An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that transmits through body tissues and provides an echo in return, showing up as a real-time video or photographic images. Renal ultrasounds detect and confirm any conditions related to the kidneys,...
Surgical technologists are an essential part of the operating room team, often responsible for the flawless implementation of surgical procedures. They set up surgical equipment, pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon, help transfer patients...
X-ray techs are also referred to as radiologic technologists. They work in the field of radiography and take pictures of the skeletal system and the surrounding tissue. Most x-ray techs attend schooling at an accredited college in order to obtain...
A mammogram compresses the breasts between two plates, while an X-ray machine takes images of the tissue to look for abnormalities. Doctors use mammograms for screening purposes, which means a woman can benefit from the test even when she has no...
Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurological disorder that typically strikes people age 60 and above but also can affect people as young as 30. Early diagnosis is important so patients can begin treatment, which can include medications,...
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to see certain structures in the body, such as ligaments, tendons, nerve roots and soft tissues of the brain. Although MRI scans are generally considered safe and the actual scan is painless, there are some...
Most runners know that building muscle strength can come from two specific activities: interval training, which can be simulated by running stairs or up hills; or weight lifting. However, research has shown that adding weight to a runner in the...
Realizing that your child snores may not cause much concern; it may even seem benign. According to Andrew Lipton in his clinical review in "Sleep Medicine," however, snoring is a signal that a child may have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep...
People, especially children, who develop chronic sore throat symptoms or strep throat infections may experience relief from persistent throat discomfort after undergoing a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. This surgical procedure involves the...
During many pregnancies, a doctor will order an ultrasound to check the status of the fetus, including its age, size, growth and health. The ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to project a picture of a fetus onto a monitor. The ultrasound...
Ultrasound training is necessary for people who wish to work as diagnostic medical sonographers or vascular technologists, health occupations that involve the use of the ultrasound machine. Because ultrasound equipment uses sophisticated...
If you're eager to try the latest fad diet or frantic to fit into a bikini before your cruise ship leaves port in a week, a nutritionist won't be much help. But if your goal is permanent weight loss, reducing blood sugar or cholesterol levels, or...
While many job markets are shrinking, pet-related professions continue to grow. In 2009, it is estimated that Americans spent $45.4 billion on pet-related goods and services, up 5 percent from 2008 despite the bad economy. Veterinary students who...
Women should have a Pap smear test done at least once per year. A doctor, physician assistant, nurse midwife or nurse practitioner administers the exam. Women are asked to remove their clothing or at least undress from the waist down and cover up...
Images obtained by a CT scan generally appear on a monitor as shades of gray. Because these structures resemble each other without contrast, a contrast agent is injected intravenously (in the vein) to highlight the structures that need to be...
Dental crowns, also known as caps, are placed over the tooth as a form of restoration. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dental crowns specifically restore the size, shape, strength and appearance of the the tooth. Dentists use a variety of...
Sometimes medications contain compounds that are provide no medicinal value. Anhydrous lactose is found in some tablets and other kinds of drugs and generally does not cause any health problems, but it can be problematic if you are lactose...
The liver's job is to clean the body of toxins by processing drugs and detoxifying the blood. Hepatocytes or liver cells also provide necessary building blocks such as amino acids and glucose. Elevated liver enzyme blood tests indicate liver...
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...
The most common genetic disorder, Down syndrome affects every 1 in 800 to 1000 births. The presence of an extra chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome. The chance of having an affected child increases as a women ages, though in most cases, the mother...
The heart is an essential part of the body. Through its pumping action, the heart delivers nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the body via the aorta and other blood vessels. Blood deficient in oxygen and nutrients return to the heart through blood...
According to the American Heart Association, when looking at your total blood cholesterol levels, you want to aim for reading of 200 mg/dL or less. Anything over 200 mg/dL puts you in a borderline risk category, and anything over 239 mg/dL is...
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland, located in the front your neck, produces too much thyroid hormone. The result of this can include rapid heart rate, anxiety, weight loss, nervousness, tremors, insomnia, increased perspiration, mood...
El Paso, Texas, boasts of a few good medical schools, where students can capitalize on the latest in medical technology and certification. El Paso's medical schools are most times affiliated with larger universities and division of health programs.
According to the American Heart Association and the 2005-06 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, there are an estimated 98.6 million Americans in the United States that have unhealthy cholesterol levels. Because cholesterol affects...
Nutritionists and registered dietitians offer reliable information about healthy eating, diet plans and meal preparation. Nutritionists are health professionals with a master's degree in nutrition, and registered dietitians have at least a...
Tongue fungus is a form of mucocutaneous infection, or thrush. It is due to a yeast, a single-celled budding organism, most often Candida albicans. According to the Lab Technologist site, there are 600 known microorganisms that inhabit a healthy...
During pregnancy, an embryo starts from a single cell and grows into a baby. Considerable amounts of growth and development occur in this time. The major body structures are formed during the first eight weeks of pregnancy (the embryonic period)....
Blushing, or redness in the face and upper chest, is a physical reaction to a psychological state such as embarrassment. Specific areas of the body are called the blush region and include the ears, face, neck and upper body. Some people blush...
