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What is the recommended daily sodium intake?

The human body requires sodium to balance bodily fluids, send nerve impulses and move muscles, states Mayo Clinic. Excess amounts of sodium are handled by the kidneys and leave the body in urine. If this process does not function properly, the blood holds too much sodium. This pulls water in, making blood volume too high. The heart has to work harder to pump it, and arterial pressure increases.

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What is a normal BMI range?

The CDC notes that when they have the same BMI, women have more body fat then men, and older people have more body fat than younger people. Athletes have higher BMIs without being fat. A better measure for unhealthy fat and weight is a waist measurement. An overweight waist is a predictor of a slew of obesity-related illnesses.

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How can I lose 5 pounds in 1 week?

Love to Know explains that formulating a meal plan helps a person achieve weight loss within a given time frame. Writing down main meals, including snacks and drinks, maintains consistency. One way to resist food cravings is to drink plenty of water. \nExercise is just as crucial. Love to Know notes that picking favorite forms of exercise, such as swimming or walking the dog, can make reaching your goal more enjoyable. Keep in mind that more physical activity than average is required to meet a 5-pound weight loss goal.\nFit Day says that losing 5 pounds in a week may pose some health risks, an..

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What is the average recovery time for a thalamic stroke?

Of the 700,000 patients who suffer a stroke each year, about two-thirds live to start a rehabilitation program, states the NIH. Although rehabilitation is not considered a cure for stroke, it is a means to regaining most body function.\nThalamic pain suffered after a stroke is most likely a result of having a stroke in the thalamus, which controls sensory from the brain to the body, explains the NIH. Some pain experienced is not from nervous system damage, but is from mechanical issues resulting from muscle weakness, radiating from the shoulder area.

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What are some facts about the Pennhurst Asylum?

Pennhurst was one of the largest institutions of its kind in Pennsylvania, at the time of its establishment. While some of the residents were committed by court order, others were brought by a parent or a guardian. The staff included a board of trustees, medical and dental staff, as well as specialists in psychology, social services and various fields of education. The grounds of the institution included a 300-bed hospital that had a full nursing staff and surgeons.\nThe buildings were named after towns in Pennsylvania, such as Devon and Chester. The original buildings were designed by archite..

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Can the morning-after pill make you infertile?

The morning-after pill is also called plan B or emergency contraception. It contains a female hormone called levonorgestrel, which temporarily prevents the ovary from releasing an egg. The morning-after pill can prevent pregnancy if it is used within 24 hours of unprotected sex, but it has no lasting effects on fertility. Short-term side effects of the morning-after pill include nausea, abdominal pain and changes in the menstrual cycle, notes Drugs.com.

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When does a hernia require surgery?

Some hernias may not cause problems, thus surgery is not required. However, most cases of hernias get worse, in terms of size, says MedlinePlus.\nIncarcerated hernia is a condition where a loop of the intestine is trapped and swollen. If not treated, it eventually becomes a case of strangulated hernia, where the tissue becomes strongly entangled in the hernia and the blood supply is obstructed, states WebMD. This condition can be life-threatening, as it leads to serious bleeding, gangrene and septicemia. For incarcerated hernia, surgery may be scheduled at the patient’s convenience, while a ..

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What are some causes of a burning sensation in the skin on the legs?

The physical causes of a burning sensation in the skin of the leg include exposure to cold, burns and pressure on a nerve, explains Healthgrades. The diseases that can cause a burning sensation in the leg include alcoholic neuropathy, where there is nerve damage associated with excessive alcohol consumption; Guillain-Barr Syndrome, which is an auto-immune disorder; shingles; and Meralgia parestheticas. Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes a burning feeling in the outer thigh as a result of too much pressure or damage to one of the nerves in the leg, notes WebMD. It is also referred..

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How do you know if you are passing a kidney stone?

When kidney stones begin to move, the stones can cause pain while urinating, cloudy urine, urine with an unusual smell, and blood in the urine that causes red, pink or brown urine, according to Mayo Clinic. People who are passing kidney stones may also experience the urge to urinate more frequently or have difficulty urinating.\nSevere pain at the side or back, below the ribs, is also a typical symptom of passing kidney stones, notes Mayo Clinic. Sometimes the pain may radiate to the groin or abdomen. Kidney-stone pain also fluctuates in intensity depending on the movement of the stones within..

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What is vascular insufficiency?

Blood clots and varicose veins cause venous insufficiency, notes Healthline. It is more common in older individuals and women over 40. Vascular insufficiency occurs in pregnant women, and obesity can be a risk factor. Smoking, phlebitis and leg trauma are predisposing factors. Extended periods of inactivity can cause blood pressure to increase in the extremities and increase the risk for vascular Insufficiency.\nThe symptoms of vascular insufficiency, according to WebMD, include edema of the extremities, cramping, itching and discoloration. Other signs of venous insufficiency include aching or..

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