What are electromyography and nerve conduction studies? Electromyography and nerve conduction studies use electrodes to test the function of nerves and muscles to diagnose various problems. Nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography (EMG) are tests performed to assess the health of nerves and muscles. A neurophysiologist stimulates specific nerves and muscles and studies the resulting …
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How do you get multiple sclerosis? The prominent feature of MS is what is called an “attack” wherein symptoms occur and then resolve (remit) and may appear again (relapse) sometimes months or years apart affecting different organs. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system (CNS). …
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What is HIV? Symptoms appear sooner in HIV-1 and progress faster than HIV-2 HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks and damages the cells of the immune system in the body. Impaired immunity makes an individual susceptible to other infections. HIV infection is a lifelong condition with no cure and can lead to fatal complications. With appropriate treatment, …
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What is Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma? The exact cause of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is unknown. However, a variety of conditions act as risk factors in the development of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are a family history of lymphoma and more. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is cancer that affects the lymphatic system, a part of the body’s immune system. The lymphatic system helps in filtering foreign cells …
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What is the main cause of osteoarthritis? Risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include advancing age, obesity, trauma, family history of osteoarthritis, and more. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It involves the breakdown of cartilage and associated inflammatory changes in the adjacent bone. It is a leading cause of chronic disability, …
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What is an infraclavicular nerve block? An infraclavicular nerve block is injected just below the collarbone to numb the brachial plexus, which provides nerve function to the arm. An infraclavicular nerve block is a procedure to numb the brachial plexus nerves, which transmit sensation of the arms. An anesthetic injection is administered below the collarbone (clavicle), adjacent to the brachial …
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What is leukemia? Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and blood-forming cells, such as white blood cells. Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells of the bone marrow. Patients with leukemia have an over-production of a particular blood cell type in the body, the white blood cells (cells that fight infection and provide immunity). The excessive number …
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What is an ulnar nerve block? An ulnar nerve block is an injection of anesthesia to numb parts of the hand for surgery. An ulnar nerve block is a procedure to numb the side of the hand with the little finger. An anesthetic solution is injected adjacent to the ulnar nerve in the wrist or the elbow. The anesthetic blocks …
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What is a blood clot? A blood clot itself may not be something that you directly feel. However, the signs and symptoms of blood clots vary depending on their location. Normally, blood clotting is a natural mechanism of the body that prevents excessive blood loss when a blood vessel is injured. Platelets, proteins, and blood cells in the blood aggregate …
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What is hepatitis? Common causes of hepatitis are viruses, infections, alcohol, drugs, toxins, and others. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can occur due to a variety of factors, but the most common cause is a virus infection. Hepatitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) and can have fatal complications. The liver is in the right upper …
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