Facts you should know about superior vena cava syndrome The most common cause of superior vena cava syndrome is cancer. Superior vena cava syndrome is most often caused by compression of the vein (the superior vena cava), that returns blood from the upper body back to the right atrium of the heart by the tumor. …
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Are Heart Murmurs Serious? Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment
Heart murmur definition and facts A heart murmur, or whooshing sound that accompanies the heartbeat, may be part of healthy heart sounds for some people. Other times, it is a sign of serious problems, like heart valve hardening or holes in the heart walls. Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds within the heart due to turbulent blood flow. Signs and symptoms …
Read More »Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stages & Survival Rate
What is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, exposure to air pollution, and genetics. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is composed of three types of cancers that originate from lung tissue. The three types are known as adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are slow-growing cancers that …
Read More »Krintafel (tafenoquine): Malaria Drug Dosage & Side Effects
What is Krintafel (tafenoquine), and how is it used? Krintafel is a prescription medicine used to treat malaria caused by a parasite called Plasmodium vivax in patients aged 16 years and older who are also receiving chloroquine to treat acute Plasmodium vivax malaria. Malaria is a serious disease of the blood that is spread by infected mosquitos. Krintafel does not …
Read More »How Long Does the Flu Last in Seniors?
What is the flu? The flu in seniors will last about a week, while others may be affected for much longer. In severe cases, it can lead to death. The flu (influenza) is a seasonal virus that can lead to symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It’s a respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Some …
Read More »Clariscan (gadoterate meglumine): MRI Contrast Dye Side Effects & Dosage
What is Clariscan (gadoterate meglumine), and how is it used? Clariscan (gadoterate meglumine) is a prescription medicine called a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA). Clariscan, like other GBCAs, is injected into your vein and used with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. An MRI exam with a GBCA, including Clariscan, helps your doctor to see problems better than an MRI exam …
Read More »Raxibacumab: Anthrax Antibiotic Dosage & Side Effects
What is raxibacumab, and how is it used? raxibacumab is a prescription medicine used along with antibiotic medicines to treat people with inhalational anthrax. Raxibacumab can also be used to prevent anthrax disease when there are no other treatment options. The effectiveness of raxibacumab has been studied only in animals with inhalational anthrax. There have been no studies in people …
Read More »How Do You Know if You Have Hemorrhoid Symptoms or Something More Serious?
What are hemorrhoids? Minor blood spots can be a symptom of hemorrhoids, but if there's more consistent blood appearing during bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis. Hemorrhoids are itchy, painful, and sometimes bleeding masses of swollen tissues located in the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoid symptoms can be either internal, located above …
Read More »How Do You Know if Your Baby has Bronchitis?
What is bronchitis? Acute bronchitis, which is sometimes called a chest cold, can develop after your baby has a cold or upper respiratory infection. Acute bronchitis, which is sometimes called a chest cold, can develop after your baby has a cold or upper respiratory infection. Bronchitis occurs when the bronchi, the airways that carry air to the lungs, become irritated …
Read More »What Causes Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?
What is low blood pressure? Low blood pressure in pregnancy is normal. However, there may be other conditions that contribute to low blood pressure, including heart conditions, anemia, allergic reactions, dehydration, and more. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. When blood pressure is too low, also called hypotension, blood doesn’t reach the entire body. …
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