Vaginal hysterectomy is an alternative to abdominal hysterectomy; the advantages to vaginal uterine removal are the absence of a large abdominal incision, shorter hospital stay and recovery time, and fewer overall complications. Complications such...
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body and carries oxygenated blood from the heart to other tissues and organs. The portion of the aorta that runs into the abdomen is called the abdominal aorta. The abdominal aorta can become weak,...
Gallbladder infection is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication of gallstone disease. Infection most commonly occurs due to gallstone obstruction of one of the ducts that transport bile from the gallbladder to the intestine. Bacteria...
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, neck stiffness and soreness can occur simultaneously, causing reduced neck or cervical spine active range of motion. Neck stiffness can be caused by...
Ventral hernias are caused by loops of intestine bulging into weakened areas on the abdominal wall. A hernia that develops at an old surgical incision site is called an incisional hernia. Ventral hernias can also be caused by obesity, pregnancy,...
Intussusception, the most common cause of abdominal blockage in children under age three, the Merck Manual reports, occurs when one part of the intestine telescopes into another. Males more often develop intussusception than females, with 65...
The bacterium Clostridium tetani is the causative agent of tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw. The bacteria most commonly enter the body through a skin wound. Clostridium tetani bacteria produce a protein called tetanospasmin or tetanus toxin,...
Hemorrhagic jaundice is a condition caused by the bacterium Leptospira found in tropical climates and stagnant water. The organism is not commonly found in the continental United States, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine....
Crohn's disease is one of the two forms of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by sudden, unpredictable bouts of diarrhea and abdominal pain, according to an article in RN. The need for adequate nutrition, fluids and electrolyte balance is...
Asana is a Sanskrit word used to describe the position of the body. The literal meaning of the word is "seat." Many yoga postures can be achieved from a basic position. Asanas are designed to open energy channels, chakras, and psychic centers in...
According to "RN," inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to several chronic digestive disorders believed to the be result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the bowel. Diseases included in IBD include crohn's disease and ulcerative...
Duragesic (fentanyl citrate) is a transdermal patch that contains an opioid pain reliever that is absorbed through the skin. Duragesic, or fentanyl, is a very potent opioid that is used to treat chronic moderate to severe pain in patients who have...
If you suffer from depression or anxiety, you may choose to use L-tryptophan as a treatment, an amino acid that occurs naturally in food, and as a supplement. While L-tryptophan may improve your symptoms, it has serious side effects. One such side...
Your abdominal muscles or abs are located at the front of your torso and run from your pelvis to your lower ribs and sternum. They are responsible for flexing your spine forward and, along with your obliques, bending your spine to the side. A...
An aortic aneurysm can be described as a "bulge in a blood vessel." If this bulge ruptures, blood escapes through the hole in the vessel and cannot reach vital organs. Because the aorta is the main vessel supplying blood to the body, an aortic...
Push-ups are a type of exercise that do not require the use of gym equipment. Fitness experts refer to the push-up as a universal exercise because it works several muscle groups at once and can be modified to target specific muscle groups. Biceps...
Belly fat in men and women can be very dangerous. Known as visceral fat, this type of fat surrounds major organs and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, type two diabetes and certain cancers. Luckily, deep abdominal fat is not...
At some point, almost everyone experiences stomach pain after eating. It’s easy to identify the probable culprit after overeating on a “food holiday” such as Thanksgiving. But you may wonder what to do on a typical Thursday,...
The spleen is an organ on the left side of your abdomen that filters unwanted matter from your blood and helps fight infection. It is composed of lymphatic tissue and can bleed profusely if injured. According to Mayo Clinic, in the past, a...
Push-ups are one exercise that can sculpt a well-defined chest, as well as give you stronger shoulders and arms. Executing the perfect push-up is challenging for the absolute beginner. The American Council on Exercise, or ACE, suggests...
Working the abdominals will build muscle and firm the core for that sexy flat stomach. A good abdominal program for a flat stomach includes exercises to work all the abdominal muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends...
Cycling builds both cardiovascular fitness and strength. When you are riding at a moderate effort in a light gear, cycling is mostly an aerobic activity and burns calories from carbohydrates and fat. When you feel a burn in your muscles while...
Treating your stomach cramps will depend on what is causing them in the first place. Are you having difficulty digesting dairy? Stomach cramps can be a symptom of lactose intolerance, so taking a lactase supplement can help. These supplements are...
Pushups can do more than just improve a woman's physical appearance; they can also help build upper-body strength. This is because they simultaneously strengthen so many muscle groups. Pushups can be performed in any location, by a woman of any...
The muscles of the stomach and lower back work hand-in-hand to create a strong, healthy core. Exercises that strengthen both muscle groups not only prevent back pain and help you move easily, but also save you time in the gym. The American Council...
The spleen is a small organ that lies immediately beneath the ribcage on the left side of the abdomen. As part of the immune system, the spleen helps produce immune cells while also removing toxic substances from the bloodstream. People who...
An aortic aneurysm occurs when a weakness causes bulging in the aorta, a major artery responsible for carrying the blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The existence of an aortic aneurysm does not often cause symptoms; however, if the...
The best abdominal program is one targeted to individual needs and goals, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Choose the right combination of exercises that meet your specific challenges for a toned core, physical therapy or for...
Penis, or penile, implants are mechanical devices used to treat erectile dysfunction and, in some cases, Peyronie's disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, most men with ED respond well to medication or the use of an external penis pump. Penile...
Diverticular disease is a small, bulging pouch in the digestive tract. It is common in people over 40 and can be found in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and treatments for...
