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

A urostomy is a urinary diversion surgery that creates a permanent opening, called a stoma, in the abdominal wall so urine can leave the body. A surgeon typically uses a small piece of intestine to connect the ureters to the stoma, and urine collects in an external pouch. It is used for bladder cancer, severe trauma or congenital defects.

Valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that widens a narrowed heart valve to restore blood flow. A cardiologist threads a catheter through a blood vessel to the heart and inflates a balloon inside the stiffened valve, then removes it. It reduces the heart's workload, can relieve symptoms and may delay or prevent the need for valve replacement.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgery that treats obstructive sleep apnea by removing or restructuring tissue in the throat, sometimes including the soft palate, uvula and tonsils, to open the airway. It may be recommended when CPAP and weight loss have not worked. UPPP eliminates sleep apnea entirely in some people, while others improve but still need CPAP.

Vaginal rejuvenation is a range of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures intended to enhance the appearance or function of the female genitalia, such as labiaplasty or laser and radiofrequency treatments that boost collagen. They are often marketed for tightness and moisture but are not medical treatments for pelvic floor injuries, so discuss evidence-based alternatives with a healthcare provider.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a treatment that sends regular, mild electrical pulses to the brainstem through the vagus nerve in the neck. It is FDA-approved as an add-on for focal seizures not controlled by medication, for long-term major depression unresponsive to other treatments and for arm and hand weakness after stroke. It is considered when traditional treatments have failed.

Thrombolytic therapy is an emergency treatment that uses medications called thrombolytic agents to dissolve blood clots that have suddenly blocked blood flow. Clearing the blockage helps prevent permanent tissue damage in heart attacks and strokes. It is given through an IV or a catheter at the clot and works best when given immediately after symptoms start.

A vaginectomy is surgery that removes vaginal tissue, usually to treat vaginal cancer that has not responded to radiation or chemotherapy. It may be partial, total or radical, depending on the cancer's location, size and stage. It is done under general anesthesia and can take up to two hours, followed by a hospital stay and weeks of limited activity.

VA-ECMO is a life support system for severe heart or lung failure that draws blood from the veins, oxygenates it through an external membrane and returns it to the arteries so vital organs keep receiving oxygen. It is typically used for five to seven days, letting the heart and lungs rest and recover during emergencies such as heart attacks.

Prescription skincare is medical-grade products with higher concentrations of active ingredients than over-the-counter options, prescribed by dermatologists for conditions such as severe acne, rosacea, melasma and early skin cancers. They work more deeply to stimulate collagen and cell renewal. Results typically appear within weeks, but side effects such as dryness or UV sensitivity require professional guidance.

The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive surgery that corrects a sunken chest by placing metal bars under the breastbone to push it forward. Typically performed on teenagers, it takes up to four hours, and the bars stay in for three years before removal. Most patients see immediate results, improved lung and heart function, and low recurrence.

The Norwood procedure is a heart surgery for infants born with an underdeveloped left heart, mainly hypoplastic left heart syndrome. By connecting the right ventricle to the aorta and placing a shunt for lung blood flow, it lets the right side do the work of both ventricles. This Stage 1 operation is typically performed within the first weeks of life.

Sedatives are prescription medications that slow central nervous system activity by boosting the effects of GABA in the brain. They are mainly used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders and seizures and for sedation during procedures. They can cause drowsiness and slowed breathing, and because they are habit-forming and can be addictive, they require careful medical supervision.

Septostomy, also called balloon atrial septostomy, is a life-saving procedure that widens or creates a hole in the wall between the heart's two upper chambers so oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood can mix. It is mainly used in newborns with cyanotic heart defects. It is a temporary fix rather than a cure, and the baby needs repair surgery soon after.

Septal myectomy is an open-heart surgery that treats hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition in which the heart muscle thickens. The surgeon removes part of the thickened septum between the lower chambers so blood flows out of the heart more easily. It is usually recommended when medicines fail, and in one study, 94% of people had symptom improvement.

Schema therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to treat chronic mental health conditions, particularly personality disorders. It focuses on identifying and changing schemas, long-standing self-defeating patterns of thought and behavior that usually develop in childhood. It helps patients understand automatic emotional responses and build healthier coping, and is highly effective for borderline personality disorder.

Scoliosis bracing is a treatment for moderate spinal curvature in children and adolescents whose bones are still growing. A brace applies consistent, gentle pressure to the spine to keep the curve from progressing as the child grows. Most providers recommend wearing it between 16 and 23 hours every day to stabilize the spine and help avoid surgery later.

Scalp micropigmentation is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that deposits tiny dots of medical-grade pigment into the scalp to mimic natural hair follicles. Often called a hair tattoo, it masks thinning areas, bald spots or scars and creates a long-lasting illusion of fuller hair or a buzz cut. It suits conditions including alopecia and male pattern baldness.

Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid contact lenses that vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white of the eye, the sclera. They create a fluid-filled reservoir that keeps the eye hydrated and masks irregular corneal shapes. They are mainly used for severe dry eye, keratoconus and complex refractive errors that standard lenses cannot correct.

A root canal is a treatment that removes infected pulp from inside a tooth, usually after a deep cavity or crack lets bacteria in. The dentist numbs the area, removes the pulp, disinfects and fills the tooth and seals it, and a crown is placed later. Without treatment, the infection can spread and damage the jawbone.

Saline solution is a mixture of water and salt, typically sodium chloride, used for rinsing sinuses, cleaning wounds and flushing eyes. Normal saline contains 0.9% salt, matching the balance of human blood. It can be made at home for nasal irrigation with distilled or boiled water, but sterile store-bought saline is essential for eye care to prevent infection.

Robotically assisted heart surgery is a minimally invasive procedure in which a surgeon uses a computer-enhanced robotic system to operate on the heart through small incisions between the ribs instead of opening the chest. The surgeon stays in control at all times. The approach can mean smaller scars, less pain, fewer infections and a quicker return to daily life.

The RICE method is a first-aid strategy for soft tissue injuries that reduces inflammation and pain: rest the injured area, apply ice for 10-20 minute intervals, use a compression bandage to limit swelling and elevate the limb above heart level. It works best when started immediately after injury, while awaiting a medical diagnosis or natural healing.

Rezum therapy is a 30-minute outpatient procedure that uses water vapor to treat an enlarged prostate. A urologist delivers precise bursts of steam through the urethra to destroy excess prostate cells, which the body absorbs over several weeks, shrinking the gland and opening the urinary channel. It suits men over 50 seeking quick recovery without long-term medication.

Retinol is a topical vitamin A derivative that improves skin by speeding cell turnover and collagen production. It treats acne, fine lines, large pores and hyperpigmentation by exfoliating the skin and keeping pores clear. Because it can be irritating, apply a pea-sized amount at bedtime, starting every other day so the skin can adjust.