For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Doctors use the medication isotretinoin or Accutane to treat severe acne or psoriasis. According to the PDRHealth, an online version of the "Physician's Desk Reference," Accutane should only be used in patients who have not had any success with any other acne medications.
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Cholesterol is an important substance in the body and is needed to build cells; however, elevated cholesterol can lead to heart disease or strokes. Medications can be used to lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood. One class of drugs is the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
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In epilepsy, abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes seizures, according to the Mayo Clinic. The diagnosis of epilepsy is given when there are two or more seizures; epilepsy can be treated with medication or with surgical procedures.
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The clear tissue at the front of the eye is the cornea; in order to have clear vision, the tissue of the cornea needs to remain thin and transparent. The inner layer of the cornea called the endothelium keeps the cornea clear, and if there is a problem with the cells in this layer, corneal edema may result.
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Leg cramps are painful contractions of the leg muscles; the incidence of leg cramps increases with age. Often there is no official cause for the leg spasms; however, there are conditions or medications that can cause them. If the leg cramps become persistent, a doctor's visit may be needed to determine the cause.
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Diverticular disease affects approximately 30 million Americans each year, according to the Rochester Health website. Diverticulosis occurs when little pockets, which are known as diverticula, form along the colon wall. When these pockets get inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.
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The prostate is a gland that creates some of the fluids found in semen, according to the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer causes the second-highest number of cancer deaths among men.
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Chemotherapy is often a vital part of a cancer treatment regimen. While the drugs have great benefits for many cancers, there are short- and long-term side effects that can affect different organ systems throughout the body.
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Most cases of endometriosis involve the pelvic area, according to A. M. Wolthuis, C. Aelvoet, J. Bosteels and J. P. Vanrijkel in a 2003 article in the journal "Acta chir belg." However, the condition can occur in other parts of the body as well, with symptoms that intensify with the menstrual cycle.
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Neurologists specialize in disorders and diseases that affect the brain and the nervous system. Since the eyes can be affected by some of these conditions, doctors who specialize in neurology may be needed to diagnose and treat certain visual conditions.
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Rashes that involve the skin of the face can be caused by infections, irritations or inflammatory reactions. Local reactions cause a variety of facial skin rashes; however, some facial rashes can be caused by systemic medical conditions as well.
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Since the HIV virus damages the immune system of the people who get infected with it, these patients need to be aware of any potential signs of illness. In patients with HIV and AIDS, a cough can be a sign of a variety of pulmonary infections or irritations.
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Lytic lesions are areas of abnormal weakness in bones, often a sign of underlying conditions such as cancer. Understanding the causes and treatment options is crucial for effective management.
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Genetics determines eye color, but the inheritance patterns are complex. Because of this complexity, children can have different eye colors than their parents. Iris eye color can change during a person's lifetime for several reasons.
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You probably have suffered some form of mild eye irritation at some point in your life; this inflammation can cause eye redness, watering, pain, blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
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The appearance of your fingernails can change with certain medical conditions. Kidney disease is associated with multiple distinctive nail problems. A buildup of nitrogen waste products occurs in the bodies of people with kidney disease, which can lead to changes in finger and toenails.
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Chemotherapy medications are drugs that can kill fast-growing cells like cancer cells. There are other healthy fast-growing cells in the body that may be affected by chemotherapy; this is the cause of most of the side effects of chemotherapy treatment.
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