Pet Scan

Over the past few years, increasingly more employers are turning to a consumer driven health plan (CDHP) to combat the rising cost of health care. CDHPs have become increasingly popular, surpassing HMOs to become the second most popular plan design (behind PPOs). A 2010 Mercer National Survey of employer-sponsored health plans found that 15% of small employers offered CDHPs in 2009, up from 9% in 2008. The increase is a direct result of smaller employers using the cost savings inherent in CDHPs to reduce their overall healthcare costs. The Mercer National Survey also found that 46% of all employers expect to offer CDHPs over the next five years. How CDHPs Function The CDHP model is designed to...

You may not realize it, but you probably get a tiny amount of radiation every single day. Sunlight contains radiation, and it is also naturally present in sound waves. This form of energy is a particle that travels in waves, and it has the ability to make its way into our bodies. Frustratingly, though, radiation is actually a carcinogen that can lead to cancer after many years of exposure. Although your body endures a small amount of radiation exposure from natural sources such as sunlight, one main source of radiation that you receive is actually from medical equipment. Mankind has harnessed the power of radiation, using this energy for many different types of diagnostic instruments and other...

All strokes damage the brain by disrupting circulation, but strokes come in multiple varieties. Because different parts of the brain are specialized to perform specific functions, symptoms produced by strokes vary according to what part of the brain was injured. In one patient the symptom might be weakness on one side of the body. In another it might be a partial loss of vision. In still another, a loss of speech. And symptoms can vary in intensity from mild to severe according to how large the area of damage is and whether it occurred in a pivotal location. Strokes can also vary according to another fundamental difference -- whether they involve a blocked blood vessel or a hemorrhage. Most strokes...

Your body's thyroid plays an important role in the regulation of your metabolism, which is the conversion of oxygen and food calories into energy. In fact, every cell in your body relies upon the thyroid hormone for proper functioning. Some people can develop thyroid nodules, which are lumps that commonly grow on the thyroid gland. These lumps are usually found at the edge of the thyroid gland, so they can actually be felt from outside the body. They can sometimes be detected by human touch or seen from the front of the neck in the case of very thin people. Important Statistics Here are some facts regarding nodules: * Thyroid nodules are fairly common young women, with about 1 in 15 having them...

To understand epidural and subdural hematomas -- two serious consequences of head injuries -- we need to know the basic anatomy of the brain and its coverings. Imagine an evil carpenter with an electric drill intent on drilling into a person's brain. What layers would the drill encounter in its passage from the outside of the head to its destination? The drill would pass through the skin and then the skull (braincase) before penetrating a series of three membranes comprising the meninges. In sequence, the three membranes are the dura mater (Latin for "tough mother"), the arachnoid mater (cobwebby mother) and the pia mater (tender mother) and then finally the brain itself. Epidural and subdural...

Learn about Diagnosis and Treatment for Proper Neck Pain Management Knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of neck pain would help you in the management of this common ailment. Some of the symptoms of neck pain include sharp piercing pain, dizziness, numbness, and stiffness. Neck pain can arise because of any of several causes: • Ruptured or degenerated cervical disc • Spondylosis • Heavy lifting • Extended periods of sitting and bending the neck or head forward • Pinched nerve For the correct diagnosis of neck pain, it is imperative that the doctor study the history of the symptoms. In checking out the history, the doctor would be making a note of the location, duration, radiation, and...

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that frequently will manifest itself in the outer lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. However it may also emerge in the lining of a number of other body organs. The organ's lining is known as the mesothelium. It's most common cause is from being exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma prognosis, diagnosis and remedies are continuously being assessed and researched. Getting fast diagnosis may very well allow a person to get a more positive Mesothelioma prognosis. Signs and symptoms that may signal Pleural Mesothelioma resemble those of folks who are suffering from pneumonia and other related ailments can experience. Shortness of breath, fluid around the lungs and...

Almost all mesotheliomas are malignant. In rare cases, however, mesothelioma is benign or non-cancerous. As a matter of fact, only 10% of mesothelioma cases are non-malignant. Benign Mesothelioma, also known as multicystic or fibrous mesothelioma, is described as localized mesothelioma. This is because it does not spread to the surrounding tissues; it is non-invasive by nature. The cause is not known and has nothing to do with asbestos exposure but it commonly develop in the lungs than in the heart and abdomen. Unlike malignant mesothelioma, it can be detected immediately because the patients demonstrate symptoms at an earlier time. Though not life threatening, its symptoms should be considered as...

Laser spine surgery (or particularly endoscopic spinal surgery) is the "gold standard," in accordance with the International Society for Minimal Intervention in Spinal Surgery (ISMISS) and the International Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT), for the surgical cure of back pain, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical disc herniations with radicular symptoms. For these disorders, the treatment of selection is the microsurgical microscopic disc surgery or generally known as microdiscectomy. Other suggestions for minimally invasive or endoscopic spinal procedures are lateral spinal canal (recess) and foraminal stenoses with radicular (or nerve root) symptoms, and degenerative facet joint...

When it comes to obtaining an MRI, it is important for medical professionals to get the clearest image possible. By obtaining a clear and crisp picture, the medical professional is better capable of making a diagnosis and treating his or her patients. In order to create clearer images, researchers are continually looking for new techniques and technology that can aid with MRI imaging. As a result, the gadolinium MRI technique was developed. While this resulted in clearer images, it also resulted in some very serious side effects for some patients. What is a Gadolinium MRI? A gadolinium MRI is an MRI scan that involves using the chemical gadolinium as a contrast agent. A contrast agent helps to...

Gadolinium toxicity is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately in order to protect your health. If you have recently had an MRI scan completed and if you suffer from kidney problems, gadolinium toxicity is a particularly concerning issue because it can lead to a serious disease known and Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Not only is Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis a very painful disease, it is also potentially fatal. By taking a few immediate steps, however, you will have a better chance of successfully treating the disease and obtaining the financial compensation you deserve. Getting the Proper Medical Attention If you have had a gadolinium injection in order to help a medical...

You or a loved one may unknowingly have your health, life, and financial future threatened soon after taking a needed MRI scan. This scan requires an injection of MRI dye to increase the visibility of harmful tissue, and under ordinary circumstances, your kidneys will flush it out in a timely manner. If you have any history of kidney problems, however, there is cause for concern. MRI dye is meant to help treat illnesses you already had to begin with, not make your condition even worse. You should watch out for symptoms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NSF or NFD) especially if it was for an MRA, a procedure that has yet to be approved, instead of an MRI. MRI dye...

It may be scary for those who need to undergo their first MRI scan. An MRI is a giant machine that uses powerful magnetic fields and electromagnetic waves to scan you. Even though the doctor continues to reassure that it is a perfectly safe procedure, you are still unsure what to expect and what side effects the MRI might have on your body. While you it is a painless procedure, you should be aware of a few things. The entire process will take about half an hour with you on your back. The scan requires you to lie still inside the center of the large machine, which does not give much room at all for you. And during the process, the MRI machine can be very loud. Needless to say, an MRI scan can be a...

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a horrible disease that has no viable treatment option. It is a side effect of gadolinium traces lingering in the body, usually from contrast agents commonly used during MRI scans. MRI and MRA scans have become commonplace in the medical profession because of their extraordinary ability to produce very detailed images of the body's internal soft tissue. It allows doctors to make accurate diagnoses without having to cut open the patient to find any problems. On occasion, an MRI contrast agent may be used to dramatically improve the quality of the images when scanning. The only contrast agents approved by the FDA are gadolinium based. In most cases, they are all safe...

Gadolinium based contrast agents are used in the medical field for MRI and MRA scans. Though these types of scans can produce high quality images of the inside of your body, using a contrast agent can achieve an even clearer image. Unfortunately, there exist some side effects of gadolinium in the body that have proven to be fatal and incurable. Gadolinium is used because it has strong magnetic characteristics which are advantageous for test results when using the powerful magnetic fields an MRI machine can produce. Under normal conditions, gadolinium is a very toxic element to the body. Therefore, in order for gadolinium to be of any use, it goes through a process known as chelation to make it safe...

Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Open MRI) is an advanced diagnostic imaging procedure that creates detailed images of internal bodily structures and organs in an open machine instead of the tube shaped machine. These are machines that follow the same principle as traditional MRI machines but differ in design. A conventional MRI machine is a large box shaped machine with an open-ended tunnel where the test is performed. A patient is asked to lie on a comfortable padded table that slides inside the tunnel so that those parts of the body that have to be scanned are inside the tube or tunnel. The patients lie in closed area inside the machine. The tests take few minutes and loud, repetitive clanking...

Neurology is an important facet of science that leaves many confused, and often scared. If you've hurt your head, or you're worried about disease, neurology may be the answer. However, because it is so complex, many are afraid to delve into the science of what may be ailing them. Patient care is extremely important in neurological care. Patients are often scared, confused, upset, and worried. It is important to take the time to explain all procedures, diagnoses, and treatment options. As a patient, it is important to ask questions, so the doctors can properly evaluate your level of care and knowledge of your treatment. Don't feel rushed - take your time and make sure you understand everything that...

Pain in shoulder blade, also known as scapula, is usually caused by a neck problem. Pain in the blade region is also referred to as scapular pain. Many of the shoulder blade muscle and bone pathways region are shared by the neck joints. If there is a problem in the back's upper part and the neck's lower part, it is usually felt in the blade region. Shoulder Blade Pain Causes Truth: Pain in the blade are is rarely caused by a problem in the blade. True problems are very rare and usually involve bone disease, such as bone tumor or infection. True pain in shoulder blade problems consists of a tiny percentage. Mostly all of the blade pain cases are caused by problems in the lower portion of the neck or...

Hot trends in radiology are constantly emerging as this widely used technology changes and evolves. This is particularly true in the emergency room, where radiology plays an integral role in the assessment of trauma patients. Computed tomography remains one of the most important tools in hospital emergency rooms when patients come in after being involved with trauma or when they are complaining of chest pains. There are many interesting trends that can be deduced from the most current data on this subject. One undeniable trend is the rising use of imaging studies in the emergency room. About 44 percent of the 11 million people who visit emergency departments in the United States each year undergo...

The Heart Saver CT screening for heart disease (also known as the UltraFast CT or Calcium Scoring CT) has been available for about 10 years now. This study looks for calcified plaque in the arteries of the heart. Plaque, put simply, is the fatty, waxy type of substance produced by the liver that proceeds throughout the bloodstream. You may also hear or read this referred to as cholesterol. Frequently, plaque will adhere itself to the walls of arteries and over time solidify. Then, it becomes known as calcified plaque. The Heart Saver CT looks specifically at the arteries of the heart searching for calcified plaque. It is a reasonable test for those with the desire to satisfy their curiosity...

Aortic Aneurysm A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a widening (bulging) of part of the wall of the aorta, the body's largest artery. Thoracic aneurysms most often occur in the descending thoracic aorta. Others may appear in the ascending aorta or the aortic arch. The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Other risk factors include : - * Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome * Having high blood pressure for a long time * Previous dissection of the aorta * Syphilis * Trauma such as falls or motor vehicle accidents Symptoms Most patients have no symptoms until the aneurysm begins to leak or expand. Chest or back pain may mean sudden...

Tweet Share How do we tune in to the rhythms around us? How do we synchronize our frequency with the changing frequencies in time? It has only been in the last twenty years that modern scanners and experimentation have taken neuroscience to a level where we can now know with more certainty what cognitive functions are taking place in which parts of the brain. The four sides of the Wealth Dynamics Square, a profiling system used by over 30,000 entrepreneurs to find their flow, match the ‘four sides’ of the brain: our frontal lobes (located on the front and top of the brain) are the centre of our creative thinking and intuition; our parietal and occipital lobes (located at the centre and back) are...

  Bronchoscopy treatments in India   Bronchoscopy   Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at your airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, your doctor will examine your throat, larynx, trachea, and lower airways. Bronchoscopy may be done to diagnose problems with the airway or to treat problems such as an object or growth in the airway. See a picture of bronchoscopy....   There are two types of bronchoscopy : -   - A flexible bronchoscope uses a long, thin, lighted tube to look at your airway. The flexible bronchoscope is used more often than the rigid bronchoscope because it usually does not require general anesthesia, is...

Enrolling in a radiology program to become a certified radiologist can provide an individual with a large number of long-term career options. By going into specialized fields of radiology, through continued education, a radiology student is able to find opportunities in the growing field of radiology through programs that are open only to graduates. The basic career opportunities available to radiologist lie in the areas of diagnostic medical sonography, x ray imaging and general radiology. However, higher education opens up a number of option for new radiology technicians in a number of settings such a private practice, diagnostic laboratories, ambulatory health care facilities and nursing homes...

A variety of symptoms that may change over time can be caused by appendicitis. An aching pain around the navel that often shifts later to the lower right abdomen is the most common symptom of appendicitis. The pain may become sharper and more severe when the inflammation in the appendix spreads to nearby tissues. McBurney point is the place where the pain tends to settle in the lower right abdomen near the appendix and it's situated between the navel and the top of the right pelvic bone. Depending on the age and the position of the appendix the location of pain may vary. In this case at young children the appendicitis pain may be in different places. If the pressure is applied to the area that hurts...

It shades the majority of our yard, and is one of the reasons we chose to buy this house. Well, in January of this year, Phoenix was hit with frost. (Yep Phoenix) We were not prepared for this, as we were still using the pool! Well, the tree began to die. About the same time, I was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma. (Bile Duct cancer which there is no cure for and tumors on the liver.) One day, the tree was down to about 3 leaves, and my husband and I were standing out front, sadly looking at the tree. My husband (Polo) reached out and touched a leaf, and in a shaky voice said, "Babe, this tree still has life in it and just needs to be nursed back to health......like you" Well, it became like an...

failure means the heart has lost some of its ability to pump blood and not, as is often assumed, that the heart has stopped beating. The two kinds of heart failure are "systolic heart failure" which refers to the heart muscle becoming weak and not being able to pump enough blood out with each beat and "diastolic heart failure," where the heart muscle has become stiff and has lost the ability to relax and fill completely with blood. Taking your medication, eating right, watching fluid intake, and exercising will help prevent heart failure from getting worse and can sometimes improve it. The heart is a muscle with four chambers that pump blood. The "atria" are the upper two chambers, the "ventricles...

Most of us are aware of the fact that, in the year 1927, Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic in a small, single-seat monoplane (named 'St. Louis), that was run on the power of a light engine. This incident, known in history as "The Spirit Of St. Louis" is what we are probably remembered of, every time we actually hear this phrase. However, the present discourse has nothing to do with that memorable occurrence. Here, we would be trying to get a deeper insight into the researches and studies that are being conducted by the Academic Otolaryngology Clinic, which is established at St. Louis. The problems related to the tinnitus disease resemble closely those associated with shingles in that, it is...

Alzheimer's disease is named after the German psychologist Alois Alzheimer's. Whilst it is presented as a twentieth century disease, the brain degeneration, cognitive impairment and disturbing behavioral and psychiatric problems which characterize the disease have most likely been around for centuries. While Dr. Alzheimer's is the disease's namesake, Alzheimer's colleague Emil Kraepelin played an equally important role in the identification of the disease. Kraepelin isolated and grouped together the symptoms of the disorder, suggesting they were a unique disease process, while Alzheimer was the first to understand what was actually happening in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. He discovered...

American society has often taken things to the extreme, and in the case of attention deficit disorder (ADD), it may be that teachers and doctors have become so aggressive with certain behaviors in children that the diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is almost automatic. But it's not true that anyone who has temporary memory lapses, hyperactivity, or high levels of procrastination have ADD. The truth is that all human beings experience ADD-type behavior during the course of their lives. The symptoms of attention deficit may pop up for many reasons, or people may have tendencies of attention deficit, without really having it at all. Kids can be acting out their feelings of...

One of the major chemicals that have shown some involvement with OCD is a neurotransmitter called Serotonin. This disorder has been shown to have abnormal levels and activity of some neurochemicals, including serotonin in the brain. PET scans have shown unusually high levels of activity in the brain's frontal area in some patients. This high level of activity could be best explained by low levels of serotonin activity. The backing for this type of claim comes from studies that have shown that treatment with drugs; which raises the level of serotonin activity in the brain, has improved sufferers of this disorder by up to 60%. It also could be true that the high brain activity could be caused be the...

A new dad gift that can make a difference and is fun and entertaining to watch. He is lucky to have you as his friend/relative who is taking time to research the right gift for him. Some guys aren't even included - never mind get a gift for them. As though their involvement or non-involvement is of no consequence! This is the 21st Century and there is so much information available about how the Dad effects his baby's whole life! and those earliest months and years are the most important. Trouble is that most new Dads have no experience with handling a baby - and they're too afraid in case they drop the little tucker, and maybe Mom will growl at them if they do the wrong thing. Even the Mom often...

A migraine is a condition of the brain characterized by headaches, nausea and changed bodily perceptions. It more frequently happens in women than in men. The word migraine is from a Greek term "hemicrania" meaning half skull and the Old English word "megrim" which means severe headache. A typical headache caused by this condition is pulsating and unilateral. It lasts from 4 up to 72 hours. The symptoms include, vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to light or photophobia and sensitivity to noise otherwise known as hyperacusis. According to studies, about a third of the people suffering from migraine headache identify and aura which is olfactory and visual that announces the headache. Causes of Migraine...

A new study in the New England Journal of medicine indicated that leaner people have more brown fat deposits in their body than obese people. What is brown fat? Common to newborn babies, it is a type of fat that has increased mitochondria in it (lending to the name) that has the primary job of maintaining the body temperature. Brown fat burns high quantities of sugar in order to release heat to the body and research is indicating that this browner fat may be a useful way to help people lose weight. The trick is finding the best way to activate the fat, especially since it typically lies dormant and shrinks as we age and learn to regulate our body temperatures. A doctor at the University of Sweden...

helioma is a very rare form of asbestos related cancer that is most effectively treated when detected early. Unfortunately, the nature of the disease and the fact that it remains latent for decades usually results in late detection after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, making it extremely difficult to treat. One method used in the detection/diagnosis of mesothelioma is a surgical biopsy. There are three different types of biopsies available for those who have developed mesothelioma. Biopsy involves the surgeon removing the tissue in question for laboratory examination. Three types of biopsy are: 1- Incisional biopsy or a core biopsy In this type of biopsy only a small part of the...

eived the most interesting email. Gordon wrote: “Thought you might be interested in that on June 13th I underwent a 1.5 hour hernia operation without ANY anaesthetic - no general, no local. I did it with the power of my mind using only relaxation techniques that I teach my clients. (I am a psychotherapist.) 6 days after the surgery, I have just returned from the gym after running 5K and doing a gentle workout. I have developed a healing program that has really worked for me - I feel wonderful. This is a dramatic demonstration of the power of thought and intention. There is a known surgeon in Valencia who has carried out complex surgery without anesthesia in more than 900 instances, film...

Feelings and emotions are nerve impulses. The feel of paper and the flush of shame. Feelings and emotions are relayed as nerve impulses. Nerve endings or sensors report on feelings from tissues all over the body. These sensations include sharp pain, burning pain, cool or warm temperature, itching, muscle contraction, joint movements, soft touch, mechanical stress, tickling, flushing, hunger and thirst. Electrical excitation of certain parts of the temporal lobe, cause intense fear to be produced in patients. Excitation of other parts caused feelings of isolation, loneliness, disgust, or even pleasure. Out of the millions of nerve fibres which relayed these messages, the mind differentiated the...

Ok, sometimes we men need a bit of encouragement when it comes to our weight loss goals, and here are some blurbs on men vs. women dieting and weight loss styles I thought might make some of us feel encouraged... Guys can say "no" to problem foods: A recent study presenting male and female subjects their favorite foods, then monitoring their brain activity using PET scans found men were able to suppress their hunger and their desire to eat, many of the women continued to crave their favorite foods, even after being told to think of something else. This "emotional eating," is a common challenge for the ladies but not men. Guys do need help learning about nutrition: When a woman decides to go on a...

ine is a terrible form of headache. The primary cause of this condition is still unknown although there are some theories that may trigger migraine. A huge selection of pharmacological drugs is known to ease the pain and other symptoms of this condition. Migraine is a condition of the brain characterized by headaches, nausea and changed bodily perceptions. It more frequently happens in women than in men. The word migraine is from a Greek term “hemicrania” meaning half skull and the Old English word “megrim” which means severe headache. A typical headache caused by this condition is pulsating and unilateral. It lasts from 4 up to 72 hours. The symptoms include, vomiting...

Emotions are nerve impulses. The feel of paper and the flush of shame. Feelings and emotions are relayed as nerve impulses. Nerve endings or sensors report on feelings from tissues all over the body. These sensations include sharp pain, burning pain, cool or warm temperature, itching, muscle contraction, joint movements, soft touch, mechanical stress, tickling, flushing, hunger and thirst. Electrical excitation of certain parts of the temporal lobe, cause intense fear to be produced in patients. Excitation of other parts caused feelings of isolation, loneliness, disgust, or even pleasure. The mind differentiated finely between these nerve impulses - to feel tired, hungry or much else. But, how could...

Do all segments of society share in the benefits of medical research? Not exactly. For the tens of millions of Americans who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer - and who also have no health insurance - medical care is unaffordable. Additional tens of millions of Americans have health insurance but the annual premiums are exorbitant, the benefits are minimal, and out-of-pocket expenses are high. Imagine that one of these Americans wakes up one day with a pounding headache, experiencing unusually intense pain. The person is not prone to headaches, hasn't had one in a long time, and the pain is severe. Will she go to the emergency room and get a "brain scan" - a magnetic...

WiTricity is based on strong coupling between electromagnetic resonant objects to transfer energy wirelessly between them. This differs from other methods like simple induction, microwaves, or air ionization. The system consists of transmitters and receivers that contain magnetic loop antennas critically tuned to the same frequency. Due to operating in the electromagnetic near field, the receiving devices must be no more than about a quarter wavelength from the transmitter Unlike the far field wireless power transmission systems based on traveling electro-magnetic waves, WiTricity employs near field inductive coupling through magnetic fields similar to those found in transformers except that the...

Often, someone who needs a fire extinguisher will buy an ABC fire extinguisher without giving much thought to the actual fire hazards they need to protect against. When buying fire extinguishers, you need to know several things about extinguishers in order to make an informed decision, specifically, the fire class you need to protect against and special conditions you need to consider (computer electronics, for example). Classes of fire extinguishers When it comes to fire extinguishers, there are five classes of fires: A, B, C, D, and K. - Class A - Fire extinguishers rated for Class A fires have a green triangle with an "A" in the center as well as a pictogram of a garbage can and wood burning...

Treatment ofBiliary Tract Carcinoma in India is provided by interdisciplinary teams of specialists and delivers top-quality treatment combined with an active commitment to personalized care in an ambience of comfort and convenience. Hospitals of India provideintensive care and the on-call medical, surgical and anesthetic teams and patients therefore benefit from both the advantages of private care and the reassurance and safety provided by full back-services. Medical tourism in India work only with the finest private hospitals and surgeons to give best results for  treatment ofBiliary Tract Carcinoma in India and to bring you the best medical care according to highest international standards...

The most common of all the types of back pain is that of lower back pain. As with any type of pain there are two different types (and low back pain is no exception): acute and chronic. Acute low back pain is usually a problem that can work itself out over a period of time. Chronic low back pain, however, can be responsible for aches and pains that last throughout your lifetime and it is the chronic back pain that lessens the quality of life for anyone who suffers from it. In this article, we'll address the problems that are posed by acute back pain as well as chronic low back pain and we'll discuss some methods of getting rid of the pain. Low back pain is one of the most commonly occurring medical...

To Quit or Not to Quit Stop smoking! Treatment is available to smokers wanting to quit the habit. Majority of smokers can't kick the habit on their own. They need moral, as well as medical, support. Smokers who can't quit cold turkey anticipate agonizing cravings for nicotine, and smoking a cigarette less each day still exposes smokers to lung cancer, among other things. Indeed, it is not easy to quit. Smoking cigarettes is an addiction, even a disease in itself. Most smokers just shrug off the problem and promise to quit the next day, so they continue smoking and get the hits that give them the nicotine high. Nicotine is just one of the 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke, but its primary effect...

What Is An Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion? The term corpectomy is derived from the Latin words corpus (body) and -ectomy (removal). The procedure typically involves accessing the cervical spine through an anterior approach, or from the front. Spinal fusion is usually necessary because of the amount of vertebral bone and/or disc material that must be removed to achieve sufficient decompression of the neural structures. Spinal fusion involves placing bone graft or bone graft substitute between two or more affected vertebrae to promote bone growth between the vertebral bodies. The graft material acts as a binding medium and also helps maintain normal disc height - as the body heals, the...

Rotator cuff tears are very common and it is well known that their prevalence increases with age. One common kinematic dysfunction seen in rotator cuff deficient patients is proximal migration of the humeral head. This is particularly so since one major function of the intact rotator cuff complex is to stabilize the humeral head within the center of the glenoid fossa upon movement of the upper extremity. Pain, tear location, and tear size all have been implicated in altered glenohumeral mechanics, however, their specific effects remain relatively unknown. These particular factors may play an important role for us as diagnosticians and manual therapists, since a proper understanding of each may...