What is a vagotomy? Vagotomy is a surgical procedure to sever part of the nerve that controls digestion. The aim is to reduce stomach acid. The vagus nerve is responsible for sensory and motor functions of the internal organs such as heart, lungs and the gastrointestinal system. The vagus nerve runs from the brain, down …
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Marfan syndrome definition and facts* Syringomas on the Eyelids of a Marfan Syndrome Patient. Marfan syndrome affects different people in different ways. The body systems most often affected by the syndrome are the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels, nervous system, skin, and lungs. Image Source: Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology Samuel Weinberg, Neil S. Prose, Leonard Kristal Copyright 2008, 1998, …
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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 your organs. Its pumping power …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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What is back pain? Symptoms associated with kidney pain are discomfort (acute or chronic), aches, or sharp pain that occurs in the back between approximately the lowest rib and the buttock by iStock. People may feel the pain almost anywhere in the back, from the base of the neck down to the tailbone. The pain may originate from any of …
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