What is an incisional hernia? An incisional hernia is a type of hernia caused by an incompletely healed surgical wound. A hernia is a bulge or protrusion of body tissue or an organ through the structure that normally contains it. A hernia usually occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes itself through a weak spot in a surrounding area. In …
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What is laparoscopic gastric banding? Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is done under general anesthesia. This procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Laparoscopic gastric banding is a weight loss surgery in which the surgeon places a band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a small pouch to hold food, limiting the amount an individual can …
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What are antiepileptic drugs? Antiepileptic drugs aim to rebalance the chemo-electric activity in the brain, the dysfunction of which causes seizures. Antiepileptic drugs (AED) are medications given to control epileptic seizures and convulsions. Antiepileptic drugs do not cure epilepsy, but may reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of seizures. Most people must continue taking antiepileptic drugs for their entire lives. …
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What is Lyme disease? Stage 1 early localized disease with a red rash with "bullseye" appearance occurring at or near the site of the tick bite. Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by infection with the microorganism, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the body’s immune response to its infection. The illness is transmitted from tick bites when the tick regurgitates the …
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What is sleep apnea? The most common warning signs of sleep apnea include recurrent awakenings or insomnia, loud snoring, and others. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which an individual’s breathing frequently stops during sleep. The inadequate breathing causes oxygen levels in the blood to drop and disturb sleep. In severe cases, sleep disturbances may happen hundreds of …
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What is an open appendectomy? An open appendectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the appendix. An appendix is a small, finger-like structure at the junction of the small and large intestine. The function of the appendix is largely unknown and its removal seems to not cause any observable problems. However, its infection can be painful. An …
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What is bipolar disorder? There are three main types of bipolar disorder – bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental condition that causes unusual and extreme shifts in mood. It is characterized by periods of deep, profound, and prolonged depression that alternate with periods of an excessively elevated …
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What is usually the first sign of HIV? The signs and symptoms of HIV may first appear within two to four weeks of infection. The initial presentation of an HIV infection is a flu-like illness which includes: Fever Body ache Sore throat Headache Rash Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are a part of the body’s immune system that helps get …
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What is asthma? There is no cure for asthma, however, asthma symptoms can be managed by lifestyle modifications and treatment. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways (bronchi). Bronchi generally allow for the passage of air in and out of the lungs. In asthma, these airways develop hypersensitivity, inflammation, and narrowing. This causes difficulty in breathing. In the …
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What exactly is a tumor? Tumors can vary in size, from a tiny swelling to a large lump. Tumors can appear almost anywhere in the body. A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells, which serves no purpose in the body. A tumor develops when cells divide too quickly and without control. Tumors can vary in size, from a tiny …
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