Because of the intensity of therapy associated with the transplant process, the pretransplant clinical status of recipients (e.g., age, presence of infections or organ dysfunction, and functional status) is associated with a risk of transplant-related mortality. . The best tool to assess the impact of pretransplant...
A comprehensive metabolic panel is a blood test that measures your sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function. Glucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy. Electrolytes keep your body's fluids in balance. They also help keep your body working normally, including...
Comprehensive rehabilitation (rehab) programs offer treatment for low back pain. They may use physical therapy, pain management with medicine and coping skills, and other medical treatments. These programs teach you how to care for your back and how to prevent reinjury. If you have long-term pain, they teach you how to...
A compression fracture occurs when an injury to a spinal bone (vertebra) causes it to fracture and collapse (compress). A weakened vertebra may collapse because of a minor injury or without an obvious injury, often as the result of osteoporosis. When several vertebrae have been fractured, a person may lose height...
Compression stockings can improve blood flow and help relieve the symptoms of varicose veins. Specially fitted, or graduated, compression stockings are tightest at the foot. They gradually loosen as they fit higher on the leg. If your doctor recommends compression stockings, wear them during the day to help relieve...
Compression stockings: Help improve blood flow. Help keep blood from pooling in the legs. Help relieve symptoms caused by varicose veins, skin ulcers, and deep vein thrombosis. Help skin ulcers heal and help prevent them from coming back. Will help the most if you wear them every day while you're awake, especially while...
Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is a screening test that looks for signs of colorectal cancer. This test is also called a virtual colonoscopy. A CT scanner takes X-ray pictures of your colon and rectum from outside your body. A computer arranges the pictures into a detailed image that can show polyps or other...
A computed tomography angiogram (CT angiogram) is a test that uses X-rays to provide detailed pictures of the heart and the blood vessels that go to the heart, lung, brain, kidneys, head, neck, legs, and arms. This test can show narrowed or blocked areas of a blood vessel. It can also show whether there is a bulge (...
A computed tomography angiogram (CT angiogram) is a test that uses X-rays to provide detailed pictures of the heart and the blood vessels that go to the heart, lung, brain, kidneys, head, neck, legs, and arms. The test uses a special dye that is put into a vein (I.V.) to make very detailed pictures of the blood vessels...
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, you lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-ray pulses through the body. Each pulse lasts less than a second and takes a...
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body area being studied. Each rotation of the scanner...
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make pictures of the head and face. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. Your head will be positioned inside the scanner. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the head. Each rotation of the...
A CT scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of the spine and vertebrae. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body. Each rotation of the scanner takes a second and provides a picture of a thin...
What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull. Although there may be cuts or bruises on the head or face, there may be no other visible signs of a brain injury. You don't have...
A concussion occurs when the head sustains a hard blow and the impact jars or shakes the brain inside the skull, interrupting the brain's normal activities. Although there may be cuts or bruises on the head or face, there may be no other visible signs of a brain injury. Symptoms of a concussion can include any of the...
Dyslexia may occur with other learning or emotional problems. Some of the conditions associated with dyslexia may be the result of the way the child's brain was formed or how it functions. Some of the emotional problems that a child with dyslexia can have are due to frustrations and failures at school and home. But keep...
Some other conditions can cause symptoms that look like depression. Before your child or teen can be diagnosed with depression, a doctor may need to rule out these other conditions. They include: Bipolar disorder. This condition has symptoms that cycle from depression to mania. Other mental conditions. These include...
A urinary catheter is a small, flexible tube that is used to collect urine from the body. Unlike other urinary catheters, a condom catheter is not inserted into the urethra. Instead, a special condom is attached to a catheter to keep the catheter in place and to collect urine.
Children and teens who have conduct disorder behave in defiant and disruptive ways, such as violating social rules or hurting other people, for a period of 6 months or longer. Younger children who have oppositional defiant disorder are sometimes later diagnosed with conduct disorder. Adults who have antisocial...
Conestat alfa is a manmade form of a protein called C1 esterase inhibitor that occurs naturally in the bloodstream and helps control swelling in the body. People with a condition called hereditary angioedema do not have enough of this protein. Hereditary angioedema can cause attacks of swelling and symptoms such as...
Briefly discusses causes that contribute to confusion, memory loss, and altered alertness, including injuries, infections, health conditions, and medicines. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
There are many types of congenital heart defects. If the defect lowers the amount of oxygen in the body, it is called cyanotic. If the defect doesn't affect oxygen in the body, it is called acyanotic. What are cyanotic heart defects? Cyanotic heart defects are defects that allow oxygen-rich blood and oxygen-poor blood...
Congenital heart disease refers to structural heart problems or abnormalities that have been present since birth. These problems usually have no known cause. In some cases, they may be passed from a parent to a child (inherited). They also may occur in the developing baby (fetus) of a person who has an infection or who...
How can you live well with congenital heart disease? Here are some things you can do to help you live well when you have congenital heart disease. Get regular checkups. Adults who have congenital heart disease need routine checkups. Be sure you have a primary care physician. You might also need to see your cardiologist...
Discusses problems with how a baby's heart forms. Also looks at problems found when a person is an adult. Includes info on patent ductus arteriosus, aortic valve stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta. Covers treatment with medicine and surgery.
Caring for a child who has congenital heart disease can be challenging. But there are things you can do to make sure that your child is as healthy and comfortable as possible, whether they are at home or in the hospital. And while you're taking care of your child, remember that it's important to take care of yourself...
What is a congenital hydrocele? A hydrocele (say "HY-druh-seel") is a buildup of watery fluid around one or both testicles. It causes the scrotum or groin area to swell. A congenital hydrocele is one that a baby is born with. The swelling from a hydrocele may look scary, but it is usually not a problem. It will probably...
Congenital hydrocephalus is a condition present at birth in which too much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collects inside the brain. Fluid may not drain from the brain's passageways (ventricles) or may not be absorbed as it should be. This leads to increased pressure within the brain. Usually a baby with this condition will...
What is congenital hydrocephalus? Congenital hydrocephalus is a buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain at birth. The extra fluid can increase pressure in the baby's brain, causing a brain injury and mental and physical problems. This condition is rare. Finding the condition early and treating it can...
Congenital syphilis occurs when syphilis isn't treated during pregnancy and is passed to the baby through the placenta. A baby can be infected with syphilis any time during pregnancy or during labor or delivery. It's very important to have a blood test to detect syphilis while you're pregnant. Treating it during...
