American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Pain Relievers: Understanding Your OTC Options
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are medicines you can buy at a store, without a prescription from your doctor. They can… contact your doctor. You may have another issue and need a prescription medicine. There are 2 main types of OTC pain relievers: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal…
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Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy if used within a short period of time after having sex… do not require a prescription from your doctor. You can purchase them over the counter at a pharmacy. Pills that contain ulipristal acetate (ella®) do require…
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Using an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor
An ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a small machine that attaches to your belt and allows you to check your… have “borderline” high blood pressure You have a chronic medical condition that causes high blood pressure, including diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea You and…
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Neural Tube Defects
Neural tube defects are birth defects affecting a baby’s spine, spinal cord, or brain… causes unformed sections of the fetus’ brain, skull, and scalp. It is more common in girls than boys. This is similar to anencephaly, but rarer. It occurs when part of the…
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Keeping Your Kids Cyber Safe
The internet and mobile devices have improved communication tremendously. Yet, danger lurks, and parents should monitor their child’s internet and… child to discuss safety rules and why they are important. Start by using your internet provider’s parent-control settings to block access to inappropriate websites. Install…
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Weight-loss Surgery
Weight-loss surgery can be called bariatric surgery. It involves surgically reducing the size of your stomach so your body absorbs… is overweight. Before you can qualify for surgical weight loss, you must have health conditions related to your obesity. These include sleep apnea, heart disease,…
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Obesity
Obesity is a complex, and increasingly common disease that is associated with many health risks such as high blood pressure,… fat. An elevated BMI or diagnosis of obesity can also lead to other serious health conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis) that have…
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 is highly contagious and does not yet have an approved vaccine. Symptoms may include a cough, a fever, and… COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus call SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses, which infect people and some animals, spread through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing,…
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Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is a condition that causes you to have too much calcium in your bloodstream and not enough in your… What is hyperparathyroidism? Hyperparathyroidism occurs in your parathyroid glands. These are the 4 pea-sized glands behind your thyroid gland at the front of your neck. The…
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Taking Care of You and Your Baby While You're Pregnant
Prenatal care means taking care of yourself and your baby before he or she is born, including living a healthy… It’s important to take care of your baby, even before he or she is born. You can do this by living a healthy lifestyle and…
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Herpes
Herpes is a group of viruses that cause painful blisters and sores. There is no cure, but medicines can treat… What is herpes? Herpes is the name of a group of viruses that cause painful blisters and sores. The most common viruses are: Herpes zoster:…
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Mpox (monkeypox)
Mpox (monkeypox) began making the news following a surge in new cases in summer 2022. This outbreak includes reports of… Mpox (monkeypox) began making the news following a surge in new cases in summer 2022. This outbreak includes reports of cases in several countries where…
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Gallbladder Removal: Laparoscopic Method
The gallbladder helps your body digest fat. If it gets inflamed, your doctor may want to remove it. Fortunately, we… The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ just under your liver. It stores bile, the digestive fluid the liver makes to digest fat. Sometimes the…
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Asthma | Medicines That Can Make It Worse
Certain medicines might make your asthma worse. It’s important to know about medicines that might cause problems before you take… Certain medicines might make your asthma worse. Not all people who have asthma experience problems when taking these medicines. However, if you have asthma, it’s…
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Helping Your Child Achieve a Healthy Weight
Excessive weight gain or obesity in childhood can lead to serious health problems later in life. A healthy diet and… Children need a certain number of calories to grow and develop. But if a child takes in more calories than he or she uses, the…
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Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes muscle pain and general fatigue… What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes muscle pain and general fatigue. People who have fibromyalgia often have a heightened sensitivity to pain or experience chronic pain. This means it lasts…
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Illegal Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Your Child
Children are exposed to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco through a number of sources. Talking to your child about these issues… Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are a health risk to everyone, especially children. They also are more harmful to children because they affect proper development. Most…
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Preventing Malnutrition in Older Adults
Older adults are more vulnerable to malnutrition. Learn ways to prevent it… As the U.S. population ages, malnourishment is a growing concern. Good nutrition is very important for all older adults. It is especially important for older adults who are ill or have been diagnosed…
