breast cancer

What is a miscarriage? Miscarriage is a common experience. The loss of a baby within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy is called a miscarriage. When the unborn baby's weight is less than 400 grams and the baby dies, it is also considered a miscarriage. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in a …

What is a stroke? Neuroprotective agents theoretically can reduce secondary brain damage from a stroke. No drug for this purpose has been FDA-approved, but many are under study. A stroke is an interruption in blood supply to a part of the brain causing brain tissue damage. Stroke is a medical emergency and one of the leading causes of death and …

What are palpitations? Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story Sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath may accompany palpitations. Palpations are sensations by a person that they are having hard, rapid, or irregular heartbeats or a combination of these sensations. A brief description of the heart's function that should help readers to better understand palpitations. The heart is a two-stage electrical …

Ruptured (perforated) eardrum definition and facts Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story A ruptured eardrum, also known as a perforated tympanic membrane, is a hole or a tear in the eardrum. The eardrum is a thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear. A ruptured or perforated eardrum is a hole or tears in the eardrum (tympanic …

What is endotracheal intubation? Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure, but it can be traumatic and quite involved. Intubation requires 10 or more pieces of medical equipment, multiple medications and dozens of steps. Endotracheal intubation is the procedure to insert a flexible tube into the airway (trachea) through the mouth or the nose. Endotracheal intubation is performed during general anesthesia …

What is laryngitis? Generally, laryngitis isn’t a severe condition and should resolve in barely three weeks Laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box (larynx). If caused by a virus or bacteria, laryngitis may be contagious. Generally, laryngitis isn’t a severe condition and should resolve in barely three weeks with proper treatment, but in some cases, laryngitis lasts longer and …

Seborrheic dermatitis facts Picture of seborrheic dermatitis along the hairline; photo courtesy of Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Seborrheic dermatitis is probably the single most common inflammatory skin condition affecting humans aside from acne vulgaris. Seborrheic dermatitis is highly treatable but incurable. The course of seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by spontaneous remissions and exacerbations (flare-ups). Seborrheic dermatitis affects all ages. …

Hydronephrosis facts Hydroureter describes swelling of the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. It causes pain. Hydronephrosis describes swelling of the kidney resulting from the inability of urine to drain from the kidney into the bladder. Hydroureter describes swelling of the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. The obstruction may occur at …

What is intravenous insulin therapy? IV insulin is administered as an emergency procedure; it is dangerous and must be done under supervision of a doctor. Intravenous insulin therapy is a treatment procedure to control high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in ICU patients. Rapid and efficient control of hyperglycemia improves recovery rates and reduces mortality in critically ill patients. Intravenous insulin therapy …

What are the causes of low blood pressure? Low blood pressure can be temporary, or it can be a chronic (long-lasting) condition. These are the following medical reasons that may lead to low blood pressure: Blood loss: Losing a lot of blood, such as from a major injury or internal bleeding, reduces the amount of blood in your body, leading to …