Cristiano Antonino 4865 posts

Let's start with an important clarification: emergency contraception should not be confused with the abortion pill (RU 486) for two reasons, the first that RU 486 is not on sale in pharmacies, it is only a hospital practice, the second that…

Causes of arterial hypertension: primary normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (IPNC) is defined as a condition in which increased parathyroid hormone levels are found in the presence of normal calcium values, after excluding the secondary…

Anesthesia is a treatment using drugs called anesthetics. These drugs keep you from feeling pain during medical procedures

Virtual colonoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic technique, which generates three-dimensional images of the colon, in real time and without the introduction of any endoscopic probe

Anastomosis in surgery connects two body channels together, such as blood vessels or parts of your intestines. Surgeons create a new anastomosis after removing or bypassing part of a channel, or after removing or replacing an organ that was…

Anabolic steroids have legitimate medical purposes. Healthcare providers prescribe them for certain conditions, such as male hypogonadism and certain types of breast cancer. But anabolic steroid misuse is common

Vaginal candida (or candidiasis) is an infection generated by mycetes (i.e. fungi) that is very common in women of childbearing age - an estimated 70-75% have developed it at least once in their lifetime - but can also affect men

The focus on eating well and a healthy lifestyle has become an integral part of our society

An ovarian cyst is a cavity or sac filled with liquid or solid material, which may affect one or both ovaries

No one wants to be in the situation of having to save an infant’s life, but it could happen. Infants can and do choke, usually caused by breathing in a small object they accidentally placed in their mouth, such as a coin, small toys, and…

Mitral valve prolapse syndrome is a condition characterised by the alteration of one of the heart valves, the mitral valve

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is addressed in specific standards for many industries. When appropriately used, PPE acts as a barrier between infectious materials such as viral and bacterial contaminants and your skin, mouth, nose, or…

Streptococcal infections are caused by several strains of bacteria – the most common are streptococcus A and streptococcus B

'Rebound effect': this is a phenomenon that occurs following the abrupt discontinuation of a psychotropic drug and leads to significant negative consequences, including the return and flare-up of the original symptom

'Chondropathy' is a generic term for any cartilage lesion. Frequently, these are inflammatory or post-traumatic changes

The appendix is a pouch-like organ that sits in the lower right side of your belly. Appendicitis describes an inflamed or infected appendix

About PTSD: children and teens who have experienced repeated traumatic events can be helped with trauma-focused therapy – according to new research involving the University of East Anglia

Coccygodynia is a medical condition affecting the pelvis, particularly the coccyx, characterised by the presence of pain (frequently caused by inflammation) of the sacral area

The term bradyarrhythmia is used to define heart rate disorders characterized by a reduction in heart rate

Amniotomy or artificial rupture of the membranes (AROM) is when a healthcare provider intentionally breaks a pregnant person’s amniotic sac

Diabetes warning signs should be taken seriously as soon as you notice them. Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to future life-threatening health problems if left untreated

A collapse—your legs suddenly give way and you fall to the ground—is called by many names: fainting, passing out, losing consciousness. The medical term for fainting is syncope (SINK-a-pee)

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing

The Karpman triangle (or drama triangle) is a theoretical model of dysfunctional interaction that is used in power and responsibility relationships in conflicts

The resting cardiac echocolordoppler (or echocardiogram) is a test through which the doctor can visualise the heart on a special computer, called an echocardiograph, thanks to the ultrasound transmitted by the probe that is placed on the…

What is constipation? We may know it by another name: constipation, the term used to refer to an extremely common intestinal problem, associated with risk factors such as an unbalanced diet lacking in foods that promote good bowel motility,…

Cholangitis is a severe inflammation (also known as inflammation) of the bile ducts that occurs when there is a mechanical blockage of the bile ducts

Amputation is surgery to remove all or part of a limb or extremity. You may need an amputation if you’ve undergone a severe injury or infection or have a health condition like peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Echocardiography is a method by which the heart and blood flow through the valves are studied using ultrasound

Paediatric intubation is a procedure that must be fully understood: prematurity and immature development of the pulmonary system, severe illness, trauma, overdose, aspiration, and other cardiopulmonary conditions call for protection of the…

Occasionally, even if the circumstances during pregnancy seem normal, catastrophic injuries can still occur. Though uncommon, brain injuries can happen shortly, before, during or after birth, so it’s important to raise awareness for mothers…

According to the new DSM 5 classification (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2013) bulimia nervosa falls under the diagnostic category of nutrition and eating disorders

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that can cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. While there are many obvious symptoms of RA, there are also some subtle ones that people often ignore Let’s discuss three of the most common…

Let's talk about ocular hypertension: taking care of one's eyes is just as important as taking care of other parts of the body, but we often underestimate the warning signs until the disorder becomes unbearable

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder that causes an increase in the wall thickness of the left ventricle

Measuring blood pressure regularly is one of the main rules for preventing and recognising possible hypertension: let's find out what the normal values are and the general indications for measurement

With an almost unpronounceable name, pterygium is an eye disease characterised by an irregular whitish growth on the corneal membrane

A workplace free from accidents and work-related injuries attracts employees. They are more satisfied and productive in a safe working environment

Addictions are defined as the inability to do without a person (psychological addiction) or the incoercible need for a drug or substance

Echocardiography (or echocardiogram) is a method by which the heart and blood flow through the valves are studied using ultrasound

Amnioinfusion is a procedure that adds amniotic fluid to your uterus during labor. Not having enough amniotic fluid can cause pregnancy and delivery complications. It’s only performed in a certain circumstances

Chemical burns must be treated as a medical emergency. This is because many chemicals commonly used at home, school, or work can cause severe burns to the skin and may cause deeper burns than they look

The medical emergency motorcycle (MEM) is an essential, almost indispensable means of rescue in certain scenarios. In city centres, in forested mountain areas, on the beaches of our coastlines, at crucial points on the motorway network:…

When you are exposed to a harmful substance, it can lead to poisoning. This can be due to injecting, swallowing, breathing, or other means

Brain and head injuries in childhood aren’t something a parent wants to experience. These injuries can severely affect a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being

Binge eating disorder, or BED, is the most important pathological manifestation of eating behaviour included in the category of atypical eating disorders

Headache is the medical term for headache. Although ordinary people talk generically about headaches, in reality it is not a single problem: in fact, there are many different forms of headache

Hypertension: High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in Western countries

Coloboma is a rare condition affecting the eye: it is a malformation that can affect various eye structures such as the iris, choroid, retina and optic nerve

It can be easy to blame your abdominal pain on indigestion or stress. But sometimes the pain is more serious, and you’ll need to see a doctor to diagnose appendicitis or any other more serious abdominal conditions

In the presence of an atrial sept defect, the wall separating the atria in the heart, normally intact, has a defect that causes the heart organ to overwork

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, refers to an abnormal growth of lymphocyte precursors or lymphoblasts

Respiratory disease in early childhood linked to higher risk of death in adulthood. Contracting a lower respiratory tract infection in early childhood is associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult, according…

Stroke action first aid: A stroke occurs when blood flow in the brain is interrupted by a blockage or bleed in one of the blood vessels

Echocardiography is a method by which the heart and blood flow through the valves are studied using ultrasound Unlike the radiation used in radiology, ultrasound is harmless, so no precautions are necessary and the test can be performed on…

Alpha-blockers are a class of medications that mainly treat high blood pressure, as well as certain conditions affecting your circulatory system, prostate and can help with treating certain types of tumors

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation uses donor stem cells to treat and sometimes cure certain blood disorders and blood cancers

What is ghosting? This term has been introduced into the common vocabulary in recent years and literally means "ghosting - disappearing like a ghost", it is a phenomenon that has developed with the massive spread of social media and dating…

Gender medicine is a new science, born in the 1990s. It seems strange to think of it, but until then science had never posed the problem of a possible differential response to drugs of men and women, as well as a difference between the…

Of narcissism we have already spoken, we have tasted the arrogance and presumption of the grandiose one

Tricuspid atresia is a congenital heart defect that is caused by the failure of the tricuspid valve to develop

Endotracheal suctioning is one of the most commonly performed interventions in the neonatal/pediatric intensive care unit and other emergency situations, but this practice requires special attention to the neonatal and paediatric airway

Australian aerospace company AMSL Aero and critical care air medical retrieval service CareFlight have used their partnership to fit out Vertiia with a medical cabin

Marking this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD23), International Council of Nurses President, Dr Pamela Cipriano, calls for greater efforts to be made to bring about gender equality in relation to the use of digital technology in…

8 March, International Women's Day: sexual and gender-based violence are "a global phenomenon, women must be supported every day"

Suffocation (also called 'asphyxia') is the condition in which normal breathing is impeded due to various direct or indirect factors that prevent the proper exchange of gas with the environment

Stress echocardiography allows the doctor to observe what changes occur in the heart when subjected to a stimulus, or 'stress', which can be either physical, i.e. induced by a patient's muscular effort, or pharmacological

Once the acute phase of the Covid epidemic is over, it is still important to know when a respiratory infection should be considered an emergency

Increasing omega-3 fatty acids in the diet would reduce anxiety and the production of cytokines, i.e., substances produced by the cells of the immune system that promote inflammation

Electrical burn injuries can damage the body tissue or internal organs when a person comes into direct contact with an electrical current

Colposcopy is a second-level test that is performed when the pap test has detected lesions or abnormalities, allowing further investigation of the condition of the tissues of the cervix and vagina

In Mid Wales the Ambulance Service has welcomed Dill, its first therapy dog. A solution to the increasing stress and burnout that is affecting ambulance crews as elsewhere in the world

Coronary atherosclerosis is a disease that affects arterial vessels, leading to the formation of plaques, with a lipid content, in the arteries that carry blood to the heart

TASD and sleep disorders: about 70% of people with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) have sleep disorders

An allergy blood test checks your blood for increased levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The test can help detect allergies to foods, pets, pollen or other irritating substances

Smoking and anxiety: How many smokers are convinced that lighting up a cigarette reduces anxiety and stress? And that quitting would make them feel more nervous? Probably most, considering the frequency with which they resort to this act if…

Acne is a dermatological condition that is very common among the world's population and affects approximately 85-90% of adolescents

Blepharitis - from the Greek blepharon: 'eyelid' and -ite: suffix indicating inflammation - consists of chronic inflammation of the free edge of the eyelid

Have you ever experienced drinking a hot cup of coffee and accidentally spilling it? You might have experienced scalding water burn. Many burns are often caused by dry heat, chemical, and electrical burns

Colitis, also called irritable bowel syndrome, is a disorder related to alterations in the peristaltic movement of the colon, due to various causes

Common illnesses in spring: most of us recognize spring as allergy season. There’s more at play than just allergies. Here is a guide to understanding springtime health conditions, how to recognize them, and when to seek the advice of your…

Intubation can make the difference between life and death. Doctors and nurses perform this procedure on patients who are unable to breathe on their own

In case of choking with airway obstruction, first of all it is advisable to recognise the symptoms of partial or total obstruction of the larynx or trachea

Airbus Helicopters and International SOS join forces to launch a programme to improve next-generation emergency medical systems

Anorexia nervosa was included in the DSM 5 (2013) in the broader diagnostic category called Nutrition and eating disorders

Coeliac disease is an immune reaction to the consumption of gluten, a protein found in some commonly used cereals, such as wheat, barley and rye

Cirrhosis of the liver refers to the advanced stage of fibrosis (scarring) of the liver, which can be caused by many other diseases, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a disorder of bone fragility chiefly caused by mutations is the COL1A1 and COL1A2 that encode type I procollagen

We often hear about the cornea, but perhaps without really knowing what it is and what it is used for, this very thin membrane about half a millimetre thick

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder (PD) are among the most common mental disorders and can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life and interrupt important activities of daily living

The defibrillator is a life-saving device that performs a correct analysis on the patient to recognise the presence of any heart rhythms that should be defibrillated

Several disorders affect the biliary system and interfere with normal drainage of bile into the duodenum. Cholecystitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder

Rectal cancers account for about 30% of all new cases of large bowel cancer (23% in women and 32% in men) In Italy, cancers (carcinomas) of the large intestine are among the most frequent (13% of new cancers diagnosed per year in both…

Aortic stenosis is a very common valve disease in Western countries; men between 60 and 70 years of age are most affected

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the spine at the dorso-lumbar and cervical levels and the sacroiliac joints

Autism spectrum disorders: Schema Therapy (Young, 1990; Young et al., 2003) constitutes an integrated therapeutic approach, which bases its foundation on the concept of the person's emotional needs

A fall that results in injury can cost lives. Alarming statistics tell us that, globally, an estimated 646,000 fatal falls occur each year, representing the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries, after road accidents.…

Have you ever felt an almost stinging discomfort in your eyelids and woken up the next morning with a swollen and reddened eye? If you have, it was most likely a stye

Know Before You Go: every wheelchair user is entitled to the freedoms and benefits of travel. Safe wheelchair transportation is essential for completing some activities of daily living (ADLs)