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What Are Sleep Disorders? Circadian Rhythm Disorders Typically, people sleep at night -- thanks not only to the conventions of the 9-to-5 workday, but also to the close interaction between our natural sleep and alertness rhythms, which are driven by an internal "clock." This clock is a small part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It sits just above the nerves leaving the back of our eyes. Light and exercise "reset" the clock and can move it forward or backward. Abnormalities related to this clock are called circadian rhythm disorders ("circa" means "about," and "dies" means "day"). Circadian rhythm disorders include jet lag, adjustments to shift work, delayed sleep phase syndrome (you fall asleep and wake up too late), and advanced sleep phase syndrome (you fall asleep and wake up too early).
An untreated hepatic abscess is nearly uniformly fatal as a result of complications that include sepsis, empyema, or peritonitis from rupture into the pleural or peritoneal spaces, and retroperitoneal extension. Treatment should include drainage, either percutaneous or surgical. Antibiotic therapy as a sole treatment modality is not routinely advocated, though it has been successful in a few reported cases. It may be the only alternative in patients too ill to undergo invasive procedures or in those with multiple abscesses not amenable to percutaneous or surgical drainage. In these instances, patients are likely to require many months of antimicrobial therapy with serial imaging and close monitoring for associated complications.
The baby suffered from ectopia cordis, a rare condition where a baby's heart is located either partially or totally outside the chest. Only 8 out of 1 million babies are born with the condition, and 90 percent of those babies are either stillborn or die within the first three days of life.
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.
Although the exact cause of abdominal aortic aneurysms is unknown, a number of factors may play a role, including: Tobacco use. ... Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). ... High blood pressure. ... Blood vessel diseases in the aorta. ... Infection in the aorta. ... Trauma. ... Heredity.
A distal radius fracture almost always occurs about 1 inch from the end of the bone. The break can occur in many different ways, however. One of the most common distal radius fractures is a Colles fracture, in which the broken fragment of the radius tilts upward. This fracture was first described in 1814 by an Irish surgeon and anatomist, Abraham Colles -- hence the name "Colles" fracture.
Indications for endovascular repair of the iliac artery are: Stenosis or (short-segment) occlusion of iliac artery (TASC type A and B, TASC C lesions are controversial) with ipsilateral lower extremity ischemia (lifestyle-limiting, progressive claudication, rest pain, gangrene). Patients with asymptomatic aneurysm greater than 4 cm in diameter. An iliac aneurysm which has also increased in size by 0.5 cm in last six months. Symptomatic iliac artery aneurysms mandate endovascular (or open) repair regardless of size. Patients with long occluded lesions/poor run-off/acute limb ischemia are poor endovascular candidates.
Following Dr. Eric Skarsgard on his grueling 19-hour day at BC Children's Hospital, we meet several of his patients -- some of who need surgery that day, and some who have chronic conditions and need regular check-ups with him -- and learn how he works with medical students and on research projects as time allows.