Locked-in Syndrome Causes, Statistics & Prognosis

Locked-in syndrome facts Locked-in syndrome occurs when a person is quadriplegic and also has no way to produce speech or facial movements. The affected person cannot communicate but is aware of their surroundings; the patient can hear and see and has normal intelligence and reasoning ability but may only communicate with eye movements. The main …

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What Is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis? Radiology & Treatment

What is hypersensitivity pneumonitis and what are its causes? Readers Comments 8 Share Your Story Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammation of the lung (usually of the very small airways) caused by the body’s immune reaction to small air-borne particles. These particles can be bacteria, mold, fungi, or even inorganic matter. What is acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis? Acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis tends …

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What Is the Treatment for a Heart Attack?

What is a heart attack? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction or MI) is the death of heart muscle from the sudden blockage by a blood clot in a coronary artery that supplies blood to the heart. Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen, causing …

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Vagus Nerve Stimulation Uses, Side Effects, Benefits, and Risks

Vagus (vagal) nerve stimulation (VNS) definition and facts The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve that supplies motor (muscle) nerve fibers to the throat, larynx, trachea, lungs, heart, esophagus and intestinal tract; it also sends sensory information back to the brain from the ear, tongue, pharynx and larynx. There are two vagus nerves on each side of your body …

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omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid): Side Effects & Dosage

What is omeprazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the class include lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, …

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Percocet vs. Hydrocodone: Differences Between Opioid Painkillers

Percocet vs. hydrocodone facts Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) and hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Percocet has an additional non-narcotic pain reliever added (acetaminophen) which achieves greater pain relief than either taken separately. Both Percocet and hydrocodone are available as generic drugs. Percocet is a brand name for oxycodone and acetaminophen. Side effects of both Percocet and …

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Hydrocodone vs. Hydromorphone for Pain: Which Is Better?

Hydrocodone vs. hydromorphone differences Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Dilaudid-5, Dilaudid-HP Injection, Exalgo) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Both hydrocodone and hydromorphone are available as generic drugs. Side effects of both hydrocodone and hydromorphone are similar and include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Hydrocodone may also cause drowsiness and difficulty urinating. Hydromorphone may cause side effects …

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Dilaudid (hydromorphone HCL) for Pain: Sides Effects & Dosage

What is Dilaudid, and how does it work? Hydromorphone hydrochloride (HCI)  is an opioid narcotic pain reliever similar to oxycodone, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and other opioids. Hydromorphone, like other opioids, stimulates receptors on nerves in the brain to increase the threshold to pain (increasing the amount of stimulation it takes to feel pain) and reduce the perception of pain (the perceived …

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Ativan vs. Valium: Benzodiazepine Side Effects, Dosage & Uses

Ativan vs. Valium comparison Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are both members of the benzodiazepine family of drugs used mainly to treat anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Researchers believe both Ativan and Valium – like other members of the benzodiazepine group – work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter that helps inhibit excess brain activity. Excessive activity of nerves in the brain …

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Percocet for Pain: Side Effects, Dosage & Addiction

What is Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen)? Oxycodone is a strong narcotic pain-reliever and cough suppressant similar to morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone. Is Percocet available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for Percocet? Yes Why is Percocet prescribed to patients? Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is prescribed for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. QUESTION Medically speaking, the …

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