The particles injected into the uterine artery are made of a plastic called PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and are irregular in shape. Hughes compared them to snowflakes. She said Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute is 1 of 3 U.S. sites recently selected for Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trials of a different form of artificial embolism. Read the rest of this entry »
One woman in 3, and 1 in every 2 black women, will develop the benign tumors of the uterus called fibroids. Until recently, when the tumors grew too large, or caused pain or bleeding, all that could be done was to perform a hysterectomy and remove the uterus. Read the rest of this entry »
I notice an unusual swelling and dull ache funning from my achilles tendon up into the back of my calf. This swelling is quite noticeable, as this tendon has become much bigger than the other one. It is painful upon massage, and more painful when I walk or stand for periods of time. Sometimes I have a very bad dull ache, which seems to go deep into my calf muscle. It does not go away, and seems to be getting worse. I also notice a similar growth on the bottom of the same foot. It is just a small lump, but runs along some sort of tendon there. What do you suggest? I will begin taking an anti-inflammatory to see if the ache subsides. Should I have any tests?
Thanks-Achilles and Calf Pain. Read the rest of this entry »
There’s no doubt that planning a wedding has the potential to become a full-time job. You have to think of everything!! Where will the wedding be held? What about the reception, a dress, invitations, flowers, photographs and much, much more! Then many things to orchestrate for the ‘big day’! Here’s a guide so you don’t stress out before you get to the altar.
It’s normal to feel some levels of stress while you prepare for a wedding, however stress should not take control. Staying organized and healthy, you will overcome stress and have a joyful wedding. Read the rest of this entry »
Is Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis) Contagious?
Q. My neighbor has been told she has osteomyelitis, and she is now being treated with three weeks of antibiotics. If the infection doesn’t clear up, they are going to cut her leg off just below the knee. Could you please tell me if this disease can be contagious? I’m a little afraid of being near her, and everyone in our area seems to stays away from her because we know nothing about the disease. Read the rest of this entry »
Healthy skepticism — the tendency to disbelieve — is often a commendable impetus to learning (represented by the maxim “Look before you leap”). But mystical “skeptics” hold that attempts to verify claims or justify actions are futile processes because everything is open to doubt or interpretation. Thus, in alternative healthcare, mystical practitioners and their patients are the sole arbiters of treatment efficacy and put whatever feels right to them on a therapeutic pedestal.
In the 1990 issue of Skeptical Inquirer, Erik Strommen wrote: “Alternative health philosophies, taken as a group, seem a veritable Tower of Babel. They represent a confusing democracy of beliefs, jargon and ritual that together comprise an indistinct, overlapping collection of ideas.” Terms such as “alternative,” “complementary,” “extentional,” “fringe,” “holistic,” “innovative,” “mind/body,” “nontraditional,” “unconventional” and “unorthodox” merely convey that alternative healthcare is somehow different from regular healthcare.
Risk factors for the type of scoliosis in which the cause is unknown include:
Family history
1/3 of parents, siblings, or children of people with scoliosis of unknown cause have spinal curvatures of 10 degrees or more 2. Read the rest of this entry »