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Please answer the question as a medical doctor.
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What are the risk factors of Influenza (flu)?
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There are a range of factors that may raise your risk of catching a flu virus or having complications from a flu infection.
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What are the complications of Influenza (flu)?
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If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you may feel awful while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects.
But people at high risk may develop other health problems after the flu, called complications.
Getting another infection can be a complication of getting the flu. That includes illnesses such as croup and sinus or ear infections. Lung infections are another complication. Infection of the heart muscle or heart lining may happen after getting the flu. And in some cases, people may have infection of the central nervous system.
Other complications may be:
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• Muscle damage, called rhabdomyolysis, or muscle swelling, called myositis.
• Toxic shock syndrome.
• Worsening of a chronic illness, such as asthma or kidney disease.
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What is the prevention of Influenza (flu)?
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for people age 6 months and older who do not have a medical reason to avoid the vaccine.
Getting a flu vaccine lowers:
• The risk of getting the flu. If the vaccine is given later in pregnancy, the flu vaccine helps protect a newborn from the flu too.
• The risk of having serious illness from the flu and needing to stay in the hospital due to the flu.
• The risk of dying of the flu.
The 2024-2025 seasonal flu vaccines each provide protection against three influenza viruses that researchers expect to be the most common this flu season.
The vaccine is available as a shot, a jet injector and a nasal spray.
For older children and adults, the flu shot is usually given in a muscle in the arm. Younger children may get the flu shot in a thigh muscle.
If you are an adult under the age of 65, you can choose to get your vaccine with a jet injector. Instead of a needle, this device uses a high-pressure, narrow stream of fluid to go through the skin.
The nasal spray is approved for people between ages 2 and 49 years old. It isn't recommended for some groups, such as:
• People who had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.
• Pregnant people.
• Young people who take aspirin or a salicylate-containing medicine.
• People with weakened immune systems and people who are caregivers or close contacts of people with weakened immune systems.
• Children between ages 2 and 4 years old diagnosed with asthma or wheezing in the past 12 months.
• People who recently took antiviral medicine for the flu.
• People with a cerebrospinal fluid leak or the potential for a leak, as with a cochlear implant.
Check with your healthcare team to see if you need to be cautious about getting a nasal spray flu vaccine. If you can take the nasal spray flu vaccine, you may be able to do so, or give it to an eligible child, without seeing a healthcare professional.
There also are vaccines offered called high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines. These vaccines may help some people avoid the need for care in the hospital due to influenza. People over age 65 can get these vaccines. These vaccines also are recommended for people age 18 and older who have a solid organ transplant and take medicine to weaken their immune response.
If you have an egg allergy, you can still get a flu vaccine.
The first time children between 6 months and 8 years get a flu vaccine, they may need two doses given at least four weeks apart. After that, they can receive single annual doses of the flu vaccine. Check with your child's healthcare professional.
Also, check with your healthcare team before receiving a flu vaccine if you had a serious reaction to a previous flu vaccine. People who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome also should check with a healthcare professional before getting the flu vaccine. And if you feel sick when you go to get the shot, check with your healthcare team to see if you should delay getting the vaccine.
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What are the Overview of Interstitial lung disease?
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Interstitial (in-tur-STISH-ul) lung disease, also called ILD, describes a large group of conditions. Most of these conditions cause inflammation and progressive scarring of lung tissue. As part of this process, lung tissue thickens and stiffens, making it hard for the lungs to expand and fill with air.
At some point, the scarring from interstitial lung disease makes it harder to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. Many people with ILD are short of breath with activity and may have a bothersome dry cough.
Interstitial lung disease can have many causes, including long-term exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos. Some types of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, also can cause interstitial lung disease. But the cause isn't known sometimes. ILD can have many causes, so treatment varies.
The disease may get worse slowly or rapidly at a pace that often can't be predicted. Once lung scarring occurs, it generally isn't reversible. Treatment focuses on keeping more scarring from occurring, managing symptoms and making quality of life better. Medicines may slow the damage of interstitial lung disease, but many people never fully use their lungs again. Lung transplant is an option for some people who have ILD.
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What are the symptoms of Interstitial lung disease?
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The main symptoms of interstitial lung disease are:
• Shortness of breath at rest or shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity.
• Dry cough.
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What are the causes of Interstitial lung disease?
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Interstitial lung disease seems to occur when an injury to your lungs causes a healing response that isn't proper. Ordinarily, your body creates just the right amount of tissue to repair damage. But in ILD, the repair process doesn't work properly. Tissue in and around the lungs' air sacs, called alveoli, becomes inflamed, scarred and thickened. This makes it harder for oxygen to pass into your bloodstream.
There are many types of interstitial lung disease. They're generally grouped by known or unknown causes:
• Your work or the environment.
• An underlying systemic condition.
• Certain types of medicines, or radiation.
• No known cause.
Some interstitial lung diseases can be related to smoking.
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What are the complications of Interstitial lung disease?
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Interstitial lung disease can lead to a series of life-threatening complications, including:
• High blood pressure in your lungs, also known as pulmonary hypertension.Unlike systemic high blood pressure, this condition affects only the arteries in your lungs. Scar tissue or low oxygen levels restrict the smallest blood vessels, limiting blood flow in your lungs. This raises pressure within the pulmonary arteries and can worsen oxygen exchange, lowering oxygen levels in your blood. Pulmonary hypertension is a serious illness that may get worse over time, causing the right side of your heart to fail.
• Right-sided heart failure, also known as cor pulmonale.This serious condition occurs when your heart's lower right chamber, also known as the right ventricle, must pump harder than usual to move blood through blocked pulmonary arteries. Eventually, the right ventricle fails from the extra strain. This is often due to pulmonary hypertension.
• Respiratory failure.In the end stage of chronic ILD, respiratory failure occurs when severely low blood oxygen levels, along with rising pressures in the pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle, cause the heart to fail.
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What is the prevention of Interstitial lung disease?
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To prevent interstitial lung disease, avoid exposure to toxins at work, such as asbestos, coal dust and silica dust. Also, avoid exposure to toxins in the environment, such as bird protein, mold and bacteria. If you must be around these toxins, protect yourself by wearing a respirator. Other ways to prevent ILD include not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke.
If you have an autoimmune disease or are taking medicines that raise your risk of getting ILD, talk with your healthcare professional about steps you can take to prevent ILD. Also, get vaccinated because respiratory infections can make symptoms of ILD worse. Be sure you get the pneumonia vaccine and a flu shot each year. Also, ask your healthcare professional about getting vaccinated for pertussis, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, also called RSV.
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What are the Overview of Nail fungus?
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Nail fungus is a common infection of the nail. It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, the nail may discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Nail fungus can affect several nails.
If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need treatment. If your nail fungus is painful and has caused thickened nails, self-care steps and medications may help. But even if treatment is successful, nail fungus often comes back.
Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis (on-ih-koh-my-KOH-sis). When fungus infects the areas between your toes and the skin of your feet, it's called athlete's foot (tinea pedis).
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What are the symptoms of Nail fungus?
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Symptoms of nail fungus include a nail or nails that are:
• Thickened
• Discolored
• Brittle, crumbly or ragged
• Misshapen
• Separated from the nail bed
• Smelly
Nail fungus can affect fingernails, but it's more common in toenails.
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What are the causes of Nail fungus?
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Nail fungus is caused by various fungal organisms (fungi). The most common is a type called dermatophyte. Yeast, bacteria and molds also can cause nail infections. The discoloration from a bacterial infection tends to be green or black.
Fungal infection of the foot (athlete's foot) can spread to the nail, and a fungal infection of the nail can spread to the foot. You can also get the infection from contact with spaces where fungi can thrive, such as the floor tile in a gym shower or inside dark, sweaty, moist shoes.
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What are the risk factors of Nail fungus?
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Factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:
• Older age
• Wearing shoes that make your feet sweat heavily
• Having had athlete's foot in the past
• Walking barefoot in damp public areas, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms
• Having a minor skin or nail injury
• Having a skin condition that affects the nails, such as psoriasis
• Having diabetes, blood flow problems or a weakened immune system
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What are the complications of Nail fungus?
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A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
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What is the prevention of Nail fungus?
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The following habits can help prevent nail fungus or reinfections and athlete's foot, which can lead to nail fungus:
• Keep your nails clean and dry. Wash your hands and feet regularly. Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. Dry well, apply an antifungal foot powder and moisturize your nails. Consider applying a nail hardener, which might help strengthen nails and cuticles.
• Keep your nails trimmed. Cut nails straight across, smooth the edges with a file and file down thickened areas. Disinfect your nail clippers after each use. Letting your nails grow long creates more places for the fungus to grow.
• Wear absorbent socks or change your socks throughout the day.
• Choose shoes made of materials that breathe.
• Discard old shoes or treat them with disinfectants or antifungal powders.
• Wear footwear in pool areas and locker rooms.
• Choose a nail salon that uses sterilized manicure tools for each customer. Or disinfect tools you use for home pedicures.
• Give up nail polish and artificial nails.
• If you have athlete's foot, treat it with an antifungal product.
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What are the Overview of Pectus excavatum?
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Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the breastbone is sunken into the chest. The sunken breastbone often can be seen shortly after birth. If the breastbone sinks a lot over time, the center of the chest may look like it's been scooped out. This change leaves a deep dent or dip. But many people with the condition just have a slight dip in the breastbone.
This condition also is known as funnel chest. But it can affect much more than the look of the chest. It also can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. The symptoms tend to become worse during the teenage growth spurt.
The exact cause of pectus excavatum isn't clear. When the condition is serious, it can affect how well the heart and lungs work over time. But even mild pectus excavatum that causes a slight dip in the breastbone can make children feel self-conscious about their bodies.
Surgery to repair pectus excavatum can improve symptoms and the appearance of the chest. But surgery isn't right for everyone with the condition. Other treatment choices may include physical therapy and medical devices.
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What are the symptoms of Pectus excavatum?
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For many people with pectus excavatum, the only symptom is a slight dip in their chests. In some children, the dip becomes deeper during early puberty. It can keep getting deeper into adulthood.
In people with pectus excavatum, the breastbone may compress the lungs and heart. Symptoms can include:
• A fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart.
• Chest pain.
• Loss of endurance that becomes worse over time.
• Shortness of breath or extreme tiredness during physical activity.
• A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing that's triggered by exercise.
• Fainting or dizziness.
• Frequent infections of the upper airway.
• Stress and concern about how the chest looks.
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What are the complications of Pectus excavatum?
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Sometimes, pectus excavatum can lead to serious health issues called complications. The complications can affect the heart, lungs and mental health.
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What are the Overview of Pulmonary fibrosis?
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Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it harder for the lungs to work properly. Pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time. Some people can stay stable for a long time, but the condition gets worse faster in others. As it gets worse, people become more and more short of breath.
The scarring that happens in pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by many things. Often, doctors and other healthcare professionals cannot pinpoint what's causing the problem. When a cause cannot be found, the condition is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis usually occurs in middle-aged and older adults. Sometimes pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed in children and infants, but this is not common.
The lung damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis cannot be repaired. Medicines and therapies can sometimes help slow down the rate of fibrosis, ease symptoms and improve quality of life. For some people, a lung transplant might be an option.
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What are the symptoms of Pulmonary fibrosis?
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Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis may include:
• Shortness of breath.
• Dry cough.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Weight loss that's not intended.
• Aching muscles and joints.
• Widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes, called clubbing.
How fast pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time and how severe the symptoms are can vary greatly from person to person. Some people become ill very quickly with severe disease. Others have moderate symptoms that worsen more slowly, over months or years.
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What are the causes of Pulmonary fibrosis?
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Pulmonary fibrosis is scarring and thickening of the tissue around and between the air sacs called alveoli in the lungs. These changes make it harder for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream.
Damage to the lungs that results in pulmonary fibrosis may be caused by many different things. Examples include long-term exposure to certain toxins, radiation therapy, some medicines and certain medical conditions. In some cases, the cause of pulmonary fibrosis is not known.
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What are the complications of Pulmonary fibrosis?
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Complications of pulmonary fibrosis may include:
• High blood pressure in the lungs.Called pulmonary hypertension, this type of high blood pressure affects the arteries in the lungs. These are the pulmonary arteries. Stiff and thick arteries may slow down or block blood flow through the lungs. This raises the pressure inside the pulmonary arteries and the lower right heart chamber, called the right ventricle.
• Right-sided heart failure.This serious condition occurs when your heart's right chamber has to pump harder than usual to move blood through partly blocked pulmonary arteries.
• Respiratory failure.This is often the last stage of long-term lung disease. It occurs when blood oxygen levels fall dangerously low.
• Lung cancer.Long-standing pulmonary fibrosis increases your risk of developing lung cancer.
• Other lung problems.As pulmonary fibrosis gets worse over time, it may lead to serious problems such as blood clots in the lungs, a collapsed lung or lung infections.
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What are the Overview of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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Tetralogy of Fallot (teh-TRAL-uh-jee of fuh-LOW) is a rare heart condition that is present at birth. That means it's a congenital heart defect. A baby born with the condition has four different heart problems.
These heart problems affect the structure of the heart. The condition causes altered blood flow through the heart and to the rest of the body. Babies with tetralogy of Fallot often have blue or gray skin color due to low oxygen levels.
Tetralogy of Fallot is usually diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after a baby is born. If the heart changes and symptoms are mild, tetralogy of Fallot may not be noticed or diagnosed until adulthood.
People who are diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot need surgery to fix the heart. They will need regular health checkups for life.
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What are the symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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Tetralogy of Fallot symptoms depend on how much blood flow is blocked from leaving the heart to go to the lungs. Symptoms may include:
• Blue or gray skin color.
• Shortness of breath and rapid breathing, especially during feeding or exercise.
• Trouble gaining weight.
• Getting tired easily during play or exercise.
• Irritability.
• Crying for long periods of time.
• Fainting.
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What are the causes of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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Tetralogy of Fallot occurs as the baby's heart grows during pregnancy. Usually, the cause is unknown.
Tetralogy of Fallot includes four problems with heart structure:
• Narrowing of the valve between the heart and the lungs, called pulmonary valve stenosis.This condition reduces blood flow from the heart to the lungs. The narrowing may just involve the valve. Or it could happen in more than one place along the pathway between the heart and lungs. Sometimes the valve isn't formed. Instead, a solid sheet of tissue blocks blood flow from the right side of the heart. This is called pulmonary atresia.
• A hole between the bottom heart chambers, called a ventricular septal defect.A ventricular septal defect changes how blood flows through the heart and lungs. Oxygen-poor blood in the lower right chamber mixes with oxygen-rich blood in the lower left chamber. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body. The problem may weaken the heart over time.
• Shifting of the body's main artery.The body's main artery is called the aorta. It's usually attached to the left lower heart chamber. In tetralogy of Fallot, the aorta is in the wrong place. It's shifted to the right and sits directly above the hole in the heart wall. This changes how blood flows from the aorta to the lungs.
• Thickening of the right lower chamber of the heart, called right ventricular hypertrophy.When the heart has to work too hard, the wall of the right lower heart chamber gets thick. Over time, this may cause the heart to become weak and eventually fail.
Some people with tetralogy of Fallot have other problems that affect the aorta or heart arteries. There also may be a hole between the heart's upper chambers, called atrial septal defect.
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What are the risk factors of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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The exact cause of tetralogy of Fallot is unknown. Some things may increase the risk of a baby being born with tetralogy of Fallot. Risk factors include:
• Family history.
• Having a virus during pregnancy. This includes rubella, also known as German measles.
• Drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
• Eating poorly during pregnancy.
• Smoking during pregnancy.
• Mother's age older than 35.
• Down syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome in the baby.
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What are the complications of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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Untreated tetralogy of Fallot usually leads to life-threatening complications. The complications may cause disability or death by early adulthood.
A possible complication of tetralogy of Fallot is infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves. This is called infective endocarditis. Sometimes antibiotics are given before dental work to prevent this type of infection. Ask your healthcare team if preventive antibiotics are right for you or your baby.
Complications also are possible after surgery to repair tetralogy of Fallot. But most people do well after such surgery. When complications occur, they may include:
• Backward flow of blood through a heart valve.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• A hole in the heart that doesn't go away after surgery.
• Changes in the size of the heart chambers.
• Swelling of part of the aorta, called aortic root dilation.
• Sudden cardiac death.
Another procedure or surgery may be needed to fix these complications.
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What is the prevention of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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Because the exact cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown, it may not be possible to prevent these conditions. If you have a high risk of giving birth to a child with a congenital heart defect, genetic testing and screening may be done during pregnancy.
There are some steps you can take to help reduce your child's overall risk of birth defects, such as:
• Get proper prenatal care.Regular checkups with a healthcare team during pregnancy can help keep mom and baby healthy.
• Take a multivitamin with folic acid.Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily has been shown to reduce birth defects in the brain and spinal cord. It may help reduce the risk of heart defects as well.
• Don't drink or smoke.These lifestyle habits can harm a baby's health. Also avoid secondhand smoke.
• Get a rubella (German measles) vaccine.A rubella infection during pregnancy may affect a baby's heart development. Get vaccinated before trying to get pregnant.
• Control blood sugar.If you have diabetes, good control of your blood sugar can reduce the risk of congenital heart defects.
• Manage chronic health conditions.If you have other health conditions, including phenylketonuria, talk to your healthcare team about the best way to treat and manage them.
• Avoid harmful substances.During pregnancy, have someone else do any painting and cleaning with strong-smelling products.
• Check with your healthcare team before taking any medications.Some medications can cause birth defects. Tell your healthcare team about all the medications you take, including those bought without a prescription.
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What are the Overview of Uterine fibroids?
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Uterine fibroids are common growths of the uterus. They often appear during the years you're usually able to get pregnant and give birth. Uterine fibroids are not cancer, and they almost never turn into cancer. They aren't linked with a higher risk of other types of cancer in the uterus either. They're also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas.
Fibroids vary in number and size. You can have a single fibroid or more than one. Some of these growths are too small to see with the eyes. Others can grow to the size of a grapefruit or larger. A fibroid that gets very big can distort the inside and the outside of the uterus. In extreme cases, some fibroids grow large enough to fill the pelvis or stomach area. They can make a person look pregnant.
Many people have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives. But you might not know you have them, because they often cause no symptoms. Your health care professional may just happen to find fibroids during a pelvic exam or pregnancy ultrasound.
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What are the symptoms of Uterine fibroids?
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Many people who have uterine fibroids don't have any symptoms. In those who do, symptoms can be influenced by the location, size and number of fibroids.
The most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
• Heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods.
• Longer or more frequent periods.
• Pelvic pressure or pain.
• Frequent urination or trouble urinating.
• Growing stomach area.
• Constipation.
• Pain in the stomach area or lower back, or pain during sex.
Rarely, a fibroid can cause sudden, serious pain when it outgrows its blood supply and starts to die.
Often, fibroids are grouped by their location. Intramural fibroids grow within the muscular wall of the uterus. Submucosal fibroids bulge into the uterine cavity. Subserosal fibroids form on the outside of the uterus.
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What are the causes of Uterine fibroids?
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The exact cause of uterine fibroids isn't clear. But these factors may play roles:
• Gene changes.Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in typical uterine muscle cells.
• Hormones.Two hormones called estrogen and progesterone cause the tissue the lines the inside of the uterus to thicken during each menstrual cycle to prepare for pregnancy. These hormones also seem to help fibroids grow.Fibroids contain more cells that estrogen and progesterone bind to than do typical uterine muscle cells. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a drop in hormone levels.
• Other growth factors.Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.
• Extracellular matrix (ECM).This material makes cells stick together, like mortar between bricks.ECMis increased in fibroids and makes them fibrous.ECMalso stores growth factors and causes biologic changes in the cells themselves.
Doctors believe that uterine fibroids may develop from a stem cell in the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus. A single cell divides over and over. In time it turns into a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue.
The growth patterns of uterine fibroids vary. They may grow slowly or fast. Or they might stay the same size. Some fibroids go through growth spurts, and some shrink on their own.
Fibroids that form during pregnancy can shrink or go away after pregnancy, as the uterus goes back to its usual size.
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What are the risk factors of Uterine fibroids?
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There are few known risk factors for uterine fibroids, other than being a person of reproductive age. These include:
• Race.All people of reproductive age who were born female could develop fibroids. But Black people are more likely to have fibroids than are people of other racial groups. Black people have fibroids at younger ages than do white people. They're also likely to have more or larger fibroids, along with worse symptoms, than do white people.
• Family history.If your mother or sister had fibroids, you're at higher risk of getting them.
• Other factors.Starting your period before the age of 10; obesity; being low on vitamin D; having a diet higher in red meat and lower in green vegetables, fruit and dairy; and drinking alcohol, including beer, seem to raise your risk of getting fibroids.
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What are the complications of Uterine fibroids?
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Uterine fibroids often aren't dangerous. But they can cause pain, and they may lead to complications. These include a drop in red blood cells called anemia. That condition can cause fatigue from heavy blood loss. If you bleed heavily during your period, your doctor may tell you to take an iron supplement to prevent or help manage anemia. Sometimes, a person with anemia needs to receive blood from a donor, called a transfusion, due to blood loss.
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What is the prevention of Uterine fibroids?
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Researchers continue to study the causes of fibroid tumors. More research is needed on how to prevent them, though. It might not be possible to prevent uterine fibroids. But only a small percentage of these tumors need treatment.
You might be able to lower your fibroid risk with healthy lifestyle changes. Try to stay at a healthy weight. Get regular exercise. And eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Some research suggests that birth control pills or long-acting progestin-only contraceptives may lower the risk of fibroids. But using birth control pills before the age of 16 may be linked with a higher risk.
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What are the Overview of Galactorrhea?
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Galactorrhea (guh-lack-toe-REE-uh) is a milky nipple discharge not linked to the making of milk for breastfeeding. Galactorrhea isn't a disease. But it can be a sign of an underlying condition.
Galactorrhea mostly happens to people assigned female at birth. It can happen even to those who haven't had children or who have gone through menopause. But galactorrhea also can happen to people assigned male at birth and even to infants.
Too much breast handling, medicine side effects or conditions of the pituitary gland may add to galactorrhea. Often, higher levels of the hormone involved in making breast milk, called prolactin, cause galactorrhea.
Sometimes, the cause of galactorrhea can't be found. The condition may clear up on its own.
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What are the symptoms of Galactorrhea?
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Symptoms linked to galactorrhea include:
• Milky nipple discharge that's constant or comes and goes.
• Nipple discharge from more than one milk duct.
• Nipple discharge that leaks on its own or when the breast is touched.
• Nipple discharge from one or both breasts.
• Irregular or no menstrual periods.
• Headaches or trouble with vision.
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What are the causes of Galactorrhea?
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Galactorrhea often results from having too much of the hormone that makes milk when you have a baby. This is called prolactin. Your pituitary gland, a small bean-shaped gland at the base of your brain involved with several hormones, makes prolactin.
Possible causes of galactorrhea include:
• Medicines, such as certain sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medicines.
• Opioid use.
• Herbal supplements, such as fennel, anise or fenugreek seed.
• Birth control pills.
• A noncancerous pituitary tumor, called prolactinoma, or other condition of the pituitary gland.
• Underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism.
• Long-term kidney disease.
• Too much handling of the breast. This may be linked with sex activity, having breast self-exams with nipple handling or long-lasting rubbing from clothing.
• Nerve damage to the chest wall from chest surgery, burns or other chest injuries.
• Spinal cord surgery, injury or tumors.
• Stress.
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What are the risk factors of Galactorrhea?
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Anything that triggers the release of the hormone prolactin can increase the risk of galactorrhea. Risk factors include:
• Certain medicines, illicit drugs and herbal supplements.
• Conditions that affect the pituitary gland, such as pituitary tumors that aren't cancer.
• Certain medical conditions, such as long-term kidney disease, spinal cord injury, injuries to the chest wall and underactive thyroid.
• A lot of touching and rubbing of the breasts.
• Stress.
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What are the Overview of Gastritis?
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Gastritis is a general term for a group of conditions with one thing in common: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers or the regular use of certain pain relievers. Drinking too much alcohol also can contribute to gastritis.
Gastritis may occur suddenly (acute gastritis) or appear slowly over time (chronic gastritis). In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment.
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What are the symptoms of Gastritis?
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Gastritis doesn't always cause symptoms. When it does, the symptoms of gastritis may include:
• Gnawing or burning ache or pain, called indigestion, in your upper belly. This feeling may become either worse or better after eating.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating.
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What are the causes of Gastritis?
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Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. The stomach lining is a mucus-lined barrier that protects the stomach wall. Weaknesses or injury to the barrier allows digestive juices to damage and inflame the stomach lining. Several diseases and conditions can increase the risk of gastritis. These include inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's disease.
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What are the risk factors of Gastritis?
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Factors that increase your risk of gastritis include:
• Bacterial infection.A bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori, is one of the most common worldwide human infections. However, only some people with the infection develop gastritis or other upper gastrointestinal disorders. Healthcare professionals believe sensitivity to the germs could be inherited. Sensitivity also may be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking and diet.
• Regular use of pain relievers.Pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also called NSAIDs, can cause both acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS). Using these pain relievers regularly or taking too much of these medicines may damage the stomach lining.
• Older age.Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis because the stomach lining tends to thin with age. Older adults also have an increased risk because they are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are.
• Excessive alcohol use.Alcohol can irritate and break down your stomach lining. This makes your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices. Excessive alcohol use is more likely to cause acute gastritis.
• Stress.Severe stress due to major surgery, injury, burns or severe infections can cause acute gastritis.
• Cancer treatment.Chemotherapy medicines or radiation treatment can increase your risk of gastritis.
• Your own body attacking cells in your stomach.Called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This reaction can wear away at your stomach's protective barrier.Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders. These include Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis also can be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency.
• Other diseases and conditions.Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions. These may include HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, sarcoidosis and parasitic infections.
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What are the complications of Gastritis?
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Left untreated, gastritis may lead to stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. Rarely, some forms of chronic gastritis may increase your risk of stomach cancer. This risk is increased if you have extensive thinning of the stomach lining and changes in the lining's cells.
Tell your healthcare professional if your symptoms aren't improving despite treatment for gastritis.
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What are the Overview of Gastrointestinal bleeding?
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Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a sign of a disorder in the digestive tract. The blood often shows up in stool or vomit but isn't always obvious. Stool may look black or tarry. Bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening.
Imaging technology or an endoscopic investigation can usually locate the cause of the bleeding. Treatment depends on the where the bleeding is located and how severe it is.
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What are the symptoms of Gastrointestinal bleeding?
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Symptoms ofGIbleeding can be easy to see, called overt, or not so obvious, known as occult. Symptoms depend on the rate of bleeding as well as the location of the bleed, which can be anywhere on theGItract, from where it starts — the mouth — to where it ends — the anus.
Overt bleeding might show up as:
• Vomiting blood, which might be red or might be dark brown and look like coffee grounds.
• Black, tarry stool.
• Rectal bleeding, usually in or with stool.
With occult bleeding, you might have:
• Lightheadedness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Fainting.
• Chest pain.
• Abdominal pain.
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What are the causes of Gastrointestinal bleeding?
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Gastrointestinal bleeding can happen either in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract.
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What are the complications of Gastrointestinal bleeding?
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A gastrointestinal bleed can cause:
• Anemia.
• Shock.
• Death.
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What is the prevention of Gastrointestinal bleeding?
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To help prevent aGIbleed:
• Limit your use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Limit your use of alcohol.
• If you smoke, quit.
• If you haveGERD, follow your health care team's instructions for treating it.
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What are the Overview of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)?
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A gastrointestinal stromal tumor, also called a GIST, is a type of cancer that begins in the digestive system. GISTs happen most often in the stomach and small intestine.
A GIST is a growth of cells that's thought to form from nerve cells in the walls of the digestive organs. The nerve cells play a part in the process that moves food through the body.
Small GISTs may cause no symptoms. And GISTs may grow so slowly that they don't cause problems at first. As a GIST grows, it can cause symptoms that may include belly pain and nausea.
GISTs can happen in people at any age, but they are most common in adults and very rare in children. The cause of most GISTs isn't known.
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What are the symptoms of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)?
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Gastrointestinal stromal tumor symptoms include:
• A growth in the belly area.
• Belly pain.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Not feeling hungry when you would expect to.
• Feeling full if you eat only a small amount of food.
• Dark-colored stools caused by bleeding in the digestive system.
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What are the causes of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)?
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The cause of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor often isn't known. This cancer, which also is called a GIST, happens in the digestive system. It most often affects the stomach and small intestine. GISTs are thought to begin in nerve cells in the walls of the digestive organs. These nerve cells play a part in the process that moves food through the body.
A GIST starts when nerve cells in the digestive system develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions tell the cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, the DNA changes give different instructions. The changes tell the cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells.
The cancer cells might form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread. When cancer spreads, it's called metastatic cancer.
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What are the risk factors of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)?
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Risk factors for gastrointestinal stromal tumor, also called GIST, include:
• Family history.People with a family history of GISTs may be at increased risk of this cancer.
• Hereditary syndromes.People with some conditions that run in families may be more likely to have GISTs. Examples include neurofibromatosis type 1 and Carney-Stratakis syndrome.
• Adult age.A GIST can happen at any age. This cancer happens most often in adults. It's rare in children.
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What are the Overview of Gaucher disease?
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Gaucher (go-SHAY) disease is a rare, inherited condition that leads to the buildup of a fatty substance in tissues. This buildup causes damage and dysfunction of tissues and organs. The spleen, liver and bones are most often affected.
There are three general types of Gaucher disease. More than 90% of cases are type 1.
Primary treatments either break down the fatty substance or limit its production. Regular tests are done to monitor treatments and look for signs of tissue damage.
Type 1 Gaucher disease is more common among people with Eastern and Central European Jewish ancestry, also called Ashkenazi Jews.
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What are the symptoms of Gaucher disease?
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Some symptoms are shared by all types of Gaucher disease, but each type varies in important ways.
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What are the causes of Gaucher disease?
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A fatty substance, called glucocerebroside, is a part of a cell's wall and plays an important role in cell activity. When a cell dies, a particular enzyme breaks down this fatty substance.
In Gaucher disease, the gene responsible for making this enzyme has an irregular change, called a mutation. The fatty substances aren't broken down. Instead, they build up in white blood cells that are responsible for eating up the debris from dead cells.
These irregular white blood cells, called Gaucher cells, damage tissues.
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What are the risk factors of Gaucher disease?
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People of Eastern and Central European Jewish ancestry, called Ashkenazi Jews, are at a higher risk than the general population of developing type 1 Gaucher disease.
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What are the complications of Gaucher disease?
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Complications of type 1 Gaucher disease include:
• Parkinson's disease risk.People with type 1 Gaucher disease have a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease than the general population. People who carry one copy of a Gaucher-related gene mutation also have an increased risk. Also, there's an increased risk of the related disorder called Lewy body dementia.
• Cancer risk.People with type 1 Gaucher disease have an increased risk of cancers of bone marrow and blood.
• Pregnancy complications.Gaucher disease symptoms may worsen during pregnancy. Also, there's an increased risk of bleeding after delivery.
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What are the Overview of Gender dysphoria?
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Gender dysphoria is a feeling of distress that can happen when a person's gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.
Some transgender and gender-diverse people have gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. Other transgender and gender-diverse people feel at ease with their bodies and gender identities, and they don't have gender dysphoria.
A diagnosis for gender dysphoria is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). TheDSM-5is published by the American Psychiatric Association. The diagnosis was created to help people with gender dysphoria get access to the healthcare and treatment that they need. A diagnosis of gender dysphoria focuses on the feeling of distress as the issue, not gender identity.
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What are the symptoms of Gender dysphoria?
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Gender identity is having the internal sense of being male or female or being somewhere along the gender spectrum, or having an internal sense of gender that is beyond male and female. People who have gender dysphoria feel a big difference between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria is different from simply not following stereotypical gender behaviors. It involves feelings of distress due to a strong, lasting desire to be another gender.
Gender dysphoria might start in childhood and continue into the teen years and adulthood. But some people may have periods of time in which they don't notice gender dysphoria. Or the feelings may seem to come and go. Some people have gender dysphoria when puberty starts. In others, it may not develop until later in life.
Some teens might express their feelings of gender dysphoria to their parents or a healthcare professional. But others might have symptoms of a mood disorder, anxiety or depression instead. Or they might have social difficulties or problems in school.
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What are the complications of Gender dysphoria?
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Gender dysphoria can affect many parts of life, including daily activities. For example, school might be hard for people with gender dysphoria. That may be due to pressure to dress or act in a way that's linked to their sex assigned at birth. Being harassed, teased or bullied due to gender identity also can make it very challenging to do well in school.
If gender dysphoria makes school or work very hard, the result may be dropping out of school or not being able to find a job. Gender dysphoria can pose problems within relationships. Anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, substance misuse and other mental health concerns can happen too.
People who have gender dysphoria often are the targets of discrimination and prejudice. That can lead to ongoing stress and fear. This is called gender minority stress.
Accessing healthcare services and mental health services may be hard. This can be due to a lack of insurance coverage, being refused care, trouble finding a healthcare professional with expertise in transgender care or fear of discrimination in healthcare settings.
People with gender dysphoria who don't receive the support and treatment they need are at higher risk of thinking about or attempting suicide.
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What are the Stay Informed with LGBTQ+ health content. of Gender dysphoria?
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Receive trusted health information and answers to your questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, transition, self-expression, and LGBTQ+ health topics.Click here for an email preview.
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What are the Overview of Genital herpes?
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Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes. Genital herpes can often be spread by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
Some people infected with the virus may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms. They can still able to spread the virus. Other people have pain, itching and sores around the genitals, anus or mouth.
There is no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms often show up again after the first outbreak. Medicine can ease symptoms. It also lowers the risk of infecting others. Condoms can help prevent the spread of a genital herpes infection.
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What are the symptoms of Genital herpes?
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Most people infected withHSVdon't know they have it. They may have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms.
Symptoms start about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. They may include:
• Pain or itching around the genitals
• Small bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus or mouth
• Painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed
• Scabs that form as the ulcers heal
• Painful urination
• Discharge from the urethra, the tube that releases urine from the body
• Discharge from the vagina
During the first outbreak, you may commonly have flu-like symptoms such as:
• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
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What are the causes of Genital herpes?
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Genital herpes is caused by two types of herpes simplex virus. These types include herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). People withHSVinfections can pass along the virus even when they have no visible symptoms.
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What are the risk factors of Genital herpes?
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A higher risk of getting genital herpes is linked to:
• Contact with genitals through oral, vaginal or anal sex.Having sexual contact without using a barrier increases your risk of genital herpes. Barriers include condoms and condom-like protectors called dental dams used during oral sex. Women are at higher risk of getting genital herpes. The virus can spread more easily from men to women than from women to men.
• Having sex with multiple partners.The number of people you have sex with is a strong risk factor. Contact with genitals through sex or sexual activity puts you at higher risk. Most people with genital herpes do not know they have it.
• Having a partner who has the disease but is not taking medicine to treat it.There is no cure for genital herpes, but medicine can help limit outbreaks.
• Certain groups within the population.Women, people with a history of sexually transmitted diseases, older people, Black people in in the United States and men who have sex with men diagnosed with genital herpes at a higher than average rate. People in groups at higher risk may choose to talk to a health care provider about their personal risk.
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What are the complications of Genital herpes?
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Complications associated with genital herpes may include:
• Other sexually transmitted infections.Having genital sores raises your risk of giving or getting otherSTIs, includingHIV/AIDS.
• Newborn infection.A baby can be infected withHSVduring delivery. Less often, the virus is passed during pregnancy or by close contact after delivery. Newborns withHSVoften have infections of internal organs or the nervous system. Even with treatment, these newborns have a high risk of developmental or physical problems and a risk of death.
• Internal inflammatory disease.HSVinfection can cause swelling and inflammation within the organs associated with sexual activity and urination. These include the ureter, rectum, vagina, cervix and uterus.
• Finger infection.AnHSVinfection can spread to a finger through a break in the skin causing discoloration, swelling and sores. The infections are called herpetic whitlow.
• Eye infection.HSVinfection of the eye can cause pain, sores, blurred vision and blindness.
• Swelling of the brain.Rarely,HSVinfection leads to inflammation and swelling of the brain, also called encephalitis.
• Infection of internal organs.Rarely,HSVin the bloodstream can cause infections of internal organs.
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What is the prevention of Genital herpes?
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Prevention of genital herpes is the same as preventing other sexually transmitted infections.
• Have one long-term sexual partner who has been tested forSTIs and isn't infected.
• Use a condom or dental dam during sexual activity. These reduce the risk of disease, but they don't prevent all skin-to-skin contact during sex.
• Don't have sex when a partner with genital herpes has symptoms.
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What are the Overview of Geographic atrophy?
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Geographic atrophy is a serious eye condition. It occurs in people with another eye condition called age-related macular degeneration. It is most common in people over age 60.
Over time, geographic atrophy can lead to loss of central vision, which helps you see what is in front of you. This happens when the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye, called the retina, is damaged. The damaged retina can get larger over time, causing increasing vision loss.
Geographic atrophy can affect one or both eyes. There is no cure, but the FDA has approved some new therapies to slow down its progression. Other new treatments are being studied in clinical trials.
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What are the symptoms of Geographic atrophy?
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People with geographic atrophy may notice changes in vision that start slowly and get worse over time. Geographic atrophy often starts just outside the center of the retina and slowly moves inward. As it grows, you can lose central vision or have blurred or blind spots.
Many people keep decent central vision early on, but as geographic atrophy spreads, this vision can be lost. Vision loss can become severe over time. It can make it hard to drive, read, watch TV and do household chores. People with geographic atrophy usually keep their side vision, known as peripheral vision.
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What are the causes of Geographic atrophy?
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Geographic atrophy is an eye condition that can occur in people with another eye condition called dry age-related macular degeneration. It causes gradual loss of vision in people, usually as they age. It affects parts of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
The cause of geographic atrophy is not fully known. One main cause is damage to a layer of cells that support the retina. This is called the retinal pigment epithelium. The damage can happen because of natural aging or due to outside factors such as smoking.
Over time, this damage causes yellow deposits called drusen to form. These deposits are a sign of early retina damage. Drusen are made up of fats and pieces of cells. Drusen can make the immune system react, causing swelling. This leads to the death of important cells in the retina called photoreceptors. Photoreceptors help you see.
As these cells die, parts of the retina start to break down. This loss of cells and damage to the retina causes central vision to get blurry. It can lead to vision loss over time.
Currently, there is no cure for geographic atrophy. But scientists are researching ways to slow down the damage and help protect the retina from further harm.
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What are the risk factors of Geographic atrophy?
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Some people have a higher chance of developing geographic atrophy. Risk factors include:
• Age:People over age 60 are more likely to have geographic atrophy.
• Genetics:Certain gene changes make some people more prone to the condition.
• Family history:If a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, has the eye condition macular degeneration, the risk of geographic atrophy is higher.
• Smoking:Current or past smoking can increase the risk.
• Other factors:Having high blood pressure or being overweight may play a role.
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What are the complications of Geographic atrophy?
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Other eye conditions can develop with geographic atrophy, including:
• Further vision loss:As more areas of the retina are damaged, blind spots can grow in size.
• A more advanced form of macular degeneration:Some people with geographic atrophy develop leaking blood vessels under the retina, which can rapidly damage vision.
• Blindness:In later stages of geographic atrophy, vision may drop below the level needed for activities such as driving, reading or watching TV.
• Stress and depression:Loss of vision can lead to high stress levels and depression.
To help manage the condition, understand your risk factors and schedule regular eye exams. Ask your eye doctor how you can help preserve your independence and quality of life. If you notice sudden vision changes, especially blind spots or distorted lines, call your eye doctor right away. Work with your eye care professional team to find the best treatment for you.
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What is the prevention of Geographic atrophy?
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There is no sure way to prevent geographic atrophy. However, these steps may help:
• Stop smoking:This is the most important step for lowering risk.
• Choose a healthy diet and lifestyle:Eating leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, fish and other antioxidant-rich foods may help.
• Have regular check-ups:Early detection could prevent more-serious vision conditions.
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What are the Overview of Germ cell tumors?
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Germ cell tumors are growths of cells that form from reproductive cells called germ cells. In the female reproductive system, germ cells turn into eggs. In the male reproductive system, they turn into sperm. Most germ cell tumors happen in the testicles or the ovaries.
Some germ cell tumors happen in other areas of the body, but they are very rare. These are called extragonadal germ cell tumors. Examples of where these tumors can form include the belly, brain and chest. It's not clear why germ cell tumors form in places other than the testicles and ovaries.
Some germ cell tumors may be cancer, but others are not cancer.
Treatment for germ cell tumors may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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What are the symptoms of Germ cell tumors?
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Symptoms of germ cell tumors depend on where they happen. Symptoms often happen because a growing tumor puts pressure on nearby tissue or organs. For example, a germ cell tumor in an ovary may lead to pelvic pain, back pain, bloating or swelling in the belly. A germ cell tumor in a testicle may cause swelling or pain in the testicle or scrotum. A lump in the testicle is a common symptom of a testicular germ cell tumor.
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What are the causes of Germ cell tumors?
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It's not clear what causes germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors form in the cells that turn into eggs in the ovaries and into sperm in the testicles. Germ cell tumors happen when germ cells develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA tells the cells to grow and multiply at a set rate. The DNA also tells the cells to die at a set time.
In tumor cells, the DNA changes give different instructions. The changes tell the tumor cells to grow and multiply quickly. Tumor cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells. The tumor cells can form a mass that can grow and press on nearby tissue or organs.
Sometimes the DNA changes turn germ cells into cancer cells. Cancer cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. Cancer cells sometimes break away and spread to other parts of the body.
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What are the risk factors of Germ cell tumors?
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Factors that may raise the risk of germ cell tumors include:
• Young age.Germ cell tumors tend to happen at a young age. For example, germ cell tumors that form in the ovaries are more common before age 20. Germ cell tumors that form in the testicles are most common between the ages of 15 and 35.
• Undescended testicle.Having a testicle that doesn't move down into its proper place in the scrotum before birth may raise the risk of a germ cell tumor in that testicle. The medical term for this condition is cryptorchidism.
Healthcare professionals haven't found anything that can prevent germ cell tumors.
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What are the Overview of Gingivitis?
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Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease, also called periodontal disease. It causes irritation, redness, swelling and bleeding of your gingiva, which is the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It's important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis does not cause bone loss. But left untreated, it can lead to a much more serious gum disease, called periodontitis, and tooth loss.
The most common cause of gingivitis is not keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent and reverse gingivitis.
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What are the symptoms of Gingivitis?
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Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. They fit tightly around the teeth. Symptoms of gingivitis include:
• Swollen or puffy gums.
• Bright red or dark red gums, or gums that are darker than usual.
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
• Tender gums.
• Bad breath.
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What are the causes of Gingivitis?
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The most common cause of gingivitis is poor care of teeth and gums, which allows plaque to form on teeth. This causes swelling of the surrounding gum tissues.
Here's how plaque can lead to gingivitis:
• Plaque forms on your teeth.Plaque is a sticky film that has no color. It's mainly made up of bacteria that form on your teeth after eating starches and sugars in food. Plaque needs to be removed every day because it forms quickly.
• Plaque turns into tartar.Plaque that stays on your teeth can harden under your gumline into tartar. This tartar, also known as calculus, then collects bacteria. Tartar makes plaque harder to remove, creates a protective shield for bacteria and irritates the gumline. You need professional dental cleaning to remove tartar.
• Gingiva becomes irritated and swells.The gingiva is the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. This is called gingivitis. If not treated, gingivitis can lead to tooth decay, periodontitis and tooth loss.
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What are the risk factors of Gingivitis?
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Gingivitis is common, and anyone can develop it. Factors that can increase your risk of gingivitis include:
• Poor oral care habits.
• Smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Older age.
• Dry mouth.
• Poor nutrition, including not getting enough vitamin C.
• Repairs to teeth that don't fit properly or are in poor condition, such as fillings, bridges, dental implants or veneers.
• Crooked teeth that are hard to clean.
• Conditions that lower immunity, such as leukemia,HIV/AIDSor cancer treatment.
• Certain drugs, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, others) for epileptic seizures and some calcium channel blockers used for angina, high blood pressure and other conditions.
• Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy, the menstrual cycle or use of birth control pills.
• Certain genes.
• Medical conditions, such as certain viral and fungal infections.
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What are the complications of Gingivitis?
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Untreated gingivitis can lead to gum disease that spreads to underlying tissue and bone, called periodontitis. This is a much more serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.
Ongoing gum disease may be related to some diseases that affect the entire body, such as respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. Some research suggests that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter your bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting your heart, lungs and other parts of your body. But more studies are needed to confirm a link.
Trench mouth, also known as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis or NUG, is a severe form of gingivitis that causes painful, infected, bleeding gums and ulcers. Trench mouth is rare today in developed nations, though it's common in developing countries that have poor nutrition and poor living conditions.
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What is the prevention of Gingivitis?
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To prevent gingivitis:
• Practice good oral care.That means brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice daily — in the morning and before going to bed — and flossing at least once a day. Better yet, brush after every meal or snack or as your dentist recommends. Flossing before you brush cleans away loosened food particles and bacteria.
• Go to the dentist regularly.See your dentist or dental hygienist regularly for cleanings, usually every 6 to 12 months. If you have risk factors that increase your chance of developing periodontitis — such as having dry mouth, taking certain medicines or smoking — you may need professional cleaning more often. Annual dental X-rays can help pinpoint diseases not seen by a visual dental exam and watch for changes in your dental health.
• Take steps to lead a healthy lifestyle.Practices such as healthy eating and managing blood sugar if you have diabetes, for example, also are important to supporting gum health.
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What are the Overview of Glaucoma?
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Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve. This damage can lead to vision loss or blindness. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to the brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in the eye. But glaucoma can happen even with typical eye pressure.
Glaucoma can happen at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages.
It's important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure. If glaucoma is found early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have glaucoma, you'll need treatment or monitoring for the rest of your life.
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What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?
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The symptoms of glaucoma depend on the type and stage of the condition.
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What are the causes of Glaucoma?
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Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve becomes damaged. As this nerve gradually gets worse, blind spots develop in your vision. For reasons that eye doctors don't fully understand, this nerve damage is usually related to increased pressure in the eye.
Raised eye pressure happens as the result of a buildup of fluid that flows throughout the inside of the eye. This fluid, called the aqueous humor, usually drains through a tissue located at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. This tissue is called the trabecular meshwork. The cornea is important to vision because it lets light into the eye. When the eye makes too much fluid or the drainage system doesn't work properly, eye pressure may increase.
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What are the risk factors of Glaucoma?
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Glaucoma can damage vision before you notice any symptoms. So be aware of these risk factors:
• High internal eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure.
• Age over 55.
• Black, Asian or Hispanic heritage.
• Family history of glaucoma.
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, migraine, high blood pressure and sickle cell anemia.
• Corneas that are thin in the center.
• Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness.
• Eye injury or certain types of eye surgery.
• Taking corticosteroid medicines, especially eye drops, for a long time.
Some people have narrow drainage angles, putting them at increased risk of angle-closure glaucoma.
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What is the prevention of Glaucoma?
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These steps may help find and manage glaucoma in its early stages. That may help to prevent vision loss or slow its progress.
• Get regular eye exams.Regular eye exams can help find glaucoma in its early stages, before a lot of damage occurs. As a general rule, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a comprehensive eye exam every 5 to 10 years if you're under 40 years old; every 2 to 4 years if you're 40 to 54 years old; every 1 to 3 years if you're 55 to 64 years old; and every 1 to 2 years if you're older than 65.If you're at risk of glaucoma, you'll need screening more often. Ask a healthcare professional to recommend the right screening schedule for you.
• Know your family's eye health history.Glaucoma tends to run in families. If you're at increased risk, you may need screening more often.
• Wear eye protection.Serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma. Wear eye protection when using power tools or playing sports.
• Take prescribed eye drops regularly.Glaucoma eye drops can greatly reduce the risk that high eye pressure will progress to glaucoma. Use eye drops as prescribed by a healthcare professional even if you have no symptoms.
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What are the Overview of Glioblastoma?
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Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. It grows quickly and can invade and destroy healthy tissue. Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
Glioblastoma can happen at any age. But it tends to happen more often in older adults. Glioblastoma symptoms may include headaches that keep getting worse, nausea and vomiting, blurred or double vision, trouble speaking, altered sense of touch, and seizures. There also may be trouble with balance, coordination, and moving parts of the face or body.
There's no cure for glioblastoma. Treatments might slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms.
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What are the symptoms of Glioblastoma?
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Signs and symptoms of glioblastoma may include:
• Headache, particularly one that hurts the most in the morning.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion or a decline in brain function, such as problems with thinking and understanding information.
• Memory loss.
• Personality changes or irritability.
• Vision changes, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision.
• Speech difficulties.
• Trouble with balance or coordination.
• Muscle weakness in the face, arms or legs.
• Reduced sensation of touch.
• Seizures, especially in someone who hasn't had seizures before.
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What are the causes of Glioblastoma?
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The cause of most glioblastomas isn't known.
Glioblastoma happens when cells in the brain or spinal cord develop changes in their DNA. Healthcare professionals sometimes call these changes mutations or variations. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions tell the cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, the DNA changes give different instructions. The changes tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells.
The cancer cells form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to press on nearby nerves and parts of the brain or spinal cord. This leads to glioblastoma symptoms and can cause complications. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue.
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What are the risk factors of Glioblastoma?
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Factors that can increase the risk of glioblastoma include:
• Getting older.Glioblastomas are most common in older adults. But glioblastoma can happen at any age.
• Being exposed to radiation.People who have been exposed to a type of radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of glioblastoma. One example of ionizing radiation is radiation therapy used to treat cancer.
• Inherited syndromes that increase cancer risk.In some families, DNA changes passed from parents to children may increase the risk of glioblastoma. Inherited syndromes may include Lynch syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Genetic testing can detect these syndromes.
Researchers haven't found anything you can do to prevent glioblastoma.
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What are the Overview of Glioma?
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Glioma is a growth of cells that starts in the brain or spinal cord. The cells in a glioma look similar to healthy brain cells called glial cells. Glial cells surround nerve cells and help them function.
As a glioma grows it forms a mass of cells called a tumor. The tumor can grow to press on brain or spinal cord tissue and cause symptoms. Symptoms depend on which part of the brain or spinal cord is affected.
There are many types of glioma. Some grow slowly and aren't considered to be cancers. Others are considered cancerous. Another word for cancerous is malignant. Malignant gliomas grow quickly and can invade healthy brain tissue. Some types of glioma happen mostly in adults. Others happen mostly in kids.
The type of glioma you have helps your health care team understand how serious your condition is and what treatments might work best. In general, glioma treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and others.
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What are the symptoms of Glioma?
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Glioma symptoms depend on the location of the glioma. Symptoms also may depend on the type of glioma, its size and how quickly it's growing.
Common signs and symptoms of gliomas include:
• Headache, particularly one that hurts the most in the morning.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion or a decline in brain function, such as problems with thinking and understanding information.
• Memory loss.
• Personality changes or irritability.
• Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision.
• Speech difficulties.
• Seizures, especially in someone who hasn't had seizures before.
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What are the causes of Glioma?
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Doctors aren't sure what causes glioma. It starts when cells in the brain or spinal cord develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do.
The DNA changes tell the cells to make more cells quickly. The cells continue living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells that don't work right. The cells form a mass called a tumor.
The tumor can grow to press on nearby nerves and parts of the brain or spinal cord. This leads to glioma symptoms and can cause complications.
Some gliomas develop more changes in their DNA that cause them to become brain cancers. The changes tell the cells to invade and destroy healthy brain tissue.
In glioma, the tumor cells look similar to healthy brain cells called glial cells. The glial cells surround and support nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
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What are the risk factors of Glioma?
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Things that can increase the risk of glioma include:
• Getting older.Gliomas are most common in adults between ages 45 and 65 years old. But glioma can happen at any age. Certain types of gliomas are more common in children and young adults.
• Being exposed to radiation.People who have been exposed to a type of radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of glioma. One example of ionizing radiation is radiation therapy used to treat cancer.
• Having a family history of glioma.Glioma can run in families, but this is very rare. More research is needed to understand whether parents can pass a risk of glioma to their children.
Researchers haven't found anything you can do to prevent glioma.
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What are the Overview of Glomerulonephritis?
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Glomerulonephritis (gloe-MER-u-loe-nuh-FRY-tis) is inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli). The excess fluid and waste that glomeruli (gloe-MER-u-lie) remove from the bloodstream exit the body as urine. Glomerulonephritis can come on suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).
Glomerulonephritis occurs on its own or as part of another disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Severe or prolonged inflammation associated with glomerulonephritis can damage the kidneys. Treatment depends on the type of glomerulonephritis you have.
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What are the symptoms of Glomerulonephritis?
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Signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis may vary depending on whether you have the acute or chronic form and the cause. You may notice no symptoms of chronic disease. Your first indication that something is wrong might come from the results of a routine urine test (urinalysis).
Glomerulonephritis signs and symptoms may include:
• Pink or cola-colored urine from red blood cells in your urine (hematuria).
• Foamy or bubbly urine due to excess protein in the urine (proteinuria).
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Fluid retention (edema) with swelling evident in your face, hands, feet and abdomen.
• Urinating less than usual.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle cramps.
• Fatigue.
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What are the causes of Glomerulonephritis?
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Many conditions can cause glomerulonephritis. Sometimes the disease runs in families and sometimes the cause is unknown. Factors that can lead to inflammation of the glomeruli include the following conditions.
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What are the risk factors of Glomerulonephritis?
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Some autoimmune diseases are linked with glomerulonephritis.
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