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Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time. This tissue gets thick and stiff. That makes it hard for you to catch your breath, and your blood may not get enough oxygen. Causes of pulmonary fibrosis include environmental pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. In most cases, the cause cannot be found. This is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occurs when the heart beats. As the heart beats, it circulates blood through pulmonary and systemic circuits of the body. There are two phases of the cardiac cycle. In the diastole phase, the heart ventricles are relaxed and the heart fills with blood
A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues of the throat next to one of the tonsils. An abscess is a collection of pus that forms near an area of infected skin or other soft tissue. The abscess can cause pain, swelling, and, if severe, blockage of the throat. If the throat is blocked, swallowing, speaking, and even breathing become difficult. When an infection of the tonsils (known as tonsillitis) spreads and causes infection in the soft tissues, a peritonsillar abscess may result. Peritonsillar abscesses are generally uncommon. When they do occur they are more likely among young adults, adolescents, and older children.
• Define and use related medical terminology.
• Describe and demonstrate techniques for imaging the thyroid gland.
• Discuss functional abnormalities of the thyroid gland.
• Correlate laboratory data relevant to the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
• Describe, and recognize on images, pathologies of the thyroid gland.
• Identify the anatomy of the parathyroid glands on diagrams and sonograms.
• Describe and demonstrate techniques for imaging the parathyroid glands.
• Describe, and recognize on images, pathologies of the parathyroid glands.
• List and describe other neck masses.
• Follow relevant protocols when scanning.
• Differentiate the sonographic appearances of the female reproductive organs in relation to the menstrual cycle, the use of contraceptives and hormone replacement, and following chemotherapy.
• Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA) and Patient Safety Act (see reference).
Are most spiders poisonous? The majority of the 3,000 spiders in the United States aren’t poisonous. Even if most spiders did bite, their fangs are too small or weak to puncture human skin. Their bites may leave itchy, red wounds that heal within a week or so. The spiders that do manage to bite through our skin and insert toxic venom can cause serious health complications. Read on to learn what spider bites look like, what spider varieties leave certain bites, and how to treat spider bites. What do spider bites look like? Identifying a spider bite is easier if you saw the spider that bit you, but it’s possible that you won’t notice the wound until hours later. Look for things like: swelling a red welt skin damage any troubling symptoms that accompany the bite Other possible symptoms that may accompany a spider bite include: itching or rash pain around the area of the bite muscle pain or cramping blister that’s red or purple in color sweating difficulty breathing headache nausea and vomiting fever chills anxiety or restlessness rashes swollen lymph glands high blood pressure Spider bites often take longer to heal than other insect bites, and they may affect skin tissues. It’s important to keep the bite clean to reduce the risk of infection. How to treat a spider bite at home In some cases, you can treat spider bites at home. For nonvenomous spider bites, follow these steps: Apply an ice pack on and off the bite for 10 minutes at a time. Elevate the area to reduce swelling. Take an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), to help with itching. Clean the area with soap and water to prevent infection. Apply antibiotic ointment to the area if blisters develop. Seek medical attention if you’re showing symptoms of a spider bite or if the symptoms don’t go away over time. Always seek medical attention if you suspect you’ve been bitten by one of the following species: brown recluse black widow hobo spider tarantula Brazilian wandering spider
A myringotomy is a procedure in which your doctor creates a small hole in the eardrum so fluids such as water, blood, or pus can drain out. In many cases, your doctor will put in a tube so it won't get backed up again. The tube, which will usually fall out on its own in about six to 18 months, lets air flow through and keeps the middle ear dry. Tubes also: Reduce pain Improve hearing Cut down on the number of infections your child may have
It used to be when a woman needed a hysterectomy she could expect full abdominal surgery with a long recovery time. Dr. Melissa Lee uses less invasive methods that can cut the patients downtime in half.
"We were trained in more laparoscopic and minimally invasive cases so of course that's what I'm more comfortable with doing right now."
She sees a new generation of patients opting for laparoscopic surgery.
"Laparoscopy is the use of small cameras with small incisions and instruments that are guided by the hand, and you're able to see directly into the abdomen without actually fully opening the abdomen," says Dr. Lee, an obstetrician-gynecologist with Lee Memorial Health System.
Nowadays, even a large mass or uterus can be removed using the slender tools.
"There are multiple different laparoscopic instruments that you can use. Whether they're blunt dissections or just dissectors that hold and retract back or actual scissors or cutting instruments, there are multiple different options," says Dr. Lee.
While a standard abdominal hysterectomy requires a four to eight inch incision, the laparoscope needs only a quarter to half inch. It's enough to make a big difference in terms of recovery.
"They're able to get up and move around faster. They're able to recover faster, their pain level and their need for pain medicine is much lower," says Dr. Lee.
The laparoscopic procedure also cuts down on scarring and more importantly, shortens the hospital stay. The trend now is home within 24 hours.
"Where the patient is done early in the morning, they're doing well they're tolerating oral intake they're able to getup and move around. And those patients a lot of times will feel comfortable to go home that same nigh after a major surgery," says Dr. Lee.
New studies show women who've had a laparoscopic hysterectomy viewed their quality of life as better than those who had an open abdominal procedure, making this a good option for the right patient.
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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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When the hematocrit rises to 60 or 70%, which it often does in polycythemia, the blood viscosity can become as great as 10 times that of water, and its flow through blood vessels is greatly retarded because of increased resistance to flow. This will lead to decreased oxygen delivery.
A little venom is drawn into a syringe. ... The quick coagulation or blood clotting caused by the Russell's viper venom is of particular interest to scientists — there's a lot of research into how it might be used in medicine. But this effect is only present in healthy blood.
Inflammation of the uvula is known as uvulitis. Your uvula will appear red, puffy, and larger than normal. Other symptoms of uvulitis may include: itching burning a sore throat spots on your throat snoring difficulty swallowing trouble breathing If you have a swollen uvula along with a fever or abdominal pain, consult with your doctor right away. In rare cases, the uvula can swell enough to block your airway. Swelling of the throat is a life-threatening event. If this happens, seek immediate medical attention. What causes a swollen uvula? Causes Inflammation is your body’s response when it’s under attack. Triggers for inflammation include: environmental and lifestyle factors an infection trauma genetics Environmental and Lifestyle Factors The most common food allergies are peanuts tree nuts milk eggs wheat soy fish, including shellfish You could be having an allergic reaction to something you touched, swallowed, or breathed in. Some common allergens include: food irritants , such as dust, animal dander, or pollen medication exposure to chemicals or other toxic substances, including tobacco Infection You can get viral infections or bacterial infections. Examples of viral infections include: the common cold the flu mononucleosis chickenpox measles croup The most common bacterial infection is strep throat, which occurs due to Streptococcus pyogenes, which is a type of group A Streptococcus. If you have infected tonsils, or tonsillitis, severe inflammation can cause them to push against and irritate your uvula. Trauma Trauma to the uvula can happen if you need an intubation, such as during surgery. Your uvula can also be injured during a tonsillectomy. This is a procedure to remove your tonsils, which are located on both sides of your uvula. Your throat and uvula can also become irritated if you have acid reflux disease or if you vomit frequently. Genetics A condition called hereditary angioedema (HAE) can cause swelling of the uvula and throat, as well as swelling of the face, hands, and feet. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It’s an uncommon genetic mutation that occurs in 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 people. It’s rare, but there are case reports of individuals who have an elongated uvula, which can also interfere with breathing. What are the risk factors for a swollen uvula? Risk Factors Anyone can get uvulitis, but adults get it less often than children do. You’re at increased risk if you: have allergies use tobacco products are exposed to chemicals and other irritants in the environment have a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to infections How is a swollen uvula diagnosed? Diagnosis If you have fever or swelling of your throat, see your doctor. Be prepared to give a complete medical history. Tell your doctor: about all the over-the-counter and prescription medications you take if you’re a smoker or you chew tobacco if you’ve recently tried new foods if you’ve been exposed to chemicals or unusual substances about your other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fever, or dehydration Your doctor may be able to make a diagnosis through a physical exam. It’s likely you’ll also need a throat swab to evaluate for strep or to obtain secretions for culture to determine if you have another bacterial or fungal infection. This test is known as the rapid strep test. You may also need a nasal swab to test for influenza. Blood testing can help identify or rule out some other infectious agents. If those tests are inconclusive, you may need to see an allergist. Blood and skin tests can help identify foods or other substances that cause a reaction. Learn more: Allergy testing » If necessary, imaging tests can provide a more detailed view of your throat and the surrounding area. What’s the treatment for a swollen uvula? Treatment When you have something like the common cold, swelling usually clears up on its own without treatment. Otherwise, treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are, as well as what’s causing the inflammation. Infection Viral infections tend to clear up without treatment. The only upper respiratory infection for which an antiviral medication is available is influenza. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections. Even after symptoms clear up, take all the medication as prescribed. If your condition may be contagious, stay home until your doctor tells you that you’re no longer at risk of spreading it to others. Allergy If you test positive for an allergy, try to avoid the allergen in the future. Doctors usually treat allergies with antihistamines or steroids. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. Doctors use epinephrine to treat this reaction. Hereditary angioedema Your doctor may treat HAE with any of the following: anabolic steroids, or androgens antifibrinolytics C1 inhibitors, such as C1 esterase inhibitor (Berinert) or C1 esterase inhibitor (recombinant) (Ruconest) a plasma kallikrein inhibitor, such as ecallantide (Kalbitor) bradykinin receptor antagonist, such as icatibant injection (Firazyr) Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening symptoms, and follow up as necessary. Tips for relief home treatment If you have a swollen uvula or sore throat, it’s your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. A few home remedies can help keep you strong and soothe your irritated throat. Make sure you’re getting enough fluids. If your throat hurts when you drink, try drinking small amounts throughout the day. Your urine should be light in color. If it’s dark yellow or brown, you’re not drinking enough and may be dehydrated. Additional tips include the following: Cool your throat by sucking on ice chips. Frozen juice bars or ice cream may also do the trick. Gargle with warm salt water to ease your dry, scratchy throat. Aim for a full night’s sleep, and nap during the day if you can. What’s the outlook? Outlook A swollen uvula isn’t a common occurrence. Most of the time it clears up without treatment. If you have an infection, prompt treatment should take care of the problem within a week or two. If you have allergies that lead to swelling of the uvula or throat, do your best to avoid that allergen. You should also be prepared to deal with an attack if you come into contact with the substance again. If you’ve ever had anaphylaxis, ask your doctor if you should carry injectable epinephrine (EpiPen) in case of emergency. People with HAE must learn to recognize triggers and early warning signs of an attack. Talk to your doctor about how to manage HAE. 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A colonoscope is the special tool used to perform a colonoscopy. It is a thin, flexible, tubular ‘telescope’ with a light and video camera that your doctor carefully guides through your colon in order to see and determine the health of your colon. Watch this animation to learn about the features of the colonoscope, how the colonoscopy procedure is performed and how polyps are removed, and the follow-up care you and your doctor should talk about after your procedure.