What is gout? A buildup of uric acid, caused by purines in the body, causes gout. Foods that are high in purines include all alcoholic drinks, shellfish and certain other types of fish, bacon, turkey, veal, liver, and venison. Gout is a form of arthritis that often affects your big toe joint. It can also …
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What Causes a Person to Have a Colostomy Bag?
What is a colostomy? A colostomy is a surgery where an opening is made from the colon out through the abdomen allowing stools to pass out through the abdomen instead of passing through the bowels and rectum. Your colon plays an important role in supporting your health. It processes food, removes waste, and may even support your immune system. So …
Read More »Pheochromocytoma Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis & Prognosis
Facts you should know about pheochromocytoma Someone with a pheochromocytoma usually has three classic symptoms — headache, sweating, and heart palpitations (a fast heartbeat) in association with markedly elevated blood pressure (hypertension). Pheochromocytoma is a relatively rare tumor of the adrenal glands or of similarly specialized cells outside of the adrenal glands. Headache, sweating, and a fast heartbeat are typical …
Read More »What Effect Does Hypothyroidism Have On You?
What is hypothyroidism? The effects of hypothyroidism can include fatigue, constipation, thinning hair, brittle nails, weight gain, low libido, joint and muscle pain, depression, and more. The thyroid is a gland located at the front of your neck. It produces thyroid hormones that affect nearly every process in your body. One of its most important functions involves how your body …
Read More »What Is the Hippocampus, and What Does It Do?
What is the hippocampus? The hippocampus is part of the limbic system in the brain, the part of the brain that regulates our emotional and behavioral responses. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system in the brain, the part of the brain that regulates our emotional and behavioral responses. The hippocampus contributes to learning and memory as well as …
Read More »How Is Prostate Cancer Screening Done?
There are no standard or routine screening tests for prostate cancer. There are no standard or routine screening tests for prostate cancer. Studies are being done to find ways to make prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing more accurate for early cancer detection. A PSA test or digital rectal exam (DRE) may be able to detect prostate cancer at an early stage: DRE: It …
Read More »What Is Frequent Urination a Sign Of?
What is frequent urination? Frequent urination can be a sign of overactive bladder, drinking too much, urinary tract infection, diabetes, pregnancy, kidney stones, stroke, prostatitis, and more. The average person urinates six or seven times a day. However, there is nothing wrong with urinating anywhere from four to 10 times over a 24-hour period. How often you urinate can depend …
Read More »How do you know if you have a fracture?
What is a fracture? A fracture is a break in your bone or cartilage. Broken bones hurt. The pain may be so severe that you may be unable to move the affected area. There are around 206 bones in the human body, and each plays a crucial role. They protect and preserve the shape of your soft tissues, serve as …
Read More »What Can Heartburn Be a Sign of?
What is heartburn? Heartburn symptoms can be similar to angina (heart attack), including pain in your chest or upper torso, irregular heartbeat, cold sweats, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Whoever coined the phrase "hurts so good" may have just finished a spicy meal. If you've ever felt a burning sensation in your throat or chest …
Read More »Why is it bad for adults to get chickenpox?
What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that can have severe complications in adults. Adults are 25 times more likely to die from chickenpox than children are. Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. It's a highly contagious disease that used to be very common. Before the vaccine became available in the United States in …
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