Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that affects approximately 6 in 100,000 people worldwide. It causes muscle weakness and affects gait, balance and overall movement, as well as the patient’s mood, cognitive skills and behavior. While no treatment is available at this time, various symptoms can be managed with the use of medication or other forms of […]
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There are several parameters that can be determined during urinalysis, which can help to diagnose any abnormalities and guide treatment decisions. The most commonly used of these parameters are outlined in more detail below. Urine Color The color of the urine appears due to the urochrome pigment and can change according to the concentration and chemical composition of the urine. […]
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Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, digestive system, and many other organs. It is caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The CFTR protein controls transport of salt in and out of the cell, and mutations in the gene result in an imbalance in that transport system, leading to […]
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By Jeyashree Sundaram (MBA) Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects millions of people around the world. The infection is damaging to the liver in its chronic state, and it is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) – a single-stranded RNA virus that is commonly transmitted via injection drug use, blood transfusion, hemodialysis, needle stick injuries and (less commonly) […]
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Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a collection of autoimmune diseases that is a result of immune system hyperactivity and consequent destruction of normal, healthy tissues. LE has a wide spectrum of effects on the body and targets various organ systems such as the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys and joints. The condition is fairly difficult to diagnose, largely owing to its mimicry […]
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Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare inherited diseases affecting the connective tissue and is responsible for the resulting blisters that appear on the skin. These blisters are a consequence of a defective anchoring mechanism between the dermis and epidermis. They come about in response to friction, minor trauma, or heat and are not limited to the cutaneous areas […]
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Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder caused by the partial or complete absence of one X chromosome. This is called monosomy and is typically caused by chromosomal nondisjunction. It is a very common abnormality among the sex chromosome disorders, with an incidence of 1 in 2000 liveborn females. Its typical phenotype includes short stature, primary or secondary amenorrhea (the […]
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There are many different types of nasal sprays that can be used for the treatment and symptomatic management of allergic rhinitis. Many of these are discussed in more detail below. Image Copyright: sfam_photo / Shutterstock Azelastine Azelastine (Astelin) nasal spray is an antihistamine medication, which is useful in the management of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis for individuals over the […]
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The word audiology is made up of two roots: Audio and Logy. ‘Audio’ refers to ‘hear’ and ‘logy’ to ‘the study of’. In essence, audiology is the study of hearing – as the inner ear is also required for balance, this is also included in the study. In medical terms it is the branch of science dedicated to the study […]
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Juvenile polyposis syndrome is a condition transmitted from parents to offspring, which causes the development of juvenile polyps inside the large intestine, stomach, or throughout the gastrointestinal tract. These polyps are formed by abnormal collections of cells and tissues which are normally present in the digestive tract, and are therefore considered to be hamartomatous growths. They are invariably benign at […]
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