This type of injection is used when other methods of administration might be less effective. Subcutaneous injection is a method of injecting medication into the subcutaneous tissue, the layer of fat right under the skin. A short needle is used to inject a medicine into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle. Medication administered this way is usually absorbed more...
When Should a Tracheostomy Tube Be Changed?
What is a tracheostomy? A tracheostomy is an opening that surgeons make through the front of the neck and into the windpipe (trachea) to keep it open for breathing. A tracheostomy is an opening that surgeons make through the front of the neck and into the windpipe (trachea). The tracheostomy tube is placed into the opening to keep it open...
Doxepin (Sinequan, Adapin) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is doxepin? What is doxepin used for? Doxepin belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) that are used primarily to treat depression and anxiety. Other examples of TCAs include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and several others. Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. In some patients with depression, an imbalance in levels...
What Triggers Panic Attacks?
What is a panic attack? Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear or dread that cause a severe physical reaction. Panic attacks can come on suddenly and often occur when there is no genuine physical danger or obvious cause. Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear or dread that cause a severe physical reaction. Panic attacks can come on suddenly...
Why Is a Spleen Removed in a Distal Pancreatectomy?
What is distal pancreatectomy? A distal pancreatectomy involves surgical resection of the body and tail of the pancreas. A pancreatosplenectomy (pancreaticosplenectomy) or spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy is performed to surgically treat the pancreatic disease of the tail and body. A distal pancreatectomy involves surgical resection of the body and tail of the pancreas with or without splenectomy. There are various surgical...
What week is the highest risk of a miscarriage?
What week is the highest risk of a miscarriage? The first trimester is associated with the highest risk for miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy. A miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1% to 5% of pregnancies. Early pregnancy loss is defined as a nonviable intrauterine...
Yellow Fever Symptoms, Vaccine, Treatment & History
Yellow fever facts Yellow fever is an infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. Yellow fever is a vector-borne disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever is endemic in areas of Africa and South America. The symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, and muscle aches, with some patients going on to develop life-threatening...
Why Is MSG Bad For Your Health?
The ideal serving of MSG should be less than 0.5 g in food. Glutamate is one of the many amino acids (building blocks of protein) found naturally in the body. Glutamate may be naturally present in some of the protein-rich foods, such as cheese, milk, meat, fish, and several different vegetables. MSG levels are high especially in foods such as...
lixisenatide (Adlyxin): Type 2 Diabetes Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is lixisenatide, and how does it work? Lixisenatide is an injectable drug that reduces the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for the treatment type 2 diabetes and is similar to exenatide (Byetta), liraglutide (Victoza), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and abliglutide (Tanzeum). Lixisenatide belongs in a class of drugs called incretin mimetics because these drugs mimic the...
What Will Happen if Your Blood Pressure is Too High?
What is high blood pressure? High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can have negative consequences on your health. High blood pressure can harm your blood vessels and other organs, especially the brain, eyes, heart, and kidneys. High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when the pressure in the arteries in your heart increases to unhealthy levels. Measuring blood pressure takes...