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Answer to: The viruses that cause bronchiolitis spread very easily, making prevention difficult. Common sense measures such as frequent hand washing and keeping children away from crowds and sick individuals are only partially effective. Certain very high risk babies can be treated during the peak virus season with monthly injections of antiviral immunoglobulins to protect...
Answer to: The majority of children who get bronchiolitis, even severe infections, recover without complications in one to two weeks, although fatigue and a light cough may linger longer. About 60% of people develop only cold-like symptoms without lung involvement. However, the disease accounts for about 100,000 pediatric hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths each year. Deaths...
Answer to: The degree of respiratory distress determines treatment. Individuals with mild symptoms are treated as if they have a cold with rest, fluids, and a cool air humidifier. Babies who are struggling to breath may hospitalized and given supplemental humidified oxygen. Their breathing will be monitored and if necessary fluids will be given intravenously to prevent...
Answer to: Although there are alternative treatments for cold symptoms, such as echinacea and zinc, parents should consult their health practitioner about the appropriateness of using these treatments in very young children. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: Bronchiolitis is caused by several different viruses. The most common of these is respiratory syncytial virus (RVS), which is responsible for about 100,000 hospitalizations of children under age four each year. Two subtypes of RSV have been identified, one of which causes most of the severe bronchiolitis infections. In addition, bronchiolitis can be caused by...
Answer to: Given the pervasive influence of the mass media in contemporary Western societies, the best preventive strategy involves challenging their unrealistic images of attractive people. Parents, teachers, primary health care professionals, and other adults who work with young people can point out and discuss the pitfalls of trying to look “perfect.” In...
Answer to: Bronchiolitis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination by a pediatrician or family physician. The physician often finds an increased heart rate, rapid, labored breathing, and crackles in the lungs when the child inhales. Signs of ear infection (otitis media) and throat infection (pharyngitis) are sometimes present. Although laboratory tests are...
Answer to: As of early 2005, the prognosis of BDD is considered good for patients receiving appropriate treatment. On the other hand, researchers do not know enough about the lifetime course of body dysmorphic disorder to offer detailed statistics. DSM-IV-TR notes that the disorder “has a fairly continuous course, with few symptom-free intervals, although the intensity...
Answer to: The standard course of treatment for body dysmorphic disorder is a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Surgical, dental, or dermatologic treatments have been found to be ineffective. The medications most frequently prescribed for patients with BDD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, most commonly fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline...
Answer to: Although no alternative or complementary form of treatment has been recommended specifically for BDD, such herbal remedies for depression as St. John's wort have been reported as helping some BDD patients. Aromatherapy appears to be a useful aid to relaxation techniques as well as a pleasurable physical experience for BDD patients. Yoga has helped some persons with...
Answer to: Clots may be avoided by not smoking, and by not using medications that add to the risk. Clotting can be prevented by following physician recommendations concerning medications. Sometimes, physicians will prescribe special support stockings that prevent swelling and reduce chances of DVT. When taking an air flight of six hours or longer, drinking plenty of fluids to...
Answer to: The diagnosis of BDD in children or adolescents is often made by physicians in family practice because they are more likely to have developed long-term relationships of trust with young people. At the adult level, it is often specialists in dermatology, cosmetic dentistry, or plastic surgery who may suspect that the patient suffers from BDD because of frequent...
Answer to: Garlic is thought to lower blood clotting potential. Less evidence suggests onions and cayenne pepper may help keep blood thin. New research from Australia adds tomato juice to the list of potential blood thinners. Subjects who drank a glass of tomato juice a day reduced their risk for DVT, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that a natural soy and...
Answer to: Medicines can help thin blood, making it less likely to clot. The two most common blood thinners are heparin and warfarin. Heparin works right away, keeping blood clots from growing. It usually is injected. In recent years, more physicians have been prescribing low-molecular weight heparin, purified versions of the drug that can be given with less monitoring. Warfarin...
Answer to: If detected and controlled with medications, blood clots can be safely managed. However, if the clots become dislodged and travel to an artery, they can cause nearly instant death. For instance, more than 600,000 people have a pulmonary embolism each year and more than 10% of them die from the embolism, most of them within 30 to 60 minutes after symptoms start. Answer to: Many causes can lead to blood clots, some genetic and some environmental. An environmental cause of DVT is prolonged inactivity. For instance, having to sit in a car or airplane for a long period of time decreases blood flow in the lower legs. Recent studies have shown that 1% of air travelers develop blood clots, usually on long flights of five hours or more....
Answer to: In the spring of 2005, bird flu was primarily a risk for people in the United States who worked with poultry. Potentially vulnerable people included those working with poultry on farms and avian health workers like veterinarians. People working with birds in locations such as commercial poultry facilities, veterinary offices, and live bird markets should wear...
Answer to: A physician will diagnose blood clots based on patient history and one of several diagnostic imaging exams. The patient’s history will help determine possible risk factors that may lead to suspected blood clots. In addition to family history or known genetic disorders, the patient may mention an environmental factor such as recent air travel or use of high-risk...
Answer to: As as of March of 2005, there was no vaccine to protect people from the H5N1 virus, according to the CDC. However, the U.S. agency and the World Health Organization had isolated seed strains of the virus in order to make a vaccine. Safety tests were scheduled to start in April of 2005 on a vaccine manufactured by Sanofi pasteur, a firm in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania,...
Answer to: In March of 2005, people in South Korea began eating more kimchi to ward off avian flu infection, according to the reports from the British Broadcasting Company and other news organizations. The public turned to the spicy vegetable dish after scientists at Seoul National University announced that kimchi aided in the recovery of 11 out of 13 infected chickens. The...
Answer to: Bird flu has been fatal to people, and there was concern in 2005 about the virus mutating into a strain that could be transmitted by people. Health organizations and government agencies focused on preventing or reducing the risks of a pandemic caused by bird flu. In the United States, research was underway on vaccines to fight the flu. Other efforts include...
Answer to: Avian flu is caused by an influenza virus that birds carry in their intestines. The virus spreads as infected birds excrete saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Birds vulnerable to the flu become infected when they come into contact with the excretions or surfaces contaminated by the infected matter. Birds that survive the H5N1 infection can excrete the...
Answer to: The symptoms of avian flu and human flu are very similar, so laboratory testing is needed to diagnose avian influenza. In addition to diagnosing the individual, testing in 2005 was performed to determine whether the infection was spreading from birds to people or from humans to humans. Diagnostic tests for human flu are rapid and reliable, according to WHO....
Answer to: Weight loss will occur gradually, as patients can eat less food and absorb fewer calories. When patients follow post-operative instructions, they can lead normal lives, eating less food and being careful to limit certain foods that may irritate their new stomach pouches. Most patients will lose 50–60% of their excess weight in the first year or two. With gastric...
Answer to: The surgeon performing the procedure should discuss its specific risks prior to surgery. Risks for bariatric surgery include infection, blood clots, abdominal hernia, gallstones, nutritional deficiencies, possible nerve complications, and death. Death rates have been reported lowest for RGB and VBG, at less than 1% of patients. Source: The Gale Group.... Answer to: Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that 20% or more of the people in most states were considered obese. Obesity leads to high risk for a number of other diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, arthritis,...
Answer to: Bariatric surgery is not for everyone and the surgeon and other physicians will evaluate all medical conditions before allowing a patient to proceed. As a major surgery, there are associated risks and side effects. Women of childbearing age should be aware that rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiency associated with bariatric surgery may be harmful to a...
Answer to: BV can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: Since the development of BV often appears to be associated with sexual activities, recommended ways to avoid BV include: | 1 person likes this Answer to: BV is diagnosed through a examination of the vagina by a health care provider. A woman who suspects that she may have BV should not douche or use a feminine hygiene spray before the appointment with the health care provider. Laboratory tests are conducted on a sample of the vaginal fluid to see if the bacteria present are those associated with BV. The health care...
Answer to: Supplement therapies are available in addition to the use of prescription medicines to ease recovery. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: In a few cases, BV might clear up without treatment. However, all women with symptoms of BV should be treated to relieve symptoms and to avoid the development of complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In most cases, male partners are not treated, but female sexual partners should be examined to see if they have BV and require treatment. BV is...
Answer to: Bacteria that dominate the vaginal flora in a BV infection include Gardnerella vaginalis or Mobiluncus, although other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli from the rectum have also been shown to cause the disease. The overgrowth of these harmful bacteria are at the expense of the protective bacteria lactobacilli, which secrete a natural...
Answer to: The methods of preventing apraxia focus on preventing the underlying causes of this condition. This may not be entirely possible when there is a family history of conditions such as stroke, dementia, and cancer. However, a person at risk by not smoking, exercising, and eating a diet based on the American Heart Association guidelines. Head injury can be...
Answer to: The treatment for apraxia usually involves rehabilitation through speech-language therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. In addition, treatment such as chemotherapy is administered for the condition that caused the apraxia. Family education is an important component of apraxia treatment. The rehabilitation process takes time, and relatives can...
Answer to: The prognosis for apraxia depends on factors such as what caused the condition. While Alzheimer's is a degenerative condition, a child with verbal apraxia or a stroke patient could make progress. In some cases, treatment helps a person to relearn or acquire skills needed to function. A caregiver may be required, and some people with dementia require...
Answer to: Most alternative treatments target Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that cause apraxia. Herbal remedies thought to help people with Alzheimer's include ginkgo biloba, a plant extract. However, organizations including the Alzheimer's Association caution that the effectiveness and safety of this herbal remedy has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug...
Answer to: Side effects reported for orexigenic drugs are as follows: Answer to: Diagnosis of apraxia could begin with testing of its underlying cause. Testing for conditions like a stroke or cancer includes the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT scanning (computer tomography scanning). A brain biopsy is used to measure changes caused by Alzheimer's disease. In all cases, the physician takes a family history. Head trauma that could cause...
Answer to: Apraxia is caused by conditions that affect parts of the brain that control movements. Apraxia is a result of damage to the brain's cerebral hemispheres. These are the two halves of the cerebrum and are the location of brain activities such as voluntary movements. Apraxia causes a break in the process of carrying out movements that a person knows how to do,...
Answer to: Side effects vary depending on the individual and the drug therapy chosen. Patients should talk with their doctors regarding the various side effects they can expect and under what conditions emergency medical care needs to be sought. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: The reader should note the distinction between appetite and hunger in order to understand why a group of such different medications could be used to stimulate the desire for food. Hunger is defined as the body’s basic physical need for food, whether in terms of calorie content or specific nutrients. Appetite, on the other hand, refers to the complex desires in...
Answer to: Precautions for orexigenic drugs are as follows: Answer to: Patients should discuss proper storage methods with regard to their medications. Sirolimus, for example, should be stored at room temperature with special care taken to keep it out of excessive heat and humidity. Although pregnant women taking anti-rejection drugs have delivered healthy babies, women planning on becoming pregnant while taking anti-rejection...
Answer to: Anti-rejection drugs, which are also called immunosuppressants, help to suppress the immune system’s response to a new organ. When a new organ is placed inside a patient’s body, the patient’s immune system recognizes the organ as foreign tissue and tries to reject it. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: SSRIs are prescribed primarily to treat mental depression. Because they are as effective as other types of antidepressants and have less serious side effects, SSRIs have become the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for all age groups, including children and adolescents. In addition to treating depression, some SSRIs have been approved by the U.S....
Answer to: Since all antiangiogenic therapies are still experimental and in clinical trials, it is difficult to determine what normal results should be. The goal of antiangiogenic drugs is to stop the development and spread of certain diseases, especially some cancers. At least four major proteins and their receptors and signaling pathways commonly govern angiogenesis in solid...
Answer to: Since antiangiogenic therapy is still experimental, only people enrolled in a clinical trial of a particular drug therapy can use it. The only FDA-approved drug, bevacizumab (Avastin), is prescribed to treat colon-rectal cancer. Avastin can result in intestinal perforation and can cause wounds that have been stitched to break open, sometimes causing death....
Answer to: In general, early research has found the side effects of antiangiogenesis agents to be mostly minimal. Because these drugs use proteins that are produced in the human body, there is less likelihood that they will produce the bad side effects common in radiation treatments and chemotherapy. Still, one cancer study found that 6 of the 99 patients taking an...
Answer to: Answer to: Anemia is a general term for a large number of conditions marked by a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen in hemoglobin, so that anemia may be caused by a deficiency of blood or red blood cells or of hemoglobin. These conditions may be caused by a variety of other conditions. Injury can cause blood loss, which in turn...
Answer to: Antiangiogenic therapy inhibits the growth of new blood vessels. Because new blood vessel growth plays a critical role in many disease conditions, including disorders that cause blindness, arthritis, and cancer, angiogenesis inhibition is a "common denominator" approach to treating these diseases. Antiangiogenic drugs exert their beneficial effects in a number of...
Answer to: Iron can lead to lethal poisoning in children. All iron supplements should be kept carefully out of reach of children. Some types of anemia do not respond to iron therapy, and the use of iron should be avoided in these cases. People with acquired hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia and hemosiderosis should not...
Answer to: Answer to: There is little data on alternative medicines or treatments for anabolic steroid abuse. However, anabolic steroid manufacturers recommend saw palmetto to be taken in conjunction with androstenedione as it can help reduce associated hair loss and is useful in controlling prostate enlargement. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine,... Answer to: Anabolic steroid abuse is a treatable condition and can be stopped. Teenagers and adults can overcome the problem with the help of parents and other family members, support groups, psychotherapy, medication, treatment programs, and family counseling. These programs are customized to help teens and adults lead productive and normal lives. However, heavy steroid...
Answer to: Antiandrogen drugs may be given for any of several conditions or disorders, ranging from skin problems to mental disorders: Answer to: The best prevention is education to alert young people to the dangers, both medical and legal, in the illegal use of anabolic steroids. In its effort to alert teenagers to the dangers of steroid abuse, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed a series of pamphlets, posters, and public service announcements. Much of this information is available on-line...
Answer to: While the effects of steroids can seem desirable at first, there are serious side effects. Excessive use can cause a harmful imbalance in the body's normal hormonal balance and body chemistry. Heart attacks, water retention leading to high blood pressure and stroke, and liver and kidney tumors all are possible. Young people may develop acne, sometimes severe, and a...
Answer to: Abdominal and gynecological laparoscopic surgeries—also known as “keyhole” surgeries—reduce the size of the incision and the amount of contact with the organs, thereby lowering the risk of adhesion formation. Sometimes the intestines are fixed in place during surgery so as to promote benign adhesions that will not cause obstructions. Within...
Answer to: Anyone who is using anabolic steroids without a prescription and not under the direction of a physician is considered abusing the drug and should seek medical help in stopping the use. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: Few studies of treatments for anabolic steroid abuse have been conducted. Knowledge as of 2005 is based largely on the experiences of a small number of physicians who have worked with patients undergoing steroid withdrawal. The physicians have found that supportive therapy is sufficient in some cases. Patients are educated about what they may experience during...
Answer to: Although the symptoms of adhesion disease sometimes disappear on their own, adhesions are permanent without a surgical procedure called adhesion lysis to disrupt or remove the tissue. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: Adhesions are diagnosed based on the symptoms, surgical history, and a physical examination. The physician examines the abdomen and rectum and performs a pelvic examination on women. Blood tests and chest and abdominal x rays are taken. Sometimes exploratory surgery is used to locate the adhesions and sources of pain. Abdominal computed axial...
Answer to: In cases where the intestines are partially blocked by adhesions, a diet low in fiber—called a low-residue diet—may enable food to move more easily through the obstruction. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed."; Answer to: Intestinal obstruction surgery usually has a favorable outcome if the surgery is performed before tissue damage or death occurs. Surgery to remove adhesions and to free or reconnect the intestine often is sufficient for reducing symptoms and returning normal function to the intestine or other organ. However the risk of new adhesion formation increases with each...
Answer to: Currently, there are no treatment modalities for WNV infection. Instead, supportive care is utilized to treat the varying symptoms and syndromes associated with the various West Nile diseases. Although milder symptoms can be treated at home, severe symptoms can require hospitalization. Treatment of severe symptoms may require the use of intravenous infusions,...
Answer to: The majority of WNV infections will manifest asymptomatically. West Nile fever offers an excellent prognosis associated with quick recovery and no adverse side-effects. The majority of symptoms will resolve within a few days or weeks of manifestation. However, the prognosis is not a positive for patients suffering the more severe syndromes attributable to...
Answer to: Although there is a vaccine used for horses and exotic birds in zoos, there is no WNV vaccine for humans at the current time. Several pharmaceutical companies, however, have WNV vaccines in development. Prevention techniques of WNV typically coincide with avoidance measures against mosquito bites; the primary source of the virus. These include the use of...
Answer to: The exact mechanism of WNV-caused illnesses remains unclear. However, it is suspected that the virus enters the host’s blood stream and multiples. It can then develop to the point where it crosses the blood brain-barrier, which separates the blood from the central nervous system. When this occurs, the virus can infect the brain, spinal cord, and other vital...
Answer to: A proper diagnosis of WNV infection depends heavily upon clinical presentation, laboratory testing, and patient history. Patients with a known susceptibility to WNV (the elderly and immunocompromised) that exhibit symptoms during the late spring to early fall, or at any time in warmer climates, should be tested for WNV and other arboviral infections. Additionally,...
How do you prevent bronchiolitis?
What is the prognosis for bronchiolitis?
What are the treatments for bronchiolitis?
What are alternative treatments for bronchiolitis?
What are the causes and symptoms of bronchiolitis?
How do you prevent body dysmorphic disorder?
How do you diagnose bronchiolitis?
What is the prognosis for body dysmorphic disorder?
What are the treatments for body dysmorphic disorder?
What are alternative treatments for body dysmorphic disorder?
How do you prevent blood clots?
How do you diagnose body dysmorphic disorder?
What are alternative treatments for blood clots?
What are the treatments for blood clots?
What is the prognosis for blood clots?
What are the causes and symptoms of blood clots?
How do you prevent bird flu?
How do you diagnose blood clots?
What are the treatments for bird flu?
What are alternative treatments for bird flu?
What is the prognosis for bird flu?
What are the causes and symptoms of bird flu?
How do you diagnose bird flu?
What are the normal results for a bariatric surgery?
What are the risks of bariatric surgery?
What is the purpose of bariatric surgery?
What precautions should I take when using bariatric surgery?
What is the prognosis for bacterial vaginosis?
How do you prevent bacterial vaginosis?
How do you diagnose bacterial vaginosis?
What are alternative treatments for bacterial vaginosis?
What are the treatments for bacterial vaginosis?
What are the causes and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
How do you prevent apraxia?
What are the treatments for apraxia?
What is the prognosis for apraxia?
What are alternative treatments for apraxia?
What are the side effects of appetite-enhancing drugs?
How do you diagnose apraxia?
What are the causes and symptoms of apraxia?
What are the side effects of anti-rejection drugs?
What is the purpose of appetite-enhancing drugs?
What precautions should I take when using appetite-enhancing drugs?
What precautions should I take when using anti-rejection drugs?
What is the purpose of anti-rejection drugs?
What is the purpose of antidepressant drugs, SSRI?
What are the normal results for antiangiogenic therapy?
What precautions should I take when using antiangiogenic therapy?
What are the risks of antiangiogenic therapy?
What are the side effects of antiandrogen drugs?
What is the purpose of antianemia drugs?
What is the purpose of antiangiogenic therapy?
What precautions should I take when using antianemia drugs?
What precautions should I take when using antiandrogen drugs?
What are alternative treatments for anabolic steroid use?
What is the prognosis for anabolic steroid use?
What is the purpose of antiandrogen drugs?
How do you prevent anabolic steroid use?
What are the causes and symptoms of anabolic steroid use?
How do you prevent adhesions?
How do you diagnose anabolic steroid use?
What are the treatments for anabolic steroid use?
What are the treatments for adhesions?
How do you diagnose adhesions?
What are alternative treatments for adhesions?
What is the prognosis for adhesions?
What are the treatments for West Nile virus?
What is the prognosis for West Nile virus?
How do you prevent West Nile virus?
What are the causes and symptoms of West Nile virus?
How do you diagnose West Nile virus?
