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### Human:\nwhat is the role of sleep in stress?\n\n### Assistant: if you don’t sleep your brain doesn’t have the time it needs to really get rid of all of the garbage of the day and to really have that ability to rejuvenate. you have to give some things a little bit of a rest. your heart you can’t stop it. it has to keep beating alright but your brain needs that period of time rest and recuperation. your body needs it. if you can’t sleep and you can’t help yourself sleep by doing a little bit of guided imagery or some relaxation breathing or whatever then you need to consider to go and maybe get some short term sleep medication. i’m a firm believer in that. i don’t think people should become addicted to sleep medications and i think that there are a lot of fine ones on the market today that will help you sleep. so i would say you have to sleep. it’s your job. i tell some people you know what turn everything off because right now the most important job you have is to go to sleep and you can allow yourself to sleep. whatever you need and i don’t recommend alcohol. i know some people do that whatever you need that is going to help you sleep. they call it sleep hygiene. that means you do not do exercise two hours before you go to sleep. it’s too energizing okay. you sleep in a room that is dark enough quiet enough comfortable enough that you can go off to sleep. this is your time. you’re not cheating. when i hear people say oh i operate on two or three hours of sleep i say no no you are doing what the national commission on sleep has says which is you are building up a sleep debt and it is going to come to get you so don’t do that to yourself.

### Human:\nquit smoking 8 days ago how long before the nicotine is out of my system. i am also taking chantix i have been taking it for seventeen day s now and feeling very good.\n\n### Assistant: nicotine levels in your body will drop significantly between 8 to 12 hours after your last cigarette. your body won’t be completely nicotine-free until 24 to 72 hours afterwards however. do an internet search for “smoking cessation timeline” if you’re curious about some of the other benefits that you’ll notice by becoming smoke free. for example after 24 hours your risk of having a heart attack decreases dramatically and your ability to smell and taste will be enhanced after 48 hours. after years of having quit smoking your risk of developing cancer having a heart attack or having a stroke decrease significantly. quitting smoking is one of the most important things that you can do for your health. keep up the great work! my understanding is that the nicotine is out of your system within 24 hours.

### Human:\ni have a history of depression and am entering menopause. i was diagnosed with major depression. are hormones to blame?\n\n### Assistant: women are at greatest risk for depression around puberty post partum and around menopause statistically. . these are times when estrogen levels falter; i think serotonin and neurotrophic factors (brain growth and health chemicals) also falter. this likely conveys some risk for depression. let's face it these times are also stressful for women which raises depression risk. given the recurrence of your depression i would suggest that whatever med you take next that resolves your depression stick with it much much longer to hopefully prevent future depressions.

### Human:\nwhat vitamins are present in fish oil? carrots are carrots but they contain vitamins as well. what's in fish oil?\n\n### Assistant: the reason people take fish oil is for the type of fat it provides: omega-3 fatty acids (dha and epa). most people do not get enough of these fats through diet unless they consume 2 servings of fatty fish such as salmon or tuna per week. these type of fats are important for brain development in babies cardiovascular health and they play a role in brain related conditions such as adhd and dementia. see this article for more information on fish oil.

### Human:\nhow much will i be fined if i don't get insurance?\n\n### Assistant: well . in 2014 two very important rules change. the most important is that insurance companies will be forbidden by law from denying coverage to americans with pre-existing health conditions. right now insurance companies can lock people out of the market or price people out of the market. that will no longer be allowed come 2014. people will with a pre-existing health condition be able to buy coverage be able to participate in a pool. in order to make sure that that happens and that we have a solvent insurance pool there is an additional feature that says everyone needs to participate. so most people right now have access to employer-based coverage or indeed carry their own coverage or they qualify for a public program. a limited number of people are not in those categories at all and most of those folks don't have the finances to buy insurance coverage on their own so starting in 2014 there will be a personal responsibility provision that says everybody needs to participate. if you are in the exchange and need some financial assistance based on your income that will be available. if you have employer coverage you're covered. if you are purchasing insurance on your own you'll have an opportunity to purchase that coverage in the insurance exchange. if you qualify for public programs you're covered. so we think that the vast majority of people and this has been the case in massachusetts where they have an exchange set up with very similar rules the vast majority of people who don't have insurance really would love to have coverage for themselves and their families they just can't afford it. and those days will be over. if indeed somebody can afford coverage when we get to 2014 and refuses to pay for coverage there is a financial penalty and it's really paying for the health service that that person and their family may well access. what we know is if someone has an automobile accident and is taken to a hospital they're going to get health care. if they have a stroke or if a family member has cancer they will have health care. they just will be shifting those costs onto everyone else onto taxpayers and hospitals and everyone who buys coverage. so there is an employer responsibility piece there is a government responsibility piece and there's an individual responsibility component of the new health care law.

### Human:\nwhat are the normal thyroid levels for a woman age 54. my dr keeps telling me i'm low-normal.\n\n### Assistant: the common tests used to diagnose thyroid disease include total t4 total t3 free t4 (not bound to protein) and tsh. t4 t3 and free t4 are hormones produced either in the thyroid or converted in the body from thyroid hormones. tsh is produced in the pituitary gland of the brain and is the control center hormone. tsh tells the thyroid how much thyroid hormone should be produced. tsh is the best test to evaluate the overall functioning of the thyroid. so if the tsh value is below normal that means the thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone and if the tsh level is above normal there is not enough t4 t3 and free t4. of course if there is disease in the pituitary which is rare then the t4 t3 and free t4 are the informative tests. you should discuss your values with your doctor. as you can see from the values listed below there is a fairly large normal range for t4 and t3. as you mention your values are in the lower range of normal but as long as your tsh is normal your thyroid is working well. remember that you will want to find out the normal range for the laboratory used by your doctor. the values listed below are the usual ranges for most laboratories. the normal range are: tsh (0. 4 - 4. 0 miu/l) total t4 (4. 5 to 11. 2 mcg/dl) total t3 (100 - 200 ng/dl) free t4 (0. 8 - 1. 8 ng/l)

### Human:\ndoes caffeine and salt cause vertigo and will eliminating it help it go away\n\n### Assistant: dietary factors such as salt and caffeine are not causes of vertigo but they could be triggers or make it worse especially if the vertigo is caused by a migraine. i suggest finding out the cause of the vertigo and going from there. more reading: causes of vertigo lightheadedness and vertigo: topic overview caffeine and salt intake does not cause vertigo. in some people it may act as trigger factors. one must check for the causative factor for vertigo and get proper healthcare advise from physician.

### Human:\nhow can i prevent split ends in my hair?\n\n### Assistant: for many of us our hair is our crown of glory. we all want healthy shiny hair. here are several tips to help in preventing split ends. 1. do not brush your hair while it is wet; instead opt for a wide-tooth comb. after you wash your hair it is up to 25% more elastic and more vulnerable to damage. 2. try to avoid using heated hair appliances on a daily basis. using blow dryers curling irons flat irons etc. every day can dry out and damage your hair. heat can be especially damaging to your ends. instead of using a curling iron try sleeping in rollers to maintain your hairstyle. to maintain a straight hairstyle wrap your hair at night and sleep in a silk scarf. to wrap your hair start at the crown of your head and brush your hair around your head. continue until all your hair is brushed around smooth. if you have a lot of hair try using bobby pins to keep your hair in place. 3. wear a silk scarf or a satin bonnet before going to bed. a scarf will reduce friction and protect your tresses as you sleep. if you do not like to cover your head when you sleep you can try using a satin pillow case. 4. do not use rubber bands to tie back your pony tail. rubber bands can pull your hair out and break it off. 5. trim your ends every 6 to 8 weeks. if you are trying to grow out your hair you can go 8 to 10 weeks between having your ends trimmed. 6. before you shampoo your hair wet your hair with warm water to open the hair cuticle. always condition your hair after you shampoo. when you rinse the conditioner from your hair use cold water to help seal the cuticles of your hair. 7. do not over brush your hair. brushing your hair 100 strokes per day for healthy hair is purely a myth; this will cause more harm than good for your hair. 8. eat a well-balanced diet. what you put inside your body will affect your appearance on the outside of your body. foods containing folic acid biotin and omega3 are always a great nutritional addition for your hair. 9. try to avoid chemically treating your hair. relaxers perms and certain color treatments can also cause damage to your tresses. it is always best to have a professional hairstylist perform these procedures for your hair.

### Human:\nnumbness of the tongue causes. my husband has type 2 diabetes and has been expierencing numbness of the tongue. he also has peripheral aertial disease. could either one of these cause the numbness of the tongue?\n\n### Assistant: there are many things that can cause numbness or tingling of the tongue. some of these include: • problems within the brain—such as multiple sclerosis stroke or brain tumor • problems with a nerve in the mouth or the face—most commonly the result of dental procedures such as tooth extractions. • vitamin or mineral deficiencies—such as low vitamin b 12 folate iron • infections—such as yeast infections or the tingling that comes before a cold sore • burning mouth syndrome • certain medications • toxic exposures diabetes can cause nerve damage but that usually affects the feet and the hands. peripheral artery disease also affects the arms and legs. your husband should see his doctor to see what is causing his discomfort. he may be referred to an ear nose and throat specialist to help find the cause. i hope he gets some relief soon.

### Human:\ncan anti-depressants cause sexual dysfunction?\n\n### Assistant: many antidepressants if not most of them can cause poor libido inability to have an orgasm erectile dysfunction in men etc. when antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain to help depression and anxiety they also increase serotonin in the spinal cord which may disrupt sexual functioning at the same time. this serotonin over-activity may cause sexual problems. unfortunately it is very clear that stopping an antidepressant too quickly will often result in the major depression symptoms coming right back. below are some ideas about how to avoid sexual side effects or treat them if they happen to you. 1) use psychotherapy to treat your depression or anxiety. psychotherapy has no sexual side effects and in many studies is shown to be as effective as medications in helping depression or anxiety. consider a bona fide course of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral psychotherapy interpersonal psychotherapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy as these specific types of psychotherapy have well documented outcomes in the treatment of depression and anxiety 2) ask your doctor to choose an antidepressant with less sexual side effect risk. bupropion (wellbutrin) antidepressant products do not manipulate serotonin at all and are considered to be sexual side effect free by many doctors. trazodone (desyrel oleptro) products manipulate serotonin mildly and through a different mechanism and appear to have less sexual side effect problems as well. in treating certain forms of anxiety buspirone (buspar) also is known for producing fewer sexual side effects. 3) if you have to be on a serotonergic antidepressant and develop sexual problems consider asking your doctor for an antidote. almost none of these medications are fda approved for improving sexual functioning however many psychiatrists use them in order to lower sexual side effects while keeping their patient on an effective serotonin antidepressant. patients will have to take two medications at the same time but often two medications may improve depression more substantially and also lower sexual side effects at the same time. erectile dysfunction medications (sildenafil — viagra — etc. ) may specifically help men and they can be used as well. 4) just bite the bullet. sometimes patients cannot avoid being on serotonin-based antidepressants. these antidotes may not be safe for the individual patient or may not work for the patient. in this case patients will have to decide to have continued good antidepressant effect but suffer sexual side effects or risk discontinuing the antidepressant and a possible relapse into major depression. often times depression is treated from six months to a year with good antidepressant treatment. giving up sexual functioning for a year might be worth keeping the depression away. can you suggest further what the medication antidotes are? i have very resistant depression and must be on ssri (and wellbutrin and trazodone and seroquel) and i wonder what would be a medication for women that would address these side effects? thanks.

### Human:\nwhat is tsh?\n\n### Assistant: tsh is thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. tsh stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroid hormone into the blood. thyroid hormone maintains normal metabolism growth body temperature and many other essential bodily functions. blood levels of tsh and thyroid hormone are maintained in a tight balance. high levels of thyroid hormone cause the pituitary to reduce the release of tsh. low levels of tsh lead the pituitary to release more tsh. this in turn stimulates the thyroid gland which produces more thyroid hormone which reduces the tsh level. this relationship is called a negative feedback loop. doctors use the blood tsh level as a screening blood test for thyroid function: high tsh usually means an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). low tsh is usually due to an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). in people being treated for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism tsh also provides information on the success of treatment.

### Human:\nwhat other diseases have the same symtoms as als?\n\n### Assistant: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or als) is also known as lou gehrig’s disease. its symptoms are caused when the nerve cells that send signals to the muscles slowly begin to die. at first als may cause weakness in an arm or leg or even in the face. but the weakness gradually progresses to include both arms and legs. muscles may start to twitch. it may become harder to use fine motor skills for tasks such as writing. eventually talking swallowing walking and even breathing are affected. other medical problems can also cause some of these symptoms. these include: • spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal • pinched nerves in the neck or back • lead poisoning • hiv/aids • thyroid and parathyroid disease • vitamin b12 deficiency • brain tumors • lymphomas • other neuropathies or nerve damage there are other more rare conditions that can also cause these symptoms. if you or a loved one has symptoms of als you need to seek the help of a neurologist. your doctor can refer you to one. if als is diagnosed then you might want to find an als center attached to the neurology department of a major teaching hospital. outlook -length of recovery from cervical spine tumor recovery-loss of arm & partial leg function

### Human:\nwhat are platelets?\n\n### Assistant: platelets are cell fragments derived from bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. platelets circulate in blood but are much smaller than red or white blood cells. platelets are coated with substances that normally glide smoothly along the surface of blood vessels and other blood cells. however when platelets encounter a damaged blood vessel they collect together in a plug to stop the bleeding. a blood clot then forms sealing the platelet plug. aspirin and other medicines like clopidogrel (plavix) interfere with platelets’ ability to clump together. this helps protect against the sudden formation of blood clots inside blood vessels (the cause of heart attacks and strokes). antiplatelet drugs also increase the likelihood of abnormal or excessive bleeding.

### Human:\nwhen i am sitting and i get up to stand i get dizzy and see spots. why is this? . i am also wondering why a person would be instantly dizzy and have spotty vision when standing up from a sitting position or just while walking.\n\n### Assistant: what you are describing is called orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension. a drop in your blood pressure occurs when you go from either lying or sitting to standing. this type of low blood pressure (hypotension) usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes. orthostatic hypotension can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded and may even cause you to faint. mild orthostatic hypotension often doesn't need treatment. many people occasionally feel dizzy or lightheaded after standing and it's usually not cause for concern. the treatment for more severe cases of orthostatic hypotension depends on the cause. orthostatic hypotension can be caused by a variety of conditions including dehydration diabetes heart problems neurological diseases such as parkinson’s disease medications and longstanding high blood pressure in older adults. if you have orthostatic hypotension caused by medications your doctor may change the dose or switch you to a different drug. other treatments include increasing fluids to treat dehydration or wearing elastic hose to increase the blood pressure in your legs. see your doctor to determine whether your symptoms are related to an underlying condition that warrants treatment and if so what treatment is appropriate for you.

### Human:\nis there a connection between seizures and benadryl?\n\n### Assistant: diphenhydramine is the generic name for the medicine found in benadryl. like most other antihistamines it often causes drowsiness. but it can have the opposite effect in some adults and in children. in these cases it stimulates the brain. this can cause trouble sleeping restlessness and in rare cases seizures. seizures are more likely to occur when the dose of diphenhydramine is too high as in the case of an overdose. there are however many other possible causes for seizures. this link will take you to a webmd article that talks about other causes of seizures. <link>

### Human:\nwhat might cause me not to sweat?\n\n### Assistant: not sweating when or where you should is called anhidrosis. it’s generally rare but in certain situations can be serious. anhidrosis can occur in isolated spots on the skin or all over. an affected person may notice the lack of sweating or may not be able to tolerate heat outdoors. besides having dry skin that should be moist symptoms can include dizziness muscle cramps and flushing. normal areas of skin may sweat excessively to try to compensate for the non-sweating skin. causes of anhidrosis include: drug side effects (oxybutinin topiramate amitriptyline and others) dehydration skin damage nerve damage genetic conditions anhidrosis increases the risk for heatstroke which can be life-threatening people with anhidrosis should take extra precautions to limit heat exposure.

### Human:\nam blood sugar 86 - ate water 4 hamburger patties 1/4 c almonds 1/4 c cashews 1/4 cup plain yogurt next am 99 how? . i have candida and have been monitoring my blood sugar to ensure it doesn't go too high and further my problems. i don't understand how i can go from blood sugar of 86 one morning to 99 the next when i had no more than 31 carbs all day. please help me understand where i'm making my mistake. . water = carb free. 4 hamburger patties = (<1 each). 1/4 cup cashews = 8 carbs. 1/4 cup almonds = 8 carbs. 2 tblsp plain yogurt = 11 carbs in a cup\n\n### Assistant: diet is not the only factor that increases blood sugar. if you don't have diabetes your blood sugar will be tightly controlled either by increasing insulin to combat high carb intake or utilizing stored forms from the liver and muscles to be put back into the blood stream. so even though you take in little carbohydrates your body will aim to keep levels within a normal range. when the diet remains low in carbohydrates and the stored sources run low the body then turns fat into glucose but this also produces ketones which can have unpleasant side effects. don't forget your brain needs glucose! according to the institute of medicine individuals need 130g of carbohydrate for the brain to run efficiently. i would check with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian for the appropriate diet for your condition. if you have diabetes it's best to see a diabetes educator to help with any changes in diet as medication is also likely to change.

### Human:\nhow should doctors dose antidepressants?\n\n### Assistant: you can also advocate for yourself once you know this. 1. start at a dose lower than that usually advocated by the fda. do this for a few days to get your body and brain used to [the drug] in order to hopefully lower your side effect risks. 2. increase and take the lowest fda dose for four to six weeks. 3. if you are not better increase to the middle dose for four to six weeks. 4. if you are not better increase to the highest fda dose for four to six weeks. if you and your doctor accomplish this then you have had a 'full trial' of the antidepressant. if the full trial has failed ask your doctor for another similar trial ideally of an antidepressant [that] works on a different set of neurotransmitters. do not stay on the same low dosed antidepressant for several months if it is not helping.

### Human:\nis laudanum still used for headaches or other conditions?\n\n### Assistant: laudanum is an opium-type product still available but not for the use of migraine relief. i suggest consulting your health care professional if migraines or headaches are an issue and you are seeking treatment.

### Human:\n<link> neuro nzt reviews the results in the research connected with fourty males old several years they claim which individuals who have eaten a tiny bit of product far better concentrated and much more accurately complement compared to their particular mates who consumed cutting down on calories with out brain plus iq. your dissimilarities never have recently been given greater iq social rank or even training connected. <link>\n\n### Assistant: please. please. refrain from using webmd medical sites for your advertising. your inappropriate postings take up valuable space for people seeking answers to their medical concerns. be respectful.

### Human:\nif you have had most of large intestine removed could you develop a vitamin definciency? how would that be detected?\n\n### Assistant: even though the small intestine eventually adapts to the loss of the large intestine it is possible to have a nutrient deficiency or become dehydrated. it's a good idea to take a multivitamin drink adequate fluids and get blood work done per your gastro-intestinal (gi) doctor's recommendation. common nutrient (vitamin and minerals) deficiencies they would check for through blood tests include iron (anemia) b vitamins like b12 and vitamin d. be sure to check with your doctor on the type of tests you need.

### Human:\nis coffee good for your heart and how much coffee? . i heard it was good for the heart one cup a day is it true?\n\n### Assistant: there is emerging evidence that moderate coffee consumption is linked to decreased risk in type 2 diabetes parkinson's and liver cancer. a recent study published in circulation heart failure discussed in detail here on webmd showed moderate coffee intake was associated with lower risk of heart failure. the researchers recommended 2 average american cups of coffee as moderate which was actually 4 smaller cups in europe. it's important to remember that these studies only show associations and do not prove cause and effect. but if you love coffee you can feel good about making it a part of your healthy diet. i know i do!

### Human:\nwhat causes dysentery?\n\n### Assistant: dysentery is severe diarrhea with blood and mucus in the stool. dysentery is caused by bacteria or other agents that can infect our intestines including shigella and the o157:h7 strain of e. coli. these unusually aggressive bacteria release toxins that can damage the walls of the intestines. bloody diarrhea as well as a whole-body severe illness can result. people with bloody diarrhea should call their doctor or seek medical attention urgently. they should not take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicines like pepto-bismol or loperamide (imodium) which can make dysentery worse. the majority of people who are ill enough to be evaluated for diarrhea in the u. s. are not infected by dysentery-causing bacteria and do not have bloody stools. in developing countries dysentery is a larger public health problem.

### Human:\ni am taking metronidazole 500 mg and smz/tmp ds 800-160 for diverticulitis. can i take a pain reliever like tylenol too?\n\n### Assistant: if you are experiencing pain or need to take an over-the-counter pain medication i would recommend that you avoid any nsaids (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen naproxen advil or aleve. this class of medications is harsh on the stomach and can increase gi bleeding without you being aware of it. i would stick with acetaminophen (tylenol) to aid in pain relief. also consult with your local pharmacist for product selection and with your health care professional about the symptoms you are experiencing and the treatments you have used for the pain.

### Human:\nhow do you break a fever in a toddler?\n\n### Assistant: remember that any fever in a newborn infant (under 3 months of age) needs prompt medical attention because at that age it’s hard to tell when a serious infection might be present. a fever is the body’s natural response to infection or other illness and will subside when the underlying process gets better. other than treating the infection (or other condition) causing it no home treatments can shorten the duration of a fever. also remember that fever doesn’t always need to be treated. if a toddler is acting normally and unbothered by her fever and her temperature is less than 104 degrees (40 degrees celsius) there’s no need to treat the fever. for a fever that’s high or is bothering your toddler either acetaminophen (mapap tylenol) or ibuprofen (advil motrin) are good treatments. you’ll need to know your toddler’s weight (don’t guess) and use the dosing guidelines on the package. it’s best to stick with one medicine if you can. if you feel you need to use multiple drugs call your pediatrician’s office. don’t ever use aspirin to treat a child’s fever as it increases the risk for reye’s syndrome. if sponging with water helps your child with a fever feel better use a warm bath (not cool) with water around 85 degrees. i know it sounds weird but my great granny used to cut an onion in half and put one half on the bottom of each foot then cover with socks and leave them on me all night. (in addition to tylenol or advil) when i would wake up in the morning my fever would be gone (or at least drasticly reduced) and the onions in my socks would be black. she said the onions drew the fever away from the brain and other vital organs. i don't unserstand how it works but i used this on my children and now on my grands and it works every time. it helps to understand what a fever is. some of the answers on here are very misleading and aren't factual at all. a fever occurs when the body increases in temperature. most common cause of this is an infection of some kind. the white blood cells that eat the infection release chemicals that go to the brain and tell it to raise the temperature of the body. the brain has a set point for our temperature 98. 6f. it is like a central heating/cooling system with a thermostat in a house. if the temp gets hot the a/c turns on. if it gets to cold the heater kicks on. and the temperature stays at 98. 6f. what these chemicals from the white blood cells do is they increase the thermostat. so the brain now has a set point of 101 f. but the body is still 98. 6 f. so the heater kicks on. you get shivers moving of muscles fast makes heat. you feel cold and you get under covers to get warm. this is why people say they are so cold when their temp is 100 because the thermostat is set to 101 or higher. the body does this because some of the bodies defenses are activated at higher temperatures and some bacteria don't function well at higher temperatures. so they die or we kill them better with a higher temperature. so what is it when a fever "breaks"? well eventually your white blood cells kill everything and they stop releasing those chemicals that changes the thermostat. so the thermostat changes back to 98. 6f. now you have a temperature of 101f and your body is set to 98. 6f. it is too hot. turn on the a/c. so you start sweating to cool yourself off. this is a fever "breaking". so when the person with the fever is sweating like there is no tomorrow it is a good thing and you can probably expect the fever to start going back down. fever is a natural defense mechanism against foreign invaders of your body. it is very normal. as long as my fever isn't over 102f it makes sense to me to not interfere with the natural process. even help it. if i'm running a little fever i'll get in the hot tub or a nice hot bath. fevers can be very dangerous and you should ask your doctor when those dangerous temperatures are. they are different for kids and adults. to answer the question the fastest easiest way to break a fever is with anti-inflammatory medications like tylenol and motrin. but that doesn't mean everything is all better. and by the way: water is zero calories! (in case you read the other post) don't believe any of that stuff. what i do is rub my baby down with green rubbing alcohol. it works every time. a fever is not your body fighting an infection. anything that heats up your body including heat and induces sweating causes a fever. fevers cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke as heat heats up the body inducing sweating wich causes water to be ejected from the body. you may induce a fever and prove this by simply visiting a steam room and when your sweating check your temp youll have a fever. you may also go out jogging and see when your hot and sweating you have a fever with a fever thermometer. if you do either for long periods youll eventualy drop from exhaustion enjoying before that mild to severe dehydration symptoms heat exhaustion and heat stroke and possible mild heart attacks. cardio excersize and steam rooms have been around for centuries inducing fever and not cured any disease other than treat obesity. your heartrate can generate heat and cause a fever by pumping friction wich happens during jogging just like shaking a pop can or rubbing your hands generates warmth. make sure you maintain bodyweight during a fever. if food poisioning is suspect having a person stomach pumped and an enema given may be needed if fatigue sets in. fluid calories are better during a fever its important to maintain heartrate as lowering your heartrate also induces fatigue. if a fever is starting with no fatigue water may be ok. its important to keep dry and keep cool (keeping dry to avoid chills). humans thrive in cool temp climates of 55-65 degrees thier is little life in deserts do to heat heat starves an area of water. for children its important that children playing maintain thier bodyweight during excersize/play and eat and drink and take rest breaks and normalize thier heartrate reducing sweating. if people have to loose weight then i recommend simply getting out and walking bringing food fluids before or during thier walk to avoid dehydration with rest breaks. obesity causes fever and dehydration by carrying around 50-100 lb weights. you may simulate obesity by carrying a backpack of 50-100+ lb barebell weights and grow it daily and see what affects that has on your health. weather and activie levels can affect weight loss. people eat drink and rest to maintain thier heartrate and energy levels. in a virus or poision a fever is a response to excess blood volume wich causes your heart to pump harder and faster generating heat. you may simulate this by giving an unnecessary blood transfusion wich will likely cause a fever and may cause a mild heart attack so i wouldnt advise it. water causes weight gain at 1/2 lb a cup its a myth its zero caloric. overdrinking from dehydrationcan cause excessive urination in addition to lowering your heartrate further so cold water if a fever has started with no fatigue otherwise fluid calories.

### Human:\nbiotin & digestion. after stumbling upon an article in my health textbook i found that biotin is actually essential to digestion & also produced in the colon! i thought the biotin was what was causing my digestive issues (being constipated after the morning 'go). how is this possibl? . omy doc says i could have irritable bowel because my mother has it. i am 19. don't want to ask my dr. cause i want a second opinion on this.\n\n### Assistant: biotin is involved in the breakdown of carbs protein and fat but i have never heard it being used to treat digestive issues. additional biotin would only help if there was a deficiency which is not common (see this article for symptoms). you could always take a multivitamin which would cover you. i recommend addressing your diet and how to improve it to help your symptoms. getting a second opinion and seeing a registered dietitian who specializes in digestive issues can help. good luck! read more: constipation digestive disorders i bs with constipation

### Human:\nhow should you add organic ground flaxseed to your diet? . one week my question is how to add organic ground flaxseed to my breakfast to. reduce:. bloating. gas. bowel movement smears\n\n### Assistant: although flaxseed makes a great addition to a healthy diet i am not aware of a specific amount that has been found to decrease the symptoms you mention. it's best to see a dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal (gi) issues or a doctor. for more on potential causes gi distress see this webmd article. that being said to get flaxseed into your breakfast you can add spoonfuls to cereal like oatmeal baked goods (like pancakes and muffins) and to smoothies. it really doesn't have a taste (a bit nutty) and it's a great way to get more omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.

### Human:\nis there some way to naturally detox or cleanse your body?\n\n### Assistant: there is a lot of hype around "detoxing" and "cleansing" these days. most of what you'll hear is untrue and can be just a waste of your time and money. there’s no evidence that detoxing and cleansing has any health benefit. nonetheless there are lifestyle changes you can make to “detox” your body. cutting back on saturated fats daily calories refined grains sugar and sodium can help you reap all kinds of health benefits. instead choose fruits and vegetables whole grains fat-free or low-fat dairy lean protein seafood and healthy fats. detoxification or “detox” is a buzzword that has no medical rational or scientific basis for its claims. the simple fact is that your body already has the full capabilities to remove toxins and if anything you may actually be harming your body through commonly promoted detox pills and diets. if you feel as though you might need a detox try making lifestyle changes through eliminating processed foods eating more whole foods like fruits and vegetables and beginning an exercise routine. check out the following articles for more information regarding detoxification: <link> and <link>. here are some things to do to help you cleanse your body naturally. drink water. exercise and do aerobics. take a fiber supplement. add body cleansing foods to your diet drink green tea use colon cleansers supplement today's many product in market but look on the colopril reviews to get the solution of your problem. 1. by drinking plain water about 2 litres everyday. 2. eat more fibres to induce excretion from our body. 3. eat less frozen or ready made food (fast food) cause it contains preservatives that slow the cleaning or detoxification process. they may also promote more toxic inside our body) 4. drink green tea with much plain water. (must increase your water intake at least for 2 litres or the green tea may harm your body since the medium which is water is insufficient) 5. exercise. 6. smoking and drinking alcohol less. ( they only promote more toxic inside our body. ) 7. practice a healthy life-style. 8. take care your kidney (detoxification process happen there). detoxification does happen and can be done naturally without any medication. detoxification helps in curbing unhealthy cravings for food makes you feel lighter medication if being taken act better and generally promotes a feeling of well being. you can try this with complete switching over to salads and fruits only once a week and drinking plenty of water. for full benefits please adopt naturecure procedures

### Human:\nwhat does delayed release mean in the drug nexium?\n\n### Assistant: delayed release means that there is an enteric coating or capsule that protects the medication from being destroyed by gastric acids of the stomach to allow the active ingredient to get to the intestine for proper absorption and functioning.

### Human:\nwhat’s the safest way to put my baby to bed?\n\n### Assistant: always put your baby on his back to sleep never on his side or tummy. there’s a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome if they’re on their tummy or their side; they can roll onto their stomach if they’re lying on their side. and be sure that childcare providers grandparents and so on know to put the baby on his back because there’s also a higher risk of sids if a baby is usually put to sleep on his back but suddenly gets put to sleep on his tummy. finally be sure to give your baby a lot of tummy time when he’s awake. tummy time helps promote physical development -- generally babies don’t roll or crawl as soon if they don’t get tummy time for example. and if you’re worried about sids you want them to have a stronger head and neck so they can [lift] their face up if it gets covered. also babies can actually end up with lopsided heads or bald spots from rubbing the back of their head on the mattress if they spend too much time on their back. these aren’t dangerous but if babies spend more time on their tummy it’ll relieve some of the friction and pressure.

### Human:\nwhat precautions can i take against sudden infant death syndrome?\n\n### Assistant: co-sleeping isn’t recommended because of what we know about sleep safety. there’s more of a risk of smothering sudden infant death syndrome and of falls off the adult bed when there’s bedsharing. . always put your baby on his back to sleep never on his side or tummy. there’s a higher risk of sids if they’re on their tummy or their side; they can roll onto their stomach if they’re lying on their side. and be sure that childcare providers grandparents and so on know to put the baby on his back because there’s also a higher risk of sids if a baby is usually put to sleep on his back but suddenly gets put to sleep on his tummy. finally be sure to give your baby a lot of tummy time when he’s awake. tummy time helps promote physical development; generally babies don’t roll or crawl as soon if they don’t get tummy time for example. and if you’re worried about sids you want them to have a stronger head and neck so they can [lift] their face up if it gets covered.

### Human:\nmy daughter currently has a plan through health partners and recently found out that she is pregnant. the current plan doesn't cover labor and delivery. will she be able to increase her insurance coverage for that?\n\n### Assistant: for those concerned about maternity benefits including labor and delivery most health plans will have to cover these benefits beginning in 2014. the one exception is if your coverage is through a "grandfathered" employer plan. some of those plans may not have to add new coverage for labor and delivery right away.

### Human:\nwhat is the best over the counter diet pill for weight loss and energy\n\n### Assistant: my gut response to this is: none of them. diet pills are not the answer for long-term weight loss and energy. the best way to lose weight and increase energy is simple. eat a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly (at least three times a week). if you do just these two things and do them consistently you'll lose weight keep it off and probably see your energy level rise considerably. check out webmd's diet community for plenty of tips of on how safely lose weight and keep it off for good! all the best to you! although some diet pills may work to promote weight loss and boost energy are the side effects really worth it? take alli for example the first fda approved over-the-counter weight loss pill. some of the side effects of alli include oily or fatty stools and difficulty controlling bowel movements that can cause leakage into undergarments. also although rare a more serious problem is possible liver damage. keep in mind that alli is actually approved by the fda undergoing a very extensive process while many other pills or supplements have no additional research to verify their claims or identify risks. the answer is simple: diet pills can’t replace healthy lifestyle behavior changes like implementing an exercise routine or eating whole food to promote weight loss. my husband and i started to use myfitnesspal. com 3 weeks ago and i have lost 3 pounds already. we are not going hungry just counting our calories and cutting our portions as we have always been big portion eaters. we are also walking from 45 min to 60 min at least 3 times a week which gives you more calories. we usually don't use them though because the calories for women are 1200 and men are 1500. this system is a very good way to learn to eat better. log in and check it out. you will be surprised and happy with what you find. taking diet pills will only curb your appetite they will not help you stay healthy. they can also lead to an addiction. you do need to do some form of exercise like walking or biking. i am not familiar so much familiar with over the counter weight loss pills but i suggest that you speak with dr. eric schweiger an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at mount sinai medical center. he can help you with your weight loss plans. <link>

### Human:\nwhat is autoimmune hepatitis?\n\n### Assistant: autoimmune hepatitis (aih) is an uncommon chronic liver disease that has the potential to lead to cirrhosis. it is characterized by inflammation of the liver and/or liver damage caused by an attack on the liver by a person's own immune system. this disease was first recognized in 1950 when it was noted that the condition primarily affected young women who stopped menstruating (a condition known as amenorrhea); who suffered from arthritis; who had a severe form of chronic hepatitis that rapidly progressed to cirrhosis; and who had an elevated protein (gamma globulin) found on their blood tests. some similarities between aih and systemic lupus erythematosus ((sle)) another autoimmune disease led to aih being named lupoid hepatitis in 1956. presently much more is known about aih. for starters it has been confirmed that aih and sle are two totally separate disorders. thus the term "lupoid hepatitis" is no longer used. furthermore it has been established that despite a greater occurrence rate among young women - women account for approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases - aih may also occur in men and it may occur in either gender at any age. finally case studies have established that aih has varying manifestations. it is not always a severe rapidly progressive disease as originally believed. in fact it may have a mild asymptomatic (without symptoms) natural history. aih occurs in about 100 000 to 200 000 people in the united states at any given time and it accounts for approximately 10- 20% of chronic hepatitis cases in the world. approximately 6% of liver transplantations in the united states are performed due to aih. it was originally believed that the disease most commonly manifested itself at either of two age intervals - peripubertally (around 13 years old) or around fifty to sixty years old. it is now known that aih can develop at any age and has been diagnosed in infants as well as in people in their seventies. however in most cases a patient with aih is over 40 years old at the time of initial visit to a specialist.

### Human:\nare vit d and vit b12 deficiency linked?\n\n### Assistant: vitamin d and b12 aren't linked in the sense that one causes the other but is relatively common for someone to fall short on both of these vitamins. for example people who don't eat any animal products (vegans) typically need supplemental vitamin d and b12 either from fortified foods or supplements. both of these vitamins are found primarily found in animal foods although plant-based products can be fortified with d such as soy milk. sunlight is another source of vitamin d. another example would be someone who had gastric bypass surgery -- they are at higher risk for vitamin d and b12 deficiencies. people with excess weight tend to have lower levels of vitamin d and additional b12 is needed after this type of surgery because absorption occurs in the stomach. a third example is someone who is elderly. they absorb less vitamin b12 from food and do not make as much vitamin d from the sun. work with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to make sure you are getting enough of both of these vitamins. there isn't a direct link between a deficiency in these two vitamins but it likely represents a common denominator. some vitamins require fat to be absorbed in the intestine. these four vitamins a d e and k require fat and a very low intake can produce a deficiency in them. damage to the pancreas or intestine can also interfere with the absorption of these vitamins. vitamin b12 requires a few additional modifications in the body to be absorbed. it does not require fat but a factor that is produced in the pancreas however its absorption also requires a healthy pancreas and intestinal lining.

### Human:\ni am confused because my dr says to stay on a low protein diet because my ammonia level is 151. . however my total protein test is low at 5. 6 won't this effect my total protein result?\n\n### Assistant: usually when ammonia is high there is trouble with the liver since it is the organ that breaks down protein to ammonia. it is no longer standard practice to subscribe very low protein diets with liver disease (i'm not sure how much your doctor is recommending). the key is to eat the right amount of protein -- not too much but not too little. the total protein measures the amount of protein in the blood which could be affected by your diet. i recommend seeing a registered dietitian who can explain to you the amount of protein you need and how it relates to all of your blood levels. read more: total serum protein ammonia blood test

### Human:\nwhat probiotic do you recommend. don't want to waste money on useless products. i live on a very limited budget and suffer from ibs. there is so much controversy over which probiotic has actual live clutures in them. would you please let me know which probiotic supplements are safe and effective. thank you!\n\n### Assistant: the us probiotics. org recommends choosing probiotic supplements with adequate research behind the specific microbe strain used in any given product. just because research shows one strain is effective doesn't mean it applies to other strains as there are over 400! if you are looking for relief from a gastro-intestinal health issue make sure the probiotic has been studied for that specific disease state. you can call the company or check their website for the research they have conducted. always make sure your doctor knows what supplements you are taking. for more details on probiotics see this article <link>

### Human:\ni have 2 month old that has had issues with keeping breast milk and now formula down have done everything doctors say\n\n### Assistant: when you say can't keep food down i'm not sure if it is forceful vomiting or frequent spit up. gastro-esophageal reflux (ger when food comes back up is common in babies occurring in half of babies under 6 months old. some are referred to as "happy spitters" meaning they frequently regurgitate (2 or more times per day) but are growing and eating without other issues. but if it gets worse with time or is more projectile or is accompanied by other symptoms (wheezing gagging etc. ) and there is poor growth it's a problem. gastro-esophageal reflux disease (gerd) is ger coupled with problematic symptoms and needs a doctor's attention. if you suspect your child has gerd or some other problem see your doctor again. for more on gerd see this webmd article. you also might want to see a lactation consutant for tips on breastfeeding positions and feeding techniques (like pumping before feeds) to decrease spitting up after feeding. good luck!

### Human:\nwhat foods do you know of that can trigger gout attacks?\n\n### Assistant: first make sure you are seeing a physician who specializes in gout management such as a rheumatologist. there are medications to treat the inflammation associated with gout flares. there are also medications that exist to treat the underlying metabolic condition called hyperuricimia which is too much uric acid in the blood. dietary management of gout is limited but important to help control the buildup of uric acid in the blood. a low-purine diet is often recommended for people with gout. laura rall phd nutrition researcher at tufts university in boston says "begin by eliminating foods in the 'high-purine' category while reducing your intake of foods in the 'moderate-purine' category. if you don't have gout attacks after trying this you may add more foods from the 'moderate' category or occasionally try a food from the 'high' category. using these guidelines you may be able to determine a safe level of purine consumption and enjoy some of your favorite foods without experiencing attacks. " foods considered high in purine content include all types of alcoholic beverages; some fish seafood and shellfish such as anchovies sardines herring mussels codfish scallops trout and haddock; and certain meats such as bacon turkey veal venison and organ meats like liver. foods considered moderate in purine content include meats such as beef chicken duck pork and crab lobster oysters and shrimp; and vegetables and beans such as asparagus kidney beans lentils lima beans mushrooms and spinach.

### Human:\nwhat are aging spots?\n\n### Assistant: aging spots or solar lentigos primarily result from sun damage. age spots have also been mislabeled as liver spots. (they do not have any correlation with liver disease. ) the majority of age spots are benign (noncancerous). if you notice any changes in the border color or diameter of any lesions on your skin you should be evaluated by your dermatologist.

### Human:\nwhat are the symptoms of thrush?\n\n### Assistant: thrush usually develops suddenly but it may become chronic persisting over a long period of time. a common sign of thrush is the presence of creamy white slightly raised lesions in your mouth - usually on your tongue or inner cheeks - but also sometimes on the roof of your mouth gums tonsils or back of your throat. the lesions which may have a "cottage cheese" appearance can be painful and may bleed slightly when you scrape them or brush your teeth. in severe cases the lesions may spread into your esophagus or swallowing tube causing: pain or difficulty swallowing a feeling that food gets stuck in the throat or mid-chest area fever if the infection spreads beyond the esophagus thrush can spread to other parts of the body including the lungs liver and skin. this happens more often in people with cancer hiv or other conditions that weaken the immune system.

### Human:\nwhat is the average penis size?\n\n### Assistant: most research studies have found that the average erect penis size is between 5 and 6 inches so you are larger than average in length. yea. right around 6 inches. but don't start obsessing about size or you can develop some sexual issues. just keep it clean and healthy and your penis no matter the size will add significant pleasure to your life. you might want to use a penis health creme called man1 man oil. it delivers key vitamins and nutrients directly to the penis which will improve its overall health and appearance. hope this helps!

### Human:\nwhat is cardiomegaly?\n\n### Assistant: cardiomegaly is an enlarged heart. in most cases enlargement of the heart occurs over an extended period of time (weeks or more often years) due to an injury to the heart. the heart responds to the injury by remodeling itself in a way that lets it continue to do its job of pumping blood. this sometimes results in a stretching of the heart muscle. the condition may also be called dilated cardiomyopathy. the most common causes of cardiomegaly are: high blood pressure that’s inadequately treated for a long time coronary artery disease or heart attacks alcohol abuse viral myocarditis (heart infection by a virus) postpartum cardiomyopathy (unexplained heart enlargement after delivering a baby) in many cases no cause can be identified which is called idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. the heart may also only appear enlarged on a chest x-ray (the traditional way doctors have diagnosed cardiomegaly). an abnormal amount of fluid around a normal-sized heart (pericardial effusion) will deceptively enlarge the heart’s shadow on a chest x-ray film. an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is usually recommended for people with an enlarged heart. an echocardiogram can tell the difference between a pericardial effusion and true cardiomegaly and can provide additional information about the heart’s shape and function.

### Human:\nwhy are sweets easier to digest? . i had a gastric bypass in november 2011. now i find that sweets (i. e. chocolate cake pie etc. ) are easier to digest than nutritious food. the doctor says i should cut down on sweets so i don't put the weight back on. how can i when they are easier to digest and i am hungry?\n\n### Assistant: in some people who have had gastric bypass surgery sources of sugar tend to cause dumping syndrome but that doesn't seem to be the case for you. it's true that some foods are easier to eat than others after surgery but the more often you eat wholesome foods such as vegetables grains and lean meats the easier they are to eat. this isn't just about weight but health. you have a small stomach now and not all of the nutrients you take in are absorbed. you need to choose food that is nutrient dense and make every bite count. that doesn't mean you can't eat any sweets but eat them less often than other more nutritious foods. take note of how you feel after eating? which foods fuel you to be active and life a full life? i think you will find that whole foods that are more nutritious satisfying and nurturing. you just have to give your body time to adapt to them instead of the easy foods that aren't doing you much good. good luck!

### Human:\ndoes drinking too much water and soda before a meal make you feel full that you do not want to eat? . my sons girlfriend allows her children to drink a lot of water and soda right before they eat and then they do not eat. doesn't drinking a lot before a meal fill you up and then you are not hungry?\n\n### Assistant: yes drinking fluids especially sugar-sweetened or calorie-containing beverages can cause feelings of fullness resulting in decreased food intake. young children with small stomachs are more likely to fill up than older children and adults. it's best to serve calorie-containing beverages with meals. for example juice and milk with lunch or dinner and soda only occasionally. water is the best in between meal beverage. good luck!

### Human:\nwhat can cause black colored stools?\n\n### Assistant: the most serious cause of black stools is bleeding from somewhere in the gi tract. bleeding in the stomach esophagus or intestines can turn into a black color by the time it leaves the body as stool. this can be caused by bleeding ulcers stomach inflammation broken blood vessels in the esophagus called varices or tumors. this type of bleeding can be life-threatening. the bleeding can also come from a nosebleed or from the mouth if blood is swallowed. black stools can also be caused by supplements such as iron or medicines such as pepto-bismol. certain foods like blueberries or black licorice can also turn the stool black. your doctor can tell if there is any blood in the stool by taking a stool sample from the rectum and performing a simple test in the office. if you are having any black or tarry stools call your doctor right away.

### Human:\ni had liver spots as a child and it looks like they’re back. my skin is blotchy and two-toned. can i get rid of them?\n\n### Assistant: the term “liver spots” is somewhat of a misnomer. liver spots are typically not related to any diseases of the liver. most of these changes are due to age sun damage or solar lentigo. your first approach is to exclude any potential skin cancers. once this is accomplished a combination of glycolic peels and skin brightening agents will improve your skin.

### Human:\ndoes sugar feed cancer?\n\n### Assistant: according to the american cancer society's website: "no sugar intake has not been shown to directly increase the risk of getting cancer or having it get worse (progress). still sugars and sugar-sweetened drinks add large amounts of calories to the diet and can cause weight gain which we know can affect cancer outcomes. " it makes sense to eat a healthy whole food based diet with cancer which would naturally be low in added sugars but no one can say for sure if it feeds cancer. for more on diet see this webmd article. the american caner association is either being extremely negligent evasive or just plain ignorant when it comes to cancer. according to german doctor otto wartberg the "crux of his nobel thesis was that malignant tumors frequently exhibit an increase in anaerobic glycolysis -- a process whereby glucose is used as a fuel by cancer cells with lactic acid as an anaerobic byproduct -- compared to normal tissues. 1 the large amount of lactic acid produced by this fermentation of glucose from cancer cells is then transported to the liver. this conversion of glucose to lactate generates a lower more acidic ph in cancerous tissues as well as overall physical fatigue from lactic acid buildup. 2 3 thus larger tumors tend to exhibit a more acidic ph. 4 this inefficient pathway for energy metabolism yields only 2 moles of adenosine triphosphate (atp) energy per mole of glucose compared to 38 moles of atp in the complete aerobic oxidation of glucose. by extracting only about 5 percent (2 vs. 38 moles of atp) of the available energy in the food supply and the body's calorie stores the cancer is "wasting" energy and the patient becomes tired and undernourished. this vicious cycle increases body wasting. 5 it is one reason why 40 percent of cancer patients die from malnutrition or cachexia. 6 hence cancer therapies should encompass regulating blood-glucose levels via diet supplements non-oral solutions for cachectic patients who lose their appetite medication exercise gradual weight loss and stress reduction. professional guidance and patient self-discipline are crucial at this point in the cancer process. the quest is not to eliminate sugars or carbohydrates from the diet but rather to control blood glucose within a narrow range to help starve the cancer and bolster immune function. " to read more go to the april 2000 issue of nutrition science news or www. mercola. com/article/sugar/sugar_cancer.

### Human:\ni brush my teeth floss and scrape my tongue twice a day. i don’t see any tartar. can i go for a cleaning in 9 months?\n\n### Assistant: yes you can. but the preferred timing is every 3-6 months based on your dentist's recommendation. you may think that you are removing all of your dental plaque but you cannot see below the gum line in the deep dark spaces that allow the bad bacteria to grow and proliferate. these are the bad bacteria that eat away bone and cause the premature loss of teeth. research has shown that the “bad bacteria” which can eat bone recolonize at about 90 days after a professional cleaning.

### Human:\nis it safe to take adderall citalopram klonopin and grifulvin together?\n\n### Assistant: this combination of medications does not have any drug interactions. however i would take the grifulvin with food to minimize the stomach irritation and with a fatty substance like milk or yogurt. a fatty substance will help to increase the absorption of the medication to effectively treat the condition. do not skip any doses and you may have to complete therapy for 6 weeks in order to eradicate the condition.

### Human:\nhow long does it take for food to pass through the stomach and small intestine to the large intestine?\n\n### Assistant: the transit time is quite variable in all people. there are no set times. food can remain in the stomach for two hours or so then progressively travel into the intestinal tract where it may process for several hours. or days. in babies the transit time is surprisingly rapid. babies often poop while you are feeding them! in some adults the transit time can be days especially in older people or people prone to constipation. transit time can be influenced by the type of food ingested the volume/size of meal the amount of water/fluids and the amount of fiber/solids. spicy food may be faster than you anticipated. a heavy thanksgiving dinner may bloat you for a day or more. this is a very interesting question. there are several factors that determine how long it takes for food to pass through your digestive system. to start the type of food matters. some foods are more complex requiring our body to work harder and to take more time to break them down and digest them. on the other hand other foods won’t have to go through such a rigorous process and may be digested and metabolized relatively quickly. fiber for example has a decreased intestinal transit time which means that it spends less time in your intestines and may be passed through faster than something else. the answer also could depend on other factors like age ethnicity and gender. you have to consider that people’s digestive systems can be different or work in slightly different ways. did you know that some people have longer intestines than other people? certainly that might influence how long it takes for food to digest. also individuals may have different levels of microbes present in their intestines that can influence how food is digested too. how long it takes food to digest depends on a lot of different factors. dosent it only takes 30 mins?

### Human:\nis there a specific doctor that i need to see for an anal abcess?\n\n### Assistant: that would be a proctologist (a colo-rectal surgeon). in some areas a gastroenterologist or general surgeon may do this type of procedure. an anal abscess can be a simple drainage procedure or a more involved surgical removal so finding the most skilled specialist is important. a general or rectal surgeon is the appropriate physician to see for treatment of an anal abscess. an abscess is a collection of pus. an anal abscess may develop in the deep tissues surrounding the anus or be more shallow under the skin. they both require immediate treatment to lance the abscess and let it drain. therefore it is important that you see a surgeon. a general practitioner may be able to take care of a small abscess in the office. antibiotics alone usually cannot treat the problem. without proper treatment an abscess can cause a widespread infection (septicemia). you are more likely to get an anal abscess if you have diabetes inflammatory bowel disease such as crohn’s engage in anal sex or have an impaired immune system such as from aids or chemotherapy. if you have recurrent anal abscesses and there is no clear explanation for their cause a consultation with a physician who specializes in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroenterologist) may be appropriate.

### Human:\nwhich preventive care screenings and tests will be free after september 23? will they need a doctor's referral?\n\n### Assistant: well you don’t need a doctor’s referral. hopefully you’ll go to the doctor to get the screening but you don’t need any special visit in advance of the screenings. and the preventive care option will cover a wide variety of things. so for parents children’s immunizations and vaccines will be covered a whole variety of cancer screenings will be covered mammograms and colon cancer. the u. s. preventive care task force which is a group of medical providers who are in the public health service actually look at preventive services that are the most effective and update their recommendations on a regular basis and they grade them a through d of what is effective for which age category and what kind of condition. and any screening that gets an a or a b will be automatically included in the kind of preventive care that’s offered without co-pays and without co-insurance. it’s very good news for people. … if you’re a 58-year-old woman with a chronic condition you would be recommended to get a pap smear yearly even if you’re healthy a mammogram yearly; you may have a screening or two for diabetes or for other conditions. you will be looking at potentially $300-$400 out of pocket and that for a lot of people is a pretty high financial burden particularly now in this downturn. …we’re updating medicare benefits so medicare beneficiaries will be able to have preventive care and have an annual wellness test. we’re getting to illness at the outset making sure that we can stop people from getting sick as opposed to paying for the care once they get sick makes good sense. and i think this is a great benefit that will be coming effective again on or after september 23. and it’s really good news for lots of folks.

### Human:\nwhat are the symptoms of stomach cancer?\n\n### Assistant: in its early stages stomach cancer typically causes vague often mild symptoms that a person may describe as indigestion nausea loss of appetite heartburn or pain. the problem is millions of people without stomach cancer experience these symptoms every day. when should a person with vague stomach or abdominal symptoms seek medical attention? that’s a hard question to answer because stomach cancer is still uncommon in the u. s. and screening for it (with invasive testing called endoscopy) carries small but real risks; screening everyone with indigestion might cause more harm than good. as stomach cancer becomes more advanced weight loss bleeding more severe nausea and vomiting and blockage of the exit of food from the stomach can occur. if you’re concerned about stomach cancer the best thing is to see your doctor and discuss your symptoms. my father died half a yr ago from stomach cancer and i have an uncle and a cousin died from stomach cancer. now my symptoms are nauseated all day i want to eat all the time which is not like me to do so even when i eat i still nauseated. one point i have a chronic ulcer. can that convert to cancer my chronic ulcer? .

### Human:\nwill baby have type i diabetes if i have gestational diabetes. i have just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. the doctor said i will need to take insulin. i am worried my baby will be born with type i diabetes. what are the risks to my baby? i am 43 weeks along.\n\n### Assistant: children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (gdm) are at a higher risk for obesity type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome; but your child will not be at a higher risk for type 1 diabetes. it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommended course of action for managing gestational diabetes to help minimize the potential risks which may include: • maintaining appropriate weight gain • following specific dietary guidelines • following your doctor’s recommendations for an appropriate exercise routine • monitoring your blood sugar levels frequently • taking insulin as directed blood sugar levels will typically return to normal for you after 6 to 8 weeks after delivery but you will be more likely to develop gestational diabetes again during subsequent pregnancies. please refer to the following for more information: <link> <link> no

### Human:\nwhy is my 7 week old baby vomiting alot in amount after eating. my 7 week old will go thru a vomiting stage. we will go about 3-4 days without it and then one day she will be on the breast eating and will vomit what seems like the whole feeding and plus some sometimes. my fiance seems to think that she is eating to fast on the breast and should feed her more bottles. i do not feel that is the reason behind this issue because it has happened with a bottle feeding before. just in the last 24 hours she has vomited 3 while on the breast.\n\n### Assistant: while you want to check with your pediatrician it sounds like your baby is experiencing infant regurgitation also called spit up where the contents in the stomach reflux back into the esophagus. this occurs frequently in babies because the muscles at the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (responsible for keeping food from coming back up) are weak. your pediatrician should be able to tell you if it is problematic which usually happens when reflux causes problems such as inflammation swallowing problems poor weight gain and food refusal. for the most part frequent regurgitation is considered normal when growth is fine and the child eats with well with no other signs of distress. because you are breastfeeding there could be other things contributing such as an overactive letdown (milk comes out fast) and laying baby down right after feeding. a lactation consultant can help you troubleshoot feeding your baby to decrease vomiting. for more on this subject see this webmd article. congrats on your new baby!

### Human:\ni have autoimmune hepatitis. i got the hepatitis b vaccination. will it make a difference or did i waste my time?\n\n### Assistant: people with chronic liver disease can experience a severe if not life-threatening course of disease when infected with acute hepatitis a or b. and some people who have had a liver transplant are at risk for developing hepatitis b which could lead to dysfunction of the transplanted liver fulminant hepatitis and/or cirrhosis. it is of utmost importance that all people with chronic liver disease receive the immunizations for hepatitis a and b.

### Human:\nis it better to drink something cold or hot i. e. water or tea for weight loss? . i have started trying to drink water instead of sodas for weight loss. having had a bad experience where i drank too much water and got sick i have been starting off with 20 oz of ice cold water a day. a friend of mine said the water should be either room temp or hot in order to lose weight. she said cold water will congeal the fat in my system. is this correct?\n\n### Assistant: i don’t think the idea that cold water causes fat in your stomach to congeal making weight loss more difficult holds much merit. all fat whether solid or liquid will get broken down metabolized and digested in your body. if anything ice cold water may actually slightly boost your metabolism to help promote weight loss. although it’s a very small amount your body has to expend calories to bring the ice water up to your body’s natural temperature. in your situation drinking water is helping to keep you from drinking soda which doesn’t have much nutritional value and has excessive amounts of sugar. so you should continue to substitute water in place of sugar-laden beverages like soda in order to promote weight loss. you don’t have to completely get rid of soda if you enjoy it but continue to be mindful of moderation and portion control when you do have it. drinking water to lose weight should be an important consideration in your weight loss program. maximum of intake of water should be 8 cups for most of the people. there is no need to take tea as the water you are taking is enough. water can be taken in the form of cold water and there is no problem with it and it works to reduce weight because cold water will help eliminate body fat because your body burns calories when it needs to warm the water to body temperature. better you can follow many other exercises for weight loss that means you may "love your weight loss" if you worry about your weight again. one suggestion that "sallysymonds" the best trainee to reduce weight and no chance of get back weight again! along with proper diet exercise and weight training drink 1. 5 -2 gallons of water throughout the day. you dont need tea. besides in spite of what most people will tell you there is a lot of proven research out there that says the over all effects of drinking tea and coffee on a regular basis are not worth the small positive gains you may get from it. good luck to ya---don't be lazy get to work! regardless if it is a hot or cold water drinking lots of water everyday will definitely improve your weight loss efforts. drinking water can make you feel full and suppress your appetite. schweiger derm - <link> i heard that drinking mild water early in morning will surely help you in weight loss efforts.

### Human:\ni have severe trust issues with doctors. how do i find a reputable doctor when i haven't been to one in 8 years? . when i was 16 i became ill and was misdiagnosed over 9 times. from age 16 to 21 i continued having problems even having a colonoscopy and laparoscopy. test after test answers were futile. so i gave up. i'd go to a walk in clinic for basic ailments and physical exams. i am now 29 and concerned about my health. and i live in a new area. i want to find a doctor but i don't want to be run around again. is there guidelines that i can discuss when finding a new doctor?\n\n### Assistant: establishing a good relationship with your doctor is perhaps one of the best things you can do for your health. it’s important to routinely visit a doctor because some diseases and conditions won’t present with outward warning signs or symptoms; so the only way to know your risk is to get checked out or tested. it’s essential that you find a doctor that you can trust and who embodies a similar philosophy regarding health as you. do proper research beforehand. ask friends or coworkers who they would recommend call your insurance company for their guidance or visit the webmd physician finder (found here: <link> ) that you can use to find doctors near you. the webmd site allow you to pull up a profile of each doctor where it displays information like their education and training to help you make a more informed decision. narrow your decision to a few potential candidates and then try doing internet searches for them to see if you can find reviews that people have written based on their experiences with that doctor. make sure they’re in your network if you have insurance as well. perhaps a good way to get over your distrust of doctors is to play a more active role in your health. ask questions so that you’re well informed of what your doctor is doing or why your doctor recommends something. remember it’s your health and you always have the right to refuse anything if you don’t feel comfortable or don’t fully understand the reasoning behind it. ask your doctor to allow you time to do more research before making any big decisions as well. don’t worry if you’re still not happy after visiting your doctor or your experience didn’t go well; you can always try to find another doctor that better meets your needs. i share y our concern! guidelines? try to find someone who will recommend one. older docs are best. pick a female next. doctors seem to be ignorant of the latest medical advances. when asked about a certain procedure that is less invasive they immediately want you to agree have the outdated procedure that they are familiar. they will not listen to your concerns. no answers to your question about the latest in office procedures that are equivalent. they have another patient waiting. one p. a twice suggested i medicate myself. re:-- a sore that would not heal. i used triple antibiotic with no results. he suggested that i should go home and try use bacitracin. . 3 days no improvement. finally i washed the area with dyna hex 4. sore healed and was gone in 2 days. at the followup i told him what i did to heal myself. his response was what ever works! another specialist wanted to remove my friends gall bladder even tho there were no stones seen only some shadows? gall bladder not needed. operation refused. do not expect much help at a walk in clinic. i went to one and waited 3 hours then i left an ent i went to for a sinus problem diagnosis sinus infection. after 3 days of dosing i had a reaction and went to the emergency room with chest pressure and low oxy levels. out in 2 days. medicare paid for everything! good luck p. s. even this site has no info on tmao testing or dmg use google them.

### Human:\nwhich is the most effective herbal remedy for weight loss? . i am suffering from obesity and feeling uncomfortable and also demoralized because of your extra pounds\n\n### Assistant: there is no convincing evidence that any herbal remedy will help people lose and maintain weight loss. here is the run down on the most promising ones. i highly recommend you spend some time figuring out why you carry excess weight and then focus on that. some people eat because they have dieted for years and feel deprived. others may eat because of stress or due to uncomfortable feelings. other simply eat very large portions and don't know when to stop which may be because they were raised to "clean their plates" and this habit continued. once you get a good handle on what is causing your weight you can then work on getting the help you need to deal with it. that might be seeing a therapist and registered dietitian (go to eatright. org to find one in your area). if you have significant health problems due to your weight you might even benefit from weight loss surgery or a medically supervised diet. for more tips on finding the right program for you see this article. most people can lose weight but it's keeping it off that is the hardest. if you work on the reasons you are overweight and not just the symptom of the weight itself you will be more likely to succeed. good luck! if you want to reduce your weight in herbal manner then honey will be the good solution for it. honey contains 22 amino acids and a variety of minerals essential for its metabolism and hence is helpful in preventing obesity. dissolve half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of boiling water. stir the mixture and cover for half an hour. filter away any big particles and add a teaspoon of honey. take it in the morning with an empty stomach about half an hour before breakfast. this is the best home remedy for weight loss. one of the most effective herbal remedy i know is the apple cider vinegar. it contains a certain fiber which is known as the pectin which helps in flushing away fats and toxins. dr schweiger - <link> green tea.

### Human:\nshould liver cancer patient consume significantly less water per doctor's instruction? why is this? . the male patient is very old age 98 and has liver cirrhosis with digestion issues. the doctors advised not to consume more than 1 liter liquid per day including all contents of liquid in the various forms of meals that are consumed. why is water is not good for liver with problems? dehydration and weakness due to loss of energy with reduced food intake and water consumption is questioned. water intake should help body to retain strength and energy. your response would be appreciated.\n\n### Assistant: often times with liver disease like cirrhosis edema or what is often referred to as ascites occurs which means fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity putting pressure on other organs including the kidneys. while the patient can still be dehydrated too much water can cause the fluid accumulation to worsen. sodium levels can also decrease and fluid is then restricted. if you are not interested in aggressive therapy at this point in his care talk to his doctor about other treatment options. good luck!

### Human:\ni am getting dizzy when i eat sugar and my legs also feel numb. . i am just under 5'7 and weigh 130 lbs. i am 18 and just came to college and i have had really bad allergies. i go to washington state university in pullman wa. i have also been sick the majority of the time i've been here. i have had multiple colds and had the flu once. i have been here since august and my eating habits have gotten worse but i haven't gained weight. i am starting to feel dizzy when i eat sugary foods and my legs sometimes feel numb. i also have to urinate frequently.\n\n### Assistant: i am not a doctor but wanted to respond to the nutritional aspects. some of the symptoms you list such as frequent urination are symtpoms of type 1 diabetes. i'm not saying you have it but it is worth being checked out. as for the dizzy feelings after sugar it's hard to say. i would aim to eat balanced meals with a protein healthy fat whole grains and fruits and vegetables. if you eat sugar do so after a balanced meal or snack. eating sugary foods on an empty stomach may contribute to the dizzy feelings. the best possible thing to do is get a physical that includes lab work to make sure everything is okay. in the meantime focus on taking care of yourself by eating well and getting sleep.

### Human:\ncan you get pregnant after gastric bypass surgery?\n\n### Assistant: assuming you were fertile before the surgery yes. in standard gastric bypass surgery the surgeon makes an incision in the belly and cuts out most of the stomach. a portion of the small intestine is also cut and reattached to the new small stomach. all this cutting takes place well away from the reproductive organs (ovaries fallopian tubes uterus and vagina). direct damage to these organs is extremely unlikely and infertility is not considered to be a risk of weight loss surgery. on the contrary experts suspect that fertility sometimes goes up after gastric bypass surgery. there’s no proof that gastric bypass surgery directly increases fertility but it’s known that weight loss in general improves fertility. women are usually counseled to avoid pregnancy for a year or more after gastric bypass surgery to achieve maximum weight loss. the delay also allows time to correct any nutritional deficiencies that occur after the surgery. women who get pregnant after gastric bypass surgery usually have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. their rates of pregnancy complications may be lower than severely obese women who have not had weight loss surgery. yes i've done it

### Human:\nhow long after drinking a margarita do you have to wait before taking a vicoden for muscle pain?\n\n### Assistant: the liver is responsible for metabolizing vicoden and alcohol. the liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per hour regardless of the amount that has been consumed. the rate of alcohol metabolism depends in part on the amount of metabolizing enzymes in the liver which varies among individuals and appears to have genetic determinants. in general after the consumption of one standard drink the amount of alcohol in a drinker's blood (blood alcohol concentration or bac) peaks within 30 to 45 minutes. (a standard drink is defined as 12 oz of beer 5 oz of wine or 1. 5 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits all of which contain the same amount of alcohol. ) alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed. since the metabolism of alcohol is slow consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and intoxication. everyone’s metabolism by the liver can vary depending on several different factors including age food consumption body weight gender and most importantly and most controllably drug-drug interactions. alcohol has a drug-drug interaction with acetaminophen (tylenol). many studies have shown that liver damage can occur with the combination of acetaminophen and alcohol.

### Human:\nhow do i treat a pulled calf muscle? . if it’s mild you should treat a pulled calf muscle by resting it and protecting it from re-injury.\n\n### Assistant: if it’s mild you should treat a pulled calf muscle by resting it and protecting it from re-injury. painful calf muscle strains deserve “price” therapy (see below) and complete calf muscle tears (which are rare) may need surgical repair. the vast majority of pulled calf muscles will heal completely within a few weeks without any treatment. pulled muscles are also called muscle strains. they occur when muscle fibers are stretched beyond their normal length. the injury creates tears in the muscle that are usually tiny (microtears). in the most severe calf muscle strains the entire muscle is torn causing significant swelling and pain. the calf muscle (also called the gastrocnemius) is a commonly injured muscle. a pulled calf muscle most often occurs after vigorous activity (running jumping climbing stairs) but can happen with normal activity in middle-aged and elderly people. pain possibly with some swelling or bruising is the main symptom of a calf muscle strain. immediately after a pulled calf muscle using “price” therapy may help speed healing: p for protect from re-injury r for rest i for immobilize with tape or an athletic bandage wrap c for compression (make that wrap tight but not so tight your leg goes numb) e for elevate (keeping your calf muscle above your heart may reduce swelling) price actually stands for prevention rest ice compression evaluate elevate*** i had the same thing happen to me. you need to go to a sports medicine doctor and get an x-ray of you ankle. it might sound crazy but there is a possibility that you broke your tibia in your ankle. when you break your tibia your calf hurts then your ankle starts to hurt. i had this happen and i went to my physician and they said it was a mild sprang so i walked around for a month with a broken ankle and i just found out three weeks ago and i am still in a cast.

### Human:\ni’ve been taking generic toprol xl 50 mg and i’m excreting the medication still intact. is something wrong?\n\n### Assistant: toprol xl is an extended-release blood pressure medication. it is not uncommon for medications that have the enteric coating or protective surroundings to be excreted in the stool. this does not mean that your body did not absorb the medication. the active ingredient has been absorbed while the coating has passed through your digestive tract. the coating is what protects the medication so that it will last longer in the body and act over a longer period of time. as long as your blood pressure is being controlled and there is no interference with your colon i’d advise you to continue the therapy.

### Human:\ni take trinsicon and have a problem with stomach upset. i’ve taken it with food and on an empty stomach. what can i do?\n\n### Assistant: trinsicon is a multivitamin used to help treat or prevent low levels of iron. it contains iron with b12 vitamin c folic acid and intrinsic factor. generally this medication is well tolerated especially when the directions are followed including taking this medication as directed by your physician. it may be taken with food or a meal if stomach upset occurs. take each dose with a full glass (8 oz or 240 ml) of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. swallow it whole. do not crush or chew. do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medication. it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage. the common side effects for this medication are constipation and stomach upset. this is largely due to the iron component and can be minimized by eating a meal when taking the tablet and by using a stool softener for extended complications with constipation. if all the instructions have been followed and the side effects become more intense you should consult your health care professional. you may also consider working with your pharmacist to find an alternative medication. there are several brand names for this vitamin that you could try to see if you experience lesser side effects. iron is also formulated as a slow-release product.

### Human:\nulcer what to do eat what not to do and eat? . i went to the doc 11 days ago she said it sounds like a ulcer! put me on prevacid for 10 days and it should heal well its been 11 and i still feel the stomach pain! i dont know what i should or should do eat or what not to eat and somthing that can help me heal this ulcer or ulcers asap i want my stomach back! im 21 and i reallt dont understand how i even got a ulcer to begin with\n\n### Assistant: it's important to adopt a balanced nutrient-rich diet to help the ulcer heal and keep your body healthy. small frequent meals (4-6 times) tend to be better tolerated than fewer (2-3 times) big meals. avoid or limit alcohol as it can make symptoms worse and delay healing of the ulcer. avoid caffeine-containing food and beverages (coffee tea and chocolate) as they can increased stomach acid making symptoms worse. watch for foods that may cause discomfort such as spicy or greasy foods while your ulcer is healing. for more on what to eat with an ulcer see this article. also contrary to popular belief avoid dairy products. although milk may coat your stomach it makes your stomach produce more acid to break down the enzymes in it. if yours has been only for about a month lucky you! i've had mine for almost 4 mos. and nothing is helping! i don't eat spicy food drink alcohol or do dairy and still can't figure out what to eat! it also depends on what kind of ulcer you have. if it's from bacteria try asking for antibiotics. they can do blood tests to find out. please see a upper gi specialist. like yourself my stomach was in so much pain with eating and drinking and anything over the counter would not work. i had out patient procedure today by the upper gi and the ulcers were confirmed. i am now being properly treated and am on my way to feeling better. rai starr on fb or rai. starr1 on skype feel better soon blessings! i would suggest you to eat banana honey cabbage juice as these are the natural remedies to cure stomach ulcer. but i think you should visit a good gastrology consultant first. <link> i would suggest you to eat banana honey cabbage juice as these are the natural remedies to cure stomach ulcer.

### Human:\nwhat is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (icd)?\n\n### Assistant: an icd is a sophisticated device used primarily to treat ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation two life-threatening heart rhythms. the icd constantly monitors the heart rhythm. when it detects a very fast abnormal heart rhythm it delivers energy to the heart muscle to cause the heart to beat in a normal rhythm again. there are several ways the icd can be used to restore normal heart rhythm. they include: anti-tachycardia pacing (atp). when the heart beats too fast a series of small electrical impulses may be delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm. cardioversion. a low energy shock may be delivered at the same time as the heart beats to restore normal heart rhythm. defibrillation. when the heart is beating dangerously fast or irregularly a higher energy shock may be delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal rhythm. anti-bradycardia pacing. many icds provide back-up pacing to maintain heart rhythm if it slows too much.

### Human:\nis it wise to use a nebulizer for nasal congestion?\n\n### Assistant: nebulizers are used to deliver vapors to the lungs. nebulizers are also used to help deliver asthmatic medications to the lungs for infants and other patients that have a difficult time using inhalers with spacers. the medications used are not for nasal congestion but for asthma. nasal congestion medications should not be poured into the nebulizers without supervision or recommendation form you health- care provider. check with your health-care providers prior to doing so.

### Human:\nhow can i gain weight?\n\n### Assistant: eat more! that’s what nearly all weight gain strategies come down to although it’s not always quite that simple. people with certain health conditions are at risk for poor nutrition: celiac disease inflammatory bowel disease cystic fibrosis cancer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) infection many others. people who are losing weight with these conditions should ask their doctor for a referral to a nutritionist. a low appetite is often part of the illness and eating higher-calorie foods is advised. some of these illnesses can also cause poor absorption of nutrients and testing and treatment can address this. in any medical condition if muscle mass has been lost it’s important to include protein in the diet to help rebuild muscles. healthy young men and teenage boys often want to gain weight usually in the form of muscle. their challenge is usually eating enough to keep up with the calories they’re burning in their active lifestyles. to gain weight by building muscle it’s necessary to eat a lot of protein. weight-training athletes may require 75 to 100 grams of protein or more daily. healthy lean protein sources include chicken eggs fish and beans. whey protein supplements can be mixed in with drinks soups or sauces. soy protein supplements are not advised except in small amounts because some of the soy may be converted to estrogen in the body. it’s best to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before starting a high protein diet if you have any health conditions especially liver or kidney disease. gaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight for some people. an essential component of weight gain is eating enough calories each day. a registered dietitian will be able to calculate and estimate your calorie needs using the harris-benedict equation or there are also websites available to help you do this on your own. in order to gain weight theoretically you need to eat more calories than what would normally be necessary for you to maintain your current weight. keep in mind it’s still important to eat healthy and make the right food choices. don’t use this as an excuse to eat whatever you want because you’ll end up gaining fat that way. you’ll need to exercise too especially by incorporating strength-building exercise which will help to build muscle mass to add to your weight. the surgeon general recommends at least two days per week of strength training exercising each major muscle group. of course the more exercise that you do the greater the benefits you should notice. keep in mind however that you do need rest to allow your muscles to recover. make sure that you’re getting enough protein in your diet as well. only protein has the essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and development. a registered dietitian can also help you to determine your protein requirements. ask your doctor before taking protein supplements or beginning a high protein diet. i’ve recommended a good article for more information: <link>

### Human:\ni am having trouble swallowing my food. it feels like i the food wont go down. i have very little teeth. i want to eat but every time i do the food won't go down and i end up having to throw it up.\n\n### Assistant: you need to see your doctor right away if you are having trouble swallowing your food. there can be many possible causes for trouble swallowing. some can be very serious. here are a few of the things that can cause difficulty swallowing: • the esophagus (the tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach) may be partially blocked by a tumor or web. it may also be narrow due to severe reflux. • a swelling in a surrounding area such as the thyroid or lymph node may be pressing in on the esophagus. • there could be a problem with the nerves or muscles that are involved in swallowing • poor teeth can be preventing food from being properly chewed • diseases such as diabetes or scleroderma may prevent the esophagus from moving the food along webmd has a very good article on difficulty swallowing that can give you some more information. but do call your doctor now and make an appointment to have this checked out.

### Human:\nhow to get rid of remaining stomach belly after loose weight. so i've been fat for as long as i remember but about a year ago i lost a lot of weight after which i started working out everything is going fine but there still remains one problem - my stomach belly. so i'm a little bit confused now. the rest of my body is looking for some weight gain while my stomach is still there and if i try to gain my weight my stomach will get even bigger while if i start a diet to loose my weight my muscles won't have a chance to develope. any ideas what to do?\n\n### Assistant: there are a few things to consider. first is it possible that your belly is big from excess skin? if so maybe a visit to your doctor on options will help. there is no way to spot reduce or gain. but getting more fiber in your diet may help decrease belly fat as can getting enough sleep. this article has some additional tips too. maybe if you are now at a good healthy place you could not try to gain or lose and just keep your body in good shape and eat a healthy diet. a dietitian can help you with your individualized needs. you can find one in your area by going to eatright. org. good luck!

### Human:\nwhat are some common sources of vitamin d?\n\n### Assistant: vitamin d is made when uv-b rays strike the skin. one general recommendation has been to have 20 minutes of sun exposure to [the] face arms legs or back twice a week during the most intense times for sun exposure (10:00 a. m. through 3:00 p. m. ). alas the amount of vitamin d that can be obtained this way can be limited by several factors. if one has dark skin uses an eight or greater spf sunscreen wears occlusive clothing or gets sun exposure only through window glass -- the amount of vitamin d is greatly decreased. if one lives above the 42nd parallel the months of november through february do not produce sufficient vitamin d even when the sun is not hidden by clouds. cloud cover shade and air pollution will further reduce the amount of uv-b. many of us prefer to get vitamins naturally from whole foods as opposed to supplements. some of the highest sources of vitamin d are listed below: cod liver oil one tablespoon = 1 360 iu. cooked salmon 3. 5 ounces = 400 iu. sardines in oil drained 1. 75 ounces = 250 iu. tuna in oil drained 3 ounces = 200 iu. vitamin d fortified orange juice 1 cup = 142 iu. vitamin d fortified milk 1 cup = 98 iu. vitamin d fortified yogurts 6 ounces = 80 iu. egg yolk one = 20 iu. for comparison the usual amount of vitamin d in a multivitamin pill is 400 iu (international units).

### Human:\nwhy could my healthy athletic 17 yr. old grandson have lost almost 10 pounds in a month? . his appetite has decreased. he used to be hungry about every two hours after eating like a normal teenager - a lot! he's playing varsity football and has been experiencing what appears to be acid reflux.\n\n### Assistant: in some cases active teenagers are so busy and stressed that they don't get adequate nutrition and calories. it sounds like your grandson's appetite is down and reflux is suspected. it's best to get him to a doctor so he can find out if it's acid reflux another gastro-intestinal issue or something else. for now small frequent (wholesome) meals that aren't fried greasy or spicy and are free of caffeine may improve tolerance and appetite. for more on symptoms of acid reflux see this webmd article <link>

### Human:\nhow do i choose a calcium supplement?\n\n### Assistant: if you don't get enough calcium from foods you may need to take a calcium supplement. many people ask which calcium supplement they should take. the best supplement is the one that meets your individual needs. calcium supplements are available without a prescription in a variety of types such as tablets capsules chewables and liquids. they are also available in different amounts and doses. the body easily absorbs most brand name calcium products. calcium supplements need to dissolve in the stomach for calcium to absorb. chewable and liquid supplements dissolve well because they break down before entering the stomach. calcium whether from diet or supplements is best absorbed when taken in amounts of 500 — 600 mg or less. taking your calcium all at once however is better than not taking it at all. try to get your calcium-rich foods and/or supplements in smaller amounts throughout the day preferably with a meal. most calcium supplements should be taken with food. eating food produces stomach acid that helps your body absorb calcium. calcium citrate supplements on the other hand absorb well when taken with or without food. side effects such as gas or constipation may occur from calcium supplements. if increasing fluids and fiber in your diet does not solve the problem try another type or brand of calcium. it is important to drink plenty of water (six 8 oz glasses) throughout the day when you are taking calcium supplements. it may require trial and error but fortunately there are many choices. when you take a new calcium supplement start with smaller amounts. for example start with 200-300 mg of calcium a day for a week and drink an extra 6-8 ounces of water with it. then gradually add more calcium each week. look carefully at calcium supplement labels for the serving size. often the amount of calcium shown on the label is the amount you receive in more than 1 tablet or unit. for example the label may show "calcium 630 mg " but if you look at serving size it may show "2 tablets". choose a calcium supplement with vitamin d added to help you reach the daily intake of vitamin d recommended by your healthcare professional. and finally unless otherwise advised by your health care professional avoid consuming more than 2 500 mg of calcium (food plus supplements) per day. if you are an active woman over 50 reconsider your decision to take a calcium supplement. recent research has shown that supplemental calcium does nothing to prevent fractures in active post-menopausal women and it is associated with increased risk of kidney stones and heart attacks. google to read the studies.

### Human:\nwhat is uric acid?\n\n### Assistant: uric acid is a chemical breakdown product of metabolism. the liver produces uric acid by breaking down other chemicals called purines. uric acid is normally found in the blood in low concentrations. some people are prone to high uric acid levels which can sometimes lead to gout kidney stones or kidney damage. people with gout nearly always have high blood levels of uric acid although their levels may sometimes drop down to the normal range. due to the high uric acid concentration and other factors experts don’t understand uric acid crystals can form inside joints. during gout attacks uric acid crystal deposits cause joints to become inflamed swollen red and painful. exercise reduced red meat and alcohol intake and medications can help keep uric acid levels in the normal range.

### Human:\ncan you get sick to your stomach when you are stressed or having a panic attack?\n\n### Assistant: absolutely people do get sick to their stomach when they are stressed and have a panic attack. it's a pretty common occurrence so don't feel you're alone or that you are in some way weak. what do you do to handle your stress on a daily or weekly basis? i would recommend that there are several self-help things that you can begin to do for yourself. the first of these in addition to exercise would be to ensure that you were eating a balanced diet get sufficient sleep get out with friends and socialize on some semi-regular basis get involved in activities you enjoy that are not stressful and used relaxation breathing on a daily basis. one thing you should also consider is having a medical checkup just to ensure there are no physical problems.

### Human:\nwhat are liver lesions?\n\n### Assistant: “lesion” is a general word for a tissue abnormality. liver lesion is a term doctors use for abnormal areas noted on an imaging test of the liver. most often liver lesions are seen on an ultrasound computed tomogram (ct) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (mri) scan. the term “liver lesion” is a general term. liver lesions could be anything from harmless cysts in the liver to areas of cancer spreading from the colon or breast. the appearance of the lesions on imaging as well as other diagnoses and test results can often help explain the cause of liver lesions. when the nature of liver lesions is unclear and a diagnosis such as cancer is possible a biopsy is often needed to determine their cause. i recently had to have a chest x-ray looking for lung lesions which i was told were mostly malignant. the test was ordered due to the sodium levels in my blood and urine were different and also because i am a long term smoker and have chronic bronchitis. that was all i was told. i am curious as to what type of lesions these could be and how bad it is.

### Human:\nwhen you can't digest food. my daughter is 38 and when she eats the food just sits in her stomach and rots making her sick. she can't hardly eat anything yet her weight still climbs. she had her gallbladder removed several years ago and has had this problem ever since. dr. put her on reglin (she is off that now) but all it did was make her feel like she had chronic fatigue syndrome. help.\n\n### Assistant: i'm sorry your daughter is having a hard time. i think it's best for her to get checked out by a gastroenterologist to rule out any underlying problems. you can also have her see a registered dietitian to check for food intolerances and diet concerns related to gallbladder removal. here are some other things that might help: eat smaller more frequent meals. avoid high fat foods such as high fat meats full-fat dairy and fried foods. keep portions of fat (oil butter nuts/seeds) small at meals. get adequate fiber through fruits vegetables and whole grains. if fiber intake has been low gradually increase it. watch for individual items that are hard to digest such as dairy products and beverages like caffeine. have your daughter keep a journal to note which foods bother her (and in what quantities) and if possible troubleshoot with a dietitian. good luck! speaking to a medical practitioner has to be the best thing that you have to advise your daughter. do an action now before it is too late. it is just like the same quick action that you have to do in dealing with unwanted fats. you can also check out www. bodytreatmentcenter. com for a fat removal in nyc.

### Human:\ncan i breastfeed while taking trileptal?\n\n### Assistant: your question is an important one for women with epilepsy who wish to have a family. there is little scientific information on this subject and most of what we know if based on clinical experience of doctors taking care of women with epilepsy. the bottom line is that most physicians with expertise in managing epilepsy encourage their patients to breastfeed even if they are taking anti-seizure medicine. the baby has developed for nine months in the presence of the anti-seizure medicine and as such for the baby to continue to be exposed to it after delivery usually does not create problems. i am unaware of any [known] descriptions of problems with breastfeeding while on trileptal (oxcarbazepine). if blood levels are done in mom and her baby while breastfeeding the baby's level will be around half of the mother's. so the baby is definitely getting some of the drug but it usually does not create problems as best we tell. so if breastfeeding is important to you (as it is for most women) most experts in the field would encourage you to breastfeed.

### Human:\nwhy does coffee give me such an energy boost?\n\n### Assistant: as you're drinking your morning cup of joe you're probably just waiting for that wonderful rush of energy and alertness you've come to know and enjoy. within 15 minutes of gulping your caffeine your adrenalin rises increasing your heart and breathing rates your stomach starts to produce more acids and your urinary output rises (as anyone with a small bladder knows! ). but i bet you didn't know that caffeine tweeks your adrenal glands to produce more cortisol (stress hormone) which then stimulates the release of the liver's stored sugars. any endurance athlete knows this and uses it to their advantage. you drink your caffeine and then use the newly circulating sugar fuel to power through another workout. but what if you're sitting at your desk sipping your coffee with nowhere to go? then you might have problems because when the sugar levels rise with caffeine so do insulin levels which when they finally plummet after handling the circulating sugar leave a rip roaring appetite for more sugar in their wake. for runners and bikers this makes sense since you've just burned a zillion calories and need to replenish the sugar stores. not so for someone in an office cubicle with nowhere to go. here are some suggestions. to kill carb cravings associated with caffeine ingestion make certain to eat a combo of protein and fiber. how about peanut or almond butter on a multigrain cracker? or have that caffeine with a yogurt and blueberries or eggs and veggies. you get the point. when you're downing lots of coffee with nothing in your stomach you're more likely to reach for sugary foods so watch out. or you can just drink beverages with less caffeine in them: 6 ounces brewed coffee 105 mg caffeine; 6 ounces instant coffee 55 mg; 12 ounces colas 35-45 mg; 6 ounces tea 35 mg. now remember when you go to one of your fancy schmancy coffee houses you'll often be purchasing at least 8 ounces of coffee and closer to 12 ounces so you're really consuming over 200 mg of caffeine. all the more reason to be cautious if you just happen to be one of those people who is affected by the sugar rush.

### Human:\ni take diltzac evista and nexium. i also take a multivitamin and supplements. do these interact with gemfibrozil?\n\n### Assistant: the medications that you are taking do not interact with gemfibrozil. however if you are looking for a better schedule for taking your medications preventing any drug interactions i would separate out the nexium from the group. nexium can decrease the absorption of some vitamins and minerals more specifically the calcium. calcium is better absorbed in an acidic environment. take the nexium in the morning on an empty stomach by itself. later with breakfast take the multivitamin calcium vitamin d fish oil biotin and coq10 (at least 60 minutes later). diltzac and evista should be taken per frequency prescribed by your physician and may be taken with or without food.

### Human:\nhow can i prevent salmonella in my kitchen -- and my life?\n\n### Assistant: eggs have been making the news lately with three major nationwide recalls due to potential contamination with the bacteria salmonella. the recalls involve eggs from wright county and hillandale farms in iowa. but what’s the big cluck about it? well if you handle these eggs or eat them partially cooked (a. k. a. poached or soft boiled) you can potentially get pretty sick. salmonella (specifically salmonella enteriditis) is the most common form of bacterial food poisoning. within 12 hours to 3 days after an exposure people develop nasty diarrhea vomiting fever and stomach cramps. unlike the watery diarrhea one typically sees with a stomach virus salmonella usually causes diarrhea mixed with mucus and/or blood. and this lovely infection lasts up to a week. ugh. the good news is that most people fully recover without needing any special treatment or medication. some unlucky people can get dehydrated and end up being hospitalized. and a few very unlucky people can be seriously ill from this infection. that includes young infants people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. besides this iowa egg issue there are other ways to get this bug. so how do you avoid getting salmonella and other forms of food poisoning? 1. make sure to thoroughly wash countertops sinks and cutting boards with soap and water when preparing foods with eggs raw meat or poultry. 2. only prepare fully cooked eggs. 3. make sure hamburger/ground beef is cooked completely until it is brown. yes pink makes a juicier burger but it also makes a germ-filled one. 4. use pasteurized eggs in recipes that call for raw eggs (like caesar salad dressing). 5. keep eggs meat and poultry properly refrigerated. 6. keep all baby bottles pacifiers and breast pump supplies away from food preparation areas. 7. keep pet iguanas or turtles out of the kitchen counter area. (you think i am joking… i had a patient get salmonella this way). make sure to wash hands thoroughly after handling. 8. buy only pasteurized apple cider and other juice products. 9. wash hands thoroughly after visiting a petting zoo. take home tip: if you or a family develops diarrhea that is bloody or mucousy it’s time to call your doctor.

### Human:\nmy 6mth old weighs only 12. 8 lbs and has had diarrhea for 3 weeks what tests could be done to help determine the cause. after the first week i took her to the doctor and they diagnosed her with ear infections. she started augmentin a week later i took her back because she was still having diarrhea and loss of apetite and fevers ranging from 99. 0 - 102. 7 rectally. her wbc was 9. 5 and they said it was probably a virus. now another week has passed and she isn't better. no fevers that i have noticed but she is having watery bowel movements about 6 times a day and is only eating about 16 oz of formula a day.\n\n### Assistant: first off you want to check for signs of dehydration including fewer wet diapers less play sunken eyes sunken fontanelle (soft spot on baby's head) loss of skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. the fact that your baby isn't eating enough for adequate growth is another consideration. six months is also the time to start solids which is important for development and nutrition. this webmd article discusses various causes of diarrhea in babies. i would contact your doctor to find out if he or she wants you to come back in or get referred to a gastroenterologist. i think your gut is saying something isn't right -- and that is very important in my book. there may be a chance that your baby is intolerant to lactose. i would take her to the doctor and demand action. for the moment you could feed your baby cooled boiled water to ensure that she is receiving enough fluid the body can cope better without food than it can without fluid. i hope you find this useful and i hope your baby feels better soon.

### Human:\nwhat can i do to get rid of the stretch marks on my stomach?\n\n### Assistant: stretch marks are almost impossible to make disappear. certain lasers such as fractionated technology may help even out some of the textural irregularity. applying topical retinoids may also help.

### Human:\nwill multi vitamin help with celiac disease? . my husband has been on a gluten free diet for celiac disease less than a week. i want to start him on a multivitamin but it will not work until the small intestine is healed enough to absorb the vitamins. question: how long after starting gluten free diet will the small intestine start to absorb nutrients?\n\n### Assistant: there is no reason to wait to introduce a multivitamin as symptoms of celiac disease usually improve in a few days to weeks and this means absorption of nutrients increases as well. it will take longer for the intestines to completely heal and studies shows this varies from individual to individual (can take 2-5 years in adults and some may not experience full regeneration of the intestinal villi). it's also beneficial to get lab work done to see if there any specific nutrient deficiencies such as iron folic acid and vitamin d. in some cases additional supplementation will be needed. always consult your doctor. for more on diet and supplements for celiac disease see this webmd article.

### Human:\ni take zonisamide lyrica entocort ec maxalt and atenolol and now celexa. are there any known drug interactions?\n\n### Assistant: zonisamide lyrica and celexa have a similar side effect of increased dizziness and drowsiness. combining all three of these medications can increase the intensity of their side effects. driving and doing activities that require cognitive function may be more difficult than usual. the side effects may subside with time. maxalt is a triptan medication for symptomatic relief of the migraine. celexa works on serotonin receptors just as maxalt can. the increased combination of both these products may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition. symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability altered consciousness confusion hallucinations and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia hyperthermia diaphoresis shivering blood pressure lability and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia myoclonus tremor rigidity and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping nausea vomiting and diarrhea. because of these side effects i would monitor how frequently the migraines occur and how often you are taking the maxalt. if you are taking the maxalt more than twice a week then you may need to start taking a preventative medication. monitor all your side effects if you have any and make sure to partner with your pharmacist or health care professional regarding any concerns or discomfort.

### Human:\nwhen a prescription says "take with meals " is that during the meal or after the meal?\n\n### Assistant: just before a meal or just after a meal is the key. food must be in the stomach. twenty to 30 minutes after a meal food may no longer be present in the stomach. if there is no food in the stomach when these medicines are ingested you may experience issues with absorption or other side effects.

### Human:\nwhat are the side effects of estroven?\n\n### Assistant: estroven contains many vitamins such as vitamin e thiamin riboflavin niacin vitamin b12 and folate. in addition it contains calcium selenium boron isoflavones from soybeans and black cohosh. the black cohosh is thought to be the ingredient responsible for decreasing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. it is ranked by the natural medicines comprehensive database as “possibly effective. ” the u. s. food and drug administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. therefore this ranking is based on the little studies and information that we have available about this herbal. it is important to check and make sure there are no other interactions with additional medications that you may be taking and that it may not work for everyone. the most common side effect for black cohosh is gastrointestinal upset with additional less common side effects of rash headache dizziness weight gain feeling of heaviness in the legs cramping breast tenderness and vaginal spotting or bleeding. remember black cohosh is not the only component to estroven. therefore there may be other side effects that can occur based on the other ingredients. however the black cohosh side effects are the most common. work with your ob-gyn and your pharmacist to look at other options that maybe more individualized for you.

### Human:\nwhat foods are good for liver health and to keep ast and alt in normal range?\n\n### Assistant: some of that depends on the cause of the elevated enzymes. but in general for liver health maintaining a healthy weight helps. some research shows liver enzymes may go up slightly after weight loss but it's usually transient. focus on eating a healthy balanced diet. studies show a mediterranean diet may be best ( see this article for specifics). such a diet is rich in fruits and veggies beans whole grains nuts seafood healthy fats like olive oil and includes small amounts of meat and dairy. sugar refined carbs (white bread cake cookies) fried foods and alcohhol should be limited. and last but not least work in regular exercise. it will not only help your liver it will boost your energy.

### Human:\nmy mother is 91 and has started to have severe pain in her lower ribs on her right side. she will not go to the doctor. she's using bengay patches and t. ramadol. she has not fallen or injured herself in any way. the only thing i can think of is rib separation when she turned in her sleep.\n\n### Assistant: there can be many reasons. do not try and diagnose your elderly stubborn mother. try and convince her to be properly examined and diagnosed. there are many other things in this area: kidney ureter liver gallbladder intestines etc. it would be wrong to assume a rib separation.

### Human:\nhow long does xanax stay in your system?\n\n### Assistant: alprazolam (xanax) is an anxiety-relieving medicine that starts to work within about an hour after taking the pill. the level of drug reaches a peak in the bloodstream after one to two hours and its felt effects last on average about 5 hours. however xanax remains in the bloodstream long after its anti-anxiety effects have worn off. xanax’s average half-life is 11 hours. this means that it takes an average of 11 hours for the body to eliminate half the xanax dose. in older or obese people or those with liver disease xanax’s half-life is longer as long as 40 hours. it takes several half-lives to eliminate a drug completely. so for most people there may still be a small fraction of xanax in your blood two days or more after taking a single pill. people who take xanax on a regular basis maintain a higher drug level in the bloodstream and it could take several weeks to eliminate all the xanax from the body. xanax is excreted from the blood into the urine and is detectable in drug tests. different drug tests have different sensitivities and may or may not detect a low level of xanax in the urine. how long does xanax stay in your system? i know everyone is different but this is my story. i don't take xanax but i took 1 mg a day for 7 days straight and than stopped completely my system was totally clean before i started taking them. my job does test so i had purchased some drug screen urine test cards for benzos just to see how long it would take before it got out of my system. i figured probably 72 hours well it actually took 8 days for my tests to start reading a negative result. thank god i wasn't tested at work. now my system is totally clean. i am 30 male 6'0" and weigh 190 lbs. so if you take them you better give yourself a good bit of time for it to clear your system it is depend on many things like body weight/height/fat level: genetic problem: liver functionality metabolic rate age here is best guide on how long does xanax stay in your system urine and blood you can read all about that. thanks i took 2 mgs 3times a day for years and it was out of my system at the end of the 4th day

### Human:\nhow does naturaly produce cholesterol of the body differ from cholesterol in dietary foods?\n\n### Assistant: cholesterol in the body is a waxy like substance that travels through blood and provides many important functions like making hormones. no one needs to ingest cholesterol because the body makes it especially the liver. the process of making "bad cholesterol" (ldl) increases when someone eats too much saturated and trans fat and not enough fruits vegetables and soluble fiber. the good cholesterol (hdl) is beneficial for health because it helps clear the bad cholesterol out and is related to exercise and the consumption of healthy fats (nuts vegetable oils etc) intake. there is also a genetic link to cholesterol levels meaning people with a family history of high cholesterol may be at higher risk. cholesterol is also found in foods of animal origin such as meat poultry and full fat dairy but isn't linked to high cholesterol as much as saturated and trans fats are. that being said the american heart association says too much cholesterol in the diet can lead to increased plaque in the arteries. for more info see the basics of cholesterol

### Human:\nwhy do i bloat up after dinner? we don't overeat and we eat a good diet but my wife and i bloat up hours every evening. this starts around thirty minutes after dinner and lasts up to a couple of hours. doesn't seem to matter what we eat. we usually take our multivitamin and fish oil tablets and then eat. we have tried cutting back but it still happens and has been going on for months possibly a year.\n\n### Assistant: there could be a few different reasons why you bloat. here are some ideas: too much sodium can cause water retention that makes you feel bloated. check the sodium of the meals you are consuming. eating quickly (and too much) can also cause abdominal distention. fat or rich foods that take longer to digest can increase bloating. it could be due to a lack of healthy bacteria in your gastro-intestinal tracts. try adding fermented foods like yogurt and kefir or even a probiotic to see if it helps. there are certain foods that may be making you feel bloated. see this webmd article for more of the details. if the bloating causes you problems and isn't helped by any dietary changes you should see your healthcare provider to rule out any medical causes. best of luck to you!

### Human:\ndoes protonix cause weight gain?\n\n### Assistant: it depends on if you have lost weight due to an ulcer or other severe stomach issues. the medication itself does not cause you to gain weight but it will help in the digestion of food so it can be digested without causing stomach pain or reflux.

### Human:\nwhat fruit are okay for inflammed stomach. my stomach is inflamed and i like to know if any what fruit are okay to eat? i should be on a bland diet.\n\n### Assistant: you want to stay away from fruits more likely to irritate your stomach such as those with tough skins or seeds. check with your doctor to see how long you diet needs to be limited. these fruits may be better tolerated:: bananas soft cantaloupe honeydew fruits that are canned or cooked without seeds and skin -- applesauce fruit cocktail or canned pears avocado

### Human:\nmy stomach always growls turns and feels bloated after i eat. i also have a lot of flatulence. what could be wrong? . i am not sure what is wrong with me. my stomach growls loudly and obnoxiously after i eat and it is very embarrassing not to mention the fact its very uncomfortable almost painful. i also have excessive flatulence in addition to this. i want to know what is wrong and i am tired of sitting in class with this issue it has been going on for at least 6 months now. i don't eat fast and i am definently not hungry and i have tried eating more frequent it doesn't help.\n\n### Assistant: there are a number of things that could be contributing to your gas symptoms. the growling stomach you mention is actually your intestines contracting from the movement of air through the intestines. here are some potential causes of your gas: taking in air through drinking with straws carbonated beverages chewing gum smoking and eating hard candies. eating too many gas-producing vegetables such as cauliflower broccoli cabbage brussels sprouts onions artichokes beans and asparagus. certain fruits like apples pears and peaches may cause problems. the inability to digest certain foods like lactose in milk. not enough beneficial bacteria in your gastro-intestinal system. this webmd article provides more details on potential causes of gas. you may want to see a registered dietitian and/or write down what you eat to spot problem foods. and if you continue to have pain or discomfort a doctor visit makes sense. i agree with all the information provided by maryann. other than that eating spicy and dry foods may cause bloating and flatulence. sip some hot water after your eating is over. add some curds/yogurt with sugar to your diet. this will help you a lot. i have a similar issue and it has lasted about two months. i feel full/bloated and really have not been eating much. i have been burping a ton. i thought i might be pregnant becuase i am a little nauseous too. my sister thought my burping was funny until it happened to her. she has been reading about hormone levels and found that melatonin is a hormone in your body and changes all the time like insulin levels. in the winter with lack of sunlight melatonin levels can be high and stay in the gut. her book said this creates high acid levels in the stomach and thus you will have more gas. we are trying full spectrum light therpy to get our circdian rhythm back to normal and maybe surpress day time melatonin from producing. do you still have symptoms?

### Human:\nwill taking antibiotics with milk keep your stomach from hurting?\n\n### Assistant: every antibiotic has different absorption characteristics. some antibiotics work better with or without food. some are better with a fatty substance such as milk. however some may have a drug interaction with the calcium contained in dairy products. in this case milk should not be drunk with the medication and the consumption of the two should be separated out by about two hours. the best liquid to take medication with is water. it is important to check with your local pharmacist at the time of picking up the antibiotic or any medication to see if there are any food restrictions with your prescriptions.

### Human:\nwhat does ph balance mean?\n\n### Assistant: ph is a measure of how acidic a water-based solution is. since our bodies are mostly water ph can be used to describe how much acid is in the fluids in our bodies. water has a ph of 7. 0. phs lower than 7 are acidic; phs above 7 are basic or alkaline. our bodies maintain our blood at a ph of about 7. 4. the kidneys tightly regulate this ph balance by continuously filtering the acids and bases in the blood. the kidneys excrete just the right amount of acid or base in the urine to keep the system in ph balance. certain other body fluids are highly acidic (like stomach acid) or basic (enzyme-rich fluids in the pancreas). these fluids are kept tightly walled off from the blood and body tissues where they could cause damage if released inappropriately.