Health Library

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• Reducing Cancer Risk When You Are BRCA-Positive

  BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that normally help control cell growth. But an inherited change, called a mutation, in one of these genes makes you much more likely to get breast, ovarian, and some other cancers. BRCA (say "BRAH-kuh") stands for "BReast CAncer." BRCA gene changes aren't common. Your doctor...

• Why Beta-Blockers Are Important After a Heart Attack

  See how beta-blocker medicines work in your body and can help prevent another heart attack.

• Asthma Action Plan for Your Child

  Learn how following an asthma action plan can help you control your child's asthma.

• Long-Acting Bronchodilators for Your Child

  Learn why a long-acting bronchodilator might be added to your child's asthma medicine.

• Safe Use of Long-Acting Opioids

  Opioids are strong medicines. They can help you manage pain when you use them the right way. But they can cause serious harm and even death. If you decide to take opioids, here are some things to remember. Keep your doctor informed. You can develop opioid use disorder. Moderate to...

• Prealbumin Blood Test

  This test measures the amount of prealbumin in the blood. Prealbumin is a protein that is made in the liver and released in the blood. It helps carry certain hormones that regulate the way the body uses energy and other substances through the blood. When prealbumin levels are lower than...

• How to Get Rid of Medicines

  You might take prescription or over-the-counter medicines to help manage your health. But there may come a time when you no longer need to take these medicines or they have expired. An expired medicine is past its "use by" or "discard by" date. Medicine that has expired may not work...

• Herniated Disc Surgery: How Others Decided

  Hear what others thought about as they decided whether to have herniated disc surgery.

• Deciding About Herniated Disc Surgery

  Compare pros and cons, including risks and benefits, of having herniated disc surgery.

• Lumbar Discectomy: Before Your Surgery

  Learn how surgery can repair a herniated disc and how to prepare for the surgery.

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