this in mind in case you plan to have surgery or another medical procedure. Bone and joint pain: Your bones may feel hard on the outside, but inside they're full of a spongy substance called marrow. Its job is to make blood cells. Myelofibrosis can cause your bone marrow to harden. When that happens, the connective tissues that surround your bones become inflamed. The result: achy or tender bones and joint tenderness. Growths: Blood cells are supposed to form inside your bone marrow. But myelofibrosis might cause them to grow in other parts of your body, like your lungs, liver, spleen, and digestive tract. This can cause clumps or tumors that your doctor will call extramedullary hematopoiesis. They can make you bleed, cough up blood, or have seizures. Gout: Your body makes uric acid when it breaks down foods like steak, organ meats, and seafood. When you have myelofibrosis, your body makes more uric acid than normal. When it builds up, it forms needle-like crystals in your joints. They cause sharp pain, swollen joints, and inflammation. Portal hypertension: Blood leaves your spleen and goes to your liver through the portal vein. When you have an enlarged spleen, the blood goes out under high pressure. This can force it into smaller veins in your stomach and esophagus. Sometimes they burst and bleed. Acute leukemia: Some people who have myelofibrosis will get acute myeloid leukemia. This blood cancer can get worse quickly if it isn't treated.
context: About 20% of people get hives -- itchy red or skin-colored welts also known as urticaria. They're often caused by an allergic reaction to a food or drug. Usually, they go away quickly. For a small number of people, though, hives come back again and again, with no known cause. When new outbreaks happen almost every day for 6 weeks or more, it's called chronic idiopathic urticaria ( CIU). One percent or less of people have it. It's most common in people between the ages of 20 and 40. With CIU, a single outbreak usually lasts no more than 24 hours. After that, new hives form. Experts don't know. The immune system seems to play a role. Some people get chronic hives at the same time that they get other problems like thyroid disease, hormonal problems, or cancer. Even though doctors can't say for sure what causes CIU, they do know things that can lead to flare-ups. They include: Alcoholic drinks Tight clothing Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen Exercise Cold Heat If you've had hives for several weeks and don't know why, see your doctor. She'll want to know: When and where they pop up How long they last Possible triggers If you have swelling What other symptoms you have If you're taking new meds She'll also ask about the foods you eat and if you have pets, to see if an allergy is to blame. She may check for other illnesses or conditions that could be causing the hives, like an overactive or underactive thyroid. If she can't find a cause, you'll likely be diagnosed with CIU. No. And while it's itchy and painful, it isn't dangerous. Chronic hives don't last forever. Most people have them for 1 to 5 years. For a small number of people, it can last longer. There's no known cure, but medicines and lifestyle changes can help you feel better.
context: To reduce the risk of getting infected with chlamydia, use a condom each time you have sex. Limit the number of sexual partners, or consider practicing abstinence. If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and see a doctor. If you test positive, your partner should also get treatment. Get retested after three months, even if both you and your partner appear infection free. Most doctors recommend that all people who have more than one sexual partner, especially women, be tested for chlamydia regularly even in the absence of symptoms. It is also recommended that all sexually active women under age 25 be tested yearly as well.
context: Test your eyesight without a trip to the eye doctor? Online vision tests aim to make it possible. Several companies offer tests that you can take on the internet with your computer or smartphone. An online vision test might check: How sharp your vision is If you have astigmatism, a condition that can make things blurry or stretched How sensitive your eyes are to light If you have color-blindness, meaning you can't see colors correctly These eye tests can be helpful in some situations, like if you break or lose your glasses when you're far from home and you need a prescription to get new ones. But they can't replace regular visits to your eye doctor. That's because they are only about vision -- they don't check the health of your eyes. They can't tell you if you have a condition that can threaten your sight, like cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. If you think you have an infection or you've injured your eyes, you should see an eye doctor. Online vision tests are meant for healthy adults ages 18 to 39 who: Already have a prescription for eyeglasses and it's not very strong Have already had a complete eye exam and know their eyes are healthy Have no risks for eye disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure Even if you are the right age and healthy enough to take an online vision test, you should still get regular eye exams as often as your eye doctor recommends. An online vision test can have a few steps. You'll need a computer and some space to sit back so you can take the part of the test that checks your distance vision. Some tests also need you to have a smartphone so you can use an app. If you have prescription eyeglasses or contacts, chances are you'll need to wear them for the test. Some websites offer tests just to check your vision. If you get results that say you might have a problem, it will be up to you to see an eye doctor. Other websites offer prescriptions for glasses and contacts based on the results of your tests. An eye doctor in your state will check over your results and email you a prescription. Then you can order glasses or contacts online. Not every state will allow you to get an eye prescription this way. The websites that offer prescriptions will charge a fee. Chances are your vision or health insurance won't cover it. It might be cheaper for you to use your insurance to see an eye doctor. Check your plan to see what it covers. Doctors disagree about whether online vision tests are accurate. And because they are still new, researchers haven't studied them well enough to know for sure how they compare to an exam you'd get from your eye doctor. One thing to keep in mind is that if you don't take the test correctly, you might not get an accurate result. Plus, the tests are not designed for people who need a strong prescription for eyeglasses. The bottom line: Before you take an online vision test, make sure you understand what it can and can't tell you. And keep your regular appointments with your eye doctor to make sure you're healthy.
context: Multiple sclerosis ( MS) flare-ups have common triggers. Preparation for them can help lower your chance of getting one. With relapsing-remitting MS, flare-ups can bring new symptoms or make ones you already have worse. They come on suddenly over 24 hours and get better slowly over weeks or months. They may never totally go away. These happen because part of your central nervous system gets inflamed. The inflammation slows or disrupts nerve signals. That brings things like numbness, pain, and dizziness. What triggers a flare-up is different from person to person. Most of the time, a cause cannot be found. Still, to lower your chance of a flare-up, do your best to avoid the things that make them more likely for you. For example: It's a part of life, but doing what you can to manage it can lower your chance of a relapse. Meditation, yoga, and counseling are all ways to lower stress and better equip yourself to handle it. In one study, MS patients reported their stress level cut nearly in half after 6 weeks of yoga. Lack of sleep can bring a flare-up. Making sleep a priority will help lower your chance of symptoms. Try to get 7-8 hours each night. High temperatures may trigger a relapse. If you're one of those people affected by warm surroundings, you should skip saunas, hot tubs, and hot showers and baths. Most of the time hot weather causes fatigue. Also, do what you can to avoid being outdoors on hot days. A cool bath and air conditioning are two things that can help. Special hats or clothes that hold ice packs or frozen gel packs can also keep you comfortable. There are also special vests that use a motorized system to circulate cold water around the body. If you have an exercise goal, divide the time you exercise into smaller segments, with rest after each one. They cause a third of MS flare-ups. To lower your risk: Wash your hands. Do what you can to avoid people who are ill. Make sure food you eat is fully cooked. Practice safe sex. Get your annual flu shot. Even minor infections like the cold or flu can trigger a flare-up. If you have an infection, treat it early. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They're believed to fight inflammation. Also, get plenty of fiber and stay away from foods with saturated and trans fats. A healthy diet helps keep your immune system strong. Skipping your MS medicine can increase your risk for a flare-up. One study found about 25% of MS patients who stopped taking their medications suffered a relapse. Certain medications for Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis may cause MS-like symptoms. So can drug interactions. Check with your doctor to see if there are medications you're taking that could be interacting with one another. Smoking is a major risk factor for flare-ups. Stop and you'll lower your chances of them. Your doctor can help you figure out a game plan.
context: See a doctor or go to a hospital emergency room. Sudden, severe pain can be a sign of testicular torsion, a medical emergency. The doctor will do a physical exam and may do tests such as a urinalysis and ultrasound. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed. To relieve pain and swelling, apply hot or cold packs or take acetaminophen ( Tylenol), ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin), or naproxen ( Aleve, Naprosyn). Avoid ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs if the person has heart failure or kidney failure Elevating the scrotum in snug briefs or an athletic supporter may ease discomfort.
context: Seek emergency help if you have: Heavy vaginal bleeding Severe pain Frequent contractions 1. Monitor Bleeding Put on a sanitary pad or panty liner to keep track of the amount of bleeding. 2. Prevent Further Bleeding Don't insert anything into the vagina. Avoid sex, tampons, or douching while you're bleeding. 3. Get Help Call your health care provider immediately to find out if you should go the hospital or doctor's office. Tell the doctor or hospital staff if you have heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills, or contractions, or if you feel lightheaded or faint. Put any tissue passed from the vagina into a clean container. Give it to your doctor for examination. A health care provider will examine you for signs of dangerous blood loss and may do tests to confirm the health of your pregnancy.