What is a heel stick? The heel stick test for newborns is a quick prick on the heel of the baby using a lancet. This is the least traumatic way to draw blood from infants for routine testing. Heel stick is the most common and minimally invasive method to draw capillary blood from an infant …
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How Serious Is a Heart Ablation Surgery?
Heart ablation is a procedure done to rectify problems with heart rhythm. Heart ablation surgery is usually safe but like every procedure, there are some risks associated with it. Problems with heart ablation surgery include: The injury to the blood vessels as the catheter passes through Blood clots in the legs or lungs Stroke or heart attack Worsening of the …
Read More »Rheumatoid Factor Normal Ranges, Positive Test Results, Elevated Levels
Facts you should know about rheumatoid factor (RF) The rheumatoid factor blood test helps to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that is detectable in the blood of approximately 80% of adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor test is used by health care professionals to help in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes rheumatoid factor can be detected in the …
Read More »Why Is Meconium Ileus Diagnostic for Cystic Fibrosis?
What does meconium ileus mean? Meconium ileus is an obstruction in the small intestine caused by thick, congealed meconium, the first stool passed by a newborn baby. Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder, is a common cause of this problem. Meconium ileus is an obstruction in the small intestine caused by thick, congealed meconium. Meconium is the first stool passed by …
Read More »What Surgery Is Done for Hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis refers to the swelling of the kidney caused by the collection of urine. Hydronephrosis refers to the swelling of the kidney caused by the collection of urine. Surgery would be recommended only in the most severe cases. The goal of the surgery is to reduce swelling and pressure in the kidney by establishing a free flow of the urine. …
Read More »How Painful Is a Prostate Biopsy? 3 Types
A prostate biopsy is a simple surgical procedure that takes just 10 minutes. A prostate biopsy is a simple surgical procedure that takes just 10 minutes. It involves inserting the biopsy needle through the wall of your rectum to reach your prostate to cut and remove around 10-12 small samples of tissue from the prostate. The idea of the procedure …
Read More »Myofascial Pain Syndrome Vs Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is believed to affect the way the brain processes pain signals and amplifies the sensation of pain. Most people with chronic pain and fatigue in their muscles tend to have either fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal (involving the muscles and bones) pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Fibromyalgia …
Read More »What Is the Success Rate of a Pancreas Transplant?
More than 95% of people survive the first year after a pancreas transplant. More than 95% of people survive the first year after a pancreas transplant. Organ rejection occurs in about 1% of the patients. The survival rate decreases to 92.5% at three years. The risk of death from the surgery itself is low and happens in less than one …
Read More »How Painful Is a Cystoscopy?
It may look like cystoscopy will be painful, but it does not usually cause distressing levels of pain. It may look like cystoscopy will be painful, but it does not usually cause distressing levels of pain. Some discomfort will be experienced during the procedure and when the scope is inserted inside the urinary opening, but your doctor will do their …
Read More »Eye Herpes (Herpes Keratitis, Ocular Herpes) Symptoms & Treatment
What are herpes viruses? There are several members of the herpes virus family. They include herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), herpes zoster (HZV, also known as varicella-zoster virus or VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and others. What causes herpes eye infections? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story The two types of herpes virus that most commonly affect the …
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