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

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a surgical treatment for persistent sinus conditions that haven't responded to medication. Using a thin tube called a nasal endoscope, a healthcare provider removes bone, diseased tissue, or polyps through the nostrils. This unblocks the sinuses, allowing for better breathing and reduced facial pain. Most patients see major improvements in quality of life.

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is a blood product made from the liquid part of donated blood and frozen within eight hours of collection to preserve its clotting factors. FFP transfusions are typically given to patients who are actively bleeding because they lack these proteins, such as people with hemophilia, severe liver problems or life-threatening hemorrhages.

Frequency-specific microcurrent (FSM) is an adjunctive therapy that delivers minute electrical currents, one-millionth of an ampere, to specific parts of the body. It uses specific frequencies aimed at different tissue types to support natural healing. It is mainly used to manage musculoskeletal pain, reduce inflammation and speed recovery from injuries, and is recognized by the FDA as safe and noninvasive.

A forceps delivery is an assisted birth during the second, pushing stage of labor in which a provider uses curved, tong-like instruments called forceps that fit around the baby's head. It is typically recommended if labor has stalled, the baby is in a difficult position, or delivery must be completed quickly for the safety of parent and child.

Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and food that strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities by remineralizing it, making teeth more resistant to acids from bacteria and sugars. Most people get it from public water and toothpaste, and dentists can apply concentrated gels, foams or varnishes. It is safe and effective for children and adults at recommended levels.

A finger splint is a rigid metal or plastic medical device that holds an injured finger in one position to help it heal. Immobilizing the finger prevents stress on damaged tissue and reduces pain and swelling. Common types include gutter, buddy and stack splints for fractures or sprains, usually worn for several weeks under a provider's guidance.

Fetal surgery is a specialized procedure performed on a fetus still developing in the uterus to treat life-threatening congenital conditions or improve quality of life after birth. Techniques include open surgery, minimally invasive fetoscopic procedures and interventions during delivery. These are typically done between 22 and 26 weeks to address defects such as spina bifida.

Fat transfer is a cosmetic and reconstructive procedure in which a surgeon harvests fat from one area, typically the belly, hips or thighs, and injects it elsewhere to add volume or repair tissue, often in the face, breasts or buttocks. Because it uses your own tissue, results look natural. It is considered permanent, with final results after about six months.

A fasciectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the thickened hand fascia caused by Dupuytren's disease, which forms cords that pull fingers toward the palm. The surgeon removes these nodules and cords to restore finger extension. It is typically recommended when nonsurgical treatments fail and severe contractures interfere with daily activities and hand function.

Fecal microbiota transplantation is a medical procedure that transfers processed stool from a healthy donor into a recipient's colon, introducing beneficial microorganisms to restore gut balance. It is proven effective for persistent Clostridioides difficile infections that do not respond to antibiotics and is being researched as a potential treatment for inflammatory and metabolic disorders.

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that improves facial and neck aging by tightening underlying muscles and removing excess skin and fat. It addresses sagging jowls, deep folds around the mouth and loose neck skin, with techniques ranging from mini-facelifts to deep plane lifts. Most healthy adults with some skin elasticity are candidates.

Factor Xa inhibitors are anticoagulant medications that prevent blood clots by blocking a specific protein in the clotting process. They are used to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and to reduce stroke risk in people with certain heart conditions. They offer predictable results with set doses and typically do not require routine blood testing like traditional anticoagulants.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are medications that manage estrogen activity to treat or prevent hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and osteoporosis, such as tamoxifen and raloxifene. They block estrogen in breast tissue to stop cancer cells multiplying while acting like estrogen in bone to prevent bone loss, reducing cancer recurrence and fracture risk in high-risk patients.

Dental restorations are a variety of procedures used by dentists to fix teeth that are decayed, broken, or missing. By using materials like composite resin, porcelain, or titanium, these treatments restore the structure and function of the teeth. The primary goal is to ensure long-term oral health while improving your ability to chew and speak comfortably.

A COVID-19 vaccine is a medical treatment that prepares the immune system to defend against the virus that causes COVID-19. It introduces a harmless piece of the virus, or instructions to make one, so the body builds memory cells. If you are later exposed, your immune system can respond quickly, often preventing illness or significantly reducing symptom severity.

Complex aorta surgery is surgery that repairs extensive or multi-segment damage to the aorta, the main artery supplying blood to the body. It treats life-threatening conditions like large aneurysms or dissections, using open-chest or endovascular techniques with synthetic grafts. These are major operations, and scheduled elective repairs have much higher success rates than emergency surgeries for ruptured vessels.

Immunotherapy for breast cancer is a treatment that boosts the body's natural defenses to attack cancer cells. It is currently used for high-risk and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Given by IV every three to six weeks, it can significantly improve cure rates and long-term survival for eligible patients, with monitoring for side effects such as fatigue or thyroid issues.

Augmentation cystoplasty is surgery that enlarges the bladder using a section of the small or large intestine, typically for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury or with multiple sclerosis, to lower bladder pressure and prevent kidney damage. It takes two to six hours with a five-to-seven-day hospital stay, followed by daily irrigation and usually self-catheterization.

Atrial flutter ablation is a procedure that destroys the heart cells causing rapid, irregular heartbeats. Over two to four hours, a specialist threads catheters through the groin and delivers heat or cold energy to the heart's upper chambers. It restores normal rhythm in more than 90% of patients, and most return to light activity within 24 hours.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, inhaled or applied to the skin, to stimulate the olfactory system and brain. Inhaled oil molecules signal the limbic system to release mood-regulating chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which may ease situational anxiety, improve sleep and relieve minor discomforts. Consult a healthcare provider first, especially during pregnancy or chronic illness.

Aseptic technique is a medical process that eliminates disease-causing germs such as bacteria and viruses during healthcare procedures. Its four key elements are careful preparation of tools and patients, barriers such as sterile gloves and masks, strict sterile-to-sterile contact rules and environmental controls. It is vital for preventing infection during surgery, dialysis and catheter insertion.

Aromatase inhibitors work by blocking the aromatase enzyme, which converts other hormones into estrogen. They are used for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, where estrogen fuels tumor growth. These daily pills lower the risk of cancer returning after surgery. Most patients take them for five years, and studies show a 40% reduction in breast cancer mortality over ten years.

Artificial saliva is a functional replacement for natural saliva when the salivary glands do not produce enough moisture. It lubricates the mouth, protects against bacteria and helps break down food. It is often used after cancer treatment, with Sjögren's syndrome or for medication side effects. It is not a cure but provides significant symptom relief.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a research-based therapy that improves specific behaviors by applying the principles of learning science. It is mainly used to help people with autism and other developmental disorders build social, communication and positive behavior skills. ABA therapists use personalized plans and reinforcement techniques to encourage new skills and reduce behaviors that affect safety or learning.