A slit lamp isone of the devicesthat your healthcare provider may use for checking the health of your eyes. Getting regular eye examinations can help identify serious eye problems at an early stage when you might not have any symptoms and your vision isn’t affected. When diagnosed early, eye diseases are usually more treatable.A slit lamp exam can be used to help in diagnosing conditions such asglaucoma,cataracts,macular degeneration,a detached retina, and more....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes and CausesArteries AffectedBrain Structures Affected Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types and Causes Arteries Affected Brain Structures Affected A small vessel stroke occurs when a small artery that branches off from a largearteryin the brain becomes blocked or ruptures. This deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, which kills brain cells. Even though a small vessel stroke is generally small in terms of the area it affects, it can cause noticeable signs and symptoms, like weakness or numbness on one side of the body....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of ProvidersSleep CentersWhen to Seek Medical CareFinding a SomnologistWhat to ExpectFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types of Providers Sleep Centers When to Seek Medical Care Finding a Somnologist What to Expect Frequently Asked Questions Somnology is the science and research of sleep. A somnologist is a “sleep doctor” specializing in disorders and irregularities related to sleep. This article will provide an overview of somnologists, when to see one, and what to expect during your appointment....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Sore Throat GuideSymptoms of Sore Throat Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Treatment Frequently Asked Questions Next in Sore Throat Guide Viral infections such as colds or flu are themost common causes, but there can be others, such asacid reflux, allergies, and overuse of the vocal cords.Most often, viral sore throats need only soothing until they pass, but other causes, such asstrep throat, require treatment to prevent related complications....
Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Purpose Risk/Contraindications Before During After Results Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scans use radioactive materials and a specially designed camera to produce three-dimensional images of your organs and tissues. This type of imaging provides a non-invasive way for healthcare providers to evaluate the health of certain parts of your body, most commonly the heart, brain, and bones. Read on to learn why your healthcare provider may order this, who shouldn’t have a SPECT scan, what to expect if you get one done, and how the results are interpreted....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGI SphinctersUrethral SphincterPrecapillary SphinctersIris Sphincter Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents GI Sphincters Urethral Sphincter Precapillary Sphincters Iris Sphincter Sphinctersare circular muscles that open and close passages in the body to regulate the flow of substances, such as bile, urine, and feces, through the body.Although many are found in thegastrointestinal (GI) tract, there are also sphincters in theurinary tractand blood vessels. There are even those in the eyes that regulate the flow of light....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeSide Effects/RisksWarningsBefore the TestDuring the TestAfter the TestInterpreting ResultsA Word From Verywell Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Purpose Side Effects/Risks Warnings Before the Test During the Test After the Test Interpreting Results A Word From Verywell A lumbar puncture (LP), which is also called a spinal tap, is a common neurological test that’s done to examine thecerebrospinal fluid(CSF)—the protective fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentAre They Serious? Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Are They Serious? Continue reading to learn more about splinter hemorrhages, including what causes splinter hemorrhages and when they are serious and require further medical evaluation. PeopleImages / Getty Images Types of Splinter Hemorrhage A splinter hemorrhage is any bleeding that occurs under the fingernail or toenails. However, where the hemorrhage appears can give you important information about its causes and whether it is serious....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesProceduresRisks and Side EffectsOcularContraindications Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Procedures Risks and Side Effects Ocular Contraindications A stent is a metal or plastic tube inserted into a blocked passageway to keep it open. Since their introduction in the late-1980s, stents have revolutionized the treatment ofcoronary artery diseaseand other diseases in which vital vessels or passageways are obstructed. The practice of stenting has become fairly common and has allowed for the minimally invasive treatment of conditions that once required surgery....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Is It Needed?ProcedureResultsRisksOutlookFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Why Is It Needed? Procedure Results Risks Outlook Frequently Asked Questions A stomach biopsy allows your healthcare provider to examine tissues under a microscope. This can help your provider diagnose conditions that affect yourstomach and digestive tract. More formally known as an upperendoscopywith biopsy, this invasive test is done if your healthcare provider suspects a specific condition....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment A stomachulceris a sore or break in the lining of the digestive tract. It develops when stomach acid damages this lining. Stomach ulcers usually occur due to abacterial infectionor frequent use of certain over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Many people with stomach ulcers experience symptoms like abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating,heartburn, andnausea....
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They AreWhat They Are NotHow They FormWhere They’re FoundTypesSymptomsDiagnosis and Treatment Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What They Are What They Are Not How They Form Where They’re Found Types Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment Learn more about stress ulcers, what they are and what they are not, how they form, symptoms, and more. Jose Luis Pelaez / Getty Images Stress Ulcers: What They Are This condition is often confused with three similar conditions, which are:...
Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Frequently Asked Questions A stye (hordeolum) is a small, pimple-like bump that can form at the base of your eyelash or under the eyelid.Styes occur when an oil gland gets infected or as a complication of eyelid skin problems.While painful, styes are usually harmless. This article looks at the types, symptoms, and causes of styes, how they’re diagnosed and treated, and what complications you may face from a stye in the eye....
