Agoraphobia facts Agoraphobia is a fear of being outdoors or otherwise being in a situation from which one either cannot escape or from which escaping would be difficult or embarrassing. Like other phobias, agoraphobia often goes unreported, probably because many phobia sufferers find ways to avoid the situations to which they are phobic. Agoraphobia often co-occurs with panic disorder. Agoraphobia...
Agoraphobia Treatment, Definition & Causes
Agoraphobia facts Agoraphobia is a fear of being outdoors or otherwise being in a situation from which one either cannot escape or from which escaping would be difficult or embarrassing. Like other phobias, agoraphobia often goes unreported, probably because many phobia sufferers find ways to avoid the situations to which they are phobic. Agoraphobia often co-occurs with panic disorder. Agoraphobia...
Zika Virus Symptoms, Treatment & Infection While Pregnant
Zika virus facts Share Your Story Zika virus is a virus related to dengue, West Nile, and other viruses. Zika virus may play a role in developing congenital microcephaly (small head and brain) in the fetus of infected pregnant women. The viral disease was first noted in 1947 in Africa and has spread by outbreaks to many different countries, with...
IV Drug Infusion FAQs: Guidelines, Treatment, Conditions
Introduction You have been informed by your healthcare provider that you will need to receive intravenous (IV) infusions of a medication to treat your health condition. The treatment for many conditions relies on medications administered by IV infusion therapy. How do I prepare for the infusion? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Below are a few helpful suggestions to help...
IV Drug Infusion FAQs: Guidelines, Treatment, Conditions
Introduction You have been informed by your healthcare provider that you will need to receive intravenous (IV) infusions of a medication to treat your health condition. The treatment for many conditions relies on medications administered by IV infusion therapy. How do I prepare for the infusion? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Below are a few helpful suggestions to help...
Esophageal pH Monitoring for GERD, Acid Reflux, Chest Pain
What is esophageal pH monitoring? Esophageal pH (pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution) monitoring is a procedure for measuring the reflux (regurgitation or backwash) of acid from the stomach into the esophagus that occurs in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When is esophageal pH monitoring used? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Esophageal pH monitoring...
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): False Positives, Procedure
What is a fecal occult blood test? Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is testing that is performed on samples of stool in order to detect occult blood (blood that is not visible to the naked eye) in otherwise normal-colored stool. Fecal occult blood usually is a result of slow (often intermittent) bleeding from inside the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract....
Is Gingivitis Contagious?
What is gingivitis (gum disease or periodontal disease)? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Gingivitis (gum disease or periodontal disease) is inflammation of the gingiva (structures in the mouth including the gums, mucous membranes, and fibrous tissue that covers the tooth-containing edge of the jaw). Gingivitis is commonly termed gum disease and medically termed periodontal disease. Gingivitis is considered to...
Is Gingivitis Contagious?
What is gingivitis (gum disease or periodontal disease)? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Gingivitis (gum disease or periodontal disease) is inflammation of the gingiva (structures in the mouth including the gums, mucous membranes, and fibrous tissue that covers the tooth-containing edge of the jaw). Gingivitis is commonly termed gum disease and medically termed periodontal disease. Gingivitis is considered to...
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Causes and Symptoms
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder. It affects about one person in every one million people per year worldwide; in the United States there are about 300 cases per year. CJD usually appears in later life and runs a rapid course. Typically, onset of symptoms...