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A facetectomy is a spinal surgical procedure for people who experience moderate to severe pain as a result of an impinged (pinched) spinal nerve. This could be caused by problems such as narrowing of the facet joints or disc herniation. A facetectomy is done to relieve pressure on spinal nerves, which relieves pain and other related symptoms. Different facetectomy procedures include medial facetectomy, partial inferior facetectomy, or total facetectomy, depending on the location and type of nerve impingement....

A health maintenance organization (HMO) is a type of health insurance that employs or contracts with a network of physicians or medical groups to offer care at set (and often reduced) costs. HMOs can be more affordable than other types of health insurance, but they limit your choices of where to go and who to see. An HMO plan requires that you stick to its network of healthcare professionals, hospitals, and labs for tests; otherwise, the services aren’t covered....

If found early, nodular melanoma can usually be treated and oftentimes cured. However, because of this type of cancer’s fast-growing nature, it is often only discovered once the condition is advanced. Nodular melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer that grows faster than other kinds of melanoma. Treatment is focused on curing cancer, preserving skin appearance, and preventing cancer from returning. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy....

Ask 10 people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) about their diet, and you will get 10 different answers about how certain foods affect their condition. There is no one recommended approach to diet and nutrition for IBD because, as with a lot related to this gastrointestinal disorder (which encompasses Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), there is not very much in the way of related data. However, there are some guidelines you can use to find your way to a healthy diet that both nourishes your body and helps manage your symptoms if you have IBD....

International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes are a set of designations used by healthcare staff to communicate diseases, symptoms, abnormal findings, and other elements of a patient’s diagnosis in a way that is universally accepted by those in the medical and insurance fields. The tenth and most recent edition is known as ICD-10. ICD-10 codes are passed to insurance companies to establish the medical necessity of the services a provider is asking to be paid for....

In a letter to the editor published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on March 3, 2021, researchers reported on a dozen people who developed skin redness, skin thickening and swelling, tenderness, or some combination of these symptoms at the injection site between four and 11 days after receiving their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Key Takeaways Skin reactions can appear days after getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine....

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that causes sores and a honey-colored crust or blister-like bumps. It can be itchy and painful, and it occurs when skin—especially already irritated or broken skin—comes in contact with a common type of staph or the bacteria responsible for strep throat. Types and Symptoms of Impetigo Impetigo can happen to anyone, but it typically affects infants and children and is most common in those ages 2 to 5....

Itchy fingers can feel like a slight irritation that goes away, but it can also be severe and accompanied by a rash or other symptoms. Multiple causes are associated with an excessive itch on the fingers and hands. This article discusses the causes and possible treatment options for itchy fingers. Causes Several things can cause your fingers to become irritatingly itchy. They include: Dyshidrotic Eczema Dyshidrotic eczema is a form of dermatitis that develops on the fingers and palms of the hands....

Keratosis follicularis is a type of skin disorder that causes people to develop rough bumps and thick plaques or skin lesions. The condition is also known as Darier disease and affects roughly 1 in 36,000 to 100,000 people. The condition typically develops at puberty and during the teen years. However, it can also come on in childhood and early adulthood. It is incredibly rare for keratosis follicularis to develop after ages 30–40....

A keto diet, also known as a ketogenic diet, is a very low carb, high-fat diet. It is designed to force your body into using fat instead of glucose (sugar) for energy. The keto diet started out as a way to control seizures in certain people with epilepsy. However, in recent years, keto has been gaining attention for its ability to promote weight loss. Since a keto diet involves drastically cutting carbs, there will be some initial side effects when starting this diet....

Laser photocoagulation is a type of laser surgery in the eye. Retina specialists (medical eye doctors that specialize in disorders of the retina) use laser photocoagulation to destroy leaking blood vessels in the retina, which is a light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. It is used for several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. This article will discuss uses for laser photocoagulation, who performs laser photocoagulation, associated risks, procedure steps, and insurance and cost....

Euflexxa is an injectable medication used to treat knee pain in people with osteoarthritis (“wear-and-tear arthritis”). Euflexxa contains a synthetic version of hyaluronan, the key ingredient of synovial fluid found naturally in the joint space. This fluid thins and become less able to lubricate and protect the knee joint as the inflammatory stress of osteoarthritis takes its toll. By injecting Euflexxa into the area, the viscosity and shock-absorbing properties of the synovial fluid can be restored, reducing joint pain and stiffness....

What Is Lotrisone? Lotrisone (betamethasone and clotrimazole) is a topical product used to treat certain fungal infections of the groin, feet, and body. It is a combination drug containing a corticosteroid and an antifungal. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are also sometimes referred to as steroids. It reduces redness, itching, and swelling by depressing the formation, release, and activity of certain chemicals that contribute to inflammation. Clotrimazole is an antifungal. It causes the fungus cell membrane to leak, which kills the fungus and stops the fungal infection....

When it comes to macular degeneration, there are some unique surgical options to consider. From laser photocoagulation, which destroys new blood vessels, to photodynamic therapy, submacular surgery, anti-VEGF injections, retinal translocation, and more, here’s what to know about macular degeneration surgery and how it can help to preserve vision. What Is Macular Degeneration Surgery? There are a variety of possible approaches to macular degeneration that may prove helpful. For the most part, these target wet macular degeneration, in which there is a proliferation of abnormal new blood vessels....

What Is Monoket? Monoket (isosorbide mononitrate) is a prescription drug used to prevent chest pain (angina) in people with heart problems (coronary artery disease). This medication is in a class of drugs called nitrates. Nitrates allow blood to flow more easily by relaxing your blood vessels (arteries and veins). This widening of blood vessels relieves the stress on your heart muscles, and therefore you will experience less chest pain. Monoket will not work fast enough to treat sudden chest pain attacks....

Teachers aren’t the only ones who carefully follow grading systems. Physical therapists use a muscle strength grading system to define how a muscle or group of muscles is performing. PTs commonly use the system during an initial evaluation and assessment and at regular intervals thereafter to determine a patient’s progress during rehabilitation. Measuring your muscle strength may be an important part of your rehabilitation plan, especially if the PT feels that muscle weakness is contributing to your pain and limited mobility....

What Is Nexletol? Nexletol (bempedoic acid) is an oral prescription tablet used to treat high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). It is usually used along with other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins. Cholesterol is an important part of the body and serves as a structure for your cells. However, too much cholesterol in your blood can put you at risk for heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, or stroke....

Supplemental oxygen therapy can be a lifesaver for someone dealing with a condition where lung function is impaired, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oxygen therapy is a highly effective way to increase the amount of oxygen in the body to healthy, normal levels. If you’ve been prescribed supplemental oxygen, you’re probably wondering how to safely use it and more importantly, how it will benefit you. The following guide details everything you’ve ever wanted to know about oxygen....

The patellofemoral joint is where the back of your patella (kneecap) and femur (thigh bone) meet at the front of your knee. It’s involved in climbing, walking on an incline, and several other knee movements. It’s also the joint affected by a common injury called “runner’s knee.” Structure The patellofemoral joint is a complex structure involving not only bones, but a network of muscles and connective tissues. All of the bony surfaces inside the patellofemoral joint are covered with articular cartilage, which is slippery and helps the bones glide smoothly against each other when the knee bends or straightens....

What Is Procardia XL? Procardia XL (nifedipine) is a prescription medication for high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Procardia XL belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. These drugs work by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure. They also improve chest pain by allowing more oxygen and blood to be delivered to your heart. Procardia is available as an extended-release tablet and capsule....