What Is a Bowel Obstruction?

A bowel obstruction happens when a section of thesmallorlarge intestinebecomes partially or completely blocked. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fevers, constipation, and vomiting. Certain medical illnesses such asCrohn’s diseaseincrease the risk of bowel obstruction. This situation is known as obstipation. Complications A bowel obstruction can lead to serious problems. Necrosis leads to severe infections and/organgrene. Aperforationin the intestine can occur, resulting in the leakage of bowel contents and/or blood. A perforation is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 487 words · Brittney Moreno

What Is a Brain Tumor?

Abrain tumoris a group of abnormal cells that form in or near your brain. Unlike healthy brain cells, the cells that comprise a brain tumor are damaged. They multiply out of control without the normal cell functions that control their growth. Maskot / Getty Images Treatment varies by the size, bang out, and location of your brain tumor. It may or may not be linked to brain cancer. Outcomes also vary and can differ between two people with the same throw in of brain tumor....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 937 words · Dan Garcia

What Is a Breast Tissue Expander Rupture?

In preparation for breast implant placement after amastectomy, a breast tissue expander may be used. Abreast tissue expanderis an implantable, balloon-like unit used to stretch breast skin and chest wall muscles. Though usually a safe procedure, the tissue expander has the potential of rupturing. Verywell / Gary Ferster This article will review the signs of tissue expander rupture and its causes. It also addresses prevention and treatment. How Do You Know if Your Breast Tissue Expander Has Ruptured?...

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 541 words · Joshua Harris

What Is a Bundle Branch Block?

Such blocks sometimes are due to underlying cardiac disease. Abnormal heart rhythm because of bundle branch block can be diagnosed with anelectrocardiogram (ECG)orechocardiogram. Thesinus nodeis a bundle of nerves located in the right atrium. Verywell / Gary Ferster When the bundle branches are functioning normally, the right and left ventricles contract regularly and nearly simultaneously. This is described asnormal sinus rhythm. This leads to a disruption of heart rhythm as it pumps....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 309 words · Mitchell French

What Is a Caffeine Nap?

However, there are some who endorse the use of coffee for a so-called “caffeine nap.” This was followed by a 24-hour period with no sleep. (One cup of coffee contains roughly 100 milligrams of caffeine.) Tristan Fewings / Getty Images Then the thinking and math tests were repeated. Our desire for sleep involves a process known as sleep drive. This is a biological mechanism wherein the longer you stay awake, the sleepier you will become....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 264 words · Vanessa Cannon

What Is a Carbuncle? Symptoms, Treatment, and More

They are much deeper and more severe than a single boil. Boils and carbuncles form when bacteria on the surface of the skin invade hair follicles. Carbuncles need to drain before they can heal. Graphicscoco / Getty Images This can happen on their own or require drainage treatment through a healthcare provider. Graphicscoco / Getty Images How It Forms Carbuncles form under the skin in stages. The pus will begin to put pressure on the growth until it ruptures and drains....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 306 words · Catherine Torres

What Is a Cardiac Stress Test?

Have a stress test coming up? It can also be used to monitor the health of people with other forms ofheart disease. This article explains the types and purpose of stress tests, and how they are done. Verywell / Emily Roberts It offers a step-by-step guide on what to expect, as well as information about interpreting stress test results. Blockages great than around 70% restrict this needed increase in flow to the heart muscle during exertion....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 690 words · Nancy Mendoza

What Is a Carotid Doppler Test?

What Does a Carotid Doppler Look For? You have two largecarotid arteriesin your neck that supply blood to the brain. A Doppler, or ultrasound, uses sound wave imaging technology to monitor these arteries. VILevy/Getty Images Avoid necklaces and/or earrings; your healthcare provider will likely ask you to remove them. There are few restrictions or instructions on preparing for a carotid Doppler test. After the images are captured, you will be given towels to help wipe off the lubricant....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 232 words · Amanda Phillips

What Is a Cervical Cerclage?

Cervical cerclagea procedure that reinforces the cervixhelps prevent the cervix from opening too early in the pregnancy. A stitch is placed around the cervix during the procedure to prevent it fromdilatingand shortening. This procedure is also known as a cervical stitch. Verywell / Jessica Olah The cervix softens to help your body prepare to deliver your baby. It is usually diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. This condition affects up to 1% of pregnant people....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 324 words · Peter Smith

What Is a Chest Tube?

Chest tubes are often inserted after lung surgery to remove fluids during healing. They can be inserted during surgery, or with local anesthetic while you are awake. Complications may include pain, bleeding, infection, orpneumothorax(collapsed lung). muratseyit / Getty Images The tube is sutured in place so it wont pull out of place when you move around. When a chest tube is inserted immediately after surgery, general anesthesia is used in the operating room....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 258 words · Seth Martin

What Is a Chordoma?

Chordomas are malignant but slow-growing bone tumors that can occur along the spine or lower portion of the skull. Most commonly, they appear on the lower back or base of the skull. Chordomas grow from the remnants of embryonic tissue that help form the spine during prenatal development. ljubaphoto / Getty Images When these cells remain after birth, they can develop into tumors, which can metastasize and become aggressive. They occur in men almost twice as often as in women....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 368 words · Justin Smith

What Is a Chronic Tension Headache?

Most people have at one time or another experienced atension-bang out headache. Some people experience these headaches frequently, a condition known as chronic tension-punch in headaches. Some people experience tenderness on the scalp, neck, and shoulders as well. Hero Images/Getty Images Chronic tension headaches occur on 15 or more days per month on average for more than three months. The headache can last for several hours orbe continuous for several days....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 333 words · Christopher Smith

What Is a Clay Mask?

Different types of clay masks are used on different skin types. To choose the best clay mask for your skin throw in, chat with yourdermatologist. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi What Is a Clay Mask? Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Clay masks are sold to treat acne and to give you tighter, more youthful-looking skin. Clay mask materials can differ and are typically described by theirpH. This is a measurement of how acidic or basic/alkaline a substance is....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 414 words · Mrs. Selena Munoz