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

A parotidectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of the parotid salivary gland to treat tumors or obstructions. Performed under general anesthesia, it takes two to four hours and requires careful work around the facial nerve. Most patients return to normal activities within two weeks, though facial numbness can persist for months. Cancer cases need long-term monitoring.

Parenteral nutrition is the delivery of nutrients, including water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, directly into a vein through an IV catheter. It is used when the digestive tract does not work or needs rest because of surgery, obstruction or disease. Partial parenteral nutrition supplements eating, while total parenteral nutrition provides all daily nutritional needs.

Paravalvular leak closure is a procedure that fixes gaps between a prosthetic heart valve and the surrounding heart tissue. Instead of open-heart surgery, doctors guide a thin tube through a blood vessel and place a small plug in the leak. It is used when medication is insufficient and repeat surgery is too risky.

A palate expander is an oral appliance that treats dental crowding, crossbites and misaligned jaws by widening the upper arch. It applies gentle, steady pressure to the two halves of the palate, moving them apart while new bone fills the gap. It is most common in children aged 7 to 8 but can be used at any age.

NSAIDs are medications that block chemicals in the body responsible for inflammation, pain and fever. They treat muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual cramps and toothaches and come in over-the-counter and prescription strengths. Use them for the shortest time possible, a maximum of 10 days for pain or 3 days for fever, to avoid gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney damage.

A non-rebreather mask is a medical face mask that delivers high-concentration oxygen (60% to 90%) during emergencies such as smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning or severe trauma. A reservoir bag and one-way valves stop room air from diluting the oxygen. It is used only in clinical settings such as hospitals or ambulances, not at home, because it needs constant supervision.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a medication-assisted treatment that helps people overcome nicotine dependence by delivering low levels of nicotine through patches, gum or inhalers, easing physical withdrawal symptoms. Unlike cigarettes, NRT products contain no carcinogens or other toxic chemicals. Evidence suggests NRT can significantly improve quit success for adults with severe dependence.

A nerve block is a minimally invasive injection that provides temporary pain relief by delivering anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication close to specific nerves. It blocks the electrical pain signals that nociceptors send to the brain, turning off pain in a targeted region. Nerve blocks are used for therapeutic relief, diagnostic testing and as a supplement to surgical anesthesia.

Negative pressure wound therapy, often called vacuum-assisted therapy, is a treatment that speeds healing by removing excess fluid and bacteria from a wound site. A pump creates suction through an airtight dressing, which reduces swelling, improves blood flow, and encourages healthy new tissue. It is particularly effective for complex, chronic, or acute wounds that are difficult to close.

Infective endocarditis surgery is a specialized cardiac procedure that treats severe bacterial or fungal infections of the heart valves. It is recommended when infection badly damages a valve, causes heart failure or forms vegetations that could cause strokes. It aims to clear the infection and repair or replace the valve, followed by weeks of recovery with intensive antibiotics.

A prosthetic leg is a custom-built assistive device that mimics the function of a human limb for people who have lost a leg through surgery, injury or birth defects. Devices range from simple below-the-knee models to above-the-knee versions with computerized joints. By restoring walking and daily activities, they help users stay healthy, balanced and independent.

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a procedure that harvests fat from donor areas like the abdomen or thighs, purifies it and injects it into the breasts, typically increasing size by one to two cup sizes while slimming donor sites. Because it uses your own tissue, it avoids implant risks such as rupture, though some fat may be absorbed over time.

A nasogastric tube is a medical device inserted through the nostril, down the esophagus and into the stomach to deliver food and medicine or suction out stomach contents. This non-surgical option is typically used for up to six weeks in patients who cannot swallow or need emergency stomach pumping. Regular monitoring and placement checks are essential for safety.

A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube that delivers supplemental oxygen directly into the nose. Two small prongs sit in the nostrils and a tube connects to an oxygen source. It is used for conditions such as COPD, asthma, and heart failure. Unlike an oxygen mask, a cannula lets you eat and speak comfortably during therapy.

A low-purine diet manages gout by limiting foods that break down into uric acid, which can form painful crystals in joints. Limit red meat, organ meats, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Beneficial additions include water, coffee, and skim milk. While not a cure, this diet helps prevent new crystal formation and reduces the need for high-dose medications when followed long term.

Laser lipolysis is a body contouring procedure that uses laser energy to melt and eliminate excess fat cells. It suits healthy people targeting specific areas like the abdomen, thighs, or neck that are resistant to diet and exercise. Results are typically long-lasting and become fully visible within three months, provided a stable weight is maintained.

Laser dentistry is a versatile clinical method that utilizes heat from light energy to perform dental procedures with high precision. Approved for use since the 1990s, lasers can effectively treat tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity while promoting faster tissue repair. This technology is often used alongside standard instruments to minimize patient discomfort and improve overall treatment outcomes.

LARC is a category of birth control that offers the highest level of effectiveness among reversible methods, with a success rate of over 99%. It consists of small devices placed inside the uterus or under the skin of the arm by a medical professional. These devices work automatically for several years.

A laparotomy is a surgical technique in which a 3-to-12-inch incision opens the abdominal cavity, giving direct access to organs such as the stomach, liver and intestines. Performed under general anesthesia, it can be exploratory, to find a problem, or therapeutic, to treat one. Recovery involves a short hospital stay and several weeks of limited activity.

A kidney transplant is a major surgery in which a healthy donor kidney is placed in the lower abdomen to do the work of failed kidneys. It is the preferred treatment for kidney failure, typically giving better outcomes than dialysis. Surgery takes four to six hours, immunosuppressants are needed lifelong, and most people resume normal activities within six weeks.

Knee replacement surgery is a procedure in which an orthopedic surgeon replaces damaged bone and cartilage in the knee with a metal and plastic prosthetic joint. It is most often recommended for severe arthritis that has not responded to other treatments, aiming to eliminate pain and stiffness. Most procedures take one to two hours, and physical therapy often begins immediately.

The ketogenic diet for epilepsy is a medically supervised high-fat, very low-carbohydrate meal plan used mainly when antiseizure medications are not working well. It induces ketosis, in which the body burns fat instead of glucose, helping stabilize brain activity and reduce seizures. Most patients see results within three to four months, and some become seizure-free.

Kangaroo care is the practice of holding your newborn, wearing only a diaper, hat and socks, directly against your bare chest for skin-to-skin contact. It stabilizes the baby's vital signs, reduces pain during medical procedures and significantly boosts breastfeeding success. It benefits all newborns, especially those born early, and can be done by mothers, fathers and other caregivers.

IV fluids are liquids delivered into the bloodstream through a tube to treat or prevent dehydration. They are essential when the body loses significant water from illness, heat, injury or surgery. A healthcare provider inserts a sterile needle into a vein and delivers a calculated amount of fluid by pump. Most patients feel better quickly as hydration stabilizes.