Spinal muscular atrophy definition and facts* Share Your Story *Spinal muscular atrophy facts medically edited by Melissa Conrad Stöppler Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited (hereditary) disease that results in destruction of lower motor neurons, nerve cells in the brain stem and spinal cord that control essential voluntary muscle activity. This genetic disorder is related to defects in a...
Brief Psychotic Disorder Treatment, Prognosis & Symptoms
Brief psychotic disorder facts Brief psychotic disorder is one of the conditions in the group of mental illnesses called the schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Symptoms of brief psychotic disorder can include hallucinations and/or delusions, and they last no longer than a month. The specific causes for brief psychotic disorder are usually not known, but it is thought to...
Vaginal Cancer Symptoms, Treatment, Staging & Causes
Vaginal cancer facts* *Vaginal cancer facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Vaginal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the vagina. Vaginal cancer is not common. When found in early stages, it can often be cured. There are two main types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors for vaginal cancer include...
Vaccination FAQ: Questions and Answers
Why do people need vaccines? What is immunization? What is immunity? Share Your Story Vaccines are medications that boost our ability to fight off certain diseases. Many of the vaccine-preventable diseases are highly contagious and even fatal in non-immunized individuals (Table 1). Prior to the development of vaccines, these diseases disabled or killed millions of people. Many people living in...
Vaccinations for Adults and Adolescents: Types and List
What are vaccine-preventable diseases? Each year, a new vaccine must be prepared that will be effective against the types of influenza viruses that are expected to circulate in the upcoming flu season. These are known as seasonal flu vaccines. Vaccine-preventable diseases are those diseases for which there is a shot that helps the immune system prepare for an infection. A...
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning: Toxin Test & Symptoms
What is ciguatera poisoning? Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story Ciguatera is a type of food poisoning. The ciguatera toxin may be found in large reef fish, most commonly barracuda, grouper, red snapper, eel, amberjack, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel. These fish live in coral reef waters between latitudes of 35 degrees south to 35 degrees north, corresponding to the...
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Uses, Side Effects, Benefits, and Risks
Vagus (vagal) nerve stimulation (VNS) definition and facts The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve that supplies motor (muscle) nerve fibers to the throat, larynx, trachea, lungs, heart, esophagus and intestinal tract; it also sends sensory information back to the brain from the ear, tongue, pharynx and larynx. There are two vagus nerves on each side of your body...
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning: Toxin Test & Symptoms
What is ciguatera poisoning? Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story Ciguatera is a type of food poisoning. The ciguatera toxin may be found in large reef fish, most commonly barracuda, grouper, red snapper, eel, amberjack, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel. These fish live in coral reef waters between latitudes of 35 degrees south to 35 degrees north, corresponding to the...
Hand Joint Replacement Surgery: Procedure & Implants
What happens in joint replacement surgery? Joint replacement surgery involves replacing a destroyed joint with an artificial joint. In knee or hip replacement surgery, the artificial joint is made out of metal and plastic. In the case of joint replacement in the hand, the new joint is most commonly composed of silicone rubber or the patient’s own tissues such as...
Antro-duodenal Motility Study Alternatives & Side Effects
What is an antro-duodenal motility study? An antro-duodenal motility study is used to evaluate the ability of the muscles of the stomach and the first portion of the small intestine (duodenum) to contract. Conditions in which there is abnormal contraction of the muscles of the stomach and the small intestine are referred to as motility disorders. Therefore, an antro-duodenal motility...