American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition often caused by cancer treatment or surgery. It results in swelling of the lymph nodes located… What is lymphedema? Lymphedema is excess fluid inside your body. It causes swelling in your arms, legs, fingers, and toes. Lymphedema occurs when something…
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Breast Cyst Aspiration
A breast cyst aspiration is an in-office procedure your doctor will do to drain a cyst in your breast… to drain fluid from the lump. There could be several results from the aspiration: The lump is a cyst that contains watery fluid. The cyst goes…
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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… to improved health There are 2 ways to replace fluids in someone who needs them. The first way is to put the fluid right into a vein. This…
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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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Decongestants: OTC Relief for Congestion
Over-the-counter medicine is available to treat congestion (stuffy nose)… What are OTC decongestants? Decongestants are medicines that help relieve a congested (stuffy) nose. The congestion can be caused by a cold virus or by the flu, sinusitis, or allergies. Most decongestants come in pill…
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Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
Pleurisy is a medical condition that affects the lining of your lungs and chest, which can become irritated with the… What is pleurisy? Pleurisy is a medical condition that affects the lining of your lungs and chest. The lining can become inflamed or irritated…
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Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. How serious it is depends on what caused the pneumonia, your age, and… disease Ways to help prevent pneumonia: Get the flu vaccine each year. People can develop bacterial pneumonia after a case of the flu. You can…
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Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Most types of prostate cancer grow slowly… What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in a man’s prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of a man’s…
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Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits that form inside your gallbladder. They are most often caused when cholesterol becomes solid and can… What are gallstones? Gallstones are hard deposits that can form inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ just under your liver. It stores bile,…
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Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear problem that can cause dizziness and ringing in the ears but is not contagious… What is Meniere’s disease? Meniere’s disease is a problem that occurs in your inner ear. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it…
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Health Care Workers: Avoiding Infections at Work
Healthcare workers have a high risk of being exposed to infections through blood, coughs or sneezes, and direct contact with… As a health care worker, you may be exposed to sources of infection. These may be transmitted in three ways. First, you can come into…
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Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is a contagious viral infection that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (the airways that carry air into… What is acute bronchitis? Acute bronchitis is a contagious viral infection that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes. These are the airways that carry…
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Calcium: What You Need to Know
Calcium keeps your bones and teeth healthy and strong. Your body can’t make its own calcium, so it’s important to… Calcium is a mineral in your body that is also found in many foods. Most of the calcium in your body is in your bones…
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
olycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that occurs when cysts form on a woman’s ovaries… What is polycystic ovary syndrome? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that occurs when cysts form on a woman’s ovaries. An imbalance of hormone levels in a woman’s…
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Meningitis
Meningitis is swelling of the tissue around your brain and spinal cord. There are two common types of meningitis: viral… What is meningitis? Meningitis is swelling of the tissue around your brain and spinal cord. There are two common types of meningitis. Viral meningitis…
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Proteinuria in Children
Proteinuria means there’s protein in urine. All children have a little protein in their urine. But too much may signal… What is proteinuria in children? Proteinuria means there’s protein in your child’s urine. All children have a little protein in their urine. But too much…
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OTC Medicines: Know Your Risks and Reduce Them
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be purchased at the store without a doctor’s prescription, but care should still be taken to… Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are those you can buy at the store. You don’t need a prescription from your doctor. They help you feel better by treating or…
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Occupational Exposure to HIV: Advice for Health Care Workers
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is an infection that attacks your body’s immune system and can lead to… HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is an infection that attacks your body’s immune system. The infection can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency…
