Telling your healthcare provider (HCP) about yourself will help improve your care. And ask questions when you don’t understand something, or just want to know more. Don’t be afraid to speak up! Good communication with your HCP helps you get the most out of your health care.

To get the most out of your healthcare, take an active role. This means thinking of every healthcare provider as a partner in your care. Here are things you can do to help that partnership go smoothly.

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.

The sphincter of Oddi is part of your digestive system. A sphincter is a circle of muscle. The sphincter of Oddi surrounds the end of the tubes (ducts) that connect the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas to the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The sphincter opens to let digestive juices flow through the ducts from the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas into the small intestine. To prevent the juices from leaking back into the ducts, the sphincter squeezes shut.

An esophageal ulcer is an open sore in the lining of your esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. Here's what you need to know about this condition.

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. It's just past the stomach. Duodenitis is inflammation of the lining of the duodenum. This sheet tells you more about this health problem.

This topic tells what an endoscopic ultrasound (IUS) test is, how it's done, and what to expect from it.

Bariatric surgery is a procedure that helps you lose weight. During vertical sleeve gastrectomy, approximately 80% of the stomach is removed.

A low-fiber diet means eating foods that don't have much fiber. They are easy to digest. Learn why your provider may put you on this kind of diet-and what foods you can and can't eat.

You have a condition called heart failure. To treat your symptoms, you will get a special device to help keep your heart pumping normally.