Updated Articles and Resources

By Jennifer Heisler, RN, About.com Guide

I want to be an ER doctor Created: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Why I want to become a doctor.
Urinary Catheters Explained Created: Sunday, April 28, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
If you need a urinary catheter, you may have questions about how it will be inserted, how long the catheter will stay in place and how to care for your urinary catheter. Learn more about urinary c...
What Is a PET Scan Created: Sunday, April 28, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
Have you been told you need a PET scan? Find out what you can expect during a PET scan, the risks associated with PET scans, the reasons a PET scan may be done and how you can prepare for your scan.
Acute Abdomen: What Is It? Created: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
What is an acute abdomen? Does an acute abdomen mean surgery is necessary? Find out what the term acute abdomen means.
Prostatitis Definition Created: Sunday, May 02, 2010 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Learn more about prostatitis, including what prostatitis is, what causes prostatitis and more. The risks of prostatitis are also discussed.
Podiatry Defined - What is a Podiatrist Created: Monday, July 21, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Podiatry explained. What is podiatry, what does a podiatrist do, when do you need a podiatrist.
Central Lines: Why Is a Central Line Necessary? Created: Saturday, March 30, 2013 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
A central line is a specialized type of intravenous catheter. Find out why a central line may be necessary, the risks associated with central lines, and what a central line can do that a typical I...
Understanding Common Blood Tests And What They Mean Created: Sunday, September 30, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
If you are having surgery, your physician may want to order blood work to determine how healthy you are before the procedure. Find out about common blood tests such as a CBC, Chem 7, ABG, H&H, PT, ...
Post Operative Defined Created: Sunday, June 14, 2009 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
What does post operative mean? When does the post operative period end? What happens during the post operative phase of surgery? Learn these things and more!
An In-Depth Look at Breast Cancer Surgeries Created: Sunday, August 17, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Explaining surgery for breast cancer from diagnostic procedures to the differences between lumpectomy and mastectomy. Also reconstruction after surgery, men and breast cancer, exercise and sex afte...
Heart Valve Replacements Created: Saturday, March 21, 2009 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Considering heart valve replacement? Learn the differences between heart valves and how to choose a replacement heart valve.
Hysterectomy Interview With Lesa - Pain With Periods & Sex Created: Thursday, February 12, 2009 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
If you are a young woman considering having hysterectomy surgery, you are not the only one. Find out what you can expect from another young woman who had the surgery in this interview.
About Tonsillectomy Surgery Created: Saturday, September 06, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 28, 2013
What happens during a tonsillectomy surgery? An explanation of the tonsillectomy procedure, the type of anesthesia used and the length of the surgery.
Sepsis - Survivor Stories of Sepsis Created: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Sepsis can strike anyone, whether they are young or old, healthy or unhealthy. Share your experience with sepsis, a life-threatening bacterial infection of the blood. If you, or someone you know, ...
Complications After Prostate Surgery Created: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Are you concerned about the complications that can happen after prostate surgery? Find out what complications are associated with prostate surgery.
Prostate Surgery In Detail Created: Sunday, July 11, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Do you need information about prostate surgery? Find out what you need to know about prostate surgery procedures, the differences between prostate surgeries and more.
Sepsis and Septic Shock: Understanding Serious Infections Created: Friday, October 28, 2011 Updated: Monday, March 25, 2013
The diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock is a serious one. Find out what sepsis is, the difference between sepsis and septic shock, and how they are diagnosed and treated.
Procalcitonin Results and What They Mean Created: Monday, March 25, 2013 Updated: Monday, March 25, 2013
Procalcitonin is a blood test that is used to help diagnose sepsis. Find out what the results of the test mean, about normal and elevated procalcitonin level interpretation, and how they are used ...
Breast Surgery: The Types of Breast Surgery Explained Created: Saturday, June 20, 2009 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Considering breast surgery? Learn about the types of breast surgeries that are available, including videos of breast surgery and more.
Before and After Hysterectomy Surgery Created: Friday, January 30, 2009 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ)about hysterectomy surgery. Find out what to expect before and after a hysterectomy.
Chest Tubes: What Is a Chest Tube? Created: Sunday, May 03, 2009 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
What is a chest tube and how is a chest tube inserted? Find out how chest tubes are placed, why a chest tube is put in, and how a chest tube is removed. Learn why a chest tube is used and when a ch...
Question and Answer: Hypertension Causes Created: Monday, July 28, 2008 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Learn about the causes of primary hypertension, secondary hypertension and white coat hypertension. Find out why hypertension can happen after surgery when your blood pressure was normal before th...
Preventing and Treating Hemorrhoids Created: Thursday, September 01, 2011 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, can be very uncomfortable and even painful. Learn more about hemorrhoid surgery, home treatments and ways to prevent hemorrhoids from forming.
What You Need To Know About Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery Created: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
When is hemorrhoid surgery necessary and what should you know before choosing to have the hemorrhoidectomy procedure? Find valuable information about hemorrhoid surgery here.
Common Causes of Hemorrhoids Created: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
What are the causes of hemorrhoids and how can you prevent a hemorrhoid from forming? Find out what you can do to prevent hemorrhoids from forming, or from reoccurring.
Fever After Surgery Created: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
What are the causes of fever after surgery? Find out what causes a temperature after surgery, when a fever after surgery is an emergency and when to call your surgeon about a fever.
Tests Before Surgery Created: Sunday, March 08, 2009 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Tests are very common before surgery. Find out what tests you can expect to have before your procedure, what the results mean and why the test is being performed.
Prostate Surgery: What You Need to Know Created: Thursday, August 05, 2010 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Are you looking for information about prostate surgery? Find information about what happens during prostate surgery, a comparison of prostate surgery procedures and more.
What Are the Symptoms of a Prostate Gland Problem? Created: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
What are the signs and symptoms of a prostate problem? Find out the symptoms of a prostate gland problem, what signs may indicate prostate issues and what to look for if you suspect a prostate issue.
Augmentation Surgery Definition Created: Thursday, February 18, 2010 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Considering an augmentation surgery? Find out what augmentation surgery is, types of augmentation surgery that are available and more.
Transfusions of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) Created: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
What are packed red blood cells--PRBCs--and why are they given? Find out more about transfusions of packed red blood cells.
Organ Transplants Created: Thursday, July 24, 2008 Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013
Do you or a loved one need an organ transplant? Find out what you need to know about organ transplant surgery,

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