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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 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 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? 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 »
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 »
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 open left hemicolectomy? An open left hemicolectomy is the removal of part of the colon or large intestine to treat colorectal cancer in the area. The colon or the large bowel is a part of the large intestine. The colon is typically divided into: The left half of the transverse colon (the middle straight part of the colon) …
Read More »
Facts you should know about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an emotional illness that doctors first formally diagnosed in soldiers and war veterans and is usually caused by terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise highly unsafe experiences but can also be caused by devastating life events like …
Read More »
