Health Articles

RSS

Causes of Hand Pain

There are various possible causes of hand pain, including injury to the hand, autoimmune conditions, arthritic conditions and damage to the nerves or tendons that serve the hands. The most common causes of hand pain are described in more detail in this article.

4 Jan 2017

Causes of Foot Pain

There are many possible causes of foot pain. Some of the most common causes, from foot injuries to arthritis, are described in this article.

4 Jan 2017

Cutaneous Manifestations of Internal Malignancy

Internal malignancies such as cancers can develop external signs on the skin called cutaneous markers or manifestations. These signs may show prior to, during, or after a cancer has been detected.

3 Jan 2017

Impetigo in Babies

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. It initially presents as blisters on the skin near the nose and mouth of the baby, before spreading to other body parts. The size of the blisters varies depending on the type of Impetigo the baby has contracted.

2 Jan 2017

The Benefits and Risks of Laser Tattoo Removal

It is important for individuals who have a tattoo that they wish to remove to consider both the benefits and risks of laser tattoo removal – this will allow them to make the best decision for their situation. This article outlines the primary risks and benefits of laser tattoo removal.

2 Jan 2017

Molar Pregnancy Treatment and Prognosis

A molar pregnancy is one in which the development of the normal fetus and its surrounding membranes is replaced by the abnormal formation of a mass of vesicles and cysts. This develops from the trophoblast, a layer of embryonic cells which gives rise to the placenta and other fetal membranes in normal life.

2 Jan 2017

Molar Pregnancy

A molar pregnancy is an abnormal form of pregnancy in which the uterus is filled with a mass of vesicles (small whitish cysts appearing like a huge cluster of pale grapes) rather than a fetus and placenta. This tissue is called a hydatidiform mole.

2 Jan 2017

Causes of Molar Pregnancy

A pregnancy that results in the formation of a hydatidiform mole is referred to as a molar pregnancy. A hydatidiform mole is a rapidly growing mass of vesicular tissue inside the uterus without the formation of a viable fetus. It is produced by an abnormal conception, resulting from a chromosomal anomaly.

2 Jan 2017

What Causes Phantom Pregnancy?

Phantom pregnancy or pseudocyesis is a rare condition nowadays, affecting only about 6 in 22 000 pregnant women in the US. However, its incidence may be higher in communities which put a higher priority on fertility in women.

2 Jan 2017

Symptoms of Postnatal PTSD or Birth Trauma

Recent studies have shown that childbirth is a potentially traumatic event and can lead to the development of PTSD.

2 Jan 2017

Postnatal PTSD or birth trauma

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined according to ICD criteria as a prolonged reaction to some event or situation which caused stress or a threat of catastrophic proportions. This level of threat is perceived by the patient or others, and is significant enough to produce dramatic distress.

2 Jan 2017

Phantom Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Phantom pregnancy or pseudocyesis is a rare condition in which a mentally stable woman believes that she is pregnant, experiences the usual symptoms of pregnancy, but the presence of a fetus is not evidenced. In addition, there are objective features of pregnancy in the woman, such as amenorrhea and enlargement of the belly.

23 Dec 2016

Phantom Pregnancy in Humans and Other Mammals

Phantom pregnancy or pseudocyesis is a relatively uncommon phenomenon that occurs in humans and other mammals. Among mammals, female cats rarely show the condition, but it is more commonly observed among female dogs.

23 Dec 2016

How to Treat False Pregnancy

Phantom pregnancy or pseudocyesis is rare in developed countries such as the US, but much more common in developing countries. This is because such contexts put a very high value on fertility with respect to the status given to a woman.

23 Dec 2016

Ringworm Prevention

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that causes an itchy rash, frequently on the groin or hands. Contrary to its name, it is not caused by a worm. It is caused by one of three species of fungus: trichophyton, microsporum, and epidermophyton. It is highly contagious and can be spread by contact with infected people and animals, and also from spores in the soil.

22 Dec 2016

Electrolyte Disturbance and Acute Kidney Failure

Acute kidney failure, also known as acute renal failure, involves a sudden decline in the function of the kidneys. As the kidneys usually play an important role in the regulation of fluid and electrolytes in the blood and body, acute kidney failure can lead to electrolyte disturbances that may cause symptoms or complications.

22 Dec 2016

Pregnancy Denial

Pregnancy denial is a term which refers to the condition in which a woman denies that she is pregnant. At 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is found in 1 of 475 women, but the incidence declines to 1 in 2500 at delivery.

22 Dec 2016

Measuring Renal Function

Renal function tests are performed to evaluate how well the kidneys are doing their job of filtering out nitrogenous waste from the blood. They involve the measurement of various substances in both blood and urine in order to estimate the filtering efficiency of the kidneys. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) rarely produces any symptoms, until the critical kidney reserve is passed and kidney failure sets in. Therefore, assessment of renal function is important for early detection of CKD.

22 Dec 2016

Causes of Excessive Belching

Although belching is a physiological process, various conditions may lead to or cause excessive belching or burping including stomach conditions.

22 Dec 2016

Hives in Babies

Hives are characterized by a skin rash that is raised and red in colour. They are known by different names such as wheals, welts, nettle rash, and urticaria. They can be as small as a mosquito bite, or large enough to cover a substantial portion of the body. Often smaller rashes may develop on the torso and eventually spread to cover a large area.

22 Dec 2016