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Please answer the question as a medical doctor.
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What is the prevention of Agoraphobia?
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There's no sure way to prevent agoraphobia. But anxiety tends to increase the more you avoid situations that you fear. If you start to have mild fears about going places that are safe, try to practice going to those places over and over again. This can help you feel more comfortable in those places. If this is too hard to do on your own, ask a family member or friend to go with you, or seek professional help.
If you experience anxiety going places or have panic attacks, get treatment as soon as possible. Get help early to keep symptoms from getting worse. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
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What are the Overview of Albinism?
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The term albinism usually refers to oculocutaneous (ok-u-low-ku-TAY-nee-us) albinism (OCA).OCAis a group of disorders passed down in families where the body makes little or none of a substance called melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your body determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. Melanin also plays a role in the development and function of the eyes, so people with albinism have vision problems.
Symptoms of albinism are usually seen in a person's skin, hair and eye color, but sometimes differences are slight. People with albinism are also sensitive to the effects of the sun, so they're at higher risk of getting skin cancer.
Although there's no cure for albinism, people with the disorder can take steps to protect their skin and eyes and get proper eye and skin care.
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What are the symptoms of Albinism?
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Symptoms of albinism involve skin, hair and eye color, as well as vision.
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What are the causes of Albinism?
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Several genes give instructions for making one of several proteins involved in producing melanin. Melanin is made by cells called melanocytes that are found in your skin, hair and eyes.
Albinism is caused by a change in one of these genes. Different types of albinism can occur, based mainly on which gene change caused the disorder. The gene change may result in no melanin at all or a big decrease in the amount of melanin.
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What are the risk factors of Albinism?
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Risk factors depend on whether one or both parents carry an affected gene. Different types of albinism have different types of inheritance patterns.
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What are the complications of Albinism?
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Albinism can include skin and eye complications. It also can include social and emotional challenges.
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What is the prevention of Albinism?
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If a family member has albinism, a genetic counselor can help you understand the type of albinism and the chances of having a future child with albinism. The counselor can explain the available genetic tests.
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What are the Overview of Alcohol poisoning?
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Alcohol poisoning is a serious — and sometimes deadly — result of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag reflex. In some cases, this can lead to a coma and death.
Alcohol poisoning also can occur when adults or children accidentally or intentionally drink household products that contain alcohol.
If you think that someone has alcohol poisoning, get medical attention right away.
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What are the symptoms of Alcohol poisoning?
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Alcohol poisoning symptoms include:
• Confusion.
• Vomiting.
• Seizures.
• Slow breathing, which is fewer than eight breaths a minute.
• Breathing that's not regular. This is when there is a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths.
• Skin that looks blue, gray or pale.
• Low body temperature, also known as hypothermia.
• Trouble staying conscious or awake.
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What are the causes of Alcohol poisoning?
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Alcohol in the form of ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is in alcoholic beverages. It's also in mouthwash, some cooking extracts, some medicines and certain household products. Ethyl alcohol poisoning generally results from drinking too many alcoholic beverages in a short period of time.
Other forms of alcohol can cause toxic poisoning that requires emergency treatment. They include:
• Isopropyl alcohol, which is found in rubbing alcohol, lotions and some cleaning products.
• Methanol or ethylene glycol, which is a common ingredient in antifreeze, paints and solvents.
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What are the risk factors of Alcohol poisoning?
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Several factors can increase your risk of alcohol poisoning, including:
• Your height and weight.
• Health conditions that affect how your body processes alcohol.
• Whether you've eaten recently.
• Whether you've had alcohol along with other drugs, including medicines you take for health reasons.
• The percentage of alcohol in your drinks.
• How fast and how much alcohol you drink.
• How your body processes alcohol.
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What are the complications of Alcohol poisoning?
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Severe complications can result from alcohol poisoning, including:
• Choking.Alcohol may cause vomiting. Because it depresses the gag reflex, this increases the risk of choking on vomit if a person passes out.
• Stopping breathing.Accidentally inhaling vomit into the lungs can lead to a dangerous or fatal interruption of breathing, also known as asphyxiation.
• Severe loss of fluids.Vomiting can result in severe dehydration, which happens when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids. This can lead to dangerously low blood pressure and a fast heart rate.
• Seizures.The blood sugar level may drop low enough to cause seizures.
• Hypothermia.The body temperature may drop so low that it leads to cardiac arrest.
• Unusual heartbeat.Alcohol poisoning can cause a heartbeat that is not regular. It can even cause the heart to stop.
• Brain damage.Heavy drinking may cause brain damage that can't be reversed.
• Death.Any of the issues above can lead to death.
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What is the prevention of Alcohol poisoning?
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To avoid alcohol poisoning:
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to two drinks a day for males and one drink a day for females. When you drink, enjoy your drink slowly.
• Don't drink alcohol along with certain medicines.Some medicines can cause harmful effects when taken with even small amounts of alcohol. And certain health conditions may mean it takes less alcohol than expected to reach the level of alcohol poisoning. Ask your health care provider if these risks apply to you.
• Don't drink on an empty stomach.Having some food in your stomach may slow the process of absorbing alcohol somewhat. But it won't prevent alcohol poisoning during binge drinking.
• Communicate with your teens.Talk to your teenagers about the dangers of alcohol, including binge drinking. Evidence suggests that children who are warned about alcohol by their parents and who report close relationships with their parents are less likely to start drinking.
• Store products safely.If you have small children, store alcohol-containing products, including cosmetics, mouthwashes and medicines, out of their reach. Use childproof bathroom and kitchen cabinets to prevent access to household cleaners. Keep toxic items in your garage or storage area safely out of reach. Consider keeping alcoholic beverages under lock and key.
• Get follow-up care.Ask about follow-up care for alcohol poisoning. Meeting with a health care provider, particularly an experienced chemical dependency counselor, can help prevent future binge drinking.
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What are the Overview of Alcohol use disorder?
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Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that's sometimes called alcoholism.
Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks.
If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.
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What are the symptoms of Alcohol use disorder?
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Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:
• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so
• Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use
• Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
• Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use
• Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social, work or relationship problems
• Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
• Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms
Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.
• Alcohol intoxicationresults as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely you are to have bad effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, poor judgment, slurred speech, problems with attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called "blackouts," where you don't remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma, permanent brain damage or even death.
• Alcohol withdrawalcan occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to 4 to 5 days later. Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations.
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What are the causes of Alcohol use disorder?
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Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder.
Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones.
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What are the risk factors of Alcohol use disorder?
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Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder occurs more frequently in the 20s and 30s, though it can start at any age.
Risk factors for alcohol use disorder include:
• Steady drinking over time.Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorder.
• Starting at an early age.People who begin drinking — especially binge drinking — at an early age are at a higher risk of alcohol use disorder.
• Family history.The risk of alcohol use disorder is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors.
• Depression and other mental health problems.It's common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances.
• History of trauma.People with a history of emotional trauma or other trauma are at increased risk of alcohol use disorder.
• Having bariatric surgery.Some research studies indicate that having bariatric surgery may increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder or of relapsing after recovering from alcohol use disorder.
• Social and cultural factors.Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcohol use disorder. The glamorous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it's OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact risk.
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What are the complications of Alcohol use disorder?
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Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions.
Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you're taking certain medications that also depress the brain's function.
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What is the prevention of Alcohol use disorder?
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Early intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in teens. If you have a teenager, be alert to signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol:
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies and in personal appearance
• Red eyes, slurred speech, problems with coordination and memory lapses
• Difficulties or changes in relationships with friends, such as joining a new crowd
• Declining grades and problems in school
• Frequent mood changes and defensive behavior
You can help prevent teenage alcohol use:
• Set a good example with your own alcohol use.
• Talk openly with your child, spend quality time together and become actively involved in your child's life.
• Let your child know what behavior you expect — and what the consequences will be for not following the rules.
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What are the Overview of Alcoholic hepatitis?
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Alcoholic hepatitis is swelling, called inflammation, of the liver caused by drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol destroys liver cells.
Alcoholic hepatitis most often happens in people who drink heavily over many years. But the link between drinking and alcoholic hepatitis isn't simple. Not all heavy drinkers get alcoholic hepatitis. And some people who drink much less get the disease.
If you're diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, you must stop drinking alcohol. People who keep drinking alcohol have a high risk of serious liver damage and death.
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What are the symptoms of Alcoholic hepatitis?
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The most common sign of alcoholic hepatitis is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice. The yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black and brown people.
Other symptoms include:
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Belly tenderness.
• Fever, often low grade.
• Tiredness and weakness.
People with alcoholic hepatitis tend to be malnourished. Drinking large amounts of alcohol keeps people from being hungry. And heavy drinkers get most of their calories from alcohol.
Other symptoms that happen with severe alcoholic hepatitis include:
• Fluid buildup in the belly, called ascites.
• Being confused and acting oddly due to a buildup of toxins. The healthy liver breaks these toxins down and gets rid of them.
• Kidney and liver failure.
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What are the causes of Alcoholic hepatitis?
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Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by damage to the liver from drinking alcohol. Just how alcohol damages the liver and why it does so only in some heavy drinkers isn't clear.
These factors are known to play a role in alcoholic hepatitis:
• The body's way of breaking down alcohol makes highly toxic chemicals.
• These chemicals trigger swelling, called inflammation, that destroys liver cells.
• Over time, scars replace healthy liver tissue. This keeps the liver from working well.
• This scarring, called cirrhosis, can't be fixed. It's the final stage of alcoholic liver disease.
Other factors that can be involved with alcoholic hepatitis include:
• Other types of liver disease.Alcoholic hepatitis can make chronic liver diseases worse. For instance, if you have hepatitis C and drink, even a little, you're more likely to get liver scarring than if you don't drink.
• Lack of nutrition.Many people who drink heavily don't get enough nutrients because they eat poorly. And alcohol keeps the body from using nutrients as it should. Lack of nutrients can damage liver cells.
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What are the risk factors of Alcoholic hepatitis?
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The major risk factor for alcoholic hepatitis is the how much alcohol you drink. It isn't known how much alcohol it takes to cause alcoholic hepatitis.
Most people with this condition have had at least seven drinks a day for 20 years or more. This can mean 7 glasses of wine, 7 beers, or 7 shots of spirits.
However, alcoholic hepatitis can happen to people who drink less and have other risk factors, including:
• Sex.Women seem to have a higher risk of getting alcoholic hepatitis. That might be because of how alcohol breaks down in women's bodies.
• Obesity.Heavy drinkers who are overweight might be more likely to get alcoholic hepatitis. And they might be more likely to go on to get liver scarring.
• Genes.Studies suggest that genes might be involved in alcohol-induced liver disease.
• Race and ethnicity.Black and Hispanic people might be at higher risk of alcoholic hepatitis.
• Binge drinking.Having five or more drinks in about two hours for men and four or more for women might increase the risk of alcoholic hepatitis.
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What are the complications of Alcoholic hepatitis?
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Complications of alcoholic hepatitis are caused by scar tissue on the liver. Scar tissue can slow blood flow through the liver. That can raise pressure in a major blood vessel called the portal vein and cause a buildup of toxins.
Complications include:
• Enlarged veins, called varices.Blood that can't flow freely through the portal vein can back up into other blood vessels in the stomach and the tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach, called the esophagus.These blood vessels have thin walls. They're likely to bleed if filled with too much blood. Heavy bleeding in the upper stomach or esophagus is life-threatening and needs medical care right away.
• Ascites (ah-SITE-ees).Fluid that builds up in the belly might get infected and need treatment with antibiotics. Ascites isn't life-threatening. But it most often means advanced alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis.
• Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech, called hepatic encephalopathy.A damaged liver has trouble removing toxins from the body. The buildup of toxins can damage the brain. Severe hepatic encephalopathy can cause a coma.
• Kidney failure.A damaged liver can affect blood flow to the kidneys. This can damage the kidneys.
• Cirrhosis.This scarring of the liver can lead to liver failure.
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What is the prevention of Alcoholic hepatitis?
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You might reduce your risk of alcoholic hepatitis if you:
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.For healthy adults, moderate drinking means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. The only certain way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis is to avoid all alcohol.
• Protect yourself from hepatitis C.Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by a virus. Without treatment, it can lead to cirrhosis. If you have hepatitis C and drink alcohol, you're far more likely to get cirrhosis than if you don't drink.
• Check before mixing medicines and alcohol.Ask your healthcare professional if it's safe to drink alcohol when taking your prescribed medicines. Read the warning labels on medicines you can get without a prescription.Don't drink alcohol when taking medicines that warn against drinking alcohol while taking them. This includes pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
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What are the Overview of Allergies?
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Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance that gets inside the body. These substances are known as allergens. They include pollen, bee venom and pet dander. Allergies also can happen due to certain foods and medicines that don't cause reactions in most people.
The immune system makes protective proteins called antibodies that attack invaders such as germs. But with allergies, the immune system makes antibodies that mark a specific allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. Coming into contact with the allergen causes an immune system reaction that can inflame the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.
Allergic reactions vary from person to person. They can range from minor irritation to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. While most allergies can't be cured, treatments can help relieve your allergy symptoms.
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What are the symptoms of Allergies?
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Allergy symptoms depend on what allergen is involved. The symptoms can affect the airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Sometimes, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Hay fever,also called allergic rhinitis, can cause:
• Sneezing.
• Itching of the skin, nose, eyes or roof of the mouth.
• Runny, stuffy nose.
• Tiredness, also called fatigue.
• Watery, red or swollen eyes, also called allergic conjunctivitis.
A food allergycan cause:
• Tingling in the mouth.
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat.
• Itchy welts called hives.
• Stuffy nose, sneezing or teary eyes that itch.
• Stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Anaphylaxis.
An insect sting allergycan cause:
• Pain and a large area of swelling called edema at the sting site.
• Itching or hives all over the body.
• Skin warmth and a change in skin color, also called flushing.
• Cough, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath.
• Anaphylaxis.
A medicine allergycan cause:
• Hives.
• Itchy skin or rash.
• Facial swelling.
• Wheezing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Anaphylaxis.
Atopic dermatitis,an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause skin to:
• Itch.
• Form red or brown patches that may be harder to see on darker skin tones.
• Flake, peel or crack.
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What are the causes of Allergies?
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Various substances can cause allergies. An allergy starts when the immune system mistakes a substance that's usually harmless for a dangerous invader. The immune system then makes antibodies that stay on the alert for that specific allergen. When you're exposed to the allergen again, these antibodies can release some immune system chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
Common allergy triggers include:
• Airborne allergens,such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites and mold.
• Certain foods,especially peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk.
• Insect stings,such as from a bee or wasp.
• Medicines,especially penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics.
• Latex or other substances you touch,which can cause allergic skin reactions.
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What are the risk factors of Allergies?
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Risk factors for allergies include:
• Having a family history of asthma or allergies,such as hay fever, hives or eczema.
• Being a child.
• Having asthmaor another allergic condition.
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What are the complications of Allergies?
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Having an allergy raises the risk of certain other health conditions called complications, including:
• Anaphylaxis.If you have severe allergies, that raises your risk of this serious allergic reaction. Foods, medicines, latex and insect stings are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis.
• Asthma.If you have an allergy, you're more likely to have asthma. Asthma is an immune system reaction that affects the airways and breathing. Often, asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen in the environment. This is known as allergy-induced asthma.
• Infections of the sinuses, ears or lungs.Your risk of getting these conditions is higher if you have hay fever or asthma.
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What is the prevention of Allergies?
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Preventing allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy you have. General measures include the following:
• Stay away from known triggers.Do this even if you get treatment for your allergy symptoms. If, for instance, you're allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and doors closed when pollen is high. If you're allergic to dust mites, dust and vacuum and wash bedding often. You also can use "mite-proof" covers for items such as pillows, comforters, mattresses and box springs.
• Keep a diary.When trying to figure out what causes your allergic symptoms or makes them worse, track your activities and what you eat. Also note when symptoms happen and what seems to help. This may help you and your healthcare professional find your triggers.
• Wear a medical alert bracelet.If you've had a severe allergic reaction, wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. It lets others know that you have a serious allergy in case you have a reaction and you're not able to speak.
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What are the Overview of Alpha-gal syndrome?
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Alpha-gal syndrome is a type of food allergy. It makes people allergic to red meat and other products made from mammals.
In the United States, the condition usually begins with the bite of the Lone Star tick. The bite transfers a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the body. In some people, this triggers a reaction from the body's defenses, also called the immune system. It causes mild to severe allergic reactions to red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb. It also can cause reactions to other foods that come from mammals, such as dairy products or gelatins.
The Lone Star tick is found mainly in the southeastern United States. Most cases of alpha-gal syndrome are reported in the south, east and central United States. But the condition appears to be spreading farther north and west. Deer are carrying the Lone Star tick to new parts of the country. Other types of ticks carry alpha-gal molecules in different parts of the world. Alpha-gal syndrome has been diagnosed in parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, and South and Central America.
Some people may have alpha-gal syndrome and not know it. There are people who often have serious allergic reactions, also called anaphylactic reactions, for no clear reason. Tests also show that they don't have other food allergies. Researchers think that some of these people may be affected by alpha-gal syndrome.
There's no treatment other than avoiding red meat and other products made from mammals. If you have a serious allergic reaction, you may need medicine called epinephrine and treatment at the emergency room.
Avoid tick bites to prevent alpha-gal syndrome. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you're in wooded, grassy areas. Use bug spray too. Check your whole body for ticks after you spend time outside.
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What are the causes of Alpha-gal syndrome?
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Most people with alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S. get the condition when a Lone Star tick bites them. Bites from other types of ticks can lead to the condition too. These other ticks cause alpha-gal syndrome in parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, and South and Central America.
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What are the risk factors of Alpha-gal syndrome?
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Health care providers don't yet know why some people get alpha-gal syndrome after exposure and others don't. The condition mostly happens in the south, east and central United States. You're at higher risk if you live or spend time in these regions and:
• Spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Have gotten multiple Lone Star tick bites.
In the past 20 to 30 years, the Lone Star tick has been found in large numbers as far north as Maine. This tick also has been found as far west as central Texas and Oklahoma.
Alpha-gal syndrome also happens in other parts of the world. This includes parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, and South and Central America. In those places, bites from certain types of ticks also appear to raise the risk of the condition.
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What are the complications of Alpha-gal syndrome?
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Alpha-gal syndrome can cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. It can be deadly without treatment. Anaphylaxis is treated with prescription medicine called epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. You can give yourself a shot of epinephrine with a device called an auto-injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others). You also need to go to the emergency room.
Anaphylaxis symptoms can include:
• Tight, narrow airways.
• Swelling of the throat that makes it hard to breathe.
• A serious drop in blood pressure, called shock.
• Rapid pulse.
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or passing out
Health care providers think that some people who get anaphylaxis often and for no clear reason may be living with alpha-gal syndrome. They just haven't been diagnosed with it.
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What is the prevention of Alpha-gal syndrome?
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The best way to prevent alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid areas where ticks live. Be careful in wooded, bushy areas with long grass. You can lower your risk of getting alpha-gal syndrome by following some simple tips:
• Cover up.Dress to protect yourself when you're in wooded or grassy areas. Wear shoes, long pants tucked into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and gloves. Also try to stick to trails and avoid walking through low bushes and long grass. If you have a dog, keep it on a leash too.
• Use bug spray.Apply insect repellent with a 20% or higher concentration of the ingredient DEET to your skin. If you're a parent, put the bug spray on your children. Avoid their hands, eyes and mouths. Keep in mind that chemical repellents can be toxic, so follow directions carefully. Apply products with the ingredient permethrin to clothing, or buy pre-treated clothing.
• Do your best to tick-proof your yard.Clear brush and leaves where ticks live. Keep woodpiles in sunny areas.
• Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks.Be watchful after you spend time in wooded or grassy areas.
• It's helpful to shower as soon as you come indoors.Ticks often stay on your skin for hours before they attach themselves. Shower and use a washcloth to try to remove any ticks.
• Remove a tick with tweezers as soon as possible.Gently grasp the tick near its head or mouth. Don't squeeze or crush the tick. Pull it off with a careful, steady grip. Once you've removed the entire tick, throw it out. Put on an antiseptic where it bit you. That can help prevent an illness.
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What are the Overview of Alzheimer's disease?
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Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the biological process that begins with the appearance of a buildup of proteins in the form of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. This causes brain cells to die over time and the brain to shrink.
About 6.9 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with Alzheimer's disease. Among them, more than 70% are age 75 and older. Of the more than 55 million people in the world with dementia, 60% to 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer's disease.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. In advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.
But medicines may improve symptoms or slow the decline in thinking. Programs and services can help support people with the disease and their caregivers.
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What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
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Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Early in the disease, people may have trouble remembering recent events or conversations. Over time, memory gets worse and other symptoms occur.
At first, someone with the disease may be aware of having trouble remembering things and thinking clearly. As signs and symptoms get worse, a family member or friend may be more likely to notice the issues.
Brain changes from Alzheimer's disease lead to the following symptoms that get worse over time.
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What are the risk factors of Alzheimer's disease?
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Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include age, family history, lifestyle and other factors.
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What are the complications of Alzheimer's disease?
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Alzheimer's disease can lead to a variety of complications. Symptoms such as memory loss, language loss, impaired judgment and other brain changes can make it harder to manage other health conditions. A person with Alzheimer's disease may not be able to:
• Tell someone about being in pain.
• Explain symptoms of another illness.
• Follow a treatment plan.
• Explain medicine side effects.
As Alzheimer's disease moves into its last stages, brain changes begin to affect physical functions. The changes can affect the ability to swallow, balance, and manage stool and bladder movements. These effects can lead to other health issues such as:
• Inhaling food or liquid into the lungs.
• Flu, pneumonia and other infections.
• Falls.
• Fractures.
• Bedsores.
• Poor nutrition or dehydration.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
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What is the prevention of Alzheimer's disease?
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Alzheimer's disease can't be prevented. But making lifestyle changes can lower your risk of getting the disease.
Research suggests that taking steps that lower your risk of cardiovascular disease may reduce the risk of dementia, as well. To follow heart-healthy lifestyle choices that may lower the risk of dementia:
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a diet of fresh produce, healthy oils and foods low in saturated fat, such as a Mediterranean diet.
• Work with your healthcare professional to manage high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Pay particular attention to your levels of low-density lipoprotein, known as LDL, cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol in people younger than 65 raises the risk of dementia. But taking medicines to lower LDL cholesterol doesn't raise the risk.
• If you smoke, ask your healthcare professional for help to quit.
One large, long-term study done in Finland found that making lifestyle changes helped reduce cognitive decline among people who were at risk of dementia. Those in the study were given individual and group sessions that focused on diet, exercise and social activities.
Several studies have found that following a Mediterranean diet leads to better cognitive function and a slower cognitive decline with age. A Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, poultry, nuts and olive oil. The diet includes less foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats, such as butter, margarine, cheese, red meat, fried food and pastries.
It's also important to treat vision loss and hearing loss. Studies have found that vision loss that isn't treated is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. Studies also have found that people who have hearing loss are at higher risk of dementia. But wearing hearing aids made people less likely to get dementia.
Other studies have shown that staying engaged mentally and socially is linked to preserved thinking skills later in life and a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. This includes going to social events, reading, dancing, playing board games, creating art, playing an instrument and other activities.
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What are the Overview of Ameloblastoma?
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Ameloblastoma is a rare, noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops most often in the jaw near the molars. Ameloblastoma begins in the cells that form the protective enamel lining on your teeth.
The most common type of ameloblastoma is aggressive, forming a large tumor and growing into the jawbone. Treatment may include surgery and radiation. In some cases, reconstruction may be necessary to restore your teeth, jaw and facial appearance. Some types of ameloblastoma are less aggressive.
Though ameloblastoma is most often diagnosed in adults in their 30s through 60s, ameloblastoma can occur in children and young adults.
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What are the symptoms of Ameloblastoma?
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Ameloblastoma often causes no symptoms, but signs and symptoms may include pain and a lump or swelling in the jaw.
If left untreated, the tumor can grow very large, distorting the shape of the lower face and jaw and shifting teeth out of position.
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What are the causes of Ameloblastoma?
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Ameloblastoma begins in the cells that form the protective enamel lining on your teeth. Rarely, it may start in gum tissue. The exact cause of the tumor is unclear, but several genetic changes (mutations) may be involved in the development of ameloblastoma. These changes may impact the location of the tumor, the type of cells involved and how fast the tumor grows.
Ameloblastomas are generally classified by type, but they can also be classified by cell type. The four main types include:
• Conventional ameloblastoma.This is the most common type and grows aggressively, usually in the lower jawbone, and approximately 10% recur after treatment.
• Unicystic ameloblastoma.This type is less aggressive, but typically occurs at a younger age. The tumor is often in the back of the lower jawbone at the molars. Recurrence is possible after treatment.
• Peripheral ameloblastoma.This type is rare and affects the gums and oral tissue in the upper or lower jaw. The tumor has a low risk of recurrence after treatment.
• Metastasizing ameloblastoma.This type is very rare and is defined by tumor cells that occur away from the primary site in the jaw.
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What are the complications of Ameloblastoma?
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Rarely, ameloblastoma can become cancerous (malignant). Very rarely, ameloblastoma cells can spread to other areas of the body (metastasize), such as the lymph nodes in the neck and lungs.
Ameloblastoma may recur after treatment.
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What are the Overview of Amenorrhea?
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Amenorrhea (uh-men-o-REE-uh) is the absence of menstruation, often defined as missing one or more menstrual periods.
Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation in someone who has not had a period by age 15. The most common causes of primary amenorrhea relate to hormone levels, although anatomical problems also can cause amenorrhea.
Secondary amenorrhea refers to the absence of three or more periods in a row by someone who has had periods in the past. Pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea, although problems with hormones also can cause secondary amenorrhea.
Treatment of amenorrhea depends on the underlying cause.
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What are the symptoms of Amenorrhea?
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Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as:
• Milky nipple discharge
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Vision changes
• Excess facial hair
• Pelvic pain
• Acne
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What are the Women’s health topics - straight to your inbox of Amenorrhea?
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Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more.Click to view a previewand subscribe below.
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What are the causes of Amenorrhea?
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Amenorrhea can occur for a variety of reasons. Some are normal, while others may be a side effect of medication or a sign of a medical problem.
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What are the risk factors of Amenorrhea?
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Factors that may increase your risk of amenorrhea include:
• Family history.If other women in your family have experienced amenorrhea, you may have inherited a predisposition for the problem.
• Eating disorders.If you have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, you are at higher risk of developing amenorrhea.
• Athletic training.Rigorous athletic training can increase your risk of amenorrhea.
• History of certain gynecologic procedures.If you've had aD&C, especially related to pregnancy, or a procedure known as loop electrodiathermy excision procedure (LEEP), your risk of developing amenorrhea is higher.
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What are the complications of Amenorrhea?
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The causes of amenorrhea can cause other problems as well. These include:
• Infertility and problems with pregnancy.If you don't ovulate and don't have menstrual periods, you can't become pregnant. When hormone imbalance is the cause of amenorrhea, this can also cause miscarriage or other problems with pregnancy.
• Psychological stress.Not having periods when your peers are having theirs can be stressful, especially for young people who are transitioning into adulthood.
• Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.These two problems can be caused by not having enough estrogen. Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones. Cardiovascular disease includes heart attack and problems with the blood vessels and heart muscle.
• Pelvic pain.If an anatomical problem is causing the amenorrhea, it may also cause pain in the pelvic area.
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What are the Overview of Amnesia?
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Amnesia refers to the loss of memories, including facts, information and experiences. Movies and television tend to depict amnesia as forgetting your identity, but that's not generally the case in real life.
Instead, people with amnesia — also called amnestic syndrome — usually know who they are. But they may have trouble learning new information and forming new memories.
Amnesia can be caused by damage to areas of the brain that are vital for memory processing. Unlike a temporary episode of memory loss, called transient global amnesia, amnesia can be permanent.
There's no specific treatment for amnesia, but treatment can be directed at the underlying cause. Tips to help enhance memory and get support can help people with amnesia and their families cope.
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What are the symptoms of Amnesia?
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The two main features of amnesia are:
• Trouble learning new information.
• Trouble remembering past events and previously familiar information.
Most people with amnesia have problems with short-term memory, so they can't retain new information. Recent memories are most likely to be lost. More-remote or deeply ingrained memories may be spared.
For example, people may recall experiences from childhood or know the names of past presidents. But they may not be able to name the current president, know the month or remember what they ate for breakfast.
Isolated memory loss doesn't affect a person's intelligence, general knowledge, awareness or attention span. It also doesn't affect judgment, personality or identity. People with amnesia usually can understand written and spoken words and can learn skills such as bike riding or piano playing. They may understand they have a memory disorder.
Amnesia isn't the same as dementia. Dementia often includes memory loss but also involves other problems with thinking that lead to a decline in daily functioning. These problems include having trouble with language, judgment and visual-spatial skills.
Memory loss also is a common symptom of mild cognitive impairment. This disorder involves memory and other cognitive problems that aren't as severe as those experienced in dementia.
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What are the causes of Amnesia?
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Typical memory function involves many parts of the brain. Any disease or injury that affects the brain can affect memory.
Amnesia can result from damage to brain structures that form the limbic system, which controls emotions and memories. They include the thalamus found deep within the center of the brain. They also include the hippocampal formations found within the temporal lobes of the brain.
Amnesia caused by brain injury or damage is known as neurological amnesia. Possible causes of neurological amnesia include:
• Stroke.
• Brain inflammation, which may be due to an infection with a virus such as herpes simplex virus. Or inflammation may be a result of an autoimmune reaction to cancer somewhere in the body. It also may be due to an autoimmune reaction in the absence of cancer.
• Not enough oxygen in the brain. This may happen as a result of a heart attack, respiratory distress or carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Long-term alcohol misuse that leads to too little vitamin B-1, known as thiamin, in the body. When this happens, it's called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
• Tumors in areas of the brain that control memory.
• Alzheimer's disease and other diseases that involve the degeneration of nerve tissue.
• Seizures.
• Certain medicines such as benzodiazepines or others that act as sedatives.
Head injuries that cause a concussion, whether from a car accident or sports, can lead to confusion and problems remembering new information. This is especially common in the early stages of recovery. Mild head injuries typically don't cause lasting amnesia, but more-severe head injuries may cause permanent amnesia.
Another rare type of amnesia, called dissociative amnesia, stems from emotional shock or trauma. It can result from being the victim of a violent crime or experiencing other trauma. In this disorder, people may lose personal memories and information about their lives. The memory loss is usually brief.
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What are the risk factors of Amnesia?
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The chance of developing amnesia might increase if you've experienced:
• Brain surgery, head injury or trauma.
• Stroke.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Seizures.
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What are the complications of Amnesia?
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Amnesia varies in severity and scope. But even mild amnesia takes a toll on daily activities and quality of life. The syndrome can cause problems at work, at school and in social settings.
It may not be possible to recover lost memories. Some people with severe memory problems need to be supervised or need to live in a care facility.
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What is the prevention of Amnesia?
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Damage to the brain can be a root cause of amnesia. It's important to take steps to minimize your chance of a brain injury. For example:
• Don't drink large amounts of alcohol.
• Wear a helmet when bicycling and a seat belt when driving.
• Treat infections quickly so that they don't have a chance to spread to the brain.
• Get immediate medical treatment if you have symptoms that suggest a stroke or brain aneurysm. Those symptoms include a severe headache, feeling numb on one side of the body or not being able to move one side of the body.
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What are the Overview of Ampullary cancer?
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Ampullary cancer is cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the ampulla of Vater. The ampulla of Vater is located where the bile duct and pancreatic duct join and empty into the small intestine. Ampullary (AM-poo-la-ree) cancer is rare.
Ampullary cancer forms near many other parts of the digestive system. This includes the liver, pancreas and small intestine. When ampullary cancer grows, it may affect these other organs.
Ampullary cancer treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Treatment also may include radiation therapy and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells.
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What are the symptoms of Ampullary cancer?
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Signs and symptoms of ampullary cancer may include:
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
• Diarrhea.
• Clay-colored stools.
• Abdominal pain.
• Fever.
• Blood in the stool.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Weight loss.
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What are the causes of Ampullary cancer?
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It's not clear what causes ampullary cancer.
Ampullary cancer happens when cells in the ampulla of Vater develop changes in their DNA. 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 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 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 to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it's called metastatic cancer.
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What are the risk factors of Ampullary cancer?
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Factors that can increase the risk of ampullary cancer include:
• Increasing age.Ampullary cancer is more common in adults older than 70.
• DNA changes that run in families.Some DNA changes that are passed down from your parents can increase your risk of ampullary cancer and other cancers. Examples include the DNA changes that are linked to Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, also called FAP, and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
There is no way to prevent ampullary cancer.
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What are the Overview of Amyloidosis?
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Amyloidosis (am-uh-loi-DO-sis) is a rare disease that occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs. This amyloid buildup can make the organs not work properly.
Organs that may be affected include the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract.
Some types of amyloidosis occur with other diseases. These types may improve with treatment of the other diseases. Some types of amyloidosis may lead to life-threatening organ failure.
Treatments may include chemotherapy with strong drugs used to treat cancer. Other types of medications can reduce amyloid production and control symptoms. Some people may benefit from organ or stem cell transplants.
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What are the symptoms of Amyloidosis?
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You may not experience symptoms of amyloidosis until later in the course of the disease. Symptoms may vary, depending on which organs are affected.
Signs and symptoms of amyloidosis may include:
• Severe fatigue and weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet
• Swelling of the ankles and legs
• Diarrhea, possibly with blood, or constipation
• An enlarged tongue, which sometimes looks rippled around its edge
• Skin changes, such as thickening or easy bruising, and purplish patches around the eyes
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What are the causes of Amyloidosis?
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There are many different types of amyloidosis. Some types are hereditary. Others are caused by outside factors, such as inflammatory diseases or long-term dialysis. Many types affect multiple organs. Others affect only one part of the body.
Types of amyloidosis include:
• AL amyloidosis (immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis).This is the most common type of amyloidosis in developed countries.AL amyloidosisis also called primary amyloidosis. It usually affects the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves.
• AA amyloidosis.This type is also known as secondary amyloidosis. It's usually triggered by an inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It most commonly affects the kidneys, liver and spleen.
• Hereditary amyloidosis (familial amyloidosis).This inherited disorder often affects the nerves, heart and kidneys. It most commonly happens when a protein made by your liver is abnormal. This protein is called transthyretin (TTR).
• Wild-type amyloidosis.This variety has also been called senile systemic amyloidosis. It occurs when theTTRprotein made by the liver is normal but produces amyloid for unknown reasons. Wild-type amyloidosis tends to affect men over age 70 and often targets the heart. It can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Localized amyloidosis.This type of amyloidosis often has a better prognosis than the varieties that affect multiple organ systems. Typical sites for localized amyloidosis include the bladder, skin, throat or lungs. Correct diagnosis is important so that treatments that affect the entire body can be avoided.
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What are the risk factors of Amyloidosis?
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Factors that increase the risk of amyloidosis include:
• Age.Most people diagnosed with amyloidosis are between ages 60 and 70.
• Sex.Amyloidosis occurs more commonly in men.
• Other diseases.Having a chronic infectious or inflammatory disease increases the risk of AA amyloidosis.
• Family history.Some types of amyloidosis are hereditary.
• Kidney dialysis.Dialysis can't always remove large proteins from the blood. If you're on dialysis, abnormal proteins can build up in your blood and eventually be deposited in tissue. This condition is less common with more modern dialysis techniques.
• Race.People of African descent appear to be at higher risk of carrying a genetic mutation associated with a type of amyloidosis that can harm the heart.
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What are the complications of Amyloidosis?
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Amyloidosis can seriously damage the:
• Heart.Amyloid reduces the heart's ability to fill with blood between heartbeats. Less blood is pumped with each beat. This can cause shortness of breath. If amyloidosis affects the heart's electrical system, it can cause heart rhythm problems. Amyloid-related heart problems can become life-threatening.
• Kidneys.Amyloid can harm the kidneys' filtering system. This affects their ability to remove waste products from the body. It can eventually cause kidney failure.
• Nervous system.Nerve damage can cause pain, numbness, or tingling of the fingers and feet. If amyloid affects the nerves that control bowel function, it can cause periods of alternating constipation and diarrhea. Damage to the nerves that control blood pressure can make people feel faint if they stand up too quickly.
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What are the Overview of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-my-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), known as ALS, is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.ALScauses loss of muscle control. The disease gets worse over time.
ALSis often called Lou Gehrig's disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it. The exact cause of the disease is still not known. A small number of cases are inherited.
ALSoften begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech. EventuallyALSaffects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease.
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What are the symptoms of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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Symptoms ofALSvary from person to person. Symptoms depend on which nerve cells are affected.ALSgenerally begins with muscle weakness that spreads and gets worse over time. Symptoms might include:
• Trouble walking or doing usual daily activities.
• Tripping and falling.
• Weakness in the legs, feet or ankles.
• Hand weakness or clumsiness.
• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing.
• Weakness associated with muscle cramps and twitching in the arms, shoulders and tongue.
• Untimely crying, laughing or yawning.
• Thinking or behavioral changes.
ALSoften starts in the hands, feet, arms or legs. Then it spreads to other parts of the body. Muscles get weaker as more nerve cells die. This eventually affects chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
There's generally no pain in the early stages ofALS. Pain also is not common in the later stages.ALSdoesn't usually affect bladder control. It also usually doesn't affect the senses, including the ability to taste, smell, touch and hear.
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What are the causes of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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ALSaffects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movements such as walking and talking. These nerve cells are called motor neurons. There are two groups of motor neurons. The first group extends from the brain to the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. They're referred to as upper motor neurons. The second group extends from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. They're referred to as lower motor neurons.
ALScauses both groups of motor neurons to gradually deteriorate and then die. When motor neurons are damaged, they stop sending messages to the muscles. As a result, the muscles can't function.
For about 10% of people withALS, a genetic cause can be identified. For the rest, the cause is not known.
Researchers continue to study possible causes ofALS. Most theories center on a complex interaction between genes and factors in the environment.
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What are the risk factors of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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Established risk factors forALSinclude:
• Genetics.For about 10% of people withALS, a risk gene was passed down from a family member. This is called hereditaryALS. In most people with hereditaryALS, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene.
• Age.Risk increases with age up to age 75.ALSis most common between the ages of 60 and the mid-80s.
• Sex.Before the age of 65, slightly more men than women developALS. This sex difference disappears after age 70.
Environmental factors, such as the following, have been associated with an increased risk ofALS.
• Smoking.Evidence supports that smoking is an environmental risk factor forALS. Women who smoke seem to be at even higher risk, particularly after menopause.
• Environmental toxin exposure.Some evidence suggests that exposure to lead or other substances in the workplace or at home might be linked toALS. Much study has been done, but no one agent or chemical has been consistently associated withALS.
• Military service.Studies indicate that people who have served in the military are at higher risk ofALS. It's not clear what about military service might triggerALS. It might include exposure to certain metals or chemicals, traumatic injuries, viral infections, or intense exertion.
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What are the complications of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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As the disease progresses,ALScauses complications, such as:
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What are the Overview of Anal cancer?
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Anal cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the anal canal. The anal canal is a short tube at the end of rectum. Stool passes through the anal canal as it leaves the body.
Anal cancer can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, blood in the stool and anal pain. As it grows, it might cause a growth or lump. Sometimes these symptoms might be mistaken for hemorrhoids.
In the past, most people with anal cancer had surgery to remove the cancer. Often this operation involved making a new way for waste to leave the body. Today, most anal cancer treatment involves chemotherapy and radiation therapy. With this approach, surgery might not be needed.
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What are the symptoms of Anal cancer?
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Anal cancer signs and symptoms include:
• Bleeding from the anus or rectum.
• Blood in the stool.
• Pain in the area of the anus.
• A mass or growth in the anal canal.
• Anal itching.
• Having to go to the bathroom more often.
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What are the causes of Anal cancer?
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Anal cancer happens when cells in the anal canal develop changes in their DNA. 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 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 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 to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it's called metastatic cancer.
Most anal cancers are thought to be caused by human papillomavirus, also calledHPV.HPVis a common virus that's passed through sexual contact. For most people, the virus never causes problems. It usually goes away on its own. For some, though, the virus can cause changes in the cells that may lead to cancer.
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What are the risk factors of Anal cancer?
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Things that may increase the risk of anal cancer include:
• Being exposed to human papillomavirus, also calledHPV.HPVis a common virus that's passed through sexual contact. For most people, it causes no problems and goes away on its own. For others, it causes changes in the cells that can lead to many types of cancer, including anal cancer.
• Increasing number of sexual partners.The greater your number of sexual partners, and the greater your partner's number of sexual partners, the greater your chance of acquiringHPV.
• Having anal sex.People who have receptive anal sex have an increased risk of anal cancer.
• Smoking cigarettes.People who smoke cigarettes have an increased risk of anal cancer.
• Having a history of cancer.Those who have had cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancer have an increased risk of anal cancer.
• Having a weak immune system.If the body's germ-fighting immune system is weakened by medicines or illness, there might be a higher risk of anal cancer. People with a weakened immune system include those taking medicines to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Certain medical conditions, such as infection withHIV, also can weaken the immune system.
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What are the complications of Anal cancer?
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Anal cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Only a small percentage of cancers are found to have spread. Those that do are especially difficult to treat. Anal cancer that spreads most commonly goes to the liver and the lungs.
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What are the Overview of Anal fissure?
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An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue that lines the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool exits the body. Common causes of an anal fissure include constipation and straining or passing hard or large stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures typically cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements. You also may experience spasms in the ring of muscle at the end of your anus, called the anal sphincter.
Anal fissures are very common in young infants but can affect people of any age. Most anal fissures get better with simple treatments, such as eating more fiber or soaking in a warm-water bath. Some people with anal fissures may need medicine. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary.
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What are the symptoms of Anal fissure?
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Symptoms of an anal fissure include:
• Pain during bowel movements.
• Pain after bowel movements that can last up to several hours.
• Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper after a bowel movement.
• A visible crack in the skin around the anus.
• A small lump or skin tag near the anal fissure.
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What are the causes of Anal fissure?
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Common causes of anal fissures include:
• Passing large or hard stools.
• Constipation and straining during bowel movements.
• Long-lasting diarrhea.
• Anal intercourse.
• Childbirth.
Less common causes of anal fissures include:
• Crohn's disease or another inflammatory bowel disease.
• Anal cancer.
• HIV.
• Tuberculosis.
• Syphilis.
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What are the risk factors of Anal fissure?
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Factors that may increase the risk of developing an anal fissure include:
• Constipation.Straining during bowel movements and passing hard stools increase the risk of tearing.
• Childbirth.Anal fissures are more common in women after they give birth.
• Crohn's disease.This inflammatory bowel disease causes chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. This may make the lining of the anal canal more vulnerable to tearing.
• Anal intercourse.
• Age.Anal fissures can occur at any age, but are more common in infants and middle-aged adults.
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What are the complications of Anal fissure?
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Complications of an anal fissure may include:
• Failure to heal.An anal fissure that fails to heal within eight weeks is considered chronic and may need further treatment.
• Recurrence.Once you've experienced an anal fissure, you are prone to having another one.
• A tear that extends to surrounding muscles.An anal fissure may extend into the ring of muscle that holds the anus closed. This muscle is called the internal anal sphincter. If this happens, it makes it more difficult for the anal fissure to heal. An unhealed fissure may trigger a cycle of discomfort that may require medicines or surgery to ease the pain and to repair or remove the fissure.
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What is the prevention of Anal fissure?
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You may be able to prevent an anal fissure by taking measures to prevent constipation or diarrhea. Eat high-fiber foods, drink fluids, and exercise regularly to keep from having to strain during bowel movements.
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What are the symptoms of Anal fistula?
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Symptoms of an anal fistula can include:
• An opening on the skin around the anus
• A red, inflamed area around the tunnel opening
• Oozing of pus, blood or stool from the tunnel opening
• Pain in the rectum and anus, especially when sitting or passing stool
• Fever
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What are the risk factors of Anal fistula?
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Risk factors for an anal fistula include:
• Previously drained anal abscess
• Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease
• Trauma to the anal area
• Infections of the anal area
• Surgery or radiation for treatment of anal cancer
Anal fistulas occur most often in adults around the age of 40 but may occur in younger people, especially if there is a history of Crohn's disease. Anal fistulas occur more often in males than in females.
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What are the complications of Anal fistula?
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Even with effective treatment of an anal fistula, recurrence of an abscess and an anal fistula is possible. Surgical treatment may result in the inability to hold in stool (fecal incontinence).
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What are the Overview of Anal itching?
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Anal itching is a common condition. The itch in or around the anus is often intense and can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.
Anal itching, also called pruritus ani (proo-RIE-tus A-nie), has several possible causes. They include infections, hemorrhoids and ongoing diarrhea. Skin inflammation, also called dermatitis, is another cause.
If the symptoms don't clear up with self-care, talk with your health care provider. With treatment, most people get complete relief.
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What are the symptoms of Anal itching?
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Symptoms of anal itching may include intense itching, inflammation, burning and soreness. The itching and irritation may be short lived or more persistent, depending on the cause. Anal itching often is worse at bedtime or in hot, humid weather.
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What are the causes of Anal itching?
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Possible causes of anal itching include:
• Irritants.Fecal incontinence and long-term diarrhea can irritate the skin. Or your skin care routine may include products or behaviors that irritate the skin. Examples include using harsh soaps or wiping too hard and too often.
• Infections.These include sexually transmitted infections, pinworm infections and yeast infections.
• Skin conditions.Sometimes anal itching is the result of a specific skin condition, such as dry skin, psoriasis or contact dermatitis.
• Other medical conditions.These include diabetes, thyroid disease and hemorrhoids.
Often the cause of anal itching isn't known.
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What are the Overview of Anemia?
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Anemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. Having anemia can cause tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath.
There are many forms of anemia. Each has its own cause. Anemia can be short term or long term. It can range from mild to severe. Anemia can be a warning sign of serious illness.
Treatments for anemia might involve taking supplements or having medical procedures. Eating a healthy diet might prevent some forms of anemia.
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What are the symptoms of Anemia?
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Anemia symptoms depend on the cause and how bad the anemia is. Anemia can be so mild that it causes no symptoms at first. But symptoms usually then occur and get worse as the anemia gets worse.
If another disease causes the anemia, the disease can mask the anemia symptoms. Then a test for another condition might find the anemia. Certain types of anemia have symptoms that point to the cause.
Possible symptoms of anemia include:
• Tiredness.
• Weakness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pale or yellowish skin, which might be more obvious on white skin than on Black or brown skin.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Chest pain.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Headaches.
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What are the causes of Anemia?
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Anemia occurs when the blood doesn't have enough hemoglobin or red blood cells.
This can happen if:
• The body doesn't make enough hemoglobin or red blood cells.
• Bleeding causes loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin faster than they can be replaced.
• The body destroys red blood cells and the hemoglobin that's in them.
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What are the risk factors of Anemia?
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These factors can increase risk of anemia:
• A diet that doesn't have enough of certain vitamins and minerals.Not getting enough iron, vitamin B-12 and folate increases the risk of anemia.
• Problems with the small intestine.Having a condition that affects how the small intestine takes in nutrients increases the risk of anemia. Examples are Crohn's disease and celiac disease.
• Menstrual periods.In general, having heavy periods can create a risk of anemia. Having periods causes the loss of red blood cells.
• Pregnancy.Pregnant people who don't take a multivitamin with folic acid and iron are at an increased risk of anemia.
• Ongoing, called chronic, conditions.Having cancer, kidney failure, diabetes or another chronic condition increases the risk of anemia of chronic disease. These conditions can lead to having too few red blood cells.Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within the body can use up the body's store of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
• Family history.Having a family member with a type of anemia passed through families, called inherited, can increase the risk of inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia.
• Other factors.A history of certain infections, blood diseases and autoimmune conditions increases the risk of anemia. Drinking too much alcohol, being around toxic chemicals, and taking some medicines can affect the making of red blood cells and lead to anemia.
• Age.People over age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.
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What are the complications of Anemia?
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If not treated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as:
• Severe tiredness.Severe anemia can make it impossible to do everyday tasks.
• Pregnancy complications.Pregnant people with folate deficiency anemia may be more likely to have complications, such as premature birth.
• Heart problems.Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat, called arrhythmia. With anemia, the heart must pump more blood to make up for too little oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
• Death.Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly causes severe anemia and can be fatal.
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What is the prevention of Anemia?
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Many types of anemia can't be prevented. But eating a healthy diet might prevent iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias. A healthy diet includes:
• Iron.Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit.
• Folate.This nutrient, and its human-made form folic acid, can be found in fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products, such as bread, cereal, pasta and rice.
• Vitamin B-12.Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include meat, dairy products, and fortified cereals and soy products.
• Vitamin C.Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons, and strawberries. These also help the body take in iron.
If you're concerned about getting enough vitamins and minerals from food, ask your health care provider about taking a multivitamin.
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What are the Overview of Aneurysms?
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An aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can break open. This is called a rupture. A ruptured aneurysm causes bleeding inside the body. It often leads to death. Some aneurysms cause no symptoms. You might not know you have an aneurysm even if it is large.
Aneurysms can form in several parts of the body, including:
• The body's main artery, called the aorta (aortic aneurysm).
• The part of the aorta that passes through the belly area (abdominal aortic aneurysm).
• The part of the aorta that passes through the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm).
• Blood vessels that send blood to the brain (brain aneurysm).
• Blood vessels in other parts of the body, such as the legs, groin or neck (peripheral aneurysm).
Some small aneurysms have a low risk of rupture. To determine the risk of an aneurysm rupture, a healthcare professional considers:
• Your symptoms.
• Your medical history.
• Your family's medical history.
• The size, shape and location of the aneurysm.
Some people with aneurysms only need regular health checkups and imaging tests. If an aneurysm breaks open, emergency treatment is needed. Treatment may involve open surgery or a less-invasive treatment called endovascular surgery.
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What are the Clinical trials of Aneurysms?
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Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
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What are the Overview of Angelman syndrome?
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Angelman syndrome is a condition caused by a change in a gene, called a genetic change. Angelman syndrome causes delayed development, problems with speech and balance, mental disability, and, sometimes, seizures.
Many people with Angelman syndrome smile and laugh often. They tend to be happy and easy to excite.
Delays in maturing, called developmental delays, begin between about 6 and 12 months of age. The delays often are the first signs of Angelman syndrome. Seizures may begin between the ages of 2 and 3 years old.
People with Angelman syndrome tend to live close to a typical life span. But the condition can't be cured. Treatment focuses on managing medical, sleep and developmental issues.
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What are the symptoms of Angelman syndrome?
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Angelman syndrome symptoms include:
• Developmental delays, including no crawling or babbling at 6 to 12 months.
• Mental disability, also called intellectual disability.
• No speech or little speech.
• Trouble walking, moving or balancing.
• Smiling and laughing often and seeming happy.
• Being easy to excite.
• Trouble sucking or feeding.
• Trouble going to sleep and staying asleep.
People who have Angelman syndrome also may have:
• Seizures, often beginning between 2 and 3 years of age.
• Stiff or jerky movements.
• Small head size by age 2.
• Tongue thrusting.
• Hair, skin and eyes that are light in color.
• Odd behaviors, such as hand flapping and arms uplifted while walking.
• Crossed eyes, also caused strabismus.
• Curved spine, also called scoliosis.
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What are the causes of Angelman syndrome?
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Angelman syndrome is caused by changes in a gene, called a genetic change. It's most often caused by changes in a gene on chromosome 15 called the ubiquitin protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene.
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What are the risk factors of Angelman syndrome?
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Angelman syndrome is rare. Researchers often don't know what causes the genetic changes that result in the disease. Most people with Angelman syndrome don't have a family history.
But sometimes Angelman syndrome may be passed down from a parent. A family history of the disease may increase a baby's risk of getting Angelman syndrome.
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