Once a diagnosis of gout has been confirmed, treatment is aimed at achieving the following: Alleviation of symptoms such as pain, swelling, inflammation and tenderness in the affected joint. Prevention of recurring gout attacks, which can cause progressive and permanent joint damage. This is achieved by reducing the blood levels of uric acid. Alleviation of symptoms Pain relief can be […]
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Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are seen in around one third of all people who have experienced a traumatic life event. The symptoms vary from person to person but some known symptoms include: Nightmares – Nightmares are one of the most important symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The nightmares usually involve a replay of the traumatic experience that gave rise […]
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Pandemic biological warfare refers to the use of toxins and contagious agents such as viruses or bacteria, to cause the death or incapacitation of populations across wide regions such as continents or even worldwide. For example, in 1346, the corpses of Mongol warriors who had been killed by plague were thrown over the walls of the besieged Crimean city of […]
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Urticaria or hives is commonly caused by the release of histamine and other chemical messengers in the skin surface. The release of these chemicals leads to the symptoms of allergy such as redness, itchiness and swelling. Causes Some common causes of hives include allergies to: Food items such as peanuts, shellfish, eggs, milk and cheese Dust mites Pollen Chemical irritants […]
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an assortment of lung disorders that includes:- chronic bronchitis emphysema chronic obstructive airways disease As the name suggests there is obstruction in airways and the patient typically faces difficulties in breathing due to the narrowing of their airways. Symptoms of COPD include:- breathlessness especially when physically active persistent cough with expectoration of phlegm repeated […]
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Various drugs are known to interact with haloperidol, a neuroleptic antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis. Some of the known drug interactions for haloperidol are described below: If haloperidol is used in combination with other central nervous system depressants such as sedatives, alcohol or narcotics, the actions and side effects of these drugs such […]
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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia most commonly affects children below 15 years of age. It is rare among adults. The symptoms are usually slow in onset but may rapidly get severe as the number of immature white blood cells (blast cells) rises and overcrowd other cells in the blood. The symptoms of ALL are indicative of the underlying pathology of the cancer. […]
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White blood cells are the soldiers that constitute the immune system of the human body. In leukopenia there is a diminished white blood cell count. When this happens, the immunity is severely weakened and the individual is at a greater risk of infections. Leukopenia may be caused by diseases, medications, and genetic deficiencies. White blood cells White blood cells are […]
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Life expectancy refers to the number of years a person is expected to live based on the statistical average. Life expectancy varies by geographical area and by era. In the Bronze age, for example, life expectancy was 26 years, while in 2010, it was 67 years. In mathematical terms, life expectancy refers to the expected number of years remaining for […]
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Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an endogenous chemical which is active in inflammation, and in B cell maturation. Besides being an immune protein, it is also a pyrogen, and is responsible for fever in autoimmune, infectious or non-infectious disease. It is produced in the body, wherever there is inflammation, either acute or chronic. This includes situations such as trauma, burns, cancers and […]
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