falan42/healifyLLM-QA-scraped-dataset huggingface dataset:
Disease: hypoglycemia
Question: for hypoglycemia, how can episodes of hypoglycemia be prevented??
Answer: There are several ways you can prevent low blood sugar.
Check your blood sugar often
Regularly checking your blood sugar level can help you keep it in your target range. If you�ve had low blood sugar episodes in the past, you may want to check your blood sugar levels before driving or operating machinery.
A doctor can advise you on how often to check your blood sugar.
Snack wisely
Consider having a snack before you leave your home if you know it will be more than 5 hours until your next full meal or if your blood sugar levels are lower than 100 mg/dL.
It�s a good idea to keep carbohydrate-rich snacks on hand at all times in case your blood sugar dips while you�re out.
Fuel your body during exercise
Exercise uses up energy, so it can quickly cause your blood sugar to drop if you haven�t eaten enough beforehand. Check your blood sugar 1�2 hours before exercising to make sure it�s within your target range.
If it�s too low, eat a small meal or carbohydrate-rich snack.
If you plan to exercise for an hour or longer, consume additional carbohydrates during your workout. Exercise gels, sports drinks, granola bars, and even candy bars can provide your body with a quick burst of glucose during exercise.
Healthcare professionals can come up with the right program for you.
Your blood sugar may drop for up to 24 hours after moderate to intense exercise. Doctors recommend checking your blood sugar level immediately after exercise and then every 2�4 hours until you go to sleep. Avoid intense exercise immediately before bed.
Follow guidance around medications
If you follow a meal plan or take medications that increase your insulin level, it�s important to stick to the plan your doctor has prescribed to help prevent low blood sugar.
Not eating the right foods or taking the right medications at the correct times can cause your blood sugar to drop. Check in often with your doctor so they can adjust your treatment plan if and when necessary.
Q:
I just started a weight loss program, and I keep having a big drop in my blood sugar levels after breakfast. Any advice?
� From our Facebook community
A:
It sounds like you may be experiencing something called reactive hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar after eating a meal, which is most likely due to a change in diet.
To manage this problem, I recommend consistent and frequent meals and snacks every 3�4 hours that are a mix of high fiber carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
Eating high fiber carbohydrates is important because they provide the sugar the body needs, but they are also what causes the body to release insulin.
Make sure to add some protein or fat to all of your meals and snacks. Protein and fat can help slow the digestion of carbohydrates, which helps manage the release of insulin and allows for the slow and steady digestion of carbs.
Be sure to discuss any changes to your diet with your primary care physician.
� Peggy Pletcher, MS, RD, LD, CDCES
Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disease: hypoglycemia
Question: for hypoglycemia, the bottom line?
Answer: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can happen when your blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dL.
Hypoglycemia is most common in people with diabetes. But it may also occur in people who don�t have diabetes, typically due to medication or a medical condition.
If you�re experiencing mild or moderate symptoms, it�s important to eat or drink 15 g of easily digestible carbohydrates right away. If your blood sugar drops too low, it can become life threatening and need immediate treatment.
Read this article in Spanish.
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: what is pneumonia aspiration? Tell me about pneumonia aspiration? What kind of disease is pneumonia aspiration? Can you elaborate on pneumonia aspiration? What can you tell me about pneumonia aspiration? Could you describe what pneumonia aspiration is? I�d like to know more about pneumonia aspiration. Can you help? What information do you have on pneumonia aspiration? Could you provide information on pneumonia aspiration?
Answer: Aspiration pneumonia is a complication of pulmonary aspiration. Pulmonary aspiration is when you inhale food, stomach acid, or saliva into your lungs.
You can also aspirate food that travels back up from your stomach to your esophagus. All of these things may carry bacteria that affect your lungs. Healthy lungs can clear up on their own. If they don�t, pneumonia can develop as a complication.
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, what are the symptoms of aspiration pneumonia??
Answer: Someone with aspiration pneumonia may show symptoms of poor oral hygiene and throat clearing or wet coughing after eating. Other symptoms of this condition include:
chest pain
shortness of breath
wheezing
fatigue
blue discoloration of the skin
cough, possibly with green sputum, blood, or a foul odor
difficulty swallowing
bad breath
excessive sweating
Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should contact their doctor. Let them know if you�ve recently inhaled any food or liquids. It�s especially critical that children under 2 years of age or adults over the age of 65 get medical attention and a quick diagnosis.
Don�t hesitate to go to the doctor if you�re coughing up colored sputum or have a lingering fever over 102�F (38�C) in addition to the symptoms mentioned above.
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, what causes aspiration pneumonia??
Answer: Pneumonia from aspiration can occur when your defenses are impaired and the aspirated contents have a large amount of harmful bacteria.
You can aspirate and develop pneumonia if your food or drink �goes down the wrong way.� This may happen even if you can swallow normally and have a regular gag reflex. In that case, most of the time you�ll be able to prevent this by coughing. Those who have impaired coughing ability, however, may not be able to. This impairment may be due to:
neurological disorders
throat cancer
medical conditions like myasthenia gravis or Parkinson�s disease
excessive use of alcohol or prescription or illegal drugs
use of sedatives or anesthesia
a weakened immune system
esophageal disorders
dental problems that interfere with chewing or swallowing
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, who is at risk for aspiration pneumonia??
Answer: Risk factors for aspiration pneumonia include people with:
impaired consciousness
lung disease
seizure
stroke
dental problems
dementia
swallowing dysfunction
impaired mental status
certain neurologic diseases
radiation therapy to the head and neck
heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux)
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, how is aspiration pneumonia diagnosed??
Answer: Your doctor will look for signs of pneumonia during a physical exam, such as a decreased flow of air, rapid heart rate, and a crackling sound in your lungs. Your doctor may also run a series of tests to confirm pneumonia. These may include:
chest X-ray
sputum culture
complete blood count (CBC)
arterial blood gas
bronchoscopy
computed tomography (CT) scan of your chest area
blood culture
Because pneumonia is a serious condition, it requires treatment. You should have some of your test results within 24 hours. Blood and sputum cultures will take three to five days.
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, how is aspiration pneumonia treated??
Answer: Treatment depends on the severity of your pneumonia. Outcomes and duration of treatment depend on your general health, preexisting conditions, and hospital policies. Treating severe pneumonia may require hospitalization. People with trouble swallowing may need to stop taking food by mouth.
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for your condition. Things your doctor will ask before prescribing antibiotics:
Were you recently hospitalized?
What is your overall health?
Have you used antibiotics recently?
Where do you live?
Make sure to take the antibiotics for the entire length of the prescription period. This period can vary from one to two weeks.
You may also need supportive care if aspiration pneumonia causes breathing problems. Treatment includes supplemental oxygen, steroids, or help from a breathing machine. Depending on the cause of chronic aspiration, you may require surgery. For example, you may get surgery for a feeding tube if you have swallowing problems that don�t respond to treatment.
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, how can aspiration pneumonia be prevented??
Answer: Prevention tips
Avoid behaviors that can lead to aspiration, such as excessive drinking.
Be careful when taking medications that can make you feel drowsy.
Receive proper dental care on a regular basis.
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Your doctor may recommend a swallow evaluation by a licensed speech pathologist or swallow therapist. They can work with you on swallowing strategies and throat muscle strengthening. You may also need to change your diet.
Surgery risk: Follow your doctor�s orders about fasting to lower the chance of vomiting under anesthesia.
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, what can be expected in the long term??
Answer: Many people who have aspiration pneumonia also have other diseases that affect swallowing. This can result in a longer recovery period. Your outlook depends on:
how much of your lungs have been affected
the severity of the pneumonia
the type of bacteria causing the infection
any underlying medical condition that compromises your immune system or your ability to swallow
Pneumonia can cause long-term problems like a lung abscess or permanent scarring. Some people will develop acute respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
Aspiration pneumonia has been shown to increase mortality
in people who are hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia if they aren�t in an intensive care unit (ICU).
Disease: pneumonia aspiration
Question: for pneumonia aspiration, takeaway?
Answer: Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection caused by inhaled oral or gastric contents. It can become serious if left untreated. Treatment involves antibiotics and supportive care for breathing.
Your outlook depends on your state of health prior to the event, the type of foreign material that is aspirated into your lungs, and any other conditions you might have. Most people (79 percent) will survive aspiration pneumonia. Of the 21 percent of people who won�t survive, mortality is often due to a preexisting condition that led them to choose to have a DNR (do not resuscitate) or DNI (do not intubate) document.
Contact a doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms of pneumonia, especially in an older adult or infant. To diagnose aspiration pneumonia, your doctor will order tests to look at lung health and ability to swallow.
Disease: colitis
Question: what is colitis? Tell me about colitis? What kind of disease is colitis? Can you elaborate on colitis? What can you tell me about colitis? Could you describe what colitis is? I�d like to know more about colitis. Can you help? What information do you have on colitis? Could you provide information on colitis?
Answer: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, you may not have any symptoms. Treatment focuses on managing or reducing symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD comprises a group of diseases that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
UC occurs when the lining of your large intestine (also called the colon), rectum, or both become inflamed.
This inflammation produces tiny sores called ulcers on the lining of your colon. Inflammation usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward. It can involve your entire colon.
The inflammation causes your bowel to move its contents rapidly and empty frequently. As cells on the surface of the lining of your bowel die, ulcers form. The ulcers may cause bleeding and discharge of mucus and pus.
While this condition affects people of all ages, most people develop UC between ages 15 and 30 years old, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. After 50 years old, there�s another small increase in diagnosis of IBD, usually in men.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, ulcerative colitis symptoms?
Answer: The seriousness of UC symptoms varies among people who have the condition. The symptoms can also change over time.
People diagnosed with UC may experience periods of mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. This is called remission. However, symptoms can return and become severe. This is called a flare-up.
Common symptoms of UC include:
abdominal pain
increased abdominal sounds
bloody stools
diarrhea
fever
rectal pain
weight loss
malnutrition
UC may cause additional symptoms, such as:
joint pain
joint swelling
nausea and decreased appetite
skin problems
mouth sores
eye inflammation
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, ulcerative colitis causes?
Answer: Researchers believe that UC may be the result of an overactive immune system. However, it�s unclear why some immune systems respond by attacking the large intestines, and others don�t.
Factors that may play a role in who develops UC include:
Genes. You may inherit a gene from a parent that increases your chance of having UC.
Other immune disorders. If you have one type of immune disorder, your chance of developing a second is higher.
Environmental factors. Bacteria, viruses, and antigens may trigger your immune system.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, types of ulcerative colitis?
Answer: UC can be categorized according to the parts of the GI tract that it affects.
Ulcerative proctitis. In ulcerative proctitis, only the rectum is inflamed. It�s considered a mild form of UC.
Left-sided colitis. Left-sided colitis causes inflammation in the area between the splenic flexure (near the upper part of the colon, where it bends) and the last section of the colon. The last section of the colon, known as the distal colon, includes the descending colon and sigmoid colon. Left-sided colitis is also known as distal ulcerative colitis.
Proctosigmoiditis. Proctosigmoiditis is a form of left-sided colitis. It causes inflammation in the rectum and sigmoid colon.
Extensive colitis. Extensive colitis, also known as pancolitis, causes inflammation throughout the entire colon. It�s considered a severe form of UC.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, ulcerative colitis diagnosis?
Answer: Different tests can help a doctor diagnose UC. UC mimics other bowel diseases such as Crohn�s disease. A doctor will order multiple tests to rule out other conditions.
Tests to diagnose UC often include:
Blood tests. Blood tests are often useful in the diagnosis of UC. A complete blood count looks for signs of anemia (a low red blood cell count). Other tests indicate inflammation, such as a high level of C-reactive protein and a high sedimentation rate. A doctor may also order specialized antibody tests.
Stool test. A doctor examines your stool for certain inflammatory markers, blood, bacteria, and parasites.
CT scan. This is a specialized X-ray of your abdomen and pelvis.
Endoscopy. A doctor uses a flexible tube to examine your stomach, esophagus, and small intestine.
Biopsy. A surgeon removes a tissue sample from your colon for analysis.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a type of endoscopy. During this test, a doctor inserts a long, flexible tube into your rectum so that they can examine it, the sigmoid colon, and part of the descending colon. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is also known as sigmoidoscopy.
Colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a lighted scope called a colonoscope into your rectum to examine the inside of your colon. It�s also a type of endoscopy.
Were you recently diagnosed? Here�s what you need to know about treating and living with UC.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, ulcerative colitis and colonoscopy?
Answer: Doctors can use a colonoscopy to diagnose UC or determine the severity of the condition.
Before the procedure, a doctor will likely instruct you to reduce solid foods and switch to a liquid-only diet. Then you�ll fast for a period of time before the procedure.
Typical colonoscopy prep involves taking a laxative the evening before the procedure, too. This helps eliminate any waste still in the colon and rectum. Doctors can examine a clean colon more easily.
During the procedure, you�ll lie on your side. Your doctor will give you a sedative to help you relax and prevent any discomfort.
Once the medication takes effect, the doctor will insert a colonoscope into your anus. This device is long and flexible so it can move easily through your GI tract. The colonoscope also has a camera attached so your doctor can see inside the colon.
During the exam, the doctor will look for signs of inflammation and check for precancerous growth called polyps. The doctor may also perform a biopsy. The tissue can be sent to a laboratory for further examination.
If you�ve been diagnosed with UC, a doctor may conduct periodic colonoscopies to monitor inflammation, damage to your intestines, and healing progress.
A colonoscopy is an important tool in detecting colorectal cancer as well. Find out why that�s so important for people who�ve been diagnosed with UC.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, when to see a doctor?
Answer: If you�ve been diagnosed with UC, see a doctor if you experience symptoms such as:
severe abdominal pain or cramping
severe rectal bleeding
chronic diarrhea that�s difficult to treat
high fever
swelling of areas such as the skin or joints
dehydration
These symptoms are sometimes associated with UC complications.
If you haven�t been diagnosed with UC, see a doctor if you experience multiple symptoms of the condition. They can help determine whether you may have UC or another bowel disease.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, natural remedies for ulcerative colitis?
Answer: Some of the medications prescribed to treat UC can have serious side effects. When traditional treatments are not well tolerated, some people turn to natural remedies to manage UC.
Natural remedies that may help relieve UC symptoms include:
Boswellia. This herb is found in the resin underneath Boswellia serrata tree bark. Research suggests it stops some of the chemical reactions in the body that can cause inflammation.
Bromelain. This enzyme mixture is found naturally in pineapples, but it�s also sold as a supplement. It may help ease symptoms of UC and reduce flares.
Probiotics. Your intestines and stomach are home to billions of bacteria. When the bacteria are healthy, your body is better able to ward off inflammation and symptoms of UC. Eating foods with probiotics or taking probiotic supplements can help boost the health of the microbial flora in your gut.
Psyllium. This fiber supplement can help keep bowel movements regular. This may alleviate symptoms, prevent constipation, and make eliminating waste easier. However, many people with IBD can experience worsening abdominal cramping, gas, and bloating when they consume fiber during a flare-up.
Turmeric. This golden yellow spice is chock-full of curcumin, an antioxidant that�s been shown to reduce inflammation.
Keep in mind that these natural remedies have not undergone clinical trials and are not necessarily endorsed by professional organizations or their clinical guidelines.
Many of these natural remedies can be used in conjunction with other UC treatments. Discover which ones might be safe for you and what questions you should ask your doctor.
Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, ulcerative colitis diet?
Answer: There�s no specific diet for UC. Each person reacts to food and drink differently. However, a few general rules may be useful for people trying to avoid a flare-up:
Eat a low fat diet. It�s not clear why a low fat diet is beneficial, but it�s known that foods high in fat commonly cause diarrhea, especially in people with IBD. Eating more low fat foods may delay flare-ups. When you do eat fat, pick healthier options like olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids.
Take in more vitamin C. This vitamin may have a protective effect on your intestines and help them heal or recover faster after a flare-up. People who eat diets rich in vitamin C have prolonged periods of UC remission. Vitamin C-rich foods include parsley, bell peppers, spinach, and berries.
Eat more fiber. During a flare-up, bulky, slow-moving fiber is the last thing you want in your intestines. During remission, however, fiber can help you stay regular. It may also improve how easily you can eliminate waste products during bowel movements.
Making a food diary
Creating a food diary is a smart way to begin to understand which foods affect you. For several weeks, closely track what you eat and how you feel in the hours after. Record details of bowel movements or any symptoms you might experience.
In that span of time, you can likely detect trends between discomfort or stomach pain and certain problematic foods. Try removing those foods from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
You may be able to manage mild symptoms of UC by avoiding foods that upset your GI tract. Discover the foods that are most likely to cause issues if you have UC.