Doctor-Reviewed Health Guides: Conditions, Procedures & Health News

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is a surgical or minimally invasive procedure that seals a small pouch in the heart's left atrium where blood can collect and form clots in people with atrial fibrillation. Closing it can reduce stroke risk but does not treat Afib or eliminate all stroke risk. It is often done by catheter through a groin vein.

A leadless pacemaker is a one-piece device placed inside the heart's right ventricle through a catheter in a groin vein. It senses the heart's electrical signals and sends impulses when the rate is too slow or pauses occur, helping some people with bradycardia or heart block. Most models pace only one chamber, so it is not right for everyone.

Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment that uses concentrated light beams to remove or heat skin layers and stimulate new collagen. It may reduce wrinkles and scars, even pigmentation, tighten skin or remove lesions. Common approaches are CO2, erbium and fractional resurfacing. Recovery ranges from about one to two weeks, and a qualified clinician should assess candidacy first.

A laryngectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the larynx, or voice box, recommended when it is severely diseased or damaged, including from laryngeal cancer or irreversible trauma. A partial laryngectomy removes part of it, a total one removes all of it. The surgery changes breathing, eating and communication, and the care team supports recovery and stoma care.

A wearable defibrillator is a garment and monitor that continuously check the heart's electrical activity and can shock certain life-threatening rhythms. People at risk of sudden cardiac arrest may wear one while awaiting a permanent solution or evaluation. If it detects ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, it sounds an alarm and, without a response, delivers a shock.

Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle form of massage that moves excess lymph fluid from swollen tissues toward lymph vessels and nodes. It is mainly used to relieve lymphedema swelling, especially after breast cancer surgery, and uses light pressure unlike deep-tissue massage. It is not suitable for people with blood clots, infection, heart disease or kidney failure.

A lung transplant is surgery that removes a diseased or damaged lung and replaces it with a healthy donated lung; one lung, both lungs or the heart and lungs may be replaced. It may be considered when serious lung disease does not respond to other treatment. Lifelong immunosuppressant medicines are then needed to prevent rejection, which increases infection risk.

Lead extraction is the removal of one or more leads, the insulated wires connecting a pacemaker or ICD to the heart, often because of infection, breakage or malfunction. Under general anesthesia, an imaging-guided sheath frees the lead from scar tissue. The stay is typically overnight. Call your provider for breathing difficulty, fever above 101°F or unusual bleeding.

A laxative is a medicine that helps you have a bowel movement when constipated, by softening stool, drawing water into the colon, lubricating or stimulating colon muscles. Most are available without a prescription. Try lifestyle changes first, and take only the directed amount, since overdose is possible. Never give a child a laxative without a pediatrician's advice.

Limb-lengthening surgery is a procedure that gradually lengthens an arm or leg bone by dividing it into two segments and using a device to separate them so new bone forms between them. It may involve the humerus, radius, ulna, femur or tibia. Distraction lasts about two months, and the device is usually worn about three months per inch of growth.

A lumbar sympathetic block is an image-guided injection near the sympathetic nerves in the lower back. It may temporarily reduce leg or foot pain, help show whether those nerves contribute to pain or help manage pain after surgery. Relief varies: some people notice an immediate change, and longer-term relief may last from a few days to several weeks.

What is leukapheresis? Leukapheresis is a blood-processing procedure that removes white blood cells and returns the remaining blood to the bloodstream. It may be used when very high or rapidly multiplying white blood cells cause symptoms, and to collect stem cells or certain immune cells, such as for CAR T-cell therapy. It does not cure leukemia or other blood disorders.

A low-FODMAP diet is a short-term, structured eating plan that reduces certain fermentable carbohydrates to see whether digestive symptoms improve. If they do, foods are added back one at a time to identify triggers, with the goal of a varied diet avoiding only problem foods. It is often used for IBS or SIBO, ideally with a dietitian's guidance.

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an implanted mechanical pump that helps the left ventricle pump blood to the aorta and body. It is used in end-stage heart failure, as a bridge to heart transplant or as long-term destination therapy for people who are not transplant candidates. It works alongside the heart rather than replacing it.

Liposuction is a cosmetic operation that permanently removes fat cells from a chosen body area to smooth its contour. It is not a treatment for weight loss, obesity, cellulite or loose skin. Healthy adults with firm, elastic skin and stubborn localized fat may be candidates. Full healing can take up to six months, and risks include infection, bleeding and scarring.

LEEP is a short procedure that removes abnormal surface tissue from the cervix with an electrically heated wire loop, both treating cervical dysplasia and sending tissue for laboratory testing. It usually takes place in a gynecologist's office or outpatient setting. The person stays awake with local anesthesia and may feel a brief pinch, pressure or warmth during removal.

A lip flip is a nonsurgical treatment that uses botulinum toxin to relax the muscles around the upper lip so it turns slightly upward and looks fuller without added volume, unlike lip filler. Results appear in about one week and typically last two to five months. Get urgent advice for difficulty breathing, swallowing or talking, vision problems or muscle weakness.

Lip fillers are injections of synthetic hyaluronic acid that add volume to the lips, typically lasting about 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer. Pain usually improves within 12 to 24 hours and swelling within 24 to 48 hours. They should be given by an experienced provider such as a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, not a salon.

Yoga therapy is a personalized wellness process that applies yoga tools such as postures, breathwork and meditation to an individual's specific health needs. A certified therapist, typically with at least 1,000 hours of training, creates a safe practice plan for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety and neurological disorders. It is designed to complement, not replace, conventional healthcare.

Weight loss medications are drugs that help manage chronic weight issues by reducing hunger, increasing fullness or blocking fat absorption. They are typically prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or higher than 27 with a weight-related condition. Most adults lose between 3% and 12% of starting weight after one year, especially with lifestyle changes.

Vision therapy is a supervised program of eye exercises and training tools used to improve eye alignment, focusing, and coordination. Research supports it mainly for convergence insufficiency (trouble turning the eyes inward for close work) and accommodative dysfunction. Treatment usually lasts weeks to months and combines in-office visits with home practice, sometimes with prisms, patches, and special lenses.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure in which surgeons make small incisions between the ribs and insert a thoracoscope, a thin tube with a tiny camera, to view, diagnose and treat problems inside the chest. It is often used for lung resections and biopsies, and it offers shorter hospital stays, less pain and faster recovery.

Vascular surgery is an umbrella term for procedures that treat diseases of the blood vessels, including arteries, veins and capillaries, ranging from minimally invasive endovascular repairs to open operations. It treats conditions such as peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease and aortic aneurysms, helping prevent severe complications like limb loss, stroke or internal bleeding.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are implantable mechanical pumps that help a weakened heart circulate blood, mainly in advanced heart failure. They can support one or both ventricles and serve as a bridge to recovery or transplant or as permanent destination therapy. The system includes an internal pump and battery-powered external controller and requires blood-thinning medication.