Gastrointestinal Fistula: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Gastrointestinal Fistula: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

A gastrointestinal fistula (GIF) is an abnormal opening in your digestive tract that causes gastric fluids to seep through the lining of your stomach or intestines. If you have a GIF, you’re more at risk for infection when these fluids…

Unveiling Aortoenteric Fistula (AEF): Diagnosis and Treatment Solutions

Recognizing and Treating Aortoenteric Fistula (AEF)

An aortoenteric fistula is a rare but life threatening complication of aortic surgery requiring immediate surgical repair. Early symptoms include abdominal pain or vomiting blood. A fistula is an abnormal connection between two spaces in your body. An aortoenteric fistula…

Thrombectomy and Thrombolysis: Understanding Stroke Treatment Options

What’s the Difference Between Thrombectomy and Thrombolysis?

Thrombectomy and thrombolysis are two medical procedures doctors use to treat blood clots. The one you need will depend on your circumstances. Aleksandr Zyablitskiy/Getty Images The primary difference between the two treatments is that thrombectomy involves surgically removing a blood…

Discover the Types of Vena Cava Filters: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Professionals

What Are the Types of Vena Cava Filters?

Vena cava filters may prevent blood clots in your veins from reaching your lungs. They may be permanent, long-term solutions or temporary screens that may be removed after a few weeks or months. The vena cava is the large vein…

Comprehensive Guide: Understanding Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome

Overview of Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare type of compression of the small intestine. It’s a treatable condition, but a delayed diagnosis can lead to more severe symptoms or even death. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome has gone by many…

Stents: A Comprehensive Guide to their Applications in Medical Procedures

What is a stent?

What is a stent? A stent is a tiny tube that your doctor can insert into a blocked passageway to keep it open. The stent restores the flow of blood or other fluids, depending on where it’s placed. Stents are…

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

Even if you’ve smoked for many years, you can reverse the harmful effects of smoking and experience health benefits from the first hours you stop smoking to the decades after you quit. Smoking releases thousands of chemicals into your body.…

The Vital Connection: Smoking and the Grave Risk of Lung Cancer

The Connection Between Smoking and Lung Cancer

Until the early 1900s, lung cancer was relatively rare. But as more people began to smoke, rates of lung cancer rose drastically. Not every person who smokes will develop lung cancer, but smoking significantly increases your odds. People who smoke are 15 to 30…