Diseases & Health Conditions

Lack of energy is common in our frenetic society. People are overloaded with responsibilities related to family, work and socializing, and lack of energy often arises from these stressors. There are many reasons for lack of energy, and each case…
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Human papilloma virus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease, states the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are more than 40 subtypes of HPV that can cause an infection of the genital area, mouth and…
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The Surgeon General has called smoking “the single greatest avoidable cause of disease and death.” Smoking damages multiple organ systems and some of the damage is irreversible. Smokers also are plagued by chronic cough, discolorations of the teeth and fingers,…
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Bromelain is a naturally occurring enzyme found in pineapples. Originating in central and south America, pineapples have been used for centuries for many natural, therapeutic purposes. Today, research suggests that bromelain prevents inflammation, heals burns and aids in cancer treatment….
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Overview The habit of washing your hands is a simple but effective way to limit your own exposure to germs; it also decreases the possibility that you will pass along germs to others. According to the Massachusetts Office of Health…
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The National Cancer Institute states that cancer occurs in one to two out of every 10,000 children in the United States each year. While cancer is the leading disease cause of death in children under the age of 15, the…
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Smoking cigarettes puts the body in frequent contact with toxins, irritants and carcinogens that all create adverse effects on human health. Because some of these health problems tend to develop over time, many tobacco users don’t perceive the various risks…
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Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the foot. The condition often develops between the toes and other areas of the foot. MedlinePlus.com reports wearing closed shoes, keeping feet enclosed for prolonged periods of time, and…
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Overview If you notice extreme fussiness and gassiness in your breastfed baby right after a feeding or if your baby exhibits signs of colic–uncontrollable crying that lasts at least three hours at a time and occurs at least three times…
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Overview The anal canal is approximately an inch and a half long and contains a variety of cells. Squamous cells line the lower portion of the anus. These cells can sometimes develop genetic mutations that cause them to grow uncontrollably,…
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Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, that causes inflammation of the digestive tract lining. Common symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Medical and lifestyle treatments provide useful…
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Overview Spanish Influenza is the common name for the flu virus that caused the 1918-1919 pandemic that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers dub “the mother of all pandemics.” The Spanish Influenza pandemic is credited for up to…
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Alcoholics who suddenly stop drinking or go too long without a drink can experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those of a drug addict. In severe cases, the withdrawal symptoms can cause significant mental and neurological changes or impairments, a condition…
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1. Be Supportive Dyslexic kids have been taunted and ostracized. Having difficulty learning to read may affect your child’s self-esteem. Be sure to support his talents and strengths. Accept and love your child for who he is. That will allow…
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Cardiovascular disease is a grouping of disorders that affect the health of the heart and blood vessels. According to the American Heart Association, some of the more common include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. But…
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized for influenza each year–a figure that does not include visits to the emergency room, urgent care centers or physicians’ offices. Children…
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Radiation is naturally present in our environment. It’s present in our drinking water and in some of our foods, although at very low levels, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Most of us are also exposed to radiation at…
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The median age of onset of major depression is 32 years, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, but depression can occur at any age. Depression that begins in adolescence lasts, on average, for seven to nine months, according…
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Overview People with restless legs syndrome find their legs becoming very uncomfortable when they lie or sit down. The discomfort is so intense, people often will need to get up and walk around to relieve the feeling. This condition can…
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Sociopathy, also known as psychopathy, is a personality disorder in which an individual lacks empathy and caring for people or societal norms. It is diagnosed as anti-social personality disorder or ASP, by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American…
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Some people have bad days, feeling as if they are depressed. Some people have bad days all the time, and actually suffer from depression. The difference between the two is the length and severity of the symptoms. And just as…
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Ibuprofen is the generic name for an over-the-counter medication. Apo-Ibuprofen, one particular brand, has several effects to include pain relief, reduction of inflammation, fever reduction, inhibition of certain immune system functions, inhibition of part of the clotting cascade and prolongation…
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Depression includes multiple disorders, which vary by the symptoms and their duration. For example, dysthymic disorder, a chronic form of depression in which patients have a low mood for at least two years, affects 1.5 percent of the adult United…
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According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, or NHGRI, hereditary breast cancer accounts for as much as 27 percent of all female breast cancer. The hereditary forms of breast cancers occur when a gene change, or mutation, linked to…
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Researchers have been studying the health effects of smoking for decades. Tobacco smoke puts a smoker at risk for heart disease and lung cancer and exposes others to these same risks. The carcinogens in cigarette smoke are known for their…
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1. The Procedure Fits the Problem Because there are several problems that can occur in the neck area, once identified and the need for surgery is established, the surgical procedure is chosen in specific relationship to the pathology needing correction….
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Bone cancer affects children each year, with osteogenic sarcoma, also called osteosarcoma, being the most common type, comprising 75 percent of primary cases, according to Stanford Medicine Cancer Center. Osteosarcoma accounts for around 5 percent of all new childhood cancers…
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The bladder is a storage tank for urine, bounded by the urinary sphincter, a band of tissue that contracts to hold urine in the bladder and relaxes to release urine. Loss of muscle tone in the sphincter or a defect…
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Congenital heart disease is a group of heart problems caused by a malformation of the heart that is present at birth. These are structural defects that affect the interior walls of the heart, the valves of the heart or the…
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1. Vaccinate Your Child There is often criticism of childhood vaccinations and their use to prevent serious illnesses. People often wonder why they need to continue to vaccinate their children against polio–no one gets polio anymore! The reason that there…
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