Acute renal failure, also called acute kidney failure, is a sudden loss of kidney function that results in an inability of the kidneys to filter wastes without losing electrolytes. This is a very serious condition that can lead to the need for...
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disease that causes the kidneys to develop multiple large cysts. These cysts ultimately replace the normal kidney tissue, causing the kidneys to malfunction. Depending on the form of polycystic kidney...
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It is the conduit for blood from the heart to other organs. It traverses the majority of the thorax and enters the abdomen before dividing into its terminal branches, which supply the lower limbs...
Whether you have a six-pack, a four-pack or a whole keg, the abdominal muscles are a focal point of human anatomy from both a cosmetic and functional point of view. Beyond turning heads on the beach, your awesome abs perform an important role in...
Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, is prescribed by doctors to treat high cholesterol. Some people also take over-the-counter niacin supplements. If you have colitis, an inflammation of your colon, niacin could make your condition worse. High...
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that secretes digestive enzymes through the pancreatic duct. Digestive enzymes mix with bile from the gallbladder to digest food. Acute pancreatitis is most often caused by gallstones that...
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the protective lining of some organs. The lining is called the mesothelium. In a patient with mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and begin to reproduce uncontrollably....
An abdominal pregnancy is a type of ectopic pregnancy, which means that the embryo has implanted somewhere outside the uterus. Abdominal pregnancies occur infrequently, unlike tubal pregnancies, with the embryo implanting in the fallopian tube. In...
Your liver serves an important function for your body. It helps filter toxins, stores glycogen and produces bile to aid in digestion. Eating fatty foods can negatively impact your liver and possibly destroy it. The liver is so important that you...
Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis vary between the different stages and may be undetected until after the initial stage. Biological factors may play a part in inheriting cirrhosis, but that is rare. Behavioral factors play the biggest role. Knowing...
The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Its abdominal branch carries blood throughout the abdomen and to the arteries that service the lower body. An aneurysm in the abdominal aorta is the result of a weak spot in the blood vessel's wall,...
The liver carries out many essential functions, including clearing toxins from the body, manufacturing bile and certain proteins, storing certain minerals and vitamins, and breaking down red blood cells. Damage to the liver has a wide impact on...
Acute abdominal pain can have many possible causes. As it is a symptom of an underlying problem, the approach to abdominal pain will be based on diagnosing its cause in order to begin proper treatment. Several different components of the...
It's no secret that carrying excess weight can make men more susceptible to serious health problems. Fat around your abdomen appears to pose a greater risk; exactly why is unknown as of 2011, but researchers have developed some theories. While it...