Broken finger definition and facts Picture of Finger Anatomy Broken fingers or finger fractures, may account for up to 10% of all broken bones. Broken finger symptoms usually are pain immediately after the injured part of the finger, and sometimes a deformed finger. If the trauma is severe, broken bones may be exposed through the soft...
What is fentanyl, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Fentanyl is a strong, synthetic (man-made) narcotic that is similar to morphine. A 0.1 mg dose of fentanyl is approximately equal to 10 mg of morphine administered by intramuscular injection. Fentanyl stimulates receptors on nerves in the brain to increase the threshold to pain...
What is tolterodine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tolterodine belongs to a class of drugs called cholinergic (acetylcholine) receptor blockers. It is used to treat disorders of the urinary bladder that affect urination. The urinary bladder is a muscular "bag." Urine coming from the kidneys fills the bladder and causes it to...
Postsurgical fatigue introduction When you are tired after surgery, your body is telling you to rest. Patients often question why they are so tired after surgery. Many patients think that because they have been “put to sleep with anesthesia” that they should be refreshed and have more energy as they recover from their surgery. However,...
What is beta thalassemia? People with thalassemia make defective hemoglobin, the compound in blood that carries oxygen. Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders. Thalassemia patients make defective hemoglobin. There are two forms of beta thalassemia: thalassemia minor and thalassemia major (also called Cooley's anemia). Beta thalassemia is classically described in people of Italian and Greek origin....
What is beta thalassemia? People with thalassemia make defective hemoglobin, the compound in blood that carries oxygen. Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders. Thalassemia patients make defective hemoglobin. There are two forms of beta thalassemia: thalassemia minor and thalassemia major (also called Cooley's anemia). Beta thalassemia is classically described in people of Italian and Greek origin....
What are HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol? Share Your Story <span class=HDL cholesterol protects against narrowing of blood vessels while the LDL may make the narrowing worse. Cholesterol is a fat-like (lipid-like) substance that your body uses as a building block to produce hormones, vitamin D, and digestive juices that help you break down...
What is a urinalysis? Readers Comments 19 Share Your Story Picture of urine dipstick and color box instructions; photo courtesy of iStock A urinalysis is simply an analysis of the urine. It is a very common test that can be performed in many health care settings, including doctors' offices, urgent care facilities, laboratories, hospitals, and...
Blood in semen facts Hematospermia is another name for blood in semen. Blood in the semen is known as hematospermia. Prostate biopsy is the most common cause of blood in the semen. Blood in the semen can be caused by tumors, infections, anatomical abnormalities, stones, or inflammation in many sites throughout the genitourinary system. Usually...
Triglyceride test definition and facts Readers Comments 6 Share Your Story Diagram showing makeup of HDL and LDL cholesterol types measured by triglyceride tests Elevated triglyceride levels may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Highly elevated triglyceride levels may also cause fatty liver disease and pancreatitis. High triglyceride levels can also be associated with diabetes,...