Procedures
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Electromyography (EMG)
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure utilized to evaluate the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. These nerve cells, known as motor neurons, transmit vital electrical signals from the brain to the muscles to produce movement. An EMG translates these signals into graphs, sounds, or numerical values which a specialist can then interpret. A specialist known as a neurologist generally conducts the EMG test. A neurologist is a physician trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. These specialists possess comprehensive training not only in diagnosing nerve and muscle diseases but also in using…
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Preparing for Common Medical Procedures
Taking care of your health is important, and sometimes part of taking care of your health also means needing to have some not-so-comfortable medical procedures done; and while much of the unpleasantry associated with many of these tests is usually only temporary, that doesn’t make them any less nerve wrecking. The good thing, however, is that there are certain things you can do in effort to help get yourself through it. The most common type of tests people go for is blood work. This can either be done as part of a routine (yearly) exam, or if can be done to test for other abnormalities with your health if you…
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British Columbia Marks Medical Milestone With 500th Heart Transplant
Last week, British Columbia marked a major medical milestone when transplant recipients, their families and healthcare workers gathered together to celebrate the 500th heart transplant in the Province. Individuals have been receiving heart transplants as early as the 1970s, though they were not available to British Columbians until 1988. While heart transplants are considered to be risky operations, both medical science and technology have come a long way since the 70s and 80s, and heart transplant survival rates are now as high as 85%, with recipients living for as long as 30 years – sometimes even longer – following the intricate procedure. A heart transplant is the surgical removal of…
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How to Prepare for Surgery
Being told you need surgery can be scary, especially if it’s something you’ve never experienced before. It’s not abnormal to feel nervous about new situations, especially ones you know you have no control over. However, for some it can be enough to send them into full blown panic attacks. By explaining what to expect pre and post op, Dr. Ali Ghahary hopes to be able to help diminish that anxiety. The First Steps You know you need surgery – you even have a date. Now what? Below are some important steps to follow to help you better prepare for your upcoming procedure, and how you can make the experience a…