VivekNaga/Medicaldata huggingface dataset:
context: When you have diabetes, your chance of heart disease goes up, so you may need tests that check how well your ticker is working. They'll help your doctor see if you have signs of heart trouble and figure out the best treatment for you. Blood pressure check. It's a painless test that uses a special meter to measure the force of blood pushing against your vessel walls. If you don't get your high blood pressure under control, you could get health problems like: Stroke Heart attack Heart failure Kidney failure Carotid ultrasound. It uses high-frequency sound waves to give your doctor a view of your major neck arteries, called the carotids. He'll be able to see if you have any narrowing of your arteries that's caused by a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. Computerized tomography ( CT) of the heart and calcium scores. This imaging test can spot calcium deposits in vessels on your heart. More calcium means more coronary atherosclerosis -- a hardening and narrowing of your arteries. Your doctor uses the test results to figure out your odds of having heart trouble. Electrocardiogram ( EKG). It's a test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. Your doctor will be able to check for things like: Heart rhythms that aren't normal A larger-than-usual heart chamber Poor blood flow Heart attack Ambulatory electrocardiogram ( Holter monitor). This test measures the electrical activity of your heart while you go about your regular daily activities. Echocardiograph (echo). It uses ultrasound to give your doctor a graphic outline of your heart chambers and their movement. He'll be able to check your heart's structure and motion, and see how thick the heart muscle is and how well the heart pumps. Exercise stress test. It's a treadmill test that helps your doctor find out how much blood flow gets to your heart muscle when it works hard, like while you exercise. You'll learn if you have less blood flow in the arteries that send blood to your heart muscle. Your doctor can use this info to figure out what a safe level of exercise is for you. Coronary angiography. This procedure, also known as cardiac catheterization, can help your doctor check how many artery blockages you have and how severe they are.
context: See your doctor right away if you fall and hurt your shoulder. If it's broken, quick treatment can speed your recovery. First, your doctor will carefully check the injury to see where and how bad it is. So expect a physical exam and an X-ray. After that, you may need to get a CT scan, which is a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures inside your body. Your doctor will then suggest a treatment plan. It depends on the location of your break. Your shoulder is made up of three bones, and a fracture usually involves one of them: Shoulder blade (scapula) Collarbone (clavicle) Arm bone (humerus) Here's what to expect with each kind of fracture: Shoulder blade. It's protected by your chest and layers of muscle, so a fracture there isn't that common. But if you do break it, you probably won't need surgery. Instead, your doctor will give you a sling that holds your arm in place and keeps it still while the bone heals. You can also expect a prescription for pain medicine and instructions to apply ice. If the break is in both the shoulder blade and another part of your shoulder, you may need an operation. A surgeon uses plates and screws to put the bones into place and hold them together. Collarbone. It usually heals without surgery. Your doctor may fit you with a sling to hold your arm still. If the bone comes through the skin, or if it's fractured in more than one place, you may need an operation. Just like with shoulder surgery, your doctor will need to hold it together with plates, screws, or pins. Arm bone. It's the area closest to your shoulder. A break there can heal without surgery if the bones haven't shifted apart. You'll need to wear a sling while it heals. If the break is serious, a surgeon will put in pins, plates, and screws. In some cases, you might need a total shoulder replacement. Your shoulder has a lot of work to do in order to heal. First, the bones have to grow back together just right. Then they need to regain their strength. Finally, they must be able to work like they used to. To help your shoulder accomplish all those tasks, your doctor may refer you to a specialist like one of these: Physiatrist, a doctor trained in nerve, muscle, and bone recovery Physical therapist, who uses movement and exercises to help you get your shoulder back to normal Occupational therapist, who helps you do your day-to-day activities as you heal Your risk of breaking a bone is greater after a fracture, so take extra care. Your doctor will go over ways to avoid falls. For instance, he may suggest you: Keep good posture. Avoid risky activities. Do bone-strengthening exercises.
context: Here's the latest research on plant sterols and stanols, the keys to a low-cholesterol diet. Low- Cholesterol Diet: Secrets of Plant Sterols Nuts get a bad rap because of fat and calories. But they're a great weapon against LDL, the bad cholesterol. Nuts Help Lower Bad Cholesterol Improve total cholesterol with omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, tuna, sardines, and more. Fatty Fish & Your Cholesterol A bowl of oatmeal a day can really bring down "bad" LDL cholesterol. LDL Cholesterol and Oatmeal Just say "yes" to soy, to ratchet down bad cholesterol numbers. Soy Protein = A Good Cholesterol Food
context: Breast cancer is a complex disease that's different for every woman. Before you start a treatment, your doctor will want to know the size of the tumor and how far it has spread in your body, called the stage of the cancer. There are five basic stages, 0 through IV, and a number of sub-stages. Staging is a way for doctors to describe your condition. It doesn't tell the whole story, though. Your doctor will think about many things before she recommends treatments for you, including: The type of breast cancer you have How fast it's growing Your age and how healthy you are If you've had breast cancer before If your tumor has female hormones or other genetic factors, such as the HER2 oncogene, that make it grow faster. If you know the stage of your breast cancer, you can use this quick guide to see what kinds of treatments might help. Stage 0 breast cancer is early stage cancer. Learn about its treatment options. Stage 0 Breast Cancer Treatment Options In Stage 1 breast cancer, the cancer is still considered in an early stage. Learn about its treatment options. Stage 1 Breast Cancer Treatment Options In stage 2 breast cancer, the cancer is in the breast and may also be in nearby lymph nodes. This article describes Stage 2 breast cancer treatment options. Stage 2 Breast Cancer Treatment Options In stage 3 breast cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the breast to the chest wall or skin over the breast, as well as to regional lymph nodes. Read about its treatment options. Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment Options Stage 4 breast cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body. Learn how it's treated. Stage 4 Breast Cancer Treatment Options
context: These itchy welts can show up anywhere on your skin. They're caused by an allergic or other type of reaction. Your doctor may call them urticaria. They can last a few minutes or several days before they go away. Sometimes they're a sign of more serious problems, especially when you have trouble breathing. Hives that recur or that last more than 6 weeks are considered chronic urticaria and require further evaluation. If you have hives along with fever, nausea, stomach cramps, shortness of breath, and a drop in blood pressure after a bee sting, insect bite, or drug injection, that can be a sign of a life-threatening allergy. If your doctor has prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector for you, make sure you have two with you at all times. Use one and then call 911 or go to the hospital. Another reaction that sometimes happens along with hives is called angioedema. It's swelling that develops under the skin. It often affects the eyes and lips, and sometimes the genitals, hands, and feet. It's rare, but the swelling from angioedema can happen in your throat and cause trouble breathing. If that happens, use an auto-injector and call 911. They pop up when skin cells release a substance called histamine. It's the start of the process we call an allergic reaction. Common triggers for hives include: Foods like milk, fish, or nuts Drugs like aspirin or penicillin Food additives like flavorings and preservatives Bug bites Extreme cold or heat Pressure on the skin Viral infections Skin contact with allergens There's one surefire way: Figure out what's causing them and stay away from it. You can take antihistamines to ease your symptoms. If over-the-counter medicine doesn't help or your hives won't go away, see your doctor. She may prescribe steroid pills or prescription antihistamines. At home, try these tips: Apply cool compresses or wet cloths to the hives. Try to work and sleep in a cool room. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothes.
context: Within the scrotum, the testicles are secured by a structure called the spermatic cord, which contains an anchoring tissue called the gubernaculum at the lower part of the testicle. Sometimes, this cord gets twisted around a testicle, cutting off the blood supply. Symptoms of testicular torsion include sudden and severe pain, enlargement of the affected testicle, tenderness, and swelling. This condition, which occurs most often in males who are under age 25, is usually due to the congenital absence of the gubernaculum, which would otherwise keep the testicle from twisting on the spermatic cord. Torsion may also occur following an injury to the testicles, strenuous activity, or simply rolling over in bed. Testicular torsion requires immediate medical attention. Treatment usually involves correction of the problem through surgery or manual detorsion. Testicular function may be saved if the condition is diagnosed and corrected immediately. If the blood supply to the testicle is cut off for a long period of time, the testicle can become permanently damaged and may need to be removed.
context: The penis is the male sexual organ. 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(); }); } The shaft is the longest part of it. The head or glans is at the end of the shaft. The opening at the tip of the head, where urine and semen come out, is called the meatus. Inside, two cylinder-shaped chambers called the corpora cavernosa run the length of the penis. They have a maze of blood vessels, tissue, and open pockets. The urethra, the tube that urine and semen flow through, runs along the underside of them, in the spongy tissue of the corpus spongiosum. Two main arteries (one in each of the corpora cavernosa) and several veins move blood in and out. Nerves relay messages to and from other parts of your body. An erection starts in your brain. Something you saw, felt, smelled, heard, or thought makes your nerves send chemical messages to the blood vessels in your penis. The arteries relax and open up to let more blood to flow in; at the same time, the veins close up. Once blood is in the penis, pressure traps it within the corpora cavernosa. Your penis expands and holds the erection. When the inflow of blood stops and the veins open, your penis becomes soft. When you're aroused, tubes called the vas deferens squeeze sperm from the testes toward the back of the urethra. The seminal vesicles also release fluid there. The urethra senses the sperm and fluid mixture. Then, at the height of sexual excitement, it sends signals to your spinal cord, which in turn sends signals to the muscles at the base of your penis. These contract powerfully and quickly, every 0.8 seconds. This forces the semen out of the penis as you climax.
context: There are several reasons why some people's teeth grow in crooked, overlapping, or twisted. Some people's mouths are too small for their teeth, which crowds the teeth and causes them to shift. In other cases, a person's upper and lower jaws aren't the same size or are malformed, resulting in either an overbite, when there is excessive protrusion of the upper jaw, or an under bite, when the lower jaw protrudes forward causing the lower jaw and teeth to extend out beyond the upper teeth. Most often crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites are inherited traits just as the color of your eyes or size of your hands. Other causes of misaligned bites are early loss of baby or adult teeth; improper fit of dental restorations (for example, fillings or crowns); gingivitis (gum disease); undue pressure on the teeth and gums; misalignment of the jaw after an injury; tumors of the mouth or jaw; or common oral health problems in children such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond the age of three, or prolonged use of a bottle. Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can: Interfere with proper chewing. Make keeping teeth clean more of a challenge, increasing the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis. Strain the teeth, jaws, and muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth. Make people feel self-conscious about their appearance and affect their self-esteem. While you can see for yourself if teeth are crooked, your dentist can determine if the problem warrants treatment. Your dentist will look for the following signs: Abnormal alignment of teeth Abnormal appearance of the face Difficulty or discomfort when chewing or biting Speech difficulties, including a lisp Your dentist will usually refer you to an orthodontist -- a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of crooked teeth and misaligned jaws. The orthodontist will likely take X-rays, photographs of your face, and teeth impressions to determine if and what type of treatment is needed. X-rays provide information on the position of your teeth and roots and if any teeth have yet to come through the gums. Special cephalometrics or panoramic X-rays show the relationship of the teeth to the jaws and the jaws to the head. Your orthodontist may also want to take regular photographs of your face to further examine the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and head. Finally, impressions may be made of your teeth. This is done by having you bite down on a soft material that is later used to create an exact copy of your teeth. Once a diagnosis is made, your orthodontist can decide the best treatment for your teeth or misaligned bite. For some people, a removable retainer (to stabilize the new position of teeth) will be all that's needed to correct the problem. In very rare cases, removal of one or more teeth may be required if overcrowding is the main problem. For most people, braces are necessary to correct the problem. In rare and extreme cases, such as an extreme overbite or underbite, an operation may be necessary.
context: When you get a proctoscopy, a doctor uses a special metal or plastic scope, called a proctoscope, to check the inside of your rectum. The rectum is the 8-inch muscular tube that connects your large intestine (colon) to the anus, the opening of the intestine that leads out of the body. There are several reasons. Your doctor may need to look for diseases of the rectum or anus, to check on abnormal results of a barium enema, or to look for causes of rectal bleeding. You may also get proctoscopy to track the growth of polyps (benign growths on the lining of the intestine) or to check for a return of rectal cancer if you've already had surgery for cancer. Before you get a proctoscopy, your doctor will usually ask you to use an enema (medication inserted into the rectum in order to cleanse the bowel) the night before the procedure. Ask for specific instructions. Or you may get an enema in the doctor's office just before the test. You'll probably get a proctoscopy in your doctor's office. You will remove your clothing below the waist and lie on your side on a table. The doctor will insert a gloved finger into your anus to check for tenderness or blockage. The doctor will then insert a lubricated proctoscope into your rectum and pump air in to expand the rectum. You may feel some fullness, like you need to pass a stool. Your doctor also may use special tools to remove growths or to take a sample of tissue -- called a biopsy -- for further testing. When the exam is over, your doctor will gently withdraw the scope. Most people don't need anesthesia for this procedure. You may feel some pressure or cramping while the scope is in place. But you should not feel any pain. It's not unusual to feel and hear some air escaping during this procedure. This is normal and expected, so don't be embarrassed. If you continue to have cramps after the procedure, passing gas may help. Walking around the room after the test may help you to pass the gas. The proctoscopy test usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes.
context: The symptoms of heart failure can be related to the pooling of fluid in the body or can be secondary to decreased blood flow to the body. Some people with heart failure don't experience symptoms, but here are some of the more common signs: Shortness of breath with exercise or difficulty breathing at rest or when lying down Swollen legs, ankles, or abdomen Dry, hacking cough, or wheezing Other symptoms may include: Fatigue, palpitations, or pain during normal activities Weight gain from fluid retention Increased need to urinate during the night Dizziness or confusion Rapid or irregular heartbeats Your legs, ankles, or abdomen are swollen You have difficulty breathing, especially if you wake up short of breath, or you cannot lie down flat without getting short of breath You gain 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week You have a feeling of fullness (bloating) in your stomach with a loss of appetite or nausea You feel extreme fatigue or decreased ability to complete daily activities You have a respiratory infection or a cough that has become worse Your heart rate is fast, above 100 beats per minute You experience a new irregular heart beat You feel chest pain or discomfort during activity that is relieved with rest You notice changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty sleeping or lying flat in bed, or needing to sleep a lot more than usual You urinate less You feel restless or confused You suffer constant dizziness or lightheadedness You have nausea or poor appetite
context: You want to have a child, but you have endometriosis. Can you get pregnant? The short answer is yes, but it might be difficult. Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, and it's the leading cause of infertility. It affects about 5 million women in the United States, many in their 30s and 40s. Nearly 2 of every 5 women who can't get pregnant have it. It's a painful condition in which tissue that should be growing inside the uterus grows on the outside. These growths can block your fallopian tubes or cover your ovaries. The good news is that there are treatment options, but each has different rates of success. The growths are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. But when they interfere with your reproductive organs, your ability to get pregnant can become an issue: When endometrial tissue wraps around your ovaries, it can block your eggs from releasing. The tissue can block sperm from making its way up your fallopian tubes. It can also stop a fertilized egg from sliding down your tubes to your uterus. A surgeon can fix those problems, but endometriosis can make it hard for you to conceive in other ways: It can change your body's hormonal chemistry. It can cause your body's immune system to attack the embryo. It can affect the layer of tissue lining your uterus where the egg implants itself. There are several treatment options for endometriosis. First, your doctor can surgically remove the endometrial tissue. This clears the way for the sperm to fertilize the egg. If surgery isn't an option, you might consider intrauterine insemination ( IUI), which involves placing your partner's sperm directly in your uterus. Your doctor may consider pairing IUI with something called âcontrolled ovarian hyperstimulationâ -- using medicine to help your ovaries produce more eggs. Women who use this technique are more likely to conceive than those who don't get help. In vitro fertilization ( IVF) is also another option. It can increase your chances of conceiving, although the statistics on IVF pregnancies vary. One study showed that women's odds of getting pregnant by IVF were four times greater if they had Gn RH agonist (hormone) treatment beforehand, but it cautioned that more research is needed.
context: Plasma exchange, also known as plasmapheresis, is a way to "clean" your blood. It works sort of like kidney dialysis. During the treatment, plasma -- the liquid part of your blood -- gets replaced with plasma from a donor or with a plasma substitute. People with some forms of multiple sclerosis use plasma exchange to manage sudden, severe attacks, sometimes called relapses or flare-ups. Their plasma could have certain proteins that are attacking their own body. When you take out the plasma, you get rid of those proteins, and symptoms may get better. You can get plasma exchange in the hospital or at an outpatient center. The process isn't painful, and you won't need anesthesia. You'll lie in bed or sit in a reclining chair. A nurse or a specialist will put a needle attached to a thin tube, called a catheter, into a vein in each arm. If your arm veins are too small, you may have to have a needle in your shoulder or groin instead. Your blood comes out through one of the tubes and goes into a machine that separates your plasma from your blood cells. Then your blood cells get mixed with fresh plasma, and the new blood mixture goes back into your body through the other tube. Most treatments last 2 to 4 hours, depending on how big your body is and how much plasma gets swapped out. You may need two or three treatments each week for 2 or more weeks. During plasma exchange, your blood pressure is lower than usual. This can make you feel weak, dizzy, or nauseous. Drink lots of water in the days before your treatment, because that can help prevent these symptoms. You may feel tired after plasma exchange, but most people can get back to their normal activities right away. Plasma exchange can cause bleeding and allergic reactions, and it can make your chance of getting an infection higher. In rare cases, a blood clot could form in the machine. Your chance of seeing improvement of MS symptoms is greater if you have a relapsing form of MS and: You're a man. You have Marburg variant MS. Treatment begins within 20 days after your symptoms start. But simpler, less costly treatments often work for MS, so your doctor will probably try those first. For a severe MS attack, your doctor will probably prescribe high doses of anti-inflammatory steroids. If that doesn't relieve your symptoms, then plasma exchange is a short-term option. Plasma exchange hasn't been shown to help primary progressive or secondary progressive MS. It may also help treat other diseases that damage the coating around your spinal cord and nerves, such as Guillain- BarrÃ© syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and myasthenia gravis. After plasma exchange, people with Guillain- BarrÃ© syndrome or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy are more likely to regain muscle strength and walk without help.
context: A hammertoe occurs from a muscle and ligament imbalance around the toe joint which causes the middle joint of the toe to buckle and become stuck in this position. The most common complaint with hammertoes is rubbing and irritation on the top of the bent toe. Toes that may curl rather than buckle -- most commonly the baby toe -- are also considered hammertoes. 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(); }); } The middle three toes are likeliest to be affected. Women are more likely to get pain associated with hammertoes than men because of shoe gear. Hammertoes can be a serious problem in people with diabetes or poor circulation because they have a higher risk for infections and foot ulcers. Custom orthopedic shoes may prevent these complications. People with these conditions should see a doctor at the first sign of foot trouble. There are two types of hammertoes: Flexible hammertoes. If the toe still can be moved at the joint, it's a flexible hammertoe. That's good, because this is an earlier, milder form of the problem. There may be several treatment options. Rigid hammertoes. If the tendons in the toe become rigid, they press the joint out of alignment. At this stage, the toe can't be moved. It usually means that surgery is needed. The muscles of each toe work in pairs. When the toe muscles get out of balance, a hammertoe can form. Muscle imbalance puts a lot of pressure on the toe's tendons and joints. This pressure forces the toe into a hammerhead shape. Risk factors for hammertoes include: Flat feet Genes: You may have inherited a tendency to develop hammertoes because your feet are somewhat unstable -- they may be flat or have a high arch. Arthritis Injury to the toe: Ill-fitting shoes are the main culprits. If shoes are too tight, too short, or too pointy, they push the toes out of balance. Pointy, high-heeled shoes put particularly severe pressure on the toes. Aging
context: If you just missed one, take it as soon as you remember. If you don't remember until the next day, go ahead and take 2 pills that day. If you forget to take your pills for 2 days, take 2 pills the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. You will then be back on schedule. If you miss more than 2 birth control pills, call your doctor for instructions. You may need to take one pill daily until Sunday and then start a new pack. Or you might need to throw out the rest of the pill pack and start over with a new pack that same day. Any time you forget to take a pill, you must use another form of birth control until you finish the pill pack. When you forget to take a birth control pill, you increase the chance of releasing an egg from your ovary. But if you forget to take any of the last 7 (or last 4 of a 4-pill placebo pack or last 2 of a 2-pill placebo pack) out of the 28 day pills, you will not raise your chance of pregnancy, because these pills contain only inactive ingredients. Some pill packs don't have any placebo pills, so it's best to take all of your pills on schedule so you can stay on track. If you miss your period and have forgotten to take one or more pills, get a pregnancy test. Many women do not have a period on low-dose birth control pills even if they don't miss any pills. This is normal, so don't be concerned -- but do take the test to be sure.
context: Purring is the most common sound cats make. Yet we know less about it than meowing, chirping, chattering, hissing, and growling. Yes, cats purr when they're content. When yours is curled up in the sun, you may hear a gentle rumble as he breathes in and out. Touch him, and you feel a little quiver. It's almost as if he's sending out waves of calm. But you shouldn't assume that sound means your cat is in a good mood. Or that it's the only time you'll hear it. Cats purr to communicate other emotions and needs, too. What if you pick your cat up and hold him? Does he purr because he likes it -- or because he's nervous? Although you'll never know exactly what yours is saying when he purrs, research from animal experts, along with considering the situation, lets you make an informed guess. Your cat looks relaxed: Perhaps she's on her back, eyes half-closed, tail mostly still. If she's purring, it's safe to assume she's in her happy place. That noise is a big smile. Some cats purr when it's mealtime. British researchers studied the sounds that house cats make when they're hungry and when food isn't on their minds. The purrs don't sound the same. When cats purr for food, they combine their normal purr with an unpleasant cry or mew, a bit like a human baby's cry. Experts believe that we're more likely to respond to this sound. They've found that people can tell the difference between the purrs, even if they aren't cat owners. Kittens can purr when they're only a few days old. It's probably a way to let their mothers know where they are or that they're OK. Purring also helps a kitten bond with its mother. Mama cats use it like a lullaby. Even though purring takes energy, many cats purr when they get hurt or are in pain. So what makes the effort worth it? It might simply be a way for a cat to soothe itself, like a child sucks their thumb to feel better. But some research suggests that purring actually helps cats get better faster. The low frequency of purrs causes a series of related vibrations within their body that can: Heal bones and wounds Build muscle and repair tendons Ease breathing Lessen pain and swelling This might explain why cats are able to survive falls from high places and tend to have fewer complications after surgeries than dogs.
context: Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of your eyelid or the skin around your eyes. Adults can get it, but children under 2 are most likely to have it. It happens when bacteria attack the soft tissue around your eye, including your eyelid. These germs can get into your skin through a cut or scratch, or they can get to the area through an infection in your sinuses. It also can be a reaction to a stye (a tender bump on your eyelid that forms when a gland on your eyelid gets infected). Periorbital cellulitis is sometimes called preseptal cellulitis because it happens outside a part of your skull called the orbital septum. A layer of tissue keeps the infection from spreading to your eye, so it usually doesn't affect your vision. The most common signs of periorbital cellulitis are: Redness and swelling around the eye A cut, scratch, or insect bite near the eye The skin in the affected area is tender to the touch and might feel a little tough. The white of the eye might look red. Periorbital cellulitis doesn't cause a fever or pain. If you or your child has a fever and swelling and it hurts to move the affected eye, get medical help right away. These things can be caused by a more serious condition called orbital cellulitis that affects the eye itself. If your doctor thinks you or your child might have periorbital cellulitis, they'll start by looking for signs of an injury or a stye. They also might want to see how well your eyes move and respond to light. They may take a sample of blood or any drainage from your eye to test and find out what type of bacteria is causing the problem. She may want to get a closer look with X-rays or a computerized tomography ( CT) scan. This is when X-rays taken from different angles are put together make a more complete picture. If you or your child has periorbital cellulitis, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics, and these should start to work within 24 to 48 hours. You'll probably need to schedule a follow-up visit or two to make sure the infection is completely gone.
context: You must tell your partner you have genital herpes. If you pick the right time and say it the right way, there's a good chance things will work out OK. Think about how you want your partner to take the news. Do you want it to seem like a huge problem? Of course not, so don't present it that way. If you say, " I have some awful news for you," your partner will likely take it as awful news. Instead, be casual, direct, and unemotional. Also avoid suggesting how he or she should react, especially in the negative. If you say, " You're going to freak out when you hear this," or " Don't freak out, but...," you are setting your partner up to panic either way. Simply say you have genital herpes, and ask if he or she knows what that means. Be prepared to present the facts. Before you tell, learn all you can about genital herpes so you can be prepared to answer any questions your partner may have. Stress that it's very common. Hearing the one-in-five statistic could be a relief. Also explain what it means to have it. Some people get sores on their genitals occasionally, but many others get symptoms so mild they don't even notice them. Choose words wisely. You don't want to load the discussion with negative imagery. Although genital herpes is a disease, saying that you have this "disease" conjures up unpleasant images, so avoid using that word. Watch adjectives, too. Don't describe your condition as "horrible," "disgusting," or "incurable." In addition to language, the setting can affect the outcome, too. Don't interrupt what your partner is doing to break the news. That is, don't call him or her at work, or barge into a room and say, " Hey, we have to talk." That's how you might deliver news of a death in the family or start an argument. The right setting is a relaxing one, just the two of you, where there won't be any distractions. A conversation over a quiet dinner or a walk in the park is preferable to a bowling alley or the supermarket. The worst time to tell, other than after having sex, is during foreplay or when your clothes are already off. That would not only spoil the mood, but it could also annoy your partner. It is usually best to let the topic come up naturally in conversation. That way, it will seem less like a bombshell and more like any other development in your life. For example, you could say, " Just so you know, my doctor called me yesterday with some test results, and said I have the virus that causes genital herpes." If you've never slept with the person before, it's not impolite to ask if he or she has any sexually transmitted diseases. You could start the conversation by being the first one to ask. It's possible that he or she might start giving you the same herpes information you had been preparing to give. It's also possible that your partner might take the news badly no matter how well you deliver it. In that case, don't get defensive. Allow him or her some time to think it over in private, calm down, and come to terms with it. It may not be the first challenge you've faced together, and if the relationship is valuable enough to continue, it won't be the last.
context: A burp or belch can help ease an upset stomach. But if it happens often, it can be a sign of a health problem. If you burp a lot, it's probably time to find out why. When you swallow your food, it goes through a tube called your esophagus and into your stomach. There your body uses acid, bacteria, and chemicals called enzymes to break it down into nutrients it uses for energy. If you swallow air along with your food or if you drink something like a soda or beer that has bubbles in it, those gases can come back up through your esophagus. That's a burp. Carbonated beverages and swallowing air are the most common reasons people burp. Most of the time, that gas doesn't make it to your stomach. Instead it stays trapped in your esophagus until it comes back up. You're more likely to swallow air and burp if you: Chew gum Smoke Eat too quickly Suck on hard candies Have dentures that don't fit right Foods with a lot of fat or oil in them can cause heartburn. This also can make you burp. So can drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Burping as many as four times after a meal is normal. But some illnesses can make you burp a lot more than that: Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD), sometimes called acid reflux, happens when acid in your stomach flows back into your esophagus and causes heartburn. If you have this only occasionally, you can treat it with over-the-counter medicines. But if you have it a lot, you may need to make changes in your diet or take prescription drugs. Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, causes pain or discomfort in your upper belly. It can come with belching, bloating, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting. Gastritis happens when the lining of your stomach is irritated. Helicobacter pylori is a kind of bacteria that can cause an infection in your stomach and lead to ulcers. Irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS) can also cause belly cramps, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. If you're concerned about how much you burp, talk with your doctor. She might have some suggestions to help keep it from happening. She also may run tests to look for signs of a health problem. If no medical issue is causing you to burp, you might try some of these: Eat or drink more slowly. You're less likely to swallow air. Don't eat things like broccoli, cabbage, beans, or dairy products. They can lead to gas in your stomach or intestines and make you burp. Stay away from soda and beer. Don't chew gum. Stop smoking. Your doctor will give you lots of reasons to do this, but it also can help cut down on how much you burp. Take a walk after eating. A bit of exercise can help your digestion. Take an antacid.
context: For more than three decades, care for small-cell lung cancer ( SCLC) remained mostly the same. That's changing now -- doctors have a new option called immunotherapy. This line of treatment uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer. What Is Immunotherapy? The immune system is your body's defense against harmful substances. It attacks foreign particles, like germs and viruses. But cancer can confuse your body. As cells change and grow out of control, your immune system may not think them as a threat. Scientists have developed drugs to help your immune system target and destroy cancerous cells. They include: Immune checkpoint inhibitors: Some immune cells have proteins that act as off switches. These âcheckpointsâ prevent them from killing cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors target these proteins and allow immune cells to attack the cancer. Cancer vaccines: These substances kick-start an immune system response. They can prevent or treat certain cancers. Scientists are beginning to study vaccines for SCLC. Which Drugs Treat SCLC? There are a few FDA-approved immunotherapy drugs for SCLC. Nivolumab ( Opdivo) and pembrolizumab ( Keytruda). You might take these immune checkpoint inhibitors if your cancer doesn't respond or returns after treatment with a certain chemotherapy. Atezolizumab ( Tecentriq). You might take this immune checkpoint inhibitor along with chemotherapy. When Do You Get Immunotherapy? Depending on how much your cancer has spread, your cancer doctor will usually recommend treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. But SCLC is an aggressive disease that grows quickly. It often becomes resistant to the chemotherapy drugs. Most of the time, the cancer returns. That's when it's time to try immunotherapy. Because scientists are still studying the drugs, doctors are careful about when to prescribe them. They can cause serious side effects, like inflammation of the organs. Your doctor will weigh the pros and cons. Most people get immunotherapy after two or more rounds of chemotherapy. How Do You Get the Treatment? You go to your doctor's office, a clinic, or the outpatient unit of a hospital. An IV will deliver the immunotherapy into your vein. The process usually takes around an hour. Depending on the drug, you'll receive treatment every few weeks. Your doctor will decide how long you'll get this medication. Usually the goal of is to prevent the cancer from getting worse instead of curing the disease.
context: Anyone can get colorectal cancer, and doctors often don't know why someone gets it. Although scientists don't know the exact cause, they do know some of the things that make people more likely to get it. These include: Age. The disease is most common in people over age 50, and the chance of getting colorectal cancer increases with each decade. But younger people can get it, too. Gender. Colorectal cancer is more common among men. Men and women are equally at risk for colon cancer, but men are more likely to develop rectal cancer. Polyps. These growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum aren't cancer, but they can be precancerous. They're fairly common in people over age 50. One type of polyp, called an adenoma, makes colorectal cancer more likely. Adenomas are the first step toward colon and rectal cancer. Personal history. If you've already had colorectal cancer, you could get it again, especially if you had it for the first time before age 60. Also, people who have chronic inflammatory conditions of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than other people. Family history. Do you have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has had colorectal cancer? That makes you more likely to get it, too. If that relative was diagnosed when he or she was younger than 45 years old, your risk is even higher. If conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis, MYH-associated polyposis, or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer run in your family, that raises the risk for colon cancer (and other cancers), too. Diet. People who eat a lot of fat and cholesterol and little fiber may be more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Lifestyle. You may be more likely to get colorectal cancer if you drink a lot of alcohol, smoke, don't get enough exercise, and if you are overweight. Diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than other people. Race. African- Americans are more likely than other U. S. racial and ethnic groups to get colorectal cancer. Doctors don't know why that is. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it doesn't mean that you will develop colorectal cancer. But you should talk about your risk factors with your doctor. She may be able to suggest ways to lower your chances and tell you when you need to get checked.
context: Household molds can trigger allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers. So avoiding mold can help you avoid eye irritation, congestion, and other allergy-related symptoms. And the best way to avoid mold is to avoid moisture. Keep the house dry -- don't let water build up anywhere, ventilate damp rooms, wipe shower walls and doors after use. Don't leave wet clothes in the washing machine where mold can quickly grow. Wash shower curtains and bathroom tiles regularly with mold-killing products. Don't have too many indoor plants -- especially in the bedroom -- as mold can grow in plant soil. Fix any leaks or seepage in the house, indoors and out. Put plastic over dirt in crawlspaces and keep them well ventilated. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. Turn off humidifiers if you see condensation on windows. Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners in basements and other areas of the house where mold tends to grow, especially in hot humid climates. Clean dehumidifiers and humidifiers every week. On concrete floors, remove carpet and use area rugs that can be lifted and washed, or install a vapor barrier over the concrete.
context: Use RICE method: Rest the injured area and keep weight off it. Feeling pain is usually an indication that you are doing too much too soon. Ice the injured area to ease swelling. Compress injury by gently wrapping with an elastic bandage. Specialized braces from your health care provider can also be used to provide compression. Elevate injured area above the heart level, if possible. Give an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen ( Tylenol). The person should call his/her health care provider as soon as possible. An orthopedic specialist might be recommended. The doctor will examine the injured area and may do an X-ray, MRI, or other tests. The person may be given a sling, cast, crutches, brace, or other device. The person may be prescribed medications. The person may be referred for physical therapy or to a specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon. Surgery may be needed.
context: When you have MS, you want to save your energy for the things that are most important to you. Take advantage of special tools that make everyday tasks easier. Indoors or out, try these tips that help you get the job done. Even the most seasoned cook can have trouble picking up heavy pots or chopping vegetables. A few kitchen tools make meal prep a snap: Cutting board with suction cups to keep it steady Lightweight pots and pans Forks, knives, and spoons with easy-grip handles Non-slip mats to stop items from sliding on your counter Stool where you can sit to cook or wash dishes Kitchen fan to keep you cool while you work Try these items that can make the morning rush to get ready go smoother: Buttonhooks and zipper pulls to help you get in and out of your clothes with ease Long-handled shoehorn so you can slide on your shoes without bending over A few small things can make all the difference when you're at the sink or in the shower: Electric soap dispenser and toothbrush Lighted magnifying mirror to improve your view while you shave or put on makeup Long-handled brushes and combs Shower chair if you need to rest while you rinse off Stay active outdoors, even on warm days, with: Cooling vest filled with ice packs to beat the summer heat. Also try a cooling wrap that goes around your neck, wrist, or ankles. Long-handled gardening tools so you don't have to bend to plant or weed Wheeled cart to hold your gardening tools These will help keep you on your feet if MS affects your balance and coordination: Canes Crutches Walkers If walking gets too hard for you, you can switch to a wheelchair or power scooter. Look for devices that can make it easier for you to sit at your desk and get work done: Book holder and page turner, or an e-reader Calendars and organizers to keep your memory on track Shoulder rest for your telephone Pen grips to make writing easier Magnifier to enlarge print in books Anti-glare computer screen to protect your eyes Before you buy any of these tools, talk to an occupational therapist, who can recommend devices that best suit your needs. Your insurance might cover part or all of the cost if your doctor prescribes the tool.