Harvard Health Content API

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.

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.

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.

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.

Turmeric is a spice that contains the natural substance curcumin, which may have anti-inflammatory effects. The liver is constantly processing many substances, but there is no evidence of curcumin having any beneficial impact on the liver. In one recent study, curcumin use was associated with nearly a 2% loss of body weight over four weeks.

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.

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.

One of the biggest challenges to staying active in the morning is getting out of bed in the first place.  It’s natural to want to spend every possible moment under the covers, especially if the weather is bad or you have had a poor night’s rest.  But morning exercise can help energize your body, boost your mood, and put you in the right mindset to greet the day.  To start, plan ahead.  Decide the night before what time you’ll get up and what you’ll do to get your body moving.  Try to get a good night’s sleep by sticking to a sensible bedtime routine.  Avoid drinking alcohol before bed which can disrupt sleep and make you feel groggy the next day.  And choose activities you enjoy whether it’s yoga, Pilates, a walk or jog around the neighborhood, or working out at your favorite gym.  There are also plenty of smartphone apps which can help keep you on track with your morning fitness routine.

Good dental care starts with regular brushing and flossing. Brushing: Move your toothbrush in a circle. This circular motion picks up the plaque on your teeth and sweeps it out. Flossing: For effective flossing, wrap the floss around the middle finger of each hand, leaving a section in the middle that’s several inches long. Use your thumbs and index fingers to hold that section. Gently work the floss into the space between two teeth and press it against one of the teeth cre­ating a C-shape, sliding it up and down a few times. Then press against the other tooth, repeat, and move to the next space. These motions scrub away the plaque. Make sure to move gently around the gums to avoid placing damaging pressure on them. Visit your dentist at least once per year.

Some people naturally produce a lot of wax, leading to buildup. Wearing a hearing aid can easily stop earwax from flowing out naturally. Using a cotton swab to clean your ear can push the wax farther into the ear canal, where it accumulates and hardens, especially if you have a narrow or hairy canal. Hardened earwax can cause discomfort, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). It sometimes makes hearing aids malfunction.