Electron Beam (Ultrafast) CT (EBCT) Introduction EBCT, also called calcium-score screening heart scan, is a test used to detect calcium deposits found in atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries of heart disease patients. State-of-the-art computerized tomography (CT) methods, such as this one, are the most effective way to detect coronary calcification from atherosclerosis, before symptoms develop. More coronary calcium means...
Is Hepatitis C Contagious? How Do You Get It?
What is hepatitis C (hep C)? Share Your Story Hepatitis C virus destroys the liver. Hepatitis (hep C) is a form of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis C causes acute and chronic liver disease. Hepatitis C is transmitted when the virus in infected blood from one person infects another person. Hepatitis C disease is caused by a virus termed HCV (a single...
Antiemetics for Nausea and Vomiting: Types and Side Effects
What can cause nausea and vomiting? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Drugs used to treat nausea and vomiting are called antiemetics. Many types of antiemetics can decrease the severity of nausea. Nausea and vomiting occur for many reasons. Common causes include motion sickness, self-limited illnesses (viruses or food poisoning) that last a few hours to a few days, and...
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Types, Treatment, Symptoms, Contagious & Causes
Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the white parts of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids.Source: iStock Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) facts Readers Comments 16 Share Your Story Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) can be due to infectious or noninfectious causes. Infectious pinkeye is highly contagious. Bacterial or viral infections are common causes of infectious...
What’s the Difference Between Anorexia and Anorexia Nervosa?
"Anorexia" describes a simple inability or aversion to eating, whether caused by a medical problem or a mental health issue. "Anorexia nervosa," however, is the name for the clinical eating disorder, the main symptom of which is self-starvation. The terms anorexia and anorexia nervosa have often been used interchangeably. They, however, are not synonymous. “Anorexia” used by itself simply describes...
Endometrial Ablation Procedure, Recovery, Side Effects & Risks
Endometrial ablation definition and facts Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure to remove part of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) to cure non-cancerous disorders that cause abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial ablation is the surgical destruction of the lining tissues of the uterus. Endometrial ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding that is due to a...
Steroid Abuse Types, Symptoms, Side Effects & Treatment
Anabolic steroid abuse facts In one study, about 3% of high school students admitted to taking steroid pills or injections without a prescription. Anabolic steroids are used illegally to increase muscle, decrease fat, and enhance athletic performance and body appearance. Anabolic steroids act by increasing the androgenic testosterone effects within the body. Anabolic steroids can lead to potentially fatal side...
Anemia: How Is It Treated and Can It Be Cured?
What is anemia? Each case of anemia has an underlying cause and treatments address those specifically. Anemia can happen in people of all ages and from all ethnicities at any point in their lives. Anemia is a blood disorder. It’s the most common blood disorder in America, affecting 3 million people in the U.S. Your red blood cells contain hemoglobin,...
Could a Stiff Neck Be a Sign of Something Serious?
What is a stiff neck? Most cases of stiff neck will resolve and don't last long. However, a stiff neck can sometimes be a sign of something more serious that requires treatment from a doctor. The cervical spine describes the neck portion of your spinal cord. The bones, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, nerves, and spinal cord in the neck provide for...
Oral Surgery: Get Information on Procedures
A number of conditions may require oral surgery, including: Impacted Teeth Wisdom teeth, otherwise known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop. Sometimes these teeth emerge from the gum line and the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but most of the time, this is not the case. More often, one or more...