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

Reconstructive surgery is a medical specialty that rebuilds or repairs body parts that are damaged or malformed, whether from birth defects, infections, diseases like cancer or trauma. Its main goal is to restore normal appearance and function. Because it is considered medically necessary, it is typically covered by insurance providers.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy a small area of nerve tissue, creating a lesion that blocks pain signals. It may ease chronic spine or joint pain for some people, although the evidence for back pain is mixed, offering an alternative to surgery and reducing the need for pain medications.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is most often used after surgery to eliminate remaining microscopic cancer cells, greatly lowering the chance of recurrence. Treatment is personalized to the cancer's location and type, and techniques such as deep breath holds help protect the heart and lungs.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is a six-hour surgery that treats chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) by removing scar tissue and old blood clots from the pulmonary arteries while the patient is on a heart-lung machine. It is the only curative treatment for CTEPH and can reverse heart failure. Most patients return to normal routines within three months.

A prosthetic eye is a custom-built medical insert that replaces the appearance of a natural eye lost to injury, illness or congenital conditions. It restores facial symmetry and protects the eye socket's sensitive tissues. Modern prosthetics are typically made of acrylic, custom-painted to match the remaining eye, and can last up to five years with proper care.

Prophylactic antibiotics are preventive medications that stop bacterial infections before they take hold. They are most commonly used before surgeries, after animal bites or for people with chronic conditions that raise infection risk, given as a single dose or short course. They significantly lower the chance of illness but are prescribed carefully to limit side effects and antibiotic resistance.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that helps people manage chronic lung diseases like COPD, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. A multidisciplinary team guides supervised exercise, breathing retraining and education to improve breathing control, strength and activity tolerance. Most programs last between six and 12 weeks, aiming to reduce shortness of breath, build strength and support mental health.

Progestin is a human-made hormone used to supplement or replace natural progesterone. It is a core part of many birth control methods and hormone replacement therapies, and it also treats endometriosis, regulates irregular periods and supports fertility treatment. Providers tailor the specific type to each patient, balancing its benefits against common side effects such as mood changes or headaches.

Psychoanalysis is an intensive, long-term therapy that explores the unconscious mind to understand how hidden thoughts and early childhood experiences shape current behavior. Through frequent sessions, often three to five times per week, patients work with a therapist to uncover repressed emotions and resolve inner conflicts. It aims to provide deep insight, improving mental health and relationships over several years.

The P-Shot is a 30-minute experimental procedure in which platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is injected into the penis to theoretically promote tissue healing and blood flow. Although marketed for erectile dysfunction, there is no substantial scientific evidence supporting it. It costs over $1,000, is not covered by insurance and can cause bruising and swelling. Consult a urologist first.

Proctocolectomy is the surgical removal of the colon and rectum, used for conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or cancer. It can be done with open or laparoscopic techniques. Afterward, waste is redirected through a stoma into an external bag (ileostomy) or into a surgically created internal reservoir (J-pouch) connected to the anus.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a high-precision form of external radiation that targets tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Using a linear accelerator, oncologists adjust beam intensity to deliver varying doses to specific areas. This lets them treat tumors near sensitive organs effectively, focusing high doses on the cancer while reducing the risk and severity of side effects.

A prosthetic hand is a custom-built artificial device that replaces a missing portion of the hand or the entire hand. It is used by individuals with amputations or congenital limb differences to perform daily tasks and maintain physical balance. These devices operate through various mechanisms, including body-powered cables or electronic muscle impulses, allowing users to regain functional independence.

A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a long, flexible tube inserted into an upper arm vein that travels to the large vein above the heart. It provides long-term access for treatments lasting weeks to months, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics or IV nutrition, avoiding repeated needle pokes. It requires careful maintenance to prevent infection and blockage.

Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare specialty that improves how the body moves, manages pain and supports recovery after surgery or injury. It combines active movements such as strength training and stretching with passive techniques such as massage and heat. It treats conditions from sports injuries to Parkinson's, with improvement usually over weeks or months.

Photopheresis, or extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy (ECP), is a procedure that uses ultraviolet light to modify white blood cells. A machine separates lymphocytes, treats them with a light-sensitizing agent and UVA light, and returns them, reprogramming them to attack cancer or stop attacking healthy organs. It is safe and painless but requires strict sun protection for 24 hours afterward.

Phosphate binders are medications that attach to phosphorus in the stomach and intestines so the body can excrete it in stool. They are critical for people with kidney failure, because high phosphate levels can cause bone disease, heart attacks and strokes. Types include calcium-based and non-calcium options like sevelamer, and they must be taken within minutes of eating.

A permanent pacemaker is a medical device that corrects heart rhythm problems by delivering electrical impulses to the heart chambers. It is typically recommended for arrhythmias, heart blocks or heart failure. The device is placed under the skin of the chest, with leads connecting to the heart. It prevents life-threatening rhythm disruptions and relieves symptoms like fainting or dizziness.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical procedure that reopens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart. A cardiologist guides a catheter to the blockage, inflates a small balloon to widen the artery and usually places a drug-eluting stent. It treats atherosclerosis, relieves chest pain and minimizes heart damage during a heart attack.

A peripheral artery bypass is an operation to treat severe arterial blockages from plaque, mainly in the legs. A vascular surgeon attaches a graft above and below the blockage, creating a detour that carries blood to oxygen-deprived tissues. It is recommended for significant pain, non-healing sores or tissue death. Recovery takes several weeks, and results are durable.

Penicillin is a group of antibiotic medications that treat bacterial infections by attaching to and destroying bacterial cell walls. It is used for conditions from ear infections and strep throat to meningitis and syphilis, and includes natural forms and semi-synthetic versions like amoxicillin. Finishing the entire prescription is essential to kill all bacteria and reduce antibiotic resistance.

Perineoplasty is a surgery that repairs or reshapes the perineum to address problems such as complications from vaginal tears, bowel incontinence and perineal pain. It removes excess skin or scar tissue and tightens the muscles at the vaginal opening without changing the internal vaginal canal. Recovery typically takes six to eight weeks, with activity and hygiene restrictions.

Pericardiectomy is the surgical removal of the heart's protective membrane to treat chronic stiffness or inflammation, most commonly constrictive pericarditis. It lets the heart chambers fill completely, preventing fluid backup in the lungs and swelling in the body. It is a major cardiac operation needing six to eight weeks for recovery, but it offers a definitive cure for many patients.

A peak flow meter is a portable, handheld device that measures peak expiratory flow, the maximum speed you can blow air out of your lungs in one breath. Used mainly for asthma, it helps detect airway narrowing before symptoms occur. Comparing daily readings with your personal best shows when your condition is stable, worsening or needs emergency care.