A lumbar drain is a soft, thin, sterile tube (also called a catheter) that your healthcare provider places though the skin of your back, into your lower (lumbar) spine. The drain collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This is a clear fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and brain to protect them from injury. Read on to learn more about lumbar drain placement and how it’s done.

Ischemic colitis happens when blood flow to the colon is reduced or blocked. It should be treated right away.

A CT colonography is used to view the inside of your lower digestive tract (colon and rectum). It can help screen for colon cancer and for polyps. This test is sometimes called virtual colonoscopy.

People on breathing machines, called ventilators, have an increased risk of developing pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is caused by germs that enter the lungs when a person is on a breathing machine.

A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is an infection of the urinary system. CAUTI is caused by germs that get into the urinary tract when a urinary catheter is used. This is a tube that's placed into the bladder to drain urine.

With a tracheostomy, your healthcare provider makes a small hole (stoma) in your windpipe (trachea) through your neck. A tracheostomy tube (trach tube) is then placed into the stoma. Air goes into and out of your lungs through the tube. Here are answers to some common questions that people often ask about tracheostomy.

It may take you some time to adjust to your tracheostomy. You may wonder how it will affect your daily life. You will need to make some changes, but you can get used to having a tracheostomy tube ("trach tube"). Your family, friends, and healthcare providers can help.

When you first get your tracheostomy (trach), you may have some trouble eating and swallowing. Most patients are able to return to their usual eating habits after healing from the surgery is complete and swallowing has improved. Here are some things to keep in mind when eating with a trach tube.

Having a tracheostomy can affect your ability to talk and communicate with others. A speech therapist (a person trained to help people who have problems speaking) will work with you to address these problems. If you can't talk, you can learn other ways to express your thoughts and feelings to others.

Blood thinners or anticoagulants are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Your healthcare provider will help you decide which medicine is best for you. Read on to learn more about safely taking blood thinners.