Deep venous thrombosis, or DVT, is a known complication of knee fractures. "Knee fractures" refer specifically to fractures of the distal femur, patella, or proximal tibia. These fractures are associated with increased clotting risk due to the...
According to MayoClinic.com, UTIs, or urinary tract infections, most commonly affect the bladder and the urethra. A UTI is caused by bacteria from outside the body entering the urethra and traveling upward. UTIs cause distressing symptoms,...
Malaria causes fever, chills and sweating, rupture of red blood cells, and an enlarged spleen. The Merck Manual estimates that one to two million people die each year from malaria. Though eradicated from the United States, malaria is endemic to...
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of medications used primarily to decrease the amount of stomach acid secreted. Commonly used PPIs include Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole) and...
Bone constantly reforms. Old bone is broken down while new bone is made but in people with osteoporosis, more bone is broken down than built. This results in bone that is not dense enough and because of this, the bones can easily fracture. Getting...
You must seek prompt medical attention if a potentially rabid animal bites you. Treat the wound by washing it with soap and water as soon as possible, but let it bleed; this can help your body eliminate any traces of the virus that may be...
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial cause of meningitis. While not as communicable as influenza or the common cold, bacterial meningitis is mainly spread through the exchange of throat and respiratory secretions. According to the Centers for...
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is spread through contact with infected blood and body fluids. The risk of transmission varies according to the manner of exposure. The risk is greatest with transfusion of contaminated blood, needle sharing,...
The Merck Manual estimates that worldwide, malaria infects between 300 million and 500 million people, killing one to two million annually. Malaria spreads when mosquitoes infected with certain species of the Plasmodium protozoa inject the...
A migraine is a severe headache that usually affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by sickness and sensitivity to light. You may find that certain factors trigger your migraine, such as noise, smells, light and certain foods. If...
Vitamin k is a fat soluble vitamin that helps blood clot properly. Vitamin K deficiency is rare in adults because bacteria found in the intestines can make the vitamin. Infants are at increased risk for vitamin K deficiency because they are born...
In 2006 there were 56,300 new cases of HIV infection in the United States, according to the "5-Minute Clinical Consult" textbook. Advanced HIV infection, AIDS, took the lives of 14,627 people in 2006. HIV infection worldwide affects 32.2 million...
Vitamin K comes from the German word “koagulation.” Coagulation is a process that allows the blood to clot. In this sense, vitamin K is used to thicken the blood and maintain the proteins necessary to cause blood clotting. Deficiencies...
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat. Liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. It is most commonly performed on the thighs, abdomen, hips and flanks....
A migraine is a severe recurring headache that is sometimes accompanied by nausea, sickness and light auras. If you suffer from migraines, resting in a darkened room and taking an over-the-counter analgesic will usually alleviate symptoms,...
A migraine is a severe headache that often affects one side of the head. Migraine is a common health condition and is more likely to affect women than men. According to the U.K. National Health Service's website, NHS Choices, one in seven women...
Trimethoprim is a generic antibiotic available for oral administration as a tablet or solution. Brand names for this medication include Proloprim, Trimpex and Primsol. The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA) says trimethoprim works...
Antimalarial medications, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, are used for prophylaxis, treatment and prevention of malaria. They are commonly prescribed to previously-unexposed or immunodeficient people who are traveling to areas...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two medicines, Tamiflu and Oseltamivir, for the treatment and prevention of swine flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prescription antiviral medicines for swine...
Magnesium is an in-demand nutrient that is used by every organ in the body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Among its many functions, magnesium tells muscles to relax, is used in the formation of bones and teeth, is part of...
A migraine is a type of headache characterized by a pulsating or throbbing pain that usually affects one part of the head. Some migraine sufferers also experience visual disturbances and nausea. You can help to prevent a migraine by avoiding...
Tanacetum parthenium, or feverfew, is a perennial, bushy herb with small, daisy-like blossoms. Feverfew's bright flowers and free-spreading habit have been exploited for filling neglected garden spaces, but it is more familiar as a traditional...
Like other B vitamins, riboflavin, or vitamin B-2, is water-soluble. It is easily eliminated in your urine and is not stored in your tissues in significant amounts. Doctors and nutritionists promote riboflavin supplementation for common...
The herpes simplex virus is responsible for causing oral herpes, more commonly known as cold sores, and genital herpes. The two herpes simplex virus strains are known as HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 causes cold sores, while HSV-2 causes genital herpes....
Preterm birth occurs in around 12 percent of pregnancies in the United States, according to the March of Dimes. Treatments to stop true preterm labor with cervical dilation have limited success, according to obstetrician Robert Barbieri, M.D....
A migraine is a severe headache that is often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity. Migraines occur when blood vessels in the brain dilate, stimulating nearby nerve endings. A variety of factors can trigger a migraine, including stress,...
Potassium iodide is a salt form of iodine commonly used in western countries and referred to as "iodine." No evidence-based, peer-reviewed studies suggest taking any type of iodine salt will reverse atherosclerosis. The relationship...
Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. It is a component of several enzymes in the body, including flavin adenine dinucleotide, and is essential for good health. The Institute of Medicine recommends that...
Magnesium oxide is an over-the-counter form of magnesium that is available as a supplement to treat a variety of conditions, including constipation and heartburn. Magnesium oxide can also be used as an alternative preventive treatment for...
A UTI or urinary tract infection is any infection of the urinary tract like the bladder. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating a UTI in this video.