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Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than adults. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring into space for a few seconds. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury. Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Some children who have them also develop other seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens.
Septic arthritis is also known as infectious arthritis, and is usually caused by bacteria, or fungus. The condition is an inflammation of a joint that's caused by infection. Typically, septic arthritis affects one large joint in the body, such as the knee or hip. Less frequently, septic arthritis can affect multiple joints
One thing we do know: We can live without it, without apparent consequences. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity.
The drugs known as targeted therapy help stop cancer from growing and spreading. They work by targeting specific genes or proteins. These genes and proteins are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth, like blood vessel cells. Doctors often use targeted therapy with chemotherapy and other treatments.
Bartter syndrome is a rare inherited defect in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. It is characterized by low potassium levels (hypokalemia), increased blood pH (alkalosis), and normal to low blood pressure. There are two types of Bartter syndrome: neonatal and classic
Thoracentesis is a procedure used to obtain a sample of fluid from the space around the lungs. Normally, only a thin layer of fluid is present in the area between the lungs and chest wall. However, some conditions can cause a large amount of fluid to accumulate. This collection of fluid is called a pleural effusion.
Patients are generally placed in a supine position with the head in an extended position. As noted above, Gardner-Wells tongs can be used for additional cervical traction. The hands can also be tied downward to increase the operative exposure. Once the surgical site is properly prepared with cleansing material, the appropriate surgical level is identified with intraoperative radiographs. A scalpel is used to make a linear longitudinal incision just medial to the body of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The incision is made long enough to include at least 2 vertebral levels if a 1-level discectomy is being performed. Alternatively, transverse skin incisions over the targeted vertebral level can also be performed. The platysmal muscle is identified and incised. The platysmal incision can be extended if a multilevel decompression is the surgical aim. Extensive subplatysmal dissection is performed to reduce retraction injury.
The cause for TS is unknown. Early research suggested that TS is an inherited condition (often, the person's near or distant relatives have had some form of transient or chronic tic disorder or associated symptoms). Recent studies point to a combination of environmental and genetic factors as a cause of the disorder. The specific genes involved in the development of TS are still being investigated. Studies suggest that TS has a neurological basis and results from an abnormality which affects the brain's metabolism of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that regulate behavior.) Current research being funded by the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) will help provide more information about the causes and genetic factors of TS.
How Does a Bone Heal? All broken bones go through the same healing process. This is true whether a bone has been cut as part of a surgical procedure or fractured through an injury. The bone healing process has three overlapping stages: inflammation, bone production and bone remodeling. Inflammation starts immediately after the bone is fractured and lasts for several days. When the bone is fractured, there is bleeding into the area, leading to inflammation and clotting of blood at the fracture site. This provides the initial structural stability and framework for producing new bone. Diagram of inflammation in a fractured bone Bone production begins when the clotted blood formed by inflammation is replaced with fibrous tissue and cartilage (known as soft callus). As healing progresses, the soft callus is replaced with hard bone (known as hard callus), which is visible on x-rays several weeks after the fracture. Bone remodeling, the final phase of bone healing, goes on for several months. In remodeling, bone continues to form and becomes compact, returning to its original shape. In addition, blood circulation in the area improves. Once adequate bone healing has occurred, weightbearing (such as standing or walking) encourages bone remodeling.