What is an eye twitch? Eye twitch (blepharospasm) is usually harmless. If it's not caused by an underlying condition, more rest and avoiding caffeine, alcohol and stress may help the twitch go away. A blepharospasm (eye twitch) is a harmless, involuntary spasm of the muscle of the eyelids, which may resolve on its own. Eye twitch causes the eyelid to...
How Can I Relieve Acid Reflux?
What is acid reflux? Acid reflux can be relieved by simple lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks, eating small meals, and not eating too close to bedtime. Acid reflux refers to the condition in which the stomach contents move up into the food pipe (esophagus). When the acidic stomach contents leak frequently, more than twice a week...
Can Lyme Disease Be Cured?
What is Lyme disease? The rash typically resolves in about 1 or 2 weeks with antibiotic treatment. Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by infection with the microorganism, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the body’s immune response to its infection. The illness is transmitted from tick bites when the tick regurgitates the microorganism. Lyme disease is known as a “vector-borne disease.”...
What Are NRTIs in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for HIV?
What are NRTIs in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection? Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are one of the seven classes of drugs developed to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. NRTIs were the first drugs developed to manage HIV infection and remain a mainstay of antiretroviral therapy (ART) combinations. What is HIV infection? HIV infection is caused by a...
How Effective is antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for HIV?
What is antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection? ART for HIV is typically a combination of three or more different antiretroviral drugs that each target the human immunodeficiency virus at different points in its replication in the body. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a treatment regimen used to reduce the amount of...
When Is a Bronchoplasty Reconstruction Procedure Used?
What is a bronchoplasty? Bronchoplasty is used for various benign and malignant pulmonary lesions. Bronchoplasty is a reconstruction or repair of the bronchus to restore its function. During inhalation, air travels through the nose and/or mouth into the trachea (windpipe). The trachea further divides into two tubes called bronchus (bronchi). The bronchi branch out into smaller tubes called bronchioles. The...
Can Lyme Disease Be Cured?
What is Lyme disease? The rash typically resolves in about 1 or 2 weeks with antibiotic treatment. Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by infection with the microorganism, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the body’s immune response to its infection. The illness is transmitted from tick bites when the tick regurgitates the microorganism. Lyme disease is known as a “vector-borne disease.”...
Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Symptoms, Treatment & Life Expectancy
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis definition and facts Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare disease characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon disease that involves inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis). Symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis include: fatigue, weight loss, fevers, shortness of breath, bloody sputum, joint pains, and sinus inflammation. Diagnosis...
What Is a Choledochojejunostomy?
What is a choledochojejunostomy? A choledochojejunostomy is a surgical procedure to make a connection (anastomosis) between the common bile duct and the jejunum. This technique is called the Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy. A choledochojejunostomy is a surgical procedure to make a connection (anastomosis) between the common bile duct and the jejunum, which is the middle portion of the small intestine. This technique...
What Is a Mitral Valvuloplasty Procedure?
What is a mitral valvuloplasty procedure? The heart's mitral valve is subject to hardening or stenosis as a symptom of heart disease. Mitral valvuloplasty uses a catheter to inflate a balloon inside the valve, stretching it and ideally improving its function. Mitral valvuloplasty, also known as mitral valvotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure to treat narrowing (stenosis) of the heart’s...