What are the warning signs before a seizure?

A seizure is a sudden change in the brain's normal electrical activity. During a seizure, brain cells "fire" uncontrollably at up to four times their normal rate, temporarily affecting the way a person behaves, moves, thinks or feels. Most seizures come on abruptly with minimal or no warning signs. There may be a several seconds when the person stops communicating before other seizure activity starts.

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What is hematuria, its causes, and its treatment?

Blood in the urine, known as hematuria, requires medical evaluation. Red blood cells can enter the urine from any place in the urinary tract. Also if red blood cells break down in the blood stream (called hemolysis), the released hemoglobin from the cells can get into the urine and turn it pink or red. There are many causes of red blood cells in the urine. Common causes include kidney stones, bladder infections, kidney injury or a tumor.

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What are the signs and symptoms of nystagmus?

Nystagmus is uncontrolled jerky eye movements. Nystagmus is most often side to side (horizontal nystagmus), but it can also be up and down (vertical nystagmus) or circular (rotary nystagmus). People with nystagmus might have a sense that stationary objects are moving. Horizontal nystagmus is usually due to a problem in the balance system of the inner ear and is typically associated with dizziness, vertigo and imbalance.

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What is the difference between malaise and fatigue?

Malaise is the medical term for a general feeling of being unwell. Fatigue is a relative term, meaning each of us evaluate our current energy level based upon how we feel most of the time. For example, people who are very energetic and go nonstop from early morning to late at night might say they have fatigue if they felt like most of us do every day. While they can occur separately, fatigue and malaise often go together.

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What are the bad effects of constipation?

As few as three bowel movements per week is considered normal. That does not mean that even going once or twice per week is harmful, as long as there is no abdominal discomfort and a person is regularly passing gas. However, new constipation that persists for more than a couple weeks should prompt a call for medical advice. Constipation with abdominal pain, not passing gas or vomiting needs immediate attention because there could be a bowel obstruction.

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What is binge eating disorder its symptoms and treatment?

Binge eating disorder is when people consume huge amounts of food at one time and often multiple times per day. Different than other eating disorders, people with this problem don’t try to purge themselves with vomiting or restrict their eating. This usually leads to being overweight or obese, but not always. With eating binge disorder, people often eat fast, often and alone. They can’t stop themselves from over eating, and may feel ashamed, guilty and depressed. Treatment usually includes psychotherapy and participation in a structured weight loss program. Medications might also be prescribed.

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What usually causes a hematoma?

A hematoma is a collection of blood that can occur in any part of the body. It forms when blood leaks out of one or more blood vessels forming a lump. Most often this happens after an injury or a fall, even ones that some very minor. People who have a blood disorder that disrupts the normal clotting system and those who take “blood thinners” can form hematomas without any injury.

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What effect does ketamine have on the body?

Ketamine is an anesthetic used in both humans and animals.  It causes sedation, reduces pain, and produces amnesia such that patients have no memory of events while under its influence.  It is also referred to as a “dissociative” anesthetic because patients may experience visual or sensory hallucinations, unusual thoughts or beliefs, and feelings of not being in control.  There are numerous health risks associated with improper use of ketamine such as high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, nausea, dangerously slow breathing, unconsciousness, and even death, especially when mixed with alcohol.  In addition to tolerance and dependence, ketamine can cause long-term problems like damage to the digestive tract, kidneys, liver, urinary tract, and brain.

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Is Parkinson’s disease hereditary?

Having a parent or sibling diagnosed with the disease at a younger age increases your risk of getting Parkinson’s disease (PD).The same is less true if the affected family member was older when diagnosed. PD usually occurs in middle age, beginning around age 60. Early onset disease means symptoms start before age 50.

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How is athlete’s foot treated?

Athlete's foot can usually be successfully treated with antifungal medications applied to the feet. There are many options, some of which are available without a prescription. Many weeks of treatment may be necessary. For people with long-standing or recurring athlete's foot, topical antifungal drugs may relieve symptoms without actually curing the infection. In addition, you should:
•    Wash your feet thoroughly every day and wear a clean pair of socks after your bath or shower.
•    Take time to dry your feet, including each toe, thoroughly (especially the webbed area between the toes) after you bathe, shower or swim.
•    Choose shoes that lets feet "breathe" so they are more likely to stay dry.
•    Wear cotton socks to absorb sweat.
•    If possible, don't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Give shoes a 24-hour break between wearing to air out and dry out.

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