anand-s/m_qalm huggingface dataset:
Question: How difficult is it to get rid of warts?
Answer: Getting rid of warts takes persistence. It is in the rare situation that a wart is gone with a single treatment. There is no treatment that your doctor can do that has been proven to be more effective than the over-the-counter treatment with salicylic acid and duct tape. Oftentimes, your doctor will do a treatment in the office while you continue to do at-home treatments.
Question: Why do joints crack?
Answer: Joint "cracking" can result from a negative pressure pulling nitrogen gas temporarily into the joint, such as when knuckles are "cracked." This is not harmful. " Cracking" sounds can also be heard if tendons snap over tissues because of minor adjustments in their gliding paths. This can occur with aging as muscle mass and action change.
Question: What causes ingrown nails?
Answer: Ingrown nails are most frequently caused by cutting your toenails too short or rounding the nail edges or by wearing ill-fitting shoes or tight hosiery that press the nail into your toe. You can also develop an ingrown nail after an injury, such as stubbing or jamming your toe. If the condition causing the ingrown toenail continues, overgrowth of the tissue over the nail can lead to permanent changes in the tissue that can cause infection, more pain, and more swelling.
Question: What is an ingrown nail?
Answer: People with curved or thick nails are most susceptible, although anyone can suffer from ingrown nails as a result of an injury, poorly fitting shoes, or improper grooming of the feet. People with diabetes, vascular problems, or numbness in the toes need to be aggressive in treating and preventing ingrown toenails because they can lead to serious complications, including the risk of losing a limb. A damaged or improperly trimmed nail can become ingrown, burrowing into the skin at the side of the nail. The site can become painful and infected, and may not heal until the nail is removed. To avoid ingrown nails, always trim nails straight across.
Question: Why is it important to get the phone number of my cancer doctor?
Answer: It's pretty much certain: once you get home, you'll think of many questions you wanted to ask about your cancer treatment but didn't. So always ask your doctor for his or her card. Find out how you can get in touch with your doctor -- or an oncology nurse in the office -- to ask further questions.
Question: What questions should I ask my doctors to make sure they are qualified to deal with cancer?
Answer: How much experience do you have in treating people with my type of cancer? How many people with my cancer have you treated in the past year? Are you board certified? If so, in what specialty or subspecialty? Do you have other relevant qualifications? Do you work closely with other specialists and health care providers who could be part of my cancer treatment team? What hospitals do you work with?
Question: Is it okay to ask my doctor about his or her qualifications?
Answer: You may feel awkward about quizzing your doctor about his or her experience. But doctors expect these questions and even welcome them. Doctors want their patients to feel comfortable and confident in their care, not intimidated.
Question: Why should I ask for information to bring home after a cancer appointment?
Answer: At the end of your meeting, see if your doctor has any literature or other sources of information about your cancer or the cancer treatments he or she has recommended. Having something you can read over at home -- when you're out of the stressful environment of the doctor's office -- can be enormously helpful.
Question: Why should I bring someone with me to my cancer appointment?
Answer: Here are some questions to ask before you partner with a doctor in your cancer treatment. Obviously, a friend or loved one can provide moral support during a tense conversation. Or he or she may prompt you to ask important questions that you forgot.
Question: What questions should I ask my doctor about my cancer?
Answer: What stage is it? What are my cancer treatment options? Are these cancer treatments proven or experimental? Are these cancer treatments covered by insurance? What should I expect from my cancer treatment? How long will it take? What side effects or complications could I face from my cancer treatment? Should I make any changes to my diet or lifestyle before starting cancer treatment?
Question: What is the difference between laparoscopic splenectomy and open surgery?
Answer: Laparoscopy is less invasive than open surgery, and usually results in less pain, a faster recovery, and a shorter hospital stay. But not everyone can have laparoscopic surgery. Which method you and your doctor choose depends on your overall health and the size of your spleen. It can be hard to remove a very large or swollen spleen using a laparoscope. Patients who are obese or who have scar tissue in the spleen area from a previous operation also may not be able to have their spleen removed laparoscopically.
Question: What are other common reasons for a splenectomy?
Answer: Other common reasons a person may need a spleen removal include: Blood disorders: Hereditary elliptocytosis (ovalocytosis) Hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia Hereditary spherocytosis Thalassemia ( Mediterranean anemia, or Thalassemia major) Blood vessel problems: Aneurysm in the spleen's artery Blood clot in the spleen's blood vessels Cancer: Leukemia, a blood cancer that affects cells that help the body fight infections.
Question: What are other complications related to splenectomy?
Answer: Other complications related to splenectomy include: Blood clot in the vein that carries blood to the liver Hernia at the incision site Infection at the incision site Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) Lung collapse Injury to the pancreas, stomach, and colon Call the doctor right away if you have any of the following after a splenectomy: Bleeding Chills Cough or shortness of breath Difficulty eating or drinking Increased swelling of the abdomen Pain that doesn't go away with prescribed medications Increasing redness, pain, or discharge (pus) at the incision site Nausea or vomiting that persists Fever over 101 degrees Children who have their spleen removed often need to take antibiotics every day to prevent them from developing bacterial infections.
Question: How is an open splenectomy performed?
Answer: The surgeon makes three or four small cuts in the abdomen, and inserts the laparoscope through one of them. The surgeon disconnects the spleen from surrounding structures and the body's blood supply, and then removes it through the largest surgical opening. The surgical openings are closed using stitches or sutures. Sometimes during laparoscopic splenectomy the doctor has to switch to the open procedure.
Question: Who needs a splenectomy?
Answer: Rarely, a piece of the spleen may break off with trauma, such as after a car accident. You may need to have your spleen removed if you have an injury that damages the organ, causing its covering to break open, or rupture. In some cases, an illness, such as sickle cell disease, can cause the spleen to shrivel up and stop functioning. This is called an auto-splenectomy. Certain types of lymphoma, a cancer that affects cells that help the body fight infections. Other: Cyst or abscess (collection of pus) in the spleen If your doctor thinks you have a ruptured spleen and you have signs of massive internal bleeding or unstable vital signs, such as low blood pressure, you will likely have spleen surgery right away. If you have an open splenectomy, you may be sent home within one week.
Question: Why do people snore?
Answer: Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed. Air flow can be obstructed by a combination of factors, including: Obstructed nasal airways: Some people snore only during allergy seasons or when they have a sinus infection.
Question: Can snoring be a serious problem?
Answer: Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. Snoring has a tendency to worsen with age. Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. However, if you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own sleep quality. Medical assistance is often needed for habitual snorers (and their loved ones) to get a good night's sleep.
Question: What problems can sleep apnea create?
Answer: Sleep apnea creates several problems, including: Long interruptions of breathing (more than 10 seconds) during sleep caused by partial or total obstruction or blockage of the airway. Frequent waking from sleep, even though you may not realize it. Light sleeping. Prolonged suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often results in higher blood pressure and may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risks of heart attack and stroke.
Question: How do I know if I have hepatitis C?
Answer: Your doctor could find it when he checks your blood and sees that your level of certain liver enzymes is high. If that happens, he'll follow up with other tests to confirm you have the disease. Treatment can suppress the virus and maybe even cure you.
Question: How reliable is the antibody test for hepatitis C?
Answer: They usually show up about 12 weeks after infection. Non- Reactive or negative: You don't have hep C. If you've been exposed in the last 6 months, you'll need to be retested. If your antibody test is positive, you'll get this test: RNA: It measures the number of viral RNA (genetic material from the hepatitis virus) particles in your blood.
Question: How can you treat digestive problems from cystic fibrosis?
Answer: Treating Digestive Problems People with CF need to eat a well-balanced, high-calorie, high-protein diet. Those with severe digestive problems may need supplemental feedings with specialized, high-calorie formulas either with a feeding tube or, in rare cases, through a vein.
Question: What things can raise my odds of getting germ infections when Iâm being treated for cancer?
Answer: Because their job is to stop infections, it makes it tougher for your body to fight germs. Some things that can make it easier for you to get an infection include: Chemotherapy Radiation Stress Lack of sleep Poor nutrition Cancer that affects the blood or lymph nodes, such as leukemia or lymphoma Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body But you can do a few things to protect yourself.
Question: How should I protect my hands when Iâm being treated for cancer?
Answer: Be careful when you garden or do housework. Wear gloves so you don't hurt your hands or pick up germs from the soil. Use caution when you handle sharp things like scissors, knives, or gardening tools.
Question: What are some ways to avoid germs while Iâm being treated for cancer?
Answer: Be careful around people. If you know that someone has a fever, cold, flu, or any other infection, stay away from them until they feel better. It's also best to skip large groups of people, so avoid shopping, schools, traveling, and crowds. If you do go out in public, use cleaning wipes before you touch door handles, elevator buttons, ATM keypads, or any other surface used by a lot of people.
Question: When Iâm being treated for cancer, how often should I wash my hands?
Answer: Do it often, and use soap and water. Wash them before you eat and before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Always clean up after you go to the bathroom, sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. Other times to wash: after you handle trash, go to a public place, or touch an animal. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you in case you can't get to soap and water when you're out and about.
Question: What are tips for daily hygiene while Iâm being treated for cancer?
Answer: Some doctors say it's OK as long as you wash the produce very well. Take a shower or bath every day. Pay special attention to your feet, armpits, and other sweaty areas. When you're done, use lotion so your skin doesn't get dry and crack. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Ask if it's OK to floss gently. Don't use alcohol-based mouthwashes -- your doctor or dentist may give you a special mouthwash. Don't share towels, toothbrushes, or makeup, either.
Question: Should you see a rheumatologist if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Your regular doctor may have diagnosed your RA. It's still a good idea to see a specialist, too. Rheumatologists are doctors who are experts in treating RA and other types of arthritis. A rheumatologist will have the most training in the medicines that treat RA and in finding the right ones for you. If you don't have one, ask your primary care doctor for a referral.
Question: Are there common mistakes people make in treating their rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: You need rest, just not too much.
Question: Is it okay to skip medications for rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: You may be tempted to skip your medications on days when you're feeling better. Don't do that. Missing a dose could cause the pain to return, and it may be harder to get relief later. Your RA could also worsen. Some drugs need to stay in your bloodstream at specific levels in order to be effective. If you skip them too often, blood levels of the medication will drop and you could end up with a flare of your RA.
Question: How active should you be if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: When you have joint pain and fatigue, it's hard to get up and get moving. But regular exercise is key for your health. Too much idle time makes pain, fatigue, and stiffness worse. When your RA flares, slow down but don't stop. Do gentle flexibility exercises, like yoga and tai chi. You may also be able to do some exercises in a warm pool, but take it easy. When you feel better, step up your activity. Add strength training (you can use weight machines at a gym, handheld weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight) to strengthen the muscles around your joints. You should also do cardio for your heart, bones, and mood. Talk to your rheumatologist, or a physical or occupational therapist, about the best exercises for you. Walking can be a good exercise for people with RA. It's low-impact, and you can do it anywhere for free. Swimming and water aerobics are also good choices.
Question: Is it bad not to take all my medications if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: If your doctor prescribed more than one RA medicine, there's a good reason for that. One of those drugs may ease your pain, while the other helps to stop joint damage. If you're not sure what your drugs do or why you need them, ask your doctor. Also tell her if side effects or costs are problems.
Question: Is it bad not to see a rheumatologist if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Rheumatologists are doctors who are experts in treating RA and other types of arthritis. A rheumatologist will have the most training in the medicines that treat RA and in finding the right ones for you. If you don't have one, ask your primary care doctor for a referral.
Question: Why do you need to take so much medications for rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: If your doctor prescribed more than one RA medicine, there's a good reason for that. One of those drugs may ease your pain, while the other helps to stop joint damage. If you're not sure what your drugs do or why you need them, ask your doctor. Also tell her if side effects or costs are problems. She can help you look for solutions, whether it's another drug or help with costs, so you can keep up with your treatment.
Question: Do you need regular check-ups for rheumatoid arthritis even if you're feeling well?
Answer: During regular visits, your rheumatologist will check on how you're doing, how well your treatment is going, whether you have any side effects, and tweak your treatment, if needed. In addition to seeing your doctor, you also may need lab tests or X-rays now and then. Make sure you keep those appointments, too.
Question: Is it bad to overlook my mood if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: RA can be painful and challenging. It's normal to feel sad about that at times. But if you start to feel depressed -- for instance, your blue feelings don't lift, and you don't enjoy the things you used to like -- tell your doctor so you can get treated and feel better. Your doctor can refer you to a counselor for âtalk therapyâ and prescribe antidepressants if needed. You may also want to join a support group for people with RA, such as those offered by the Arthritis Foundation.
Question: What is adult testing for cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Answer: If your doctor thinks you might have CF and you weren't tested at birth, he may suggest that you have both a genetic test and a sweat test. Repeated bouts of pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), nasal polyps, or frequent sinus and lung infections, are some things that may trigger your doctor's concern.
Question: What is a "sweat test" to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Answer: A âsweat testâ is thought to be the most reliable way to tell if someone has CF. It checks the amount of salt in your sweat. People with CF have higher levels of chloride, a compound in salt. This test can be done on people of any age. But some babies might not sweat enough and may need to be tested more than once.
Question: What happens in a sweat test for cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Answer: To do it, a doctor rubs a small area of the skin on your arm with a special gel that activates the sweat glands. He'll use a weak electrical current to push this medicine into the skin. It doesn't hurt, but may cause a tingling, warm feeling. Sweat will collect for 30 minutes in a special sweat collection device that is attached to your arm, and then the sample will be sent to a lab. High amounts of salt will confirm CF.
Question: How can doctors check for cystic fibrosis during prenatal testing?
Answer: This can be done by: Amniocentesis: Your doctor checks the amniotic fluid (which surrounds your baby in the womb) for any signs of birth defects. This is often done between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy. Chorionic villus sampling ( CVS): A sample of tissue from the placenta can also be checked for the faulty CF gene. You can have this done between your 10th and 12th week of pregnancy.
Question: How can targeted therapy help treat my stage II breast cancer?
Answer: Biological therapy is a newer approach. In about 25% of women with breast cancer, an excess of a protein known as HER2 makes the cancer spread quickly. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine ( Kadcyla), lapatinib ( Tykerb), neratinib ( Nerlynx), pertuzumab ( Perjeta), and trastuzumab ( Herceptin) treat women with HER2-positive cancer. They stop this protein from making the cancer grow and can make some chemotherapy more effective. It's often used in combination with chemotherapy.
Question: When is chemotherapy used during the treatment of stage II breast cancer?
Answer: Chemotherapy after surgery can help destroy remaining cancer cells that were missed. Some people have chemotherapy before surgery to try to shrink a tumor. If it works, the tumor might then be small enough to remove with a lumpectomy.
Question: When is surgery recommended for my stage II breast cancer?
Answer: Surgeryis standard. For smaller tumors, you might get a breast conserving surgery, or lumpectomy, in which only the tumor and some of the tissue around it are removed. For larger tumors, you might need a mastectomy, in which the breast is removed. In either case, the surgeon will likely remove some of the lymph nodes. After a mastectomy, you might choose breast reconstruction surgery.
Question: Do I have treatment options if I have stage II breast cancer?
Answer: Several treatments may help. You would likely use a combination of them. In either case, the surgeon will likely remove some of the lymph nodes.
Question: When is radiation therapy used to treat stage II breast cancer?
Answer: It can kill cancer cells that were missed during surgery. Some women who get a mastectomy will also have radiation, especially if the tumor was large or there were cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Biological therapy is a newer approach.
Question: Are clinical trials available to help treat my stage II breast cancer?
Answer: In stage II, the cancer is still contained within the breast and in some cases in nearby lymph nodes. Several treatments may help. Many new therapies -- new drugs, new treatments, and new combinations -- are in clinical trials now. Keep in mind that any successful treatment we have now started out in a clinical trial.
Question: What are symptoms of shellfish poisoning?
Answer: Shellfish poisoning can occur after eating clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles, starfish, and crustaceans that consume dinoflagellates during a red tide. Symptoms of shellfish poisoning begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Numbness of the lips, tongue, and fingertips.
Question: How do you get shellfish poisoning?
Answer: Shellfish poisoning can occur after eating clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles, starfish, and crustaceans that consume dinoflagellates during a red tide. During a red tide, sea waters turn a reddish color because large numbers of red organisms (dinoflagellates) are present. Shellfish that is contaminated during a red tide does not have an abnormal taste, smell, or color, and the toxin is not destroyed by heating or cooking.
Question: What can happen if you have shellfish poisoning?
Answer: Shellfish poisoning can occur after eating clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles, starfish, and crustaceans that consume dinoflagellates during a red tide. The person who has been poisoned may also develop the following conditions: Headache Lower-back pain Vertigo (dizziness) Loss of balance Drooling Blurred vision Temporary blindness Elevated heart rate Low blood pressure Altered temperature perception Ingesting large amounts of contaminated shellfish can result in coma and respiratory failure. Medical liquid charcoal to absorb the toxins may be given as a drink.
Question: How is anosmia caused by medications treated?
Answer: If you suspect a medication is affecting your sense of smell, talk to your doctor and see if there are other treatment options available that won't affect your ability to smell. However, never stop taking a medication without first talking with your doctor.
Question: What causes anosmia?
Answer: Nasal congestion from a cold, allergy, sinus infection, or poor air quality is the most common cause of anosmia. Other anosmia causes include: Nasal polyps -- small noncancerous growths in the nose and sinuses that block the nasal passage. Injury to the nose and smell nerves from surgery or head trauma. Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as pesticides or solvents. Certain medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medication, heart medications, and others. Cocaine abuse. Old age. Like vision and hearing, your sense of smell can become weaker as you age. In fact, one's sense of smell is most keen between the ages of 30 and 60 and begins to decline after age 60. Certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, nutritional deficiencies, congenital conditions, and hormonal disturbances. Radiation treatment of head and neck cancers.
Question: How is anosmia diagnosed?
Answer: If you experience a loss of smell that you can't attribute to a cold or allergy or which doesn't get better after a week or two, tell your doctor. Your doctor can take a look inside your nose with a special instrument to see if a polyp or growth is impairing your ability to smell or if an infection is present. Further testing by a doctor who specializes in nose and sinus problems -- an ear, nose, and throat doctor ( ENT, or an otolaryngologist) -- may be needed to determine the cause of anosmia. A CT scan may be necessary so that the doctor can get a better look of the area.
Question: What are the symptoms of anosmia?
Answer: The obvious sign of anosmia is a loss of smell. Some people with anosmia notice a change in the way things smell. For example, familiar things begin to lack odor.