To stop a foot or leg cramp once it happens, stand up and slowly lean forward. If you don't want to get out of bed, sit up and reach forward so you can grab your toes, then slowly bend your foot up toward your head. Hold for about 20 seconds, then release. Repeat as needed.
Despite the lack of a scientifically proven and safe therapy to prevent recurrent nighttime leg cramps, a few approaches may be worth trying.
Begin with stretching exercises. While facing a wall and standing about two feet away, lean forward until your hands touch the wall. Keep your legs straight and feet flat on the floor. You should feel a stretch, but it should not be painful. Hold the position for 20 seconds and release. Repeat the stretch four to five times. Try to do this three times per day for at least the first few weeks and then as needed. The most important time to stretch is before bedtime.
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There are different types of white blood cells. A severely low white blood cell count usually refers to a neutrophil count of less than 500 per microliter of blood. A severely low neutrophil count increases the risk of infections, especially bacterial infections. Low neutrophil counts most often occur shortly after a round of chemotherapy.
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Pyuria is the term used to indicate the presence of white blood cells in the urine. The most cause is a urinary tract infection, such as a bladder or kidney infection. Inflammation in the kidney known as nephritis or in the bladder wall (interstitial cystitis) also can lead to pyuria. Bladder and kidney infections are treated with antibiotics. Inflammation without infection requires additional testing to determine the best treatment approach.
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Treatment of most patients with bowel obstruction will take place in the hospital. Fluids are given via an IV, as most patients are unable to take anything by mouth. Without surgical treatment, a complete blockage will rarely get better on its own. Patients with an incomplete or partial bowel blockage may not need immediate surgery.
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The primary goal of treatment for bipolar disorder is to improve or eliminate symptoms, not necessarily to cure it. This is because for the majority of people, bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition and requires lifelong treatment. Bipolar disorder is usually treated with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Do not stop your treatment for bipolar disorder because you are feeling better or you believe you no longer need it: always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.
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Bipolar disorder can be caused by many different factors including your genetics, your environment, and imbalances in chemicals in your brain that regulate mood. Before you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your doctor will ask you questions to try to determine what factors may have contributed to developing bipolar disorder. Ultimately, it is impossible to pinpoint exactly what caused it or why, however a thorough history taken by your doctor can help you and them understand better.
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There is no specific diagnostic procedure or laboratory test to establish a Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis. Doctors diagnose the disease based on the symptoms and physical and neurological exams. Your doctor will look for classic signs of PD, especially the typical pill-rolling tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity, and abnormal gait. Symptom improvement after taking PD medication helps confirm the diagnosis.
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An acute stroke would very rarely cause only pain in a body part without any other symptoms. Stroke due to bleeding in the brain can cause a severe headache. Numbness, tingling and an odd sensation one side of the face or body might feel uncomfortable. Why some people develop post-stroke pain in the part of the body affected is not known.
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Vitamin B12 deficiency is defined by low levels of stored B12 in the body that can result in anemia, a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells. Symptoms tend to develop slowly and may not be recognized immediately. As the condition worsens, common symptoms of anemia include weakness and fatigue, light-headedness, palpitations and shortness of breath. If low levels of B12 remain for a long time, the condition also can lead to irreversible damage to nerve cells, which can cause the numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, imbalance, and memory loss.
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The appendix is a tube-like structure that is connected to the cecum, the first part of the colon. The opening at the connection site is narrow. Most cases of appendicitis are thought to happen when a small ball of stool or hardened mucus blocks the narrow opening. Bacteria cannot get out of the now closed space. This allows bacteria to proliferate inside the appendix, causing inflammation and infection.
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