What is an episiotomy? An episiotomy is an incision made between the vagina and the rectum in order to increase the size of the opening of the vagina and facilitate the delivery of a baby. How common is episiotomy? An episiotomy is performed in a large percentage of vaginal deliveries in the United States, but the prevalence of episiotomy has been...
Vaccination Schedule for Children: Facts on Types of Vaccines
Why do we need vaccines? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story None of us wants to see our children get sick. If we could, we would protect them from any illness, no matter how small, even the sniffles. Now suppose you could make your child safe from some of the most deadly diseases in history. Suppose that at the same...
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Disease Treatment & Causes
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) facts Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a particular form of blood vessel inflammation called vasculitis. Henoch-Schonlein purpura frequently follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages, but it can be induced by certain medications. Henoch-Schonlein purpura causes skin rash, pain in the abdomen, and joint inflammation (arthritis). The treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura is directed toward the most significant...
Metronidazole (Flagyl) vs. azelaic acid (Finacea) Side Effects & Dosage
Metronidazole (Flagyl) vs. azelaic acid (Finacea) similarities and differences Metronidazole and azelaic acid are antibiotics used to treat acne. Brand names for metronidazole include Flagyl and Flagyl ER and brand names for azelaic acid include Finacea and Azelex. A difference is metronidazole is taken orally and azelaic acid is used topically (on the skin). Side effects of metronidazole that are...
Lyrica (pregabalin) vs. Xanax (alprazolam) Side Effects & Dosage
Lyrica (pregabalin) vs. Xanax (alprazolam) similarities and differences Lyrica (pregabalin) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat seizures and anxiety disorder. Lyrica is also used to treat neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia. Lyrica is also used in combination with other drugs to treat partial onset seizures in adults. Xanax is primarily used to...
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone: Differences Between Opioid Painkillers
Percocet vs. hydrocodone facts Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) and hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Percocet has an additional non-narcotic pain reliever added (acetaminophen) which achieves greater pain relief than either taken separately. Both Percocet and hydrocodone are available as generic drugs. Percocet is a brand name for oxycodone and acetaminophen. Side effects of both Percocet and...
omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid): Side Effects & Dosage
What is omeprazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the class include lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers,...
Hydrocodone vs. Hydromorphone for Pain: Which Is Better?
Hydrocodone vs. hydromorphone differences Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Dilaudid-5, Dilaudid-HP Injection, Exalgo) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Both hydrocodone and hydromorphone are available as generic drugs. Side effects of both hydrocodone and hydromorphone are similar and include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Hydrocodone may also cause drowsiness and difficulty urinating. Hydromorphone may cause side effects...
Dilaudid (hydromorphone HCL) for Pain: Sides Effects & Dosage
What is Dilaudid, and how does it work? Hydromorphone hydrochloride (HCI) is an opioid narcotic pain reliever similar to oxycodone, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and other opioids. Hydromorphone, like other opioids, stimulates receptors on nerves in the brain to increase the threshold to pain (increasing the amount of stimulation it takes to feel pain) and reduce the perception of pain (the perceived...
Ativan vs. Valium: Benzodiazepine Side Effects, Dosage & Uses
Ativan vs. Valium comparison Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are both members of the benzodiazepine family of drugs used mainly to treat anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Researchers believe both Ativan and Valium – like other members of the benzodiazepine group – work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter that helps inhibit excess brain activity. Excessive activity of nerves in the brain...