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Archives for 2012

Bicuspid Aortic Valve

by Dean Heller MD October 26th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
My doctor says that I was born with a "Bicuspid Aortic Valve." He also said that it will not be a problem for many years, if at all, but I still want to know more about it.  Help!

Bicuspid aortic valve occurs in about 1 1/2%of the population. The aortic valve, is the valve between the heart and the biggest blood vessel in the body, the aorta. It prevents blood from leaking back into the heart, and it allows the blood to move forward and feed oxygen and nutrients to the body. It usually has 3 leaflets that almost look
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November is American Diabetes Month

by Kimberly Hays October 25th, 2012 | Health Observance
The American Diabetes Association recognizes November as American Diabetes Month in order to bring awareness of the rapid growth of diabetes in our country. With 200 lives lost every day to the disease, they want to bring attention to the causes, treatments, and prevention.

Statistics show that type 2 diabetes is escalating at a rampant rate. Type 2 diabetes is accountable for 90 percent of all diabetes in the country. It is believed that it is preventable, or at least can be delayed, with proper nutrition and exercise. This fact is what brought forth the proclamation in 2011 by President
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Over the Counter Pain Relievers

by Jessica B. October 23rd, 2012 | Medication
There are many different types of over the counter pain relievers, so it can be tricky to choose which one is best for you. These pills are most commonly taken to relieve headaches, cold symptoms, and other aches and pains that pop-up along during the day. Here are some tips for choosing which pain reliever may be best for you.

Acetaminophen: This should be your go-to pain reliever if you are a woman of childbearing age trying to conceive a family. Other NSAID’s are not recommended during pregnancy, so if you are trying to get pregnant, you might stick to
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Anatomy of the Heart

by Dean Heller MD October 19th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I have had a heart murmur for a number of years. I went to a cardiologist, who explained that I will likely not have a problem for years; however, he also said that I will eventually need a valve replaced.  They have told me a few times what causes the murmur, but I can never remember all of the medical terms and names of the valves correctly. Can you review that for me?

Medical terminology can be very confusing. Here is a quick overview of the heart anatomy. There are 4 chambers of the heart:  2 atria and 2 ventricles,
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Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance

by Louise October 18th, 2012 | Diet
Not all stomachs are created equal. Some people feel nauseated after having a glass of milk, while others might develop hives from the consumption of one small peanut. Feeling sick or having other negative symptoms after eating a certain food is likely either due to a food allergy or a food intolerance, but how do you know which one?

While the very general effect of both terms is similar (that you don't feel good after eating a particular food), the terms actually have quite distinct sources, symptoms, and solutions.

A food allergy is a true allergic reaction that involves the body's
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All health and medical information is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the medical advice or treatment of your healthcare professional.