If you're pregnant, you're likely paying extra close attention to your body. If you happen to feel a cramp you may worry that it is a sign of a miscarriage. While the first trimester is the most common time for miscarriages, there are other reasons for cramps. Whether it signals a miscarriage depends on when it occurs, the severity of the cramping, and whether you're experiencing other symptoms alongside it.

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, resulting in lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, relax and widen blood vessels by affecting the muscle cells in the arterial walls. Some calcium channel blockers have the added benefit of slowing your heart rate, which can further reduce blood pressure, relieve chest pain (angina) and control an irregular heartbeat. Examples of calcium channel blockers Some calcium channel blockers are available in short-acting and long-acting forms. Short-acting medications work quickly, but their effects last only a few hours. Long-acting medications are slowly released to provide a longer lasting effect. Several calcium channel blockers are available. Which one is best for you depends on your health and the condition being treated. Examples of calcium channel blockers include: Amlodipine (Norvasc) Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others) Felodipine Isradipine Nicardipine Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Afeditab CR, Procardia) Nisoldipine (Sular) Verapamil (Calan, Verelan) In some cases, your doctor might prescribe a calcium channel blocker with other high blood pressure medications or with cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins.

This video demonstrates how to test for trace amounts of blood in the patients stool. Trace amounts of blood in the stool can be sign of a number of problems, colon cancer being the most worrisome.

Timothy Lovell, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, talks to Spokane, WA knee replacement surgery patients about the procedure, possible risks and complications of surgery, and about your recovery time.

Dr. Lovell addresses anesthesia, the size and location of the incision, and shows you what the knee replacement ball and socket joint looks like. He'll talk about the recovery process; using a crutches, a walker or a cane to get around; movements to avoid; and how long it takes to feel better and return to your normal, active life.

To learn more about Dr. Lovell, visit http://washington.providence.o....rg/find-a-provider/l

And, to learn more about having orthopedic surgery in Spokane, WA, visit http://washington.providence.o....rg/clinics/providenc

Low potassium (hypokalemia) refers to a lower than normal potassium level in your bloodstream. Potassium is a chemical (electrolyte) that is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells. Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention.

Hirschsprung's (HIRSH-sproongz) disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. The condition is present at birth (congenital) as a result of missing nerve cells in the muscles of the baby's colon. A newborn who has Hirschsprung's disease usually can't have a bowel movement in the days after birth. In mild cases, the condition might not be detected until later in childhood. Uncommonly, Hirschsprung's disease is first diagnosed in adults.

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.

how do you know if I have a clogged duct or mastitis? You'll always have a clogged duct before you have mastitis and sometimes mastitis can be prevented if you jump on it fast enough. A clogged duct may be red, it can be a tender lump on one side or the other, just feel a little bit painful in one area when you nurse, and the best thing to do is apply warm compresses especially before nursing, massage the area from your armpit down towards the nipple, and then nurse your baby. The goal is to unclog that duct, get your baby to fully empty the breast, and hopefully it will prevent an infection. An infection or mastitis develops if the clogged duct isn't unclogged and bacteria start to harbor and grow and then you have an infection. Symptoms can be the same as a clogged duct as far as how the breasts feel. You might notice a red tender area or a lump. In addition to that you usually do have a fever or flu-like symptoms or just have generalized malaise, and fatigue, and aches. If you feel this way, call your doctor as soon as possible because it requires treatment. An antibiotic is the treatment as well as drinking lots of fluids and nursing your baby as frequently as possible. The milk that comes from the clogged duct is not harmful for your baby but sometimes it tastes a little extra salty and babies refuse it. If that's the case be sure to pump so that you're emptying your breast frequently. The more frequently you empty your breast the quicker you'll get over the infection. Also, of course, taking the antibiotics your doctor has prescribed and be sure to finish the entire course. If you have any other questions for me in the future feel free to ask them on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/IntermountainMoms and recommend us to your friends and family too.

LIS Closed done at 5 O clock position, using Scalpel blade 15. After feeling the groove between internal and external anal sphincter, the blade is passed in and the lower 1/2 of Internal anal sphincter is cut. Remain below dentate line. If anal mucosa is accidently cut suture with 4-0 rapid vicryl. In event of bleeding, pinchcock for 5 minutes.

An omentectomy is a surgical procedure designed to remove the omentum, which is a thin fold of abdominal tissue that encases the stomach, large intestine and other abdominal organs. This fatty lining contains lymph nodes, lymph vessels, nerves and blood vessels.

A cesarean delivery is a surgical procedure in which a fetus is delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. ... According to the CDC, in 2010, almost 33% of births were by cesarean delivery.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has recently emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with severe aortic stenosis

popliteal embolectomy; medial approach using a 4 f fogarty catheter

Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. In adults, a piece of food often is the culprit. Young children often swallow small objects. Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, administer first aid as quickly as possible. The universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat. If the person doesn't give the signal, look for these indications: Inability to talk Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing Inability to cough forcefully Skin, lips and nails turning blue or dusky Loss of consciousness

Central catheters provide dependable intravenous access and enable hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling [1-3]. The jugular veins are one of the most popular sites for central venous access due to accessibility and overall low complication rates, and are the preferred site for temporary hemodialysis.

A central venous catheter (CVC), also known as a central line, central venous line, or central venous access catheter, is a catheter placed into a large vein. Catheters can be placed in veins in the neck (internal jugular vein), chest (subclavian vein or axillary vein), groin (femoral vein), or through veins in the arms (also known as a PICC line, or peripherally inserted central catheters). It is used to administer medication or fluids that are unable to be taken by mouth or would harm a smaller peripheral vein, obtain blood tests (specifically the "central venous oxygen saturation"), and measure central venous pressure.

One technique to relocate a dislocated elbow with anatomy diagrammed out.

Pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that assist digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose). Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days. Or pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis, which describes pancreatitis that occurs over many years. Mild cases of pancreatitis may go away without treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.

The superior vena cava is a major vein in a person's body. It carries blood from the head, neck, upper chest, and arms to the heart. Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when a person's superior vena cava is partially blocked or compressed. Cancer is usually the main cause of SVCS.

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in your lungs and the right side of your heart. In one form of pulmonary hypertension, tiny arteries in your lungs, called pulmonary arterioles, and capillaries become narrowed, blocked or destroyed. This makes it harder for blood to flow through your lungs, and raises pressure within your lungs' arteries. As the pressure builds, your heart's lower right chamber (right ventricle) must work harder to pump blood through your lungs, eventually causing your heart muscle to weaken and fail. Some forms of pulmonary hypertension are serious conditions that become progressively worse and are sometimes fatal. Although some forms of pulmonary hypertension aren't curable, treatment can help lessen symptoms and improve your quality of life. Pulmonary hypertension care at Mayo Clinic