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What are kidney stents?

The ureter is a muscular tube extending from the kidney to the bladder, explains KidneyChat.com. As such, it transports urine from the kidney to the bladder. If one or both ureters are blocked they prevent urine flow. Blockages within the urinary tract affecting urine flow are dangerous and can cause damage to and infection in the kidneys, and any blockages should be relieved to avoid dangerous complications.\nBlockages of the ureter may be caused by kidney stones or narrowing of the ureter, states KidneyChat.com. An operation on the ureter may cause a temporary blockage, and disease may also ..

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How do doctors use ultrasound imaging for diagnosing vascular problems?

An ultrasound probe or machine sends sound waves through the body's tissues, states the American Heart Association. The waves travel through different types of tissues at different speeds and then bounce back to return to the ultrasound device. The ultrasound device converts the wave patterns to an image, sound or chart to give the technician information about blood flow and the appearance of the blood vessels.\nTechnicians use small, handheld Doppler machines to determine blood pressure in the arms and legs, maintains the American Heart Association. This information specifically helps d..

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What risks are there to a DEXA bone scan?

The DEXA scan uses low-energy radiation to determine the patient's bone density, according to WebMD. Pregnant women should not have bone density scans due to the output of radiation, which is harmful to the fetus.\nSome DEXA scans are more accurate than others, depending on the sites that are measured. Measuring the spine and the hip bones proves to be more accurate than the measurements of the forearm or heel bones, reports the Mayo Clinic. However, the bone density test is unable to determine the exact cause of the problem, so further testing is needed.\nPatients are advised to speak wi..

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What is an annual physical exam?

Each physical exam varies in length and thoroughness depending on factors such as a patient's particular circumstances and concerns. WebMD explains that doctors and patients usually discuss the patient's personal and family medical history as well as habits and behaviors that impact upon health, including alcohol consumption, diet, exercise, smoking and sexual health. The doctor typically checks the patient's vital signs and may conduct a number of exams, including abdominal, dermatological, heart, lung, neurological, and head and neck exams.

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What are some characteristics of a suspicious mammogram?

Calcifications on a mammogram appear as small white spots, notes the American Cancer Society. Calcifications may be macrocalcifications, which are usually age-related or due to inflammation or previous injuries to the breast, or microcalcifications, which are more ominous and may be cause for concern. Radiologists evaluate the layout and shape of these tiny specks of calcium in the breast to determine the necessity of further studies, including biopsies, to rule out cancer.\nMasses in the breast tissue may be non-cancerous fluid-filled cysts or solid tumors, reports the American Cancer Society..

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What are the three types of paralytic polio?

Within a week of contracting the disease, people with paralytic polio start to display more serious symptoms such as loss of reflexes; severe weakness and aches in muscles; and loose or floppy limbs, a condition known as flaccid paralysis, explains Mayo Clinic. People with paralytic polio often have symptoms that are worse on one side of their bodies. Temporary or permanent muscle paralysis, disability, and deformities of the hips, ankles and feet are some of the possible complications of paralytic polio.

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What are some potential causes of burning back pain in the spine?

Neurological conditions are one of the most frequent causes of burning back pain, notes Healthgrades. Several neurological conditions, such as radiculopathy, cause burning pain in the spine. Radiculopathy, a pinched spinal nerve, is caused by aging.\nBurning spine pain that is a symptom of a disease may be accompanied by other back symptoms and symptoms in other parts of the body, including pricking sensations, rash, scarring and shock, advises Healthgrades.\nUntreated back pain may result in permanent nerve damage and serious complications. Burning back pain that is accompanied by high fever,..

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What are conditions associated with the fingers?

A trigger finger, which is a painful condition, is also called stenosing tenosynovitis. The cause of this condition is associated with inflammation of the tendon sheath under the finger that is affected, as reported by Mayo Clinic. This can affect the finger's movement, causing it to become bent. Treatment options can include the use of a splint, finger exercises, steroid injections or a surgical procedure.Although De Quervain's disease is also related to a tendon inflammation problem in the hand, the finger affected by this condition is the thumb. The condition causes pain up to the..

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What can stop the itch of shingles on the face and scalp?

According to WebMD, when these simple remedies do not work to stop itch, see a doctor in order to receive prescription treatments. If pain relief is not achieved, and a doctor is not consulted, long-term neurological damage can occur. This can cause pain and suffering for many weeks and months even after the shingles has cleared up.

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What do you need to do for jaw joint pain?

The causes of TMJ disorder include injuries, wear and tear, and damage from arthritis. It most commonly affects females between the ages of 20 and 40, indicates Mayo Clinic.\nPeople who chew or grind their teeth are more likely to suffer TMJ disorder, according to WebMD. Relaxation therapy and stress reduction therapy, including biofeedback, are also useful in reducing symptoms.\nAlong with pain in the jaw, TMJ disorders cause symptoms of pain surrounding the ear, facial pain and difficulty chewing. Some patients experience the jaw locking in an open or closed position, reports Mayo Clinic.\nA..

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