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Symptoms could include:
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Chest Discomfort
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Chest Pressure
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Upper Abdominal Pain
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Squeezing Chest Pain
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Radiating Chest Pain
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Chest Pain Under Breastbone
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Elephant Standing On Chest Feeling
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Jaw Pain
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Increase In Blood Pressure
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Epigastric Pain
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Feeling of Impending Doom
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Grey Skin
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Abdominal Pain Radiating to Shoulder
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Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack. You may feel the pain in only one part of your body, or it may move from your chest to your arms, shoulder, neck, teeth, jaw, belly area, or back.A tight band around the chest Bad indigestion Somethin...
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Myocardial infarctions are generally caused by severe coronary artery disease. Most myocardial infarctions are caused by blood clots that form on atherosclerotic plaque.
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Heart attacks are generally caused by severe coronary artery disease. Most heart attacks are caused by blood clots that form on atherosclerotic plaque.
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The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.Anxiety; Feeling uptight; Stress; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension.Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good-- it can ...
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Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat phobias and other extreme or erroneous fears based on principles of behavior modification.Systematic desensitization is used to help the client cope with phobias and other fears, and to induc...
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Anxiety is a bodily response to a perceived threat or danger. It is triggered by a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient''s personal history and memory, and the social situation.It is important to distinguish between anxiety a...
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This report features up-to-date information on the signs, causes, and treatments of many common phobias and anxiety disorders.
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Anxiety is familiar to everyone due to the many stresses and complexities of modern life.
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Anxiety is a multisystem response to a perceived threat or danger. It reflects a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient''s personal history and memory, and the social situation.
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Everybody experiences fear at some time or another. Fear is a powerful emotion that arises in situations that are interpreted as dangerous. The purpose of fear is to alert you to take protective action—usually to fight, flee, or seek assistance. For example, if you were hiking in the woods and encountered a snake, you would naturally interpret this situation as dangerous which would produce the emotion of fear, which, in turn, would motivate some self-preserving behavior—probably an attempt to escape. If, however, you recognize that the snake is harmless, your interpretation of the situation as dangerous and the ensuing emotion of fear would have been erroneous. Notice how important the cognitive act of interpretation is in experiencing fear.
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Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated.
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Anxiety is a multisystem response to a perceived threat or danger. It reflects a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient''s personal history and memory, and the social situation at hand.
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Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders that can affect adults, adolescents and children. They overwhelm people with chronic feelings of anxiety and fear.
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This guide is designed to help you learn about anxiety disorders. Knowing more, you may feel more comfortable talking with a health professional about your experience and your symptoms.
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Anxiety is a condition of persistent and uncontrollable nervousness, stress, and worry that is triggered by anticipation of future events, memories of past events, or ruminations over day-to-day events, both trivial and major, with disproportionat...
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Some researchers believe anxiety is synonymous with fear, occurring in varying degrees and in situations in which people feel threatened by some danger. Others describe anxiety as an unpleasant emotion caused by unidentifiable dangers or dangers t...
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You may suffer from generalized anxiety disorder if you go through the day worried, tense or anxious about your family, health or work, even when you know there are no signs of trouble.
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Anxiety—feeling frightened, tense, uneasy—is a normal response to a threat. Anxiety can disrupt your life, but it's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't suffer in silence. Anxiety disorders are covered by most health plans. Check what's covered under your plan. Then ask your doctor or another mental health professional for help.
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Discussion of the effect of anxiety disorders on children and how they can be treated.
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Despite their age, benzodiazepines still provide unique benefits and are unlikely to be entirely superseded by newer medications. Includes a comparison chart of newer and older drugs for insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
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You have to give a presentation next week. Just thinking about it makes your heart race. Your throat gets tight, and you can hardly breathe. Sometimes, you even feel faint. Speaking in front of a group makes most people nervous, but your fear is beyond reason. This is nothing to be ashamed of. You may have an anxiety disorder known as social phobia. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional. They can offer treatment and support.
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It is common to feel stress or anxiety when you have cancer. Anxiety can be a vague or uneasy feeling of distress. There are many things that can bring on these feelings, such as trips to your doctor's office, treatments for your cancer, or fears about your cancer.
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Separation anxiety is common in children, but most grow out of it. However, in a small percentage of children (and more rarely, in adults) it becomes a disorder. Typical treatment methods include cognitive and behavioral therapy.
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Research suggests that for patients who are starting treatment for depression, their type of attachment anxiety should be taken into consideration as a factor in determining the best course of treatment.
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There is evidence that certain herbs and supplements may be effective in treating certain types of anxiety disorders.
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When I get nervous, I get a tic that affects the left side of my face, including my eye. What can I do about this? Is there anything I can take for it?
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Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.Some coughs are dry, while others are considered productive.
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Coughs, those mini-explosions in your throat, are valuable weapons in your body's self-defense arsenal. Their assignment: keep airways clear by quickly expelling intruders from the lower respiratory system -- principally your throat and upper lungs. If dust, fluid, viruses, bacteria or even tumors block any part of this region, your cough reflex takes explosive action.
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Your doctor should evaluate you if you are having symptoms that suggest a more serious cause, such as a bacterial infection, or if your symptoms aren't manageable with over-the-counter remedies or the passing of time.
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A cough is a forceful release of air from the lungs that can be heard. Coughing protects the respiratory system by clearing it of irritants and secretions.While people can generally cough voluntarily, a cough is usually a reflex triggered when an ...
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A cough is a forceful release of air from the lungs that can be heard. Coughing protects the respiratory system by clearing it of irritants and secretions.While people can generally cough voluntarily, a true cough is usually a reflex triggered whe...
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A cough is a forceful release of air from the lungs that can be heard. Coughing protects the respiratory system by clearing it of irritants and secretions.While people can generally cough on purpose, a cough is usually a reflex triggered when an i...
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New onset chest pain always requires evaluation by your doctor. If the pain is severe, you should seek immediate medical care.
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If hospitals become accredited as "chest pain centers," it could make deciding where to go for treatment easier, and also increase recovery rates.
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Doctor-patient communication can improve the treatment outlook for those with chronic chest pain.
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Every now and then I get a sudden, sharp pain on the left side of my chest, like a knife. I get a little dizzy, and then it disappears as quickly as it came on. Even though the test results were fine, it still scares me. Should I be concerned about this?
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A new drug has been approved to treat angina, though it is intended for those who have not had success with other angina medications, and is meant to be used in combination with another such drug.
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Women who suffer from chest pain but show clear arteries on an angiogram may have a different type of blocked artery, where plaque builds up evenly on the inner surface or bulges outward.
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The benefits of chest pain regarding acute coronary events.When it comes to exercise, that old chestnut "No pain, no gain” is passé. But it may still apply to heart attacks. People who have chest pain (angina) with activity in the months or weeks before a heart attack tend to have smaller heart attacks, better survival, fewer heart rhythm problems, and better recovery of heart function than those without chest pain. In May, a team that included cardiologists from Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that angina protects against the muscular remodeling of the left ventricle that can follow a heart attack and lead to heart failure. It didn't seem to help people with diabetes, though.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about when chest pain may be heartburn, and when it may be a sign of something more serious.
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What would cause me to have chest pains when I eat a full meal?
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.
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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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Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode is brief(lasting less than a couple of minutes) and is followed by rapid and complete recovery.
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Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness, weakness of muscles, and inability to stand up, all caused by sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. Fainting is a relatively common symptom caused by a variety of problems relating to changes in blo...
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Detailed information on syncope, also called fainting, including causes, symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
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Fainting is loss of consciousness caused by a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain. Known by the medical term"syncope," fainting may be preceded by dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of extreme weakness.When a person faints, the loss of consciousnes...
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If your blood pressure drops too low, your brain may not get enough oxygen-rich blood. Your body responds by losing consciousness briefly. You also slump or fall down. This problem is called syncope, fainting, or a blackout.
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When the brain receives conflicting signals, or when there is a problem with blood flow, dizziness or fainting can occur.
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Syncope, or fainting, is a temporary loss of consciousness, usually caused by decreased blood flow to the brain. Syncope is a symptom, rather than a disease itself, and has many causes.
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Fainting is a loss of consciousness, falling down or needing to lie down, followed by spontaneous recovery. Fainting by itself is not a problem, but it could be a sign of a serious health condition.
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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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Every time I have blood drawn, I have vasovagal reaction. Does that prevent me from blood donation? Any advice how to combat this?
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A drug trial shows that beta blockers do not reduce the incidence of fainting spells.
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Pain is an unpleasant sensation triggered in the nervous system that can range from mild discomfort to unbearable agony. Pain receptors located throughout the body send electrical impulses via the spinal cord to the brain.
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Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.Many people with chest pain fear a heart attack. However, there are many possible causes of chest pain.
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Clammy skin may be an emergency. Call your doctor or 911 immediately.Home care depends on what is causing the clammy skin.
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Detailed information on excessive sweating, including symptoms and treatment Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, can affect the entire body, but usually occurs in the palms, soles, armpits, and/or groin area. Excessive sweating is normal when a person is anxious or has a fever. However, when the condition is chronic, it may signal thyroid problems, low blood sugar, nervous system disorders, or other medical problems.
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A Harvard Medical School physician discusses excessive sweating while eating in diabetics, called diabetic gustatory diaphoresis.
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My friend has a week-and-a-half old baby, who has been profusely sweating. The baby even became soaked with sweat while lying in his bassinet in only a diaper and socks. What could be the cause of this? Mom has had to give him sugar bottles because of constipation. She is worried the baby could be diabetic, because dad is diabetic.
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Fidgeting is usually used to describe someone who is seen as not being able to sit still. Fidgety people move in their seats constantly, move their hands and feet and appear to be in perpetual motion.
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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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The heart rate, usually measured by checking the arterial pulse or sounds counting the times of the heart beat, is considered one of the vital signs. Vital signs – body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure provide information about the state of health of a person and, if abnormal,offer clues to problems.
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Being tired is the familiar aftermath of physical exertion, prolonged labor or lack of sleep. When does being tired become a symptom of a condition? Fatigue, malaise, lassitude, exhaustion are all subtle variations of the same subjective feelings of not having enough energy to meet the demands of one's life.
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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.
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Electrical impulses causes the heart to pump. Normally the impulse originates in the right upper chamber of the heart, called the right atrium. The electrical
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Electrical system problems of the heart may make the atria beat faster than normal. If the atria beat quickly, but still evenly, it is called atrial flutter. If the atria beat very quickly and unevenly, it is called atrial fibrillation.
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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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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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Examines the role of forgiveness in personal health and happiness, ranging from reduced stress to improved relationships.
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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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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...
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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...
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Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
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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(...
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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.
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Knowing the definitions of terms your doctor may use when talking with you about your blood pressure is important.
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Each day that your blood pressure is too high, your chances of having a stroke are increased.
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Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
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Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
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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.
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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.
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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.
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High blood pressure is more common among African Americans than other ethnic groups. Nearly 40 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have hypertension.
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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.
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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?
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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...
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Did you know you can purchase your own blood pressure monitor and check the reading yourself at home?
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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.
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A Harvard Medical School doctor discusses possible causes of low blood pressure.
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Is it absolutely necessary for a diabetic who does not have high blood pressure to take a blood pressure pill anyway?
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Detailed information on high blood pressure, also called hypertension, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
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A healthy blood pressure level can reduce your risk for many serious diseases and increase your longevity.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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In most cases, high blood pressure responds to treatment, but the success of the treatment is up to you.
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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.
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High blood pressure can contribute to sexual problems, as can some treatments for it.
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Is it possible for a blockage in the kidneys to cause high blood pressure? What type of blockage would there be in a kidney?
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The number of Americans with high blood pressure has risen steadily since the 1960s, and now tops 65 million.
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Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries.
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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.
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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.
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Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as it flows through them.
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An old theory about the connection between headache and high blood pressure makes a comeback.
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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.
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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.
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Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus, just below or behind the breastbone. The pain often rises in your chest and may radiate to your neck or throat.Almost everyone has occasional heartburn.
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Detailed information on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Heartburn can affect just about anyone—old or young (or in between). An occasional bout of heartburn is nothing to worry about. Chronic heartburn, however, can be a sign of a more serious condition.
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Sixty million Americans suffer heartburn. Almost half have it every day. If you're among them, do you have all the facts?
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At one time or another, most of us have suffered from heartburn -- a burning feeling behind the breastbone or sometimes at the same level in the mid-back.
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Although heartburn can be treated easily with changes in diet, lifestyle, and over-the-counter medications, it can also be a symptom of more serious problems.
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Heartburn is the first sign of a gastric disorder that shouldn???t be ignored.Heartburn is the first sign of a gastric disorder that shouldn't be ignored.
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Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that can extend to the neck, throat, and face; it is worsened by bending or lying down. It is the primary symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, which is the movement of stomach acid into the esophagus.
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Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that can extend to the neck, throat, and face. It usually occurs after eating and is worsened by bending, lifting, or lying down.Heartburn, sometimes called acid indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux,...
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Heartburn is a daily problem for about 10 percent of Americans, and at least twice that many suffer occasional bouts.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about how to tell heartburn from more serious heart trouble.
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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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"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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Nonspecific back pain refers to pain in the back due to an unknown cause.
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Back pain may occur in the upper, middle, or lower back; it is most often experienced in the lower back. It may originate from the bones and ligaments forming the spine, the muscles and tendons supporting the back, the nerves that exit the spinal ...
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Instead of looking for a quick fix, try to develop a longer view. Healing takes time and is a gradual process. By doing daily stretching and stress-management exercises, the time it takes to heal your back will be shortened.
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Four out of five adults suffer back pain sometime in their lives, experts say. And most of that back pain is in the lower back. That's because the low back bears most of the weight and is the most common site of poor posture.
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As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn't prepared.
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Back pain has many sources. It can originate in the joints, muscles, or ligaments of the back itself or be caused by problems in other parts of the body.
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that in one year, more than 10,000 children ages 5 to 14 see doctors with backpack-related complaints.
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Up to eight in 10 Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. For most people, back pain resolves, but for 5 to 10 percent, low back pain becomes a chronic condition.
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More than half of American adults seek medical treatment for back pain at some point in their lives.
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Ice reduces muscle pain and swelling. It helps most during the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
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These exercises will strengthen your back and buttocks muscles.Before trying these exercises, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure they are safe for you. Ask your healthcare provider how many times to do each exercise.
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Smoking damages your arteries, and it's thought that the damaged arteries in the discs and joints in your back may lead to pain and injury.
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Back pain is something you don't want to repeat. Recovering properly from a back injury and taking preventive measures can help you reduce your risk of going through it again.
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To heal your back and make your spine healthy, it's essential to build up and nurture the back muscles. This is accomplished by systematic stretching of not only the muscles in the back, but the other muscles in the body as well, since virtually all muscles in the body affect the back in one way or another.
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Back pain is a common complaint: Nearly everyone will have low back pain that interferes with work or daily activities at some point in his or her life.
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People who work in certain occupations, such as nursing, are likely to have back pain. But so can folks who work in an office every day if they don't take proactive steps to protect their backs.
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Think through each move before you make it, so you'll use the right muscles for the job. If you practice these safe moves now, they may come naturally to you by the time your baby's born.
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Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you're having trouble protecting your back, it's okay to ask the people around you for help!
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Four out of five people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.If you've never hurt your back, you're one of the lucky few. Four out of five people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Why? Sometimes the spine just isn't getting the support it needs from your back, stomach, and leg muscles.
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Back pain can be caused by many illnesses and conditions, including stress or injury, being overweight, improper lifting, pregnancy, and diseases such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
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Your back is important to almost every move you make, but you probably won't realize that until you hurt it.
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If the pain occurs because of an accident or injury, or fever is present, you should see your health care provider immediately. Pain not accompanied by fever or not associated with an accident or injury may not need immediate treatment.
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Before trying these exercises, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure they are safe for you. Ask your healthcare provider how many times to do each exercise.
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If you have loss of bowel or bladder control, seek emergency help at once. Paralysis of the bowel and bladder could result if not attended to promptly.
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Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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Before trying these exercises, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure they are safe for you. Ask your healthcare provider how many times to do each exercise.
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You likely position yourself differently now than you did before you were pregnant. Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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The cause of most back pain cannot be identified specifically, and is likely due to a conbination of factors. Imaging tests are not very useful and do not improve the outcome of treatment.
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Is back pain in children common? What should you do if your child has back/low back pain?
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Studies indicate that almost all children report having fears. Some of the most common fears are of bugs or ghosts, and studies have shown that kids are afraid of pretty much the same things no matter where they live in the world.
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Fear is an intense aversion to or apprehension of a person, place, activity, event, or object that causes emotional distress and often avoidance behavior. Fears are common in childhood.More than 50 percent of children experience normal phobias, wh...
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An aversion to a person, place, activity, event, or object that causes emotional distress and often avoidance behavior.Fear is defined as emotional reaction related to a person, place, activity, event, or object. Symptoms of fear may include stiff...
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Researchers have found that the hormone cortisol, produced by the body in response to stress, may in fact have a calming effect on people with certain phobias or performance anxiety.
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Researchers have found a chemical in the brain thay may affect how the mind retains or discards memories of a traumatic event.
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Dizziness is light-headedness, feeling like you might faint, being unsteady, loss of balance, or vertigo(a feeling that you or the room is spinning or moving).Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or a...
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Dizziness is a general term that describes sensations of imbalance and unsteadiness, such as vertigo, mild turning, imbalance, and near fainting or fainting. Feelings of dizziness stem from the vestibular system, which includes the brain and the p...
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As a disorder, dizziness is classified into three categories—vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has a characteristic set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance.
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As a disorder, dizziness is classified into three categories: vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has its own set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance.
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Dizziness is classified into three categories—vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has a characteristic set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance.
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Can arthritis in neck and shoulders be the cause of "positional vertigo?" In the past, when I've experienced vertigo symptoms I've visited my chiropractor for an adjustment that would successfully relieve my misalignment, which was pinching a nerve in my neck and causing the dizziness. My last episode was not as successful, though.
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Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heartbeat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood.Low blood pressure; Blood pressure- low; Post...
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Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure.The pressure of the blood in the arteries rises and falls as the heart and muscles handle demands of daily living, such as exercise, sleep and stress. Some healthy people have blood pressure w...
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Doctors often consider chronically low blood pressure too low only if it drops suddenly or causes noticeable symptoms.
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While recommended healthy blood pressure levels have decreased, lowering diastolic pressure too much could deprive the heart of needed blood flow, which could be dangerous for people with coronary artery disease.
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Preliminary studies show that a promising new drug may treat the symptoms of low blood pressure.
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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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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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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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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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Neck pain is a nonspecific symptom of discomfort that has a number of possible causes. Depending on the cause, neck pain may be experienced as limited to the neck itself(localized), or as radiating to the shoulders and upper arm.
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Detailed information on neck pain and the most common types of neck problems The neck is located between the head and the shoulders. Because of its location and range of motion, it is often left unprotected and subject to injury.
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Physical therapy for back and neck pain is the treatment of this pain using professionally accepted techniques and procedures carried out by a physical therapist.The ultimate purpose of physical therapy is to restore normal function to the patient...
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Do your neck and shoulders feel stiff when you awake in the morning? Or do they seize painfully with no warning? If so, you have plenty of company. Doctors estimate that 7 out of 10 people will be troubled by neck pain at some point in their lives, often causing daily aching in the neck and shoulder area. One in 10 adults is hurting right now, and for 1 in 20, the pain is longstanding and intense enough to severely limit the ability to work and play.
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Learn the most effective exercises, therapies, and ergonomic strategies for this debilitating condition.
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Detailed information on neck pain and the most common types of neck problems The neck is located between the head and the shoulders. Because of its location and range-of-motion, it is often left unprotected and subject to injury.
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Even if your neck pain is caused by an injury or a worsening condition, self-care can often provide relief. In some cases, however, you should seek medical attention right away.
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Most neck pain is caused by sleeping on a bed that's too soft, poor posture, stress, neck strains or degenerative joint disease that occurs when the joints of the neck become inflamed or a disc pushes outward from its normal position.
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The neck is the most flexible part of your spine. However, because it is not well protected by muscles, it's also easy to injure.
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Neck pain may be a symptom of a serious or even dangerous condition that requires prompt evaluation.
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Your neck spends a lot of time supporting your head - - here's how to manage the neck pain that may result.
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Detailed information on back and neck pain, including causes, prevention, and rehabilitation
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Feeling lightheaded is a sensation that may precede syncope or fainting. It is usually experienced when in an upright position (standing or sitting). If
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Shoulder pain involves any pain in or around the shoulder joint.The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. The rotator cuff in the shoulder is made up of four tendons.
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The shoulder is prone to developing pain in part because its anatomy is complex and because it has the largest range of motion of any joint in the body. Some of these muscles, tendons,and bursae are common causes of shoulder pain, even when the joint itself is fine.
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Detailed information on shoulder pain and the most common types of shoulder problems
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Arthritis, injury, bone disease, and torn muscles and tendons can cause pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling in your shoulder. Then even simple movements become painful and difficult.
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The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, but because of this flexibility, it is not very stable and is easily injured.
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A toothache is generally the result of dental cavities(tooth decay) or sometimes an infection. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene, although the tendency to get tooth decay is partly inherited.Sometimes, pain that''s felt in the toot...
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A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicating inflammation and possible infection.A toothache may feel like a sharp pain or a dull ache. The tooth may be sensitive to pressure, heat, cold, or sweets.
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Detailed information on toothache, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicating inflammation and possible infection.A toothache may feel like a sharp pain or a dull ache. The tooth may be sensitive to pressure, heat, cold, or sweets.
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A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicated by inflammation and infection.A toothache may feel like a sharp pain or a dull, throbbing ache. The tooth may be sensitive to pressure, heat, cold, or sweets.
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An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate(pulse) or heart rhythm, such as beating too fast(tachycardia), too slow(bradycardia), or irregularly.Dysrhythmias; Abnormal heart rhythms; Bradycardia; Tachycardia.Normally, the four chambers of the he...
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An arrhythmia is an abnormality in the heart''s rhythm, or heartbeat pattern. The heartbeat can be too slow, too fast, have extra beats, skip a beat, or otherwise beat irregularly.Arrhythmias are deviations from the normal cadence of the heartbeat,...
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Detailed information on arrhythmias, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information
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Detailed information on arrhythmias, including symptoms, types, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on problems involving heart rhythm There are many problems that affect the heart's rhythm that require care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below you will find some additional information regarding problems involving heart rhythm, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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The guidelines for how long to wait before driving after having an ICD implanted have been revised, to reflect the growing number of people who receive the device preventively.
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The heart rate, usually measured by checking the arterial pulse or sounds counting the times of the heart beat, is considered one of the vital signs. Vital signs – body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure provide information about the state of health of a person and, if abnormal, offer clues to problems.
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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?
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Moist skin is an indication that the body is sweating (perspiring). Perspiration is the release of liquid from the sweat glands of the body, a normal body function to help the body stay cool.
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This is usually done as a result of drowsiness or weariness. Excessive yawning is yawning that happens more often than would be expected, even if drowsiness or weariness is present.Yawning is a normal response to fatigue and drowsiness, but excess...
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