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Intermittent Fasting: A Beginner’s Guide on How to Start

What is intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is a diet where you avoid food for a set interval and eat during a specific time window. Start intermittent fasting by talking to your doctor, considering your lifestyle, planning healthy meals and exercise, and being aware of side effects. Intermittent fasting is an eating method that alternates between …

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Who Cannot Get Shingrix Vaccine?

You cannot get Shingrix if you currently have an infection, had the chickenpox vaccine, are pregnant, or allergic to Shingrix vaccine. Shingrix is the most common shingles vaccine that’s in use today. This is, most likely, the vaccine that your doctor will recommend for shingles when you live in the U.S. Who is a candidate for the shingles vaccine, and …

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Why Do I Keep Getting Heartburn Every Day? Causes & Triggers

Learn about what causes heartburn and what may be triggering the discomfort Heartburn occurs when stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus and can cause a burning, uncomfortable feeling in the chest, just behind the breastbone.  Occasional heartburn is usually not a cause for concern and can be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. However, frequent heartburn that …

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What Level of Magnesium Is Too Low? Deficiency Symptoms & Signs

Magnesium is a mineral that is an essential electrolyte needed for several body functions. The normal adult value for serum magnesium levels is: 1.46 to 2.68 mg/dL 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L 0.75 to 0.95 mmol/L Magnesium deficiency (Hypomagnesemia) is an electrolyte disturbance caused when there is a low level of serum magnesium in the blood typically less than: 1.46 mg/dL …

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Is a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor a Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

GISTs begin when genetic mutations occur in certain genes, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a form of soft tissue sarcoma that begins in the digestive system. Soft tissue sarcomas form in soft tissues, such as fat, muscle, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, tendons, and cartilage. The most frequent mesenchymal tumor in the gastrointestinal system …

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Are Any Opioids Safe? Risks of Long-Term Opioid Use

Although opioids can be safe when taken as prescribed, long-term opioid use carries significant risks. Learn more about how opioids work and how to use them safely Opioids are generally safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor and for a short period of time. However, misuse or long-term use of opioids can lead to risks such as opioid dependence, …

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How to Stop Hair Fall After Coloring (6 Prevention Tips)

Hair dye does not prevent or slow down hair development, but it can induce hair loss by harming color-treated hair. Hair coloring may be an exciting change. It gives you a whole new appearance. Hair coloring, however, has its own set of side effects including hair damage. Regardless of how natural hair color firms say their products are, they include …

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How Does an LVAD Work? Heart Failure

An LVAD helps maintain the pumping capacity of a heart that is too weak to function on its own A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted mechanical device that pumps blood from the lower left chamber of the heart (ventricle) to the rest of the body. An LVAD helps maintain the pumping capacity of a heart that …

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How Do You Know When Heartburn Is Serious? GERD Symptoms

Frequent, intense heartburn may be serious if it occurs more than twice a week. Learn about GERD symptoms, causes, and treatment Heartburn that is frequent or intense may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Contact your doctor if your heartburn: Occurs more than twice a week Persists despite dietary and lifestyle changes Persists despite the use of over-the-counter …

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Camphor: Skin & Cough Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage

Generic Name: camphor Brand and Other Names: Cemphire, cinnamomum camphora Drug Class: Herbals What is camphor, and what is it used for? Camphor is an aromatic flammable substance originally distilled from the bark and wood of the camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora, but now produced primarily from turpentine oil. Camphor is used as an active ingredient in ointments, camphorated oils and …

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