Few methods assist the physician make a differential diagnosis better than listening with a stethoscope, a skill known as auscultation. According to Modern Medicine, mastering auscultation takes time but is well worth the effort. Infants pose a...
Blood pressure is one of the vital signs because it is such a fundamental and important indicator of health. Other vital signs include temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, breathing rate and, at some health institutions, pain. Blood...
When a person goes to a health-care provider for any type of sickness, or to just have a regular check-up, the health-care provider will begin with the four techniques of a physical assessment. These four methods include inspection, palpation,...
Bouncing soundwaves through the pregnant uterus and measuring the feedback produces an image of the fetus. Ultrasound pictures are extremely detailed, and are safer than X-rays. Hand-held dopplers use the same technology to "hear" the unborn...
Many factors affect blood pressure monitoring and measurement, including patient factors such as stress or activity level; equipment factors, such as calibration of monitoring equipment; and operator factors, or technique in blood pressure...
Around nine out of 1,000 babies, or 36,000 American babies a year, are born with a congenital heart defect. While children can develop heart disease, most children with heart disease have congenital defects, the American Heart Association reports....
Blood pressure levels are one measurement used in conjunction with other signs and symptoms to evaluate a patient. In some situations, such as a motor vehicle accident or if an injury site is close to active machinery, noise levels may be high...
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the mycobacterium genus. These bacteria infect almost any organ of the body. According to the American Public Health Association, 70 percent of active tuberculosis infections are located...
Pain above your left breast may be a sign of a serious underlying health problem or a minor one. That is why if you experience pain above your left breast following exercise you should seek medical attention. Timely medical intervention can...
Your heart should beat between 60 and 100 times each minute. This will allow adequate blood to flow throughout your body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to your cells so they can continue to function adequately. Unfortunately, sometimes the heart...
A medical and psychosocial history, together with a physical exam and diagnostic tests, provide critical details used by your doctor to help form a potential diagnosis. The medical history will include a discussion about past medical and family...
Buildup of water in the lungs can have fatal consequences if not recognized and treated immediately. Typically, fluid in the lungs stems from physiological causes, such as pulmonary edema, but it is possible to accumulate water in the lungs from...
Coughing is a reflex used to clear airways that can be a sign of serious infection. A chronic cough is one that lasts from one to eight weeks or longer. A multitude of conditions can cause chronic coughing. Some of these conditions are infectious,...
Pregnancy often brings feelings of joy, but it also can create anxiety, especially if you had a previous pregnancy that did not come to term. Several companies market fetal monitors. However, the FDA notes that these devices "are not intended for...
The hearts anatomy consists of four chambers divided by four valves. Each valve is a one-way valve that ensures blood flows in one direction only. The aortic or mitral valves are the most commonly affected by disease. Patients present with a...
Blood pressure refers to the amount of force exerted on the walls of the blood vessels during the heart's pumping and resting stages. According to "The Fundamentals of Nursing," the pulse is a sensation that can be detected in various parts of the...