The first couple of hours following surgery is a critical time period. As a person begins to recover from anesthesia and surgery, changes in blood pressure are common. Blood pressure -- the outward force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels -- may be either higher or lower than normal.
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Melanoma is a very dangerous form of skin cancer that readily spreads via lymph nodes to other parts of the body. Melanoma originates in the melanocytes, the cells that produce pigmentation or coloring of our skin, hair and eyes, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.org.
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According to the March of Dimes, fetal alcohol poisoning or fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most common reasons for mental retardation. Between 1000 and 6000 babies are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome, FAS.
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A urinary tract infection, or UTI, refers to any infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra according to MayoClinic. Most infections occurring in the bladder cause burning urination, frequency, urgency and colicky abdominal pain.
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Alcoholism has three stages according to EndStageAlcoholism.net. The first two stages represent increasing dependency and addiction. According to the “5-Minute Clinical Consult” textbook, it is estimated that in the United States, 9.6 percent of men and 3.
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Upper abdominal bloating can significantly interfere with your daily function. Not only can it be painful, it can lead to gas and bowel issues as well. Upper abdominal bloating can be caused by several conditions. See your doctor for an accurate diagnosis if you experience these symptoms.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, until 2000, strep pneumonia causes 100,000 to 135,000 hospitalizations per year. Because of the pneumonia vaccine this rate has decreased to 13 cases per 100,000 people, says the CDC.
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Over-the-counter diet pills are advertised with frequency on TV, enticing viewers to buy these products as a way to easy weight loss. Many of these products make unsubstantiated claims, however. There is only one OTC diet pill, orlistat, that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight loss.
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According to 2011 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of American adults are obese. This means they have a body mass index greater than 30. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease and sleep apnea.
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Barbiturates such as phenobarbital are used to treat epilepsy. These medications are a type of depressant and act on the brain to inhibit the misfiring of the brain in epilepsy. Barbiturates are also a common drug of abuse. Women who abuse barbiturates can experience memory loss, irritability and changes in alertness.
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Malnutrition or undernutrition, according to the Merck Manual Online Library, is the result of an inadequate supply of nutrients due to impaired metabolism, malabsorption or an inadequate supply of food. Overnutrition, or obesity, according to Merck, is also a form of malnutrition.
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Following a nutritious diet is important for everyday health. If you are preparing for surgery, a healthy diet is even more important for you. Getting the right nutrients can boost your immune system and help you heal faster and it doesn’t mean you need a specialized diet.
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High cholesterol in the bile causes 80 percent of gallstones, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Gallstones cause cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder, which can result in severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
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The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2009, there were 4.6 million drug-related emergency room visits nationwide. Fifty percent of these visits were due to adverse drug reactions from prescription medication.
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The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that many people have small pouches of the large intestine that bulge outward through weak spots in the colon. Multiple pouches are called diverticula. Having diverticula is called diverticulosis.
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