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 …
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Heterochromia Iridis Causes, Types & Rarity
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 …
Read More »What Are the Barrier Methods of Contraception?
What is barrier contraception? Contraception refers to any measures you take to prevent sexual intercourse from resulting in pregnancy. The barrier method of contraception prevents the fertilization of the egg (ovum) by blocking the passage of the sperm into the cervix with a physical device, or by destroying the sperm cell membrane with spermicide. What is the best contraceptive? The definition of …
Read More »What Is an Example of Chemical Restraint?
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 …
Read More »What Is Botulinum Toxin Used For?
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 …
Read More »Can Botulinum Toxin Be Used for Pain Relief?
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 …
Read More »What Is Artificial Blood and Why Is it Used?
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 …
Read More »Mycapssa (octreotide): Acromegaly Medication Side Effects & Dosage
What is Mycapssa (octreotide)? Mycapssa is indicated for long-term maintenance treatment in acromegaly patients who have responded to and tolerated treatment with octreotide or lanreotide. Acromegaly is a condition due to the production of too much growth hormone by the pituitary gland after the end of adolescence. When there is secretion of too much growth hormone before the end of …
Read More »What Is a Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement Surgery?
Minimally invasive hip arthroplasty uses a laparoscope to remove a damaged or diseased hip joint and replace it with hardware. This approach usually improves recovery time versus an open hip replacement surgery. Hip arthroplasty is also called hip replacement surgery. The hip consists of a ball (femoral head) that fits into a socket (acetabulum). The joint capsule and surrounding ligaments …
Read More »What Is Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors?
What is liver ablation surgery? Radiofrequency ablation is one of several established methods of destroying liver tumors without removing them surgically. Liver ablation surgery is a procedure that destroys liver tumors without surgically removing them. The technique can be used in people with: Early-stage liver cancer Primary liver tumor that cannot be operated Poor general health and metastatic growths Multiple …
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