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Pancreatin (Pancreatin systemic) is a digestive enzyme supplement that contains a mixture of several different types of enzymes. These enzymes are normally produced in the pancreas. Pancreatin has a primary function of helping to breakdown food and convert it into energy. The supplement is comprised of a commercial mixture of amylase (to digest starch), protease (to digest protein) and lipase (to digest fat). Pancreatin can be derived from both plant or animal sources....

A parietal lobe stroke is a type of stroke that occurs in one of the four lobes that make up the cerebral cortex (the wrinkly exterior portion of the brain just beneath the skull). The parietal lobe is the part of the brain that gives you spatial awareness, telling you where you are in space. It also helps you process language so you can speak and write. When brain damage occurs due to a parietal stroke, it can impair these functions and lead to a lack of spatial awareness and a loss of the perception of body’s position in space, among other things....

Whether you have a specific exercise goal in mind or are just trying to lose excess weight, a personal trainer can be a valuable tool. Individuals with this certification are specialists in designing customized exercise programs and helping you work them into your fitness routine. This article will detail the role of a personal trainer, discuss the benefits of hiring one, and help you find the person who is right for you....

Dental plaque is a clear, sticky coating of bacteria that forms on the teeth. It develops when bacteria in the mouth react with sugars and starches found in certain foods and drinks. Plaque can be removed with regular toothbrushing and flossing. But if it’s left on the teeth, plaque can build up and attack the tooth’s outer layer (enamel), leading to dental issues like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease....

With treatment, recovery from pneumonia typically takes between three to six months. While you will start to feel better sooner than that, you will still need to take it easy until your body has fully recuperated. To give you a sense of when you can expect signs that pneumonia is improving: Your chest may begin to feel better within four weeks. At six weeks, your cough and breathing may improve. Within three to six months, you may feel a bit tired and eventually symptom-free....

Broken hip recovery can take a full year. During that time, pain from a hip fracture usually lessens after four to six weeks. It can take 12 weeks for the bone to fully mend. And by six months, some people are able to get close to their pre-injury activity level. That said, this will vary from person to person, and some people never regain full functioning. Physical therapy can help to restore mobility, strength, and balance, but often to varying degrees....

When people are seeking mental health care in the United States, they are not necessarily referred to clinicians who are the best fit for their needs. Instead, the cost of mental health care is what often takes precedence in the referral process. But a new study finds that may not always benefit the patient. Key Takeaways A new study highlights the importance of finding a mental healthcare provider who has a background in treating your specific mental health concerns....

Most people like to spend time outdoors on sunny days. Too much sun exposure, however, can have serious consequences. These can include: Sunburn Dehydration Hyponatremia, or water intoxication Heat exhaustion Heatstroke This article looks at some of the consequences of spending too much time in the sun. It also discusses some of the ways sun-related conditions can be treated. Sunburn Sunburn is a common skin injury. It is caused by excess exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun....

You’ve developed some knee pain, and you are having difficulty walking and climbing stairs without pain. You visit your healthcare provider, and an MRI is done which shows a knee meniscus tear. Surgery is recommended. It seems reasonable, but is it absolutely necessary? Are there other alternatives to surgery for a knee meniscus tear? Recent research indicates that a course of physical therapy can yield the same outcome as surgery for a torn meniscus in your knee....

Voluntary muscles are the skeletal muscles of the body that attach to bones and control movement of the limbs, head, neck, and body under conscious control. Skeletal muscles are controlled by neuromuscular signals from the brain that communicate with individual muscle fibers and cause them to contract. What Is the Difference Between Voluntary and Involuntary Muscles? Voluntary muscles are skeletal muscles that contract and relax under conscious control. These muscles attach to bones and regulate movement of the body....

Severe vomiting or a high amount of vomiting can tear blood vessels in the throat, or damage to the esophagus or stomach. This can cause blood to come out with the vomit. Getting medical attention immediately when vomiting blood is advisable. In addition to tears in the esophagus, vomiting blood could be a symptom of issues like internal bleeding, tumors, organ damage from viruses (also called “hemorrhagic fever”), or ulcers, among other conditions....

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a stimulant medication that helps reduce or improve the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as being distracted and the inability to focus thoughts. Vyvanse belongs to a class of medications called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. These medications work by increasing certain chemicals in the brain. The therapeutic action is not clear, but it is believed these chemicals (specifically dopamine and norepinephrine) play important roles in thinking and attention....

Typically, you are at your most fertile and can most easily become pregnant right as or just after your ovary releases an egg (ovulation). Specifically, your fertile period is once a month, within 12 to 24 hours of an egg being released by the ovary. Ovulation occurs two weeks before the start of your period. Learning to predict your ovulation will give you a better sense of when your most fertile days are so you can increase your chances of getting pregnant....

Lung cancer blogs are a window into the real world. For some people, journaling their story after a cancer diagnosis can be a wonderful release that helps them maintain a positive outlook while providing a source of support for others. In fact, one study of cancer patients who implemented expressive writing showed that the exercise improved their quality of life. For those who read lung cancer survivors’ words, the opportunity to peer into the daily life and struggles of someone living with their disease provides comfort that they’re not alone....

When you have diabetes, you’ll want to limit the amount of sugar in your diet. With diabetes, your body doesn’t make or use insulin well. Insulin is a hormone your pancreas makes to metabolize food for energy. A lack of insulin can cause glucose (blood sugar) to build up in your blood. High-sugar foods contribute to high blood glucose levels. Unmanaged, high blood glucose can lead to serious health complications, like eye disease, circulatory issues, heart problems, stroke, kidney disease, and skin conditions....

When you bring your backache to your healthcare provider, you likely expect, and hopefully get, an explanation as to why it’s hurting and what you should do to make it stop. Maybe you have pain, numbness, weakness, or electrical sensations that travel down one leg or arm. (This is called radiculopathy.) Or maybe you’re stiff, and you wonder why. (Hint: This could be a sign of spinal arthritis.) Such expectations (which are, by the way, fairly common) are to a great extent, what our Western medical industry is built on—a structural approach to (in this case) spine pain and its solutions....

Allergies and sinus infections are closely related conditions that have overlapping symptoms. Both allergies and sinus infections are common. Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from allergies including food allergies, allergic eczema (skin problems related to allergies), and allergic rhinitis. Untreated allergies can lead to sinus infections. Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, affect approximately 31 million Americans every year. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two illnesses....

Some studies have shown that people with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. This article will discuss the connection between ankylosing spondylitis and IBS, how having one may influence the risk of having the other, and how each condition is managed. Connection Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and IBS Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that causes inflammation. It is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine....

While you may be aware of the top eight food allergens, like peanuts and wheat, there are numerous other foods and ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in people. One of these is black pepper. Having a black pepper allergy is not very common, though food allergies are on the rise. Even less common allergies should be taken seriously, as their effects can range from mild to life-threatening. This article will discuss the symptoms and diagnosis of having a black pepper allergy as well as what to avoid if you have one....

If you have blue fingernails, it may be due to an underlying condition known as cyanosis. This condition is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. In addition to fingernails, cyanosis commonly impacts the hands, soles of the feet, and mouth. It can affect people of all ages, including newborns. This article looks at the different types of cyanosis. It also explores symptoms, potential causes, as well as how this condition is diagnosed....