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Is sexual trouble a symptom of multiple sclerosis?
Sexual troubles: These include vaginal dryness in women and erection problems in men. Both men and women may be less responsive to touch, have a lower sex drive, or have trouble reaching orgasm.
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Are thinking problems a symptom of multiple sclerosis?
This will probably mean slowed thinking, poor attention, or fuzzy memory. Some people have severe problems that make it hard to do daily tasks, but that's rare. MS doesn't usually change your intellect or ability to read and understand conversation. Tremors: About half of people with MS have them.
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How are tremors related to multiple sclerosis?
Tremors: About half of people with MS have them. They can be minor shakes or so intense it's hard to do everyday activities.
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How is sexual trouble related to multiple sclerosis?
Sexual troubles: These include vaginal dryness in women and erection problems in men. Both men and women may be less responsive to touch, have a lower sex drive, or have trouble reaching orgasm.
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When do people get multiple sclerosis?
People with multiple sclerosis ( MS) tend to have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually the symptoms get better, but then they come back. Some come and go, while others linger.
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What are early symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Clumsiness or lack of coordination: MS can make it hard to get around.
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What are bladder problems related to multiple sclerosis?
The most common symptoms are: Bladder and bowel problems: You may have to pee more often, need to go at night, or have trouble emptying your bladder fully. Bowel issues like constipation are also common. Tremors: About half of people with MS have them.
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How can you be affected by multiple sclerosis?
The most common symptoms are: Bladder and bowel problems: You may have to pee more often, need to go at night, or have trouble emptying your bladder fully. So can medications, like corticosteroids, used to treat MS.
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When to people start to display multiple sclerosis symptoms?
Usually the symptoms get better, but then they come back. Some come and go, while others linger. Tremors: About half of people with MS have them.
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Can I work with my doctor to help control my multiple sclerosis symptoms?
If you have another CIS or other MS symptoms later, your doctor will do a test called an MRI that takes a picture of your brain to look for them. So can medications, like corticosteroids, used to treat MS.
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How are vision problems related to multiple sclerosis?
People with multiple sclerosis ( MS) tend to have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. You might notice: Blurry vision Colors appear dull Pain in your eye, especially when you move it Numbness & Tingling: It usually affects your legs. Muscle spasms : They usually affect your leg muscles. It's a byproduct of the changes MS makes in your brain and in your life.
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What are unusual sensations related to multiple sclerosis?
Some people with MS say they can feel tired even after a good night's sleep. Tremors: About half of people with MS have them. They can be minor shakes or so intense it's hard to do everyday activities. Unusual sensations: In addition to the pins and needles sensation that's part of CIS, you might also have severe itching, burning, stabbing, or tearing pains.
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What causes primary symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
It causes scars, or lesions, that make it harder for signals to travel between your brain and your body. These come from ongoing damage to your myelin. They aren't pleasant, but your MS treatment team can help you keep most of them under control with medication, rehabilitation, and other tactics. Not being able to empty your bladder can lead to a bladder infection.
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What bladder problems are symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
The most common symptoms are: Bladder and bowel problems: You may have to pee more often, need to go at night, or have trouble emptying your bladder fully. Bowel issues like constipation are also common. Tremors: About half of people with MS have them.
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Are vision problems a symptom of multiple sclerosis?
People with multiple sclerosis ( MS) tend to have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. You might notice: Blurry vision Colors appear dull Pain in your eye, especially when you move it Numbness & Tingling: It usually affects your legs. Muscle spasms : They usually affect your leg muscles. It's a byproduct of the changes MS makes in your brain and in your life.
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How is fatigue related to multiple sclerosis?
It isn't usually related to the amount of work you do. Some people with MS say they can feel tired even after a good night's sleep. This will probably mean slowed thinking, poor attention, or fuzzy memory.
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What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
If there are symptoms, they are typically vague. These can include: Indigestion and stomach discomfort A bloated feeling after eating Mild nausea Loss of appetite Heartburn Peptic ulcers and acid reflux (also called GERD) cause similar symptoms. Antacids or histamine blockers may give temporary relief. Many other conditions can cause these symptoms as well. For these reasons, people may not recognize the problem as serious and may put off seeing a doctor. A gastric tumor can grow very large before it causes other symptoms. In more advanced stages, symptoms of stomach cancer can include: Discomfort or pain in the upper or middle part of the abdomen Blood in the stool, which appears as black, tarry stools Vomiting or vomiting blood, which may look like coffee grounds Trouble swallowing Weight loss Pain or bloating in the stomach after eating Feeling of fullness after eating a small amount Weakness or fatigue associated with anemia A buildup of fluid in the abdomen called ascites
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What conditions can cause similar symptoms to stomach cancer?
These can include: Indigestion and stomach discomfort A bloated feeling after eating Mild nausea Loss of appetite Heartburn Peptic ulcers and acid reflux (also called GERD) cause similar symptoms. Antacids or histamine blockers may give temporary relief. Many other conditions can cause these symptoms as well. For these reasons, people may not recognize the problem as serious and may put off seeing a doctor. A gastric tumor can grow very large before it causes other symptoms.
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What tests will you need when you get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
If you are prescribed PEP, your doctor will take blood specimens at the time you start and may want to get other tests, such as for sexually-transmitted diseases besides HIV. Follow-up testing will be needed to see if you have become infected with HIV.
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How soon do you have to start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
PEP uses more drugs than Pr EP and is used for only one month.. You have to start PEP within 72 hours of exposure. After that, the treatment won't work. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, get medical attention as soon as possible.
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What are side effects of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
Prophylaxis is a treatment that helps you prevent an infection from bacteria, fungus, a virus, or a parasite either before you come in contact with the bug or after you've been exposed.. Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, means you take it after you may have come into contact with one of those bugs. The drugs also can cause headache, insomnia, and diarrhea. In rare cases, they can cause serious health issues, including liver problems.
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What is post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV?
If you've been exposed to HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), PEP is a course of two or three drugs that will make you less likely to be infected. With the right treatment, there's about an 80% chance the virus will be stopped. But you have to take the full course of drugs, and not everyone follows through. The medications used in this way keep HIV from establishing itself in your body You'll take them once or twice a day for 28 days: For adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) recommends a drug called tenofovir, combined with emtricitabine(these two drugs are combined in one pill), and a third drug, either raltegravir or dolutegravir.
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How can you tell if vulvodynia is causing chronic pelvic pain?
Symptoms you may have: Leaking urine Feeling like something is falling out of your vagina Difficulty with bowel movements Lower back pain Pain during sex Pelvic organs bulge into the vagina, or even stick out the vaginal opening, in severe cases Vulvodynia is pain that affects the vulva for no apparent reason. The pain of vulvodynia may be constant or it may come and go. Symptoms you may have: Burning or stinging sensations in the vulva Pain when something presses on the vulva, like during sex or when you straddle a seat Pain in your inner thighs For some women, the root of pelvic pain is psychological.
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How can you tell if irritable bowel syndrome is causing chronic pelvic pain?
Symptoms you may have: Pain starts 7-10 days before your period Pelvic pain is worse when you sit or stand Lying down relieves pelvic pain Lower back pain Aches in your legs Pain during sex Chronic pelvic pain sometimes isn't only due to problems with reproductive organs or the urinary tract; other organs in the pelvic area, if "diseased," can present as pelvic pain. Irritable bowel syndrome, an intestinal condition that often causes pain, may be the cause. Symptoms you may have: Diarrhea Constipation Incontinence Flatulence Bloating Pain relieved by a bowel movement Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in, and on, the wall of the uterus.
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How can you tell if levator syndrome is causing chronic pelvic pain?
Symptoms you may have: Heavy periods Feeling pressure or fullness in your abdomen Need to urinate frequently Pain or cramps during your period Constipation Hemorrhoids Sometimes, spasms of a pelvic muscle called the "levator ani" cause pelvic pain. Symptoms you may have: Pain is related to sitting Pain doesn't seem to be related to bowel movements You wake up at night in pain Pain usually lasts less than 20 minutes at a time Sometimes women have pelvic pain when the muscles and ligaments that hold organs in place weaken.
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How can you tell if adenomyosis is causing chronic pelvic pain?
Symptoms you may have: Pelvic pain or cramps before or during your period Pain during or after sex Pain when you ovulate Painful bowel movements Rectal bleeding during your period Pain when you urinate Lower back pain Infertility Spotting between periods Bloating in your abdomen This condition is similar to endometriosis. Cells that normally line your uterus (the endometrium) invade the muscle tissue of the uterus wall (the myometrium). Many women with adenomyosis don't have any symptoms. Symptoms you may have: Pain during your period Feeling of pressure on your bladder or rectum Heavy periods Periods that last longer than usual Spotting between periods Women with interstitial cystitis have an inflamed bladder.
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How can you tell pelvic congestion syndrome is causing chronic pelvic pain?
Symptoms you may have: Vaginal discharge having an unusual color, texture, or odor Abdominal or pelvic pain in a specific area or more widespread Pain during sex Irregular or missed periods Menstrual cramps that are worse than usual Frequent need to urinate Pain when you urinate Pain when you ovulate It hurts when you press on certain areas of your pelvis Lower back pain Fatigue Fever Nausea Pelvic congestion is just like the varicose veins that some women have in their legs, but it affects the veins of the pelvis. Blood backs up in the veins, making them become enlarged and engorged. Pelvic congestion causes chronic pelvic pain in some women. Symptoms you may have: Pain starts 7-10 days before your period Pelvic pain is worse when you sit or stand Lying down relieves pelvic pain Lower back pain Aches in your legs Pain during sex Chronic pelvic pain sometimes isn't only due to problems with reproductive organs or the urinary tract; other organs in the pelvic area, if "diseased," can present as pelvic pain.
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How can you tell if pelvic support problems are causing chronic pelvic pain?
Symptoms you may have: Pain is related to sitting Pain doesn't seem to be related to bowel movements You wake up at night in pain Pain usually lasts less than 20 minutes at a time Sometimes women have pelvic pain when the muscles and ligaments that hold organs in place weaken. This causes organs like the uterus, the bladder, or the rectum to move from their normal places and herniate into the vagina. The vagina may also change shape. Pregnancy and giving birth may cause these kinds of problems. Symptoms you may have: Leaking urine Feeling like something is falling out of your vagina Difficulty with bowel movements Lower back pain Pain during sex Pelvic organs bulge into the vagina, or even stick out the vaginal opening, in severe cases Vulvodynia is pain that affects the vulva for no apparent reason.
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What can I do to help myself care for someone with gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
Help for the Caregiver To make sure you don't burn out while caregiving: Take breaks. Set aside some time each day for you, Get out of the house regularly so as not to feel isolated and lonely. Say "no" when you need to, and ask for help. There are times when you can't do everything. Hire or enlist outside help if possible. The resources listed below can help point you in the right direction. Join a caregiver support group. Meeting with a group of people who are also caring for someone with a soft tissue sarcoma, or other disease, can make you feel less alone. At the support group, you can exchange ideas with other people, meet other caregivers, and learn tips to make caregiving tasks easier. Group support is an effective tool to help you cope more effectively. Take care of yourself. The person with GIST isn't the only one who needs a little TLC right now. You can't be an effective caregiver if you're not well. Ensure that your health and well-being are maintained.
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What are some resources to help in caring for someone with gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org Cancer Care www.cancercare.org Family Caregiver Alliance www.caregiver.org GIST Support International ( GSI) www.gistsupport.org Life Raft Group www.liferaftgroup.org National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov National Comprehensive Cancer Network ( NCCN) www.nccn.com National Family Caregivers Association www.nfcacares.org
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What should I ask the doctor if I am caring for someone with gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
The Caregiver's Job When caring for someone with GIST -- or any other cancer -- several responsibilities may fall to you, including: Cooking and cleaning Running errands Helping the person get bathed, dressed, and take medicine Managing insurance issues and bills Driving to the doctor's office and other appointment When you take the person with GIST to the doctor, here are a few questions to ask so you'll know what's expected of you: Where can I learn more about GIST and its treatment? What are the next steps in treatment? What medicines does he or she need to take? How do I give those medicines? What side effects might the treatment cause? For which side effects should I call you? How can I help my family member/friend with GIST feel better during treatment? What can I do to help manage his or her pain? Are there any local support groups or resources I should know about?
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How much help does someone with gastrointestinal stromal tumors usually need?
During treatment for GIST, family and friends may have to help out with day-to-day responsibilities. GIST Resources Here are a few resources to help in caring for the individual with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
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What problems can Fabry disease cause?
You may notice things like: Pain and burning in your hands and feet that get worse with exercise, fever, and hot weather or when you are tired Small, dark red spots usually found between your belly button and knees Cloudy vision Hearing loss Ringing in the ears Sweating less than normal Stomach pain, bowel movements right after eating Fabry disease can lead to more serious problems, especially in men. These can include: Higher chance of heart attack or stroke Serious kidney problems, including kidney failure High blood pressure Heart failure Enlarged heart Osteoporosis It can take a long time to get diagnosed with Fabry disease.
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What are symptoms of Fabry disease?
You may notice things like: Pain and burning in your hands and feet that get worse with exercise, fever, and hot weather or when you are tired Small, dark red spots usually found between your belly button and knees Cloudy vision Hearing loss Ringing in the ears Sweating less than normal Stomach pain, bowel movements right after eating Fabry disease can lead to more serious problems, especially in men.
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What is Fabry disease?
When you have Fabry disease, a certain type of fatty substance builds up in your body. It narrows your blood vessels, which can hurt your skin, kidneys, heart, brain, and nervous system. Your doctor may call Fabry disease a "storage disorder." It usually starts in childhood and is much more common in men than women. That's because the symptoms are common and can affect so many different parts of the body.
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What tests do you need when you have Fabry disease?
You can also expect to get regular tests to keep track of how you're doing. These may include: Blood, urine, and thyroid tests EKG (electrocardiogram). CT of your head.
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How is Fabry disease treated?
The most common has been enzyme replacement therapy ( ERT) which replaces the enzyme that is missing or not working correctly. This allows your body to break down fatty also substances the way it should. You will probably visit an outpatient center every few weeks to get the enzyme injected into a vein. Your doctor may recommend that you also take: Drugs to relieve pain (prescription or nonprescription) Medicine for stomach problems Blood thinners or other drugs for irregular heartbeat or other heart problems Blood pressure medicine, which also helps protect your kidneys You may need dialysis or a kidney transplant if Fabry disease has caused serious kidney damage.
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How is Fabry disease diagnosed?
That's because the symptoms are common and can affect so many different parts of the body. If your family history suggests you could be at risk for Fabry disease, you may want to ask your doctor about getting genetic testing. If your doctor thinks it might be Fabry disease, he will ask you to either take a blood test so he can measure the level of alpha-galactosidase A, or take a DNA test.
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What is a hip (acetabular) labral tear?
In others it causes pain in the groin. It can make you feel like your leg is "catching" or "clicking" in the socket as you move it. Over time, labral tears in the hip may cause permanent damage to the joint. The labrum is a band of tough cartilage and connective tissue that lines the rim of the hip socket, or acetabulum.
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Who is most likely to get a labrum tear in their hip?
Labral tears of the hip are more common in women. They also occur more often in people who have abnormalities of the hip structure, like hip dysplasia and other conditions. In recent years, experts have found that acetabular labral tears are much more common than once thought. Studies show that up to 22% of athletes who complain of groin pain have a labral tear in the hip.
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Who is at the greatest risk for complications of the flu?
While anyone can get flu, infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and HIV are at highest risk for flu complications. Despite advances in flu prevention and treatment, the CDC estimates that deaths related to influenza range from 3,000 to 49,000 deaths in the United States each year.
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Which flu strains are linked to Reye's syndrome?
Widespread outbreaks of Reye's syndrome have occurred with influenza type B and also with chickenpox, but other viruses have been implicated. The risk of Reye's syndrome is increased when taking aspirin, so anyone under age 18 should not take aspirin if they have any viral symptoms or are recovering from the flu or any other virus.
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What is avian or bird flu?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. Bird flu epidemics have occurred worldwide. Bird flu is a leading contender to be the next pandemic flu bug because it has caused an unprecedented epidemic in poultry and wild birds across Asia and Eastern Europe. Still, no one knows for sure whether this will cause the next human flu pandemic.
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How many different types of colds and flus are there and how are they treated?
More than 100 types of cold viruses are known, and new strains of flu evolve every few years. Since both diseases are viral, antibiotics cannot conquer cold or flu. Remember: Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.
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How is the flu prevented?
Specific strains of flu can be prevented by a flu vaccine, either a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine. In addition, antiviral medications are available to prevent flu. These drugs may help reduce the severity and the duration of flu and are best used within the first 48 hours of the appearance of flu symptoms.
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Where do influenza viruses originate and how do they mutate?
Most influenza viruses that infect humans seem to originate in parts of Asia, where close contact between livestock and people creates a hospitable environment for mutation and transmission of viruses. Swine, or pigs, can catch both avian (meaning from birds, such as poultry) and human forms of a virus and act as hosts for these different viral strains to meet and mutate into new forms. The swine then transmit the new form of the virus to people in the same way in which people infect each other -- by transmitting viruses through droplets in the air that people breathe in.
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Can antiviral or antibiotic medications treat the flu or a cold?
But there are no medications that specifically defeat the common cold. Antibiotics may be helpful only if there is a secondary bacterial infection. In addition, antiviral medications are available to prevent flu.
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What are the differences in symptoms of a cold and the flu?
Both cold and flu may bring coughing, headache, and chest discomfort. With the flu, though, you are likely to run a high fever for several days and have body aches, fatigue, and weakness. Symptoms of the flu also tend to come on abruptly. Usually, complications from colds are relatively minor, but a case of flu can lead to a life-threatening illness such as pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu.
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What cold and flu medicines can help me with a headache or body aches?
Headache or body aches: Choose a pain reliever that contains acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. If you take one of these, look at any other medicines you're taking to make sure they don't contain the same drug. Many cold and flu treatments have the same ingredients.
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What cold and flu medicines can help me with sore throat?
Sore throat: Use throat lozenges or cough drops to soothe your sore throat. Or try a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
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What cold and flu medicines can help me with cough?
Cough: There are two types of over-the-counter cough medicines: expectorants and cough suppressants. Expectorants, like guaifenesin, help thin mucus so you can cough it up more easily. Cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan, help control cough. You can buy these medicines separately or combined. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which is best for your cough. Cough drops and throat lozenges can also reduce your urge to cough.
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What cold and flu medicines can help me with fever?
Fever: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can ease your fever, which may help you feel better.
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What cold and flu medicines can help me with stuffy nose?
Stuffy nose: Look for decongestant pills that contain phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. Decongestants help a stuffy nose by shrinking swollen nasal passages that cause congestion. You can also try decongestant nose drops or sprays, but you should not use these products for more than 3 days. Saline (saltwater) nose sprays or rinses can also help relieve congestion and break up mucus. These sprays are safe to use as often as you want.
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Can children take over-the-counter cold and flu medicines?
A whole aisle of over-the-counter cold and flu medicines awaits you at the store. For children ages 4-6, only give them if a doctor recommends it. Read the label so you can match the symptoms to the right medicine. Make sure you use the right medicine and the right dose for your child’s age and weight.
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Why do I need to take medicine after a heart attack?
Limit plaques by lowering cholesterol. Other drugs may be prescribed if needed. These include medications to treat irregular heartbeats, lower blood pressure, control chest pain, and treat heart failure.
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What are the symptoms of a heart attack, and how long will they last?
Symptoms of a heart attack include: Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat or arm Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn) Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of breath Rapid or irregular heartbeats Fatigue During a heart attack, symptoms may last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms (a "silent" myocardial infarction). A silent MI can occur in anyone, though it is more common among diabetics.
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After a heart attack, when should I see my doctor after I leave the hospital?
Make a doctor's appointment for two to six weeks after leaving the hospital. Your doctor will want to check the progress of your recovery. She may ask you to undergo diagnostic tests (such as an exercise stress test or echocardiogram at regular intervals). These tests can help your doctor diagnose the presence or progression of blockages in your coronary arteries and plan treatment. Call your doctor sooner if you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath -- especially at rest, dizziness, or irregular heartbeats.
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I’ve had a heart attack. How can I prevent another one?
The goal after a heart attack is to keep the heart healthy and reduce the risks of having another heart attack. Your best opportunities to ward off future attacks is to take your medications, change your lifestyle, and see your doctor for regular heart checkups.
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What’s the purpose of drugs that treat a heart attack, and when should they be given?
The goals of drug therapy are to break up or prevent blood clots, prevent platelets from gathering and sticking to the plaque, stabilize the plaque, and prevent further damage. These medications must be given as soon as possible to decrease the amount of heart damage. The longer the delay in starting these drugs, the more damage can occur and the less benefit they can provide.
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How can an artery spasm bring on a heart attack?
While it is unusual, a heart attack can also be caused by a spasm of a coronary artery. Coronary arteries have a muscle lining which can contract or relax depending on the needs of the heart muscle at a given time. During a coronary spasm, the coronary arteries constrict or spasm without warning, reducing blood supply to the heart muscle and potentially causing a heart attack. The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment. Earlier treatment can reduce the impact of the heart attack.
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How can a blocked artery bring on a heart attack?
Heart muscle requires a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to nourish it. Fatty matter, calcium, proteins and inflammatory cells build up within the arteries to form plaques of different sizes and consistencies. With the build-up of plaque, there is less delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle, especially when there is a demand for oxygen (during exertion or exercise) and chest pain or symptoms can develop. The outer surface of the plaque may rupture or crack and platelets (disc-shaped particles in the blood that help form blood clots) then come to the area to form blood clots around the plaque -- like a scab. If a blood clot totally obstructs the artery, the heart muscle can become starved for oxygen. This is called ischemia.
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What tests are used to diagnose a heart attack?
The electrocardiogram ( ECG or EKG) can provide information about the extent and location of heart muscle damage. Blood may be drawn to measure levels of cardiac enzymes that indicate heart muscle damage. By measuring the levels of these enzymes, the doctor can determine approximately when the heart attack started. An echocardiogram (also called an echo) is an ultrasound test that can be used to learn how the heart is pumping overall and what areas might not be pumping normally. Cardiac catheterization.
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What are the symptoms of stomach cancer from H. pylori?
Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms: Stool that is bloody, dark red, or black Trouble breathing Dizziness or fainting Feeling very tired for no reason Pale skin color Vomit that has blood or looks like coffee grounds Severe, sharp stomach pain It's not common, but H. pylori infection can cause stomach cancer. The disease has few symptoms at first, such as heartburn. Over time, you may notice: Belly pain or swelling Nausea Not feeling hungry Feeling full after you eat just a small amount Vomiting Weight loss for no reason If you don't have symptoms of an ulcer, your doctor probably won't test you for H. pylori.
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When should you get tested for H. pylori infection?
But if you have them now or have in the past, it's best to get tested. Medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) can also damage your stomach lining, so it's important to find out what's causing your symptoms so you can get the right treatment.
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How is a computed tomography (CT) scan used to diagnose H. pylori infection?
It's a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures of the inside of your body.
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How long do treatments for H. pylori infections last?
Your treatment could mean you'll take 14 or more pills per day for a few weeks, which seems like a lot of medicine. But it's really important to take everything that your doctor prescribes and to follow her instructions. If you don't take antibiotics the right way, bacteria in your body can become resistant to them, which makes infections harder to treat. If your medications bother you, talk to your doctor about your treatment options and how you can handle side effects. About 1-2 weeks after you finish your treatment, your doctor may test your breath or stool again to make sure the infection is gone.
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When should you call your doctor about symptoms of an ulcer from H. pylori?
Other signs of an ulcer include: Bloating Burping Not feeling hungry Nausea Vomiting Weight loss for no clear reason Ulcers can bleed into your stomach or intestines, which can be dangerous to your health. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms: Stool that is bloody, dark red, or black Trouble breathing Dizziness or fainting Feeling very tired for no reason Pale skin color Vomit that has blood or looks like coffee grounds Severe, sharp stomach pain It's not common, but H. pylori infection can cause stomach cancer.
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How is an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy used to diagnose H. pylori infection?
In a hospital, a doctor will use a tube with a small camera, called an endoscope, to look down your throat and into your stomach and the upper part of your small intestine. The procedure may also be used to collect a sample that will be examined for the presence of the bacteria. You may be asleep or awake during the procedure, but you'll get medicine to make you more comfortable.
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How can you prevent H. pylori infection?
You can protect yourself from getting an H. pylori infection with the same steps you take to keep other germs at bay: Wash your hands after you use the bathroom and before you prepare or eat food. Teach your children to do the same. Avoid food or water that's not clean. Don't eat anything that isn't cooked thoroughly. Avoid food served by people who haven't washed their hands. Though stress, spicy foods, alcohol, and smoking don't cause ulcers, they can keep them from healing quickly or make your pain worse. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your stress, improve your diet, and, if you smoke, how you can get help to quit.
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How is H. pylori infection diagnosed?
To start, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, your symptoms, and any medicines you take. Then she'll give you a physical exam, including pressing on your belly to check for swelling, tenderness, or pain. You may also have: Tests of your blood and stool, which can help find an infection Urea breath test. You'll drink a special liquid that has a substance called urea. Then you'll breathe into a bag, which your doctor will send to a lab for testing. If you have H. pylori, the bacteria will change the urea in your body into carbon dioxide, and lab tests will show that your breath has higher than normal levels of the gas.
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How does H. pylori make you sick?
For decades, doctors thought people got ulcers from stress, spicy foods, smoking, or other lifestyle habits.
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Who can get H. pylori infection?
Many people get H. pylori during childhood, but adults can get it, too. The germs live in the body for years before symptoms start, but most people who have it will never get ulcers. Doctors aren't sure why only some people get ulcers after an infection.
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Where can I find information or support for H. pylori infection?
For some people, an infection can lead to stomach cancer. You may also have: Tests of your blood and stool, which can help find an infection Urea breath test.
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What can I expect after H. pylori infection?
Tests that make detailed pictures of the insides of your body, such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) If you have ulcers caused by H. pylori, you'll need treatment to kill the germs, heal your stomach lining, and keep the sores from coming back. If you've had one, you should avoid taking NSAIDs for pain, since these drugs can damage your stomach lining. If you need pain medicine, ask your doctor to recommend some.
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How are upper GI tests used to diagnose H. pylori infection?
You'll drink a special liquid that has a substance called urea. In a hospital, a doctor will use a tube with a small camera, called an endoscope, to look down your throat and into your stomach and the upper part of your small intestine.
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What is H. pylori?
These germs can enter your body and live in your digestive tract. After many years, they can cause sores, called ulcers, in the lining of your stomach or the upper part of your small intestine. For some people, an infection can lead to stomach cancer. Most ulcers caused by H. pylori will heal after a few weeks of treatment.
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How common are infections from H. pylori?
Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) is a type of bacteria. As more of the world gets access to clean water and sanitation, fewer people than before are getting the bacteria. With good health habits, you can protect yourself and your children from H. pylori. The germs live in the body for years before symptoms start, but most people who have it will never get ulcers. Tests that make detailed pictures of the insides of your body, such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) If you have ulcers caused by H. pylori, you'll need treatment to kill the germs, heal your stomach lining, and keep the sores from coming back.
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How does H. pylori affect your body?
After H. pylori enters your body, it attacks the lining of your stomach, which usually protects you from the acid your body uses to digest food. These may bleed, cause infections, or keep food from moving through your digestive tract. Tests that make detailed pictures of the insides of your body, such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) If you have ulcers caused by H. pylori, you'll need treatment to kill the germs, heal your stomach lining, and keep the sores from coming back.
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What is the most common type of diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common type of diabetic eye disease. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to have some degree of diabetic retinopathy. How bad it will be depends on how well you control your blood sugar.
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What is background or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)?
Background or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( NPDR): This is the earliest stage. Damaged blood vessels begin to leak into the retina.
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What is macular edema?
NPDR can cause changes in the eye including: Macular edema: Blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula and it swells. Located in the center of your retina, it's what gives you your pinpoint vision. This won't lead to blindness, but it can cause blurred vision. It can get better once you get your blood sugar and blood pressure under control. If it doesn't improve, lasers or medications injected directly into your eye may help.
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What are cataracts and glaucoma?
Cataracts, when the eye's lens clouds up, are a common cause of vision loss and a normal part of the aging process. Glaucoma, a disease that damages your optic nerve, is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60.
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How often should I get a dilated eye exam if I have diabetes?
If you have diabetes, get a dilated exam as soon as you're diagnosed. Your doctor will put drops in your eye to widen the pupil. That lets him get a better look at your retina and optic nerve. Adults with type 2 diabetes should get a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your eye doctor will let you know if you need to come in more often. Let him know if you notice sudden vision changes. Blurry vision can result from blood sugar that's too high or too low.
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Am I more at risk for cataracts and glaucoma if I have diabetes?
They're not specific to diabetes, but they can show up earlier if you have it. It all depends on how well you control your blood sugar. And they're just two more reasons you need to work closely with your doctor to keep the disease under control.
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What is macular ischemia?
Macular ischemia: This loss of blood flow results when small blood vessels in your retina close up. Your vision blurs because the macula no longer gets enough blood to work like it should.
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How does having high blood sugar cause vision problems?
This thin layer of light-sensitive tissue lines the back of the eye and sends light to your brain. That's what allows you to see. NPDR can cause changes in the eye including: Macular edema: Blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula and it swells.
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Can immune system problems cause achy joints?
When the lining inside your joints becomes inflamed, the area around them is tender to the touch. It might also be stiff or swollen, and it can happen with more than one joint. You may notice that it's worse in the morning.
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Can immune system problems cause dry eyes?
If you have an autoimmune disorder, that means your immune system attacks your body instead of defending it. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are two examples. Many people who have an autoimmune disorder find that they have dry eyes. You might feel a sandy, gritty feeling like something is in your eye. Or you may notice pain, redness, a stringy discharge, or blurred vision. Some people find they can't cry even when they're upset.
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Can immune system problems lead to infections?
Other red flags: Chronic sinus infections, being sick with more than four ear infections in a year (for anyone over the age of 4), or having pneumonia more than once.
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Can immune system problems cause tingling or numbness in your hands and feet?
It can be completely innocent. But in some cases it can mean that your body is attacking nerves that send signals to your muscles. People who have Guillain- Barre syndrome, for instance, may have numbness that starts in their legs then moves up to their arms and chest. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy ( CIDP) has symptoms similar to the demyelinating form of GBS (called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, or AIDP), but while GBS lasts two weeks to 30 days.
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What can happen if your immune system is working too hard?
If it kicks into action too often, you may get a condition like allergies, asthma, or eczema. Or if your immune system starts to attack your body instead of safeguarding it, you could have an autoimmune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.
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Can immune system problems cause weight change?
You find yourself gaining extra pounds even though your eating habits and workouts haven't changed.
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Can immune system problems cause a fever?
If you're running a higher temperature than normal, it could be that your immune system is starting to overwork. That can happen due to an oncoming infection or because you're starting to have a flare of an autoimmune condition.
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Can immune system problems cause swallowing issues?
If you have a tough time getting food down, your esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach) could be swollen or too weak to work well. Some people feel like food is stuck in their throat or chest. Others gag or choke when they swallow. One of the possible causes can be a problem with your immune system.
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Can immune system problems cause bathroom problems?
Diarrhea that lasts more than 2 to 4 weeks can be a warning sign that your immune system is harming the lining of your small intestine or digestive tract. Constipation is a concern, too. If your bowel movements are hard to pass, very firm, or look like they're made up of small rabbit pellets, your immune system may be forcing your intestine to slow down. Other possible causes include bacteria, viruses, and other health conditions.
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Can immune system problems cause headaches?
In some cases, headaches can be related to the immune system. For example, it could be vasculitis, which is inflammation of a blood vessel caused by an infection or autoimmune disease.
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Can immune system problems cause fatigue?
Keep in mind that these possible clues can happen for many other reasons. You might feel a sandy, gritty feeling like something is in your eye. But in some cases it can mean that your body is attacking nerves that send signals to your muscles.
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Could my illness be related to immune system problems?
They can all cause inflammation. But do you know the other warning signs? Keep in mind that these possible clues can happen for many other reasons. To figure out what's going on with your health, you'll want to see your doctor. For example, it could be vasculitis, which is inflammation of a blood vessel caused by an infection or autoimmune disease.
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Can immune system problems cause hair loss?
If you lose hair on your scalp, face, or other parts of your body, you could have a condition called alopecia areata. Strands or clumps of hair coming out can also be a symptom of lupus. Sometimes your immune system decides to fight the skin's pigment-making cells, called melanocytes.
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Can immune system problems cause white patches on the skin?
To figure out what's going on with your health, you'll want to see your doctor. Sometimes the immune system attacks hair follicles.