Kidney stones

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Medications
• Other Treatments
• Complications
• Prevention
• Resources
• References

• Patients who have the most common type of gastric bypass surgery, the Roux-en-Y, are at increased risk for kidney stones, beginning 6 months after surgery, according to a study published in 2006.

• Calcium stones form when there is an imbalance in the urine substances that promote and block the formation of stones. Often, the cause of this imbalance is unknown.
• Having acidic urine or too much uric acid in the body leads to the formation of uric acid stones.
• Struvite stones are almost always caused by urinary tract infections due to bacteria that produce certain enzymes.
• Other stones, including cystine and xanthine stones, are usually due to genetic abnormalities.

• In about 85% of patients, the kidney stones are small enough that they pass through normal urination, usually within 2 - 3 days.
• Certain medications can prevent recurrence of stones in people who are at high risk.
• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a technique that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to break up simple stones in the kidney or upper urinary tract. The shock waves are delivered from outside the body.
• Surgery may be necessary if the stone or stones are too big to pass, and cannot be broken down through ESWL.
• A change of diet and increased drinking of fluids, especially water, will help prevent a recurrence.

Parkinson's disease

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Risk Factors
• Complications
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Levadopa (L-dopa)
• Other Medications
• Surgery
• Lifestyle Changes
• Resources
• References

• In 2007, the FDA approved the first skin patch drug for treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Transdermal rotigotine (Neupro) is a dopamine agonist drug that may help improve symptoms of early-stage Parkinson’s disease. The patch is applied daily.
• Rivastigimine (Exelon), an Alzheimer’s disease drug, was approved in 2006 for treatment of mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Brain tumors - primary

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Risk Factors
• Causes
• Prognosis
• Diagnosis
• Common Brain Tumors
• Treatment
• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Other Treatments
• Treatment of Complications...
• Resources
• References

• Radiation therapy in children with cancer increases the risk of new brain and spinal cord tumors, suggests a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The risk appears to increase along with the radiation dosage. Children who receive radiotherapy before age 5 are especially at risk for second primary tumors.
• Survivors of childhood brain tumors who received cranial radiotherapy as part of their treatment are at risk for later having a stroke, indicates a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. - 0 Comments
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Skin cancer

• Signs and Symptoms
• What Causes It?
• Who's Most At Risk?
• What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
• Treatment Options
• Prognosis/Possible Complications
• Following Up
• Supporting Research

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form and accounts for 90% of all skin cancers. - 0 Comments
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