Article: Certain cat breeds, such as Himalayans, have a genetic predisposition toward developing mineral deposits in the bladder. But other factors can cause bladder stones in any breed.  A diet high in acidity or calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus may cause mineral buildup.  Decreased water consumption may lead to the concentration of minerals in the bladder.  A urinary tract infection may lead to bladder stones.  Certain medications and supplements, including Lasix, Cortisone, Ascorbic Acid, Tetracycline, and Sulfa drugs, may cause bladder stones when used over prolonged periods of time if the cat has a genetic tendency to do so. It is important to be alert for signs that your cat may have uroliths. Common signs to look for include:  Straining or distress when urinating (dysuria)  Bloody urine (hematuria)  Frequent urination in small quantities  Excessive genital licking   Urinating in unusual places Your vet will be able to diagnose bladder stones, and may be able to determine how severe the blockage is in your cat.  Report any unusual behavior or problems you've noticed in your cat. Your vet may take an X Ray or conduct other tests, such as palpating your cat's abdomen, checking its urine, or taking an ultrasonography test. If the cat has bladder stones, a stone, or group of stones, will be seen in the urinary bladder, or other parts of the urinary system such as the kidney, ureter, or urethra.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Know your cat's risk. Check for symptoms. Consult with your veterinarian.
Article: When you play the piano, your hands need to be rounded and relaxed. Try holding a ball or placing your hands on your kneecaps. Notice how your fingers gently curve, and practice keeping your fingers in that shape. When your fingers curve in a proper hand shape for piano, they shouldn’t be bent or tense. You should be able to see all 3 knuckles on each finger. Keep your wrists relaxed as well. on a tabletop. Work on your finger coordination by playing scales on a table as if it were an actual piano. As you ascend a scale with your right hand, practice crossing your thumb to play a scale’s fourth note. Then descend the scale and practice crossing your middle finger to play the sixth note. As you ascend a scale with your left hand, cross your middle finger to play the sixth note. When descending with your left hand, play the third note with your thumb. Starting with your thumb and ending with your pinky, tap all 5 fingers as if you were tapping the keys from middle C to G. Tap extra hard every third tap to create an accent rhythm. Ascend and descend, or tap from your thumb to your pinky, then from your pink to your thumb. Tap as fast as you can while keeping the accent rhythm. Switch up the intervals you accent and add combinations, such as accenting every second and fourth taps. Number your fingers 1 through 5 from your thumb to your pinky. Pick a combination of numbers, such as 1, 2, and 5. Practice tapping with your thumb, index finger, and pinky in that order. Switch up your combinations and make them more complex. Try tapping as fast as you without making any mistakes. Practicing scales and drills with your non-dominant hand can help you improve your coordination and dexterity. In addition to practicing, you could try brushing your teeth, combing your hair, and performing other tasks with your non-dominant hand. You can practice playing a piece on a tabletop either from a score or by memory. Try to imagine playing it as vividly as possible. Do your best to hear every note and feel your fingers strike the piano keys. Playing on a tabletop is great for your muscle memory. Even though you’re not at the piano, you’ll still help train your fingers to follow a piece’s rhythm. When you're away from the piano, watch and practice along with video lessons. You can work on your fingers' dexterity, brush up on notes, scales, and other basics, or get expert instruction on more advanced techniques. Berklee College of Music has helpful free video lessons for beginners: http://www.berkleeshares.com.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Practice proper hand shape. Practice scales Do finger rhythm drills. Try combination taps. Spend extra time practicing with your non-dominant hand. Play a full piece on a tabletop as if the table were a piano. Practice using online video guides.
Article: Some medications, such as prednisone, can cause facial numbness. Contact your doctor promptly if you believe you’re experiencing any side effects due to a medication. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medications you take and ask about their side effects or potential interactions. Ask them to recommend an alternative if you believe a medication is causing your lip numbness. Among other problems, a vitamin B-12 deficiency may lead to nerve damage which could cause tingling and numbness in your hands and feet, as well as muscle weakness. Ask your doctor if they recommend a blood test to diagnose a vitamin deficiency and whether you should take a supplement. You could be at risk of a vitamin B deficiency if you’re over 50, a vegetarian, have had weight-loss surgery, have a condition that interferes with food absorption, or take medications such as Nexium, Prevacid, or Zantac. If you consistently experience numbness in your face, hands, or feet, along with coldness or discoloration, ask your doctor if Raynaud’s disease is a possible cause. Raynaud’s disease occurs when small arteries that supply blood to the skin narrow, which leads to decreased blood circulation.  If your doctor suspects Raynaud’s disease, they’ll administer a physical exam and blood screening to make an accurate diagnosis. To manage Raynaud’s disease, you should avoid cold temperatures, wear hats and gloves, avoid smoking, and try to minimize emotional stress. While a local anesthetic following a dental procedure can cause lip numbness for two or three hours, prolonged numbness could indicate a complication. If you experience persistent numbness after a dental implant, filling, wisdom tooth extraction, or other dental procedure, schedule a follow-up visit with your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Numbness after an oral procedure could indicate nerve damage or an abscess. If you’re about to have a dental procedure, you can ask your dentist or oral surgeon for a medication to counteract the numbness that results after local anesthesia. OraVerse, or phentolamine mesylate, is an injectable medication that increases blood flow to soft tissues and helps to speed up the return of normal sensation. Tell your dentist or oral surgeon if you have a history of heart or blood vessel issues. It should not be used in patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders. Tingling in your lips could be a sign of both high and low blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly, or purchase a machine to check yourself at home. If you already know you have either high or low blood pressure, take your medication as prescribed, and let your doctor know if the problem persists. Many people report allergies to the red dyes used in cosmetics such as lipsticks. In addition to tingling, such an allergy may cause numbness and break-outs or bumps around the mouth. If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor to see if any treatment is necessary. While the area around your mouth heals, avoid wearing lipsticks or other cosmetics in the area impacted by the infection.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Ask your doctor if your medications can cause numbness. Ask if you might have a vitamin B deficiency. Talk to your doctor about Raynaud’s disease. Make a follow up appointment if you’ve had recent dental work. Ask your dentist or oral surgeon to prescribe phentolamine. Monitor your blood pressure. Check your cosmetic dyes.