Weight Control and Smoking Cessation: Quit and Stay Thin

Weight control and smoking cessation introduction Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! Quitting is one of the best actions you can take to improve your health. You may be concerned about gaining weight, but try not to worry about it as you quit. Focus on stopping smoking first, and then continue to improve your …

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Hypersomnia: What Are the Symptoms

Introduction to Hypersomnia Readers Comments 9 Share Your Story Hypersomnia, or excessive sleepiness, is a condition in which a person has trouble staying awake during the day. People who have hypersomnia can fall asleep at any time; for instance, at work or while they are driving. They may also have other sleep-related problems, including a lack of energy and trouble …

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Liver Transplant: Find Out About Surgery Complications

What is the liver, and what is its function. The liver is the body's largest internal organ, weighing about 3 pounds in adults. It is located below the diaphragm on the right side of the abdomen. The liver performs many complex functions in the body, including: Produces most proteins needed by the body. Metabolizes, or breaks down, nutrients from food …

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Read About STDs and Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Introduction Sexually transmitted diseases, commonly called STDs, are infections that are spread by having sex with someone who has a STD. You can get a sexually transmitted disease from sexual activity that involves the mouth, anus, or vagina. STDs are serious illnesses that require treatment, regardless of whether or not you are pregnant. But, …

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Lesionectomy: Read About Surgery, Side Effects and Recovery

What Is a Lesionectomy? A lesionectomy is an operation to remove a lesion — a damaged or abnormally functioning area — in the brain. Brain lesions include tumors, scars from a head injury or infection, abnormal blood vessels, and hematomas (a swollen area filled with blood). A lesion causes seizures — also called the seizure focus — in about 20% …

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Heart Disease: Lead Extraction Complications and Procedure

Heart lead extraction facts A pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) deliver energy to the heart muscle through wires called leads. A lead extraction is the removal of one or more leads from inside the heart. Leads that are placed outside the heart during open heart surgery cannot be removed during this type of procedure. When Is a Lead Extraction …

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Juvenile Bone Health: Get Facts About Disorders and Disease

Typically, when parents think about their children’s health, they don’t think about their bones. But building healthy bones by adopting healthy nutritional and lifestyle habits in childhood is important to help prevent osteoporosis and fractures later in life. Osteoporosis, the disease that causes bones to become less dense and more prone to fractures, has been called “a pediatric disease with …

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Sexual Response Cycle: Learn About the Phases of Sex

Introduction to the sexual response cycle Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse and masturbation. Knowing how your body responds during each phase of the cycle can enhance your relationship and help …

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Stroke Prevention: Get Facts About Diet and Medication

Introduction If you’re like most Americans, you plan for your future. When you take a job, you examine its benefit plan. When you buy a home, you consider its location and condition so that your investment is safe. Today, more and more Americans are protecting their most important asset–their health. Are you? Stroke ranks as the third leading killer in …

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Lead Poisoning: Get Facts on Symptoms and Treatment

Lead Poisoning Tips Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead. The goal is to prevent lead exposure to children before they are harmed. There are many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead. The key is stopping children from coming …

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