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What is straightening of the thoracic spine?

Conditions that cause abnormal curvature of the thoracic vertebrae include poor posture, Scheuermann's kyphosis, diseases that paralyze, such as polio and muscular dystrophy, spinal injuries and osteoporosis, states DePuy Synthes Spine. Surgery involves using metal screws, plates or rods to straighten the spine and fuse the vertebrae together. Before considering surgery, doctors may recommend treatments like physical therapy, back braces, medications and exercise.

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Why is potassium important?

Potassium is found in most foods but is plentiful in bananas, avocados and citrus juices. Low potassium levels are linked to high blood pressure. Increasing potassium intake may lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke risks. Normal potassium levels, which depend on how much sodium and magnesium are in the blood, are 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter. Having more or less can be harmful. Hyperkalemia, which is too much potassium in the blood, is typically caused by kidney disease. Other causes include Addison’s disease and Type 1 diabetes. Hypokalemia, a condition in wh..

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What foods make a good diet for candida sufferers?

A number of herbs and spices are also beneficial to sufferers of candida, as some herbs have antibacterial qualities which can keep the candida at bay, and inherent anti-inflammatory qualities in some herbs can also help. Basil, dill, cloves, thyme and tumeric are all effective at combating candida whilst also being good for the body in general.Some nuts and seeds can also contribute to a healthy diet while helping to limit and prevent candida symptoms. Some nuts and seeds that have a low mold count are sunflower seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pecans. Flax and sunflower seeds are also recommend..

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What are some helpful tips for falling asleep fast?

Symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep and daytime sleepiness are indicators of a poor sleep routine and a need to revise one's sleeping habits, says the National Sleep Foundation. People who have difficulty falling asleep may need fewer hours of sleep while those who suffer from daytime sleepiness may need more sleep at night. It is important to avoid napping during the day, as it is disruptive to the body's sleep cycle and can prolong sleep problems rather than solve them. To prepare for a good night's sleep, people should give themselves time to unwind and let go of stres..

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What causes morning dizziness?

Hypoglycemia has a variety of causes, including diabetes treatment, medications, alcohol abuse and medical conditions, explains Healthline. Low blood sugar levels often occur when diabetes patients inject too much insulin and do not eat enough food to compensate for it. Hypoglycemia often triggers sudden symptoms, such as blurry vision, unexplained fatigue, hunger and sweating.\nCauses of low blood pressure, called hypotension, include dehydration, previous heart attacks and infections of the blood stream, as stated by Healthline. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when a person transitions from s..

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How do you prevent heart disease?

The American Heart Association's recommendation for exercise includes at least 150 minutes of moderate and 75 minutes of vigorous activity plus two days of strength training each week. Those who are age 60 or above should have an ankle-brachial index test to diagnose peripheral artery disease no less than every two years. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that a person maintain a body mass index of less than 30 or, ideally, less than 25. Anything above 30 is considered obese, and anything from 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Additionally, the CDC says that nearly 35,000 non-..

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What are the effects of excessive drinking?

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol may lower the red blood cell count, notes WebMD. This is problematic because red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. The resulting condition is anemia, which includes symptoms such as lightheadedness, shortness of breath and fatigue.\nThe body converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is known to be a strong carcinogen, states WebMD. For this reason, chronic alcohol consumption may lead to cancer in the throat, larynx, mouth or esophagus. Other sites at increased risk of cancer include the breast, liver and colorectal area.\nChronic drinking may ..

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What are some common beta blockers?

Beta blockers lower blood pressure and slow heart rate by blocking the action of epinephrine, or adrenaline, notes WebMD. This decreases the amount of oxygen the heart requires to function. Taking beta blockers sometimes causes side effects, including fatigue, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea and upset stomach. Patients may also experience headache, cold hands, depression, shortness of breath and loss of sex drive. Side effects are generally mild and only need to be reported to a doctor if they become severe or bothersome.\nBeta blockers are contraindicated in patients with slow heart rate or..

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Can CFS or lupus cause severe foot pain?

The most common cause of foot pain in lupus patients includes swelling and pain from inflammation, states S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. Joints in the ankles, feet or toes can be painfully stiff and swollen, even to the point where it becomes hard to walk. This type of pain can eventually damage bone and connective tissue. Many individuals with lupus experience joint pain as the first sign of lupus. A further complication that sometimes arises for lupus patients is Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes feet to be painful and particularly sensitive to changes in temperature, reports Lupus Foundation o..

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What is a safe dosage of vitamin D3?

Safe dosages also vary according to one's age, sex and quality of health, according to Mayo Clinic. Multiple research studies have found that healthy adults can take 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 without any issues, WebMd. However, the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board deemed 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D as safe for adults and 1,000 IU per day as safe for infants up to 12 months of age, WebMd.

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