Top of the conditions categories.
Abdominal & Urinary Conditions The liver is probably the most versatile organ you’ve got. It performs many tasks, including: * Producing bile (a substance that aids digestion of fats). * Producing blood proteins. * Helping blood clot. * Metabolizing cholesterol. * Maintaining normal blood sugar levels. * Forming and storing glycogen (the body’s short-term energy […]
Cirrhosis: Be Kind To Your Liver Read More »
Brain & Nervous System Exam to Assess Mental Status A number of tests can assess mental status. A common one used is called “Mini-Mental State Examination.” It was written by M.S. Folstein, S.E. Folstein, and P.R. McHugh. Adapted from this examination are the questions that follow. They were taken from “Working With Your Older Patient:
Cognitive Function Read More »
Skin Conditions Signs & Symptoms * Fingers or toes turn pale white or blue, then red, in response to cold temperatures. * Pain when the fingers or toes turn white. * Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Causes Often the cause is unknown and not serious. Cold hands and feet can be a
Dental & Mouth Concerns Cold sores appear on or near the lips. They are painful and unpleasant. Nearly 1 in 3 people will have them. Cold sores are also called fever blisters. Signs & Symptoms * Tingling feeling on or near the lips for 36 to 48 hours before the sore appears * Itching at
Abdominal & Urinary Conditions The colon and rectum form the large bowel. The colon is the upper 5 to 6 feet. The rectum is the last 6 to 8 inches. When abnormal cells grow in the colon, a cancerous tumor may form. Colon tumors grow slowly. They may get big and block the bowel. Signs
Colon & Rectal Cancers Read More »
Abdominal & Urinary Conditions Constipation is having trouble passing stool or having hard stools. “Regularity” does not mean that you have a bowel movement every day. Normal bowel habits range from 3 movements a day to 3 each week. What is more important is what is normal for you. Signs & Symptoms * A hard
Skin Conditions Corns and calluses are extra cells made in a skin area that gets repeated rubbing or squeezing. Signs & Symptoms * Corns are areas of dead skin on the tops or sides of the joints or on the skin between the toes. * Calluses are patches of dead skin usually found on the
First Aid Signs & Symptoms First-degree burns affect only the outer skin layer. The skin area appears dry, red, and mildly swollen. First-degree burns are painful and sensitive to touch. They should feel better in 1 to 2 days. They heal in about a week. Second-degree burns affect the skin’s outer and lower layers. The
Dental & Mouth Concerns See a doctor or dentist if you have any of these signs for 2 weeks or longer: * A sore in the mouth that does not heal * A lump or thickening in the cheek * A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth *
Cancer Of The Mouth Area Warning Signs Read More »
Dental & Mouth Concerns Canker sores are small, round mouth sores in the lining of the mouth or on the tongue, gums, or lips. You can have one canker sore or a group of them. Signs & Symptoms * A burning or tingling feeling before the sore appears * Red-rimmed, shallow sores in the mouth
