Labyrinthitis (inner ear infections) definition and facts Readers Comments 7 Share Your Story Inner Ear Infection (Labyrinthitis) Labyrinthitis is an inner ear condition that causes dizziness, spinning sensation (vertigo) and problems with balance. Inner ear infections and/or other ear problems can trigger labyrinthitis. Symptoms of labyrinthitis include: Dizziness Spinning sensation (vertigo) Nausea Vomiting Problems with balance or walking Hearing loss...
7 Tips to Stop a Nosebleed Fast
Nosebleed definition and facts Picture of mustache dressing The definition of a nosebleed is simply bleeding from the blood vessels in the nose. The medical term for nosebleed is epistaxis. Nosebleeds are common due to the location of the nose on the face, and the large amount of blood vessels in the nose. The most common causes of nosebleeds are...
Left Brain vs. Right Brain: Differences, Functions, Characteristics & Test
What is the right brain vs. left brain theory? What is brain lateralization (split-brain)? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Illustration of Left Brain vs. Right Brain Some neuroscience researchers believe that the function of the human brain is be best explained by the concept of lateralization, meaning that the right and left hemispheres of the brain perform very different...
hydrocodone & ibuprofen, Vicoprofen: Opioid Drug, Side Effects, Dosage
What is hydrocodone and ibuprofen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Vicoprofen is a combination of an opioid analgesic (hydrocodone bitartrate, a pain reliever related to narcotics) and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen). Both medications are effective for pain management. It is estimated that one tablet of Vicoprofen is as effective as two tablets of Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen...
glyburide, Micronase: Diabetes Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosage
What is glyburide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Glyburide is an oral, glucose-lowering drug in a class of diabetic drugs called sulfonylureas that is used for treating diabetes. Other sulfonylureas include glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide, and chlorpropamide (Diabinese). Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. When released into the blood, insulin...
eletriptan (Relpax): Migraine Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosage
What is eletriptan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Eletriptan is an oral drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It is in the "triptan" class of drugs that also includes sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), and frovatriptan (Frova). Migraine headaches are believed to be the result of abnormal activity in the...
amantadine, Symmetrel (Discontinued): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage
What is amantadine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Amantadine is a synthetic (man-made) anti-viral drug that can inhibit the replication of viruses in cells. To prevent a viral infection, the drug should be present before exposure to the virus. Clearly, this is not practical for most viral infections. It was initially used to prevent influenza A during...
nicardipine, Cardene, Cardene SR: Drug Facts, Side Effects, Dosage
What is nicardipine? What are the uses for nicardipine? Nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR) belongs to a class of drugs referred to as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Nicardipine is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina (heart pain). What brand names are available for nicardipine? Cardene, Cardene SR Is nicardipine available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE:...
Xeloda (capecitabine): Cancer Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosage
What is capecitabine (Xeloda), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Capecitabine is an oral medication for treating advanced breast cancer that is resistant to combination therapy with the drugs of choice, paclitaxel (Taxol) and a drug from the anthracycline family of drugs, for example, doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Capecitabine is converted by the body to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a drug which...
HIV Test Types & Accuracy of Results of HIV Testing Kits
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing facts Every adult can benefit from undergoing HIV testing at least once. HIV testing is done to diagnose those who are newly infected, to identify previously unrecognized infections, and to relieve the minds of those who are not infected. New sexual partners should consider getting an HIV test before sex to inform themselves of how...