Diseases & Health Conditions

Parasitic tapeworm infections affect tens of millions of people worldwide, particularly in areas within Asia, Africa and Latin America employing substandard methods of sanitation and hygiene. All tapeworms spend part of their life cycle living in the feces of humans…
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a communicable disease spread through the air by speaking, coughing or sneezing. TB may be latent (inactive) or active. Tuberculosis is treatable, but it may take…
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1. Join a Support Group One of the best ways to get family therapy for schizophrenia is to find a local support group that aids family members of people who suffer with this disease. A number of support groups are…
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According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 3 to 5 percent of children suffer from some type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As a result, pharmaceutical companies have also increased the number and types of medications for this…
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Anxiety refers to a condition in which people feel on the edge. Sometimes, this anxiety can become overwhelming and lead to such symptoms as recurring nightmares, feelings of fear and panic and obsessive thoughts, says the American Psychiatric Association. It…
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The common cold and flu are nagging upper respiratory infections that can affect most people any time of the year, but especially during winter. These viral infections are spread through respiratory droplets released by sneezing, coughing and improper hand washing…
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Everybody hurts sometimes. R.E.M.’s 1992 song “Everybody Hurts” struck a chord with adolescents and adults alike with its simple acknowledgment that everyone knows the what it’s like to feel depressed. Depression in and of itself is not a psychiatric condition….
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Asthma occurs when the airways in the lungs become inflamed and constricted, which can lead to breathing problems, wheezing and even a life-threatening condition. Although asthma can’t be cured and in some cases requires medication, research is beginning to show…
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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a developmental disorder that affects the thoughts, behaviors, cognitive capacity and personality of children. Children with ADD show deficits in attention, but also typically show some symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Many children with ADD…
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Medication is helpful in combating the debilitating effects of anxiety disorders, but some medications can be addictive if taken for long periods of time. Benzodiazepines, the class of drugs traditionally used to treat anxiety disorders, can cause dependence and may…
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Bladder infection occurs when microbes such as E. coli bacteria enter the urethra, travel to the bladder and multiply. While harmless in itself, a bladder infection may lead to a kidney infection, which can be fatal if not treated properly….
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Overview Scars occur as a result of a relatively serious or prolonged injury to the skin. Your body uses a specific group of proteins known as collagen to quickly repair injuries to the skin. A high amount of collagen gives…
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Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medication. It is used for the treatment of hay fever, allergies or the common cold. Diphenhydramine may also be used as a sleep aid. This medicine should not be given to newborn infants or women who…
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Overview A tuberculosis infection can become fatal if left untreated. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, prior to the discovery of specific antibiotic drugs in the 1940s, tuberculosis was the number one cause of death in the United…
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Osteomyelitis is a bacterial or fungi infection that occurs in a bone, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bone infections can result from a compound fracture, because in this case, the bone breaks through the skin. You can also get a…
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According to FreeMD, headache is experiencing discomfort or pain beneath the scalp, forehead or at the back of the eyes. Medically referred to as Cephalalgia, you might suffer from headache that proves absolutely harmless or something which might indicate something…
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Mental problems can range from mildly bothersome to severely disabling. Mental disorders are common; about 26 percent of American adults have a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Additionally, one…
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Overview Oxycodone is a prescribed medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works as a synthetic opium-like pain reliever by binding to receptors in the brain and central nervous system. The action reduces the perception of pain and…
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Scars are results of open wounds healing on your skin. However, there are many ways to help diminish the scar and even make them disappear. Early Wound Care By caring for a cut or wound early, you can lessen the…
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Ativan (lorazepam) belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and is commonly used to treat anxiety. Ativan works by altering chemicals in the brain in order to slow down the central nervous system, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ativan…
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Sinus infections develop from bacterial, viral or fungal sources that infiltrate the sinus cavity. The most common type of sinus infection results from bacterial infection and is commonly treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all living bacteria in the human body,…
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Breast cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells begin to grow and divide in breast tissue. Breast cancer may be detected by clinical examination, mammography or ultrasound and is further confirmed by biopsy. Your doctor determines your breast cancer treatment options…
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Overview Methylphenidate is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and uncontrolled periods of daytime sleeping (narcolepsy). According to Drugs.com, an online drug reference, methylphenidate is classified as a central nervous system stimulant. Methylphenidate…
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Flu affects almost every child from time to time and may sideline even the most active child for a few days. In most cases, children with flu do not require medical attention. However, exceptions exist. According to the Centers for…
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African sleeping disease, also referred to as African sleeping sickness and African trypanosomiasis, results from the bite of a tsetse fly. The disease has two main types depending on the area the two different species of the tsetse fly originate….
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Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells is medically defined as cancer and is only second to heart disease in mortality rates in the United States, according to “Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing.” Cancer can be caused by external factors that can be…
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Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is a prescription medication for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, a disease in which the skeletal bone tissue becomes progressively thinner and weaker. This medication is part of a class of drugs called bisphosphonates and works…
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According to the online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus, sponsored by the National Library of Medicine, a mastectomy is a type of surgery where the entire breast is removed. A mastectomy is usually performed to treat breast cancer that has advanced…
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There are 1.5 million people in the United States living with autism, according to the Autism Society. This developmental disability affects a person’s ability to communicate and hinders his ability to interact with others. Although the exact cause has not…
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1. Go Through Withdrawal Withdrawing from cocaine isn’t easy, but it’s necessary in order to kick the habit completely. Rather than gradually reducing your dose of cocaine, which is a difficult and usually impossible means to end your dependence, it’s…
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