What are the differences between prednisone and prednisolone? Prednisone and prednisolone are synthetic corticosteroids used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Both drugs are used to treat many conditions including arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, skin problems, and allergies. Corticosteroids including prednisone and prednisolone are commonly used to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs....
Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: Temporal Lobe, Resective, Recovery
Pediatric epileptic surgery facts Pediatric epilepsy surgery can be used to treat a highly selected group of patients whose seizures are not controllable by standard means. The appropriate candidate for epilepsy surgery must meet several criteria. There are currently three major categories of epilepsy surgery: resective surgery, corpus callosotomy, and implantation of the vagus nerve stimulator. In patients that meet...
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation: Procedure, Recovery
What is peripheral blood stem cell transplantation? Share Your Story Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is a treatment which involve first harvesting specific cells called stem cells from the peripheral blood of the donor. These cells are harvested by a type of filtration and then preserved, usually by freezing, and finally given to the recipient after he or she has received intensive...
What Is Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum? Facts, Signs, Symptoms
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum facts Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare disorder involving degeneration of the elastic fibers. PXE is inherited from the parents. PXE typically causes yellow-white small raised areas in the skin folds (flexure areas). PXE can affect areas of the body other than the skin. Treatment of PXE involves monitoring by the doctor and measures to prevent injury and...
11 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Surgery
What is the operation (procedure) that is recommended? Ask your surgeon for a simplified explanation of the type of operation, technique used, and reasons it should be performed. (Pictures and drawings can tell patients and family a great deal.) Why was this specific procedure chosen over possible alternatives? What is the surgeon's experience with this procedure? Readers Comments 1 Share...
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): Tube Placement
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy facts Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a procedure that allows nutritional support for patients who cannot take food orally. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy involves placement of a tube through the abdominal wall and into the stomach through which nutritional liquids can be infused. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a surgical procedure; however, it does not require opening the abdomen or...
How to Test for Lactose Intolerance: Stool Acidity Test
What is a stool acidity test? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story The stool acidity test is a test for diagnosing intolerance to lactose, the sugar contained in milk, in infants and very young children. What is lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the lactose sugar in milk. Milk containing the sugar lactose is a main source...
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Side Effects
Electrical nerve stimulation history For several thousand years, people have recognized that electrical stimulation can have an impact on pain. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is said to have used electric fish to cause numbness, and a report of gout being “cured” by accidental contact with a fish called an electric ray dates back to the first century. Later reports...
Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: Temporal Lobe, Resective, Recovery
Pediatric epileptic surgery facts Pediatric epilepsy surgery can be used to treat a highly selected group of patients whose seizures are not controllable by standard means. The appropriate candidate for epilepsy surgery must meet several criteria. There are currently three major categories of epilepsy surgery: resective surgery, corpus callosotomy, and implantation of the vagus nerve stimulator. In patients that meet...
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation: Procedure, Recovery
What is peripheral blood stem cell transplantation? Share Your Story Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is a treatment which involve first harvesting specific cells called stem cells from the peripheral blood of the donor. These cells are harvested by a type of filtration and then preserved, usually by freezing, and finally given to the recipient after he or she has received intensive...