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Abdominal pain is a common medical problem. Its severity ranges from annoying to life-threatening. Abdominal complaints may be as simple as an upset tummy from overeating or as complex as needing emergency surgery to remove an oxygen-starved part of the intestine. While abdominal pain is common, each case is unique. Your symptoms and health history will determine what tests you need to find out what’s causing your pain. This article explains some of the most common tests used to find the source of abdominal pain....

Crohn’s disease and celiac disease are both autoimmune diseases that involve inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Both conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramps, bloody stool, diarrhea, and/or weight loss. Though Crohn’s and celiac disease produce similar GI symptoms, their causes and how they’re treated are significantly different. Celiac disease is specifically triggered by the wheat protein gluten. When it comes to Crohn’s, doctors still don’t clearly understand what causes the immune system to attack the GI tract....

What Is Demerol - Injection? Demerol (meperidine) is in a class of medications called opioid analgesics. It is most commonly used in a hospital setting with anesthesia before surgery to help relieve severe, short-lasting pain. Demerol works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. As a result, the brain replaces the feeling of pain with the “feel good” effects of the medication. Although effective, this medication is not used as a first option to help with severe pain due to the high risks of adverse effects and dependency or misuse....

It is normal to have egg white discharge before your period. This discharge, known as leukorrhea, consists of cervical mucus made in response to the hormone estrogen. It helps remove old cells and keeps the uterus free from bacteria and other organisms. As hormone levels rise and fall throughout your menstrual cycle, so will the quantity and appearance of discharge. Depending on where you are in your cycle, there might be a little or a lot....

What Is Emverm? Emverm (mebendazole) is an oral prescription drug used to treat pinworm and other parasitic worm infections in people 2 years and older. It belongs to a class of medications called anthelmintics or antiparasitic drugs. Emverm works by interfering with the reproduction and survival of the worms that cause infection. It is available as a chewable tablet. What Is Emverm Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Emverm to treat individuals 2 years and older with gastrointestinal infections caused by the following worms:...

The world of energy drinks is a mystifying one. The connoisseurs swear by them. Detractors try their best to warn people of their possible side effects. The average person on the street tends to not have too much of a clue either way. Let’s take a look at the evidence behind the safety of energy drinks and whether they have any specific damaging effect on the kidneys. History of Energy Drinks If you do not include coffee, (which technically might be considered one of the first popular energy drinks to be mass consumed), Coca-Cola or Coke might have been the first modern energy/stimulant drink....

An exploratory laparotomy, also known as a celiotomy or “ex lap,” is a type of major surgery that involves opening the abdomen with a large incision in order to visualize the entire abdominal cavity. Your abdominal cavity contains a variety of organs and tissues, including the intestines, appendix, stomach, ovaries, and kidneys, to name a few. An exploratory laparotomy is done to diagnose and possibly treat related issues that cannot otherwise be seen (and sometimes, managed) through less-invasive methods....

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new implant that can repair some anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Key Takeaways A new absorbable device known as the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to repair some anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.Compared to traditional ACL reconstruction, the implant is a less invasive procedure that restores the knee’s natural anatomy and function.Researchers are hopeful this implant will become the new standard of care for ACL injuries....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first point-of-care antibody test for COVID-19. Key Takeaways The FDA has authorized a point-of-care antibody test for COVID-19 that can be administered in a provider’s office, hospital, or urgent care center.The test only requires a drop of blood.Results are available in just 15 minutes. The Assure COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device, a simple fingerstick blood test, was previously used for laboratory testing to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in patients....

Frontal bossing is a skeletal deformity that causes a baby to have a protruding forehead. The forehead appears large and prominent. Your child may have a heavy brow ridge as well. Frontal bossing is usually a symptom that indicates a rare condition, such as a genetic disorder or birth defect. Frontal bossing is usually diagnosed when your little one is a baby or toddler. There is no known treatment for frontal bossing....

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by two different but related forms of herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as HSV-1 and HSV-2. If you have genital herpes, you may experience outbreaks of painful sores or have symptoms that are so mild that you don’t notice them. Up to one in five women have genital herpes, but most are unaware of their infection. The following is an overview of genital herpes in women, including symptoms, transmission, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment....

Maintaining normal hemoglobin levels is important, as this blood protein carries oxygen to your cells. In males, a healthy hemoglobin level is between 13.2 and 16.6 grams per deciliter of blood (g/dL). In females, a hemoglobin count of between 11.6 and 15 g/dL is considered normal and healthy. A lower-than-normal hemoglobin count means that your cells are not getting enough oxygen from your blood. Without ample oxygen, cells cannot convert glucose (the body’s main fuel source) into energy, leading fatigue, weakness, and other signs of anemia....

Sexual dysfunction refers to persistent or recurring problems during any stage of the sexual response. These problems can prevent an individual or a couple from experiencing sexual satisfaction and can cause distress. Low libido is a type of sexual dysfunction. It refers to a reduction in the desire to engage in sexual activity. There isn’t much scientific support for the natural treatment of low libido. Some people, however, do see improvement with the addition of natural supplements and lifestyle changes....

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disorder in the United States. It can affect your joints, nervous system, heart, skin, and eyes. It’s transmitted through the bites of certain species of ticks known as black-legged or deer ticks. Adult deer ticks are about the size of sesame seeds and nymphal (baby) ticks can be the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Reducing exposure to ticks is your best defense against contracting Lyme disease....

Retinopathy is a condition where the retina becomes damaged. The retina sends signals to your brain that help you see images. When retinopathy is untreated, it can cause blindness. Hypertensive and diabetic are two types of retinopathy. While both cause damage to the retina, they have different causes. Hypertensive retinopathy is caused by hypertension (high blood pressure), while diabetic retinopathy is caused by diabetes (high blood sugar). In this article, you will learn about how symptoms for each condition are different....

“Immunocompromised” means the body’s immune system is weakened. You may also hear the term “immune deficiency,” which has the same meaning. This is sometimes confused with “immunocompetent,” which is a word used to describe an immune system that is functioning correctly. What Does It Mean to Be Immunocompromised? The immune system is how the body fights off diseases and protects itself against new infections. Therefore, someone who is immunocompromised will usually get sick more often, stay sick longer, and be more vulnerable to different types of infections....

One of the most challenging aspects of living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is identifying and avoiding the foods that set off IBS symptoms. Because no two people are alike, there is no one-size-fits-all diet recommendation. For example, people with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) may not have the same triggers as those with constipation-predominant IBS (IBD-C). With that said, there are several diet approaches that appear to provide relief for the various IBS sub-types....

Krill oil comes from a small, shrimp-like marine animal called krill. Fish oil comes from the tissues of oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, anchovies, and mackerel. Both oils contain EPA and DHA, two of the most well-researched omega-3 fatty acids. This article discusses krill oil and fish oil, including why they’re good for you, their differences, their safety, and where to find them. Which Is Better, Krill Oil or Fish Oil?...

In lung cancer treatment, a lobectomy is a surgical procedure in which one of the five lobes of the lungs is removed. This intervention can be successful in treating the disease, especially early-stage lung cancer. And as long as your remaining lobes are healthy, breathing shouldn’t be a problem after the procedure. However, a lobectomy is a major lung surgery. While it can be life-saving, it does come with a risk of complications that must be carefully considered....

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It is spread by certain species of ticks. Not all ticks are carriers, and not all areas have ticks carrying the bacteria. If you are a parent or caregiver, your child’s risk is greater than yours. That’s because children are closer to the ground, more likely to spend time outdoors, more likely to play in leaves and roll in grass, and often closer to pets that carry ticks....