American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Edema
Edema is a swelling or puffiness of part of the body, usually the feet, ankles and legs. It sometimes occurs… What is edema? Edema is swelling or puffiness of parts of the body. Edema usually happens in the feet, ankles, and legs. It also…
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Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the muscles in the heart. It causes your heart muscles to become enlarged… be the same as the symptoms of heart failure. These include: Shortness of breath Fatigue Coughing Trouble breathing, especially while lying down Edema (swelling) of the feet,…
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High-Altitude Illness
High-altitude illness can occur when you travel to altitudes higher than 8,000 feet. It happens when your body doesn’t get… Acute mountain sickness:This is the most common form of the condition. It’s often mild and short-term. High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE):This condition causes your lungs to swell with…
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Artificial Hydration and Nutrition
Artificial hydration and nutrition helps patients with short-term medical problems who cannot eat or drink by mouth… most often used with elderly people and is considered safe with few, if any, side effects. The most common side effect is edema (swelling), which can be treated…
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Recovering from Delivery (Postpartum Recovery)
Fully recovering from pregnancy and childbirth can take months, and it may be even longer before you feel like yourself… that swelling you noticed during your pregnancy to go away. It won’t, though, for a while longer. Also known as postpartum edema (swelling), your body…
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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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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease)
Metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease is formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It is a a buildup of fat in… What is metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD)? Metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is a buildup of fat in…
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Intussusception
Description: Intussusception is a serious problem with the intestine that prevents the passage of food through the intestine… What is intussusception? Intussusception is a serious problem with the intestine. It occurs when one part of the intestine slides into another section. This causes the intestine to…
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Diverticular Disease (Diverticulitis)
Diverticular Disease is a group of conditions that affect your large intestine (colon)… What is diverticular disease? Diverticular disease is a group of conditions that affect your large intestine (colon). It involves small pouches or sacs, called diverticula. These pouches can form in your intestine…
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Low-Calorie Diets
Eating fewer calories typically results in weight loss. If you add exercise, you may not need to lower your daily… Losing weight is literally a numbers game. Eating fewer calories or exercising to burn off calories typically results in weight loss over time. One pound…
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Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a cancer of the colon or the rectum that can be detected through early, regular screenings… What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer starts in the tissue of the colon or the rectum (the largest part of the intestine located near the anus)…
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Making Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants
Fast food is tempting, but it can be very unhealthy. Knowing what to choose at fast food restaurants can help… Eating at fast food restaurants can be tempting. For ease and convenience — and sometimes price — fast food is tough to beat. And when…
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Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Cholesterol
Too much cholesterol can be bad for your body, but there are lifestyle, diet and fitness changes you can make… Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in your body. Your body uses it to protect nerves, make cell tissues, and produce certain hormones. Your liver…
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Dietary Fat: What’s Good and What’s Bad
Certain fats like omega-3 fatty acids should be part of your diet. You should limit your intake of other fats… Certain fats should be part of your diet. But you should make sure you’re eating good fats instead of bad fats. Your body uses fat…
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Stool Soiling and Constipation in Children
Stool soiling happens when children who are toilet trained accidentally leak feces into their underwear. Constipation is one of the… Stool soiling (encopresis) happens in children who are toilet trained. It’s when they accidentally leak feces (poop) into their underwear. Constipation is one of many…
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Pelvic Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound allows your doctor to see the space between your hips that contains the sacrum, tailbone, bladder, sex… A pelvic ultrasound is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at what’s going on inside your pelvis. This is the space between your…
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Constipation
Constipation is a common condition that makes it difficult to have a bowel movement. It can be caused by changes… What is constipation? Constipation is a common condition that makes it difficult to have a bowel movement. A bowel movement occurs when the food you…
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Avoiding Burnout When You Have an Emotional Job
Some jobs are more stressful than others, but key strategies can help in every job… Not all jobs are created equal. Some jobs demand more physical labor. Other jobs take a greater emotional toll. For example, social workers, psychiatrists, pastors, and family therapists see and…
