How the Heart Works: Diagram, Anatomy, Blood Flow

What does the heart look like and how does it work? Illustrations of Blood Flow to the Heart The heart is an amazing organ. It starts beating about 22 days after conception and continuously pumps oxygenated red blood cells and nutrient-rich blood and other compounds like platelets throughout your body to sustain the life of …

Read More »

Kidney Dysplasia: Can a Baby Live with One Kidney?

Kidney dysplasia facts* During normal development, the tubules that collect urine branch out throughout the baby's kidneys. In kidney dysplasia, the tubules fail to branch out, and urine has nowhere to go. The urine collects inside the kidney and forms cysts. *Facts written by John C. Cunha, DO. Kidney dysplasia is a condition in which the internal structures of one …

Read More »

How Long Does a Popliteal Nerve Block Last?

What is popliteal nerve block? This image is similar to what a doctor might see on an ultrasound when locating the popliteal nerve to administer anesthetic for a popliteal nerve block. Popliteal nerve block is a type of anesthetic procedure that blocks the sciatic nerve and blocks pain in the lower leg, including  the calf,  shin,  fibula,  ankle, and  foot.  …

Read More »

How Do You Treat Saphenous Nerve Pain?

What is saphenous nerve block? Saphenous nerve block is an anesthetic procedure to numb the saphenous nerve, killing sensation in the leg. Saphenous nerve block is a type of anesthetic procedure that blocks the saphenous nerve, a pure sensory nerve of the leg, to anesthetize the lower extremity. Saphenous nerve block is performed by injecting local anesthetic (usually lidocaine or …

Read More »

What Is Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery?

What is an umbilical hernia repair surgery? When an organ protrudes through a weak point in the muscle wall or other surrounding tissue, it’s called a hernia. “Umbilical” refers to the navel region. A hernia is a protrusion of an internal body part, such as the intestine, through a weak spot in the muscle or the surrounding tissue wall. An …

Read More »

Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Abilify (aripiprazole): Antipsychotic Uses & Side Effects

Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Abilify (aripiprazole): What’s the difference? Haloperidol and Abilify (aripiprazole) are antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia and Tourette's syndrome. Haloperidol is also used to treat acute psychosis. Abilify is also used to treat bipolar disorder, irritability associated with autistic disorder, and it is used with other medications to treat major depression in adults. A brand name for …

Read More »

Sprains and Strains: Difference, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Test

Sprains and strains facts Is it a Sprain or Strain? A sprain is abnormal stretching or tearing of a ligament that supports a joint. A strain is abnormal stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon. Sprains and strains may be caused by repetitive activities or by a single overuse injury. Pain, swelling, and bruising are common signs and symptoms …

Read More »

What Is a Colon Resection?

What is a colon resection? Colon resection surgery (colectomy) removes a length of intestine that is diseased or dead, and then re-connects the severed ends to each other or to an ostomy in the abdomen attached to a colostomy bag to catch feces.. Colon resection (colectomy) is the surgical removal of part or all of the colon. The surgeon removes …

Read More »

lopinavir & ritonavir (Kaletra): HIV Drug with COVID-19 Coronavirus Potential?

What is lopinavir and ritonavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Kaletra is an oral medication that is a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir. It is used for treating infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors which, among others, includes ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase). …

Read More »

Interferon beta-1a (Rebif) for MS: Potential COVID-19 Drug

What is interferon beta-1a (Rebif), and what is it used for? Interferon beta-1a (Rebif) is a protein produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells into which the human interferon beta genes have been introduced. It is used for treating multiple sclerosis (MS). Interferon beta-1a is designed to be identical to interferon beta that is naturally …

Read More »