Prostate cancer screening
INTRODUCTION - Prostate cancer screening involves testing for cancer in men who have no symptoms of the disease. This testing can find cancer at an early stage, when it may be more easily and effectively treated. However, medical experts disagree ... [... more]
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Urticaria (hives)
INTRODUCTION - Urticaria is the medical term for hives. Hives are distinct, raised areas of the skin that itch intensely and are red with a pale center (show picture 1). Hives are a very common condition: about 25 percent of all people experience ... [... more]
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Headache causes and diagnosis in adults
INTRODUCTION - Headache is one of the most common medical complaints. Headaches can be quite debilitating, although the vast majority are not due to life threatening disorders. Approximately 90 percent of headaches are caused by one of three ... [... more]
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Headache treatment in adults
INTRODUCTION - In many people, headaches can be well controlled with a combination of medication and complementary therapies. Treatment is most successful when it is tailored to the person's individual needs and the person actively participates ... [... more]
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Depression in adults
In the past, depression was poorly understood and carried an unfortunate social stigma. However, depression occurs commonly; the risk of suffering from a major depressive episode at some time during a person's life is up to 12 percent for men and ... [... more]
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Depression treatment options for adults
Fortunately, early and successful treatment of depression shortens the duration of illness, reduces the likelihood of persistent symptoms, and reduces the likelihood of a relapse. The treatment of depression may include psychotherapy ... [... more]
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Breast cancer screening
INTRODUCTION - Cancer screening refers to the use of tests to detect cancer at an early stage, before it causes symptoms and hopefully at a time when it is curable. More than 200,000 women in the United States are newly diagnosed with breast ... [... more]
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Cervical cancer screening
INTRODUCTION - The Pap smear is a common test used to screen women for cervical precancer or cancer. However, most abnormal Pap smears are not due to cancer, but rather caused by infection or low estrogen levels. This topic reviews the anatomy of ... [... more]
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Colon polyps
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF POLYPS - The presence of polyps in the colon or rectum often raises questions for patients and their family. What is the significance of finding a polyp? Does this mean that I have, or will develop, colon or rectal ... [... more]
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Acne
INTRODUCTION - Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder in North America. It affects an estimated 85 percent of adolescents, and is increasingly common among people over age 25. It may cause physical scars as well as embarrassment, anxiety, ... [... more]
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Risks and benefits of alcohol
For many reasons, this is a question without simple or clear-cut answers. Humans have used alcohol safely and enjoyably for thousands of years, and it continues to occupy an important place in many religious ceremonies and social celebrations. In ... [... more]
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Alopecia areata
INTRODUCTION - Alopecia areata is a skin condition that causes the sudden loss of patches of hair on the scalp and sometimes other parts of the body. It is nonscarring, which means that there is no permanent damage to the hair follicle. In most ... [... more]
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