The calcium score test is a noninvasive procedure using computed tomography to measure the quantity of calcium deposits in the heart, especially deposits in the coronary arteries. An increase in deposits contributes to narrowing in the arteries...
Lung cancer is a devastating medical condition that begins with abnormal cell changes in your lung. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of lung cancer include trouble breathing, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, wheezing and hoarseness. You...
Diagnostic procedures, ranging from non-invasive to invasive testing, are valuable diagnostic tools for the cardiovascular system. These procedures can catch cardiac problems before symptoms develop in most cases. Based on your needs, the...
Coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When they have a buildup of cholesterol in the arterial wall, this is considered coronary heart disease (CHD). It is often referred to as atherosclerosis. CHD can cause significant...
Brain atrophy occurs with the loss of neurons or the connections between them. Some degree of atrophy is a normal part of aging, but pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, also feature atrophy as a symptom. Common...
Angiography describes a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to visualize the inside of blood vessels. Angiography can determine the blood flow in and around organs such as the lungs, brain and kidneys, but doctors commonly perform coronary...
A CT or CAT scan is the informal name for computerized tomography, which combines many X-ray images from different angles into a cross-sectional or even 3-D image of the body, according to MayoClinic.com. This computer-enhanced image provides far...
Bone density tests, which measure the number of grams of calcium and other bone minerals in a segment of bone, determines the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis presents with low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in increased...
According to Emedtv.com, a colonoscopy is a test that enables the direct visualization of the lining of the colon and rectum. A flexible lighted fiberoptic tube is usually inserted into the colon. A colonoscopy is used to help diagnose...
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition caused by plaque, a sticky substance made of fat, cholesterol and calcium, that builds up in the coronary artery, the main artery that supplies blood to the heart. With The American Heart Association...
Radiation can disrupt both healthy and cancerous cell growth. The reason you wear a lead vest and the dental hygienist steps out of the room when she gives your teeth an x-ray is because too much radiation on your body can have negative effects....
Bone density tests determine your risk for osteoporosis and can also indicate whether or not you already have the disease. Osteoporosis causes bones to degenerate, becoming fragile, porous and vulnerable to fractures and breaks. Bone density tests...
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by abnormalities in the brain that affect movement, posture and balance. Cerebral palsy is a birth defect that usually is diagnosed by the time children are three years old. According to the March of Dimes,...
In coronary heart disease, plaque consisting of fat, cholesterol and calcium builds up inside the coronary arteries and forms blockages that diminish or prevent blood supply to the heart. A test of the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries...
The term "heart disease" refers to a wide variety of diseases involving the heart, including arrhythmias, congenital heart defects and heart infections. However, most people associate heart disease with coronary artery disease or cardiovascular...
A herniated disc occurs when the tissue that pads the vertebrae begins to bulge or poke outside of the vertebrae and causes excess pressure on the nerves in the spine. It's a common injury that can cause pain in the legs, arms, low back or neck,...
Cryoablation or cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment used to treat solid tumors---both cancerous and non-cancerous---in the lung, liver, breast, kidney, prostate and cervix. The cryoablation procedure involves freezing diseased tissue to...
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that originates from the connective tissue that surrounds the lungs and organs in the abdomen. This type of cancer is commonly linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can affect the tissue around the lungs, the...
According to Children’s Hospital of Boston, your doctor will examine your spine to see if it is symmetrical. She will also look closely to see if your shoulders are even in height and width, whether your head and neck are centered above your...
Ablation for liver cancer refers to the use of localized chemical or thermal means to destroy tumors that doctors can't remove surgically, according to the American Cancer Society. It works best when the tumors are confined to the liver and...
The kidneys are the organs that remove waste products from the blood, maintain hydration levels, balance the body’s electrolytes and produce some vital hormones. Occasionally, some waste products will form crystals that can build up to form...
The South Beach diet pioneered by Dr. Arthur Agatston provides a way to improve health and lose weight by reducing low-nutrient carbohydrate intake while enjoying lean proteins, unsaturated fats and fiber-rich foods. The University of Illinois'...
CT scans are a radiographic test used to identify heart disease, blood clots, broken bones and cancers quickly and painlessly. Also known as computed tomography, the CT scanner takes pictures in slices, providing a transaxial view of all soft...
Facet rhizotomy is a type of relatively non-invasive spinal procedure designed to help reduce pain caused by facet joint damage or degenerative bone conditions that cause the facet joints (the bony knobs on the dorsal or outside of the spine) to...
Scleroderma is a group of diseases that cause a hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Scleroderma affects about 250 people per million, according to MayoClinic.com. Localized scleroderma affects only the skin, but systemic...
The cauda equine, the collection of nerves where the spinal cord ends, is named for its resemblance to a horse's tail. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, cauda equine syndrome (CES) is often misdiagnosed because the...
Bladder calculi, or stones, are minerals that build up over time in the urinary bladder. These stones can be different in size, shape and mineral content. Bladder stones in children are rare when compared with the adult population and present...
According to the American Cancer Society, the first step in diagnosing suspected skin cancer is a visual examination of the patient. Skin cancer typically begins as a change of color, size or texture of a freckle, mole or other spot of skin that...
Cluster headaches are very painful headaches that come and go in a group pattern. They may dissipate and reappear for hours at a time, or in some cases weeks to months at a time, but they are always reoccurring. These headaches are rare in teens...
