Scoliosis Treatment

The treatment of scoliosis depends on the type and severity of the spinal curve, the age of the patient and the likelihood that the condition will worsen in the future. There are several main courses of action that may be taken, which are watchful waiting or observation, bracing and surgery. Observation Particularly for young children with scoliosis, treatment may not […]

Continue reading »

Symptoms of piles (Haemorrhoids)

Haemorrhoids or piles are caused due to prolonged straining at bowel movements or due to weakened rectal and anal muscles. This increased pressure leads to swollen, inflamed and engorged anal blood vessels that are termed piles or haemorrhoids. 1-5 Types of haemorrhoids Based on location haemorrhoids may be of two types – internal and external. Internal haemorrhoids These lie above […]

Continue reading »

Defining Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia refers to a low blood sugar level and is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemia is usually defined as a blood sugar level that has dropped to below 4 mmol/L. Healthy people usually maintain a blood glucose level within the range of 3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L over a 24-hour period. Blood glucose fluctuates throughout the day. For example, […]

Continue reading »

Diabetes and gangrene

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body is unable to control the blood sugar. Normally the body has a good immune system that fights against microbes and invading organisms that may lead to infections. The white blood cells are the main fighters in this respect to keep the body protected. (1-5) In patients with diabetes, the immune system of […]

Continue reading »

Causes of gangrene

Gangrene is caused due to tissue death that results from stoppage of blood supply to the affected organ. Blood vessels carry red blood cells that in turn carry life giving oxygen to all tissues. Blood also carries nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids essential for the normal functioning of the tissues. The white blood cells in addition […]

Continue reading »

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. The stool movement is a complex process which integrates the rectal muscles and the internal and external anal sphincter complex along […]

Continue reading »

Osteomyelitis Causes

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that is usually caused by bacteria. Some of the bacteria that lead to this condition are described below. In newly born babies aged less than four months, the condition is mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, group A and B Streptococcus species andEnterobacter species. In children aged between 4 months and 4 years, the most common […]

Continue reading »

Melanoma History

Melanoma is a health condition with a long history, dating back to early records in the 5th century BC. The following is a short summary of the prominent historical events. Ancient History In approximately the 5th century BC, Hippocrates was the first to record a description of melanoma, which he described as melas, meaning dark, and oma, meaning tumor, in […]

Continue reading »

What is Hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa)?

Hidradenitis supurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin condition involving the inflammation of the apocrine sweat glands, forming pimple-like bumps known as abscesses. These tend to recur in specific regions of the body, can be very painful and often leave behind deep scar tissue when they heal. Cause The cause of hidradenitis supurativa is not known, although […]

Continue reading »

Huntington's Disease History

Huntington’s disease has been acknowledged as a disorder for hundreds of years but the cause was only established recently. Over the years, Huntington’s disease has been named differently, according to what was understood of the condition. Terms have ranged from “chorea” which refers to the jerky, uncontrolled movements that occur, through to “chronic progressive chorea,” which reflected the observed progressive […]

Continue reading »
1 27 28 29 30 31 160