Decompensated Heart Failure: Everything You Should Know

Legedema(swelling) and coughing at night are also very common symptoms of DHF. For example, eating a diet high in salt or taking medications improperly. Pulse Oximetry Pulse oximetrymeasures the oxygen levels in your blood. Verywell / Daniel Fishel Normal levels are between 90% and 100%. With aggressive treatment, people with DHF can often live many years of productive life. What is the difference between compensated and decompensated heart failure? In decompensated heart failure, those symptoms are worse, to the point where medical attention is required....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 244 words · Thomas Jackson

Decorticate vs. Decerebrate Posturing: Differences Explained

Reflex Movements in Response to Brain Damage Decorticateanddecerebrateposturingare different reflexes that are both signs of severe brain damage. Additionally, the postures themselves are not dangerous or harmfulthey are visible consequences of severe brain damage. Neurological Effects Decerebrate and decorticate posturing develop as a result of extensive nerve damage in the brain. Pressmaster / Getty Images The nerves in the brain communicate with each other to stimulate and inhibit brain activity....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 183 words · Jared Drake

Defining Hypochondria

Severe hypochondria is a diagnosable mental health condition called illness anxiety disorder and can increase the risk of death. Symptom Variations Hypochondria symptoms can be mental, physical, and behavioral. The primary symptom is intense worry or fear of being or becoming sick, though there are other symptoms. MoMo Productions / Getty Images A primary care provider can do aninitial screeningthat may involve filling out a questionnaire and reviewing symptoms. The fear of having a medical condition or becoming sick can interfere with relationships and daily life....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 261 words · Jennifer Fernandez

Defining the Avoidant Attachment Style

Avoidant attachment is characterized by independence, difficulty trusting others, and avoiding emotional intimacy. Someone might develop avoidant attachment if their childhood caregiver was neglectful, emotionally closed, strict, or detached. This article explores the avoidant attachment style. Raul Ortin / Getty Images Below are the defining traits of an avoidant attachment style in childhood and adulthood. Childhood Beginning in infancy, you learn about the world through your connection to parents or caregivers....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 357 words · Scott Simmons

Definition and Function of Lymph Nodes

They are located throughout the body. Here’s what to know about their role in infections and cancer. The lymph vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph that is collected from tissues throughout the body. BSIP / Universal Images Group / Getty Images Lymph contains cell wastes like cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses. This fluid is filtered by infection-fighting cells within thelymph nodes. This is called lymphadenopathy, oradenopathyfor short. Are Tonsils Lymph Nodes?...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 212 words · Leah Trujillo

Degloving Injuries From Accidents

The skin rips off the bone, muscle, or tissue and slides off the body. In many cases, this pop in of injury can be life-threatening. Skin Effects and Severe Risks of Degloving Injuries Degloving can occur in various areas of the body. Closed occurs without the obvious signs of degloving and can present as simple bruises. The scalp and external genitalia also come with a high risk of death. Degloving Recovery Process The recovery process following a degloving injury can be challenging and complex....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 237 words · Juan Morales

Delayed Ejaculation and How It Is Treated

DE can be treated with medications or other medical interventions. This article discusses delayed ejaculation, what causes it, and how it can be treated. What Are the Symptoms of Delayed Ejaculation? momentimages / Getty Images Delayed ejaculation is usually self-evident, especially to those affected. At other times, there may be an erection but no sense of an approaching orgasm. What Causes Delayed Ejaculation? Delayed ejaculation may have pathologic, neurological, hormonal, pharmaceutical, or psychological causes....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 333 words · Benjamin Jones

Delirium Tremens: When Does Alcohol Cause DTs?

A serious consequence of alcohol withdrawal Delirium tremensis a serious condition that develops due toalcohol withdrawal. People who consume large amounts of alcohol for an extended period can be susceptible to this withdrawal effect. Delirium tremens can be fatal if it is not treated promptly. Motortion / Getty Images you might work together to create a safe schedule for you to gradually discontinue alcohol under medical supervision. The risk of delirium tremens is not a reason to continue drinking harmful amounts of alcohol....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 255 words · James Howard

Delirium: What You Should Know

While delirium causes confusion, not all confusion is because of delirium. Delirium is a state of altered and fluctuating mental functioning that occurs abruptly. It is typically acuteonce diagnosed and treated, the patient will over time return to their normal mental state. David Sacks / Getty Images In intensive care, you may hear delirium referred to as ICU delirium. It is most common in older adults and the elderly but can happen in any age group....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 290 words · Susan Bush

Delsym vs Robitussin-DM: How Do They Differ?

Both medications can reducecough, but Robitussin-DM can also help loosen mucus and relievechest congestion. In addition to dextromethorphan, Robitussin-DM also contains the active ingredient guaifenesin. Understanding Delsym Delsym contains the active ingredient dextromethorphan. Getty Images |Bloomberg/ Contributor Dextromethorphan works by reducing activity in the part of your brain that triggers you to cough. Delsym doesn’t cure the condition that causes coughing. Instead, it temporarily reduces the urge to cough. Excessive coughing can keep you up at night, irritate your throat, or cause voice hoarseness....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 362 words · Anthony Higgins

Deltoid Muscle Anatomy and Function

The deltoid muscle is the main muscle of the shoulder. A triangle-shaped muscle, it helps move your upper arm and stabilizes the shoulder joint. What Is the Function of the Deltoid Muscle? Hero Images / Getty Images Deltoid muscles are a throw in of skeletal muscle involved in body movements. Unlike smooth muscles, which are involuntary, skeletal muscles are voluntary (meaning you control them). Theirinsertionthe point that attaches to a bone that movesis the humerus....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 602 words · Erin Garcia

Dementia Life Expectancy for Older Adults

Several otherforms of dementiaexist. Life expectancy after a dementia diagnosis is affected by the age of diagnosis and the jot down of dementia. Yet age, in and of itself, is the strongest known risk factor for dementia. Thomas Tolstrup / Getty Images This is due to changes in the brains of older adults. There are an estimated 6.7 million individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in America. Young-Onset Dementia There is a subset of dementia called young-onset dementia....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 578 words · Sean Kelley

Demyelination and Demyelinating Disease

Some demyelinating diseases affect the brain and/or spinal cord. Others affect the peripheral nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. It also describes some common demyelinating disorders. Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou Each eye has anoptic nervethat controls vision and carries signals to the brain. The myelin sheath function is to protect nerves and allow them to send signals efficiently. The symptoms of demyelination correspond to the affected area of the nervous system....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 766 words · Gerald Garcia