An international unit is an arbitrary amount of a substance agreed upon by scientists and doctors; a liter is a measure of volume that is slightly greater than a quart. Some medical tests report results using international units (IU) per liter (L).
An international unit is an arbitrary amount of a substance agreed upon by scientists and doctors. A milliliter is a measure of volume that is equal to one-thousandth of a liter (or slightly less than a quarter of a teaspoon). Some medical tests report results using international units (IU) per milliliter (mL).
An internist is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of adults. People might choose an internist as their primary doctor for regular checkups and for treating illness. Internists can further specialize in areas such as: Adolescent medicine (conditions and diseases common to teenagers). Cardiology (diseases and...
Interpersonal therapy is a short-term treatment that is used for depression and other mental health problems. The treatment focuses on social and personal relationships and related problems. Interpersonal therapy helps a person assess their interpersonal skills, issues of grief and loss, role disputes in relationships...
Intersection syndrome is a swelling and inflammation of the tendons that cross over the back of the wrist. It is caused by overuse or injury from activities that use the wrist, such as weight lifting, heavy raking and shoveling, downhill skiing, or canoeing. Symptoms may include pain and swelling above the back of the...
Interventional cardiologists are medical doctors who specialize in performing surgical or invasive procedures—such as cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and stenting—to diagnose and treat heart disease. Interventional cardiologists can be board-certified as internists or interventional cardiologists through the Board...
For an intestinal transplant, the recipient's diseased intestine is removed and replaced with the donated intestine.
The intestine (bowel) is the long, winding, tube that is part of the digestive tract. The intestine helps to process food, extract and absorb nutrients and water, and eliminate waste. The intestine is divided into two main parts: the small intestine and the large intestine. The small intestine (small bowel) receives...
The intestine (bowel) is the long, winding, tube that is part of the digestive tract. The intestine helps to process food, extract and absorb nutrients and water, and eliminate waste. The intestine is divided into two main parts: The small intestine (small bowel) receives food from the lower end of the stomach and...
Intoxication is a temporary and reversible condition that affects the central nervous system after a person ingests certain substances, such as alcohol or drugs. Intoxication affects judgment, the ability to think clearly, and behavior. People who are intoxicated may become belligerent, aggressive (including sexually...
An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a mechanical device that helps the heart pump blood. It is a long, thin tube called a catheter with a balloon on the end. The balloon inflates and deflates in the same rhythm as the heart. It helps the heart pump blood to the body. An IABP is usually for emergencies only. For...
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to treat certain infertility problems, such as sperm-related infertility. ICSI is used to enhance the fertilization phase of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by injecting a single sperm into a mature egg. The fertilized egg is then...
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an assisted reproductive technology used to treat certain infertility problems, such as sperm-related infertility. In the laboratory, a single sperm is injected into an egg; after 2 to 5 days, one or several of the fertilized embryos are transferred to the uterus or fallopian...
IDET is a treatment for chronic low back pain related to a spinal disc. A doctor inserts a hollow needle containing a thin, flexible tube (catheter) and heating element into the disc. The heat is meant to destroy the nerve fibers that may be causing pain and toughen the disc tissue, sealing any small tears.
Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a treatment for chronic low back pain. Your doctor may suggest IDET if they think the pain in your back is coming from the disc itself. Your doctor may also suggest IDET if other treatments have not helped. There is no strong evidence that IDET works for most people. Before...
An intraductal papilloma is a noncancerous (benign) small growth inside a milk duct in the breast. It may appear on the skin near the nipple as a growth that looks like a wart. Single intraductal papillomas often occur in women nearing menopause. They can produce a bloody or sticky nipple discharge. Multiple intraductal...
Incidence and Mortality. Melanoma of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, and choroid), though rare, is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. The mean age-adjusted incidence of uveal melanoma in the United States is approximately 4.3 new cases per million people, with no clear variation by latitude...
Intraocular melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the eye. Intraocular melanoma begins in the middle of three layers of the wall of the eye. The outer layer includes the white sclera (the "white of the eye") and the clear cornea at the front of the eye. The inner layer...
Here are some examples of when IOLs may be used. To replace a lens after cataract surgery Surgery for cataracts involves removing the natural lens of the eye that contains the cataract. The lens may be replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens implant (IOL). Or you may wear eyeglasses or contact lenses...
Intraocular (say "in-truh-AW-kyuh-ler") pressure is the pressure caused by the fluid inside the eye that helps maintain the shape of the eye. The level of pressure inside the eyes depends on: How much fluid is produced inside the eye. Whether fluid can travel normally through the eye. How well the fluid drains from the...
An intraoperative cholangiogram is a procedure that is sometimes done during the surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). The doctor places a small tube called a catheter into the cystic duct, which drains bile from the gallbladder into the common bile duct. A dye that blocks X-rays is injected into the...
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, plastic, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs contain copper or the hormone levonorgestrel (LNg). Plastic strings tied to the end of the IUD hang down through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into the vagina.
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a method of birth control that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. All IUDs have a plastic string that extends through the opening of the cervix into the vagina. The string allows a health professional to remove the device at your request or at the end of its effectiveness...
Discusses intrauterine device (IUD) for long-term birth control for women. Covers types of IUDs. Includes how well IUDs work to prevent pregnancy.
Learn how IUDs are inserted and what to expect after the procedure.
Learn how IUD removal is done and what to expect after removal.
An intrauterine transfusion provides blood to an Rh-positive fetus when fetal red blood cells are being destroyed by the Rh-sensitized mother's immune system. This treatment is meant to keep the fetus healthy until the baby is mature enough to be delivered. Transfusions can be given through the fetal abdomen or, more...
Intravenous means occurring within or by way of a vein. Medicines or fluids may be given by inserting an intravenous (I.V.) needle into a vein, usually in the back of the hand or on the forearm. When the I.V. needle is in place, medicines or fluids can go quickly into the bloodstream and into the rest of the body.
Learn about I.V. regional anesthesia, including how it's done, how you can prepare, and what the risks are.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a type of medicine made from donated blood plasma. IVIG is made of certain antibodies that fight bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other substances that can cause disease. Some types of IVIG can be used to reduce the risk of infection in people who have too few antibodies to effectively...
