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Visiting an ICU Intensive care
Intensive careAn ICU can often be an overwhelming place, both for the patient and their loved ones. It can therefore help to know a little about what to expect. Visiting hours visiting hours are usually very flexible, but there may be times when visiting isn't advised so it's a good idea to check before you arrive. The number of people allowed around the
Making decisions about care Intensive care
Intensive careIf your loved one has been admitted to an ICU andis awake and able to communicate, they'll be fully involved in decisions abouttheir care. But if they're unconscious or sedated, they may not be able to give their consent (permission) for a particular treatment or procedure. If they knew they weregoing into intensive care, they may have nominated
Introduction Intracranial hypertension
Intracranial hypertensionIntracranial hypertension (IH) is the medical name for a build-up of pressure around the brain. It can come onsuddenly for example, as the result of a Head injury, severe , stroke or brain abscess . This is known as acute IH. It can also be a persistent, long-lasting problem known as chronic IH. This is rare and sometimes it's not clear why it
Treatments forchronic IH Intracranial hypertension
Intracranial hypertensionTreatment for IH depends on the underlying cause, if this is known. The main treatments for idiopathic IH are: losing weight if you're overweight this can often help reduce symptoms andmay sometimes relievethem altogether stopping any medication that may be causing your symptoms medication to remove excess fluid from the body (diuretics)
How an ileostomy is formed Stoma
StomaThere are several different ways anileostomy can be formed, depending on the reason why the operation is being carried out.The opening in your tummy (abdomen) where waste material exits the body after the operation (stoma)willnormally be located on the righthand side. However, you'll usually meet a specialist stoma nurse before the operation to
Introduction Uveitis
UveitisUveitis is inflammation (swelling)of the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea or uveal tract. The uvea is made up of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), the ciliary body (the ring of muscle behind the iris), and the choroid (the layer of tissue that supports the retina). Symptoms of uveitis include: a painful Red eye the pain can
Causes of uveitis Uveitis
UveitisUveitis occurs when the eye becomes inflamed. Inflammation is when areas of the body become warm, red and swollen in response to an illness or infection. Most cases of uveitis are thought to be related to a problem with the immune system (the body's defence against infection and illness). If the specific cause of uveitis is not identified, it
Treating uveitis Uveitis
UveitisTreatment for uveitis will depend onwhich areas of the eye are affected and what caused the condition. Medication is the main treatment, but surgery can be used in particularly severe cases. Steroid medication Steroid medication (corticosteroids) is used to treat most cases of uveitis.A medicine called prednisolone is usuallyused.
Introduction Isovaleric acidaemia
Isovaleric acidaemiaIsovaleric acidaemia (IVA) is a rare, but potentially serious, inherited condition. It means the body cant process the amino acid leucine (amino acids are 'building blocks' of protein). This causes a harmful build-up of substance in the blood and urine. Normally, our bodies break down protein foods like meat and fish into amino acids. Any amino
Symptoms of IVA Isovaleric acidaemia
Isovaleric acidaemiaThe symptoms of IVAaren't the same for everyone with the condition and some people may have more severe or frequent symptoms. Symptoms sometimes appear within the first few days or weeks after birth and may include: developing a distinctive odour of "sweaty feet" poor feeding or loss of appetite weight loss Babies with IVA may also have