Tag Archives: breast cancer

What are volar splints? Volar splints minimize movements and provide support and comfort by stabilizing an injury of the palm or foot, which also reduces pain and helps the injury heal faster. Splints are usually applied to reduce movement and provide support and comfort by stabilizing an injury. They are primarily used during nonemergency injuries …

What does synchronized electrical cardioversion mean? Cardioversion is typically used to terminate a life-threatening or unstable tachycardic arrhythmia. Synchronized electrical cardioversion is a medical procedure in which an electric current is passed through a person’s chest to convert abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) to normal heart rhythm. The direct current (DC) shocks to the heart has long been used successfully to …

What is a trigger point injection? Trigger point injections are given to inactivate your trigger points and provide prompt relief from chronic pain from conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. Trigger point injections are given to inactivate your trigger points, resulting in prompt relief from chronic pain.  A trigger point is a painful point in the muscle that …

Smoker's lung introduction Picture of normal airway and lung Cigarette smoking is associated with a wide variety of abnormalities throughout the body that cause not only illness, but also, all too often, death. Indeed, if all deaths from diseases related to smoking (lung disease, heart disease, and cancers of many different organs) were considered, a case could be made for …

What is superficial heat and cold therapy? Superficial cold therapy can reduce swelling and pain. Superficial heat therapy can reduce pain, and increase muscle relaxation. Superficial heat and cold therapy are adjunctive therapy used for pain control and sports injury treatment. These therapies exert their effects at a depth of 1-2 cm. In general, these therapies limit tissue damage, control …

What is a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)? A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) connects the hepatic vein and portal vein in the liver with a stent. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an artificial connection that is created by a radiologist between two veins (hepatic vein and portal vein) in the liver. These veins are connected by a …

What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system, specifically the myelin sheath that insulates and protects nerve fibers. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) by damaging and destroying the protective myelin sheath around the nerve fibers. Someone with …

What is a single-port surgery? A single-port appendectomy technique involves the removal of the appendix (appendectomy) using a single-port laparoscopic surgery. A single-port surgery is performed through a single incision (cut) in the navel. It is less invasive surgery than traditional laparoscopic surgery. The major advantages of single-port surgery are minimal scarring, less discomfort, faster recovery and fewer complications. What …

What is ventilator management? There are six major types of ventilator support including continuous mandatory ventilation to noninvasive ventilation. Intubation is a procedure performed when the patient is unable to breathe by themselves. It may be a life-saving procedure in the emergency room (ER) or planned during the surgery when the patient is under general anesthesia.  The doctor inserts a …

What is tube thoracostomy? Tube thoracostomy is a chest drain used to remove fluid from around the lungs, easing pressure on breathing. Tube thoracostomy, also known as open chest drainage, is a surgical procedure to drain the collection of pleural fluid, air, blood, or pus from the pleural cavity through a tube inserted in your chest. The pleural cavity is …