The brain is the most complex organ in our body. It controls everything we do, from simple things such as breathing, to complex things such as co-ordinating our movements. The brain stores our memories, allows us to think and speak, and controls how we behave

This animated video covers statins, fibrates, niacin, bile resins, and ezetimibe. We will discuss mechanisms of action, which part of the lipid profile is affected by each drug, and common side effects.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)—or, as it was traditionally termed, Churg-Strauss syndrome—is a rare systemic necrotizing vasculitis that affects small-to-medium-sized vessels and is associated with severe asthma and blood and tissue eosinophilia. [1] Like granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis), and the microscopic form of periarteritis (ie, microscopic polyangiitis), EGPA is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitide. [2, 3, 4, 5] In 1951, Churg and Strauss first described the syndrome in 13 patients who had asthma, eosinophilia, granulomatous inflammation, necrotizing systemic vasculitis, and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. [3] In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) proposed the following six criteria for the diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome [6] : Asthma (wheezing, expiratory rhonchi) Eosinophilia of more than 10% in peripheral blood Paranasal sinusitis Pulmonary infiltrates (may be transient) Histological proof of vasculitis with extravascular eosinophils Mononeuritis multiplex or polyneuropathy

A cervical herniated disc may be treated by removing part of the disc through a small incision (microdiscectomy). If this is done from the back (posteriorly) rather than from the front of the neck, a spinal fusion is not necessary. The alternative is an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure.

Boxer’s Knuckle is an injury to the structures around the first knuckle of a finger, also known as the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ). The skin, extensor tendon, ligaments, joint cartilage, and the bone of the metacarpal head may all be involved. Repeated impacts to the extensor tendon over the knuckle causes Hypertrophic Interstitial Tendonosis, or HIT Syndrome. This is a thickening, weakening, inflammation, and scarring of the extensor tendon.

A pulmonary embolism (PE) usually happens when a blood clot called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), often in your leg, travels to your lungs and blocks a blood vessel. That leads to low oxygen levels in your blood. It can damage the lung and other organs and cause heart failure, too. A PE can be life-threatening, so if you've been diagnosed with DVT, you should be aware of this risk. Follow the treatment plan for your DVT to stop the clot from getting bigger and to keep new clots from forming. Symptoms and Diagnosis PE won't always cause symptoms. You might have: Chest pain, which may get worse with a deep breath Sudden shortness of breath or rapid breathing Fast heartbeat Sudden cough Coughing up blood Lightheadedness or fainting Anxiety Call 911 if you notice these symptoms. They could also be symptoms of a heart attack, pneumonia, or other serious problems.

A leaking mitral valve allows blood to flow in two directions during the contraction. Some blood flows from the ventricle through the aortic valve – as it should – and some blood flows back into the atrium. A leaking (or regurgitant) aortic valve allows blood to flow in two directions. Oxygen-rich blood either flows out through the aorta to the body – as it should – or it flows backwards from the aorta into the left ventricle when the ventricle relaxes. Leaking valves can cause the heart to work harder to pump the same amount of blood.

Airline travel. When you're pregnant, the safest time to travel is during your second trimester (18 to 24 weeks), when your risks for miscarriage and preterm labor are lowest. During your third trimester, it's best to stay within 300 miles of home, in case of sudden changes that need medical attention.

ARDS was recognized as the most severe form of acute lung injury (ALI), a form of diffuse alveolar injury. The AECC defined ARDS as an acute condition characterized by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and severe hypoxemia in the absence of evidence for cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The severity of hypoxemia necessary to make the diagnosis of ARDS was defined by the ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen in the patient’s arterial blood (PaO2) to the fraction of oxygen in the inspired air (FiO2). ARDS was defined by a PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200, and in ALI, less than 300. This definition was further refined in 2011 by a panel of experts and is termed the Berlin definition of ARDS. [3] ARDS is defined by timing (within 1 wk of clinical insult or onset of respiratory symptoms); radiographic changes (bilateral opacities not fully explained by effusions, consolidation, or atelectasis); origin of edema (not fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload); and severity based on the PaO2/FiO2 ratio on 5 cm of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The 3 categories are mild (PaO2/FiO2 200-300), moderate (PaO2/FiO2 100-200), and severe (PaO2/FiO2 ≤100).

Setting up a chest tube drainage system

These are amazing 100 facts about the human body, see how many you know!

Tooth colored composite fillings are chemically bonded to teeth. For this reason, the placement of white fillings does not always require numbing the area being restored. Numbing (anesthetizing) the area is often required if tooth decay has progressed beneath the enamel layer and into the underlying dentin layer which surrounds the nerve of the tooth. Once decay is removed, the tooth is cleaned and a primer (weak acid) is applied to the area being restored. The primer opens pores in the enamel and dentin. A bonding agent is then flowed into the open pores and cured. Curing prepares the bonding agent to adhere to the tooth colored filling material. The filling material is then placed inside the tooth. After shaping the tooth colored filling material to resemble the natural anatomy of your tooth it is hardened by curing with a strong curing light. Once the white filling hardens, your bite will be checked to make sure your teeth fit together properly. If the tooth filling extends into the space between your teeth your dentist will also make sure you can floss between your teeth properly. Adjustments will be made if necessary followed by smoothing and polishing of your new filling..

This system treats type 2 diabetes by promoting weight loss.

Application of collagen membrane GENIX IT. Derived entirely from pericardium of animal origin (Genix IT - Genix EGI), they are used to accelerate tissue...

How female-to-male gender reassignment surgery works

Keratoderma Blennorrhagicum is a manifestation on the skin that appears in patients diagnosed with reactive arthritis (this condition was previously known as Reiter syndrome). The condition manifests itself by lesions that appear on the skin, initially on the palm of the hands and soles of the feet. The lesions have the tendency to spread, affecting other parts of the body, such as the scrotum, scalp or trunk. Because of their appearance, the lesions might be easily confused with the ones from psoriasis. Keratoderma blennorrhagicum is one of the symptoms that can be used for the clinical diagnosis of reactive arthritis.

Most cataracts are associated with the aging process and are common among older Americans. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI), 68.3 percent of Americans 80 and older had cataracts in 2010. And the prevalence of cataracts in the U.S. is expected to grow significantly in the years ahead, due in part to the aging of the population. In 2010, roughly 24.4 million Americans had cataracts, and that number is projected to grow to 50.2 million by the year 2050, according to NEI.

Paracentesis is a procedure to take out fluid that has collected in the belly (peritoneal fluid). This fluid buildup is called ascites camera.gif. Ascites may be caused by infection, inflammation, an injury, or other conditions, such as cirrhosis or cancer. The fluid is taken out using a long, thin needle put through the belly. The fluid is sent to a lab and studied to find the cause of the fluid buildup. Paracentesis also may be done to take the fluid out to relieve belly pressure or pain in people with cancer or cirrhosis.

In breastfeeding, the latch is the moment everything comes together: Your baby takes a big mouthful of your nipple and areola (or "latches on"), begins to suck, and draws out your milk. When your baby has established a good latch, your nipple soreness is minimized and your little one gets the nourishment he needs. How do you pull all that off? First and most important, have faith in yourself and your baby. "Babies are designed to breastfeed," says Emily Pease, R.N., international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), of Swedish Hospital's Breastfeeding Center in Seattle. "They are born with instincts that help them find Mom's breast and latch on often with very little assistance. And if problems do come up, there are lots of ways to troubleshoot." Here are more steps to get a good latch right from the start.

Gastrostomy tube is placed when a patient is not able to eat on his/her own as a result of neurological or other dysfunction. There are many different types of gastrostomy tubes but in general there are two bigger categories. The classic one and the low profile one. The gastroplexy technique is used preferably to avoid accidental pulling of the gastrostomy tube from an agitated or confused patient.