Generic Name: boswellia Other Names: Indian frankincense, Boswellia serrata Drug Class: Herbals What is boswellia, and what is it used for? Boswellia, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic resin extracted from the Boswellia species of trees native to India, Africa and Arabia. The resin extracted from Boswellia serrata, the Indian frankincense is the species …
Read More »What Is Toxic Megacolon? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Toxic megacolon occurs when swelling and inflammation spread to the deeper layers of the colon Toxic megacolon is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of severe inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease or infection such as Clostridium difficile colitis. Toxic megacolon occurs when swelling and inflammation spread to the deeper layers of the colon (the …
Read More »What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With Cystinosis?
Although there is no cure for cystinosis, new drugs and advancements in stem cell research have helped improve cystinosis survival rates With early diagnosis and proper treatment, the life expectancy of someone with cystinosis is about 50 years. Many patients survive into middle age. Although there is no cure for cystinosis, new drugs and advancements in stem cell research have …
Read More »What Is the Best Kidney Disease Treatment? 5 Options & 5 Stages
Depending on the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), these are the five primary treatment options. Unfortunately, there is no cure for chronic kidney disease, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and prevent them from worsening. 5 stages of kidney disease Chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages. The stages vary depending on how much damage your kidneys …
Read More »What Is Hemolysis and Why Does It Occur?
Excessive hemolysis can cause a low amount of RBCs and lead to hemolytic anemia Hemolysis refers to the natural destruction of old or damaged red blood cells (RBCs). Typically, RBCs have a lifespan of about 120 days, after which they are broken down by the body and replaced with new RBCs. In normal conditions, the rate of RBC destruction is …
Read More »What Deficiency Causes Petechiae?
Petechiae occurs when blood vessels called capillaries break open Vitamin C and K deficiencies can lead to petechiae, which occurs when blood vessels called capillaries break open. Learn about causes of petechiae and when to see a doctor about your symptoms. How does vitamin C deficiency cause petechiae? Vitamin C deficiency, also called scurvy, can make the capillaries fragile. This is …
Read More »What Causes Drop Hand? Wrist Drop
Drop hand syndrome is caused by damage to the radial nerve of the arm Drop hand syndrome, also known as wrist drop, is a condition caused by damage to the radial nerve of the arm, which carries signals from the brain down the arm to the hand. Damage may be caused by an injury or compression (radial neuropathy) due to …
Read More »Is Legionnaires’ Disease Fatal? Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of lung infection (bacterial pneumonia) caused by Legionella bacterium. The death rate of Legionnaire’s disease is about 5 to 10 percent in normal individuals and may be as high as 40 to 80 percent in untreated patients who are immunosuppressed. When treated on time, the mortality rate can be reduced to 5 to 30 percent …
Read More »How Do You Know if a UTI Has Spread to Your Kidneys?
What is a UTI? A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract. Signs that a UTI has spread to the kidneys include chills, high fever, nausea, and vomiting, and other signs. The urinary tract consists of two kidneys, two ureters that carry urine from the kidneys, the urinary bladder, which receives urine from the ureters, and the urethra, …
Read More »How Long Does Norovirus Usually Last? Symptoms & Diagnosis
Norovirus spreads easily and infects people in several ways. Symptoms of norovirus infection usually last about two to three days. Kids with norovirus infection should not go to school or childcare until there are no symptoms for at least 24 hours. Moreover, they should avoid swimming pools until they’re well again. Children in diapers should stay out of pools until …
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