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How does C. diff affect the elderly?

The inflammation of the colon and deadly diarrhea caused by a C. difficile infection, or CDI, affect over 100,000 nursing home residents annually, according to the CDC. Women and Caucasian individuals have the highest risk for infection. Antibiotic use increases an individual’s risk for developing a CDI. Because the elderly are likely to be using antibiotics for long periods of time to treat chronic health issues, nursing homes and long-term care facilities are at high risk for C. difficile outbreaks, explains the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, or APUA. In addition, aging cause..

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What causes narcolepsy?

Although the specific causes of narcolepsy are not fully understood, experts believe it involves a number of contributing factors that result in neurological and related sleep dysfunction, explains WebMD. Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes extreme drowsiness during the day, accompanied by a lack of alertness and inability to concentrate, difficulty staying awake and sudden bouts of nodding off to sleep, notes Mayo Clinic. It is also characterized by a loss of muscle tone, or cateplexy, causing muscle weakness and lack of muscle control. In some cases, people experience sleep pa..

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What is a butterbur?

Drugs.com explains that clinical trials have shown that butterbur doses ranging from 50 to 75 milligrams per day can help minimize symptoms of allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches. Potential serious side effects of butterbur include liver enzyme damage and congestive heart failure.\nThe University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health explains that butterbur treatments originated in the Middle Ages and the herbal medicine was commonly used to treat symptoms of the plague. Mild side effects of butterbur include gas and stomach pain.

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What are some common treatments for frequent urination in men?

Bladder retraining is one method of treating frequent urination, and this involves increasing the intervals between bathroom trips over about 12 weeks, explains WebMD. This helps retrain the bladder to urinate less frequently and hold urine longer. Modifying the diet may also help treat frequent urination, and it is important to avoid any food that acts as a diuretic or irritates the bladder. These foods include alcohol, caffeine, drinks with carbonation, chocolate and products with tomato. Spicy food and food with artificial sweeteners may also cause frequent urination.\nMen with frequent uri..

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What are some states with high nursing care costs?

Alaska is the most expensive state in terms of nursing care costs with the average being about $110,000 as of 2015, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey. The study reveals that Connecticut is the second most expensive state at an annual cost of $72,896, followed by Massachusetts at $68,605, New Jersey at $66,237 and New York at $63,946.\nHome health care services cost an average of $44,616, representing a 2 percent growth, while home health aide annual costs are $45,760 with a 1 percent growth. The annual adult day health care cost is $17,904, representing a 3 percent five-year growth..

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Which foods are highest in vitamin B3?

Niacin is a blanket term for a family of compounds with vitamin B3 activity, explains The World's Healthiest Foods. Niacin is essential for converting dietary proteins, fats and carbohydrates into usable energy, as well as synthesizing starch stored in muscle and liver for eventual use as energy. The same enzymes involved in energy metabolism also quench free radicals, protecting the body against excessive tissue damage.\nThe Food and Nutrition Board recommends 14-18 milligrams of niacin per day for adults, reports Mayo Clinic. A four ounce serving of tuna contains 25.03 milligrams of nia..

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What are the beginning signs of lupus?

Physicians may begin considering a diagnosis of lupus when a patient exhibits at least four major symptoms that don't appear to have another cause, notes the American College of Rheumatology. As an autoimmune disease, lupus causes the immune system to produce harmful proteins that attack healthy cell tissue. Each person experiences a different degree of inflammation and spreading, but patients generally suffer from weight loss, heartburn, stomach discomfort and blood clots.\nSystemic lupus sufferers often develop distinct butterfly-shaped rashes, known as malar rashes, that form above the..

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What are the causes of toe cramps at night?

Muscle cramps in the toes are generally harmless, and sufferers can usually ease them by performing exercises that stretch the toes, such as toe curls and toe flexes, notes Healthline. There are specific medical conditions associated with muscle cramps, however, including multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease and kidney disease. Other causes include not having enough potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the diet, explains WebMD.

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What are target times by age for running a mile?

To pass the U.S. Army physical, a 37-year-old man would need to run two miles in 19 minutes and 30 seconds, which is a pace just shy of 10 minutes per mile. Similarly, a 37-year-old woman would need to run at a pace of about 12 minutes per mile.\nThe U.S. Marshall Service considers a pace of less than 8 minutes per mile "good" for men in their 20s. For each subsequent decade, the pace required for a "good" rating declines by about 30 seconds per mile. For men in their 60s, the Marshall Service grades a pace of about 10 minutes per mile as "good."\nThe Marshall Service rates women in their 20s ..

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How can I remove stains from my teeth?

Visit the dentistDentists provide professional cleaning that can remove stains from teeth. Routine cleaning helps prevent stains from developing. Dentists also offer professional whitening treatments that can remove more stubborn stains. Professional whitening treatments include the use of bleaching gels and lasers for optimal results. Try at-home stain removersOver-the-counter whitening treatments include whitening trays, strips and gels. While the results aren't as dramatic as professional treatments, these stain removers can whiten teeth and remove simple stains. The process may requir..

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