Health Articles

RSS

Diagnosis of bowel incontinence

Diagnosis of bowel incontinence or fecal incontinence depends of various factors. History of childbirth, age, sex and history of a rectal or anal surgery are important predictors of diagnosis and outcome of the condition.

10 Sep 2012

Symptoms of bowel incontinence

How many people does bowel incontinence affect?

10 Sep 2012

Causes of bowel incontinence

Bowel movements are regulated by the muscles and nerves around the rectum, anus, sphincters (internal and external) as well as the pelvic floor muscles. The common factors that affect the normal bowel function leading to incontinence include:

10 Sep 2012

What is bowel incontinence?

Bowel incontinence or fecal incontinence is a condition that is a primarily associated with an inability to control bowel movements. This means that the patient is unable to hold stools that leak uncontrollably from the rectum via the anus.

10 Sep 2012

Treatment of malnutrition

Malnutrition is caused by lack of essential nutrients in diet. Treatment depends on several factors. These include the severity of malnutrition; the underlying cause of the malnutrition; ability to feed oneself; and ability to eat and digest food normally. In addition age, mental status and place of living of the patient is also considered.

9 Sep 2012

Diagnosis of malnutrition

Malnutrition is diagnosed based on certain factors like duration and precipitating causes if any. Clinical history and symptoms of malnutrition are often the major determinants of malnutrition and there is little role of diagnostic and imaging studies in evaluation of malnutrition.

9 Sep 2012

Symptoms of malnutrition

Malnutrition results from a diet deficient in vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Over long term or even over a short term this may lead to severe debility and damage to the vital functions of the body. 1-7

9 Sep 2012

Causes of malnutrition

Malnutrition occurs when a person does not receive adequate nutrients from diet. This causes damage to the vital organs and functions of the body. Lack of food is the most cause of malnutrition in the poorer and developing countries.

9 Sep 2012

What is malnutrition?

Malnutrition is a condition which occurs when there is a deficiency of certain vital nutrients in a person’s diet. The deficiency fails to meet the demands of the body leading to effects on the growth, physical health, mood, behaviour and other functions of the body. Malnutrition commonly affects children and the elderly.

9 Sep 2012

Treatment of ocular histoplasmosis

Ocular histoplasmosis is a condition that occurs years after a histoplasmosis infection. Histoplasmosis infection is caused by a fungus Histoplasma capsulatum and commonly affects people living in the 'Histo belt', which includes Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia.

9 Sep 2012

Diagnosis of ocular histoplasmosis

Diagnosis of ocular histoplasmosis is based on examination of the eye rather than the clinical features or symptoms. This is because most individuals fail to notice histoplasmosis infection that is usually mild and may not cause symptoms more severe than a common cold or a flu infection. Eyes are rarely affected after a generalized histoplasmosis infection that primarily affects the lungs.

9 Sep 2012

Symptoms of ocular histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is an infectious condition caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. It is caused when the spores of the fungus are inhaled into the lungs. Histoplasma capsulatum lives in river valleys and soil with accumulation of bird or bat droppings.

9 Sep 2012

Causes of ocular histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is caused by spores of the microscopic fungi Histoplasma capsulatum. These spores are inhaled into the lungs that are the primary site of the infection. Histoplasma capsulatum lives in river valleys and soil with accumulation of bird or bat droppings. When the soil is disturbed by ploughing fields, digging or turning or when chicken coops or bird cages are cleaned, the tiny spores of the fungi are released in air and are inhaled.

9 Sep 2012