Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow. Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow. In this condition, the bone marrow fails to make red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all the other parts of the body. Blood cells are made in the...
What Is an Arterial Blood Sample?
How do medical professionals collect an arterial blood sample? An arterial blood sample analyzes the concentration of certain gases dissolved in the blood. There are three main types of blood vessels in the body, namely, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries are the large blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to body tissues. The distribution of the arteries in...
What Is the Number 1 Cause of Cancer?
Cancer refers to a collection of large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and can infiltrate and destroy the normal body tissue. Cancer refers to a collection of large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and can infiltrate and destroy the normal body tissue. Cancer can often spread...
What Is the Ablation Procedure?
Ablation description and uses An ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat uterine, cardiac and other types of conditions. An ablation procedure is a minimally invasive procedure. It is used to destroy layers of abnormal tissues in various parts of the body using lasers or cold. Ablation can be done for cosmetic reasons (on the skin...
What is Paracardiocentesis?
What is pericardiocentesis? Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain excess fluid from the heart's protective sack (pericardium). Pericardiocentesis is an invasive procedure to remove fluid from the protective sac (pericardium) around the heart. Pericardium is a thin, two-layered sac with a small amount of fluid. Pericardiocentesis is a procedure by which excessive pericardial fluid (pericardial effusion) is drained. Fluid removed...
What Is an Extensor Tendon Repair?
What is an extensor tendon? A tendon is a flexible but inelastic cord of strong tissue that lies next to the bone; they attach a muscle to bone. Extensor tendons of the upper limb are located on the back of the hands, wrists, and fingers. They allow individuals to straighten their fingers and thumbs. Extensor tendon repair surgery repairs torn...
What Does Blood in the Urine Mean?
Introduction Blood in the urine is not always cause for concern. Common causes of blood in urine include kidney and bladder stones or infections, strenuous exercise, cancer, urinary tract infections (UTI), enlarged prostate, and other medical conditions. There are many reasons why both men and women may experience blood in their urine. Although it may be unsettling, it’s not always...
What Causes Herpes on Lips?
What is herpes? Oral herpes is usually caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus, or HSV-1. It spreads through intimate contact with an infected person through kissing and oral sex, but sharing cups, eating utensils, and other items can also pass along the virus. Oral herpes — also known as cold sores or fever blisters — is a common viral...
What Is a Guillotine Ankle Amputation?
What is a guillotine ankle amputation? Guillotine ankle amputation surgically cuts all of the tissue from the skin to bone. A guillotine ankle amputation is an open type of amputation that involves surgical cutting of all of the tissue from the skin to bone at the level of the ankle. Because this surgery is performed without closure of skin, it...
What Is a Piriformis Injection Used to Treat?
What is piriformis syndrome? Sometimes the piriformis muscle can become irritated, swollen, and tight due to injury and twitching. It can then press upon the nearby sciatic nerve. The pyriformis syndrome is a painful neuromuscular condition that develops due to abnormal tightening of the pyriformis muscle situated near the hip joint. The tight muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve...