The spleen, a spongy, soft organ about as big as a person’s fist, is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just under the rib cage. The splenic artery brings blood to the spleen from the heart. Blood leaves the spleen through the splenic vein, which drains into a larger vein (the portal vein) that carries the blood to the liver. The spleen has a covering of fibrous tissue (the splenic capsule) that supports its blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The spleen is made up of two basic types of tissue, each with different functions: White pulp Red pulp The white pulp is part of the infection-fighting (immune) system. It produces white blood cells called lymphocytes, which in turn produce antibodies (specialized proteins that protect against invasion by foreign substances). The red pulp filters the blood, removing unwanted material. The red pulp contains other white blood cells called phagocytes that ingest microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It also monitors red blood cells, destroying those that are abnormal or too old or damaged to function properly. In addition, the red pulp serves as a reservoir for different elements of the blood, especially white blood cells and platelets (cell-like particles involved in clotting). However, releasing these elements is a minor function of the red pulp.

Things Every New Mother Needs to Know

Pruritis is itchy skin that makes you want to scratch. It can be caused by many things. Normally, itchy skin isn't serious, but it can make you uncomfortable. Sometimes, itchy skin is caused by a serious medical condition. It can occur in association with a primary rash (e.g. dermatitis) or may occur because of hypersensitive nerves in the skin (neuropathic pruritus). ... Scratching a localised itch may lead to lichen simplex, prurigo or prurigo nodularis. Systemic causes of pruritus. Sytemic diseases may cause generalised pruritus.

Acne can form several types of skin blemish, each with a distinct appearance and symptoms. Most minor acne blemishes respond to at-home care and over-the-counter medications. However, people with severe or long-term acne should speak with a doctor or dermatologist. Acne affects around 80 percent of adolescents and young adults. About 40–50 million Americans have acne at any given time. The following are common types of blemish associated with acne: whiteheads blackheads pustules, which are commonly called pimples papules cysts nodules Each type of acne lesion requires a different treatment. Receiving prompt, correct treatment can reduce the risk of long-term skin complications, such as dark spots and scarring. Acne blemishes fall into two categories, depending on whether or not they cause inflammation of the surrounding skin. Whiteheads Whiteheads Blackheads blackheads are pockets of oxidized melanin on the surface of the skin Papules Papules Pustules (pimples) Pustules (pimples) Nodules Nodules Cysts pus in a cyst 1of6 Noninflammatory acne types Whiteheads and blackheads are types of noninflammatory acne lesion. They are the least severe forms of acne. Noninflammatory blemishes usually do not cause swelling and are not very painful. Whiteheads The medical term for whiteheads is closed comedones. These are small, whitish or flesh-colored spots or bumps. They usually have a white, circular center surrounded by a red halo. A hair will sometimes emerge from the center of a whitehead, or it may appear to be trapped within the blemish. The skin around a whitehead may appear to be tight or wrinkled, especially when the whitehead is large or especially raised. ADVERTISEMENT Approved NSCLC Treatment - HCP Info & Resources Request A Rep & Discover A Therapy For Stage III NSCLC. www.stage-iii-nsclc-therapy.com Whiteheads typically do not cause scarring. Blackheads Blackheads are also called open comedones. They are small, black or dark-colored spots that may appear as slightly raised bumps. The skin around a blackhead usually appears normal, while the center of the blackhead is darker than the surrounding area. The coloration is not a result of trapped dirt. Blackheads are simply whiteheads that have opened and widened. When the contents of a whitehead are exposed to air, they darken. Treatment options Many over-the-counter rinses, moisturizers, gels, toners, and creams can treat noninflammatory acne blemishes. They often contain a mix of active ingredients. The following ingredients in over-the-counter treatments can help to break down whiteheads and blackheads: benzoyl peroxide salicylic acid sulfur resorcinol Also, several home remedies and lifestyle changes can help to reduce most minor-to-mild forms of noninflammatory acne. It may help to try: washing the face with lukewarm water and soap twice daily washing the whole body every 2 days reducing stress eating a healthful, balanced diet staying hydrated avoiding over-washing or irritating the skin limiting exposure to the sun always wearing sunscreen when outdoors People should never pop acne blemishes. Doing so can lead to complications, such as: nodules cysts scarring dark spots pitting Inflammatory acne types Inflammatory acne blemishes include: papules pustules nodules cysts Inflammatory acne is more severe than noninflammatory acne, and this type is more likely to cause complications, such as scarring or pitting. Blemishes or lesions that are inflamed, or red, swollen, and warm to the touch can result from inflammatory acne. Minor-to-mild forms Papules Papules are bumps under the skin's surface. They are solid, tender, pink, and raised, and the skin around a papule is usually slightly swollen and red. Unlike whiteheads, papules have no visible center. Unlike blackheads, the pores of a papule do not appear to be widened. Papules develop when whiteheads or blackheads cause so much irritation that they damage some of the surrounding skin. The damage leads to inflammation. Pustules (pimples) Pustules are larger, tender bumps with a defined circular center. The center is filled with whitish or yellowish pus, and the bump has a pink or red base. Immune cells and bacterial cells collect to form this pus. Pustules typically look like much larger and more inflamed whiteheads. Treatment options Several home remedies and over-the-counter medications can treat minor-to-mild papules and pustules. The following tips can help: washing the affected area with cool water and soap using clean hands or a clean, gentle facecloth twice a day applying a warm compress or cloth to the affected area for 10–15 minutes to encourage trapped debris to rise to the surface using products with benzoyl peroxide to combat bacteria using products with salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and other debris How do you prevent pimples? How do you prevent pimples? How can you prevent pimples from forming? Learn 15 methods of prevention here, including home remedies, lifestyle changes, and diet tips. READ NOW Moderate-to-severe forms Nodules Nodules are hard, painful, inflamed lumps located deep within the skin. They look like larger, deeper papules and have no visible center or head. This type of acne lesion develops when clogged pores damage tissues and cells deep beneath the skin's surface. Nodules are a severe form of acne blemish, and they can cause skin complications such as dark spots or scarring. Cysts Cysts are very large, soft, painful, red or white lumps situated deep in the skin. They are filled with pus. Cysts form deeper within the skin than nodules, and they are the most severe type of acne blemish. Cysts can also cause skin complications, such as scarring. Treatment options People cannot treat moderate-to-severe inflammatory blemishes at home. These lesions require care from a doctor or dermatologist. The doctor can use many products and procedures to treat nodules and cysts. These include: antibiotics, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, and amoxicillin topical corticosteroids oral contraceptives for hormonal-related acne systematic retinoids, such as isotretinoin steroid injections chemical peels photodynamic therapy to combat bacteria drainage and extraction to remove large cysts What causes acne? young woman with forehead acne When a pore becomes clogged, acne can develop. Normally, dead cells collect in the skin's pores, then slowly rise to the surface of the openings and eventually fall away from the skin. A natural body oil called sebum helps to prevent skin cells from drying out. The glands that produce this oil are attached to the pores. When excess sebum builds up, it can cause dead cells to stick together, forming a mixture that becomes trapped in the pores. Acne occurs when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells, natural body oils, and a type of bacteria. These bacteria live on the skin and are called Propionibacterium acnes. If they enter and infect clogged pores, this causes acne blemishes to form. When to see a doctor In cases of minor-to-moderate acne, a person will generally have to use home and over-the-counter remedies consistently for 4–8 weeks before they see results. More severe inflammatory types of acne tend to take much longer to clear up. Speak to a doctor or dermatologist if whiteheads, blackheads, papules, or pustules: are severe do not respond to over-the-counter medications are very painful are very large bleed a lot release a lot of pus cover a significant portion of the face or body cause emotional distress develop very close to sensitive areas, such as the eyes or lips Most active ingredients in over-the-counter products are available in prescription-strength treatments. Dermatologists can also remove lesions that are very large or persistent. They can also remove those that do not respond to other forms of treatment. Always see a doctor or dermatologist about nodules and cysts, because these require medical care. Untreated nodules and cysts and those that have been picked or popped can cause scarring.

The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. The basic function of the cell membrane is to protect the cell from its surroundings. It consists of the phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Cosmetic iris implants have not been evaluated by any U.S. regulatory agency or tested for safety in clinical trials. While the implants are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it has been reported in the media this month that the surgery is being performed overseas. During iris implant surgery, an artificial iris made of silicone is folded and inserted into a slit that has been cut into the cornea. Then the iris is unfolded and adjusted to cover the natural iris. Local anesthesia is used.

Ventral Hernia Repair

On the day of your surgery, your health care team will take you to a preparation room. Your blood pressure and breathing will be monitored. You may receive an antibiotic medication through a vein in your arm. You will then be taken to an operating room and positioned on a table. You'll be given a general anesthesia medication to put you in a sleep-like state so that you won't be aware during your operation. The surgical team will then proceed with your colectomy. Colon surgery may be performed in two ways: Open colectomy. Open surgery involves making a longer incision in your abdomen to access your colon. Your surgeon uses surgical tools to free your colon from the surrounding tissue and cuts out either a portion of the colon or the entire colon. Laparoscopic colectomy. Laparoscopic colectomy, also called minimally invasive colectomy, involves several small incisions in your abdomen. Your surgeon passes a tiny video camera through one incision and special surgical tools through the other incisions. The surgeon watches a video screen in the operating room as the tools are used to free the colon from the surrounding tissue. The colon is then brought out through a small incision in your abdomen. This allows the surgeon to operate on the colon outside of your body. Once repairs are made to the colon, the surgeon reinserts the colon through the incision. The type of operation you undergo depends on your situation and your surgeon's expertise. Laparoscopic colectomy may reduce the pain and recovery time after surgery. But not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. Also, in some situations your operation may begin as a laparoscopic colectomy, but circumstances may force your surgical team to convert to an open colectomy. Once the colon has been repaired or removed, your surgeon will reconnect your digestive system to allow your body to expel waste. Options may include: Rejoining the remaining portions of your colon. The surgeon may stitch the remaining portions of your colon together, creating what is called an anastomosis. Stool then leaves your body as before. Connecting your intestine to an opening created in your abdomen. The surgeon may attach your colon (colostomy) or small intestine (ileostomy) to an opening created in your abdomen. This allows waste to leave your body through the opening (stoma). You may wear a bag on the outside of the stoma to collect stool. This can be permanent or temporary. Connecting your small intestine to your anus. After removing both the colon and the rectum (proctocolectomy), the surgeon may use a portion of your small intestine to create a pouch that is attached to your anus (ileoanal anastomosis). This allows you to expel waste normally, though you may have several watery bowel movements each day. As part of this procedure, you may undergo a temporary ileostomy.

Our specialists treat conditions that are recurrent and hard to treat. Simply put, TPIAT a procedure that lets surgeons remove the pancreas, take out islet cells – the cells in the pancreas that make insulin – and put those islet cells into the liver. Patients then take pancreatic enzymes to help them digest food.

What Is a Hair Transplant? It's a type of surgery that moves hair you already have to fill an area with thin or no hair. Doctors have been doing these transplants in the U.S. since the 1950s, but techniques have changed a lot in recent years. You usually have the procedure in the doctor's office. First, the surgeon cleans your scalp and injects medicine to numb the back of your head. Your doctor will choose one of two methods for the transplant: follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) or follicular unit extraction (FUE). With FUSS, the surgeon removes a 6- to 10-inch strip of skin from the back of your head. He sets it aside and sews the scalp closed. This area is immediately hidden by the hair around it. Next, the surgeon’s team divides the strip of removed scalp into 500 to 2,000 tiny grafts, each with an individual hair or just a few hairs. The number and type of graft you get depends on your hair type, quality, color, and the size of the area where you’re getting the transplant. If you’re getting the FUE procedure, the surgeon’s team will shave the back of your scalp. Then, the doctor will remove hair follicles one by one from there. The area heals with small dots, which your existing hair will cover. After that point, both procedures are the same. After he prepares the grafts, the surgeon cleans and numbs the area where the hair will go, creates holes or slits with a scalpel or needle, and delicately places each graft in one of the holes. He’ll probably get help from other team members to plant the grafts, too. Depending on the size of the transplant you’re getting, the process will take about 4 to 8 hours. You might need another procedure later on if you continue to lose hair or decide you want thicker hair. Expectations and Recovery After the surgery, your scalp may be very tender. You may need to take pain medications for several days. Your surgeon will have you wear bandages over your scalp for at least a day or two. He may also prescribe an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug for you to take for several days. Most people are able to return to work 2 to 5 days after the operation. Within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, the transplanted hair will fall out, but you should start to notice new growth within a few months. Most people will see 60% of new hair growth after 6 to 9 months. Some surgeons prescribe the hair-growing drug minoxidil (Rogaine) to improve hair growth after transplantation, but it’s not clear how well it works. Risks and Costs of Treatment The price of a hair transplant will depend largely on the amount of hair you’re moving, but it generally ranges from $4,000 to $15,000. Most insurance plans don’t cover it.

Three cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly prescribed: Donepezil (Aricept) is approved to treat all stages of Alzheimer's. Rivastigmine (Exelon) is approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Galantamine (Razadyne) is approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's. But drug and non-drug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Researchers are looking for new treatments to alter the course of the disease and improve the quality of life for people with dementia. ... Medications for Memory Loss.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart. Without blood, tissue loses oxygen and dies. Symptoms include tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back, or arms, as well as fatigue, lightheadedness, abnormal heartbeat, and anxiety. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms than men. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medications, stents, and bypass surgery.

The heart, blood vessels, and blood are the parts that make up the circulatory system, which is defined as a closed system of blood vessels for the transport of gasses and nutrients. The heart is the key organ in the circulatory system. As a hollow, muscular pump, its main function is to propel blood throughout the body.

Life Before Birth - In the Womb

Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes too much copper to accumulate in your liver, brain and other vital organs. Symptoms typically begin between the ages of 12 and 23. Copper plays a key role in the development of healthy nerves, bones, collagen and the skin pigment melanin. Normally, copper is absorbed from your food, and any excess is excreted through bile — a substance produced in your liver.

The pituitary gland is often portrayed as the "master gland" of the body. Such praise is justified in the sense that the anterior and posterior pituitary secrete a battery of hormones that collectively influence all cells and affect virtually all physiologic processes. The pituitary gland may be king, but the power behind the throne is clearly the hypothalamus. As alluded to in the last section, some of the neurons within the hypothalamus - neurosecretory neurons - secrete hormones that strictly control secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary. The hypothalamic hormones are referred to as releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones, reflecting their influence on anterior pituitary hormones.

Mitosis is the process in which a eukaryotic cell nucleus splits in two, followed by division of the parent cell into two daughter cells. The word "mitosis" means "threads," and it refers to the threadlike appearance of chromosomes as the cell prepares to divide.

Euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS), sick euthyroid syndrome (SES), thyroid allostasis in critical illness, tumours, uremia and starvation (TACITUS), non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) or low T3 low T4 syndrome is a state of adaptation or dysregulation of thyrotropic feedback control where the levels of T3 and/or T4 are ...

Blind loop syndrome (BLS), commonly referred to in the literature as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or bacterial overgrowth syndrome (BOS), is a state that occurs when the normal bacterial flora of the small intestine proliferates to numbers that cause significant derangement to the normal physiological ...

Mitral valve regurgitation, known as leaky heart valve, can be treated with the MitraClip procedure, especially if you're not a candidate for surgery. As premier heart specialists in the Rocky Mountains, Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates physicians perform this procedure and believe it can be an essential treatment for heart health.