American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Vomiting and Diarrhea
Information for parents about vomiting and diarrhea in children from the American Academy of Family Physicians… in babies, children, and the elderly, talk to your doctor. If dehydration is severe, your loved one may need to be given fluids intravenously (by vein through an IV…
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Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can result from multiple causes… or saliva. They may not be able to swallow at all. Dysphagia can make it hard to take in enough calories and fluids to keep your body working properly. What are the symptoms of…
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Viral Infections During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, it’s important to take precautions against viral infections to protect you and your baby… pregnant women. You may get very sick. However, it hardly ever causes birth defects in the baby. If you are pregnant during flu season (October through March),…
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Malaria
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is carried by one type of mosquito. Humans get… not in the United States). Humans get the disease when an infected mosquito bites them. People with malaria get very sick with flu-like symptoms. If…
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Echinacea: What Should I Know About It?
Echinacea has been a popular herbal remedy for centuries. Today, it is often used to prevent or treat viruses that… popular herbal remedy for centuries. Today, it is often used to prevent or treat viruses that cause colds, sore throats, or the flu. You can…
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Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer that happens when your white blood cells become abnormal. It can be fatal,… your lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. These make up your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body fight infection. They eliminate fluid, waste, and…
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Accessing Care in Rural Communities
Most of us can find a doctor or a hospital nearby. Rural residents struggle to find health care in their… the nearest doctor or hospital. There are other barriers, too. These include the financial means to pay for health care, not being fluent in English,…
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Bartholin's Gland Cyst
Bartholin’s gland cyst is a swelling that can occur near the opening of a woman’s vagina. They can become infected,… these glands would be found at about 4 and 8 o’clock. Normally they’re invisible. They make a small amount of fluid that lubricates the vaginal…
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Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain, whether caused by a specific injury or not, can be treated with active rest and range-of-motion exercises as… Shoulder pain can be caused by many factors. One common cause of shoulder pain is soreness of the tendon (a cord that attaches a muscle to a bone) in…
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Chickenpox Vaccine
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that is easily preventable with the use of a vaccine… What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It is most common in children. Most cases occur in people who are younger than 15…
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From a Family Doctor: Adults Need Vaccines Too
It’s true that most vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are given to children during routine pediatric visits. But adults need them too because protection from childhood vaccinations may lessen as you age, and you may need additional…
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Antiemetic Medicines: OTC Relief for Nausea and Vomiting
Over the counter medicines can provide relief for nausea and vomiting, but there are a number of precautions to be… Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Medicines that treat nausea and vomiting are called antiemetics. Several…
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Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a joint problem that usually affects the hip or knee. It also can occur in the… What is pigmented villonodular synovitis? Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a joint problem that usually affects the hip or knee. It also can occur…
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Joint and Soft Tissue Injections
A joint or soft tissue injection is a shot in either a joint, like your knee, or a soft tissue… Joint and soft tissue injections are shots with a needle. They can be given in a joint, such as your knee, or a soft tissue…
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Food Poisoning | Mushroom Poisoning
Know the type of mushrooms you are eating to avoid getting sick and even death… What is mushroom poisoning? People are poisoned each year after eating mushrooms from their yard or outside locations. These mushrooms should not be eaten. It’s difficult to tell which…
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Getting the Most from Your OTC Medicine
Over the counter medicines are available without a prescription, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to be safe when… OTC is short for “over-the-counter.” OTC drugs are medicines you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. You usually can find these medicines at…
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Cough Medicine: Understanding Your OTC Options
Over-the-counter cough suppressants can be used to treat some coughs that are interfering with your sleep or activities, but not… There are few things more annoying than trying to get through the day with a nagging cough — unless it’s trying to get through…
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Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii… What is toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It can live in a cat’s intestines and be spread through its feces. It also can live in dirt…
