What is epoetin alfa? What are the uses for epoetin alfa? Epoetin alfa is a man-made, injectable drug for treating anemia associated with chronic kidney failure for people who are or will be receiving dialysis. Epoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia in individuals with HIV infection and in patients with cancer who are receiving...
What facts should I know about C. diff (Clostridium difficile)? Readers Comments 20 Share Your Story What is a bacterial infection? What is the medical definition of C. diff? Clostridium difficile or C. diff is a bacterium. Microscopically it is referred to as gram positive and rod-shaped. It is exists best in a low oxygen environment....
What Are MCH Levels? MCH levels reveal the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. Hemoglobin is a protein that makes your blood red. It takes oxygen from your lungs to other parts of your body. It’s also what helps your body get rid of carbon dioxide. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin, or MCH, is...
What Is RDW? The RDW test identifies the variation in size of your red blood cells. A red cell distribution width (RDW) test is one part of a complete blood count (CBC). That’s a standard test doctors use to check your health by looking at the parts that make up your blood. RDW measures how...
What is oxybutynin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Oxybutynin is an oral drug that is used for treating urinary bladder spasm. Oxybutynin has a dual mechanism of action. Contraction of the smooth muscle of the bladder is stimulated by the release of acetylcholine by the nerves within the bladder and the attachment...
Amoxicillin (Moxatag) vs. azithromycin (Zithromax): What’s the difference? Amoxicillin and azithromycin are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections of the middle ear, tonsils, throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi (bronchitis), lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, skin, and some sexually transmitted diseases. Amoxicillin and azithromycin are different types of antibiotics. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic and azithromycin is a...
What is permethrin-topical cream, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Permethrin is a topical cream used to treat scabies. Permethrin is a neurotoxin that works by paralyzing nerves in respiratory muscles of scabies, causing their death. The FDA approved permethrin in August 1989. What brand names are available for permethrin-topical cream? Elimite, Nix...
What should you know about phlebitis and thrombophlebitis? Phlebitis refers to inflammation of a vein and it can be caused by any insult to the blood vessel wall, impaired venous flow, or coagulation abnormality. Thrombophlebitis refers to the formation of a blood clot associated with phlebitis. Thrombophlebitis can be superficial (skin level) or deep (in...
What is a venomous (poisonous) snakebite? Readers Comments 6 Share Your Story A venomous (poisonous) snake bite is a bite or a puncture wound made by a snake that is capable of injecting, secreting, or spitting venom into the penetrated skin wound, mucus membranes or the eyes where the toxin can be absorbed. Worldwide, there...
Introduction to burns Readers Comments 56 Share Your Story Burn treatment depends upon the location, body surface area, and degree of burn. The skin has an important role to play in the fluid and temperature regulation of the body. If enough skin area is injured, the ability to maintain that control can be lost. The...