Sjögren's syndrome facts Sjögren's syndrome can cause white blood cells to attack the tear and salivary glands. This can dry out the eyes and mouth. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease of salivary and tear glands. Sjögren's syndrome involves inflammation of glands and other tissues of the body. Most patients with Sjögren's syndrome are female. Sjögren's syndrome can be complicated...
What Is Deviated Septum? Symptoms, Surgery, Recovery & Causes
What is deviated septum? A deviated septum often does not have any symptoms, but some symptoms include difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal congestion, sinus infections, nosebleeds, sleep problems, headache, and postnasal drip. The thin wall between the nostrils is made of cartilage and bone and is called the septum. The septum is made up of bone and cartilage. When...
Can People With COPD Get Better?
With early diagnosis and treatment, disease progression and flare-ups can be controlled Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not curable in any stage of the disease. With early diagnosis and treatment, disease progression and flare-ups can be controlled. Hence, patients can live a good quality of life and even exercise, without their longevity being considerably affected. Patients would have to...
Hypercalcemia Symptoms, Treatment, Causes & Definition
Facts you should know about hypercalcemia Picture of the parathyroid glands Calcium is important for bone strength, as well as muscle and nerve function Calcium levels in the bloodstream are regulated by PTH, vitamin D, and calcitonin Hypercalcemia can vary in severity and in chronicity The main cause of hypercalcemia is hyperparathyroidism Malignancies may be associated with hypercalcemia, and the...
Colposcopy Biopsy Procedure Results, Pain & Purpose
Colposcopy facts Colposcopy is a gynecological procedure that illuminates and magnifies the vulva, vaginal walls, and uterine cervix in order to detect and examine abnormalities of these structures. Colposcopy is a procedure used by physicians that provides a magnified and illuminated view of the vulva, vaginal walls, and uterine cervix. This procedure is often done to evaluate an abnormal appearing...
How Painful is a Lumbar Puncture? Procedure
A lumbar puncture is also called a spinal tap, spinal puncture, thecal puncture, or rachiocentesis. A lumbar puncture is usually not painful, as a patient is first given a local anesthetic. Most patients feel nothing except for the mild sting of the local anesthetic needle. It is possible to feel a pressure sensation as the needle goes in. The procedure is...
What Is Braun Enteroesterostomy? Procedure
What is enteroenterostomy? Braun enterostomy is a type of anastomosis done following a major surgery like pancreaticoduodenectomy (removal of pancreas and a part of the intestine). Enteroenterostomy is an anastomosis (connection) between one part of the small bowel to another (jejunum or ileum). The entire small intestine is around 20 feet long and is divided into three parts. The first...
What Is SpyGlass Cholangioscopy? Procedure
What is cholangioscopy? SpyGlass cholangioscopy is a recently developed technique for the visualization of the bile ducts. Cholangioscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube, called an endoscope, allows the doctor to visualize the inside of the bile ducts. It is used to treat related medical conditions, such as removal of bile duct stones. When coupled with the visualization...
What Happens During a Coccygectomy? Tailbone Surgery
What is a coccygectomy? Generally, orthopedic or spinal surgeons perform the surgery. Coccygectomy is usually done under general anesthesia. Coccygectomy is the surgical removal of the tailbone (coccyx). It is done in the cases of pain in the tailbone region (coccydynia) when conservative treatment options, such as rest, painkillers, physiotherapy, and steroid injections, have failed. The surgery is not commonly...
How Is Peritoneal Lavage Performed? Purpose
What is peritoneal lavage? Diagnostic peritoneal lavage is used in unstable patients who have suffered severe physical trauma. Peritoneal lavage is a bedside procedure for evaluating bleeding in the abdominal cavity or a ruptured organ. In this procedure, a needle connected to a catheter, a tube-like structure, is inserted into your abdominal cavity. It is commonly known as diagnostic peritoneal...