Asthma and COPD

This Unorthodox Procedure Makes Short People A Foot Taller

What Happens When You're In a Coma?

Gastroparesis -- literally “paralyzed stomach” -- is a serious condition manifested by delayed emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine after a meal. There is no cure for gastroparesis, but treatment can speed gastric emptying and relieve gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

How to Reverse GERD and Leaky Gut

Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication - it is used to slow down the blood-clotting process. Anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots which may cause vein blockages, heart attack and stroke. Warfarin is known under the brand names Warfant, Jantoven, Coumadin, Lawarin, Marevan, and Waran.

blood transfusion performance

Thrombosis of the venous channels in the brain is an uncommon cause of cerebral infarction relative to arterial disease, but it is an important consideration because of its potential morbidity. (See Prognosis.) Knowledge of the anatomy of the venous system is essential in evaluating patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), since symptoms associated with the condition are related to the area of thrombosis. For example, cerebral infarction may occur with cortical vein or sagittal sinus thrombosis secondary to tissue congestion with obstruction. (See Presentation.) Lateral sinus thrombosis may be associated with headache and a pseudotumor cerebri–like picture. Extension into the jugular bulb may cause jugular foramen syndrome, while cranial nerve palsies may be seen in cavernous sinus thrombosis as a compressive phenomenon. Cerebral hemorrhage also may be a presenting feature in patients with venous sinus thrombosis. (See Presentation.) Imaging procedures have led to easier recognition of venous sinus thrombosis (see the images below), offering the opportunity for early therapeutic measures. (See Workup.) Left lateral sinus thrombosis demonstrated on magn Left lateral sinus thrombosis demonstrated on magnetic resonance venography (MRV). This 42-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of headache. Physical examination revealed no neurologic abnormalities. View Media Gallery Axial view of magnetic resonance (MR) venogram dem Axial view of magnetic resonance (MR) venogram demonstrating lack of flow in transverse sinus. View Media Gallery The following guidelines for CVT have been provided by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association [1] : In patients with suspected CVT, routine blood studies consisting of a complete blood count, chemistry panel, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time should be performed. Screening for potential prothrombotic conditions that may predispose a person to CVT (eg, use of contraceptives, underlying inflammatory disease, infectious process) is recommended in the initial clinical assessment. Testing for prothrombotic conditions (including protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency), antiphospholipid syndrome, prothrombin G20210A mutation, and factor V Leiden can be beneficial for the management of patients with CVT. Testing for protein C, protein S, and antithrombin deficiency is generally indicated 2-4 weeks after completion of anticoagulation. There is a very limited value of testing in the acute setting or in patients taking warfarin. In patients with provoked CVT (associated with a transient risk factor), vitamin K antagonists may be continued for 3-6 months, with a target international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0. In patients with unprovoked CVT, vitamin K antagonists may be continued for 6-12 months, with a target international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0. For patients with recurrent CVT, venous thromboembolism (VTE) after CVT, or first CVT with severe thrombophilia (ie, homozygous prothrombin G20210A; homozygous factor V Leiden; deficiencies of protein C, protein S, or antithrombin; combined thrombophilia defects; or antiphospholipid syndrome), indefinite anticoagulation may be considered, with a target international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0. For women with CVT during pregnancy, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in full anticoagulant doses should be continued throughout pregnancy, and LMWH or vitamin K antagonist with a target international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0 should be continued for ≥6 weeks postpartum (for a total minimum duration of therapy of 6 months). It is reasonable to advise women with a history of CVT that future pregnancy is not contraindicated. Further investigations regarding the underlying cause and a formal consultation with a hematologist or maternal fetal medicine specialist are reasonable. It is reasonable to treat acute CVT during pregnancy with full-dose LMWH rather than unfractionated heparin. For women with a history of CVT, prophylaxis with LMWH during future pregnancies and the postpartum period is reasonable. Next: Etiology What to Read Next on Medscape Related Conditions and Diseases Quiz: Do You Know the Complications, Proper Workup, and Best Treatment Practices for Ischemic Stroke? Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Hypothyroidism? Quiz: Do You Know the Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Potential Treatments for Alzheimer Disease? Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Hypertension? 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Cataplexy is a sudden, temporary loss of muscle tone that can result in collapse. It is often caused by intense emotions, including laughter

In developing countries, domestic animals (eg, dogs) are common sources of infection. In the United States, bats and wild animals (eg, raccoons) are the most common reservoirs of infection. The acquisition of rabies from bats can occur from an unrecognized bite or a scratch, and possibly by inhalation of aerosolized viral particles. Bats are found in all states except Hawaii, and spelunking (cave exploration) is a risk factor for rabies acquisition from bats.

CD4 T-cells (a type of white blood cell) are important to your body's defence against infections. This animation describes how your immune system is weakened by the HIV virus, which targets CD4 T-cells and leads to their gradual decline in number. Low to very low levels of CD4 cells put you at risk for 'opportunistic infections' that take advantage of the body's weakened immune system.

-Rapidly progressive weakness of the lower extremities following an upper respiratory infection, accompanied by sensory loss and urinary retention, is characteristic for transverse myelitis.

-Almost all the cases of occupational transmission of HIV have been due to transmission via exposure to blood and certain body fluids. The body fluids wherein standard precautions have been recommended include semen, vaginal secretions, and any other body fluid containing visible blood. Other standard precautions, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also apply to cerebrospinal, peritoneal, pleural, pericardia!, synovial fluid, or any other tissue, even though the epidemiologic data regarding the risk of HIV transmission from these fluids is insufficient. Standard precautions do not apply to urine, sweat, tears, sputum, vomitus, and nasal secretions or feces, as long as there is no gross visible blood. The occupational transmission of HIV has never been documented from the above sources.

Patients with candida endophthalmitis who have chorioretinitis with vitreal involvement should be treated with vitrectomy and systemic antifungal therapy with amphotericin B (Choice B) and/or fluconazole. An early vitrectomy improves the likelihood of a positive outcome, and intravitreal injection of amphotericin B may be of help. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of candida endophthalmitis is essential, as the condition can worsen quickly.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic (inherited) condition – it is passed from parents to their children through their genes. Alpha-1 may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age.

This is a brief overview of antifungal agents, their mechanisms of action, and some fungi that they affect.

Bioprosthetic valves used in heart valve replacement generally offer functional properties that are more similar to those of native valves.

Herpangina is a common childhood illness caused by a virus. It is characterized by small, blister-like ulcers on the roof of the mouth and in the back of the throat. The infection may also cause a sudden fever, sore throat, headache, and neck pain.

An antecedent upper respiratory infection is present in 50% of patients. Abdominal pain is a presenting symptom in 1 0-15% of patients. The skin lesions are symmetric, involve dependent parts of the body, and classically progress from an erythematous, macular rash to papular purpura. The joints and kidneys are also commonly involved

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare autosomal dominant metabolic disorder affecting the production of heme, the oxygen-binding prosthetic group of hemoglobin. It is characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase.