For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
An interscalene nerve block is a form of local anesthetic used prior to shoulder surgery. This anesthetic is applied to specific nerves within the shoulder by an anesthesiologist using a thin needle.
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Cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands located on your kidneys. The levels of cortisol within your body fluctuate normally throughout the day and night.
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Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of woman's uterus abnormally grows outside of this reproductive organ. Certain women with this condition can develop endometriosis cysts within the ovaries, which are referred to as endometriomas.
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Platelets are a component of the blood that help prevent bruising or stop bleeding. If you do not have enough platelets in your blood, you may need to have a blood platelet transfusion. This treatment infuses your body with blood platelets that have been donated by another healthy person.
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An arthrogram, also called arthrography, is a procedure used to evaluate the internal structure of a joint, including ligaments, tendons and cartilage. During this procedure, a doctor injects a contrast material, such as air, dye or water, into a patient's joint.
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An aneurysm refers to a dilated segment of an artery caused by weakness and thinning of the wall. Leg aneurysms are relatively rare, but occur more commonly than arm aneurysms. Most leg aneurysms develop in the popliteal artery, which passes behind the knee before branching to supply blood to the lower leg and foot.
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Partial or unicompartmental knee replacement is a surgical procedure used to increase knee function and alleviate chronic knee pain in affected people. During this procedure, a surgeon specifically replaces the damaged portions of the knee, while keeping all healthy bone and cartilage intact.
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A kidney tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that forms within the tissues of the kidney. Your kidneys are located on either side of your body. Kidney tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Small kidney tumors may not cause any symptoms initially.
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For patients without a family history of colorectal cancer, routine colonoscopy screening should begin at age 50, advises the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. During this testing procedure, a doctor uses a thin, lighted tube called a colonoscope to examine the inside of the colon.
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Ciplactin, the brand name for cyproheptadine hydrochloride, is a prescription medication indicated to alleviate symptoms associated with nasal allergies and the common cold. In the United States, this medication is marketed under the brand name Periactin.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1 million people are infected by the human immunodeficiency virus -- HIV -- in the United States. Early on, symptoms of this disease may mimic other illnesses, such as the flu.
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An incisional hernia is a medical condition in which the intestine protrudes through an incision within the abdominal wall following abdominal surgery. This condition is caused by the deterioration of scar tissue, which creates a weak point within the abdominal wall.
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Z-Pak, the abbreviated brand name for the generic drug azithromycin, is a prescription medication indicated to treat certain types of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This antibiotic is part of a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics that work by preventing bacteria growth in the body.
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Pimobendan is the generic name for a heart medication indicated to help dogs suffering from heart failure. This medication makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout a dog's body by dilating the blood vessels and decreasing blood pressure.
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Hip replacement surgery is most frequently used to alleviate painful symptoms experienced by patients with osteoarthritis, a condition in which the hip bone progressively degrades, Cedars-Sinai reports.
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People who develop open skin sores called ulcers along the lining of the colon have a medical condition called ulcerative colitis. Ulcers in the colon are most frequently diagnosed in men and women between the ages of 15 and 30, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
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Flucloxacillin is a prescription medication indicated to treat certain types of bacterial infections, such as lung, bone or skin infections. This medication is part of a class of drugs called penicillins and works by preventing bacteria from spreading through the body.
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The prostate is a small gland in men that lies immediately beneath the bladder. A bacterial infection within the prostate, a condition called bacterial prostatitis, can cause uncomfortable symptoms in men.
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Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is the fourth most common form of cancer in women and men, according to the National Cancer Institute.
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Triamcinolone acetonide cream (Kenalog topical cream, Triacet, Triderm) is a prescription corticosteroid medication indicated to reduce sensations of itching or inflammation in patients with certain types of skin conditions.
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