What is pancreatitis? The primary symptom of pancreatitis is upper abdominal pain that may spread to your back. Additional symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and cough. In the United States, acute pancreatitis is one of the most common reasons people with gastrointestinal problems are admitted to the hospital. Pancreatitis is an inflammation...
What Causes Bell’s Palsy?
What is Bell’s palsy? Bell’s palsy, the most common form of facial paralysis, is caused by swelling of the seventh cranial nerve as it passes through a narrow, bony passage. Bell’s palsy, the most common form of facial paralysis, begins with inflammation of a facial nerve. It causes drooping on one side of the face. Symptoms may improve in around...
What Are the Symptoms of Stage I Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer, hepatic cancer or hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a cancer that begins in the liver. Normal liver cells become abnormal in appearance and behavior and grow out of control. Liver cancer, hepatic cancer or hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a cancer that begins in the liver. Normal liver cells become abnormal in appearance and behavior and grow out of control....
What Can I Drink to Stop Smoking?
How to overcome tobacco cravings There are certain drinks and foods that may help reduce tobacco cravings. For most smokers and tobacco users, tobacco cravings are overpowering, making quitting difficult. It is important not to succumb to these cravings. Although the cravings can feel intense and cause anxiety, they are temporary. With appropriate measures, a good support system and time,...
What Are the Methods of Permanent Contraception?
What is permanent contraception? Permanent contraception methods are ways to permanently prevent pregnancy. Permanent contraception involves a minor surgical procedure by which the man or the woman is sterilized. It is possible to reverse surgical sterilization, but the reversal procedure is technically complicated and may not be successful. Reversal of a woman’s sterilization has a better success rate than a...
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Psychosis?
What are the early warning signs of psychosis? Psychosis is a condition that affects the mind and alters a person’s perception of reality. Early psychosis symptoms include change in thinking, feeling, perception and behavior along with hallucinations and delusions. Psychosis happens over a period of time and describes when someone starts to lose contact with reality. It is a condition...
What Are the Risks of Vertebroplasty?
What is percutaneous vertebroplasty? Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a procedure used to treat and stabilize vertebral (spinal) fractures. The process involves using a type of imaging called fluoroscopy, which provides X-rays in real time, to enable a doctor to inject a concrete-like fast-setting polymer into the damaged vertebrae. A procedure called kyphoplasty often accompanies vertebroplasty. Kyphoplasty is the insertion and...
What Are the Top 10 Phobias?
What is a phobia? Phobias are common treatable mental health disorders. A phobia is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A phobia is a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity, or situation. Phobias are diagnosable mental disorders. People with phobias try to...
What Are the Chances of Lung Nodules Being Cancer?
Most lung nodules aren’t cancerous. It has been noted that fewer than 5 percent of lung nodules turn out to be cancer, i.e., 3 or 4 in 100. Most lung nodules aren’t cancerous. It has been noted that fewer than 5 percent of lung nodules turn out to be cancer, i.e., 3 or 4 in 100. Some of the factors...
What Are the Most Common Knee Injuries?
What is a knee injury? Knee injuries can happen at any age. The most common types of knee injuries are stress fractures, dislocation, ACL injury, meniscal tearing, and tendonitis. The knee is the largest and one of the most complex joints in the body. Whether you’re moving or sitting throughout the day, your knees can experience heavy wear and tear,...