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A set of related cancers that form in the bone marrow and other blood-producing organs.Leukemia is named after the leukocytes, white blood cells which mutate before maturity and become cancerous. These cells reproduce rapidly, suppressing producti...
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Detailed information on leukemia, including causes, stages, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the organs that make blood, namely the bone marrow and the lymph system. Depending on specific characteristics, leukemia can be divided into two broad types: acute and chronic.
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Leukemia is a group of bone marrow diseases involving an uncontrolled increase in white blood cells(leukocytes).For information about a specific type of leukemia, see the following:.Acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL) Acute myelogenous leukemia(AML) C...
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Leukemia is different from other types of cancer. Most cancers begin as a tumor and spread to other parts of the body. How large the tumor is and how far the cancer spreads determines the stage of the cancer. But leukemia doesn't begin as a tumor. It is in your blood, which means it is already moving throughout your body.
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Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin changing in ways that aren't normal. Cancer that starts in blood cells is called leukemia.
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Detailed overview of leukemia, including types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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You have just been told, "You have leukemia.” With these 3 words, you may feel that your world has stopped. It's scary to hear. However, knowledge is powerful. It can help make a difference in how you handle your experience with leukemia.
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Certain factors can make one person more likely to get leukemia than another person. These are called risk factors. Although such risk factors do exist, a person who has one or more risk factors will not necessarily get leukemia. In fact, a person can have all the risk factors and still not get leukemia, or he or she can have no known risk factors and still get the disease.
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There is no sure way to prevent leukemia. In fact, most people with leukemia have no known risk factors. People can, however, make certain lifestyle choices that might lower their risk of developing leukemia.
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Normal white blood cells help the body fight infections. Because leukemia cells are abnormal, they do not function as normal cells do. People with leukemia often find out about their disease because they may have fevers and infections.
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The cells that were removed for your biopsy are looked at more closely during special tests. These tests help tell what kind of leukemia you have. The type you have affects your choices for treatment.
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Detailed information on leukemia in childhood, including symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment
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No standard screening process exists for detecting early stage leukemia. Doctors often detect chronic leukemia during routine blood count checks or screening tests, such as those conducted when a person seeks employment, joins the military, is pregnant, or is about to undergo an operation.
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This treatment uses strong X-rays to kill leukemia cells. For leukemia, this treatment is most often used after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. It may also be used to help control pain. In the rare cases that leukemia causes a tumor, radiation may be used to shrink it. A radiation oncologist sets your treatment plan. The plan details what kind of radiation you'll have and how long the treatment will last. This doctor can also tell you how you may feel during and after the treatment.
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You will likely have physical concerns since your leukemia may cause symptoms and you may have side effects from your treatment. In this section, you'll learn more about how to respond to some of the most common ones. You will not likely have all of these side effects or symptoms. They are listed alphabetically to help you find information when you need it.
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If your doctor thinks you might have leukemia, you will have a special kind of biopsy. For it, your doctor needs a small sample of bone marrow and bone. The doctor takes these from the inside of your pelvic bone. The procedure is called a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. In some cases, the doctor takes an aspiration from the breastbone instead. A pathologist looks at the sample under a microscope. It may take a few days for the results to come back. Then your doctor knows if you have leukemia.
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Targeted therapy is a new type of treatment for some types of leukemia. It's designed to "see” a certain change in a cancer cell. This is a change that makes the cancer grow, divide, repair, or "talk” with other cells. These new drugs attack only cancer cells. They destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. But they avoid normal, healthy cells. That means this treatment tends to cause fewer and less severe side effects than other kinds of treatment. These 3 main types of targeted therapy can treat leukemia.
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Detailed information on leukemia in childhood, including symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment
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Leukemia can be treated. Your treatment depends on all these things. The type of leukemia you have
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Listed below are some frequently asked questions about leukemia. Q: What is leukemia?
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To find out whether you have leukemia, your doctor does a physical examination and other tests. Sometimes a doctor finds leukemia during a routine exam. This can happen when a person doesn't know about a problem because he or she doesn't have symptoms.
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It's normal to worry about what leukemia will mean for you and your family. You may wonder, "What are my chances of being cured?” and "How long will I live?” The answers to these questions are what you may hear healthcare experts call your prognosis. This is the likely outcome, or course, of your leukemia. Your doctor considers how likely these outcomes are for you when making your prognosis.
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Treating your leukemia to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters. Let your doctor or nurse know if you are experiencing any side effects or discomfort. Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse how these problems affect your day-to-day life. Your healthcare team is there to help you manage your symptoms as well as to treat your leukemia.
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The hallmark of leukemia is often an increase in the number of white blood cells. It's ironic that mass production of white blood cells--your body's infection fighters--actually causes you harm. The problem is that the white blood cells made when you have leukemia may not function normally. When your body makes too many leukemic white blood cells, it doesn't make enough normal ones to fight infection. This decrease in the strength of your immune system is called immunosuppression. A weaker immune system means you are at a greater risk of getting both common infections you encounter in everyday life as well as uncommon ones.
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Surgery can do little to treat leukemia. For chronic leukemia, though, it is helpful in some cases. Your doctor may remove your spleen if it is swollen and pressing against other organs. Your spleen is an organ near your stomach. It helps produce white blood cells and destroy red blood cells. Another reason you may have your spleen removed is to raise levels of certain blood cells. That's because a swollen spleen can start removing too many of them from your blood.
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A clinical trial is when a new treatment is tested. It tests treatments that may work better or cause fewer problems than current treatments. A clinical trial may give you a chance to get a new treatment not yet available to the public.
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Once your radiation oncologist has mapped out your treatment plan, a radiation therapist treats you. There are a few ways to do that.
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How you get targeted therapy depends on the kind you get. You get monoclonal therapy by intravenous (IV) needle or under the skin 3 times a week. You won't need to stay in a hospital overnight. How long each treatment lasts depends upon the dose you get. It also depends on whether you have any reactions to the treatment. If you get an IV, it may take about 2 hours. If you get an injection under the skin, it may take a few minutes.
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If you are having targeted therapy, your healthcare team will explain its side effects and help you manage them.
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When you are being treated for leukemia, you will likely have side effects from that treatment and also, perhaps, symptoms of the disease itself. For instance, the leukemia itself can cause symptoms such as fevers, weight loss, or bleeding. The treatments to destroy leukemia cells can harm healthy cells at the same time, and that means treatment can cause side effects.
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Some people use statistics to try to figure out their chances of getting cancer or of being cured. Statistics show what happens with large groups of people. Because no two people are alike, statistics cannot be used to know or predict what will happen to a particular person.
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When many people think of cancer care, they may think of traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. These treatments are used to get rid of cancer cells in the body. But there is another form of care that many people with cancer also receive called supportive care. Supportive care does not fight the cancer, but it can improve the overall health or quality of life for a person with cancer. It can include dealing with side effects of cancer and its treatments, such as fatigue and pain, learning about the condition and treatment, and getting nutritional and psychological support. For leukemia patients, supportive care is an important part of helping the patient get through treatment.
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Once you know you have leukemia, your doctor will likely do more tests. Most people need more than one.
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You and your doctor will talk all about stem cell transplants and their side effects before you have it done. After this treatment, you will have a weakened immune system. That makes you are at greater risk for infection and other serious side effects. You must stay in the hospital for several weeks. You may also need to be in isolation after being in the hospital until your white blood cell counts start returning to normal. During this time, your stem cells are making new white blood cells. Here are some common side effects you can expect. Many of these are from chemotherapy or radiation treatments and will go away after treatment ends.
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You may have heard a lot about alternative or complementary care. These are a group of practices and products that are not yet thought of as a part of standard medicine.
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Side effects of chemotherapy depend upon the type and amount of drugs you take. They vary from person to person. Here's a list of side effects you may have with this treatment. Talk with your doctor or nurse about which might be most likely to happen to you.
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Radiation affects normal cells as well as cancer cells. It may cause side effects. They depend on how much radiation you get and where you get it. Here's a list of common side effects people with leukemia may have after radiation. Ask your doctor or nurse which ones you are most likely to have.
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Many side effects of treatment are not serious. They end once the treatment ends. But others may develop over time or be a sign of more serious damage from treatment. For instance, chemotherapy can damage organs, such as kidneys or lungs. Also, when leukemia cells break down during treatment, they release their contents into the bloodstream. This can cause what is called tumor lysis syndrome. It can also affect certain organs. If you have a stem cell transplant, the immune system cells from a donor attack the leukemia cells. They can also attack your normal cells, causing a variety of side effects. And, in rare cases, you may develop another type of cancer as a side effect of treatment.
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Dealing with these feelings is often easier as you learn more about your disease and get support. Doctors, nurses, and other members of your healthcare team can answer questions about your concerns. Talking with friends and relatives or getting in touch with others who have had leukemia or cancer can be helpful. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy may also help. Many people with leukemia attend support groups. There they can share what they have learned about leukemia and its treatments.
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Chemotherapy is the systemic(whole body) treatment of cancer with anticancer drugs.The main purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. It can be used as the primary form of treatment or as a supplement to other treatments.
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Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to cancer-killing drugs.
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Detailed information on chemotherapy and managing chemotherapy side effects in children
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Chemotherapy is treatment of cancer with anticancer drugs.The main purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. It is usually used to treat patients with cancer that has spread from the place in the body where it started(metastasized).
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Caution: Call your doctor if your cuticles become red and painful or show other changes.
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You may have questions about how chemotherapy could affect the things you take for granted in everyday life. Here are some answers to common questions, and some of the adjustments you may need to make.
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Detailed information on chemotherapy for treatment of gynecological cancers Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. Chemotherapy has been used for many years and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments such as radiation or surgery. Often, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order depending on the type of cancer it is being used to treat.
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Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with anti- cancer drugs.The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. Not only is it often used to treat patients with cancer that has metastasized(spread) from the site in the body where it originate...
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Chemotherapy, sometimes referred to as"chemo," is the treatment of cancer with anticancer drugs.The main purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. It usually is used to treat patients with cancer that has spread from the place in the body w...
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During chemotherapy, the energy provided by a healthy diet can help you rebuild normal cells. It can also help you keep up your strength and fight infection. As a result, you may feel better and be more able to cope with side effects. Ask your doctor about your nutrition needs.
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Most people who are told they need chemotherapy dread the anticipated side effects. However, side effects vary from person to person depending on the person's general health, the type of cancer, and the kind of chemotherapy received. Some people feel no side effects, while others feel many. Certain side effects, such as hair loss, can have more of an emotional impact than a physical one. Others may be permanent, such as infertility. While side effects from chemotherapy can't always be prevented, there are many things that can be done to lessen their impact.
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Although exercise is an important for everyone, it's especially beneficial for those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy.
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Minor skin problems are common side effects of chemotherapy. These side effects occur because the treatment affects normal cells as well as cancer cells. To manage these side effects, try the tips on this handout.
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Detailed information on chemotherapy and managing chemotherapy side effects in children
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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Expert-reviewed information summary about oral complications, such as mucositis and salivary gland dysfunction, that occur in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head and neck.
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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Why do I need this treatment? What drugs will I be taking? How often? For how long? What will they do?
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You may have a short-term IV that is removed after each treatment. Or you may have a central venous catheter. This is a thin tube that is inserted into a large vein with access to your central blood supply. It is left in place as long as needed.
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This is one section from the guide "Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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Two studies show that chemotherapy and cancer drugs may have lingering effects on the brain after treatment concludes. Memory and attention are affected, but not permanently.
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I am undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and one of the side effects is a white, thick coating on my tongue. Can you suggest a remedy for this?
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Knowing what chemotherapy does, and when and how it is given, may make you feel less anxious about starting treatment. Chemotherapy can be a single medication or a combination of medications. It may be used along with surgery or radiation therapy to shrink a tumor or prevent its spread.
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Multiple myeloma is a cancer in which antibody-producing plasma cells grow in an uncontrolled and invasive(malignant) manner.Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is the second-most common cancer of the blood. It is the most common ...
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Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.Plasma cell dyscrasia; Plasma cell myeloma; Malignant plasmacytoma; Plasmacytoma of bone; Myeloma- multiple.Plasma cells help the body''s immune system fight disease by producing substan...
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Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about multiple myeloma. Q:What is multiple myeloma?
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To help you understand what is happening when you have cancer, it helps to understand how your body works normally. Our bodies are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Normal cells grow and multiply when the body needs them, and die out when the body does not need them.
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Plasma cell neoplasms are diseases in which certain cells in the blood (called plasma cells) become cancer. Plasma cells are made by white blood cells called lymphocytes. The plasma cells make antibodies, which fight infection and other harmful things in the body. When these cells become cancer, they may make too many antibodies and a substance called M-protein is found in the blood and urine.
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Definition Cancer that arises in the bone marrow and involves plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces proteins called immunoglobulins. Kate Kretschmann.
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Detailed information on myeloma bone disease, including causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer. And there are very few things scarier than being told you have cancer. You may feel like you're in shock. You may not even want to believe what the doctor has told you. And there are probably so many questions you want to ask but think you can't because you don't know where to start.
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Your doctor may find myeloma during a routine visit, even if you don't have symptoms. If you're having symptoms of multiple myeloma, your doctor will ask you about these things.
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There is no way to know for sure if you're going to get multiple myeloma. And there is no known way to prevent it. Certain factors can make you more likely to get this type of cancer than another person. These are called risk factors. Unfortunately, doctors do not know what causes multiple myeloma. Most people who develop it have no known risk factors at all. The risk factors that have been found only slightly raise your chance of getting this type of cancer. Still, tell your doctor if you agree with any of the bolded statements.
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Screening tests check for signs of cancer in people who don't have any symptoms. There is no standard screening test for the early detection of multiple myeloma. People who believe they are at risk should talk with their doctor.
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There are often no symptoms in the early stages of myeloma. Any symptoms that do occur depend on the extent of the disease. This is a list of symptoms for all stages of multiple myeloma.
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Your treatment options for multiple myeloma depend on how much the cancer has affected your health, kidney function, and other organs. The goal of treatment is to control the cancer for as long as possible and to keep you comfortable.
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Multiple myeloma is a cancer that harms plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells normally help fight infection, but in this case, they become cancerous. As the cancer grows and spreads, it may travel into and damage your bone tissue.
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Each type of treatment for multiple myeloma has a different goal. Here is a list of main treatments and their goals for myeloma. They are listed in the order from the most to the least common. You may have more than one of these treatments.
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This type of treatment gets your immune system to more effectively attack the cancer cells.
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This treatment destroys your bone marrow to get rid of the cancer cells there. Then your bone marrow is replaced either with your bone marrow or with marrow from a donor.
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You may have supportive treatments for multiple myeloma. These treatments don't cure the myeloma, but they can help treat your symptoms.
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Unfortunately, doctors have not yet found a way to prevent multiple myeloma.
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Multiple myeloma tends to stay in the bone marrow. It affects areas of the body where bone marrow is present. Here are some of the most to least common areas that may be affected.
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Radiation therapy is one way to treat multiple myeloma. This treatment is also called radiotherapy. It uses X-rays to control the growth of cancer cells. Radiation is a local treatment. That means it affects the cancer cells only in the area treated.
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This treatment for multiple myeloma is similar to a bone marrow transplant. It destroys your bone marrow to get rid of the cancer cells there. The difference between stem cell and bone cell transplant is where the cells to be transplanted are collected. For bone marrow transplant, the cells come from the hip bone--yours or a donor's. For stem cell transplant, the cells come from blood--yours or a donor's. If you're using your own cells, it's called an autologous transplant. If you're using cells from a donor, it is called an allogeneic stem cell transplant.
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One of the main immunotherapy drugs used for multiple myeloma is Thalomid (thalidomide). Not everyone who takes this drug has side effects. If you do, they may include one or more of these, listed from the most to least common.
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Radiation affects both normal cells and cancer cells. This means it can cause side effects. What they are depends on what part of your body is treated. Common side effects of radiation include fatigue and skin changes.
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The early side effects of transplants are mostly from the high-dose chemotherapy you get before the transplant, not from the transplant itself. These should go away as you recover from the transplant. These are some of the most common side effects. They vary based on whether the transplanted cells came from you or from a donor. Ask your doctor which side effects you are most likely to have.
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It's likely that you will have physical concerns since your cancer may cause symptoms and your treatment may cause side effects. In this section, you'll learn more about how to respond to some of the most common side effects and symptoms from treating multiple myeloma.
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Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. For this treatment, you will see a medical oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in using drugs to treat cancer. For multiple myeloma, your doctor is likely to give you more than one drug. This is called combination chemotherapy.
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Before deciding on treatment options, your doctor will need to know the extent, or stage, of the multiple myeloma. Your doctor will look at the results of blood tests, X-rays, and bone marrow tests to determine the stage of the cancer.
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Treating your cancer to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters. Let your doctor and nurse know if you are experiencing any side effects or discomfort. Make sure you tell your doctor or nurse how these problems affect your day-to-day life. Your healthcare team is there to help you manage your symptoms as well as to treat your cancer.
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Dealing with your feelings is often easier as you learn more about the cancer and get support from others. Your healthcare team can answer your questions. Talking with friends and family or others who have had cancer can help. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy may also help you talk about your feelings. Recognizing your feelings can help you cope with them, and that in turn may help ease some of your symptoms and side effects. Pain, for instance, gets worse with stress. Many people with cancer go to support groups to share what they've learned about cancer and its treatments. Here are some ways you may find support.
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Each year, families across the nation take a step in the right direction to further the fight against blood cancers.
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The treatments to destroy cancer cells can harm healthy cells at the same time, and that means treatment can cause side effects.
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Chemotherapy affects both normal cells and cancer cells. Side effects depend on the type and amount of drugs you take. Here are some common side effects that people with multiple myeloma have when they take chemotherapy. Ask your doctor which ones are the most likely to happen to you.
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Multiple myeloma is a cancer in which antibodyproducing plasma cells grow in an uncontrolled and invasive(malignant) manner.Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is the second-most common cancer of the blood. It is the most common t...
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Some people use statistics to try to figure out their chance of getting cancer or of being cured. It is important to remember that this data shows what happens with large groups of people. Because no two people are alike, this information can't be used to know or predict what will happen to you.
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Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg(ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.
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Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas
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A great deal of public health resources is spent on pregnancy. It is clear that prenatal and neonatal health play a large role in determining the health of a population, and in fact, pregnancy outcomes are often used as an indicator of a nation''s ...
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More doctors now suggest a pre-conception checkup and pre-conception counseling before getting serious about having a baby. Many problems that can affect a pregnancy can be avoided if addressed and dealt with before becoming pregnant.
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For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Detailed information on what to do before (and during) your next pregnancy to reduce the chance for birth defects
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Detailed information on planning a pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications
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Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index(BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the mo...
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Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. But gestational diabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting diabetes later in life. You're also more likely to have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.
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Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.
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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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A friend of mine is six months pregnant and says her baby moves all the time. I am also pregnant (five months) and rarely feel the baby -- maybe every other day. Is it abnormal to not feel the baby moving very often? I get regular check-ups and the baby is fine. At what stage does it become a concern when I don't feel the baby throughout the day?
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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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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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Detailed information and examples of non-teratogenic agents A non-teratogenic agent is one which does not cause birth defects.
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Detailed information on post-term pregnancy, including causes, diagnosis, and management
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Detailed information on preparing the family for the arrival of a newborn Preparing for your new baby includes helping other family members adjust. A new baby brings new sounds, new schedules, and new ways of coping for everyone. Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead.
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Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.
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No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Detailed information on blood types in pregnancy Every person has a blood type, (O, A, B, or AB) and an Rh factor, either positive or negative. The blood type and the Rh factor simply mean that a person's blood has certain specific characteristics. The blood type is found as proteins on red blood cells and in body fluids. The Rh factor is a protein that is found on the covering of the red blood cells. If the Rh factor protein is present on the cells, the person is Rh positive. If there is no Rh factor protein, the person is Rh negative.
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After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.
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During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?
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I am in my second trimester and find it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I am most comfortable on my stomach. How harmful is it to sleep on your stomach in your second trimester?
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My partner and I are now trying to become pregnant. I am a young African-American woman and have heard that the chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners may be harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Is there any truth to this?
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Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.
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Does fibromyalgia pain increase when a woman is pregnant?
Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
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Planning to have a baby? There are steps you can take before you ever become pregnant to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy outcome for you and your infant.
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If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.
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The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.
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At least 90 days before starting to try to conceive, both men and women should take steps to improve their diet and exercise routines, as well as fine-tune any medications they may be taking.
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Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weigh of your growing baby.
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A physical exam and lab tests will show if there are any special concerns. Your health care provider can then plan the care that will help prevent problems later.
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Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.
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You may see signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Be patient. Within a few more weeks, your baby will be born.
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From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.
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The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.
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From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we've outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice.
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Your health can affect your baby's growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.It's important to develop healthy eating habits while you are pregnant, for you as well as for your baby. Here are some ways to stay healthy.
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Antidepressants, once considered safe during pregnancy, may cause birth defects. Women are warned of the effects and given alternatives.
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Can I continue to take my asthma medication if I am pregnant?
Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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Is there a recommended period of time to wait before getting pregnant again after a C-section birth? If so, what are the risks associated with becoming pregnant again too soon?
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During pregnancy, what can be done to remove abnormal cervical cells?
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I am 23 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with genital warts. Will this affect my baby during delivery?
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My first pregnancy ended at eight weeks in a miscarriage. When I get pregnant again, should I try to see my doctor early in the pregnancy as a precaution? Is there anything else I might do to prevent a miscarriage again?
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Is it safe to swim in a chlorinated pool during pregnancy?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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If birth defects can result when a pregnant women takes ACE inhibitors, what can happen to the fetus if the father takes ACE inhibitors?
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I am a little over six months pregnant and already lactating. Is this normal?
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What medication can be taken when a yeast infection develops in the last month of pregnancy?
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I am 24 years old and pregnant with my second child. During my first pregnancy I developed toxemia during my last trimester. During labor I was put on oxygen and magnesium. What are my chances of having this reoccur with my second pregnancy?
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Detailed information on hypothyroidism and pregnancy, including symptoms and treatment and thyroid function screening
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Detailed information for the pregnant mother, including information on hormones during pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy, exercise during pregnancy, work and pregnancy, sex during pregnancy, and sleeping positions during
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Detailed information on sex during pregnancy In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your physician's approval, sexual relations can continue until delivery.
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Detailed information on traveling while pregnancy or breastfeeding Although traveling during pregnancy is normal and occurs rather frequently, it is important for pregnant women to consider potential problems that could arise when considering international travel. Pregnant women should also weigh the availability of quality medical care in the countries they are visiting, before traveling abroad. Preconceptual immunizations are preferred over vaccination during pregnancy.
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Myelofibrosis is a rare disease of the bone marrow in which collagen builds up fibrous scar tissue inside the marrow cavity. This is caused by the uncontrolled growth of a blood cell precursor, which results in the accumulation of scar tissue in b...
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Myelofibrosis is a rare disease of the bone marrow in which collagen builds up fibrous scar tissue inside the marrow cavity. This is caused by the uncontrolled growth of a blood cell precursor, which results in the accumulation of scar tissue in b...
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Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body''s natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, the treatment removes waste products and excess fl...
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Dialysis is a method of removing toxic substances(impurities or wastes) from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so.Artificial kidneys; Hemodialysis; Peritoneal dialysis; Renal replacement therapy.Dialysis can be performed using several di...
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Hemodialysis is one kind of dialysis. It uses a machine that holds a filter called a dialyzer. As blood flows through the dialyzer, waste is removed and fluid and chemicals are balanced. Hemodialysis treatments are usually done at a special dialysis center. In some cases, treatments may be done at home.
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Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body''s natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, dialysis removes waste products and excess fluids ...
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Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body''s natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, the treatment removes waste products and excess fl...
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Your kidneys remove waste from your blood. When your kidneys fail, they can no longer do this important work. Hemodialysis can take over the job of keeping your blood clean. Before this treatment can be done, an access (way to get to your blood) is needed. One type of access is a central vein access. A small, soft tube (catheter) is placed into a vein in your neck or chest. You may use a central vein access temporarily, while another type of access develops. Or, it may be your permanent access for hemodialysis.
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A hemodialysis shunt, graft, or fistula provides vascular access for hemodialysis, a treatment that cleans the blood by removing wastes and excess water from the body.Kidneys remove wastes from the blood through the urine, regulate the amount of w...
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Before hemodialysis can be done, an access (way for blood to leave and return to your body) is needed. A hemodialysis access is usually created in your arm.
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Large amounts of alcohol can result in depression of the various body systems, resulting in coma or death. The immediate physical effects of alcohol depend on the amount and frequency of drinking, while the mental and emotional effects are influen...
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This report includes information on recognizing the symptoms of problem drinking, treatment techniques, coping with a loved one's drinking, and overcoming denial.
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Alcoholism is defined as alcohol seeking and consumption behavior that is harmful. Long-term and uncontrollable harmful consumption can cause alcohol-related disorders that include: antisocial personality disorder, mood disorders(bipolar and major...
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It's important to understand how alcohol and drugs can affect your health and well being.
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Besides having trouble with school and relationships, teenagers taking drugs may display emotional extremes with irritability, anger and changes in sleep patterns.
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Excessive drinking can cause potentially fatal conditions, not only high blood pressure, but also damage to the brain, heart or liver; diabetes and stroke.
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Like cancer or heart disease, alcoholism is a primary chronic disease with its own symptoms and causes. The disease is progressive and often fatal if not treated.
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Effective treatment for alcohol dependency is available, but treatment rates among alcohol abusers are low because of lack of awareness and embarrassment.
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Misuse of alcohol can lead to serious consequences. Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in failure to meet work, home or school responsibilities, among other things.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence.
Learn more about the effects of abusing alcohol by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person''s immune system attacks the body''s own cells, causing tissue destruction.Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders, and it is suspected to be responsible for many more....
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An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders.Normally the immune system''s army of white blood cells hel...
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Detailed information on autoimmune diseases and pregnancy Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body makes antibodies against one's own normal body chemicals. In these diseases, antibodies cannot tell antigens in the inside of the cell from antigens outside of the cell. When the antibodies attack the internal cells, the reactions can be local - in just a small area, or systemic - throughout the whole body. The skin and connective tissues (cartilage, bone, tendons) are most affected but other tissues can be affected, as well, including nerve and muscle.
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person''s immune system attacks the body''s own cells, causing tissue destruction.Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders and suspected to be responsible for many more. Autoim...
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Doctors divide autoimmune diseases in two categories: Those that attack a specific organ and those that target many organs.
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Diseases in which the immune system attacks the body''s own healthy tissues, forming antibodies in an assault on mistakenly identified"foreign invaders.".Autoimmune disorders occur when the body''s immune system loses its ability to recognize the di...
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This surgery is done to treat diseases of the digestive tract. It removes part of the large and small intestines. When healed, bowel movements still occur through the anus.
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This surgery is done to treat diseases of the digestive tract. It removes all of the large intestine. When healed, bowel movements still occur through the anus.
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This surgery is done to treat diseases of the digestive tract. It removes all of the large intestine. When healed, waste passes from the small intestine through a stoma in the wall of the abdomen and into a pouch outside of the body.
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This surgery is done to treat diseases of the digestive tract. It removes all of the large intestine. A stoma (passage out of the body) is created during surgery. When healed, waste collects within a pouch. It is then drained through a thin tube (catheter). A bandage covers the stoma when it's not in use.
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A vegan(pronounced VEE-gun) is a vegetarian who does not eat any animal products, including eggs and dairy products. A well-planned vegan diet can be nutritionally adequate, even for children and pregnant and lactating women.
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Roughly 20 million Americans are vegetarians, from partial vegetarians who limit the amount of animal flesh they eat, to vegans, who eat only plant foods.
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You need this substance to digest vitamin B12.Lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency.Babies that are born without intrinsic factor cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 starting around 6 months of age. Children...
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Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time(drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken(drug-food interactions).Some drugs are deliberately comb...
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Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug(medication).Adverse reactions to drugs are common, and almost any drug can cause an adverse reaction. Reactions range from irritating or mild side effects such as nausea ...
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Detailed information on different types of drug rashes, including acne, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hives, morbiliform/maculopapular rash, purpuric eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body''s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.Adverse reactions to medication m...
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If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.
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Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances.Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages. Interactions can lessen or magnify the desired therapeutic effect of a ...
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Detailed information on food-drug interactions A food-drug interaction can occur when the food you eat affects the ingredients in a medication you are taking, preventing the medicine from working the way it should.
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Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
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Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
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A guide to information available online and in print about the side effects of prescription drugs.
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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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