When the liver reaches a stage where it can no longer support the body’s essential functions, ordinary medical treatment may not be enough. Fluid can build up in the abdomen, toxins may affect the brain, bleeding can become difficult to control and the patient’s strength may decline rapidly. For selected people with advanced liver disease, … Read more
For someone living with advanced lung disease, even simple activities such as walking across a room, climbing a few steps or sleeping comfortably can become difficult. When medicines, oxygen therapy and other treatments no longer provide enough relief, a lung transplant may offer another possibility. It is a major medical undertaking, requiring careful patient selection, … Read more
A bone marrow transplant can offer a chance of long-term remission or even a cure for people facing certain blood cancers, bone marrow disorders and serious immune diseases. Yet the decision involves much more than finding a hospital and arranging surgery. Patients and families must understand donor compatibility, treatment preparation, possible complications and the long … Read more
Kidney stones can turn an ordinary day into an exhausting experience. Sudden pain in the back or side, nausea, blood in the urine and repeated trips to the bathroom may signal that a stone is moving through the urinary tract. Treatment depends on its size, location, composition and the patient’s overall health. Understanding the available … Read more
Heart Bypass Surgery: Understanding the Procedure Facing heart bypass surgery can bring difficult questions about treatment, finances and life after the operation. The cost of care can vary considerably between hospitals, countries and individual medical conditions, while an expensive treatment plan does not automatically mean that every patient needs the same procedure or length of … Read more