Category: Health Problems

There are several diseases that are classified under rheumatic disorders. The term rheumatism is a loosely used layperson term to describe rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid disorders include those affecting muscles, joints and bones. They are common and have a huge impact on the health of a vast population worldwide. The more severe conditions lead to

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that may grow in various regions of the uterus of a woman. They are relatively common and affect 20% of childbearing women and half of all women by the age of 50. Size and Location Fibroids can vary greatly in size, ranging from microscopically small to several pounds in weight

Oxygen used in the medical setting is separated using several different methods including chemical reaction and fractional distillation. This oxygen is then either used immediately or stored for future use. The main sources of oxygen therapy include: Liquid storage – Liquid oxygen is stored in tanks which are kept at a chilled temperature until the

There is currently no cure for interstitial cystitis and the aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms, with varying degrees of success depending on the individual patient. Diet and Lifestyle Simple changes to diet and lifestyle activities can lead to a significant improvement in symptoms for many patients with interstitial cystitis. It is often beneficial

The main symptoms of frozen shoulder are pain, stiffness and restricted movement in the shoulder. These symptoms may be mild or they may be severe enough to affect a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities such as driving and dressing. Medical terms for frozen shoulder include adhesive capsulitis and shoulder contracture. Frozen shoulder occurs

Obesity and urinary incontinence are both common disorders. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise worldwide with a 6% increase per year in the United States. Obesity Over half of American women are overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI 30 kg/m2 or greater). Obesity is associated with several health conditions including

Hysterectomy or surgical removal of the womb is a common operation carried out to treat conditions of the female reproductive system. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries or other surrounding structures, as well as the womb. Hysterectomy is a major procedure that is associated with both risk

Pneumonia is a common infection of the lungs affecting millions of people worldwide. There are over 30 micro-organisms that cause pneumonia, including several types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These causative agents induce pneumonia by triggering an inflammatory response that results in the filling of the aveolar sacs with fluid or pus, limiting oxygen exchange.

The symptoms of melanoma usually present initially as changes in the appearance to the skin, which is caused be changes to the way the melanocytes are produced. Symptoms Moles normally occur on healthy skin and do not necessarily represent an early sign of melanoma. Moles are usually evenly colored and may be round or oval

Autism is part of the five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). These are characterized by: abnormalities of social interactions and communication restricted interests highly repetitive behavior Autism has a wide range of severity and symptoms that is often used to classify the Autism Spectrum disorders. Each of the syndromes under ASD is different from the other.

Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that affects the bone marrow. The cancer is also called Kahler’s disease, named after an Austrian pathologist called Otto Kahler who first described the condition. The bone marrow is the spongy soft tissue that lies within the hollow centre of some bones. The bone marrow contains stem cells

Epidemiology of spina bifida provides useful information that can help medical researchers to identify risk factors for the disease, health systems to implement policies of prevention and mother’s to take precautions to avoid complications. The incidence of spina bifida varies among different populations throughout the world and is on the decline in most regions due

Pick’s disease, also known as Pick disease or PiD, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder involving the progressive destruction of brain cells. It is a type of frontotemporal dementia and is characterized by symptoms of dementia and aphasia. Causes Pick’s disease occurs due to changes to the neurons in certain areas of the brain. Tau proteins

Stroke was the term used for apoplectic seizures from as early on as 1599. Johann Jacob Wepfer in his 1658 book called "Apoplexia," described the cause of apoplexy as bleeding in the brain. Stroke is a medical emergency that commonly causes death and disability all over the world. In the Western world, for example, stroke

Approximately half of all cases of ear pain reported by children resolve in three days without treatments and 90% within a week. As a result, treatment is not always needed and may simply be used to manage symptoms whilst the body heals itself. Pain Relief For acute otitis media, the pain can be quite severe

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects people in several ways. Eventually, a persistently high blood sugar level leads to several complications that can significantly impair quality of life. Managing the disease carefully by regularly monitoring blood glucose, taking medication on time and adhering to diet plans and exercise regimens can reduce the

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a phenomenon caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. Unlike a stroke, the circulatory blockage is brief and there is no brain tissue death (i.e. permanent damage) as the blockage breaks away and dissolves. A TIA is similar to a stroke and

Insulin is a hormone that is important for metabolism and utilization of energy from the ingested nutrients – especially glucose. Insulin chemistry and etymology Insulin is a protein chain or peptide hormone. There are 51 amino acids in an insulin molecule. It has a molecular weight of 5808 Da. Insulin is produced in the islets

Lymphoma is cancer that effects the lymphocytes. Lymphoma is usually suspected based on the presence of symptoms and is confirmed in the laboratory when blood or tumor biopsies are analysed. Some of the symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma include: Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, the armpits and groin areas. This is called lymphadenopathy.

The management and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding depends on several factors which include: Severity of bleeding Cause of bleeding Site of bleeding (upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding) Age and general condition of the patient Treatment is initially focused on fluid resuscitation in order to replenish the bodily fluids lost through bleeding and prevent hypovolemia or