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The urinary bladder is a hollow muscular organ that collects urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic) organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra.
Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that usually appear on the heels or balls of your feet, areas that feel the most pressure. This pressure also may cause plantar warts to grow inward beneath a hard, thick layer of skin (callus). Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other weak spots on the bottom of your feet. Most plantar warts aren't a serious health concern and may not require treatment. But plantar warts can cause discomfort or pain. If self-care treatments for plantar warts don't work, you may want to see your doctor to have them removed.
The shoulder is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. The shoulder joint is formed where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the scapula (shoulder blade), like a ball and socket. Other important bones in the shoulder include: The acromion is a bony projection off the scapula. The clavicle (collarbone) meets the acromion in the acromioclavicular joint. The coracoid process is a hook-like bony projection from the scapula.
A seizure occurs when there’s abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures may go virtually unnoticed. Or, in severe cases, they may produce a change or loss of consciousness and involuntary muscle spasms called convulsions. Seizures usually come on suddenly and vary in duration and severity. A seizure may be a one-time event, or you may have seizures repeatedly. Recurrent seizures are called epilepsy, or a seizure disorder. Less than one in 10 people who has a seizure develops epilepsy. Experts classify seizures into two general categories and many subtypes based on the pattern of the attack. Generalized seizures involve both sides of the brain from the start of the attack. Common subtypes include tonic-clonic (grand mal) and absence seizures (petit mal). Febrile and infantile spasms are two types of generalized seizures that occur almost exclusively in young children. Partial (or focal) seizures are the second major seizure type. These begin in a specific area of the brain and may be contained there. Or they may spread to the entire brain. With simple partial seizures, the person remains conscious. Complex partial seizures involve impaired consciousness. What Causes Seizures? Often the cause of a seizure is unknown. Many conditions can provoke seizures, including: Stroke Brain tumors Head injuries Electrolyte imbalance Very low blood sugar Repetitive sounds or flashing lights, such as in video games Medications, such as antipsychotics and some asthma drugs Withdrawal from medications, such as Xanax, narcotics, or alcohol Use of drugs such as cocaine and heroin Cancer Brain infections, such as meningitis
Heart sounds are the noises generated by the beating heart and the resultant flow of blood through it. Specifically, the sounds reflect the turbulence created when the heart valves snap shut. In cardiac auscultation, an examiner may use a stethoscope to listen for these unique and distinct sounds that provide important auditory data regarding the condition of the heart. In healthy adults, there are two normal heart sounds often described as a lub and a dub (or dup), that occur in sequence with each heartbeat. These are the first heart sound (S1) and second heart sound (S2), produced by the closing of the atrioventricular valves and semilunar valves, respectively. In addition to these normal sounds, a variety of other sounds may be present including heart murmurs, adventitious sounds, and gallop rhythms S3 and S4.
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — an organ in your abdomen that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars. Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced and complete surgical removal isn't possible.
This video: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid — called follicles — located in each ovary as seen during an ultrasound exam. Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity can all occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In adolescents, infrequent or absent menstruation may raise suspicion for the condition. The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
They are the leaders of the pack when it comes to minimally invasive surgeries. Laparoscopic and robotic. Different techniques with the same benefits.
"There's significantly less blood loss, it's a quicker procedure, quicker recovery, less scarring, less chance for post operative wound complications or infections," says Dr. Darren Miter, laparoscopic surgeon with Lee Memorial Health System.
In a laparoscopic procedure surgeons operate through a series of poke holes, manually inserting thin cutting tools and a camera to provide magnified vision. It's used in a variety of surgical specialties.
"The vast majority of gallbladder surgeries are performed laparoscopically. A single incision in the belly button, one up under the breastbone and either one or two in the right upper side of the belly. Using long skinny instruments and looking up at a TV monitor, remove the gallbladder that way," says Dr. Miter.
While laparoscopic is a hands-on approach, robotic procedures are surgeon-controlled. Working at a console, surgeons direct the robotic arms, which have super-human capabilities and 3D, hi def vision.
"I mean you have to see it to believe it, that's a great tool to have. You got a very good depth perception. Plus the other thing when you're working with your hands it's more intuitive," says Dr. Nagesh Ravipati, colorectal surgeon with Lee Memorial Health System.
The robotic system performs maneuvers the human hand can't.
"Especially if you have to do any suturing, it is so much simpler with the robots because you can just turn around 360 degrees," says Dr. Ravipati.
Robotic surgery is gaining momentum in precise procedures, including the field of cancer.
"The robot is good when you're going to operate on just one field. For rectal surgery you're in one place, it's docked. It gives you the best 3 dimensional vision," says Dr. Ravipati.
Robotic and laparoscopic. Both cutting edge options, with less cutting.
View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/
Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
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Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Over 2,100 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 40 seconds. The good news is, you can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Working with your doctor is key. It takes a team to develop and maintain a successful health program. You and your healthcare professionals each play an important role in maintaining and improving your heart health. Work with your doctor to determine your risk and the best approach to manage it. In all cases, lifestyle changes are important to reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. In some cases, cholesterol-lowering statin medicines may also provide benefit. Learn how to make diet and lifestyle changes easy and lasting. Also make sure you understand instructions for taking medication because it won't work if you don't take it as directed. Lifestyle Changes Your diet, weight, physical activity and exposure to tobacco smoke all affect your cholesterol level. Know Your Fats Knowing which fats raise LDL cholesterol and which ones don't is the first step in lowering your risk of heart disease.
Most people develop several moles (nevi) throughout adulthood. Moles can be found anywhere on the body, usually in sun-exposed areas, and are usually brown, smooth, and slightly raised. In most cases, a nevus is benign and doesn't require treatment. Rarely, they turn into melanoma or other skin cancers. A nevus that changes shape, grows bigger, or darkens should be evaluated for removal.
Iron is a mineral that plays a vital role in health and well-being. Without it, many bodily functions would malfunction. “The primary role of iron is to carry oxygen in the blood to every cell in the body,” says Beth Thayer, RDN, MS, director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs and transports it throughout the body.
The shoulder joint is formed where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the scapula (shoulder blade), like a ball and socket. Other important bones in the shoulder include: The acromion is a bony projection off the scapula. The clavicle (collarbone) meets the acromion in the acromioclavicular joint.
Take your left leg and place your ankle against the knee. Hold the position for a moment before changing legs. This helps stretch the tiny piriformis muscle, which sometimes becomes inflamed and presses against the sciatic nerve causing pain. Repeat by switching sides and doing the same exercise with the other leg.
To identify an UTI, keep an eye out for the following symptoms: A burning feeling when you urinate. A frequent or intense urge to urinate, even though little comes out when you do. Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen. Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine. Feeling tired or shaky.
Minimally invasive open thyroidectomy (MIT) is similar to conventional thyroidectomy in its surgical approach. The major difference is the length of the neck incision. A smaller incision improves cosmesis and reduces discomfort. Typically, a skin incision less than 6 cm is considered minimally invasive. The remainder of the procedure is exactly the same as is used in conventional thyroidectomy. Adaptations to this technique include transection rather than lateral retraction of the strap muscles (the Sofferman technique). [1]
The normal electrical conduction in the heart allows the impulse that is generated by the sinoatrial node (SA node) of the heart to be propagated to (and stimulate) the cardiac muscle (myocardium). The myocardium contracts after stimulation.
What does the placenta do? The placenta is an organ that develops in your uterus during pregnancy. This structure provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby and removes waste products from your baby's blood. The placenta attaches to the wall of your uterus, and your baby's umbilical cord arises from it. In most pregnancies, the placenta attaches at the top or side of the uterus.