What is prophylactic use of antibiotics? Surgeons prescribe prophylactic antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection rather than to treat an existing one. Prophylactic use of antibiotics is the administration of antibiotics before certain surgical procedures to prevent introduction of a bacterial infection to abnormal tissues in the body. For examples, prophylactic antibiotics are used prior...
What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA or ObamaCare)? This was adapted from an Apr. 24, 2013, discussion with Kyle Lee, a consultant in health-care reform with MedTrack, Inc., of Springfield, MO. What follows are Mr. Lee's concepts of the future health-care landscape as he relayed them to me. — William C. Shiel Jr. MD,...
Alternatives for treating hot flashes facts Each woman experiences menopause differently. Treatment, if necessary, is directed toward particular symptoms that are present. Hot flashes are experienced by many but not all women undergoing menopause. A hot flash is a feeling of intense warmth, sometimes associated with flushing, that spreads over the body and may be...
Determining hearing loss in children facts Children can be tested for hearing loss at any age. There are several risk factors associated with hearing loss, including ear infections, prematurity, diseases, and syndromes. Early identification of hearing loss will permit effective intervention, allowing for speech, language and cognitive development that are on target with a child’s...
What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver. "Hepatitis" is a general term that refers to any inflammation of the liver. Many illnesses and conditions that cause inflammation of the liver. In order to answer the question of whether or not hepatitis is contagious, these illnesses will be broken into...
Facts you should know about Aspergillus infection Share Your Story Fungi (mold) can cause an Aspergillus infection. Aspergillus is a genus name that represents over 185 fungal species, some of which cause several types of aspergillosis (fungal allergy or infection) in humans. The causes of an Aspergillus infection are fungi (mold). Risk factors include the...
What is colitis? Picture of the colon. Colitis means inflammation of the colon. The colon, also known as the large intestine or large bowel, constitutes the last part of the digestive tract. The colon is a long, muscular tube that receives digested food from the small intestine. The colon removes water from the undigested food...
What is jet lag? Travel fatigue is a common symptom of jet lag. Jet lag, also called desynchronosis and flight fatigue, is a temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a result of air travel across multiple time zones. It is considered a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which is a disruption of...
Do hives and rash look similar? Hives are raised, itchy skin welts. A rash is an inflammation or discoloration of the skin. Hives and rashes look similar. Hives and rashes look similar. Both are skin reactions that are red, swollen, and painful or itchy. Hives are usually an allergic reaction, while rashes have more complex...
How Often Are Allergy Shots Given? Allergy shots are given regularly (in the upper arm), with gradually increasing doses. When starting immunotherapy, you will need to go to your healthcare provider once or twice a week for several months. The dose is increased each time until the maintenance dose is reached. If the shots are...