Amaurosis fugax, also called transient visual loss, is a condition in which a person loses sight in one eye or, rarely, both eyes for a short time. The vision loss in the affected eye may be total or partial. The vision loss usually lasts for only a few seconds or minutes before sight returns to […]
Category Archives: Medical knowledge
Why am I having this test? The aldosterone test is used to check for overactive or underactive adrenal glands, both of which can be caused by various conditions. What is being tested? This test measures your aldosterone levels to see if they are abnormal. Aldosterone is a steroid that is produced by the two adrenal […]
Alcohol septal ablation is a procedure to treat a heart condition that causes the wall of the heart to thicken (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). This is usually a genetic condition that a person is born with. If you have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the wall (septum) that separates one side of your heart from the other becomes thick. This […]
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a serious problem in which there is suddenly not enough blood and oxygen reaching the heart. ACS can result in chest pain or a heart attack. This condition is a medical emergency. If you have any symptoms of this condition, get help right away. What are the causes? This condition […]
A small amount of bleeding is common after dental procedures. Dental procedures do not always cause bleeding in every person. Before having any dental procedures, including routine cleanings, tell your dental care provider about: All of your health problems. All medicines and supplements that you are taking, especially blood thinner (anticoagulant) medicines. What are the […]
Overview What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is a hereditary condition (which means it runs in families). It causes a type of abnormal hemoglobin (a protein found in red blood cells). Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood. Normal red blood cells are round and flexible. In people who […]
What causes pain in my shoulder? A common cause of shoulder pain is soreness of the tendon (a cord that attaches a muscle to a bone) of the rotator cuff (the part of the shoulder that helps circular motion). Another common cause is soreness of the subacromial bursa (a sac of fluid under the highest […]
How do prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work? Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) stop cyclooxygenase enzymes (also called COX enzymes) in your body from working. COX enzymes speed up your body’s production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause the feeling of pain by irritating your nerve endings. They are also part of the system […]
Overview What is patellofemoral pain? Patellofemoral pain is a common knee problem. If you have this condition, you feel pain under and around your kneecap. The pain can get worse when you’re active or when you sit for a long time. You can have the pain in one or both knees. Causes What causes patellofemoral […]
Overview What is a migraine headache? A migraine is usually an intense pounding headache that can last for hours or even days. The pounding or pulsing pain usually begins in the forehead, the side of the head or around the eyes. The headache gradually gets worse. Just about any movement, activity, bright lights or loud […]