How Serious Is Crohn’s Disease?

What is Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease in and of itself is not usually life-threatening, although it can cause serious or fatal complications, which include bowel obstruction, fistulas, anal fissures, and others. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes inflammation in the gut (the digestive tract) and belongs to a group of conditions known …

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How Long Is Shingles Contagious?

Shingles result from the activation of the chickenpox virus already present, but inactive (dormant), in nerve tissues. The virus remains dormant in spinal nerves usually after the person has had chickenpox as a child. The varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles can spread to others causing chickenpox in patients who have not had it in the past. It is not possible …

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Why Is Wrist Arthrocentesis Performed?

What is wrist arthrocentesis? Wrist arthrocentesis is a procedure to remove or aspirate fluid from the wrist joint through a needle for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Why is wrist arthrocentesis performed? Wrist arthrocentesis is performed in patients in the below conditions: To reduce pain and swelling from the joint To inject medications at that joint To diagnose conditions related to …

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When Are Wrist and Forearm Amputations Performed?

What is amputation? Amputation is a condition in which an extremity or a part of an extremity such as an arm, leg, foot, hand, toe, or finger is removed, usually due to injury, disease, or surgery.  What is a prosthesis? A prosthesis is an artificial limb used to replace the loss of function from amputation. When deciding on a suitable …

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What Is Usually the First Sign of HIV?

What is HIV? The first signs of HIV are flu-like symptoms about two to four weeks after contracting the virus. You may remain symptomless, so base your decision to get tested on your potential exposure history, not the appearance of symptoms. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the cells of the immune system. CD4+ cells help the body to resist any …

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What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With COPD?

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a slowly progressive disease that causes symptoms such as breathlessness and cough. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases with the chief symptom of breathlessness and cough. COPD is a slowly progressive disease and affects approximately 32 million Americans. COPD leads to airflow obstruction …

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What Is the Difference Between HIV-1 and HIV-2?

What is HIV? HIV-1 is the most common form of HIV. HIV-2 is less deadly and mostly found in West Africa. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the cells of the immune system. CD4+ cells help the body to resist any infections. When the number of these cells is reduced, the body is less resistant, which makes it vulnerable to other …

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What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis?

What is arthritis? Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, which causes symptoms such as pain and swelling of the joints in the body, including the fingers, hips, and knees. Arthritis refers to the inflammation of the joints. It presents as pain and swelling of the joints in the body. Arthritis can develop in any joint such as joints of …

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What Is the Best Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation?

What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart disorder that causes an abnormally high heart rate. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a type of heart disorder that can cause an abnormally high heart rate. AFib occurs due to problems with an individual’s heart’s electrical activity. It results in poor pumping of blood by the heart because of which …

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What Is Fascial Closure?

What is a fascia? The fascia is the fibrous connective tissue that is present throughout the entire body, and there are three main types: superficial fascia (Camper’s fascia), deep fascia (Scarpa’s fascia), and visceral fascia. The fascia is the fibrous connective tissue that is present throughout the entire body. There are three main types of fascia: Superficial fascia (Camper’s fascia): …

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