Urethral cancer facts* *Urethral cancer facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Urethral cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. It is a rare cancer that occurs more often in women than in men....
What is teenage ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common chronic disorders affecting school-age children. Current research indicates prevalence rates of 3%-5% with males being diagnosed with this disorder two and a half times more often than females. ADHD is described as "a common neurobiologic disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate...
Chemotherapy facts* *Chemotherapy facts by Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM Chemotherapy is one option available to treat cancer patients. The types of medication used and how they are administered depends upon the patient’s situation, the type of cancer, and the goal of cancer therapy. Chemotherapy options are individualized for each patient. Treatment decisions are usually...
Spherocytosis facts Readers Comments 7 Share Your Story Spherocytosis is the production of abnormal red blood cells that are in the shape of a sphere instead of the concave disk shape of normal red blood cells, resulting in fragile and abnormal red blood cells. Other symptoms and signs of spherocytosis include anemia, paleness (pallor), jaundice,...
Metronidazole (Flagyl) vs. clindamycin (Cleocin) Metronidazole and clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream are antibiotics used to treat vaginal infections. Brand names for metronidazole include Flagyl and Flagyl ER and brand names for clindamycin include Cleocin and Clindesse. A difference is metronidazole is taken orally and clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream is used topically (on the skin). Side...
What is carvedilol? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Carvedilol is used for treating high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is related to labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate). Carvedilol blocks receptors of the adrenergic nervous system, the system of nerves in which adrenalin (epinephrine) is active. Nerves from the adrenergic system enter the heart...
What is lorazepam (Ativan)? How does it work? Lorazepam (Ativan) is thought that excessive activity of nerves in the brain may cause anxiety and other psychological disorders. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another that reduces the activity of nerves in the...
What is Vicodin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain-reliever and a cough suppressant, similar to codeine. Hydrocodone blocks the receptors on nerve cells in the brain that give rise to the sensation of pain. Acetaminophen is a non-narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). Acetaminophen works by...
Dilaudid vs. Percocet quick comparison Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Percocet has an additional non-narcotic pain reliever added (acetaminophen) which achieves greater pain relief than either drug taken separately. Both Dilaudid and Percocet are available as generic drugs. Side effects of both Dilaudid and Percocet are...
What are the uses for metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)? Metoprolol is a beta blocker (beta-adrenergic blocking agent) used for the treatment of: High blood pressure Heart pain Congestive heart failure Hyperthyroidism Abnormal heart rhythms Some neurologic conditions. Metoprolol's off-label use is to prevent migraine headaches. Why are the uses for metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)? Metoprolol...