Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) definition and facts Symptoms of an ACL tear include hearing a loud pop followed by intense pain. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four ligaments in the knee that provides stabilization for the knee joint. Torn ACLs are a common knee injury. An ACL tear or sprain occurs...
Trichinosis worm infection definition and facts Trichnosis worm parasite. Trichinosis is caused by eating raw or undercooked pork and wild game infected with the larvae of a parasitic worm. The contaminated meat is infected with the larvae of a worm called Trichinella spiralis. The initial symptoms of trichinosis are: Abdominal discomfort Nausea Diarrhea Vomiting Fatigue...
What are anticholinergic and antispasmodic drugs? How do they work (mechanism of action)? Anticholinergic and antispasmodic drugs include a broad class of medications that are used to treat various medical conditions that involve contraction and relaxation of muscles. Examples of these conditions include overactive bladder, muscle spasms, breathing problems, diarrhea, gastrointestinal cramps, movement disorders, and...
Hamstring injury facts Picture of the hamstring muscles Hamstrings are tendons of the muscles of the back of the thigh. Hamstring muscles bend the knee and straighten the hip. Hamstring muscle injury is a common athletic injury. Most hamstring muscle and tendon injuries heal without surgery. The risk of hamstring injury can be reduced with...
Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) definition and facts Symptoms of an ACL tear include hearing a loud pop followed by intense pain. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four ligaments in the knee that provides stabilization for the knee joint. Torn ACLs are a common knee injury. An ACL tear or sprain occurs...
Elbow pain facts Elbow pain may have a number of causes. The elbow joint is the area of union of three long bones. Tendinitis can affect the inner or outer elbow. Treatment of tendinitis includes ice, rest, and medication for inflammation. Bacteria can infect the skin of the scraped (abraded) elbow. The "funny bone" nerve...
Brain aneurysm facts Picture of a brain aneurysm Four major blood vessels supply blood to the brain. They join together at the Circle of Willis at the base of the brain. Smaller arteries leave the circle and branch out to supply brain cells with oxygen and nutrients. Artery junction points may become weak, causing a...
What are benzodiazepines, and how do they work (mechanism of action)? Benzodiazepines are man-made medications that cause mild to severe depression of the nerves within the brain (central nervous system) and sedation (drowsiness). Seizures, anxiety, and other diseases that require benzodiazepine treatment may be caused by excessive activity of nerves in the brain. These drugs...
Date rape drugs facts* Someone may spike your drink with a date rape drug without you knowing. *Date rape facts medical author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Date rape drugs are drugs used to assist in a sexual assault, which is any type of sexual activity a person does not agree to. These drugs can...
Genital warts (HPV) infection in women definition and facts Readers Comments 6 Picture of Genital Warts (HPV) Genital warts are caused by infection with a subgroup of the human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Another subgroup of the HPVs that infect the anogenital tract can lead to precancerous changes in the uterine cervix and cause cervical cancer. Other...