According to the American Heart Association, about 5 million Americans are diagnosed with valvular heart disease each year. What Is Valvular Heart Disease? Heart valve disease occurs when your heart's valves do not work the way they should. How Do Heart Valves Work? Your heart valves lie at the exit of each of your four …
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Laparoscopy: Read All About This Procedure
Though many gastrointestinal disorders can be treated successfully with lifestyle changes or medications, some conditions may require surgery. Laparoscopic surgery and hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) are, “minimally invasive” procedures commonly used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike traditional surgery on the colon or other parts of the intestines where a long incision down the center of the abdomen …
Read More »Penis Disorders: Get Facts about Causes and Symptoms
There are two primary disorders that affect the male reproductive external organs. These include penis disorders and testicular disorders. Disorders of the penis and testes can affect a man's sexual functioning and fertility. What disorders affect the penis? Some disorders that affect the penis include priapism, Peyronie's disease , balanitis, phimosis, paraphimosis, and penile cancer . What is priapism? Priapism …
Read More »Seizures: Read About Symptoms and Types
Epilepsy and an overview of the types of seizures Based on the type of behavior and brain activity, seizures are divided into two broad categories: generalized and partial (also called local or focal). Classifying the type of seizure helps physicians diagnose whether or not a patient has epilepsy. Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from throughout the entire brain, …
Read More »Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: Facts About Statistics
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome facts* *Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by the dramatic and rapid appearance of aging; symptoms begin in early childhood. Signs and symptoms may include facial changes such as thin, beaked-tipped nose, a small chin, thin lips, protruding ears and prominent eyes; other non-facial …
Read More »Vasectomy: Learn About Recovery From This Common Procedure
Vasectomy facts *Vasectomy facts medically edited by: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Vasectomy is an effective method of birth control; only about 15 out of 10,000 couples had a pregnancy occur after vasectomy. Vasectomy is a surgical technique done in men to cut the vas deferens bilaterally to prevent sperm from reaching the seminal fluid during ejaculation. Vasectomies are usually …
Read More »Problem Sleepiness: Get the Facts on Causes and Treatment
Problem sleepiness facts* Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story *Problem sleepiness facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Problem sleepiness occurs when sleepiness during the day interferes with work or social functioning. Symptoms of problem sleepiness may include difficulty concentrating, falling asleep while driving, or problems with emotional control. There are a number of causes of problem sleepiness, including sleep …
Read More »Phakic Intraocular Lenses: Get Facts About Surgery Risks
Phakic intraocular lenses are new devices used to correct nearsightedness. These thin lenses are implanted permanently into the eye to help reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses. What are Phakic Lenses? Phakic intraocular lenses, or phakic lenses, are lenses made of plastic or silicone that are implanted into the eye permanently to reduce a person’s need for glasses …
Read More »LASEK Laser Eye Surgery: Read About Risks and Recovery Time
Introduction to LASEK Laser Eye Surgery LASEK laser eye surgery is a newer surgery that combines many of the benefits of older vision correction surgeries, explain doctors at The Cleveland Clinic. Laser epithelial keratomileusis, or LASEK, combines benefits of the two most commonly performed procedures — LASIK and PRK. LASEK laser eye surgery is used to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness or …
Read More »Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization: Facts on Treatment
TMR is a new procedure used to treat inoperable heart disease in people with persistent angina that isn’t relieved by any other method. Most people with coronary artery disease are treated with angioplasty and stenting or, coronary bypass surgery and medications to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. If these procedures do not eliminate the symptoms of chest pain …
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