Health Articles

RSS

What is an Amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the sac of amniotic fluid around the baby inside the uterus, to test for certain chromosomal anomalies and other genetic defects. This fluid is meant to protect and nourish the baby and is vital for its proper development.

3 Apr 2018

Hematidrosis Causes

Hematidrosis, also known as hematohidrosis, is a very rare phenomenon in which the individual sweats blood, or blood-tinged sweat exudes from the skin. It is also called hematofolliculohidrosis because of the appearance of blood along with sweat from the openings of the sweat glands. This latter term was coined by Manonukul and his colleagues in 2008.

3 Apr 2018

Milia Causes

Milia is a condition characterized by small benign epithelial cysts in the superficial dermis composed of keratinous material. They are usually 1mm to 4 mm in size and have a dome-shaped and whitish appearance. It is thought that milia arise due to plugging of the ducts of pilosebaceous or eccrine sweat glands. They may appear as a primary condition or be secondary to skin trauma, skin inflammations, skin disease or some medications.

3 Apr 2018

When Should You Wet Your Toothbrush?

Even expert opinion is divided when it comes to the ‘wet or dry’ toothbrush debate.

29 Mar 2018

Leber Congenital Amaurosis Symptoms

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a congenital cause of severe visual loss. It is an autosomal recessive condition caused by several different mutations in a variety of genes. It is therefore important to identify the cause of the retinopathy using clinical findings and other diagnostic tests to support the diagnosis. Genetic testing has become mandatory to establish the diagnosis.

29 Mar 2018

Fetal Hemoglobin

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the form of hemoglobin that is dominant during fetal life and is also markedly increased in concentration for several weeks after birth.

29 Mar 2018

Uncovering Hidden Symptoms: Hallucinations and Delusions in Parkinson’s Disease

Hallucinations and delusions associated with PD, like those experienced by Mr. Roberts, make up what is known as Parkinson’s disease psychosis.

27 Mar 2018

Leber Congenital Amaurosis Diagnosis

The condition called Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) is an inherited one, caused by the transmission of two copies of a defective or mutated gene, one from each parent, which results in abnormal retinal development and significant or total impairment of its function. The loss of vision results in visual acuity of 20/400 or less.

27 Mar 2018

What is Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma?

A medulloblastoma is a malignant tumor of the central nervous system. These tumors make up the overwhelming majority of embryonal brain tumors. They always arise in the posterior fossa of the brain, comprising about 40% of these tumors.

27 Mar 2018

Screening for Rheumatic Heart Disease

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in developing and underdeveloped regions of the world, but is almost negligible in the developed nations.

27 Mar 2018

How Do Prion Diseases Spread?

Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are dreaded neurological diseases with a progressive course, and are invariably fatal. They are caused by tiny particles primarily composed of a pathogenic protein which is actually an abnormal variant of the PrP protein, a normal component of the cell membrane.

27 Mar 2018

Separation Anxiety Disorder Causes

Separation anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by the display of extreme worry and discomfort while going away from the things and/or people to whom one is attached.

26 Mar 2018

What is a Bicuspid Aortic Valve?

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common form of congenital heart disease and is present in about 2% of the population, affecting twice as many males as females. It is an abnormal form of the aortic valve between the heart and the aorta, the great vessel which supplies blood to the whole body except the lungs. In the normal form this is composed of three leaflets which meet securely when they close to keep blood from flowing back into the heart when the lower left heart chamber or ventricle relaxes.

26 Mar 2018

Health Effects of a Gluten Free Diet

Gluten is a family of proteins that make up about 85% to 90% of the protein composition found in wheat, barley, rye and some other grains. It is made up of almost equal proportions of two types of proteins called gliadins and glutenins, of which each has many subtypes. Thus, the genetic diversity of gluten is staggering. However, gluten makes up most of the high protein content of wheat, which is a grain that is the staple food of much of the developing world.

26 Mar 2018

What is Acrokeratosis Paraneoplastica?

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica is also known as Bazex syndrome and is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, a constellation of findings, which is due to the underlying presence of a systemic malignancy. It is important to take note of such conditions because a high index of suspicion is needed to make a diagnosis of the malignancy.

26 Mar 2018

What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is one of the impulse control disorders, all of which are characterized by the person’s inability to resist a drive or an impulse to do something which harms the patient or others.

26 Mar 2018

Status Epilepticus Treatment

Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures without the recovery of consciousness between them. It is associated with significant mortality, mostly due to the many complications of the brain stimulation and the concurrent muscular overstimulation, as well as of the prolonged and intensive medical care surroundings required.

26 Mar 2018

Immunology of Microsporidiosis

Microsporidosis represents an infection with the spore-forming, obligate intracellular protists. Patients suffering from infections with microsporidia are prone to developing enteritis, keratoconjunctivitis and disseminated diseases that involve muscles and other organs.

26 Mar 2018

What are Mandibular Fractures?

Fractures may occur easily in the mandible owing to its anatomical properties and this bone may account for as many as 70% of fractures occurring in the maxillofacial region. It is fairly prominent on the face and its support is not as strong when compared to other facial bones.

26 Mar 2018

What are the Health Benefits of Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is still common and continues for a prolonged period in developing countries, whereas its rate has declined steeply in developed nations following the introduction of formula for babies.

26 Mar 2018