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Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
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 hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is known as overactive thyroid. It occurs when your thyroid gland makes and releases too much thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly. It…
Overeating in Children and Teens
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. My child seems to eat all the time. Is that normal? It depends. Children and teens may go through cycles. For example, they may eat more and gain some extra weight right…
Pacifiers – Benefits and Risks
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Why do some babies want to suck on a pacifier? Sucking is a natural instinct in babies. Some babies will suck their thumb or fingers, while other babies like to suck on…
Pain Control After Surgery – Pain Medicines
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 the benefits of taking pain medicine after surgery? People used to think they just had to suffer through severe pain after surgery. Today, your nurses and healthcare providers can do…
Pain Relievers: 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. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are medicines that you can buy at a store without a prescription from your health care provider. They can decrease or stop pain. They can also lower fevers….
Painful Urination (Dysuria)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Painful urination (dysuria) is when you feel pain, discomfort, or burning when you urinate. The discomfort may be felt where urine passes out of the body. It may also be felt inside…
Pancreatic Cancer
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 pancreatic cancer? Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer. It affects your pancreas. Your pancreas is an organ. It is located behind your stomach and in front of your spine….
Pancreatitis
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 pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is inflammation (swelling) of your pancreas. The pancreas is a gland near your stomach and liver. It makes digestive juices, or enzymes. These help you absorb and…
Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. OVERVIEW What is panic disorder? Panic disorder is a condition in which a person has…
Pap Smear (Cervical Smear)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. A Pap smear is a medical exam used to determine if a woman has cervical cancer. A Pap smear is also called a Pap test. It’s performed by a healthcare provider, usually…
Paraphimosis
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 paraphimosis? Paraphimosis (say: “para-fim-oh-sus”) is a serious condition that can happen only in men and boys who haven’t been circumcised. Paraphimosis means the foreskin is stuck behind the head…
Parenting Tips
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. I love my children, but being a parent can be so hard! Being a parent can be a joy, but it’s also a hard job. No parent is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes….
Parkinson’s Disease
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 Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease is a is a kind of movement disorder. It affects the nervous system and causes problems with muscle movement. It is a chronic and progressive…
Paronychia
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 paronychia? Paronychia is an infection in the skin around the fingernails or toenails. It usually affects the skin at the base (cuticle) or up the sides of the nail….
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
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 patellofemoral pain? Patellofemoral pain is a common knee problem. If you have this condition, you feel pain under and around your kneecap. The pain can get worse when you’re…