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Symptoms could include:
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Impulsivity
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Personality Change
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Clumsiness
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Confabulation
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Unable to Speak
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Frontal Headache
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Gasping For Breath
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Bleeding From Ear
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Combative Behavior
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Choking Sensation
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Mobility Limitation
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Bleeding Eye
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Slow Respiration
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Paralysis of Extremities
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Bruise of Head
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Oversensitive Hearing
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The symptoms of a head injury can occur immediately or develop slowly over several hours or days. Even if the skull is not fractured, the brain can bang against the inside of the skull and be bruised.
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A head injury may cause damage both from the direct physical injury to the brain and from secondary factors, such as lack of oxygen, brain swelling, and disturbance of blood flow. Both closed and penetrating head injuries can cause swirling moveme...
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Pain is a universal human experience. The International Association for the Study of Pain(IASP) defines pain as"an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage."
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Expert-reviewed information summary about pain as a complication of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management and treatment of cancer-associated pain are discussed.
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Pain, medically termed"nociception," is a response to noxious stimuli that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or impending injury to the body.
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American Pain Foundation 888-615-7246 www.painfoundation.org American Chronic Pain Association
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Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body.
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A pain scale helps you rate pain intensity. In the scale, 0 means no pain, and 10 is the worst pain possible. (Scales may go up to 5 or up to 10.) Rate the pain every few hours. You may feel some pain even with medications. But tell your healthcare provider if medications don't reduce the pain. Be sure to mention if the pain suddenly increases or changes.
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Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body.
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Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by nerves in the body.Pain arises from any number of situations. Injury is a major cause, but pain may also arise from an illness.
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This comprehensive report describes the many causes of pain, the latest treatments, and the best preventive strategies.
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I have recurring sores in my mouth, most generally on the sides of my tongue, and the tip of my tongue gets very tender and sore. Do I have a vitamin deficiency? What else could be the cause of this?
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Examines the role of forgiveness in personal health and happiness, ranging from reduced stress to improved relationships.
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Children who experience verbal abuse are at as much risk for developing anxiety or depression as those who are abused physically or sexually. This may be due to the fact that verbal abuse is likely to persist over a lengthy period of time.
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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...
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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...
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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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...
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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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...
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How does estrogen use and menopause affect someone with a seizure disorder?
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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...
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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...
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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.
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Vomiting can deplete you of fluids and electrolytes, so repeated vomiting requires medical treatment if it results in a lasting lightheaded feeling or weakness.
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"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.
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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 ...
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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.
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Paralysis is defined as complete loss of strength in an affected limb or muscle group.The chain of nerve cells that runs from the brain through the spinal cord out to the muscle is called the motor pathway. Normal muscle function requires intact c...
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Paralysis is defined as complete loss of strength in an affected limb or muscle group.The chain of nerve cells that runs from the brain through the spinal cord out to the muscle is called the motor pathway. Normal muscle function requires intact c...
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My father had a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. He's aware of what's going on and can talk some, but he has severe spasticity in his left elbow, shoulder, and hand, along with muscle atrophy. Would Botox injections help his painful spasms?
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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...
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Unconsciousness is when a person is unable to respond to people and activities. Often, this is called a coma or being in a comatose state.Other changes in awareness can occur without becoming unconscious.
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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...
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Each year, at least 100,000 vehicular crashes and 1,550 deaths are caused by drivers who are impaired by sleepiness.
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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.
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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...
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Tinnitus is the medical term for"hearing" noises in your ears when there is no outside source of the sounds.The noises you hear can be soft or loud. They may sound like ringing, blowing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, humming, whistling, or sizzling.
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Tinnitus is hearing ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without an external cause. Patients may experience tinnitus in one or both ears or in the head.Tinnitus affects as many as 40 million adults in the United States.
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Detailed information on tinnitus, including causes and treatment Tinnitus is the sound of ringing, roaring, buzzing, or clicking that occurs inside the head. The sounds may come and go, be continuous, occur in one or both ears, and vary in pitch. Currently, more than 12 million people in the US suffer from some degree of tinnitus. Of these individuals, at least 1 million experience it so severely that it interferes with their daily activities, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders.
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People who suffer from tinnitus will hear a constant ringing in their ears—or, the sound may be a popping, rushing, pinging, chirping, whistling, or roaring.
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There are many possible causes of tinnitus, and because it is often due to prolonged exposure to loud noise, it is usually accompanied by some degree of hearing loss. Treatment options are limited, and inconsistent in their effectiveness.
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Tinnitus is a condition where the patient hears ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without an external cause. Patients may experience tinnitus in one or both ears or in the head.Tinnitus affects as many as 40 million adults in the United States.
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Can an allergy cause tinnitus?
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.
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A review of research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy may provide some relief for those who suffer from tinnitus.
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Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal, increased tension, and irritability.
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Speech and language impairment may be any of several problems that make it difficult to communicate.Language impairment; Impairment of speech; Inability to speak; Aphasia; Dysarthria; Slurred speech; Dysphonia voice disorders.
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Dysarthria is a speech diagnostic term that can be used to classify various types of neuromuscular speech disturbances. Dysarthria results from notable degrees of one or more abnormalities involving speech musculature, including weakness, paralysi...
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Dysarthria is a speech problem caused by a lack of control over muscles in the face and mouth. This problem may occur if the brain is damaged. A person who has dysarthria knows which words to use, but may not be able to make the right sounds.
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Dysarthria is a group of speech impairments due to weakness, incoordination, spasticity, rigidity, or irregular movements caused by damage to the nervous system.Speech abilities depend on the coordinated function of muscles of respiration, phonati...
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Dysarthria occurs when the part of the brain that controls speech production is damaged. When this happens, the muscles needed to make certain sounds can't be used fully. A speech therapist (an expert trained in speech rehabilitation) will find out how dysarthria is affecting the patient's speech. Then rehabilitation (rehab) can focus on improving those speech problems.
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Stupor is a state of impaired consciousness in which it is difficult to arouse a person even with vigorous, noxious stimulation. The state of obtundation resembles a deep sleep from which the person can only be awakened for brief periods by shaking, shouting or pinching.
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When you have low vision, you need more than glasses or contact lenses to see well enough to get around and do day-to-day tasks. Your central or side vision, or both, may be reduced.
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If you have low-vision symptoms, talk to your eye-care professional, who can help you find resources and visual devices to make the most of your remaining vision.
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Detailed information on problems with vision in children There are many problems that can affect your child's vision that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Detailed information on problems with vision in children Eye disorders that affect vision can be divided into two groups, including the following:
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Using vision aids can help you do the things you need and want to do. There are many kinds of vision aids. Low-vision centers and some doctors sell these aids. They also train you to use your aids. And they will talk with you about proper lighting.
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The number of people losing their vision is growing, yet experts say much of this vision loss could be prevented.
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Detailed information on correcting or improving vision problems With today's advanced technology, there are many different approaches now available to help correct or improve a variety of vision problems. Listed below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Have you noticed the sudden onset of any of these symptoms: vision loss, seeing double, the feeling of a shade over the eye, lights are surrounded by halos, or light sensitivity?
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Reports of a rare eye condition developing in men after use of Viagra are a reminder that erectile dysfunction medications should be used with the same caution given to other prescription drugs.
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Uncoordinated movement is muscle control problem or an inability to finely coordinate movements, which results in a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fro motion of the middle of the body(trunk) and unsteady gait(walking style). The condition is called ataxi...
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Breathing that slows down or stops from any cause is called apnea.Respiration slowed or stopped; Not breathing; Respiratory arrest; Apnea.Apnea can come and go and be temporary. This can occur with obstructive sleep apnea, for example.Prolonged ap...
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Ear discharge is drainage of blood, ear wax, pus, or fluid from the ear.Drainage from the ear; Otorrhea; Ear bleeding; Bleeding from ear.Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax.However, discharge may also be caused by a minor ...
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Anisocoria is unequal pupil size. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye through which light passes.Enlargement of one pupil; Pupils of different size; Eyes/pupils different size.Occasionally, a baby is born with different sized pupi...
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Why might one pupil be larger than the other?
Don Bienfang, M.D, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and the Senior Surgeon in the Department of Surgery and Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology in the Department of Neurology at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Blindness is a lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.Partial blindness means you have very limited vision.
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Visual impairment or low vision is a severe reduction in vision that can''t be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person''s ability to function at certain or all tasks. Legal blindness(which is actually a severe visual i...
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On a few separate occasions, I have lost vision in one eye -- it goes totally gray for about 30 seconds, then vision returns. What could be causing this?
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What percentage of your eyesight has to be lost for you to be considered legally blind in either eye?
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Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness.Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.Perip...
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What risks are associated with flying if you have vertigo?
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.
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Falls or accidents can lead to pain, broken bones, and fear of future falls. Protect yourself and others by preparing for episodes. Simple steps can help increase your safety at home and wherever you go.
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An otolaryngologist (also called an ENT) is a doctor who specializes in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. Your ENT can help find clues to the cause of your dizziness. He or she will examine you and go over your medical history. Your ENT may also order certain tests to help diagnose your problem.
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A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.Subcutaneous-- beneath the skin Intramuscular-- within the belly of the underlying muscle Perio...
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Detailed information on bruises in children A bruise is a collection of blood underneath the skin that is caused by trauma to an area of the body. Sometimes, enough bleeding occurs so that a lump also forms (this lump is called a hematoma).
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We bruise when blood vessels beneath our skin rupture and bleed. As alarming as these purplish marks can be, they're usually harmless.
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Is there a particular vitamin I can take that might diminish bruising? I am a 53-year-old woman who has bruised easily since I was much younger.
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Bruises, or ecchymoses, are a discoloration and tenderness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the leakage of blood from an injured blood vessel into the tissues. Pupura refers to bruising as the result of a disease condition.
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Bruises, or ecchymoses, are a discoloration and tenderness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the leakage of blood from an injured blood vessel into the tissues. Purpura refers to bruising as the result of a disease condition.
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The term"irritability" is used for infants and young children who, when ill, are especially fussy, whiny, and fretful, despite attempts at comforting and soothing them.Parents are usually very aware of their child''s normal behavior and may pick up...
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Children can become cranky, fussy or irritable for many reasons. Often it's because they're hungry or just tired. But sometimes irritability can be a sign of illness in children.
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One of the best ways to respond to other people's emotions is to "reflect" their mood back to them.
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Anyone who is choking should have a medical examination. Complications can occur not only from the choking, but also from the first aid measures that were taken.Seek medical help right away if you find someone unconscious.Tell someone to call 911 ...
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Choking is a condition caused by inhalation of a foreign object that partially or fully blocks the airway.Choking is a major cause of respiratory emergencies and cardiac arrest in infants and children. Choking occurs when a foreign object, such as...
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This is an extreme medical emergency. Knowing what to do can help save your baby's life.
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Choking sends thousands of infants and toddlers to emergency rooms each year, and food often plays a part.
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Choking is a major cause of death for children under three, and is a hazard for older children as well. Young children explore the world with their mouths, and they will naturally put in their mouths anything that fits.
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Although people know toys can be dangerous, injuries can still occur.When it comes to dangerous toys, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) doesn't play around. In one recent year, the government confiscated 2 million toys -- mostly imports seized at U.S. borders.
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One minute you and your child are laughing at the dinner table. The next minute the child is choking. Here's what you should do.
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Choking is the inability to breathe because the trachea is blocked, constricted, or swollen shut.Choking is a medical emergency. When a person is choking, air cannot reach the lungs.
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Detailed information on choking, choking prevention, and the Heimlick maneuver Choking, which is caused by food or another foreign object becoming lodged in the throat, or airway, accounts for nearly 4,300 deaths each year. Choking prevents oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. Lack of oxygen to the brain for more than four minutes may result in brain damage or death. It is important for all persons to recognize and know how to handle choking both in the home and in restaurants and other public places. The Heimlich maneuver, an emergency procedure used to treat choking victims, is responsible for saving thousands of lives each year.
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Call 911 if the victim loses consciousness. Choking occurs when the airway to the lungs becomes blocked, placing the victim's life in danger. Start rescue techniques right away.
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If a person who is choking is still able to speak, their airway does not have a significant obstruction, so the Heimlich maneuver should not be performed.
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Aphasia is condition characterized by either partial or total loss of the ability to communicate verbally or using written words. A person with aphasia may have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, recognizing the names of objects, or understand...
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Detailed information on aphasia, including cause, diagnosis, types, and treatment
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Aphasia is a communication disorder that occurs after language has been developed, usually in adulthood. Not simply a speech disorder, aphasia can affect the ability to comprehend the speech of others, as well as the ability to read and write.
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Aphasia is a loss of language skills. It may occur if the brain is damaged. This usually happens after a stroke. People with aphasia may not be able to express their thoughts (expressive aphasia) or understand others (receptive aphasia).
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Aphasia occurs when a part of the brain that processes language is damaged. Most people who have a stroke or a brain injury are tested for aphasia. A speech therapist (an expert trained in speech rehabilitation) will work closely with the patient. The main goal of speech therapy is to help the patient communicate. During rehabilitation (rehab) the therapist works to find and increase a patient's strengths. The therapist also tries to improve understanding between patient and family.
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Aphasia is an impairment of spoken language understanding and expression associated with brain damage.Neurologic etiologies that affect the left cerebral cortex can lead to aphasia(sometimes termed dysphasia). Aphasia is a language disturbance aff...
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A condition, caused by neurological damage or disease, in which a person''s previous capacity to understand or express language is impaired.In aphasia, the ability to understand language and to translate thoughts into words has been impaired by inj...
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Breathing difficulties involve a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air. See also difficulty breathing- first aid.Shortness of breath; Breathlessness; Difficulty breathing; Dyspnea.No standard defi...
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Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a feeling of difficult or labored breathing that is out of proportion to the patient''s level of physical activity. It is a symptom of a variety of different diseases or disorders and may be either acute or chron...
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Dyspnea is the technical word for difficulty breathing. It's a common symptom in people who have lung cancer or have cancer that has spread to the lungs. People who experience dyspnea describe it as difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. They often compare it to feeling like they are suffocating or being smothered. In many cases, patients may develop anxiety or panic if they feel they cannot breathe. Often their anxiety and fears can make the dyspnea worse. By panicking, patients can become more breathless and begin a cycle that is hard to stop.
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Detailed information on the most common breathing problems in a newborn Babies breathe much faster than older children and adults. A newborn's normal breathing rate is about 40 times each minute. This may slow to 20 to 40 times per minute when the baby is sleeping. The pattern of breathing in a baby may also be different. A baby may breathe fast several times, then have a brief rest for less than 10 seconds, than breathe again. This is often called periodic breathing and is a normal occurrence. Babies normally use their diaphragm (the large muscle below the lungs) for breathing.
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Severe shortness of breath and shortness of breath accompanied by certain symptoms requires immediate medical attention.
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If your child cannot seem to get enough breath in his lungs (shortness of breath) or is having a hard time breathing, he probably has a medical condition that needs treatment. If your child is old enough to talk, he can tell you that he is having difficulty breathing. If your child is younger, you may notice that he is breathing harder or faster than usual, isn't feeding well, or is cranky.
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Shortness of breath may be a warning sign of heart disease.
Chest pain is a near-universal signal of heart disease. Shortness of breath may be an equally valuable tip-off.
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I had a quadruple bypass seven years ago. A few months back I found myself taking frequent short breaths when I climbed the stairs. Once I stopped exerting myself, my breathing soon returned to normal. Is this due to a problem with my heart or lungs?
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For the past two months I have experienced increased shortness of breath. I have chronic asthma, but there's concern the shortness of breath could be caused by a blockage in heart. I have experienced difficulties in the past when anesthetized. Is there an effective alternative to heart catheterization? I've read about a new CT scan ? is it recommended?
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Visual disturbances are abnormalities of sight. Visual disturbances associated with neurological disorders often include double vision(diplopia), moving or blurred vision due to nystagmus(involuntary rapid movements of the eyes), reduced visual ac...
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Disorientation, the lack of being able to correctly identify oneself, one's location, or the date and time, is a sign of an altered mental status. An alteration in mental status is often an indication of a serious medical problem, requiring prompt medical attention.
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Facial swelling is the build-up of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.Puffy face; Swelling of the face; Moon face; Facial edema.If the facial swelling is mild, it may be hard to detect.
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Hearing loss is the total or partial inability to hear sound in one or both ears.Decreased hearing; Deafness; Loss of hearing; Conductive hearing loss; Sensorineural hearing loss.Minor decreases in hearing are common after age 20.Hearing problems ...
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Detailed information on hearing loss, including sudden hearing loss and treatment
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Most people over age 65 have some hearing loss, and by age 80, almost everyone does. Because hearing loss usually occurs slowly over the years, you may not realize your hearing ability has gotten worse.
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Detailed information on hearing loss, including management of hearing loss Early intervention and detection of hearing loss is necessary to prevent additional problems with speech and language development. A healthcare team approach is normally used when a child is diagnosed with some degree of hearing loss. Team members include the following:
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Detailed information on hearing loss, including sudden hearing loss and treatment
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A consumer's guide to the new hearing aid technologies as well as an overview of the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss. Strategies for preventing hearing loss and preserving your hearing are also described.
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Detailed information on hearing loss, including sudden hearing loss and treatment
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Many experts urge hearing tests before newborns leave the hospital. Every year, about 12,000 American babies are born with hearing problems.
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Nearly 30 million Americans have some form of hearing loss, including one of every three people ages 65 to 75. Yet just a fraction of us seek help. Here's why.
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An open-fit hearing aid, which leaves the ear canal open instead of covering the opening, helps eliminate distortion caused by sound waves, and may be more comfortable for wearers.
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Parents and pediatricians should know how to detect hearing problems at various stages during a child's first three years of life.
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As you age, some hearing loss is normal. You lose more than the ability to hear how loud a sound is. You also lose the ability to hear certain types of sounds. For example, you might not be able to hear some of the high-pitched sounds of a child's voice.
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Detailed information on hearing loss in babies According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), nearly 12,000 babies are born each year in the United States with a hearing impairment. It is estimated that serious hearing loss occurs in about one to three of every 1,000 healthy newborns, and in two to four of every 100 babies in newborn intensive care units. Without screening or testing, hearing loss may not be noticed until the baby is more than 1 year old. If hearing loss is not detected until later years, there will not be stimulation of the brain's hearing centers. This can affect the maturation and development of hearing, and can delay speech and language. Social and emotional development and success in school may also be affected.
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Detailed information on hearing loss in babies According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), nearly 12,000 babies are born each year in the United States with a hearing impairment. It is estimated that serious hearing loss occurs in about one to three of every 1,000 healthy newborns, and in two to four of every 100 babies in newborn intensive care units. Without screening or testing, hearing loss may not be noticed until the baby is more than 1 year old. If hearing loss is not detected until later years, there will not be stimulation of the brain's hearing centers. This can affect the maturation and development of hearing, and can delay speech and language. Social and emotional development and success in school may also be affected.
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Detailed information on noise-induced hearing loss When the ears are exposed to extremely loud noises, or to prolonged loud noises, inner ear structures can be damaged, leading to noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is quite common, affecting about one-third of the nearly 30 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss.
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Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can result in permanent hearing loss. Many occupations have increased risk of hearing damage, and in such cases ear protection should be worn.
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People who are tone deaf, or amusic, are unable to distinguish differences in pitch, and may have a similar difficulty with rhythm. Research suggests this may be due to weak connections between the parts of the brain responsible for processing music.
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Detailed information on hearing loss in babies Hearing loss in babies occurs infrequently in the United States. However, without screening or testing, hearing loss may not be noticed until the baby is more than one year old. If hearing loss is not detected until later years, there will not be stimulation of the brain's hearing centers. This can affect the maturation and development of hearing, and can delay speech and language. Social and emotional development and success in school may also be affected.
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Hearing loss is any degree of impairment of the ability to apprehend sound.Sound can be measured accurately. The term decibel(dB) refers to an amount of energy moving sound from its source to our ears or to a microphone.
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Hearing impairment is the temporary or permanent loss of some or all hearing in one or both ears.There are three types of hearing impairment that occur in young children:.conductive hearing loss, a usually temporary interference with the reception...
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Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing or minimizing developmental and educational delays.Hearing loss is most commonly categorized by which parts of the ear are affected. Conductive hearing loss is caused by a problem in the m...
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Hearing loss is any degree of impairment of the ability to apprehend sound.Sound can be measured accurately. The term decibel(dB) is a measure of loudness and refers to a unit for expressing the relative intensity of sound on a scale from zero, fo...
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Hearing loss is any degree of impairment of the ability to comprehend sound.Sound can be accurately measured. The term decibel(dB) refers to an amount of energy moving sound from its source to the ears of one or more listeners or to a microphone.
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Detailed information on communication disorders, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Personality changes are alterations in the behavior, thinking and interactions of a person from their established character. These changes may be indicative of chemical dependencies, psychiatric illness, dementia, trauma, illness, altered body chemistry or temperature, or poisoning.
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Neck pain may begin in any of the structures in the neck. These include muscles and nerves as well as spinal vertebrae and the cushioning disks in between.
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A black eye is usually the result of trauma to the head or face – particularly the nose, resulting in bleeding beneath the skin which results in discoloration or bruising. Most black eyes are not serious, but sometimes can be an indicator of a medical emergency, such as a skull fracture.
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Detailed information on ecchymosis or bruising of the eye Ecchymosis, or more commonly known as a "black eye," usually occurs from some type of trauma to the eye, causing the tissue around the eye to become bruised. Your child's physician will examine the eye closely to make sure there is no damage to the actual eye itself.
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Detailed information on bruising or black eye Ecchymosis, or more commonly known as a "black eye," usually occurs from some type of trauma to the eye, causing the tissue around the eye to become bruised. Your child's physician will examine the eye closely to make sure there is no damage to the actual eye itself.
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A generalized tonic-clonic seizure is a seizure involving the entire body. It is also called a grand mal seizure.
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Clumsiness is a common problem in otherwise healthy children with normal intelligence. Motor coordination problems may affect the ability to perform age-appropriate activities, such as dressing and running.
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Tachypnea; Breathing- rapid and shallow; Fast shallow breathing; Respiratory rate- rapid and shallow.A normal breathing rate for an adult at rest is 8 to 16 breaths per minute. For an infant, a normal rate is up to 44 breaths per minute.
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Labored breathing is a medical emergency. Breathing is an automatic process, regulated in the brainstem. Working to breathe is usually a sign of
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Swallowing pain refers to a strong feeling of uncomfortable squeezing and burning while swallowing, which may be felt high in the neck or lower down behind the breastbone. Such pain may be a symptom of a serious disorder.Swallowing- pain or burnin...
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Persistent or recurrent nausea and vomiting should be checked by a doctor.A doctor should be called if nausea and vomiting occur:.after eating rich or spoiled food or taking a new medication.It is important to see a doctor if nausea and vomiting a...
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Persistent or recurrent nausea and vomiting should be checked by a doctor.A doctor should be called if nausea and vomiting occur in the following instances:.after eating rich or spoiled food or taking a new medication.It is important to see a doct...
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Forcibly disgorging the contents of the stomach through the mouth.Vomiting in children has a wide range of causes, from ordinary cases of stomach flu that spontaneously resolve within days to serious disorders of the digestive tract and other prob...
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Nausea and vomiting are recognized as two separate and distinct conditions. Nausea is the subjective, unpleasant feeling or urge to vomit, which may or may not result in vomiting.
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Problem behavior is often associated with adolescence but may manifest in the very young or in adults. Delinquency, drug use, academic failure, risky sexual behavior, violence, property damage, vandalism and disregard of the rights of others are all problem behaviors.
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Speech disorders refer to several conditions in which a person has difficulty communicating by mouth.Articulation deficiency; Voice disorders; Disfluency.Speech is one of the primary ways we communicate with those around us. It is an effective way...
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According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association(ASHA), a language disorder is an impairment in comprehension use of the spoken, written, or other symbol system.Speech disorders affect the language and mechanics, the content of speech...
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Detailed information on speech and voice disorders, including spasmodic dysphonia and stuttering
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Speech disorders are characterized by a difficulty in producing normal speech patterns.Children go through many stages of speech production while they are learning to communicate. What is normal in the speech of a child of one age may be a sign of...
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Speech disorders treated by speech-language pathologists include voice disorders(abnormalities in pitch, volume, vocal quality, or resonance or duration of sounds), articulation disorders(problems producing speech sounds), and fluency disorders(im...
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Speech-language pathology is the treatment for the improvement or cure of communication disorders, including speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The term used to describe professionals in this discipline is speech and language pathologist(...
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A speech disorder is a communication disorder characterized by an impaired ability to produce speech sounds or normal voice, or to speak fluently.Speech disorders belong to a broad category of disorders called communication disorders that also inc...
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A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are extremely rare.
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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...
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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.
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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...
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Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches
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Bruises are a part of life. By the time you notice a bruise, though, it's already started to heal.
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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.
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Hazy vision, cloudy vision, blurred vision are all problems with seeing clearly. Any change in your normal vision is cause for concern and is a good reason to call a doctor for an examination.
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The term anosmia means lack of the sense of smell. It may also refer to a decreased sense of smell.
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The term anosmia means lack of the sense of smell. It may also refer to a decreased sense of smell.
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Ataxia, a medical term originated from the Greek language meaning"without order," refers to disturbances in the control of body posture, motor coordination, speech control, and eye movements. Several brain areas, including the cerebellum and the s...
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Detailed information on ataxia, including sporadic ataxia and the hereditary ataxias
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Ataxia, an extreme lack of coordination of the muscles, is a symptom of damage to the central nervous system. People with ataxia typically stand with feet planted far apart, and sway while standing, struggling to maintain balance.
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Developmental coordination disorder is diagnosed when children do not develop normal motor coordination(coordination of movements involving the voluntary muscles).Developmental coordination disorder has been known by many other names, some of whic...
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Bruises, or ecchymoses, are a discoloration and tenderness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the leakage of blood from an injured blood vessel into the tissues. Pupura refers to bruising as the result of a disease condition.
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Detailed information on bruising or black eye Ecchymosis, or more commonly known as a "black eye," usually occurs from some type of trauma to the eye, causing the tissue around the eye to become bruised. Your child's physician will examine the eye closely to make sure there is no damage to the actual eye itself.
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Nasal discharge is any mucus-like material that comes out of the nose.Nasal discharge is common, but rarely serious. Drainage from swollen or infected sinuses may be thick or discolored.Excess mucus may run down the back of your throat(postnasal d...
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Taste impairment means there is a problem with your sense of taste. Problems range from distorted taste to a complete loss of the sense of taste.
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Any condition that affects the ability to taste is referred to as dysgeusia. While dysgeusia is often used to describe any change in the sense of taste, more specific terms include ageusia(complete loss of the sensation of taste); hypogeusia(decre...
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Change in taste can be a change in the sensation of sweet, salty, sour, or bitter. A change in the way foods taste may cause a dislike for foods, which may lead to lack of appetite or weight loss. The taste buds are affected by the cancer or its treatment.
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In older people, it's easy to mistake memory problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people experience as they grow older.
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Hearing loss can be caused by many things – some reversible such as wax buildup in the ear canal or ear infections with fluid build up. Some hearing loss is irreversible – that due to mechanical problems within the ear itself, or sensorineural problems within the inner ear.
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Taste alteration refers to a decrease in the ability to taste foods(hypogeusia), changes in how food tastes(dysgeusia), or the complete loss of the ability to taste foods(ageusia). It also refers to the presence of a metallic or medicine-like tast...
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Exploring the causes and treatment for loss of taste, which may result from years of taking high blood pressure medications.
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Aimless movements can be a symptom of a primary or secondary movement disorder, side effect of a medication, psychiatric disturbance or dementia. Aimless or purposeless movement is therefore a significant symptom requiring evaluation by a physician to determine the origin of the problem.
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Emotional content floods the brain in response to our experiences, physiological and psychological states. Most of us learn how to prevent emotions from interfering with functioning as we mature.
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A facial fracture means you have one or more broken bones in your face. These may be in your jaw, nose, cheeks, or the sockets around your eyes.
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