Sigmoidoscopy vs. colonoscopy: What’s the difference? Both sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy examine the lining of the colon, but the colonoscopy can show more of the colon. Both sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are nonsurgical procedures that involve use of a tube (endoscope) with a light and camera to examine parts of the large intestine (colon). A sigmoidoscopy …
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What are lice? Share Your Story Lice and fleas are tiny wingless insects that can infest humans and their homes. Lice are tiny parasites that can infest the human skin and scalp. They are wingless insects that are about the size of a sesame seed. Infestation with lice is known as pediculosis and can occur on the head (head lice), …
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Parkinson’s disease facts Most people who develop Parkinson's disease are 60 years of age or older. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, which leads to progressive deterioration of motor function due to loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The cause of Parkinson’s Disease is unknown but researchers speculate that both genetic and environmental factors are involved; some genes have been linked …
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) facts SARS causes a decrease in white blood cells and platelet (clotting cell) counts in the blood. SARS is the febrile "severe acute respiratory syndrome" that first appeared in 2003 and spread rapidly to more than two dozen countries across the world, infecting over 8,000 people and killing 774 before it could be contained in …
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) facts MERS-CoV is a type of coronavirus that spreads through respiratory secretions. MERS-CoV is a new novel coronavirus that caused severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) first identified in Saudi Arabia in September 2012. The infection appears to be the result of spread of the virus from camels to humans, resulting in limited person-to-person spread …
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What is a hiatal hernia (definition)? Readers Comments 79 Share Your Story Hiatal hernia can cause esophageal pain. The esophagus connects the throat to the stomach. It passes through the chest and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. The term hiatal hernia describes a condition where the upper part of the stomach that …
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Lassa fever facts Picture of Lassa fever virus structure Lassa fever is one of the hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and others. Unlike Ebola virus, Lassa fever is not as contagious person to person, nor as deadly. Lassa virus is typically transmitted by the urine or feces of Mastomys rats to humans. Health workers may be infected …
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Salmonella food poisoning facts Salmonella bacteria cause food-borne illnesses. Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tract of humans and animals and are excreted in feces. Poultry, beef, milk, and eggs all can contain Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infection is a food-borne illness that occurs from consumption of raw meats and eggs, contaminated dairy foods such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or fruits …
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Pulmonary hypertension definition and facts Pulmonary hypertension is elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries that carry blood from the lungs to the heart. Pulmonary hypertension is abnormally elevated pressure in the pulmonary circulation. The classification of primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension has been reclassified, and now is based on the main underlying disease or condition, symptoms, and treatment options for …
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Porphyria facts* A health care provider diagnoses porphyria with blood, urine, and stool tests. *Porphyria facts medically edited by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Porphyria is a group of diseases that are due to the deficiency of one of the enzymes needed to make an important substance in the body called heme. Porphyrias are often classified as acute …
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