Question: What over-the-counter medicines are good for a stuffed nose and sneezing?

Answer: These types of medicines can help you breathe more easily: Antihistamines block a chemical that makes your nose fill up and run. But they may work better when combined with a decongestant. Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels in the nose to relieve congestion. If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor if it's okay to use a decongestant. They can make some people feel dizzy or sleepy.


Question: How can vaccinations help with treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Answer: Inhaled steroids can help if you have many COPD flare-ups. Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement, medicine, and counseling.


Question: How can bronchodilators help treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Answer: These medications work quickly to relax the muscles around your airways and ease symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. You take them through an inhaler. You might take it with a long-acting bronchodilator.


Question: What are some other reasons to use surgery to treat Crohn's disease?

Answer: People who have the following complications may need surgery: The formation of a stricture (a scar), which is a narrowing in the bowel that can cause obstructions (blockages) Extensive bleeding in the intestine A hole, or perforation, in the bowel wall The formation of a fistula, a connection between two parts of the body that do not normally connect An abscess, a pocket of pus caused by infection A condition known as toxic megacolon, in which the colon, or large intestine, is severely stretched out and toxins spread through your blood. If you develop a fistula or an abscess, you may need surgery. Fistulas, the abnormal passageways, may first be treated with medication. You will have a computed tomography ( CT) scan to let your doctor find the abscess. In some cases, the pus can be fully drained with a tube place through the skin. But in many cases, surgery is needed to treat the abscess.


Question: What is the cure for Crohn's disease?

Answer: Treatment depends on the severity and location of the disease. Because the disease can sometimes go into remission on its own, it's not always possible to know whether a specific treatment has been effective. No part of the intestine is removed.


Question: How do hormones from pregnancy cause migraines?

Answer: You might try a mild pain reliever, like acetaminophen, but check with your doctor to make sure it's safe for you before you take it. An estrogen patch can keep levels of the hormone steadier, so you're less likely to have bad migraines.


Question: How can stress trigger supraventricular tachycardia?

Answer: That could help you control this condition. If you've had heart surgery, you may be left with scars that increase the chances you may get SVT. Up to 25% of people who've had a heart transplant will have this happen.


Question: How can previously having a surgery trigger supraventricular tachycardia?

Answer: This causes your heartbeat to speed up -- sometimes to three times its normal pace. If you are worn out or anxious, you may be more likely to have a bout of SVT. This doesn't mean your body is rejecting the new organ.


Question: How can working out too much trigger supraventricular tachycardia?

Answer: Alcohol can also be a trigger, and possibly in smaller amounts than caffeine. Most of the time, though, exercise is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.


Question: What are prolapsed hemorrhoids?

Answer: Internal hemorrhoids are far enough inside the rectum that you can't usually see or feel them. They don't generally hurt because you have few pain-sensing nerves there. Sometimes hemorrhoids prolapse, or get bigger and bulge outside the anal sphincter. Then you may be able to see them as moist bumps that are pinker than the surrounding area.


Question: What causes hemorrhoids?

Answer: Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lowest part of your rectum and anus. And they're more likely to hurt, often when you poop. Or it could come from: Pushing during bowel movements Straining when you do something that's physically hard, like lifting something heavy People who stand or sit for long stretches of time are at greater risk, too. You may get them when you have constipation or diarrhea that doesn't clear up. Coughing, sneezing, and vomiting could make them worse.


Question: What are internal hemorrhoids?

Answer: They don't generally hurt because you have few pain-sensing nerves there. Bleeding may be the only sign of them. Prolapsed hemorrhoids usually go back inside on their own.


Question: How can a thrombosis happen in hemorrhoids?

Answer: And they're more likely to hurt, often when you poop. When the clot dissolves, you may still have a bit of skin left over, which could get irritated.


Question: What are hemorrhoids?

Answer: Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lowest part of your rectum and anus. But you should see your doctor to make sure it's not a more serious condition. He can also remove hemorrhoids that won't go away or are very painful. Bleeding may be the only sign of them. Sometimes hemorrhoids prolapse, or get bigger and bulge outside the anal sphincter. A buildup of pressure in your lower rectum can affect blood flow and make the veins there swell.


Question: What tests are used to diagnose metabolic acidosis?

Answer: Ketoacidosis. This test measures the chemical balance in your blood. It compares the numbers of positively and negatively charged particles, including sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Certain types of metabolic acidosis have a bigger difference -- or "gap" -- than others. Arterial blood gases. If you have diabetes, you can test your pee for ketones at home with test strips you can buy over the counter. Some blood sugar meters can measure ketones in your blood.


Question: What is metabolic acidosis?

Answer: Your body: Is making too much acid Isn't getting rid of enough acid Doesn't have enough base to offset a normal amount of acid 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(); }); } When any of these happen, chemical reactions and processes in your body don't work right. Although severe episodes can be life-threatening, sometimes metabolic acidosis is a mild condition. You can treat it, but how depends on what's causing it. This test measures the chemical balance in your blood.


Question: What is the treatment for metabolic acidosis?

Answer: You can treat it, but how depends on what's causing it. If you don't restore the balance, it can affect your bones, muscles, and kidneys. In severe cases, it can cause shock or death. DKA can put you in a coma. The earlier you're treated, the better. Common treatments include: Detoxification, if you have drug or alcohol poisoning Insulin, if you have DKA IV fluids, given by needle through a vein in your arm Sodium bicarbonate, by IV You might have to go to a hospital.


Question: How can you prevent metabolic acidosis?

Answer: You can treat it, but how depends on what's causing it. Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic fluids. Your pee should be clear or pale yellow. Limit alcohol. It can increase acid buildup. It can also dehydrate you. Manage your diabetes, if you have it. Follow directions when you take your medications.


Question: How does hyperchloremic acidosis lead to metabolic acidosis?

Answer: Lots of ketones in your blood turn it acidic. But it starts in a different way, when your body has too much carbon dioxide because of a problem with your lungs. This test measures the p H of your blood and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in it.


Question: Who gets myelofibrosis (MF)?

Answer: Most people are diagnosed around age 60. Both men and women can get it. About 18,000 people in the U. S. are living with MF. Young adults or small children can get myelofibrosis, but it's rare. Girls are affected twice as often as boys when it happens in childhood. You may get MF by itself. Long-term exposure to radiation or toxic chemicals like benzene could make you more likely to get MF. Red blood cells bring oxygen to your organs and tissues like muscles.


Question: Should you do a breast self-exam?

Answer: Medical groups don't agree on that. You can ask your doctor for advice on whether it would be helpful for you. If you notice anything unusual, tell your doctor. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see it.


Question: How do I do a breast self-exam in the mirror?

Answer: But should you do a breast self-exam? If you choose to do one, follow these steps: In the mirror: Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. If they aren't equal in size or shape, that's OK! Most women's breasts aren't. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in size, shape, or position, or any breast skin changes. Look for any puckering, dimpling, sores, or discoloration. Check your nipples and look for any sores, peeling, or change in their direction. Place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can look at the outer part of your breasts. Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in their shape or contour. Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts' outer portions. Remember to look at the border underneath them. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see it. Check your nipples for discharge fluid. Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.


Question: What should you do if you find a lump during your breast self-exam?

Answer: Medical groups don't agree on that. You can ask your doctor for advice on whether it would be helpful for you. But do check in with your doctor's office if you notice any new breast changes, such as: An area that is different from any other area on either breast A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that lasts through your menstrual cycle A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast A mass or lump A marble-like area under the skin A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed) Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple


Question: How do I do a breast self-exam in the shower?

Answer: In the shower: Feel for changes in the breast. It helps to have your hands slippery with soap and water. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side. Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone. With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side. Repeat these steps on your other breast.


Question: What are side effects of radiation for cervical cancer?

Answer: Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. Side effects of radiation include: Fatigue Loose stools, diarrhea Nausea, vomiting Pain during sex Skin changes Discomfort and urge to urinate often Menstrual changes Swollen legs (if lymph nodes are irradiated) These side effects will go away once you finish treatment.


Question: How can conization help with treating cervical cancer?

Answer: If you were diagnosed with cervical cancer, just know that it's usually very treatable -- especially if your doctor caught it early. This surgery can treat very small cervical cancers that haven't spread. Your surgeon removes a cone-shaped area of abnormal cells from your cervix. Conization is performed with a knife, laser, or a thin, heated wire loop. After conization, you should still be able to have children.


Question: How can surgery help with treating cervical cancer?

Answer: If you were diagnosed with cervical cancer, just know that it's usually very treatable -- especially if your doctor caught it early. Surgery is the main treatment for cervical cancers. Sometimes you'll get chemotherapy or radiation to shrink the tumor before surgery, or to kill cancer cells that remain afterward. The type of surgery you have depends on how large the cancer has grown and whether it has spread. Some types of cervical cancer surgery can affect your ability to have children. Talk to your doctor about the risks before you decide on a procedure.


Question: How can clinical trials help with treating cervical cancer?

Answer: You might also get chemotherapy if your cancer has spread. If you've tried a few treatments and they didn't work, or the cancer has spread, ask your doctor about a clinical trial. These test new treatments to see if they're safe and if they work.


Question: What are cervical cancer treatments?

Answer: If you were diagnosed with cervical cancer, just know that it's usually very treatable -- especially if your doctor caught it early. Cervical cancer treatments include: Chemotherapy Radiation Surgery Targeted therapy Take time to review all your options. Make sure you understand how each treatment works. You can also get a second opinion from another doctor.


Question: How are gum infection and blood sugar related?

Answer: If it's not treated, gum disease can cause your blood sugar to rise, and that makes your diabetes harder to manage. If your blood sugar is out of control because of an infection in your mouth, then treating that infection will tame your blood sugar.


Question: What can I do to reduce dental issues associated with diabetes?

Answer: First, manage your diabetes. â Keep your blood sugar levels under control, choose a healthy diet, stay active,â Boghosian says. â If your body is healthy it will help you fight the oral and fungal infections, and maybe even increase the amount of saliva in your mouth.â Don't smoke. Aside from their many dangers, cigarettes and cigars also contribute to dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay. If you wear a full or partial denture, clean it thoroughly each day to reduce bacteria. â And of course, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush,â Boghosian says. See your dentist for regular checkups.â


Question: Can diabetes affect my teeth?

Answer: â If left untreated, diabetes can really take a toll on your mouth,â says Alice Boghosian, DDS, spokeswoman for the American Dental Association. When you think of a treatment for diabetes, a toothbrush isn't the first thing that comes to mind. â If your body is healthy it will help you fight the oral and fungal infections, and maybe even increase the amount of saliva in your mouth.â Don't smoke.


Question: What is farsightedness?

Answer: This is also is called hyperopia. It means that the eye focuses better on distant objects than on those that are close. When you're farsighted, the light rays don't focus like they should.


Question: Will I need eye surgery if I'm farsighted?

Answer: Glasses, contact lenses, or vision correction surgery can correct your vision. If contacts or glasses aren't for you, eye surgery may be the answer. The most common procedure to correct farsightedness is LASIK. The doctor creates a flap on the top of your cornea, then uses a laser to sculpt tissue inside your eye. Talk to your eye doctor about your options, how well they work, and what's involved.


Question: What are antihistamines and how can they help with clearing a stuffed-up nose?

Answer: If allergies are causing your stuffy nose, ask your doctor if you should use ones that you can buy without a prescription. Histamines are chemicals in your body that cause allergic symptoms, including a stuffy nose. Antihistamines help prevent allergic reactions by blocking these chemicals. Some of these meds can make you sleepy, so read the label. They work best if you take them before your allergies begin, but they can work after the fact, too.


Question: What is saline and how can it help with clearing a stuffed-up nose?

Answer: If allergies are causing your stuffy nose, ask your doctor if you should use ones that you can buy without a prescription. In a clean container, mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Add 1 teaspoon of this mix to 8 ounces of distilled or pre-boiled lukewarm water. Hold one side of your nose closed, then squirt the saline into the other side. Repeat 2-3 times and switch sides. They flush your sinuses with saline.


Question: What are some complications of stage II chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Answer: They can be very serious. COPD also raises your odds of having heart disease, lung cancer, and high blood pressure in your lungs. Check with your doctor to see how you can limit your risks for these other conditions. Make sure you tend to your overall well-being and keep an eye on your mood, since people with COPD can sometimes get depressed. If you find that you're often sad or feel helpless or hopeless, talk to your doctor.


Question: How can I find someone to exercise with?

Answer: Or spend an hour gardening in the backyard. Check the schedule at your local community center or YMCA to see what free or affordable exercise classes they offer. Find opportunities to connect with people who enjoy the same activities as you do. Once you get talking about your active lifestyle, you may be surprised to learn that there are already people around you who you can exercise with and who are working to get fit.


Question: Why should you exercise as you age?

Answer: At every age, it makes a huge difference in how you feel and move, helps you whittle down those numbers (like your weight, cholesterol, or blood pressure) that your doctor keeps mentioning, and even brightens your mood. Actually, not moving is much riskier and can speed up the aging process. Inactive people are twice as likely to develop heart disease, and they also have more doctor visits and take more medications. Remember, the more physically fit you are, the less likely you are to get injured. Improving your balance by doing things like yoga and tai chi may also help you avoid falls in your everyday life. That's enough to help your blood circulation and cholesterol levels, and it can brighten your mood.


Question: What are benefits of physical activity as you get older?

Answer: Remember, the more physically fit you are, the less likely you are to get injured. Improving your balance by doing things like yoga and tai chi may also help you avoid falls in your everyday life. When done regularly, exercise helps strengthen your heart rather than put it at risk. That's enough to help your blood circulation and cholesterol levels, and it can brighten your mood.


Question: What physical exercise is appropriate for your age?

Answer: First, talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program. She can tell you which activities to try and which ones to avoid. When you get started, work with a pro who can show you exactly what to do. That way, you'll stay safe. Don't judge what you can do today by what you did in the past. Exercising isn't about running as fast as you did on your high school track team or when you were in your 20s. You can move at your own pace and still benefit.


Question: How often should you exercise as you age?

Answer: For overall heart health, the American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of aerobic activity 5 days per week, and 2 days per week of strength training. Even a 10-minute walk is a good start. Once you get talking about your active lifestyle, you may be surprised to learn that there are already people around you who you can exercise with and who are working to get fit.


Question: What should you know about carbs if you're on an insulin-resistance diet?

Answer: They're low in carbs and calories, and they're packed with nutrients, so you can eat as much as you want. So for breakfast, choose oats over toast. Low-fat dairy.


Question: What kinds of vegetables should you eat if you're on an insulin-resistance diet?

Answer: But it can be hard to change habits. Fresh vegetables are best. If you go frozen or canned, make sure there's no added fat, salt, or sugar. Watch out for starchy vegetables, like potatoes, peas, and corn. They have more carbs, so treat them more like grains, and don't overdo it. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they're another great choice.


Question: What foods and drinks should you avoid on an insulin-resistance diet?

Answer: And if you already have it, a diet change may help you manage it better. They're low in carbs and calories, and they're packed with nutrients, so you can eat as much as you want. If you go frozen or canned, make sure there's no added fat, salt, or sugar. Swapping out saturated and trans fats for healthy ones can lower insulin resistance. Sweetened drinks, like soda, fruit drinks, iced teas, and vitamin water, which can make you gain weight.


Question: What foods are part of an insulin-resistance diet?

Answer: You don't need special foods for the insulin-resistance diet. In a nutshell, you'll eat less unhealthy fat, sugar, meats, and processed starches, and more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean poultry. There's no magic food that'll fix everything, so vary what you eat. When you have a choice, choose the food with more vitamins, minerals, and fiber.


Question: How can immunosuppressive drugs help with lupus?

Answer: Like corticosteroids, these drugs curb your immune system, bring symptoms under control, and help prevent long-term organ damage. Your doctor may prescribe them if corticosteroids have not helped your symptoms. Immunosuppressive drugs are sometimes used together with corticosteroids. That way you'll be taking a lower amount of each type of drug, reducing the possible side effects of each drug.


Question: Which monoclonal antibodies treat lupus?

Answer: Some medications used to treat malaria can also treat lupus. It may help reduce your need for steroid treatment, but it has not been tested thoroughly for the most severe forms of lupus. Rituxan ( Rituximab) is another monoclonal antibody that has sometimes been used to treat lupus when other treatments have not been successful.


Question: What causes Crohn's disease?

Answer: It has often been thought of as an autoimmune disease, but research suggests that the chronic inflammation may not be due to the immune system attacking the body itself, but rather a result of the immune system attacking a harmless virus, bacteria, or food in the gut. While foods don't appear to cause Crohn's disease, soft, bland foods may cause less discomfort than spicy or high-fiber foods when the disease is active.


Question: What are life-threatening symptoms of Crohn's disease?

Answer: You'd notice swelling, tenderness, pain, and fever. These drugs cause a higher risk of infections that can be life-threatening.


Question: What medications are used to treat Crohn's disease?

Answer: About 20% of people with Crohn's disease may have a close relative with either Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Medication Crohn's disease is treated primarily with medications, including: Anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples include mesalamine ( Asacol, Lialda, Pentasa), olsalazine ( Dipentum), and sulfasalazine ( Azulfidine). Side effects include upset stomach, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and rash. Corticosteroids, a more powerful type of anti-inflammatory drug. Examples include budesonide ( Entocort) and prednisone or methylprednisolone ( Solu- Medrol). If you take these for a long time, side effects can be severe and may include bone thinning, muscle loss, skin problems, and a higher risk of infection. Entocort has fewer side effects. Immune system modifiers such as azathioprine ( Imuran) and methotrexate ( Rheumatrex). It can take up to 6 months for these drugs to work. These drugs cause a higher risk of infections that can be life-threatening. Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin ( Cipro), metronidazole ( Flagyl), and others. Flagyl can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, and tingling or numbness of the hands and feet. Cipro can cause nausea and tears in the Achilles tendon. Drugs for diarrhea. Biologic medicines, such as adalimumab ( Humira), adalimumab-atto ( Amjevita), certolizumab pegol ( Cimzia), infliximab ( Remicade), infliximab-abda ( Renflexis), infliximab-dyyb ( Inflectra), natalizumab ( Tysabri), ustekinumab ( Stelara), and vedolizumab ( Entyvio). Once you start treatment, your doctor will check to see how well it works within several weeks. You'll continue until you reach remission. When that happens, your doctor may prescribe what he calls "maintenance therapy" to keep your symptoms at bay. Your doctor may suggest you take nutritional supplements, too.


Question: How does Crohn's disease cause inflammation?

Answer: It can get inflamed as a result of Crohn's treatment or the disease itself. Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can result from both gallstones and medications. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. It has often been thought of as an autoimmune disease, but research suggests that the chronic inflammation may not be due to the immune system attacking the body itself, but rather a result of the immune system attacking a harmless virus, bacteria, or food in the gut.


Question: How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?

Answer: First, your doctor will review your medical history and talk about your symptoms. Your doctor might want to do some lab tests, like: Blood tests, including blood counts Stool samples to rule out infections as the cause of diarrhea Imaging tests or endoscopy: Your doctor might send you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist to get one of these: Balloon-assisted enteroscopy: This test uses balloons that inflate and deflate to pull a flexible tube called an endoscope through your small intestine. Capsule endoscopy : You'll swallow a tiny, pill-sized camera to give the doctor a closer look at your small intestine. Upper endoscopy: The doctor does this to see your esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.


Question: What other symptoms of Crohn's disease can develop?

Answer: The symptoms depend on where the disease happens and how severe it is. Fistulas: In addition to forming within your intestines, fistulas can also form between the intestine and other organs, like the bladder or ureter.


Question: How does diet affect Crohn's disease?

Answer: Ileostomy: You might need this if your rectum is diseased and the doctor can't use it for an anastomosis. While foods don't appear to cause Crohn's disease, soft, bland foods may cause less discomfort than spicy or high-fiber foods when the disease is active. Most doctors try to be flexible in planning the diets of their Crohn's disease patients.


Question: What should you do if you think you're being treated unfairly at work due to your bipolar disorder?

Answer: Talk over your feelings with your family, therapist, or health care provider. The Americans with Disabilities Act can protect some people who are discriminated against because of a health condition.


Question: What are varicose veins?

Answer: They almost always affect legs and feet. Visible swollen and twisted veins -- sometimes surrounded by patches of flooded capillaries known as spider veins -- are considered superficial varicose veins. Besides a surface network of veins, your legs have an interior, or deep, venous network.


Question: How can you give a cold to someone else?

Answer: Your sneezes and coughs can send virus particles as far as 12 feet through the air where they can land in someone's mouth or nose or be inhaled into the lungs. Others can also catch your cold if they touch you or something you've come into contact with and then touch their mouth or nose. Some people never show symptoms but can still give it to others.


Question: What is heart valve disease?

Answer: Your valves sit at the exit of each of your four heart chambers. They keep blood flowing through your heart. Your aortic valve narrows. It slows blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body. Mitral valve insufficiency. This causes blood to leak backward, leading to fluid backup in the lungs. The valve between your left upper and left lower chambers doesn't close right.


Question: What should you know about pancreatic cancer?

Answer: Unfortunately, a cure is rarely possible at that point. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer usually happens when someone comes to the doctor after experiencing weeks or months of symptoms. However, blood tests don't allow for early detection of pancreatic cancer, because these levels may not rise until pancreatic cancer is advanced, if at all.


Question: Is pancreatic cancer curable?

Answer: Unfortunately, a cure is rarely possible at that point. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer usually happens when someone comes to the doctor after experiencing weeks or months of symptoms. However, blood tests don't allow for early detection of pancreatic cancer, because these levels may not rise until pancreatic cancer is advanced, if at all.


Question: How can getting tested prevent gonorrhea?

Answer: Have your sexual partners get tested. Ask them if they've been screened for gonorrhea. If they haven't, have a conversation about getting tested. Doctors recommend you get tested for gonorrhea once a year if you're: A man who has sex with men A sexually active woman under age 25 A woman who has multiple sex partners If you're pregnant and have gonorrhea, talk to your doctor so you can get the right treatment.


Question: How can I prevent gonorrhea?

Answer: You also have a lower risk if you're in a long-term sexual relationship with only one person and you're their only partner. You can reduce your chances of getting gonorrhea by practicing safe sex, which means using a condom, and by getting regular screenings. You'll need to keep practicing safe sex to keep from getting it again.


Question: What is gonorrhea?

Answer: Some people call it âthe clap.â Gonorrhea usually causes pain and other symptoms in your genital tract, but it can also cause problems in your rectum, throat, eyes, or joints. Both men and women can get it, though men get it more often than women. Your risk for gonorrhea is higher if you: â¢ Are young â¢ Are having sex with a new partner â¢ Are having sex with someone who is having sex with other people â¢ Have multiple sex partners â¢ Have had gonorrhea before â¢ Have had other STDs There are specific steps you can take to safeguard yourself from gonorrhea: Use condoms. With the right treatment, gonorrhea is curable.


Question: What is meralgia paresthetica?

Answer: You might also hear it called Bernhardt- Roth syndrome. It happens when there's too much pressure on or damage to one of the nerves in your leg, specifically the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. If you have meralgia paresthetica, a large sensory nerve in your outer thigh doesn't have enough room to pass through your hip bone or joints.


Question: What are the warning signs and symptoms of meralgia paresthetica?

Answer: You might feel: Pain, tingling, numbness, or burning in the outside of your thigh Sensitivity to light touch rather than to firm pressure High sensitivity to heat Your symptoms may be mild at first, but as the condition gets worse, you might feel sharper, shooting pain. It may go away and come back for no clear reason. The type of therapy you get depends on the cause of your condition.


Question: What are symptoms of meralgia paresthetica?

Answer: You might feel: Pain, tingling, numbness, or burning in the outside of your thigh Sensitivity to light touch rather than to firm pressure High sensitivity to heat Your symptoms may be mild at first, but as the condition gets worse, you might feel sharper, shooting pain. The type of therapy you get depends on the cause of your condition.


Question: What is an electromyography test for meralgia paresthetica?

Answer: A certain set of nerves, called the sensory nerves, gather and send signals to your brain about your skin, muscles, and other tissues. If you have meralgia paresthetica, a large sensory nerve in your outer thigh doesn't have enough room to pass through your hip bone or joints. The doctor will touch your leg to find the affected area.


Question: What is hyperthermia or heat stroke in dogs?

Answer: The normal body temperature for dogs is between 101 and 102.5 F, compared to 97.6 to 99.6 F for humans. When dogs have high temperatures that are the result of hot external temperatures or excessive exercise in humid conditions, the condition is referred to as hyperthermia or heat stroke. When temperatures reach 106 F, serious and fatal complications can occur.


Question: What illnesses or conditions can give your dog a high fever?

Answer: Infection may be anywhere in the body, such as the lungs (pneumonia), the kidneys (pyelonephritis), the brain (encephalitis), or even the skin. Some infections, such as fungal diseases, can affect several areas of the body at the same time. Vaccination. A low-grade fever for 24 to 48 hours after vaccination is not uncommon and results from the interaction between the injection and the dog’s immune system. Toxins. Consuming substances that are poisonous to dogs, including macadamia nuts and some human antidepressants, can result in increased body temperature. If your dog has a temperature greater than 103 F, you should call your veterinarian.


Question: How can I check if my dogs has a high fever?

Answer: A temperature of more than 103 F is considered a dog fever, although it can be 103 if a dog is very excited or stressed. Although there are no definite signs, some symptoms that might indicate illness and fever in dogs include: Lethargy Depressed mood Shivering Loss of appetite Vomiting Coughing Nasal discharge The only accurate way to tell if your dog has an increased body temperature is to take his rectal temperature. Experts recommend using a digital thermometer specifically designed for rectal use in dogs. Most thermometers intended for use in human ears do not work well for this purpose. To take your dog’s temperature, first coat the thermometer with a lubricant such as petroleum gel or baby oil. Next, gently insert the thermometer about one inch into your dog’s anus and wait for results.


Question: What are the symptoms of vaginal cysts?

Answer: If you have one of these cysts, you might feel a small lump along the vaginal wall or on the lips. Often, your gynecologist will discover the lump during your annual exam. The cyst might stay the same size or grow larger. The cyst shouldn't be painful. However, some larger cysts -- especially Bartholin's gland cysts -- can cause discomfort when you walk, have sex, or insert a tampon. Vaginal cysts usually don't need to be treated.


Question: How do you drain vaginal cysts?

Answer: You might need to have a biopsy of the cyst to rule out cancer. During a biopsy, your health care provider removes a piece of tissue from the cyst. You could also have a procedure called marsupialization in which a small incision is made in the cyst to drain the fluid and then the edges of the incision are sutured to the sides of the incision.


Question: How do you treat vaginal cysts?

Answer: They're not usually harmful or painful. Vaginal cysts usually don't cause symptoms. You might need to have a biopsy of the cyst to rule out cancer. During a biopsy, your health care provider removes a piece of tissue from the cyst. That piece of tissue is examined under a microscope to see if it is cancerous.


Question: How is endometriosis similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Answer: In rare cases, when the symptoms are severe, you may need surgery. This includes your bowel. It can cause symptoms like IBS, but they may get worse before and during your period. Another sign you could have endometriosis is pain when you start to have a bowel movement or during sex. Some women also have rectal bleeding. Your doctor can diagnose endometriosis of the bowel with different imaging tests. Sometimes you can manage symptoms with medicine. Your doctor may also suggest surgery.


Question: What is ulcerative colitis (UC)?

Answer: You may need to take medicine every day to treat it. Sometimes, doctors suggest surgery. Like ulcerative colitis, this type of IBD causes ulcers and inflammation.


Question: What is celiac disease?

Answer: When you have this condition, your colon is inflamed. A blood test can show if you're more likely to get celiac disease. If so, your doctor may do a biopsy of your small intestine to confirm it. The only sure treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. It's important to manage your condition to avoid severe damage. A medicine you take by mouth can get rid of these parasites.


Question: How is stomach cancer similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Answer: If it's not working the way it should, you can have IBS-like symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and belly pain. Other symptoms can be: Heartburn Feeling sick to your stomach Vomiting Blood in your stool Losing weight without trying If your doctor thinks you have it, she may do a test called an upper endoscopy. She puts a small, lighted tube with a video camera into your throat to look at your stomach. Your doctor may take a sample of an area that doesn't look healthy and send it to a lab to be tested.


Question: Can you prevent generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer: It most often begins in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood. However, there are some things that you can do to control or lessen symptoms, including: Stop or reduce your consumption of products that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies. Many contain chemicals that can increase anxiety symptoms. Exercise daily and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Seek counseling and support after a traumatic or disturbing experience. Practice stress management techniques like yoga or meditation.


Question: Who is the best candidate for a biventricular pacemaker?

Answer: This therapy has been shown to improve the symptoms of heart failure and overall quality of life in certain patients with severe symptoms that aren't controlled with medication. Therefore, to be eligible for the biventricular pacemaker, heart failure patients must: Have severe or moderately severe heart failure symptoms Be taking medications to treat heart failure Have the type of heart rhythm problems mentioned above (your doctor can usually determine this using ECG testing) In addition, the heart failure patient may or may not need this type of pacemaker to treat slow heart rhythms and may or may not need an internal defibrillator (implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD), which is designed to treat people at risk for sudden cardiac death or cardiac arrests.


Question: How often should someone get their pacemaker checked?

Answer: Because it is very important to keep the area of insertion sterile to prevent infection, your chest will be shaved (if necessary) and cleansed with a special soap. Activities such as golf, tennis, and swimming should be avoided for six weeks after the pacemaker is implanted. The nurse will explain how to check your pacemaker using the telephone transmitter. When the battery gets low, you will need to replace the pacemaker. Here is an outline of the pacemaker follow-up schedule: Check before you are discharged from the hospital, the day after implant Telephone call two weeks after implantation to make sure the wound is healing and to ensure the transmitter is working Six-week check Telephone checks every three to six months starting three months after your six-week check Pacemaker analysis every three to six months (in between telephone checks) Pacemakers usually last four to eight years.


Question: What should you keep in mind when buying food with omega-3 fatty acids?

Answer: Some fortified foods offer 100 mg or more. Getting more than 3 grams a day of omega-3s may make bleeding more likely in people taking antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin. But you're not likely to get that much from a typical diet. Talk with your doctor before taking high doses of omega-3 supplements.


Question: How can counseling help treat depression in the elderly?

Answer: It also is helpful for people who cannot take drugs because of side effects, interactions with other medicines, or other medical illnesses. And unhappy life events including the death of family or friends, poverty, and isolation may also affect the person's motivation to continue with treatment.


Question: How does a controlled food challenge help food allergies?

Answer: Sometimes that's enough to pinpoint the problem food, or he may suggest some tests. Your doctor will take a sample of your blood and expose it to different allergens. That way, you don't have to be exposed to what may be the cause. To confirm a skin or blood test, or to see if a child has outgrown an allergy. It can be used to eliminate a specific food from the list, too. For this test, you'll go to your doctors' office or a hospital. Never try this type of test on your own, because it can cause a serious reaction.


Question: How will I be tested for food allergies?

Answer: First, he'll puts a small drop of liquid containing the food on your skin, and pricks it. Then he'll watch for a reaction -- a small bump that may get red like a mosquito bite. If your skin reacts, you're probably allergic to that food. Your doctor can talk with you about other treatment options. If you don't react, you're probably not allergic to it. This test is usually sent to a lab, and results could take a week or more. Your doctor will give you food samples and watch for a reaction.


Question: How can blood tests help identify food allergies?

Answer: You won't learn the results right away. This test is usually sent to a lab, and results could take a week or more. Doctors don't use it as often. They may use it if they have an idea of what you're allergic to. That way, you don't have to be exposed to what may be the cause. Neither skin nor blood tests can accurately predict how severe a food allergy reaction may be. Your doctor will give you food samples and watch for a reaction.


Question: How can I know if I'm allergic to a food?

Answer: First, he'll ask you questions about what you think you're allergic to and your symptoms. Sometimes that's enough to pinpoint the problem food, or he may suggest some tests. Allergy testing can help your doctor find out what you're allergic to, but it's not foolproof. After your tests are done, you'll need to work with him to get the right diagnosis. To confirm a skin or blood test, or to see if a child has outgrown an allergy.


Question: How often should you bathe your baby?

Answer: Until your baby's umbilical cord falls off, which usually happens after the first week, don't give any baths. Circumcised boys should not be bathed until the penis has totally healed. Your baby doesn't need a bath every day -- two to three times a week should be fine.


Question: How often should you cut your baby's nails?

Answer: Because your baby's fingernails grow very quickly and babies can easily scratch themselves, file or cut the nails about twice a week. Your baby's toenails don't grow as quickly. You can probably get away with cutting them a couple of times a month. Just watch out for any jagged edges that you may need to trim. Never bite off your baby's nails -- you could give her an infection.


Question: What are hydrogenated fats?

Answer: Coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils are exceptions to the rule; these liquid vegetable oils are highly saturated fats. This process also rearranges the molecular shape of the remaining unsaturated fats. The resulting shape is an abnormal "trans" shape.


Question: Which fats are saturated?

Answer: Less than 10 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fats. In general, the harder a fat, the more saturated it is. Beef and dairy fats are mostly saturated fats. Liquid oils are usually unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated fats in olive and canola oils and polyunsaturated fats in safflower, corn, soybean, and fish oils. Coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils are exceptions to the rule; these liquid vegetable oils are highly saturated fats. Trans fatty acids raise blood cholesterol levels and increase heart disease risk even more than saturated fats.


Question: Is shingles is contagious?

Answer: Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that also causes chickenpox. In a person who has been exposed to chickenpox -- or its vaccine -- the virus never really goes away. Though people who haven't had chickenpox can catch that condition from you, the shingles itself isn't contagious.


Question: How often do people get infected by a brain-eating amoeba?

Answer: N. fowleri disease is known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis ( PAM). It occurs from zero to eight times a year, almost always from July to September. A study in Virginia that looked at more than 16,000 autopsy records from patients who died of meningitis found five previously unreported cases of PAM. Studies show that many people may have antibodies to N. fowleri. That suggests that they became infected with the amoeba but that their immune systems fought it off. It's not at all clear whether N. fowleri is a rare infection that always causes PAM and is almost always fatal, or a more common infection that only sometimes causes PAM.


Question: What is a brain-eating amoeba?

Answer: Amoebas are single-celled organisms. The so-called brain-eating amoeba is a species discovered in 1965. It's formal name is Naegleria fowleri. Although first identified in Australia, this amoeba is believed to have evolved in the U. S. There are several species of Naegleria but only the fowleri species causes human disease. By comparison, a hair is 40 to 50 micrometers wide. When conditions are favorable, the cysts turn into trophozoites -- the feeding form of the amoeba. But brains are accidental food for them. According to the CDC, N. fowleri normally eats bacteria.


Question: How soon do you die after getting infected by a brain-eating amoeba?

Answer: It takes two to 15 days for symptoms to appear after N. fowleri amoebas enter the nose. Only a handful of patients worldwide have been reported to have survived an infection.


Question: Are alternative treatments for ADHD safe?

Answer: Some alternative treatments are safe, inexpensive, and easy to get -- but there might not be proof that they work. And none of these options are meant to replace proven ADHD treatments. Some ânaturalâ or alternative treatments might be unsafe, too. And don't assume that vitamins or supplements are safe just because they're billed as being ânatural.â Most don't have to be approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA). Talk to your doctor about any alternative treatment before taking it. Here's what we know about certain supplements. Natural supplements like GABA and inositol aren't proven to help against symptoms either. Also check with the doctor before you use any natural supplement.


Question: How do you take Lyrica as treatment for fibromyalgia?

Answer: Lyrica (pregabalin) is an FDA-approved drug treatment for fibromyalgia. When used for fibromyalgia, Lyrica is a capsule that is usually taken in divided doses twice a day. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you. If you miss taking one capsule, you should take it as soon as possible -- unless it is close to the time when you are supposed to take the next one. Never take two or more at the same time.


Question: Can I drink alcohol if I take Lyrica to treat fibromyalgia?

Answer: Lyrica is not an antidepressant. Doing so can give you a headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, and sleeping difficulties.


Question: What prescription medicines may interact with Lyrica when treating fibromyalgia?

Answer: Some prescription medicines may interact with Lyrica and may lead to dangerous side effects. Such drugs include: Blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors; taking Lyrica with these medicines increases your chance for swelling and hives. Combining the two can be dangerous.


Question: What fluids will help your child when they have a cold or flu?

Answer: According to the experts, just about any fluids are good for your sick child. Try some of these: Water. Dilute it with water so your child gets less sugar. But if your child is dehydrated, fruit juice doesn't have the right mix of sugar and salt to treat it. Get an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte instead. Decaffeinated tea. For anolder child, warm beverages are soothing and can help break up mucus. As long as he's older than 1 year old, add some honey to make his sore throat feel better and ease a cough. Milk. Despite what you may have heard, it's fine for kids with colds or flu. It won't cause mucus buildup.


Question: How are benign tumors treated?

Answer: A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor, which is cancer. But the growth of a benign tumor might be linked to: Environmental toxins, such as exposure to radiation Genetics Diet Stress Local trauma or injury Inflammation or infection In many cases, benign tumors need no treatment. Doctors may simply use "watchful waiting" to make sure they cause no problems. Other types of treatment may include medication or radiation. Surgery is the most common type of treatment for benign nerve tumors.


Question: What are benign tumors?

Answer: A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor, which is cancer. But benign tumors can be serious if they press on vital structures such as blood vessels or nerves. Therefore, sometimes they require treatment and other times they do not. Although not common, this type of tumor can become malignant. Sometimes it is necessary to remove a mole like this to check it for signs of cancer.


Question: What are osteochondromas?

Answer: Surgery is the most common type of treatment for benign nerve tumors. Often, the doctor will simply watch this benign tumor with X-rays. Surgery may be needed if the tumor causes symptoms such as pain or pressure on nerves or blood vessels.


Question: What are meningiomas?

Answer: In the colon, less than 1 out of every 10 adenomas become cancerous. Others grow more quickly. Treatment varies depending on the location of the meningioma and the symptoms it causes. Symptoms may include headache and weakness on one side, seizures, personality changes, and visual problems. Sometimes the doctor will choose to watch the tumor for a time. If surgery is needed, its success depends on your age, the location of the tumor, and whether it is attached to anything. Radiation treatment may be used for tumors that can't be removed. Myomas are tumors that grow from muscle.


Question: What are fibromas?

Answer: Fibroids commonly grow in the uterus. Although not cancerous, uterine fibroids can lead to heavy vaginal bleeding, bladder problems, or pelvic pain or pressure. Another type of fibrous tissue tumor is a desmoid tumor. These tumors can cause problems by growing into nearby tissues. Because they can cause symptoms, fibrous tissue tumors may need to be removed with surgery. Myomas are tumors that grow from muscle.


Question: How can I keep my circuit training interesting?

Answer: Or you can buy at-home equipment like dumbbells and resistance bands. If you're looking for a full-body workout in 30 minutes or less, circuit training does the trick. An instructor or trainer can work with you to find moves that will still get your heart pumping and tone your muscles.


Question: How does circuit training work?

Answer: Each station has a different exercise. You may do bicep curls or jump rope for 60 seconds. You'll do about 10-25 reps at each station, lasting between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, and then move on to the next station. An instructor or trainer can work with you to find moves that will still get your heart pumping and tone your muscles.


Question: What are the different symptoms and types of ADHD?

Answer: Each one is identified by the symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. When the main symptoms are inattention, distraction, and disorganization, the type is usually called primarily inattentive. The symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly impulsiveness appear to diminish with age but are seen in the primarily hyperactive/impulsive type. The third type has some symptoms from each of the other two and is called the combined type. When one person is diagnosed with ADHD, there is a 25%-35% chance that another family member will also have the condition, compared to 4%-6% of the general public.


Question: Is ADHD more common in girls or boys?

Answer: Each one is identified by the symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Inattentiveness is a hallmark of ADHD in girls, but because they aren't often disruptive in the classroom, they may be harder to diagnose.


Question: What type of doctor should my child see for ADHD?

Answer: But a group of specialists will use behavior therapy, medicine, or a combo to let your child put his best foot forward. He'll show him ways to control angry outbursts, for instance, or stay focused in the classroom.


Question: Can I go to work if I have a sinus infection?

Answer: Or you've got a doozy of a headache. It's OK to go to work. The next day, you'll probably be able to go to work, since it usually isn't contagious. If you're very sick or your symptoms get worse after a week, call your doctor.


Question: Should I go to work if I have the chills and sweats?

Answer: If your clothes are getting drenched, you most likely have a fever. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids. Consider seeing your doctor, especially if your temperature is over 102 degrees F. That could be a sign that you have an infection, such as the flu. For in-depth information, see Sore Throat: Cold, Strep Throat, or Tonsillitis? You may need to stay home a day or two while you're most contagious and feel the worst. Call your doctor to see if you need to get it treated with an antibiotic.


Question: What should I do if antihistamines aren't helping my allergies?

Answer: He can do tests to find out what's triggering the problem. He may recommend allergy shots to reduce your symptoms. Call your doctor to see if you need to get it treated with an antibiotic.


Question: Can I go to work with pinkeye?

Answer: It's OK to go to work. If you've got a tickle in the back of your throat or it feels like mucus is dripping into that area from your nose, your cough is probably from allergies or a cold. Call your doctor to see if you need to get it treated with an antibiotic. Make sure you wash your hands often so you don't infect anyone else.


Question: What are the two parts of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)?

Answer: The lead(s) are made up of wires and sensors that monitor the heart rhythm and deliver energy used for pacing and/or defibrillation (see below for definitions). The generator houses the battery and a tiny computer. Energy is stored in the battery until it is needed. The computer receives information from the leads to determine how the heart is beating. The generator is placed under skin in your upper chest and attached to the lead(s).


Question: How should I care for the wound after implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)?

Answer: The morning after your implant, you will have a chest X-ray to make sure the ICD leads are in the proper position and your ICD will be programmed to ensure it is functioning properly. It will take a few weeks to heal completely.


Question: When should I call my doctor about my implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?

Answer: If you have concerns about your job or activities, ask your doctor. You lose consciousness before receiving a shock. You have swelling, bleeding, redness, warmth, or drainage at the implant site. You have numbness or tingling of the arm closest to your ICD. Any part of the device or leads is visible or protruding through the skin. You have a fever or chills within 6 weeks to 8 weeks after the implant procedure.


Question: What activities should you avoid after getting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?

Answer: You will receive specific instructions. This requires open-heart surgery. You have a fever or chills within 6 weeks to 8 weeks after the implant procedure.


Question: What rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drugs protect you against diabetes?

Answer: They include: TNF inhibitors: These drugs block an inflammation-causing substance called TNF. TNF may play a role in the onset of diabetes. It's been shown to lower diabetes risk in people with RA by about 33%. According to research, abatacept reduces the risk of diabetes by about 50%.


Question: How can I reduce my risk of getting diabetes if I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Answer: Keep the disease under control. If you're overweight, losing as little as 7% of your body weight reduces your risk of diabetes. Be active. Eat a healthy diet.


Question: What is the oral glucose tolerance test for diabetes?

Answer: The standard diagnosis of diabetes is made when two separate blood tests show that your fasting blood glucose level is greater than or equal to 126 mg/d L. However, if you have normal fasting blood sugar, but you have risk factors for diabetes or symptoms of diabetes, your doctor may decide to do a glucose tolerance test (see below) to be sure that you do not have diabetes. The oral glucose tolerance test is yet another method used to detect diabetes, but it is usually only done during pregnancy to diagnose gestational diabetes or for someone who is suspected of having type 2 diabetes yet has a normal fasting glucose level. It can also be performed to diagnose prediabetes.


Question: How do people with eczema feel after having flare-ups?

Answer: Keep track of anything you use that seems to trigger a flare after you touch it. Get help if you can't keep your stress under control.


Question: How can stress and anxiety make eczema flare up?

Answer: A weak or haywire immune system can cause a flare-up. Plus itchy, sore skin can also stress you out. It can be an endless cycle if you don't break it. Tips: Find ways to relax in times of stress. Make sure you get enough sleep at night so you feel refreshed the next day. Aromatherapy, massage therapy, and soaks in a warm bath may help you ease tension. Get help if you can't keep your stress under control.


Question: What should someone do if they have strong eczema itching?

Answer: It may go away for a while, then flare up again. Light therapy from the sun or with a UV-ray device at your doctor's office may ease outbreaks, too. For strong eczema itching that even keeps you up at night, try oral antihistamines. Diphenhydramine can stop itching and help you sleep. Fexofenadine, cetirizine, and other antihistamines can ease flares and itching but don't make you drowsy. They're all available OTC. Your doctor may also prescribe oral corticosteroids or give you a steroid shot for a strong eczema flare. If you scratch your itchy rash and break the skin, you might need antibiotics to prevent an infection.


Question: What else can cause eczema?

Answer: Tips: Keep your skin moist -- especially in winter, when the air can be very dry. Maybe cigarette smoke or a dusty house are to blame. Tips: Keep your home or office area clean. Dust often. Don't smoke or hang out with people who do. If you think you're allergic to pet hair or dander, talk to your doctor or see an allergist, a doctor who specializes in treating allergies.


Question: What types of clothing could trigger eczema?

Answer: If your skin gets too dry, it can become rough and itchy. Clothes that are too warm or heavy can make you sweat and cause a flare, too. Tips: Opt for soft clothes that are gentle on your skin and keep it cool. If wool or other fabrics seem to bother you, don't wear them. Find wool-free garments to keep you warm in winter. Wear loose items that don't rub against your skin.


Question: Why does someone get eczema?

Answer: A weak or haywire immune system can cause a flare-up. Healthy, supple skin protects you. If yours gets too dry, it may not be able to block out tiny bacteria or allergens that cause eczema. Some people are more likely to get eczema than others. This includes African- Americans, people who work in health care or childcare, and those who live in cold climates or cities with lots of air pollution. Eczema is common in babies and kids. You may just call it sensitive skin. You might grow out of it or you could have it on and off for life. It pays to figure out what causes your skin to react. These are common eczema triggers.


Question: How does a doctor diagnose and treat eczema?

Answer: Your doctor can tell if you have eczema based on your symptoms, medical and family history, and what seems to trigger your outbreaks. You may need to see a dermatologist -- a doctor who specializes in skin conditions. There's no test to prove that you have eczema. Your symptoms, age, family history, other health problems, and lifestyle help you find treatments that work. Most eczema treatments give you short-term relief. Work with your doctor to treat your eczema.


Question: How is moderate to severe eczema treated?

Answer: Eucrisa ointment is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory topical treatment that may help reduce redness and itchiness in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. This medicine is given every two weeks as an injection under the skin. Work with your doctor to treat your eczema. Some drugs or remedies for eczema, like steroids, can cause side effects if you use them too long or too often.


Question: What is HER2-negative breast cancer?

Answer: A gene called HER2 makes too many copies of itself in about 20% of people with breast cancer. If you have that faulty version of the gene, your disease is called " HER2-positive." You'll need different treatments.


Question: What medications can help treat HER2 positive breast cancer?

Answer: A gene called HER2 makes too many copies of itself in about 20% of people with breast cancer. Trastuzumab ( Herceptin) is the standard treatment for this type of breast cancer. Trastuzumab treats this type of breast cancer either alone or alone with chemotherapy drugs. Pertuzumab ( Perjeta) is another antibody that treats HER2-positive breast cancer. Pertuzumab may be harmful to a fetus, so women who are pregnant shouldn't take it. Another medication, ado-trastuzumab emtansine ( Kadcyla), combines the antibody in trastuzumab with a chemotherapy drug. Doctors give it to people with HER2-positive, advanced breast cancer who were already treated with trastuzumab. Lapatinib ( Tykerb) is an example of a small-molecule drug that you can take in a pill. Together with chemotherapy, it treats some advanced cases of HER2-positive breast cancer.


Question: Does L-carnitine help improve fibromyalgia symptoms?

Answer: If you want to take a natural approach to treating fibromyalgia, it's important to learn as much as you can about the therapies you consider. The studies are limited, but it's thought that L-carnitine may give some relief from fatigue in people with fibromyalgia. Some researchers have also concluded that while more studies are warranted, L-carnitine may provide support for the muscular system of patients with fibromyalgia.


Question: How often can you have a bout of depression?

Answer: It's just part of life. Or they might not come for years.


Question: Can you prevent hepatitis A?

Answer: He'll also do tests that check how well your liver is working to be sure your body is healing. If you come in contact with someone with hepatitis A, you can get an immune globulin shot within 2 weeks. Good hygiene is also important. Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before and after handling food, and after changing a diaper.


Question: What plays a role in essential high blood pressure?

Answer: In the U. S. alone, about 30% of adults have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is more likely in people with a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. Diet and lifestyle also play a big role in essential hypertension. The link between salt and high blood pressure is especially noteworthy. People living on the northern islands of Japan eat more salt than anyone else in the world. They're also most likely to get hypertension. Many people with high blood pressure are "salt sensitive." That means anything more a minimal amount will raise their blood pressure.


Question: What blood pressure readings are too high?

Answer: If yours is 180/120 or higher, get medical attention right away. Your doctor could also tell you that you have something called prehypertension. That's when your BP is just a bit higher than 120/less than 80. Many people with high blood pressure are "salt sensitive."


Question: What is essential high blood pressure?

Answer: That's the force in the arteries when the heart beats. This is essential hypertension.


Question: What are the side effects and precautions for alpha lipoic acid (ALA)?

Answer: Advocates of ALA make claims that range from beneficial effects for treating conditions such as diabetes and HIV to enhancing weight loss. However, little is known about the possible effect of long-term use of ALA supplements. And there are no dosage recommendations and little data on the potential effect of large doses taken over time. ALA should not be used without a recommendation from your doctor if you take insulin or other medications to lower blood sugar. It's possible that it can enhance the effect of these drugs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Discuss the use of supplemental ALA with your doctor first. Your doctor may recommend that you increase monitoring of blood sugar levels. The doctor may also want to make an adjustment in your medication. Because no studies have been done on the effect of using ALA during pregnancy, you should not use it if pregnant. Also, there are no data about its use by children, so children should not take ALA supplements.


Question: What are high-protein, low-carb diets?

Answer: !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(); }); } By comparison, the American Heart Association, the National Cholesterol Education Program, and the American Cancer Society all recommend a diet in which a smaller percentage of calories come from protein. The American Heart Association recommends getting 10% - 35% of your daily calories from protein. This is about 46 grams of protein for adult women and 56 grams for adult men. Some experts have raised concern about high-protein, low-carb diets.


Question: What are the risks of high protein, low carb diets?

Answer: High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets, like The Atkins Diet, have been widely promoted as effective weight loss plans. High cholesterol. Some protein sources -- like fatty cuts of meat, whole dairy products, and other high-fat foods -- can raise cholesterol, increasing your chance of heart disease. However, studies showed that people on the Atkins diet for up to 2 years actually had decreased âbadâ cholesterol levels. Kidney problems. If you have any kidney problems, eating too much protein puts added strain on your kidneys. This could worsen kidney function. Osteoporosis and kidney stones. When you're on a high-protein diet, you may urinate more calcium than normal. There are conflicting reports, but some experts think this could make osteoporosis and kidney stones more likely.


Question: Who shouldn't take diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure?

Answer: Some diuretics are sulfa drugs, so they could cause a reaction if you're allergic. Older people tend to have more side effects such as fainting and dizziness from dehydration. You'll need to work closely with your doctor. Diuretics aren't recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. We don't know how these drugs affect an unborn baby. But potassium-sparing diuretics can cause low levels of calcium, which could hurt bone development.


Question: What are the side effects of diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure?

Answer: If you only need one dose a day, you might want to take your diuretic in the morning so you can sleep through the night instead of getting up to go to the bathroom. You also run the risk of getting dehydrated, and simply drinking more fluids may not be enough. Call your doctor if you're very thirsty or have a very dry mouth, your pee is a deep yellow, you aren't peeing much or get constipated, or you have a bad headache. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded, especially when you stand up, if your blood pressure has dropped too low, or you're getting dehydrated. Your blood chemistry can get thrown off. You could have too little or too much sodium or potassium in your system. This can make you tired or weak or give you muscle cramps or a headache. It's rare, but your heart may speed up (over 100 beats a minute) or you might start throwing up because of a dangerously low potassium level. Diuretics may make it harder for you to control your blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes if you don't already have it. You might be more likely to get gout. Taking combination pills or multiple medicines could boost these side effects. To help lower those odds, ask your doctor when during the day you should take each medication.


Question: What are diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure?

Answer: Because you have less total fluid in your blood vessels, like a garden hose that's not turned on all the way, the pressure inside will be lower. This also makes it easier for your heart to pump. !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(); }); } They're usually the first type of medication that your doctor will try to control your blood pressure. She may want to regularly check your blood pressure as well as test your blood and pee for levels of specific minerals and to see how well your kidneys are working.


Question: Can your immune system work against you?

Answer: You've heard of your immune system. It's made up of tissues, cells, and organs, including: Your tonsils Your digestive system Your bone marrow Your skin Your lymph nodes Your spleen Thin skin on the inside of your nose, throat, and genitals All of these help create or store cells that work around the clock to keep your whole body healthy. They turn on your immune system by introducing your body to a tiny amount of a virus (usually a killed or weakened one). Your immune system can become less effective as you get older. It can also make you more likely to get an autoimmune disease, like rheumatoid arthritis, or even some kinds of cancer.


Question: How can I get calcium and vitamin D to help with osteoporosis?

Answer: Without calcium and vitamin D the drugs can't do their job. Whether you get them as a part of your regular diet or through supplements, these essential nutrients are key. If you still aren't getting enough calcium and vitamin D, then ask your doctor about supplements. If your doctor says you have osteopenia, treat it as a warning sign -- a chance to practice good bone health by eating a calcium-rich diet, taking supplements if needed, and getting regular exercise.


Question: How is tuberculosis treated?

Answer: What medications you take and how long you'll have to take them depends on which works to eradicate your TB. Sometimes, antibiotics used to treat the disease don't work. Doctors call this "drug-resistant" TB. If you have this form of the disease, you may need to take stronger medications for longer. That's why your doctor might prescribe medication to kill the inactive bacteria -- just in case. These are the three treatment options: Isoniazid ( INH): This is the most common therapy for latent TB. If you have this form of the disease, you'll need to take a number of antibiotics for 6 to 9 months.


Question: How do you prevent the spread of tuberculosis?

Answer: If you have this form of the disease, you'll need to take a number of antibiotics for 6 to 9 months. But only a doctor can tell you if you're still contagious. If you have active TB of the lungs, you can infect other people. Or your health care provider may admit you to the hospital until TB germs are no longer expelled in your cough. You may be hospitalized for a longer period if you cannot reliably take your medications, do not have stable housing, or have a multidrug resistant strain of TB. The goal is to prevent the spread of the disease.


Question: What are resources for dementia caregivers?

Answer: But the course dementia takes can vary widely from person to person. The Alzheimer's Association (800-272-3900) will refer you to your local chapter for information, resources, and their hands-on caregiver training workshops. "


Question: How is syphilis treated?

Answer: For those allergic to penicillin, tetracycline, doxycycline or another antibiotic can be given instead. If you are in a later stage of disease, more doses will be needed. To reduce your risk of syphilis infection: Avoid intimate contact with a person you know is infected.


Question: What are symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Answer: Anaphylaxis is an emergency and is life-threatening. Symptoms include: Trouble breathing or throat feels like its closing Confusion Cramping Dizziness or fainting Hives covering much of the body Irregular heartbeat Shock or unconsciousness If you have any of these symptoms, call 911. Use an epinephrine shot if you have one, and take antihistamines to help slow down the reaction. Even if the reaction goes away, you still need to go to the hospital.


Question: What is the role of insulin in the cause of type 2 diabetes?

Answer: It builds up in your bloodstream instead. When you eat or drink, much of the food is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. It moves through your bloodstream to these cells where it provides the energy your body needs for daily activities. Insulin and other hormones control the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. Your pancreas is always releasing small amounts of insulin. When the amount of glucose in your blood rises to a certain level, the pancreas will release more insulin to push more glucose into the cells. This causes the glucose levels in the blood (blood glucose levels) to drop. To keep blood glucose levels from getting too low (hypoglycemia or low blood sugar), your body signals you to eat and releases some glucose from the stores kept in the liver.


Question: Why do ear infections often accompany a cold or the flu?

Answer: Germs that are growing in the nose or sinus cavities can climb up the Eustachian tube and enter the middle ear to start growing. The middle ear is a small space behind the ear drum that is supposed to be well ventilated by air that normally passes up from behind the nose, through the Eustachian tube, keeping the middle ear clean and dry.


Question: What triggers an ear infection in children?

Answer: The middle ear is a small space behind the ear drum that is supposed to be well ventilated by air that normally passes up from behind the nose, through the Eustachian tube, keeping the middle ear clean and dry. For children, the most common trigger of an ear infection is an upper respiratory viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Bacteria can cause an ear infection directly, but usually these organisms come on the heels of a viral infection or an allergic reaction, quickly finding their way into the warm, moist environment of the middle ear. Invading bacteria can wreak major havoc, turning inflammation into infection and provoking fevers.


Question: How is Paget's disease diagnosed?

Answer: It may cause your bones to break and can lead to other health problems. It can be confused with arthritis, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, or other changes that come with age. Some people only find out they have it because of an X-ray or blood test taken for a different reason. To see if you have Paget's disease of bone, your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your family history. He'll want pictures taken of your bones, because a bone with Paget's will look larger and thicker than usual. It can look like it didn't grow right.


Question: Which tests may diagnose Paget's disease?

Answer: To see if you have Paget's disease of bone, your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your family history. People who have Paget's often have more of this enzyme than normal, which reflects the bone turnover that is common in Paget's.


Question: What are the symptoms of MÃ©niÃ¨reâs disease?

Answer: Doctors think they understand how the symptoms of MÃ©niÃ¨re's develop. Along with the main symptoms, some people may have: Anxiety Blurry vision Nausea or diarrhea Trembling Cold sweat and rapid pulse Attacks are as brief as 20 minutes or last as long as 24 hours. It can cause hearing loss, though. It's not clear you can do anything to prevent MÃ©niÃ¨re's disease.


Question: How can herbal remedies help chronic pain?

Answer: It has been difficult to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of herbs, though there are a few, such as white willow bark, devil's claw, cat's claw, ginger, and turmeric, that have some evidence supporting their use. If you decide to use herbal preparations to better manage your pain, tell your doctor: Some herbs may interact with drugs you are receiving for pain or other conditions and may harm your health. As mentioned, some herbal therapies can interact with other medications you may be taking.


Question: What are the two types of surgical implants that help chronic pain?

Answer: When they are used, which is rare, there are two main types of implants to control pain: Intrathecal Drug Delivery. Also called infusion pain pumps or spinal drug delivery systems. In spinal cord stimulation, low-level electrical signals are transmitted to the spinal cord or to specific nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Two kinds of spinal cord stimulation systems are available.


Question: What are dietary approaches to help treat chronic pain?

Answer: Some people believe that changing dietary fat intake and/or eating plant foods that contain anti-inflammatory agents can help ease pain by limiting inflammation. Weight loss achieved by a combination of dietary changes and increased physical activity has been shown to be helpful for people suffering from osteoarthritis. Still, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of dietary modifications as a pain treatment.


Question: How can changing my sleep habits help my migraines?

Answer: When you hit the sack at random times or you get too much or too little shut-eye, that can trigger a headache. So, take time each day to relax.


Question: How can I prevent migraines or severe headaches?

Answer: You may want to consider preventive medications if: The drugs you take to relieve your migraines don't help or you have bad side effects from them. You may still need to take medicine when you do have one.


Question: How can regular exercise help my migraines?

Answer: Make your headaches less severe. Limit stress.


Question: How can you limit stress to prevent migraines?

Answer: Mild pain and redness at the injection site are the most common side effects. That could trigger a rebound headache. Go to bed and get up about the same time every day, including on weekends and holidays. Take a short walk. Meditate. Do yoga.


Question: Will I need a rectal exam to diagnose an anal fissure?

Answer: An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of your anus or anal canal. Your doctor may look at the area for a fissure.


Question: Are women more likely than men to get heart failure?

Answer: As with other types of heart problems, women and men can get heart failure for different reasons, and it can affect them differently. Fat-clogged arteries are less likely to be a main cause for heart failure in women than in men. Women who get heart failure sometimes respond differently to treatments than men, and the condition can affect them differently: Women tend to get heart failure at an older age.


Question: Can pregnancy cause heart failure in women?

Answer: About 3 million women in the U. S. have it. If they do, they're likely to have it again with future pregnancies, especially if they're over 35, African- American, or have pregnancy-related diabetes.


Question: What medications and therapies might work better for heart failure in women?

Answer: As with other types of heart problems, women and men can get heart failure for different reasons, and it can affect them differently. They are sometimes used to treat high blood pressure. Aldosterone antagonists. They help the body get rid of water. Pacemakers. These devices control your heartbeat.


Question: What are some short-term bursitis treatments?

Answer: Bursitis comes from inflammation, so you need to get it under control. You can: Avoid activities that seem to cause your pain or make it worse. Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium to ease short-term pain and swelling. Use an ice pack or bag of frozen veggies on the area for up to 20 minutes at a time a few times a day. You may still need to wear an elbow pad for a few months to prevent injury.


Question: What are treatments for chronic bursitis?

Answer: If so, prescription antibiotics should clear it up. They'll also ease the pain and swelling. For bursitis that's severe, long-lasting, or comes back often, she may try one of these more aggressive treatments: Aspiration: The doctor will drain extra fluid from the bursa sac inside your elbow joint. Steroid shot: Your doctor can inject steroids into the bursa to ease inflammation. The shot works faster and is stronger than taking the medication by mouth. Some doctors do this after they aspirate the bursa.


Question: What are the treatments for antisperm antibodies?

Answer: They can make it harder for couples to have a baby. But it's rare for antibodies by themselves to make it impossible to get pregnant. Less commonly, your doctor may check your cervical mucus for antisperm antibodies. That could lead to fewer antibodies and raise the chances that your female partner could get pregnant. For women, one treatment that's shown to help your chances of getting pregnant is intrauterine insemination.


Question: What causes antisperm antibodies?

Answer: It happens when the immune system mistakenly targets sperm in a man's semen as an invader and damages or kills it. This can also happen after a testicle surgery like a vasectomy. Women's bodies can make antisperm antibodies if they have an allergic reaction to semen. Antibodies in a woman's vagina kill the sperm. That's rare, and doctors don't know exactly why it happens.


Question: What are antisperm antibodies?

Answer: Like the name says, antisperm antibodies fight sperm. Both men and women can make them. They can make it harder for couples to have a baby. But it's rare for antibodies by themselves to make it impossible to get pregnant. In men, an infection in their prostate or an injury to their testicles can set off an immune response when the sperm comes in contact with blood. This allows the sperm to avoid contact with antisperm antibodies in your cervical mucus.


Question: What causes restless legs syndrome?

Answer: About 10% of people have restless legs syndrome, also called RLS. You should see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis of RLS and to exclude other conditions that may resemble RLS. Not enough iron in the diet is one cause of restless legs syndrome.


Question: Who's most likely to get restless legs syndrome?

Answer: About 2% to 3% of them have moderate to severe symptoms that affect their quality of life. Also: Slightly more women than men get it. Most people with severe RLS are middle-aged or older. Only 2% of children get RLS. People with RLS in their family usually get it at a younger age. About half of people with restless legs syndrome have a family member with it.


Question: Can restless legs syndrome turn into something more serious?

Answer: But most people with restless legs syndrome do not have one of these conditions. For them, there is no risk of RLS developing into something more serious, like Parkinson's disease. Restless legs syndrome can get worse in people with other medical conditions if they don't get those conditions treated.


Question: When should I see a doctor about my restless legs syndrome?

Answer: Only 2% of children get RLS. If you have RLS, you should also see a doctor if you are: Losing sleep often Feeling depressed or anxious Having trouble concentrating You don't have to wait until one of these things happens. If you just want to feel better, see your doctor. If you think you have PLMD, see your doctor.


Question: Does restless legs syndrome ever go away?

Answer: If you have one of these conditions, treating it can improve RLS symptoms. Restless legs syndrome can get worse in people with other medical conditions if they don't get those conditions treated. There are four FDA-approved drugs for restless legs syndrome: Horizant, Mirapex, Neupro, and Requip.


Question: What conditions are linked to restless legs syndrome?

Answer: But most people with restless legs syndrome do not have one of these conditions. For them, there is no risk of RLS developing into something more serious, like Parkinson's disease. Not enough iron in the diet is one cause of restless legs syndrome.


Question: What tests are used to diagnose age-related macular degeneration?

Answer: If your doctor thinks you have age-related macular degeneration, he may want you to have one or both of these exams: Optical coherence tomography ( OCT). He can also see if swelling is getting better or worse if you had treatment with injections or laser. In this procedure, your doctor injects a dye into a vein in your arm. He takes photos as the dye reaches your eye and flows through the blood vessels of the retina. The images will show new vessels or vessels that are leaking fluid or blood in the macula -- a small area at the center of your retina.


Question: What are some triggers of migraines?

Answer: Sometimes you just can't power through them. Even with medication, you may have to stop what you're doing until they go away. You likely have an idea of what sorts of things cause your headaches. It may be certain foods or the weather. It could be smells, travel, or your hormones. Medicine can help prevent some headaches, but it doesn't always work. Because you can't always ward off all your migraines, plan around what starts them. Skipping meals can trigger migraines, so eat regularly. Don't plan a day where you won't have time to eat. Too much or not enough sleep can also bring on a headache. Be sure to get the right amount. Knowing your migraine triggers can help you plan the activities in your life a little better. That way you can still do things with family and friends before a migraine starts.


Question: How do migraines affect everyday life?

Answer: Normal headaches hurt your head. Sometimes you just can't power through them. Even with medication, you may have to stop what you're doing until they go away. Migraines can last for days. Because you might be at work or away from home, you might not be able to crawl under the covers in a dark room for all that time. Use them on your head or neck.


Question: Are there always warning signs before a heart attack?

Answer: The condition may be detected by ECG (electrocardiogram) testing. People with diabetes often have silent ischemia. Other people mistake a heart attack for a symptom of the flu or reflux disease, which causes heartburn. Depending on the severity of a heart attack, a person may experience: Heart failure, where the heart doesn't pump well enough to meet the body's needs Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms Cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, where the heart stops beating Cardiogenic shock, where the heart is so damaged from the heart attack that a person goes into shock, which may result in damage of other vital organs like the kidneys or liver Death Most heart attacks are the result of coronary artery disease, also known as atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries," a condition that clogs coronary arteries with fatty, calcified plaques over time.


Question: What is the outlook for heart attacks?

Answer: But those who survive the initial heart attack and are free from major problems a few hours later stand a better chance of full recovery. Depending on the severity of a heart attack, a person may experience: Heart failure, where the heart doesn't pump well enough to meet the body's needs Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms Cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, where the heart stops beating Cardiogenic shock, where the heart is so damaged from the heart attack that a person goes into shock, which may result in damage of other vital organs like the kidneys or liver Death Most heart attacks are the result of coronary artery disease, also known as atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries," a condition that clogs coronary arteries with fatty, calcified plaques over time.


Question: What is a heart attack?

Answer: The heart has four main arteries, two of them large, branching arteries that deliver oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. If one of these arteries or branches becomes blocked suddenly, a portion of the heart is starved of oxygen, a condition called "cardiac ischemia." !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(); }); } If cardiac ischemia lasts too long, the starved heart tissue dies. This is a heart attack, otherwise known as a myocardial infarction -- literally, "death of heart muscle." The pain may be constant or intermittent.


Question: Is valerian a helpful sleep remedy?

Answer: It is one of the leading natural supplements for managing anxiety and insomnia. But according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Data Base there is not enough proof to say that it is effective in treating insomnia. Some limited findings show that valerian may reduce the time needed to fall asleep and may improve sleep quality. Unlike the benzodiazepines, most people feel no morning grogginess after taking valerian. Other findings were not as promising. They showed that when compared to a placebo, valerian didn't relieve anxiety or insomnia any better than the placebo. There is some support for the idea that using valerian over a period of time (such as over four weeks) may be more effective than taking it one night only. People who are poor sleepers may find more benefit that those who are normally good sleepers. Kava, also known as kava kava, is an herbal remedy that's used for stress and anxiety relief and insomnia.


Question: Are there risks associated with taking melatonin as a natural sleep aid?

Answer: Some people find that melatonin causes grogginess and depression. Others report falling asleep quickly with melatonin only to awaken in the middle of the night. Still, studies show that melatonin appears to be safe with short-term use (three months or less). Like all drugs, natural sleep remedies can have side effects and risks.


Question: Is kava a safe natural sleep remedy?

Answer: Kava, also known as kava kava, is an herbal remedy that's used for stress and anxiety relief and insomnia. Reports in Europe of more than 20 cases of cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver failure suggest the possibility of liver toxicity associated with its use.


Question: What is the role of saliva in preventing tooth enamel erosion?

Answer: Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth. Not only does saliva increase the health of the body tissues, it protects enamel by coating the teeth in protective calcium and other minerals. Saliva also dilutes erosive agents such as acid, removes waste material from the mouth, and boosts protective substances that help fight mouth bacteria and disease.


Question: How does fluoride affect tooth enamel erosion?

Answer: While fluoride is useful in preventing tooth decay, too much fluoride can cause problems like enamel fluorosis. Children with enamel fluorosis may have ingested too much fluoride through supplements, or they took fluoride supplements in addition to drinking fluoridated water. Also, swallowing fluoride toothpaste increases the chances of enamel fluorosis. Yet in some severe cases, the teeth are discolored, pitted, and difficult to keep clean.


Question: How does tooth enamel protect your teeth?

Answer: Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. Enamel helps protect your teeth from daily use such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. Although enamel is a hard protector of teeth, it can chip and crack. Enamel also insulates the teeth from potentially painful temperatures and chemicals. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair chipped or cracked enamel.


Question: How can you prevent tooth enamel erosion?

Answer: Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. See your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleaning. You can also try the following: Eliminate highly acidic foods and drinks from your diet such as carbonated sodas, lemons, and other citrus fruits and juices. Rinse your mouth immediately with clear water after eating acidic foods or drinking acidic drinks. The mouth is acidic for a few hours after eating foods high in sugar and starches. Avoid snacking unless you're able to rinse your mouth and brush teeth. Chew sugar-free gum between meals. Drink more water throughout the day if you have low saliva volume or dry mouth. Use fluoride toothpaste. Ask your dentist if sealants may be helpful in preventing enamel erosion and tooth decay.


Question: What are signs of tooth enamel erosion?

Answer: Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. The edges of teeth become more rough, irregular, and jagged as enamel erodes. Indentations appear on the surface of the teeth. When enamel erodes, the tooth is more susceptible to cavities or tooth decay. When the tooth decay enters the hard enamel, it has entry to the main body of the tooth.


Question: How does plaque cause tooth enamel erosion?

Answer: Plaque is a sticky film made up of saliva, food particles, bacteria, and other substances. Plaque forms between your teeth and gets inside tiny holes or pits in the molars. When this happens, the acids in plaque start to eat away at the healthy minerals in the tooth enamel. This causes the enamel to wear down and become pitted.


Question: What do I need to know about tooth enamel erosion and restoration?

Answer: This tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. Because enamel is translucent, you can see light through it. But the main portion of the tooth, the dentin, is the part that's responsible for your tooth color -- whether white, off white, grey, or yellowish. Sometimes coffee, tea, cola, red wine, fruit juices, and cigarettes stain the enamel on your teeth. Regular visits to your dentist for routine cleaning and polishing can help remove most surface stains and make sure your teeth stay healthy. If the enamel loss is significant, the dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a crown or veneer.


Question: When should I call my doctor about intussusception?

Answer: For children younger than 2, intussusception is the most common abdominal emergency. When blood can't get to part of your intestines, the tissue in that area can die. If that happens, the lining of the abdominal cavity can become infected. This is a life-threatening condition called peritonitis. Your doctor will ask questions about your child's medical history and symptoms.


Question: What bladder problems can cause pain?

Answer: The three most common causes of bladder pain are interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infection, and bladder cancer. Sexual problems may also be related to interstitial cystitis.


Question: How is a cystoscopy used to diagnose bladder cancer relative to bladder pain?

Answer: The doctor will insert a long, thin scope (cystoscope) up your urethra to view the inside of your bladder. During the test, the doctor can remove tissue samples from the bladder to be checked in the lab for cancer (biopsy).


Question: How can you get bladder pain from a urinary tract infection?

Answer: This treatment is thought to work by reducing inflammation and decreasing the sensation of pain. The urinary tract is normally sterile, but sometimes bacteria can sneak in through the urethra, which connects the bladder with the outside of the body.


Question: Are cancer support groups recommended for people with thyroid cancer?

Answer: Most do very well with thyroid hormone therapy. Even with lots of help from family and friends, you might want to check out support groups in your area. One of the main reasons people join is to be with others who face the same type of cancer. Some research shows that cancer support groups not only help you feel more hopeful, but also help you deal better with side effects.


Question: Does benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) increase your risk of developing prostate cancer?

Answer: However, BPH and prostate cancer have similar symptoms, and a man who has BPH may have undetected cancer at the same time. The entire procedure is computer-controlled, based on temperature recordings obtained in the urethra and rectum.