Viruses have existed as long as life has been on earth. Early references to viruses Early references to viral infections include Homer’s mention of “rabid dogs”. Rabies is caused by a virus affecting dogs. This was also known in Mesopotamia. Polio is also caused by a virus. It leads to paralysis of the lower limbs. Polio may also be witnessed […]
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A diagnosis of Hunter syndrome is usually suspected in young people who display signs and symptoms of the condition. Characteristic changes in the facial features provide the main initial warning that a child may have Hunter syndrome. In most cases, the diagnosis is usually made at around 2 to 4 years of age. Once a diagnosis is suspected, further laboratory […]
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Noonan syndrome represents one of the most common dysmorphic disorders with an incidence between 1 in 1000 to 1 in 2500 live births. The most characteristic features of this syndrome are craniofacial dysmorphy, short stature, cardiovascular defects, bone and skeletal defects, as well as delayed puberty and cryptorchidism in males. Noonan syndrome has a genetic background with the autosomal dominant […]
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Life expectancy is calculated as the number of years a person is expected to survive based on the statistical average. The starting point used to calculate life expectancy is age-specific death rates among members of the relevant population. When plenty of data are available for a population, these age-specific death rates can be calculated simply by looking at the mortality […]
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There are three main types of telemedicine, which include store-and-forward, remote monitoring and real-time interactive services. Each of these has a beneficial role to play in overall health care and, when utilized properly, can offer tangible benefits for both healthcare workers and patients. Store-and-Forward Store-and-forward telemedicine surpasses the need for the medical practitioner to meet in person with a patient. […]
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In addition to the standard treatments for psoriasis, including phototherapy, topical and systemic applications, there are various alternative therapies that may also be effective. The details of these therapies are outlined below. Herbal Remedies There are various herbal remedies that are sometimes recommended for use in the treatment of psoriasis. The evidence to support their use is scarce, but individual […]
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The diagnosis of acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is sometimes difficult because of the vague nature of the presenting symptoms. It is therefore based upon the history of the patient’s complaints, the clinical features and the results of specific biochemical tests. Further Reading: Monet_3k/ Shutterstock.com This may however, also suggest other conditions such as the HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver […]
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Throughout history, the treatments used to manage the symptoms of psoriasis were largely discovered through experimentation and noting how the skin lesions responded. It was in this way that long-used treatments such as coal tar were initially discovered. However, advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis has revolutionized the way we now go about discovering and developing new […]
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Ataxia is the defect in normal movements like walking, speaking, eating swallowing etc. It is caused most commonly by damage to the brain stem or cerebellum that regulates movements. Symptoms of ataxia One of the earliest symptoms noticed in ataxia is loss of balance and co-ordination in the limbs. The limbs may feel numb or may lose strength altogether. Walking […]
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The professional requirements to become registered and practice as an ophthalmologist vary considerably throughout different countries of the world. Some countries require a postgraduate degree to become certified, whereas others require a residency program or other form of training. These differences in professional requirements can make it difficult for ophthalmologists who wish to work internationally outside of the country where […]
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