Pycnodysostosis facts Pycnodysostosis is an inherited disorder of the bone. Pycnodysostosis causes short stature. Pycnodysostosis causes abnormally dense brittle bones. Pycnodysostosis causes the "soft spot" of a baby’s skull to stay widely open. Pycnodysostosis is due to a defect in an enzyme: cathepsin K. Growth hormone treatment may increase growth in pycnodysostosis. What is pycnodysostosis? Share Your Story Pycnodysostosis is...
Sciatica: Causes, Treatment, Exercises, and Symptoms
What are the symptoms of sciatica? Sciatica is a symptom itself rather than a specific diagnosis. Sciatica is a symptom itself rather than a specific diagnosis. It is the term used to describe any type of shooting pain that begins at the spine and radiates through the buttocks and down the back of the leg and as far as the...
When Is the Ravitch Procedure for Pectus Excavatum Used?
What is pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum? The Ravitch procedure is a surgical correction of the congenital chest deformities called pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the sternum/breastbone or rib cage has an abnormal shape. This produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest. Pectus carinatum is a genetic disorder of the chest...
What Is the Best Treatment for Psoriasis? Symptoms & Causes
What is psoriasis? The best treatment is individually determined by the treating doctor and depends, in part, on the type of disease, the severity, and amount of skin involved and the type of insurance coverage. Psoriasis is an incurable chronic autoimmune disorder of the skin that causes patches of thick, flaky, scaly skin, mostly around the scalp, knees, and elbows,...
Nebulizer for Asthma: Read About Attacks and Side Effects
Introduction An asthma nebulizer, also known as a breathing machine, changes asthma medication from a liquid to a mist, so that it can be more easily inhaled into the lungs. Home nebulizer therapy is particularly effective in delivering asthma medications to infants and small children and to anyone who is unable to use asthma inhalers with spacers. To obtain an...
Left Ventricular Assist Device: Guidelines, Complications
What Is an LVAD? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story The left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, is a mechanical pump that is implanted inside a person’s chest to help a weakened heart ventricle pump blood throughout the body. Unlike a total artificial heart, the LVAD doesn’t replace the heart. It just helps it do its job. This can mean...
What Is Medical Marijuana? CBD, THC & Cannabis Prescriptions
Medical marijuana facts Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Marijuana or cannabis flowers contain the most cannabinoids and have the most therapeutic potential.. Medical marijuana is a plant-based medicine from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica species with three major active compounds: THC, CBD, and CBN. Medical marijuana is used for pain, nausea, muscle spasms, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, low appetite,...
43 Multiple Sclerosis Signs, Symptoms, and 4 Types (Stages)
What is MS (multiple sclerosis)? Share Your Story Over half of people with MS experience some kind of short- or long-term pain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes demyelination, or disruption of the substance that coats and protects nerve cells, in the spinal nerve and brain cells. The specific symptoms and severity of the disease are related to...
Noonan Syndrome: Read About the Disorder and Its Prognosis
Noonan syndrome facts* *Noonan syndrome facts medical author: Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder that may cause short stature, distinctive facial features and heart abnormalities. Aside from face and heart abnormalities, there may be associated bleeding abnormalities, scoliosis, infertility in males, lymphedema, and intellectual disability. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease, meaning that...
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Child With Dravet Syndrome?
Children affected with Dravet syndrome, however, may develop severe disability leading to problems that affect their lifespan. Dravet syndrome is a rare, severe, and lifelong form of epilepsy (seizure disorder). Most people affected by this condition have a good life expectancy. The disease typically starts in the first year of life, and around 80-85% of the children survive into adulthood....