Myxedema: Causes, Treatment & Help

The name myxedema comes from the Scottish physician William Miller Ord, who in 1877 found out the connection between the appearance of tissue swelling and hypothyroidism. Myxedema is a symptom of various thyroid disorders and occurs all over the body or locally. In its worst form, myxedema coma, it can even lead to death. What … Myxedema: Causes, Treatment & Help

Persistent Ductus Arteriosus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Persistent ductus arteriosus is the term used to describe the postnatal open connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy prevents complications such as, in the worst case, death of the newborn. If successful and complete occlusion occurs, no further complications are to be expected. What is persistent ductus arteriosus? … Persistent Ductus Arteriosus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Adenosine: Effects, Uses & Risks

Adenosine is a building block essential for the energy metabolism of the human body. Therapeutically, adenosine is used in particular to regulate cardiac arrhythmias and to lower blood pressure. What is adenosine? Therapeutically, adenosine is used in particular to regulate cardiac arrhythmias as well as to lower blood pressure. Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside that … Adenosine: Effects, Uses & Risks

Bisoprolol: Effects, Usage & Risks

Bisoprolol is a medication and is used to treat tachycardia, angina, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (CAD). Bisoprolol has an antagonistic effect on ß-adrenoreceptors (beta-adrenoreceptors) and belongs to the group of beta-blockers. Taking the drug can cause side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, and headache. What is bisoprolol? Bisoprolol belongs to the group of selective … Bisoprolol: Effects, Usage & Risks

Anterior Pituitary Insufficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

In anterior pituitary insufficiency, there is a partial or complete failure of anterior pituitary hormones. These hormones include control hormones that act on other endocrine glands and effector hormones that have a direct effect on organs. The failed hormones can be therapeutically substituted. What is anterior pituitary insufficiency? The anterior pituitary gland forms the largest … Anterior Pituitary Insufficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Thyroid Gland: Structure, Function & Diseases

Along with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the thyroid gland is an important component of the thyrotropic regulatory circuit. Disturbances of this hormonal regulatory circuit can lead to serious impairment and even to a life-threatening metabolic derailment (thyrotoxic crisis). What is the thyroid gland? Infographic on the anatomy and location of the thyroid gland, as … Thyroid Gland: Structure, Function & Diseases

Atropine: Effects, Uses & Risks

Atropine is a toxic substance from the group of alkaloids. In nature, it is found in nightshade plants such as belladonna or angel’s trumpet. The uncontrolled ingestion of atropine can be fatal, yet the active ingredient finds diverse and important uses in the field of medicine. What is atropine? Atropine inhibits these functions of the … Atropine: Effects, Uses & Risks

Desflurane: Effects, Uses & Risks

Desflurane is an anesthetic that belongs to the flurane class of drugs. The inhalation anesthetic is widely used because of its very good hypnotic properties as well as its easy controllability. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, desflurane is marketed by the American pharmaceutical company Baxter under the trade name Suprane. What is desflurane? Desflurane is … Desflurane: Effects, Uses & Risks

Anticholinergics: Effect, Uses & Risks

Anticholinergics are widely used in medicine because of their effect in the parasympathetic nervous system. However, the side effects should not be underestimated. What are anticholinergics? Anticholinergics, for example, cause a decrease in bowel activity. Anticholinergics are substances that inhibit the main neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system. As a part of the autonomic … Anticholinergics: Effect, Uses & Risks