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Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that causes life-threatening damage to the lungs and digestive system. This disorder is caused by a defective gene that affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. Instead of the secreted fluids being thin and slippery as they should be, people with cystic fibrosis experience thick and sticky secretions that clog up tubes, ducts, and passageways, which can be especially dangerous around the lungs and pancreas. Cystic fibrosis will require treatment for the rest of your...
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Cystic fibrosis is a chronic condition that causes recurring, persistent lung infections that progressively limit your ability to breathe. Approximately 30,000 people in the United States are currently living with cystic fibrosis, with about 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Every state in the US is now required to screen newborns for cystic fibrosis, yet most people are still living with mistaken assumptions about the disease. Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is contagious. Cystic...
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Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that slowly reduce vision capabilities by damaging the optic nerve that controls sight. The most common form of glaucoma involves a heightened level of pressure on the eye because the fluids in the eye are not draining because ducts have been clogged; this is known as open-angle glaucoma. Another form of glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma. It is when the iris in the eye is too tight, bunching up over the drainage canals and making them less effective....
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Congestive heart failure is the result of the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirements. The condition is considered the leading cause of death in the nation, affecting about 5 million people of all ages. Whether you are someone who has been diagnosed with heart failure or at risk for developing it, paying attention to symptoms will help you get the treatment you need. Here is a look at the most common symptoms of heart failure. Shortness of Breath A...
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Thyroid cancer comes in four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. These begin as a small lump (or nodule) on the thyroid, a gland in the neck that controls the metabolism. There are several different standard treatments for thyroid cancer, each largely dependant on the type, how advanced it is, and how large it is. Surgery Nodules form quite often, but the vast majority of them are benign. Even when they are cancerous, most patients recover very well. One of the most common options...
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The butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck is called your thyroid. When the cells in your thyroid gland become abnormal, this can lead to thyroid cancer. Causes of Thyroid Cancer The exact causes of thyroid cancer are not yet clear, however, all cancer is caused by genetic mutations that allow cells to grow and multiply rapidly. The mass of abnormal cells accumulates to form a tumor, and if the tumor grows large enough, it can begin to invade other nearby tissue and organs,...
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Having an overactive bladder is an embarrassing condition. Bladder control problems can cause issues like interruptions to your daily life and make you miss out on special moments that could be lasting memories. Overactive bladder can cause symptoms such as incontinence, the urge to urinate, or the inability to stop urinating. If your overactive bladder is disrupting your life, these are the 5 best exercises for women with Bladder Control Issues. Kegel Exercises In the past few years, Kegels have gained national attention. In...
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Alcoholism is a chronic disease that results from an addiction to alcohol. This disease is characterized by symptoms such as uncontrollably drinking, continuing to drink alcohol even when it causes financial or relationship problems, physical dependence to the substance, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when drinking is slowed or stopped. People who suffer from alcoholism are usually unable to quit drinking without help. This is because a failure to acknowledge that there is a problem is a common symptom of alcoholism. Many times, intervention from a friend or...
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Cancer is a group of diseases that manifest themselves in a variety of ways. As cancer grows, it will begin to put pressure on certain nerves, blood vessels, and organs. As a result of this constant pressure, signs and symptoms will begin to present themselves. How the signs and symptoms present themselves will depend on many factors, such as how big the cancerous tissue is, where it is located, and how much the organs and tissues are affected. For example, if the cancer is located in...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that causes life-threatening damage to the lungs and digestive system. This disorder is caused by a defective gene that affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. Instead of the secreted fluids being thin and slippery as they should be, people with cystic fibrosis experience thick and sticky secretions that clog up tubes, ducts, and passageways, which can be especially dangerous around the lungs and pancreas. Cystic fibrosis will require treatment for the rest of your...
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic condition that causes recurring, persistent lung infections that progressively limit your ability to breathe. Approximately 30,000 people in the United States are currently living with cystic fibrosis, with about 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Every state in the US is now required to screen newborns for cystic fibrosis, yet most people are still living with mistaken assumptions about the disease. Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is contagious. Cystic...
Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that slowly reduce vision capabilities by damaging the optic nerve that controls sight. The most common form of glaucoma involves a heightened level of pressure on the eye because the fluids in the eye are not draining because ducts have been clogged; this is known as open-angle glaucoma. Another form of glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma. It is when the iris in the eye is too tight, bunching up over the drainage canals and making them less effective....
Congestive heart failure is the result of the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirements. The condition is considered the leading cause of death in the nation, affecting about 5 million people of all ages. Whether you are someone who has been diagnosed with heart failure or at risk for developing it, paying attention to symptoms will help you get the treatment you need. Here is a look at the most common symptoms of heart failure. Shortness of Breath A...
Thyroid cancer comes in four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. These begin as a small lump (or nodule) on the thyroid, a gland in the neck that controls the metabolism. There are several different standard treatments for thyroid cancer, each largely dependant on the type, how advanced it is, and how large it is. Surgery Nodules form quite often, but the vast majority of them are benign. Even when they are cancerous, most patients recover very well. One of the most common options...
The butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck is called your thyroid. When the cells in your thyroid gland become abnormal, this can lead to thyroid cancer. Causes of Thyroid Cancer The exact causes of thyroid cancer are not yet clear, however, all cancer is caused by genetic mutations that allow cells to grow and multiply rapidly. The mass of abnormal cells accumulates to form a tumor, and if the tumor grows large enough, it can begin to invade other nearby tissue and organs,...
Having an overactive bladder is an embarrassing condition. Bladder control problems can cause issues like interruptions to your daily life and make you miss out on special moments that could be lasting memories. Overactive bladder can cause symptoms such as incontinence, the urge to urinate, or the inability to stop urinating. If your overactive bladder is disrupting your life, these are the 5 best exercises for women with Bladder Control Issues. Kegel Exercises In the past few years, Kegels have gained national attention. In...
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that results from an addiction to alcohol. This disease is characterized by symptoms such as uncontrollably drinking, continuing to drink alcohol even when it causes financial or relationship problems, physical dependence to the substance, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when drinking is slowed or stopped. People who suffer from alcoholism are usually unable to quit drinking without help. This is because a failure to acknowledge that there is a problem is a common symptom of alcoholism. Many times, intervention from a friend or...
Cancer is a group of diseases that manifest themselves in a variety of ways. As cancer grows, it will begin to put pressure on certain nerves, blood vessels, and organs. As a result of this constant pressure, signs and symptoms will begin to present themselves. How the signs and symptoms present themselves will depend on many factors, such as how big the cancerous tissue is, where it is located, and how much the organs and tissues are affected. For example, if the cancer is located in...