

![]() |
Initial symptoms may include the following:FatigueFrequent hiccupsGeneral ill feelingGeneralized itching (pruritus)HeadacheNausea, vomitingUnintentional weight lossLater symptoms may include the following:Blood in the vomit or in stoolsDecreased a...
|
|
The four most common causes of chronic kidney failure include:.Diabetes. Diabetes mellitus(DM), both insulin dependant(IDDM) and non-insulin dependant(NIDDM), occurs when the body cannot produce and/or use insulin, the hormone necessary for the bo...
|
|
The four most common causes of chronic kidney failure include:.Diabetes. Diabetes mellitus(DM), both insulin dependant(IDDM) and non-insulin dependant(NIDDM), occurs when the body cannot produce and/or use insulin, the hormone necessary for the bo...
|
|
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Fatigue is different from drowsiness. In general, drowsiness is feeling the need to sleep, while fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation.
|
|
Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress, medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.Everyone experiences fatigue occasionally. It is the body''s way of signaling its need for rest and sleep.
|
|
Boosting Your Energy provides information on the causes and treatments of persistent fatigue. Includes information on aging and energy, eating for energy, and boosting your energy.
|
|
Fatigue may be defined as a subjective state in which one feels tired or exhausted, and in which the capacity for normal work or activity is reduced. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of fatigue when it is considered in the contex...
|
|
If the fatigue is related to a decrease in hemoglobin, or oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, then replacing the red blood cells by transfusion or taking erythropoietin can help reduce fatigue. If the fatigue is not related to this, then it is important that the person with cancer learn ways to conserve energy. Energy is like money, and people only have a limited amount of it. Think carefully about how to spend it. What activities are most important? What activities help restore energy? These are the activities that people with cancer should spend their energy on. They need to ask for help to do the rest of the activities.
|
|
If you regularly feel weary after waking from a good night's sleep or for no apparent reason, it's time to find out why.
|
|
Fatigue may be defined as a subjective state in which one feels tired or exhausted, and in which the capacity for normal work or activity is reduced. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of fatigue when it is considered in the contex...
|
|
Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress, medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.Everyone experiences fatigue occasionally. It is the body''s way of signaling its need for rest and sleep.
|
|
Fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion or loss of strength. The duration of fatigue for a patient with cancer has been found to last from one to two times the length of time between diagnosis and completion of treatment, so it is common for fatigue to...
|
|
If the person on chemotherapy has decreased hemoglobin, or oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, and it seems like the low hemoglobin level will last for a while, then a medicine called PROCRIT® (Epoetin alfa) may be prescribed. This medicine is given as an injection to keep the hemoglobin at a higher level. This can sometimes manage fatigue. PROCRIT is for anemic chemotherapy patients with most types of cancer.
|
|
We currently understand some of the causes of fatigue but not all of them. Fatigue may be related to physical changes caused by cancer or its treatment (chemotherapy, biotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery). It is reported that the fatigue people get when receiving cancer treatment is more severe than the fatigue healthy people get. In addition, this fatigue lasts longer and is not relieved by sleep. Studies have shown that low hemoglobin is also related to fatigue. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood, so if it is low, the body cells do not get as much oxygen as they need. Also, people who are not well nourished, who don't drink enough fluid and are dehydrated, or who are not able to move around much tend to have fatigue more easily. Finally, the way a person handles stress, thinks, or behaves can influence fatigue.
|
|
Fatigue is a vague feeling of being tired, weak, or exhausted. It is often a symptom of cancer, when cancer is first diagnosed, or when cancer progresses (Ferrell et al, 1996). It is also the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Some people with cancer have described fatigue as being "tired to the bones” or "hitting a wall.” Others say it is the most distressing side effect of cancer treatment. Fatigue is different for everyone, so it is important that the person who is experiencing it describe how he or she feels. Fatigue may cause decreased ability to work or do physical activity. If the person with cancer is easily distracted and unable to concentrate on mental work or activity, then he or she may have attentional fatigue (Winningham and Barton-Burke, 2000). Depending upon its cause, fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to occur a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation doesn't happen right away. It develops over the first two to three weeks of treatment and then increases as the treatment continues. It may last three months or more after the treatment is finished. Attentional fatigue can last up until two or three years after treatment is completed.
|
|
Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It can be caused by worry, lack of sleep, and poor appetite. Fatigue can also be a sign of anemia (a shortage of red blood cells). This could require medical treatment. The tips below can help you feel better.
|
|
Many people experience late-in-the-day energy lags, but you can take steps to prevent them.
|
![]() |
Swelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by build up of fluid in the tissues.
|
|
Malaise is a generalized feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.Malaise is a symptom that can occur with almost any significant health condition. It may start slowly or quickly, depending on the type of disease.Fatigue occurs with m...
|
|
A hiccup is an unintentional movement(spasm) of the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs. The spasm is followed by quick closing of the vocal cords, which produces a distinctive sound.Hiccups often start for no apparent reason and usuall...
|
|
Hiccups are the result of an involuntary, spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm followed by the closing of the throat.Hiccups are one of the most common, but thankfully mildest, disorders to which humans are prey. Virtually everyone experiences t...
|
|
Hic. Hic. There it goes again. Hic. Although a momentary nuisance for most people, hiccups have engendered a legion of home remedies, each with its own army of true believers.
|
|
Whether sensible or amusing, hiccup remedies work by interrupting the hiccup reflex.
|
|
Hiccups are the result of an involuntary, spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm followed by the closing of the throat.Virtually everyone experiences hiccups, but they rarely last long or require a doctor''s care. Occasionally, a bout of hiccups wi...
|
|
Sugar dissolved in water is suggested as a hiccup remedy. The phrenic nerve originates in the spinal cord, not the medulla oblongata.
|
|
Unintentional weight loss is a decrease in body weight that is not voluntary. In other words, you did not try to loss the weight by dieting or exercising.
|
|
Weight loss is a reduction in body mass characterized by a loss of adipose tissue(body fat) and skeletal muscle.Unintentional weight loss is the most common symptom of cancer and often a side effect of cancer treatments. A poor response to cancer ...
|
|
What is the most effective method for weight loss/management while taking prednisone?
|
|
Doctors become most concerned about unintentional weight loss if it reaches more than five percent of the usual body weight (about ten pounds), especially if your weight has not stabilized and continues to go down.
|
|
Vomiting is the forceful discharge of stomach contents through the mouth.Vomiting, also called emesis, is a symptomatic response to any number of harmful triggers. Vomiting is a forceful expulsion, and is different from regurgitation—the eff...
|
|
Although nausea and vomiting can make you feel miserable, it's important to remember that these are not diseases, but rather symptoms of many illnesses.
|
|
Nausea with or without vomiting is common in children. Most of the time, the cause is not serious. The symptoms usually go away in a day or two and can be managed at home. However, there are times when you should alert your child's doctor immediately.
|
|
Vomiting is very common in babies. Sometimes it can be entirely normal, like when babies spit up mouthfuls of breastmilk or formula after eating. Sometimes it can be a sign of illness or a blockage somewhere in the intestines. Less commonly, it can even be a sign of accidental poisoning or be caused by a bad bump to the head.
|
|
When should parents be concerned about their child vomiting? If the child, age 5 and a bit overweight, has what the parents think is a stomach bug that causes vomiting, and this happens for a couple days at least every two months or sometimes shorter periods in between, should they have tests done or should they just assume its a virus?
|
![]() |
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury(mmHg) and usually given as two numbers. For example, 120 over 80(written as 120/80 mmHg).The top number is your systolic p...
|
|
|
The lower number is the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the heart is filling or relaxing before the next beat. Normal blood pressure for an adult is 120/70(on average), but normal for an individual varies with the height, weight, fi...
|
|
Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
|
|
|
Primary, or essential, hypertension is caused by external factors; secondary hypertension is related to an underlying disorder, such as a congenital heart defect or kidney disease. Factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure include age(...
|
|
Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
|
|
Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
|
|
This report explains what your blood pressure numbers mean and how hypertension can be prevented and treated by making diet and lifestyle changes. Also includes information on medications.
|
|
Each day that your blood pressure is too high, your chances of having a stroke are increased.
|
|
Knowing the definitions of terms your doctor may use when talking with you about your blood pressure is important.
|
|
High blood pressure is a sneaky ailment. The condition has no symptoms that you can see or feel. Having your blood pressure checked is the only way to know if it is high.
|
|
|
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.
|
|
High blood pressure has joined type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol on a list of ailments that once struck only adults but now afflict children.
|
|
High blood pressure is more common among African Americans than other ethnic groups. Nearly 40 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have hypertension.
|
|
Prehypertension is a new term that alerts people to the risk of developing chronic high blood pressure if they don't take timely steps to improve their lifestyle habits.
|
|
When I get up in the morning, my systolic blood pressure is 30 to 50 points higher than it is later in the day (about 110). I am taking three different blood pressure medications. Is this unusual?
|
|
The National High Blood Pressure Education Program(NHBPEP) was established in 1972 by the National Institute of Health to translate research results on the health hazards of high blood pressure into clinical and public health practice. Before 1900...
|
|
Did you know you can purchase your own blood pressure monitor and check the reading yourself at home?
|
|
Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
|
|
Is it absolutely necessary for a diabetic who does not have high blood pressure to take a blood pressure pill anyway?
|
|
While people with high blood pressure are typically told to abstain from alcohol, a study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may help prevent them from having a heart attack.
|
|
A Harvard Medical School doctor discusses possible causes of low blood pressure.
|
|
High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer. This is because many people who have it don't know it. You can take an easy test to see if your blood pressure is too high. If it is high, you can take steps to lower it. Doing so could save your life.
|
|
What causes high blood pressure in a 4-year-old?
Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".
|
|
The FDA has approved a new blood pressure drug that works by inhibiting hte production of renin, a substance made by the kidneys that is the first step in the body's system of regulating blood pressure.
|
|
Risk factors are things that make you more likely to have a disease or condition. Do you know your risk factors for high blood pressure?
|
|
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most common chronic adult illness in the United States. There is no cure for high blood pressure, but it can be controlled.
|
|
A healthy blood pressure level can reduce your risk for many serious diseases and increase your longevity.
|
|
Even if your blood pressure is normal or high-normal, you're still at increased risk for hypertension (high blood pressure), the condition in which your heart works too hard and the resulting forceful blood flow harms arteries.
|
|
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, isn't limited to those 18 and older.Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects almost one in three adults in the United States. But this serious health condition isn't limited to those ages 18 and older, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
|
|
In most cases, high blood pressure responds to treatment, but the success of the treatment is up to you.
|
|
For those living with high blood pressure, lifestyle changes such as eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and losing weight will likely have a positive effect not just on blood pressure, but on overall health.
|
|
Prehypertension is a new term that alerts people to the very real risk of developing chronic high blood pressure if they don't take timely steps to improve their lifestyle habits.
|
|
If you have high blood pressure, you need to know, so you can control it. If you don't, you increase your risk for serious illness.
|
|
The number of Americans with high blood pressure has risen steadily since the 1960s, and now tops 65 million.
|
|
High blood pressure can contribute to sexual problems, as can some treatments for it.
|
|
Is it possible for a blockage in the kidneys to cause high blood pressure? What type of blockage would there be in a kidney?
|
|
Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries.
|
|
Isolated systolic hypertension, when the systolic blood pressure is above 140 while the diastolic pressure is below 90, is caused by stiffening of large arteries. Medication may be prescribed, but lifestyle changes will have more impact on overall health.
|
|
A study reports that if the vertebra that supports the skull is misaligned, careful manipulation of it may result in a significant drop in blood pressure.
|
|
|
Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.
|
|
The category of prehypertension was established to serve as a warning. Those whose blood pressure reading falls in it should work to lower their pressure through diet, exercise, and weight control, though in some cases medication may be prescribed.
|
|
An old theory about the connection between headache and high blood pressure makes a comeback.
|
|
|
Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.As blood flows through arteries it pushes against the inside of the artery walls.
|
![]() |
Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. Vomiting is forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.Your body has a few main ways to respond to an ever-changing, wide variety of invaders and irritants.
|
|
Vomiting can deplete you of fluids and electrolytes, so repeated vomiting requires medical treatment if it results in a lasting lightheaded feeling or weakness.
|
|
"Gingerbread. Ginger cookies. Ginger ale. Who knew they could lessen nausea so much? My mom makes me ginger cookies every time I have chemo. My neighbor brings over gingerbread. I haven't eaten these foods since I was growing up, but they sure hit the spot now." - Anne R.
|
|
Nausea is the sensation of having a queasy stomach or being about to vomit. Vomiting, or emesis, is the expelling of undigested food through the mouth.Nausea is a reaction to a number of causes that include overeating, infection, or irritation of ...
|
|
Will excess fluid in the ear cause dizziness and nausea?
David Vernick, M.D. is assistant clinical professor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School and interim chief of the Division of Otology and Laryngology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
|
![]() |
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are extremely rare.
|
|
|
A headache is a pain in the head and neck region that may be either a disorder in its own right or a symptom.
|
|
Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches
|
|
This report helps you identify the cause of your headache and learn what to do about it. Includes the latest treatments, such as new medications and mind/body techniques.
|
|
A headache involves pain in the head which can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself.There are three types of primary headaches: tension-type(muscular contraction headache), migraine(vascular headaches), and cluster. Virt...
|
|
About 90 percent of all headaches are harmless episodes that can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, either alone or together with rest, ice packs or relaxation techniques.
|
|
A headache involves pain in the head that can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself.Headaches can be categorized as primary or secondary. Primary headaches occur independently and are not the result of another medical pro...
|
|
Most headaches in kids are caused by tension, not disease. Your pediatrician can determine what kind of headache your child has.
|
|
|
Headache is a pain in the head and neck region that may be either a disorder in its own right or a symptom of an underlying medical condition or disease. The medical term for headache is cephalalgia.
|
|
Youngsters' most common head pain is a tension headache—a dull ache that feels like pressure around the head.
|
|
When seeking treatment for headaches, start with your primary care provider. Most people who suffer from headaches tell their doctors about their pain only as an afterthought. And 31 percent have never seen a health care provider for their condition, according to the National Headache Foundation (NHF). The result is a lot of needless suffering.
|
|
Detailed information on headaches, including types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Can dehydration cause headaches?
Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.
|
|
Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches
|
|
A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.Secondary seizures; Reactive seizures; Seizure- secondary; Seizure- reactive.There are a wide variety of possible sy...
|
|
A seizure is a sudden change in behavior characterized by changes in sensory perception(sense of feeling) or motor activity(movement) due to an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizure...
|
|
Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
A seizure is a sudden change in behavior characterized by changes in sensory perception(sense of feeling) or motor activity(movement) due to an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizure...
|
|
Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
The intense, involuntary muscular contractions that often accompany seizures are referred to as convulsions. Seizures normally last three to five minutes, with a period of unconsciousness that may last for up to 30 minutes.Seizures can result from...
|
|
Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Children with epilepsy may have seizures only once in a while, or every day. Though seizures can be scary for parents and caregivers, they aren't painful and are usually brief.
|
|
A seizure results from a sudden rush of abnormal electrical signals in the brain. Symptoms may range from a minor daze to uncontrollable muscle spasms (convulsion). In some cases, the victim may even lose consciousness. A seizure can be caused by a high fever, head injury, drug reaction, or condition such as epilepsy.
|
|
Although not a psychiatric disorder, epilepsy has a psychiatric aspect. The link is manifested in similar, often overlapping, symptoms, so it is important that caregivers diagnose and treat their patients with care.
|
|
People with certain mental conditions can experience seizures that appear to be epilepsy but are actually psychogenic seizures. Studies are finding ways to distinguish between the two types to facilitate proper treatment.
|
|
How does estrogen use and menopause affect someone with a seizure disorder?
|
![]() |
Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity, including feeling disoriented and having difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions.Disorientation; Thinking- unclear; Thoughts- cloudy.Confusion may come on...
|
|
|
Coma, from the Greek word"koma," meaning deep sleep, is a state of extreme unresponsiveness, in which an individual exhibits no voluntary movement or behavior. Furthermore, in a deep coma, even painful stimuli(actions which, when performed on a he...
|
|
Coma, from the Greek word koma, meaning deep sleep, is a state of extreme unresponsiveness, in which an individual exhibits no voluntary movement or behavior. Furthermore, in a deep coma, even painful stimuli(actions which, when performed on a hea...
|
![]() |
Itching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.Itching may occur all over the whole body(generalized) or only in one location(localized).Aging skin Atopic dermatitis Contact dermatitis( poison ivy ...
|
|
Itching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin''s surface or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is pruritus.Itching leads most people instinctively to scratch the affected...
|
|
Expert-reviewed information summary about pruritus (itching of the skin) as a complication of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management and treatment of pruritus are discussed.
|
|
Itching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin''s surface or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is pruritus.Itching instinctively leads most people to scratch the affected...
|
|
Itching, also called pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation of the skin that causes a person to scratch or rub the area to find relief. Itching can be confined to one spot(localized) or over the whole body(generalized).
|
|
Itching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin''s surface, or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is"pruritus.".Itching instinctively leads most people to scratch the affec...
|
|
Detailed information on pain management and itching and burn care Most children with burns have pain. The amount of pain depends on the severity and location of the burn. Severe pain can make your child's stay in the hospital very scary. Your child will be given pain medication through an intravenous (IV) line or by mouth before wound care and as needed. Many parents worry that their child may become addicted to pain medication. This is very rare, because children are given such small amounts of pain medication for short time periods. If you have more questions about pain medication, please ask your child's nurse or physician.
|
|
Anorexia is characterized by a loss of appetite or lack of desire to eat.Anorexia is common in cancer patients with reported incidence between 15% and 40%. Primary anorexia is especially prevalent in patients with advanced malignancy, and is frequ...
|
|
Detailed information on anorexia, including causes, characteristics, types, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention
|
|
Loss of appetite is a loss of the desire to eat. Not eating can lead to weight loss. Weight loss can cause weakness and fatigue, which affect your ability to perform normal activities. Proper nutrition also helps your body prevent and fight infection. Weight loss or lack of appetite may be due to the cancer or sometimes to treatments for the cancer.
|
|
Your loss of appetite may be because of anxiety or depression, aging, medications or a health concern.
|
|
A harvard Medical school physician answers your question about the prevalence of anorexia in men, and discusses the biological and environmental factors that influence the disorder in both sexes.
|
|
Women suffering from anorexia nervosa may benefit more from general support than in-depth therapy, according to a recent study.
|
|
It is normal to have periods of low energy when one needs to rest and recuperate. However, if low energy persists and a person continually feels sluggish, disinterested in life, and has low energy, the situation should be investigated by a physician.
|
|
Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day-- often with a strong tendency to actually fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate times.Sleepiness- during the day; Hypersomnia; Somnolence.Excessive daytime sleepi...
|
|
Each year, at least 100,000 vehicular crashes and 1,550 deaths are caused by drivers who are impaired by sleepiness.
|
|
When drowsiness occurs most of the time or causes a person to fall asleep at inappropriate times, quality of life and performance can be affected.
|
|
Hypersomnia refers to a set of related disorders that involve excessive daytime sleepiness.There are two main categories of hypersomnia: primary hypersomnia(sometimes called idiopathic hypersomnia) and recurrent hypersomnia(sometimes called recurr...
|
![]() |
Delirium is sudden severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function that occur with physical or mental illness.Delirium is most often caused by physical or mental illness and is usually temporary and reversible. Many disorders cause delirium, ...
|
|
This patient summary on delirium is adapted from a summary written for health professionals by cancer experts. This and other credible information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials, is available from the National Cancer Institute. Delirium and similar disorders occur in about 15% to 20% of hospitalized cancer patients and in over 75% of terminally ill cancer patients. This brief summary describes delirium experienced by cancer patients, its causes and treatment.
|
|
Delirium is usually temporary, but older people who experience delirium may suffer permanent damage. It is believed that delirium is linked to dementia, but more research must be done before any conclusions can be made.
|
|
Delirium is a transient, abrupt, usually reversible syndrome characterized by a disturbance that impairs consciousness, cognition(ability to think), and perception.The word delirium is derived from the Latin delirare which literally translates"to ...
|
|
Delirium is a medical condition characterized by a vascillating general disorientation, which is accompanied by cognitive impairment, mood shift, self-awareness, and inability to attend(the inability to focus and maintain attention). The change oc...
|
|
Delirium is a state of mental confusion that develops quickly and usually fluctuates in intensity.Delirium is a syndrome, or group of symptoms, caused by a disturbance in the normal functioning of the brain. The delirious patient has a reduced awa...
|
|
Breath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth. Unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive breath odor is commonly called bad breath.Some disorders will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath.A fruity odor to the breath...
|
|
Bad breath, sometimes called halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the breath.Bad breath is likely to be experienced by most adults at least occasionally. Bad breath, either real or imagined, can have a significant impact on a person''s social and pr...
|
|
Detailed information on halitosis (bad breath), including causes and treatment Halitosis is an oral health condition characterized by consistently odorous breath. Often identifying the cause of bad breath is the first step toward treating this preventable condition.
|
|
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the breath. Usually it is due to poor hygiene, but it can be an indication of underlying health problems.Bad breath is likely to be experienced by most adults and many children, at least ...
|
|
Although it's rarely a sign of a major medical problem, bad breath can cause embarrassment, low self-esteem and even social isolation.
|
|
Includes up-to-date information on disease prevention, fillings, gingivitis, periodontitis, pulp diseases, root canal therapy, implants, bridges, orthodontics, and cosmetic procedures.
|
|
If you have bad breath, take heart. It's likely caused by a family of foul bacteria encamped upon your tongue.
|
![]() |
Nail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.Beau''s lines; Fingernail abnormalities; Spoon nails; Onycholysis; Leukonychia; Koilonychia; Brittle nails.Just like the skin, the fingernai...
|
![]() |
Excessive thirst is an abnormal feeling of always needing to drink fluids.Drinking lots of water is usually healthy. However, the urge to drink too much may be the result of a physical or emotional disease.
|
![]() |
Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal, increased tension, and irritability.
|
![]() |
Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.Unless pale skin is accompanied by pale lips, tongue, palms of the hands, inside of the mouth, and lining of the eyes, it is probably not a serious condition, and does not ...
|
|
Hyperpigmentation is the increase in the natural color of the skin.Melanin, a brown pigment manufactured by certain cells in the skin called melanocytes, is responsible for skin color. Melanin production is stimulated by a pituitary hormone called...
|
|
If your blood pressure has been very good for most of your life and then suddenly rises to a dangerous level, could there be an infection or some other medical condition that caused the sudden jump?
|
![]() |
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called peripheral edema.Swelling of the ankles- feet- legs; Ankle swelling; Foot swelling; Leg swelling; Edema- peripheral; Peripheral edema.Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a c...
|
|
Rectal bleeding is a common problem, often caused by constipation, anal fissures or hemorrhoids. It can be an indication of serious occult disease and should be evaluated by a physician.
|
![]() |
Gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract, which extends from the mouth to the anus.The amount of bleeding can range from nearly undetectable to acute, massive, and life threatening.Bleeding may...
|
|
Rectal bleeding refers to dark or red blood that you see with a bowel movement or at times between bowel movements. You may notice the blood in the toilet or on your toilet tissue. You should always contact your doctor if you notice rectal bleeding.
|
|
Rectal bleeding is when blood passes through your rectum and anus. It can occur with or without a bowel movement. Rectal bleeding may be a sign of a serious problem in the rectum, colon, or upper GI tract. Call your doctor right away if you have any rectal bleeding.
|
|
Your doctor will do a medical evaluation to find the site and cause of your bleeding. He or she will ask about your health and examine you. Certain procedures may also be done to help confirm the diagnosis and plan your treatment.
|
![]() |
Bloody stools often indicate an injury or disorder in the digestive tract. Your doctor may use the term"melena" to describe black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools or"hematochezia" to describe red- or maroon-colored stools.Stools- bloody; Hematoche...
|
![]() |
Muscle cramps are involuntary and often painful contractions(movements) of the muscles.Muscle cramps are common and may be stopped by stretching the muscle. The cramping muscle may feel hard or bulging.Muscle spasms are different than muscle twitc...
|
|
Muscle cramps -- involuntary muscle contractions -- are common. But even though they can be quite painful, they don't cause damage.
|
|
Cramps do not mean there is a problem with the muscle itself; rather, experts believe they happen when the fluid and electrolyte imbalance catches up to you or when a nerve overstimulates a muscle.
|
|
Muscle spasms and cramps are spontaneous, often painful muscle contractions.The rapid, uncontrolled muscle contraction, or spasm, happens unexpectedly, with either no stimulation or some trivially small one. The muscle contraction and pain last fo...
|
|
Muscle spasms and cramps are spontaneous, often painful muscle contractions.Most people are familiar with the sudden pain of a muscle cramp. The rapid, uncontrolled contraction, or spasm, happens unexpectedly, with either no stimulation or some tr...
|
|
Vomiting blood is a backward flowing(regurgitation) of blood through the upper gastrointestinal(GI) tract. The upper GI tract includes the stomach, mouth, throat, esophagus(the swallowing tube), and the first part of the small intestine.Vomiting b...
|
![]() |
Muscle twitches are fine movements of a small area of muscle.Muscle twitching is caused by minor muscle contractions in the area, or the uncontrollable twitching of a muscle group that is served by a single motor nerve fiber or filament.Muscle twi...
|
|
Impaired sensation is often a signal that there something affecting a nerve or the nervous system. Changes in sensations are often subjective and difficult to describe, that is, experienced by the patient but difficult for the provider to diagnose and treat.
|
|
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body''s blood clotting process. These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding after an injury.
|
![]() |
Excessive urination at night is a condition in which you wake up several times during the night to urinate. Waking up several times a night to urinate is called nocturia.Normally, urine decreases in amount and become more concentrated at...
|
|
Most of us get bruises from bumping into something from time to time. Bruising sometimes increases with age, especially in women as the capillary walls become more fragile and the skin becomes thin.
|