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What are the risks of pacemaker surgery in elderly patients?

The body has its own pacemaker called the sinus node, and it is located in the right atrium, explains Everyday Health. The sinus node produces small electric impulses that trigger the atriums to contract, sending blood to the body and brain. Irregular sinus node electrical impulses are cause arrhythmia, while a slow heart rhythm is called bradyarrhythmias.\nInserting an artificial pacemaker is not considered open surgery, as the device is small and only needs a little skin puncture, says A Place for Mom. One end of the wires is inserted into the heart’s vein close to the right atrium. The ot..

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What are the signs of a heart attack?

Heart attack symptoms vary by person, according to the American Heart Association. Some people experience serious heart attacks without apparent discomfort, while others present the more typical pain and difficulty with breathing. Among women, the usual signs of a heart attack are somewhat different from those common to men, and the signs can sometimes be mistaken for symptoms of seasonal flu or acid reflux.\nWomen having heart attacks may experience chest pain similar to men, though the chest pain associated with women's heart attacks can be transient or cyclic, notes the American Heart ..

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Can an infected tooth make you sick?

An infected tooth, also known as an abscess, is caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria from an infected tooth can travel into the cheek, gums, throat, tongue and even the jaw and facial bones, according to WebMD. It can also be intensely painful and cause inflammation of the surrounding tissues. In severe cases, a tooth infection can lead to airway obstruction and cause difficulty breathing. Tooth infections can also cause nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills and sweating.\nAccording to an article in the New York Times, an infected tooth can also spread to the bones that support the teeth. It c..

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What are the most common root canal complications?

Endodontists can sometimes treat a new infection in and around a tooth after a root canal procedure with a second root canal, but sometimes surgery is required, WebMD explains. One procedure for this purpose is the root-end resection. This procedure removes the infected tissue, sometimes including the ends of the tooth roots, and may include adding a filling to the root canal to seal it. If the tooth is not salvageable, it must be removed. Dentists often use bridges, partial dentures or dental implants to replace lost teeth.\nA root canal is a procedure that treats a tooth that is badly decaye..

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What are some treatments for sun allergies?

The medications that can be used to treat sun allergies include over-the-counter and prescriptive corticosteroid-rich creams, says Mayo Clinic. A prednisone corticosteroid pill prescription may be a suitable remedy for a sun allergy that is more serious. Certain sun allergy types are also curable with hydroxychloroquine, which is a medication for malaria.\nTherapy for sun allergy is suitable for severe allergic reactions and involves gradual adaptation of the skin to the sun, states Mayo Clinic. During the therapy, the doctor projects ultraviolet light rays from a special lamp to skin parts th..

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What causes pain and tightness in the calf muscles?

People also experience tightness and pain in the calf muscles with tendinitis when tendons or muscles become inflamed or torn. A fracture or broken bone may cause pain and tightness within the calves in addition to a sprain, which is a result of ligaments overstretching, explains WebMD. It is also possible to experience pain in the calves when a blood clot develops in a vein located near the lower leg or thigh. Varicose veins that weaken valves and vein walls may cause a dull ache in the lower leg as well as a visible dark blue or purple set of veins on the legs.\nIf the skin is red, swollen, ..

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What is an easy way to treat a smashed fingernail?

If pain and swelling become severe and ice does reduce the swelling, an individual should contact a health care provider for guided assistance in draining the fingernail at home. The health care provider may provide steps for at-home care, or he may recommend coming in for a consultation, notes MedlinePlus.\nTo use a paperclip to drain blood pooled under the fingernail, the fingernail and the paperclip must be sanitary and disinfected. The individual should unbend the paper clip and heat one tip until it appears red. Using a pair of pliers to hold the paperclip helps prevent burns and stabiliz..

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What causes high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone?

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce a sufficient amount of hormones for the body. It is most common in females over age 60, according to Mayo Clinic. In its early stages, hyperthyroidism may not cause any symptoms; however, as it advances, it can result in weight gain, pain, infertility and heart diseases. The THS level is a common blood test for hyperthyroidism.\nPrior to the development of the THS test, detecting hypothyroidism was difficult and doctors were unable to diagnose the condition until it advanced to cause other symptoms. Because the test is the ..

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What are potential complications with a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy involves few risks and rarely leads to complications, notes Mayo Clinic. Doctors perform the test to identify abnormalities in the rectum and large intestine. They insert a colonoscope, which is a flexible tube with a small video camera at the edge, into the rectum to examine the entire colon. Doctors sometimes take a tissue sample for further examination or remove abnormal tissue, such as polyps.\nPhysicians perform a colonoscopy to detect problems such as colon cancer, explains Healthline. The procedure allows them to search for signs of a cancer; identify the cause of unexplai..

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Does Plan B affect the patient's next period?

After taking Plan B, women may notice the following differences to their periods:The period can arrive a few days late or early, or it can arrive on time.There may be light, unexpected bleeding before the period.The period can be lighter or heavier than usual.Abdominal cramps may be heavier.Women who do not have their period within three weeks of taking Plan B should take a pregnancy test to ensure it was effective. Plan B is most effective when taken within three days of unprotected sex, but the efficacy reduces over this period. Other side effects of the medication can include:Nausea, vomiti..

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