Posted on July 22nd, 2008
Endoscopy is a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system with a tiny camera on the end of a long flexible tube. Endoscopy is used to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the upper part of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). A doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist) uses endoscopy to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine (duodenum).
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Posted on July 21st, 2008
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. A capsule endoscopy camera sits inside a vitamin-sized capsule that you swallow. As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.
Capsule endoscopy helps doctors see inside your small intestine — an area that isn’t easily reached with more-traditional endoscopy procedures. Traditional endoscopy involves passing a long, flexible tube equipped with a video camera down your throat or through your rectum. Capsule endoscopy is usually initiated in your doctor’s office.
Capsule endoscopy is sometimes referred to as capsule enteroscopy or small bowel endoscopy.
Capsule endoscopy helps your doctor see inside your small intestine. Your small intestine, located between your stomach and your colon, can be difficult to reach with traditional endoscopy procedures. It can also be difficult to see on X-rays and other imaging tests.
Situations in which your doctor might recommend a capsule endoscopy procedure include: Read the rest »
Posted on July 13th, 2008
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which electric currents are passed through the brain, deliberately triggering a brief seizure. This seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can alleviate symptoms of certain mental illnesses. Yet 70 years after it was first introduced, electoconvulsive therapy remains controversial.
Much of the stigma attached to electroconvulsive therapy is based on early, brutal treatments in which high doses of electricity were administered without anesthesia, leading to memory loss and death.
Electroconvulsive therapy is quite different today. Although electroconvulsive therapy can still cause side effects and complications, it now uses precisely calculated electrical currents administered in a controlled setting to achieve the most benefit with the fewest possible risks.
Because it can provide significant improvements in symptoms more quickly than psychotherapy or medications, electroconvulsive therapy may be the best treatment option for some people. ECT may help prevent suicide in people who are severely depressed, for instance. It may be tried when medications aren’t tolerated or other forms of therapy haven’t proved effective. And it may be used to end an episode of severe mania.
ECT is most commonly recommended for people with: Read the rest »
