What is an ankle-brachial index? Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) can indicate arterial disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or atherosclerosis. An ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) or ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the ratio of the systolic (upper) blood pressures (BP) of the ankle to the upper arm (brachium). Ankle BP is indicative of arterial disease. Lower ankle …

What is contraception? Birth control pills regulate hormones to prevent pregnancy, but behavioral methods rely on timing and changes to sexual behavior. Contraception, commonly known as birth control, is the adoption of preventive measures to avoid pregnancy. Contraception techniques prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg (ovum) and forming a fetus in the uterus. So-called “natural” methods rely on behavioral …

Does Pyridium (phenazopyridine) cause side effects? Pyridium (phenazopyridine) is an oral urinary analgesic (pain relieving medication) used to relieve symptoms associated with lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) including urinary burning, pain, urgency, and frequency, and other symptoms. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, Pyridium is thought to provide relief of symptoms of UTIs by acting as a local …

What are lighted stylet-assisted tracheal intubation devices? An intubation or endotracheal intubation tube is placed into the windpipe (trachea), or mouth or nose in emergencies. Intubation or endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure in which a tube (endotracheal tube) is placed into the windpipe (trachea) through the mouth or nose. In most emergencies, endotracheal intubation is performed through the mouth.  …

What is lateral epicondylitis? A lateral epicondyle injection injects corticosteroid medication to reduce pain and inflammation in lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a painful condition of the elbow due to its overuse or strenuous activity that causes pain in the elbow and arm.  As the name suggests, tennis elbow may be caused by playing racquet sports, such …

Facts you should know about heterochromia iridis Heterochromia iridis is an uncommon condition in which the two eyes are different in color from each other. Heterochromia iridis may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Hereditary heterochromia iridis may be associated with other abnormalities of the eyes or body. Acquired heterochromia is usually due to an eye disease. If the …

What is botulinum toxin? The bacterial botulinum toxin refined into a drug called Botox, among other formulations. It can smooth fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing underlying facial muscles, it can reduce nerve pain and relax spasming muscles. Botulinum toxin is one of nature’s most poisonous biological substances. It is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. The …

What is chemical restraint? A chemical restraint is a drug, usually a sedative or antipsychotic, administered to control a patient's violent behavior that could harm medical staff or themselves. Chemical restraint refers to the administration of certain medications to restrain agitated patients from behavior that is harmful to themselves or others, including the medical staff attending to them. The administration …

What is botulinum toxin? Botox and its analogs, widely administered for cosmetic purposes, can also reduce chronic pain by deadening nerves and/or releasing the pressure on the nerves from adjacent spasming muscles. Botulinum toxin is one of the most toxic biological substances found on earth, produced by anaerobic bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin excreted by …

Is there a substitute for human blood? While there is no synthetic substitute for human blood, current research largely focuses on developing substitute blood components, like platelets for clotting or red cells for oxygen/CO2 exchange. Though some clinical trials of blood substitutes have shut down because of safety concerns, the field has come a long way since early doctors tried …