The liver is located in the upper abdomen and just below the right lung. It is the largest organ inside the human body and is necessary due to its many important functions, some of which include: The metabolism and storage of many ingested nutrients (e.g., vitamins and iron). The production of clotting factors required to stop bleeding (due to injury). […]
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Hyperinsulinemia refers to an excess of insulin in the blood and is a condition often associated with type 2 diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia leads to problems regulating the amount of glucose circulating in the blood. This means that insulin-producing cells in the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans have to produce increasing amounts of insulin in order to maintain the blood glucose […]
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Vocal hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the vocal fold or in the vocal cord ruptures, and leaks blood into the superficial lamina propria (SLP). This disrupts the vibrations in the vocal cord and usually causes severe disorder of the voice (dysphonia). Vocal hemorrhage typically happens as a result of forceful or incorrect use of the voice. Its pathology […]
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Around 3 to 5% of the world population suffers from a widespread painful disorder called fibromyalgia syndrome. Females are affected more often than males. At least 7 to 9 out of 10 people diagnosed are women. There are multiple painful tender points all over the body and other symptoms like sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, migraine, cognitive and memory […]
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Gene therapy has been associated with several problems over the last few decades. One of the main issues is the lack of knowledge about the long-term effects of the therapy and the field is fraught with ethical issues. The Weismann barrier is an important principle put forward by August Weismann that states hereditary information should only ever move from genes […]
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Breastfeeding is a practice that has been used for the benefit of the baby since the beginning of evolution of mammals. Human mothers can choose to breastfeed or choose artificial feeding for their babies unlike other mammals. Breastfeeding, however, is complete with benefits for both the mother and the baby and although it seems like a challenge initially, it can […]
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Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most commonly occurring tumors in the world. This form of cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in men and the eighth most common in women. The epidemiology of this cancer occurs as two main patterns – the one seen in North America and Western Europe and the one seen in non-Western regions such […]
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Compulsive hoarding is a progressive disease. Diagnosis, like in other mental health conditions, is not straightforward. There are people who hoard but are not compulsive hoarders. These individuals need to be identified when diagnosing the condition. However, these hoarders over years and after a traumatic life event like a bereavement of depressive episode may turn into compulsive hoarders. (1) Hoarders […]
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Retinitis pigmentosa is commonly identified by the examination of the appearance of the retina using slit lamp biomicroscopy. Common findings on examination and steps in diagnosis include:- The retina shows black or dark brown, star-shaped concentrations of pigmentation. The pigmentation may be limited to part of the retina or involve the whole retina. Abnormalities may appear to be radiating out […]
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Pancreatic cancer is sometimes referred to as a silent killer because it rarely causes any symptoms in the initial stages and can be difficult to diagnose. As the cancer progresses, the symptoms that develop depend on the type, stage and location of the cancer. Some examples of symptoms that may develop include abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, bowel problems, nausea, […]
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