Hypovolemia is a potentially fatal condition and is always considered a medical emergency. Treating the underlying reason for the hypovolemia, as well as keeping the patient stable provides the best outcome. Generally speaking, treatment consists...
The carotid arteries are two large blood vessels on either side of your neck that supply blood to the head and brain. Each artery contains a slightly dilated area called the carotid sinus. Within each carotid sinus are specialized areas of tissue...
Dopamine is a chemical found naturally in the brain and blood. It acts on nerves and as a hormone. When given intravenously, it is in a class of drugs known as vasopressors. These drugs increase the blood pressure dramatically. Dopamine is a...
Blood pressure refers to the force of blood that pushes against blood vessel walls. Sometimes this pressure can be high, and this is medically known as high blood pressure (hypertension). In some instances, the blood pressure can be low...
A ruptured aneurysm in the brain is a serious condition--it results in bleeding in the brain, which can put the patient's life at risk. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that most brain aneurysms are not noticed until they burst, which...
According to the report, "Nosocomial Bloodstream Infection and Clinical Sepsis," published in June 2010 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 248,000 blood stream infections in American hospitals each year. This...
Dopamine is a natural chemical in the body, known as a neurotransmitter, that transmits chemical messages among the brain cells (neurons) and thus plays a major role in the central nervous system. It is involved in the regulation of affect and...
Dopamine hydrochloride is the synthetic form of endogenous catecholamine, a hormone released in times of physical or emotional stress. It is also an inotropic vasopressor agent that has effects on the heart muscle contraction and on blood...
Cardiac output is the amount of blood in liters pumped by the heart per minute. It is measured by heart rate x stroke volume. Normal cardiac output equals 70 beats/min x 70 mL, or approximately 5 liters/min in an adult at rest. Cardiogenic shock...
Epidurals provide pain relief in a variety of circumstances, including spinal or genital surgery, but are most commonly associated with labor and birth. According to the American Pregnancy Association, over 50 percent of women giving birth choose...
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting and nausea are just a few of the symptoms that characterize low blood pressure (hypotension). Blood pressure is the force of blood against vessel walls. As the pressure declines, so does the movement of blood...
Twinrix is the brand name for the inactivated hepatitis A vaccine and the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, says Drugs.com. "Recombinant" menas that it is a mixture of the different components of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis is a serious liver...
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid used to alleviate heartburn, stomach upset and acid indigestion. The use of other medications and the presence of other medical conditions like heart disease and hypertension should be considered before sodium...
You'll find yohimbe marketed as a "designer steroid" that won't be detected by drug tests, an athletic performance booster and as an aid to treat erectile dysfunctions. Yohimbe, which is the bark of a West African tree, has a long tradition of use...
A brain aneurysm refers to a condition in which the brain's blood vessels balloon and weaken. In some cases, the blood vessel may rupture and lead to symptoms such as sudden and intense headache, stiff neck, convulsions, confusion and loss of...
Vasoconstrictor drugs cause contraction of muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels, narrowing their internal diameter and raising blood pressure. This effect makes these medications useful for the treatment of low blood pressure, typically in...
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure is below normal. While a slightly low blood pressure may not pose a health risk, very low blood pressure can lead to organ damage and death. Dopamine is an IV...
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an infection caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsia. The illness is contracted from the bite of an infected tick, most commonly the American dog tick or the Rocky Mountain wood tick. The Centers for...
Since blood travels to all parts of the human body, an infection in the blood can lead to serious and even fatal conditions. Infections often occur because of an open wound and contact with the infectious agents. While there are no cures for some...
An infected tooth, also known as a tooth abscess, refers to an accumulation of pus that infiltrates the center of the tooth, says MedlinePlus. It says that symptoms of an infected tooth include a toothache that is gnawing or throbbing in nature, a...
Dopamine hydrochloride is part of a class of drugs known as vasopressors, meaning they constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. It's a prescription medication administered into the vein. The effects of dopamine are potent, and patients...
Spinal blocks often offer several advantages over general anesthesia for procedures involving the lower body, according to the 2006 edition of "Clinical Anesthesiology." As with any medical procedure, however, the use of spinal blocks in surgery...
Lactic acidosis is a potentially life-threatening condition of excess lactic acid in the blood caused by low blood oxygen or hypoxia, which causes a low blood pH. A low blood pH means that the blood contains too much acid which can damage the...
The treatments for acute decompensated heart failure include restoring circulation, strengthening the failing pump, relieving symptoms and stabilizing the patient until long-term treatment options can be identified and established. Patients with...
A brain aneurysm is a sac-like formation in a weakened area of a blood vessel in the brain. Filled with blood, the sac often causes no major symptoms; however, it may leak or rupture if the walls of the vessel become too fragile. Treatment for...
Concerta, the brand name of the medication methylphenidate, is prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although it can be an effective treatment, there are several warnings that...
Paxil, a brand-name version of paroxetine, belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Taking Paxil with herbal supplements may result in...
Just because they're "natural" doesn't mean herbal supplements don't have side effects. You still need to do your homework, or, better still, consult with an expert before using a natural remedy. Know the potential side effects and how the...
