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Heparin is a blood thinning medication used to prevent blood clot formation. Heparin can be given either directly into the bloodstream or as an injection under the skin. No oral form of heparin is available, and that is why it is typically used in the hospital setting. Use in the Hospital Heparin prevents the formation of blood clots. Some of the most common reasons heparin is used include: To prevent the formation of the blood clots that can form as a complication of staying in bed for prolonged periods of time: A low daily dose of heparin is typically injected under the skin to help prevent the formation of deep venous thromboses (DVT) in the veins of the legs, thighs, and pelvis....

The word aneurysm means a dilatation, or widening, of a blood vessel. Berry aneurysms, also known as saccular aneurysms, are balloon-like outpouchings of an artery in the brain. The wall of the artery is weak in these aneurysms, which means that under certain conditions, like high blood pressure (hypertension), the vessel wall can break and allow blood to flow into the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater. This bleeding, known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage, can lead to death or severe disability....

AIDS-related cancer is a group of cancers that are frequently diagnosed in people with HIV/AIDS. People who do not have HIV or AIDS can certainly develop these types of cancers, however, they are only referred as HIV/AIDS-related cancers when diagnosed in someone with HIV or AIDS. Types Cancers that are more prevalent among those with HIV/AIDS include: Kaposi’s sarcoma Lymphoma Cervical cancer Anal cancer Oral cancer Testicular cancer Skin cancer Lung cancer Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphoma, and invasive cervical cancer are considered to be AIDS-defining illnesses, a group of conditions and diseases that indicate advanced HIV or the onset of AIDS....

Are premonitions reliable? When people reflect on serious life-changing events it is not uncommon to look back and recall, ‘I knew something just wasn’t quite right,’ or ‘I had an eerie feeling.’ A stroke, in particular, more so than other illnesses, is often preceded by a foreboding feeling that something strange is going on. Odd sensations can serve as cautionary warning signs prior to a stroke. Where Do Stroke Premonitions Come From?...

As a progressive disease, Parkinson’s starts gradually and worsens with time. Common symptoms include stiffness, shaking, and difficulty with balance and coordination. As the disease advances, muscle pain and cramps, problems with sleep, memory impairment, depression, and behavioral changes may set in, too. The Hoehn and Yahr scale is used to stage Parkinson’s disease according to the order in which symptoms appear and gradually worsen. There were previously five stages in the Hoehn and Yahr scale, but over time it was modified—stages 1....

No one wants to experience a very loud, distressing noise, like a bomb exploding in their brain, as they fall into a deep slumber. But this is the very disturbance experienced by those who suffer from a syndrome known as exploding head syndrome. Symptoms Exploding Head Syndrome, or EHS, is a sleep disorder that causes a person to sense sudden, loud noises when falling asleep or waking up. This syndrome is accompanied by intense fear and anxiety....

Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) is a rare eye condition that affects the retina, the layer of tissue located at the back of the eyeball. AZOOR often starts with symptoms like sudden flashing lights, blind spots, or blurred vision, and eventually leads to vision loss. There’s no cure for AZOOR, but treatments such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs can potentially help recover vision loss in some people. This article provides an overview on AZOOR, its symptoms, causes, and treatment....

For those who fall asleep too early in the evening and wake too early in the morning, there is one possible cause that might be unfamiliar: advanced sleep-wake phase disorder. What does it mean to have an advanced sleep phase? Why might this circadian rhythm disorder occur? Learn about this condition, how it is diagnosed, who most likely experiences it, and possible treatment options including the use of melatonin and light therapy....

Anti-glare glasses are eyeglasses that have an anti-reflective coating on their lenses. Also known as AR, no-glare, or glare-free coating, this feature reduces glare caused by light hitting the surface of your lenses. With that, more light is able to pass through, leading to fewer visible distractions. Anti-glare glasses can provide vision benefits in specific situations, such as night driving and computer use. While there is an added cost to having lenses made with anti-reflective coating, many users say it improves their vision and makes their eyeglasses look better....

Dehydration can impact your entire body, including your eyes. When there’s a lack of moisture in the body, you may be more susceptible to dry eyes, which can cause discomfort and irritation, and it may even impact your vision. Read more about the link between dry eye and dehydration, as well as ways to prevent and treat the condition. How Dehydration Can Affect Your Eyes Moisture and water are important aspects of the tear film layer that protects the eyes....

Pediatric Orthopedics is its own specialty because children have bones that are different from adult bones, with types of fractures seen mostly in young bones. Treatment of broken bones in children is also different from the way we treat broken bones in adults. Here is a look at the factors involved in bone fractures and treatment in children. Broken Bones Heal Best in Kids Children’s bones have an amazing capacity for healing....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now says that masks may protect the wearer from COVID-19. That’s a slight pivot from previous messaging that stressed people should wear masks to help protect others. Key Takeaways The CDC has issued a scientific brief that says cloth face coverings help protect the wearer from COVID-19.The organization cited several newer studies to back up their statements.Doctors hope this will promote mask wearing among the general public....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released interim guidance for healthcare providers on how to treat patients with post-COVID conditions, commonly referred to as “long COVID.” Key Takeaways The CDC released guidance for healthcare providers on treating long COVID.The agency urges practitioners to take their patients’ symptoms seriously, and refrain from immediately attributing them to mental health issues.Doctors applaud the move, but point out there are still many unanswered questions regarding the condition....

Barley is a whole grain that can be eaten alone or added to many foods. It is used mostly in the malting industry and for livestock feed. It was not usually used as a food source in humans in the past. Now, barley is being used more in balanced diets because of its health benefits. Studies show many positive health effects of including barley in your diet. It improves digestion, and blood glucose levels in people with diabetes and heart conditions....

Healing from an exploratory laparotomy can take several weeks because the surgery usually involves a large abdominal incision in order to visualize a patient’s organs and tissues for bleeding, disease, or injury. Carefully following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions and engaging in overall healthy lifestyle habits will optimize your chances for achieving a successful long-term recovery. Here’s what to expect from your recovery and warning signs to watch out for. Surgery Follow-Up While the exact timeline for when you will follow-up with your surgeon after an exploratory laparotomy depends on factors like how well your recovery went in the hospital, and the reason why the surgery was performed in the first place, you can generally expect to follow-up about two and six weeks after your operation....

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is spread through the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, vagina, and rectum. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gonorrhea is the second most common STI in the United States. In 2018 there were 1.6 million infections, with half of the infections in people ages 15 to 24. When gonorrhea is left untreated it can develop into a body-wide infection called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI)....

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are two serious diabetic complications. Both conditions cause very high blood sugar levels, but there are essential distinctions between the two. Learn more about the differences between HHS and DKA, including the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. This article will also discuss HHS and DKA treatment and prevention. Symptoms The symptoms of HHS and DKA are very similar. DKA tends to produce symptoms slowly, with thirst and frequent urination happening first....

Recovering from mastectomy surgery can take a few weeks, but it can be different for every person. Those who don’t have reconstructive surgery in addition to a mastectomy typically recover around four to six weeks, while a mastectomy surgery without reconstruction (such as breast implants) may heal slightly quicker, around three weeks. Here’s what you need to know about the long-term care after mastectomy surgery. Benefits of Surgery The best way to preserve the benefits of mastectomy surgery is to keep up with your follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider....

Who uses a sign language dictionary? Think of the times you’ve watched someone giving a speech or lecture while, nearby, another person used rapid movements of hands, torso, and face to “sign” what the person speaking was saying. Their use of sign language allowed deaf or partially deaf people to “hear” right along with you and everyone else. People who use signing to communicate with those who have hearing problems need ways to build their vocabulary or find just the “right” word....

When someone is unconscious/unresponsive and not breathing, they are in clear need of CPR. The same can be said if they are instead taking gasping, irregular breaths. Known as agonal breathing, this is common after cardiac arrest. Even though it may look like the person is getting some air, the victim’s gasping breaths indicate that CPR should be started immediately. Gasping and Survival When a patient gasps after collapsing from cardiac arrest (when the heart stops working correctly and can’t get blood to the lungs, brain, and other organs), it can look like a reflex of the chest and neck muscles trying to get more oxygen....