Arteriosclerosis, also called atherosclerosis and hardening of the arteries, is characterized by the loss of flexibility, strength and stretchiness of blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood throughout the body. Age and heredity, along with...
Cystitis is the inflammation of the urinary bladder that is characterized by frequent and painful urination, low grade fever, discomfort in the pelvic area, nausea, and vomiting. A sample of urine from the patient is the most common specimen. The...
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...
Mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer. In some cases, the mammograms or other radiologic exams may not fully clarify what is happening in the breast. All suspicious mammograms or breast lumps are not necessarily indicative of cancer;...
Cardiac catheterization, also known as a coronary angiogram or cardiac cath, is considered an invasive imaging procedure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a cardiac catheterization is used to determine coronary artery disease, valve disease or...
Disease of the muscular system, or myopathy, occurs when the muscle fibers do not function properly, according to "Disorders of Voluntary Muscles." As a result, weakness and decreased muscle mass often ensue. The disease happens among skeletal...
Muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy are disorders that affect muscles. Despite that similarity, there are clear differences between the two conditions, as described by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
A cardiac computed tomography angiography scan, or cardiac CT for short, is a diagnostic procedure a doctor can utilize to examine a patient's heart. This technique allows a doctor to visualize the inside of the heart and can enable her to detect...
Doctors use endoscopy procedures to look inside the body to make a diagnosis or to treat abnormalities. The endoscope has a tiny camera on the tip of a long tube that the doctor passes through an opening, such as the mouth or anus, or through a...
Parasites are organisms that feed off other organisms. Intestinal parasites are typically transmitted by coming into contact with soil that has been contaminated by feces or from eating the undercooked meat of parasite infected animals. Your child...
Back pain is one of the most common physical ailments in the United States today. Americans spend over $50 billion each year on medications, diagnostic procedures and other expenses related to back pain, according to the American Chiropractic...
Colon cleanse products remove fecal matter and toxins from the colon. Purported benefits of colon cleansing include fewer digestive issues and headaches, increased energy levels and an enhanced immune system. Before you use a colon cleansing...
Magnesium is an essential mineral that is found in a variety of foodstuffs, including kelp, wheat germ, almonds and whole grains. However, magnesium can also be taken as a supplement. Magnesium supplements are used to treat magnesium deficiency,...
Potassium iodide is a medication that's most commonly used to treat thyroid diseases and as an expectorant. It's marketed under the brand names ThyroShield, ThyroSafe, Pima, SSKI Oral Solution and Iosat. Talk with your doctor about the possible...
According to the National Digestive Disease Information Center, NDDIC, more than 4 million Americans experience constipation yearly. People over age 65; post-surgical, post-stroke and palliative-care patients; and pregnant women who suffer from...
The thyroid gland produces hormones that help to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body weight and temperature. To produce thyroid hormones, the body needs iodine for normal cell metabolism, according to the National Institutes of Health....
The Image Advanced 1400 treadmill is an exercise device designed to help provide a cardiovascular workout. The machine consists of a walking belt incorporated into the treadmill's base and a console unit that adjusts the incline level and speed of...
Massage is an ancient healing art that has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years. Today, cultures across the Orient—including Chinese, Thai and Japanese cultures—all incorporate traditional massage techniques into their...
The pituitary gland lies at the base of the brain and contains a number of specialized cells. The gland functions to secrete a number of hormones, which then travel throughout the body in the bloodstream to trigger biological responses in tissues....
The flu has many different strains. The three main influenza viruses are A, B, and C. Types A and B are the common types of flu that occur during the winter months, although Type B can occur any time during the year. The symptoms of these types of...
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin naturally available in foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and milk. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institute of Health, most children and adults in United States consume the...
Maxillofacial surgery, also referred to as oral and maxillofacial surgery, cares for patients with wisdom teeth problems, dental implant needs, facial pain and misaligned jaws. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also perform cosmetic surgery for...
Cardiac rehabilitation, a recognized form of treatment available in hospitals or treatments centers, is offered to individuals who have survived a heart attack. These rehabilitation programs are a vital aspect for improving the strength of the...
To learn the cause of ear pain requires evaluating the symptoms in relation to age and general health. In children, ear pain is often from fluid in the middle ear, and includes symptoms of fever, fussiness and increased crying. In adults, ear...
If you're at work and suddenly have difficulty typing with your right hand or moving your right arm, it could be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also referred to as a mini-stroke. Your face may feel tingly, and your right leg might give way...
Hives, otherwise called urticaria, and razor bumps are both characterized by raised, swollen, itchy welts on the skin. Chronic hives are usually caused by allergies, but mild cases can occur from overheating or from pressure applied to the skin,...
Levothyroxine helps regulate your metabolism and energy, as it is a replacement for a hormone your thyroid normally produces that does this. Levothyroxine is used to treat low thyroid hormone levels in your body, called hypothyroidism. It is also...
Nephrologists routinely measure protein levels in kidney patients' blood and urine. The Whether the levels are high or low determines whether other diagnostic procedures are indicated, how aggressively to treat the disease and what nutritional...
The average healthy adult has a heart rate of about 70 beats per minute, or 100,800 beats each day. Many heart conditions such as bradycardia, tachycardia, heart attack, cardiogenic shock, valve disorders, high blood pressure, blood clots,...
The bile duct is a long tube-like structure that connects the liver to the intestine and transports bile. Learn about bile duct cancer including possible causes, and treatment options for bile duct cancer in this video.
