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Antihistamines – Understanding Your OTC Options
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What types of OTC antihistamines are available? Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription from your healthcare provider. Antihistamines help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms. Two types of…
Antioxidants – What You Need to Know
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What are antioxidants? The cells in your body are exposed to oxygen every day. Oxygen is important for your body’s health, but exposure to oxygen also causes oxidation. In oxidation, body chemicals…
Are X-Rays Safe During Pregnancy?
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What are X-rays? X-rays are a form of radiation. This kind of radiation is invisible. X-rays are used to make “pictures” of the bones and organs. They have been associated with a…
Arrhythmia
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is an arrhythmia? An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat. When the heart beats too fast, it’s called tachycardia. When it beats too slow, it’s called…
Artificial Hydration and Nutrition
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is artificial hydration and nutrition? If a patient isn’t able to swallow because of a medical problem, they can be given fluids and nutrition in ways other than by mouth. This…
Asthma
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is asthma? Asthma is a disease of the lungs. The airways of people who have asthma are extra sensitive to the things they’re allergic to (called allergens) and to other…
Asthma – Questions to Ask When it Doesn’t Get Better
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. My asthma doesn’t seem to be getting better. What can I do? Sometimes despite efforts to treat your asthma, you end up back in the healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room,…
Asthma – Controller and Quick-Relief Medicine
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic, or long-term, disease of the lungs. It can cause your airways (the air passages of your lungs) to become inflamed and narrow, making it harder…
Asthma – Dust Mites in the Home
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What are dust mites? Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in your home. They measure about 1/100th of an inch in length, which is smaller than the period at the end…
Asthma – How to Use A Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is a metered-dose inhaler? A metered-dose inhaler is a device that helps deliver a specific amount of medication to your lungs. It is commonly used to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary…
Asthma – Medicines That Can Make It Worse
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Why should I be careful about taking medicine if I have asthma? Certain medicines might make your asthma worse. Not all people who have asthma experience problems when taking these medicines. However,…
Asthma Action Plan
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is an asthma action plan? Ask your healthcare provider for written directions about how to prevent and treat asthma attacks at home. These written instructions are called your “asthma action plan.”…
Asthma And Your Child
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. How do I know if my child has asthma? Your child may have asthma if he or she wheezes, has a frequent intermittent cough and has trouble breathing. These symptoms may worsen…
Atherosclerosis
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis (say: “ath-er-o-skler-o-sis”) is a disease that causes your arteries to become hard and narrowed. It’s even possible for an artery to become completely blocked. Your arteries are…