What is the urea breath test? Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story The urea breath test (UBT) is a test for diagnosing the presence of a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the stomach. H. pylori causes inflammation, ulcers, and atrophy of the stomach. The test also may be used to demonstrate that H. pylori has been eliminated by...
Can Atrial Fibrillation Go Away?
What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation is a medical condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly and rapidly. Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly and rapidly. During atrial fibrillation, the heart’s two upper chambers (the atria) beat irregularly without coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. The symptoms of atrial...
Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms, Recovery, Treatment, Causes
Facts you should know about cauda equina syndrome Low back pain is a symptom of cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome is complication from the compression of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord within the spinal canal. Cauda equina syndrome can be caused by any condition that results in direct irritation or pinching of the nerves at...
When Are Ankle Splints Used For? Benefits
What are ankle splints? Ankle splints are applied to minimize movement and provide support and comfort by stabilizing an injury at the ankle joint. Splints are primarily used to stabilize injuries to bones until the patient can be evaluated by a consultant, such as an orthopedic surgeon. These are also used to achieve immobilization for primary healing or in the...
When Are Ankle Splints Used For? Benefits
What are ankle splints? Ankle splints are applied to minimize movement and provide support and comfort by stabilizing an injury at the ankle joint. Splints are primarily used to stabilize injuries to bones until the patient can be evaluated by a consultant, such as an orthopedic surgeon. These are also used to achieve immobilization for primary healing or in the...
What Is a Bronchovascular Sleeve Resection?
What is a bronchovascular sleeve resection? Bronchovascular sleeve resection is a surgery performed for lung cancer. It is usually performed when the tumor invades the pulmonary artery (the artery carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation), as well as the bronchus. For example, tumors located in the upper left lobe of the lung....
When Is an Intra-Articular Methylene Blue Injection Used?
What is an intra-articular methylene blue injection? Indications for an intra-articular methylene blue injection include soft-tissue injury associated with fractures in and around the joint and injuries with a visible joint capsule. An intra-articular injection of methylene blue is a procedure performed to diagnose disruption of the joint capsule and help in early treatment. In the open injuries of the joint,...
How Long Does a Mitral Valvuloplasty Last?
How long does a mitral valvuloplasty take to perform? A mitral valuloplasty is a procedure to improve function of the heart's mitral valve. A mitral balloon valvuloplasty — a procedure to improve the function of the heart's mitral valve — takes about an hour. The procedure requires a few hours for preparation before, and recovery after the procedure. The patient will undergo...
How Long Does a Cholecystostomy Tube Stay In?
What is a percutaneous cholecystostomy procedure? A percutaneous cholecystostomy is a procedure to place a drainage catheter in the gallbladder through a tiny entry hole made in the stomach wall. The drainage tube will be connected to a collection bag which can be periodically emptied. The doctor usually removes the tube in about two to three weeks, after ensuring there...
What Is a Partial Gastrectomy?
What is a gastrectomy? A partial gastrectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the stomach, as opposed to a total gastrectomy in which the entire stomach is removed. A gastrectomy may also be accompanied by a vagotomy (removal of the part of the vagus nerve that stimulates the stomach’s acid production for digestion). A partial gastrectomy is most...