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Paruresis - Shy Bladder Syndrome

Paruresis is an embarrassing condition which severely limits the quality of life of the person concerned. It is best defined as the inability to urinate unless in a completely private setting. The affected person can sometimes pass urine only at home and when there are no guests. It is thought to be very common, a phobic condition ranking second to the fear of public speaking.

16 Apr 2015

Fowler's Syndrome - Urinary Retention in Women

Fowler's syndrome is a rare cause of urinary retention in young women. In these cases, there is no other neurological or anatomical abnormality to explain their inability to pass urine, and many may be wrongly diagnosed to have psychogenic urinary retention.

16 Apr 2015

Penile Curvature - Peyronie's Disease, Dupuytren's Contracture

The penis normally has a slight curvature, within 250 degrees of a straight line. Sometimes newborn boys may have a sharp bend, which is usually associated with hypospadias and other abnormalities.

16 Apr 2015

Folliculitis - Inflammation of Hair Follicles

Hair follicles are tiny sacs with hair-generating cells at the bottom. Folliculitis is an inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It is most often seen in the beard area (called ‘barber’s itch’), the arms, back, buttocks and legs. This is usually due to bacterial infection with Staph. However, viruses such as herpes zoster, and fungi, such as Microsporum, or yeast organisms like Malassezia, may also cause folliculitis.

16 Apr 2015

What is a Fallen Bladder?

The urinary bladder is a pelvic organ that both stores and releases the urine formed in the kidneys. It is located towards the lowest part of the abdominal wall, in front of the uterus. In most women, the uterus actually rests on the bladder.

16 Apr 2015

Exostosis / Osteoma - Benign Overgrowth of Pre-Existing Bone

An exostosis, also called an osteoma, is a benign overgrowth of a pre-existing bone. It forms during the active growth stage. In the majority of cases the bone overgrowth is capped with cartilage, and it is then called an osteochondroma. Exostoses do not show any consistent pattern of occurrence as far as location, size or number is concerned. They are often the result of trauma. In many cases an exostosis is asymptomatic, and found incidentally during a medical checkup.

16 Apr 2015

Excessive Blinking

Blinking is a normal and physiologically important phenomenon. It is infrequent in newborn babies, hence their wide-eyed stare. The frequency slowly increases as the nervous system matures. Adults blink about 14-17 times a minute.

16 Apr 2015

Arthrogryposis (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita)

Arthrogryposis is a name given to a large group of medical conditions in which multiple joints are severely fixed and immobilized by the formation of contractures present at birth, but not progressing thereafter.

16 Apr 2015

Prostatitis - Inflammation of Prostate Gland

Prostatitis is a health condition involving inflammation of the prostate gland, which becomes red and swollen. It is relatively common and believed to affect up to 15% of men at some stage throughout their lifetime, usually between the ages of 30 and 50.

12 Mar 2015

What is Earwax?

Earwax, also known among medical professionals as cerumen, is a substance that plays a functional role inside the ear canal. It helps to protect the ear by trapping dirt before entering the canal and repelling water. As more wax is produced, the existing cerumen usually falls out of the ear naturally.

12 Mar 2015

Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE) - Rash Associated with Sun Exposure

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a skin condition that results in a rash associated with sun exposure. The appearance of the rash varies significantly (polymorphic literally means many shapes) but skin usually becomes a reddish color and itchy.

12 Mar 2015

Hyperhidrosis - Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, is a health condition that involves a higher amount of sweat than usual. Sweating is a normal bodily process that serves to cool the body down, but when it occurs in excess without an apparent reason and prompts individuals to alter their daily activities, it may become medically significant.

12 Mar 2015

Precocious Puberty - Early Puberty

Precocious puberty is more commonly known as early puberty and refers to onset of puberty before 8 years of age in females and 9 years in males. It is far more common in females than in males, although some males may be affected by the condition.

12 Mar 2015

What is Rhinophyma?

Rhinophyma is a condition that involves reddening and thickening of the skin on and around the nose, resulting in enlargement of the area and growths forming.

12 Mar 2015

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, also known among medical professionals as stritae distensae, are characteristic of a condition that involves inflammatory lesions on the skin. While not life threatening, they may affect the quality of life and self-esteem of those affected, as they are not considered aesthetically appealing.

12 Mar 2015

Blepharospasm - Involuntary Movements of Eyelids

Blepharospasm is a condition that is characterized by involuntary movements of the eyelids. Tics and twitches around the eye area are common, but in severe cases this can inhibit the ability of an individual to undertake activities where clear eyesight is required. At this point, it becomes medically significant and may require treatment.

12 Mar 2015

Fetal Movements in Pregnancy

Fetal movements refer to the muscular movements of the developing baby inside the mother's womb. These may be either reflex movements or elicited in response to noise or touch, at first.

12 Mar 2015

Dysmenorrhea - Pain During Menstruation

Dysmenorrhea refers to the presence of pain during menstruation, usually in the lower abdomen, but sometimes in the back. It can be sharp, aching or cramping pain.

12 Mar 2015

Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy

The thyroid is a master gland at the front of the neck. Small but powerful, it regulates the functioning of most organs and body systems. Deficient functioning of this gland is called hypothyroidism and the opposite condition is called hyperthyroidism. Both can cause serious problems for the mother and the fetus during pregnancy.

11 Mar 2015