A liver biopsy is a simple, rapid method of obtaining a sample of liver for analysis. It provides important information for evaluating and treating liver disorders. While some complications can occur, they are unusual. The benefits of the exam always outweigh the risk. Early, specific, and effective therapy can often prevent irreversible liver damage.
There are several methods of obtaining biopsies of the liver, but unless it is an unusual situation, the most common method is percutaneously (”through the skin”). A percutaneous biopsy involves numbing a small area of skin over the lower right side of the chest (this site is directly over the liver).
A local anesthetic (usually Lidocaine or Novocaine) is injected with a needle. The needle is introduced further with additional injections of anesthetic all the way through the chest wall and into the liver. This numbs the tract that the biopsy needle will take and reduces discomfort.
Next, a special biopsy needle is inserted into the same area, and, with the patient holding his or her breath, the biopsy needle is inserted quickly into the liver and withdrawn. (The insertion and withdrawal of the biopsy needle takes only a second or two.) Suction through the needle, applied via an attached syringe, causes a small piece of liver (the biopsy) to be pulled into the needle and cut off from the rest of the liver. Other types of biopsy needles have a spring loaded cutting mechanism to obtain the liver tissue without the use of the syringe suction.
If there is a question about the exact position of the liver or a specific part of the liver is to be biopsied, an ultrasound of the liver may be performed before the biopsy to determine the exact direction for the biopsy needle to be inserted.
There may be varying amounts of discomfort at the site of the biopsy especially after the effect of the anesthetic wears off. Most patients have minimal pain, but some require medication for pain which lasts up to a few hours.
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Swine Flu – A highly contagious form of human influenza caused by a filterable virus identical or related to a virus formerly isolated from infected swine.
However, Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information says that the swine flu can be treated if caught very early with two of the anti-viral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and must be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom.
There are currently 4 types of antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to these drugs, the most recent swine-flu viruses isolated from humans, are resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. None of these drugs prevent us from getting the virus, but can lesson the severity of the symptoms and shorten their duration.
Web User’s Perspective about the H1N1 “Swine Flu”:
It’s not really different from the “regular flu”. And yes, some people are majorly overreacting.
The media is often creating unnecessary panic in gullible people by focusing on a variety of diseases that turn out to be no big deal. Anyone remember West Nile Virus? SARS? Bird flu? If you hardly do it’s because not much ever came of any of those things. Take a clue, people.
Source: Yahoo User
To prevent H1N1 you must avoid going to endemic places for that disease, for instance Mexico. Cover your mouth and nose, more effective when you wear a face mask. Avoid breathing air when somebody is sneezing or coughing near you. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water, these will enhance your immune system. Think positive, emotional stress can lower your immune system.
Source: Blurtit
Avoiding the Swine Flu
Stay away from people who have the symptoms.
In Addition, you should wash your hands regularly and keep them away from your face, especially your mouth, eyes, and nose. You can also take vitamins, especially vitamin C and others that boost your immune system, and drink lots of orange juice for the vitamin C that it contains. Avoid stress as much as possible; it can lower your resistance to any disease.
You can wear a surgical face mask* over your nose and mouth when you are in public, unless it is a “respirator”, it will not stop you from inhaling the virus but it could keep you from giving it to someone else if you have to go in public when you have the virus. You should really stay home if you are sick and for seven days afterward or for 24 hours after symptoms are gone, whichever is longer. Only go out for medical appointments prior to that.
* Make sure that you do not visit anyone with swine flu, keep a distance of 6 ft from anyone who has the virus if possible.
* Use a tissue/handkerchief when sneezing and coughing.
* Dispose of the tissue immediately. Catch It, Kill It, Bin It!
* Whenever using a tissue, use a new one each time.
* Wash your hands regularly.**
They are currently working on a vaccination, but that will take some time.
Source: WikiAnswers
The swine flu is like any other flu the difference is that it has mutated so there are few that have immunity to it. It is serious, as any flu, to the very young and the very old and those with immuno-supression.
Source: Yedda
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Yeast infection while pregnant is very stressful but, it does not have to be this way. It is said that all expectant mothers are likely to have the infections because of various reasons and the major reason is hormonal imbalance. This is a time when the body is changing to accommodate new life and so many unexpected twists may occur. Firstly, you need to know what exactly the infection is and what you need to do when you get it while pregnant. yeast is a fungus that can manage to get the joy out of you. It is scientifically known as candida and it in found in the body.
Yeast infection while pregnant needs to be taken very seriously and the signs that might inform you that you have an infection are itching in the birth canal, soreness, pain while urinating and others. Many women who have already undergone this will easily identify their condition and they will know what to do. If you are a first time mother to be, you need to follow the steps carefully. First, you need to have the above symptoms. The infection can be severe as you progress to your second trimester. When you see the signs clearly do not hesitate to see a doctor. You are not supposed to use any kind of medication for yeast before you see a doctor.
The main reason for this is not that you will harm the baby but, it is for the purpose of ruling out other diseases like sexually transmitted diseases. The diseases are much worse than yeast overgrowth and if you make a mistake of diagnosing yourself, you might put the life of your baby in a lot of risk. If the doctor states that you have yeast infection while pregnant, he will also recommend medication for you. You can choose to have natural remedies or contemporary cures. One thing that doctor will stress on is the safety of the medication you take. Usually, oral medications are never recommended because they are too strong.
You need to follow the medication when you have yeast infection while pregnant. The treatment will ease discomfort and you will be able to enjoy your pregnancy as it lasts. Some women wait for the yeast overgrowth to clear on itself which is very dangerous. Some women can have yeast clear without any medication while others need the medication. Do not take chances go for expert advise on the medication. Another reason why you need to follow through with medication is the fact that if you do not you have a very high chance of infecting your baby with the yeast during delivery.
Yeast infection while pregnant should not surprise any woman because it is expected. People should therefore take that step to prepare for the infection if at all it comes. You will get a lot of information about the topic on the internet therefore, take time so that you can have an in depth understanding of why yeast will love to come and be part of your pregnancy.
Peter Gitundu is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Yeast Infection for Years. For More Information on Yeast Infection While Pregnant, Visit His Site at YEAST INFECTION WHILE PREGNANT You Can Also Post Pour Views About Yeast Infection While Pregnant On My Blog Here – YEAST INFECTION WHILE PREGNANT
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Sweating or perspiring is a normal physiologic response of the body. It is natural for anyone to sweat. Perspiration is a reaction that helps regulates body temperature. It also brings lubrication to moving parts of the body. Perspiration is a very important bodily response because it aids in the elimination of wastes as well as maintaining fluid balance in the body. Therefore, it is a good and desirable reaction. However, other people sweat to the extent that it is no longer normal. Many people experience excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
Why does excessive sweating occur? Of course, when something irregular happens to the body there is imbalance in the whole system. In the case of excessive sweating, there is imbalance on the activity of the sweat glands due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system. In simpler terms, sweat is produced more than what is expected by the body. This occurs particularly on areas such as the feet, hands, face, groin, back, and most commonly the underarms.
As mentioned above, excessive sweating is primarily caused by extreme activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This is the part of our brain that functions according to conscious control. When it comes to sweating out body fluids, its central command center is the hypothalamus. Therefore, perspiration depends on this part of the brain. Once the brain sends signals to the sweat nerves, it continuously sends messages to the sweat glands. When this message relay becomes over active, the sweat glands automatically produce a larger volume of sweat.
There are different stimuli that can contribute to the faulty process made by the sweat glands. The most common causes are stress, nervousness, anxiety, and excessive temperature. When any of these stressors or aggravators happens during social interactions, a person can become extensively susceptible to sweat. Moreover, there are two types of hyperhidrosis that can happen anytime and anywhere. This includes focal excessive sweating. This means that hyperhidrosis can happen in any part of the body such as the palms of the hand or soles of the feet. Studies have noted its cause to be part of genetic predisposition.
Generalized excessive sweating is another type of hyperhidrosis. This means that the whole body is affected. In most cases, this type is primarily caused by medical conditions. Some conditions or diseases can cause people to sweat excessively. This includes side effects of drugs, heart problems, anxiety disorders, infections, nerve damage, hormone problems, and even cancer.
Excessive sweating is a serious problem. It does not only cause sweaty skin but it also causes embarrassment as well as social problems. With this physiologic problem, it is always best to stop it before the worst can occur. There are many treatments for this condition. Many of these remedies are natural ways while some include the use of active ingredients. Hyperhidrosis is not a simple problem that should be taken for granted. Stop it before it stops you!
Do You Want To Stop Sweating Excessively?
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A bladder infection or urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. When bacteria get into the bladder and multiply in the urine, it causes a UTI.
There are a number of symptoms associated with UTIs. Bladder infections are characterized by an urgent desire to empty the bladder. Symptoms include frequent urination, burning or pain during urination (dysuria), bladder spasms and the feeling of having to urinate even though little or no urine actually comes out. In some cases, cloudy, bloody or foul-smelling urine, and maybe a mild fever can accompany a UTI.
A kidney infection may involve more serious symptoms, including fever, chills, and nausea. There may also be cloudy or bloody urine, abdominal pain and frequent urination. Most people with kidney infections also experience back pain just above the waist.
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