Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Version or turning
Version or turning: the name given to an operation in obstetrics consisting of turning the fetus in the uterus if the former is lying in an abnormal position which may make eventual delivery difficult. In particular, version (which can take place spontaneously) may be done on a fetus between the 34th and 37th weeks of…
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Van den bergh test
A test done on serum from patients with jaundice to discover whether the excess bilirubin in the blood which causes the jaundice is conjugated or unconjugated. If conjugated, this indicates that haemolysis is causing the jaundice; if unconjugated, disease of the liver or bile duct is the likely diagnosis. A diagnostic procedure for measuring bilirubin…
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Ursodeoxycholic acid
A preparation used in the treatment of cholesterol gall-stones when laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic biliary procedures cannot be used. A medication employed for the purpose of dissolving gallstones. Ursodeoxycholic acid is considered appropriate only when the stones are composed entirely of cholesterol and the gallbladder is functioning without any issues. Although side effects of the…
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Urine retention
This occurs when urine is produced by the kidney but not voided by the bladder. It is generally less serious than anuria, in which urine is not produced.
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Diseases of urinary bladder
Diseases of the urinary bladder are diagnosed by the patient’s symptoms and signs, examination of the urine, and using investigations such as x-rays and ultrasound scans. The interior of the bladder can be examined using a cystoscope, which is a fibreoptic endoscope that is passed into the bladder via the urethra.
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Urethral syndrome
A group of symptoms of unknown cause. It mainly affects women, and occasionally men, with pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, a frequent urge to urinate and, in women, pain in the area of the vulva. Investigation rarely results in any abnormal findings. Post-menopausal women, who are the most common sufferers, may have inflammation…
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Ureaplasma
A group of micro-organism which plays a larger part in the causation of disease than was at one time suspected. One of them, Ureaplasma uralyticum, is now recognized as a cause of chronic prostatitis, non-specific urethritis.
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Upper limb disorders
A group of injuries resulting from overuse of a part of the limb. One example is tennis elbow (epicondylitis) caused by inflammation of the tendon attaching the extensor muscles of the forearm to the humerus because of overuse of the muscles. Overuse of the shoulder muscles may cause inflammation and pain around the joint. Perhaps…
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Ulcer healing drugs
A variety of drugs with differing actions are available for the treatment of peptic ulcer, the composite title covering gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Peptic ulceration may also involve the lower oesophagus, and after stomach surgery the junction of the stomach and small intestine. A category of medications employed for treating or preventing stomach or…
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Tri-lodothyronine
(T3) The substance which exerts the physiological action of thyroid hormone. It is formed in the body cells by the de-iodination of thyroxine (tetra-iodothyronine) which is the active principle secreted by the thyroid gland. It has also been synthesized, and is now available for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It is three times as potent as…
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