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Von Recklinghausen Disease (Neurofibromatosis Type I)

Von Recklinghausen disease (VRD) is also called neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). It is a genetic disorder in which the growth of nervous tissue is altered, producing tumors related to the nerve sheath. A single neurofibroma may not be indicative of this disorder, but multiple tumors are strongly suggestive of NF1.

21 Mar 2018

Sources of Dietary Fiber

The terminology ‘dietary fiber’ is believed to be first coined by Dr. E. Hipsley, who considered it an indigestible component of the plant cell.

21 Mar 2018

What is Oxytocin?

Oxytocin is a small but potent nine-amino acid hormone secreted within the brain, from the hypothalamus. It is secreted into the posterior pituitary via the pituitary stalk which contains axons projecting from the hypothalamic neuroendocrine cells, and is finally released from the nerve terminals in response to appropriate and varied stimuli.

20 Mar 2018

Constipation in Babies

Bowel movements are completely essential parts of normal life.In infancy, a baby may pass 3 – 4 stools a day at first; however, this tapers to about 2 stools per day during the first year of growth.

20 Mar 2018

What is Status Epilepticus?

Status epilepticus (SE) is an extremely serious and often fatal medical emergency. It may be defined as a continuous seizure which lasts for 30 minutes or more, or as 2 or more seizure episodes without the patient recovering full consciousness in between any 2 episodes.

20 Mar 2018

Albinism Causes

Albinism is a condition wherein the human body does not produce enough of the pigment melanin. In some cases, there may be absolutely no melanin produced. The lack of melanin results in a discoloration of the skin, hair and iris of the eye. Persons suffering from albinism have extremely light hair, pale skin and no color in the iris. This allows the blood vessels at the back of the eye to be seen and make them appear red-eyed.

20 Mar 2018

What is Leigh's Syndrome?

Leigh’s syndrome (LS) or subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy was first described by the neuropathologist Denis Leigh in a 7-month infant who had died of the disease, and on whom he performed an autopsy.

20 Mar 2018

Papaya Leaf Extract and Platelet Count

Leaf extract of papaya possesses many compounds and has been reported to revert low platelet counts to normal in dengue fever.

19 Mar 2018

What Should a Woman Eat or Drink During Labor?

Evidence suggests that consuming any food or no food at all with have no adverse impact on labor, maternal or fetal outcomes.

19 Mar 2018

Childhood Eczema and Mental Health: Where is the Link?

The link between eczema in childhood and mental health problems in later life has been the subject of research for many years.

20 Mar 2018

Does Wheat Cause Gut Inflammation?

Gluten is a structural component of wheat that may induce gut inflammation and is thus not recommended for individuals with celiac disease.

16 Mar 2018

Tartar Causes

Tartar, also known as plaque, is a coating that can be found on the teeth starting from the gum area, and coating the surface of the tooth.

16 Mar 2018

Overview of Prion Diseases

Prion diseases are progressive nervous system diseases which always have a fatal outcome. They are transmissible and affect many mammals. They are also called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

16 Mar 2018

What is Transvaginal Ultrasound?

The use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of many female disorders is undisputed. This mode of imaging uses ultrasound waves to reflect off various tissues as they pass through the targeted part of the body from a handheld probe. The reflections are then collected and analyzed to generate a computerized image of the scanned organ.

15 Mar 2018

What is Patau’s Syndrome?

Patau’s Syndrome is also known as Trisomy 13. It is a chromosome-based, rare genetic disorder in which the patient has an extra copy of chromosome 13 in some or all of the cells in the body. Normally the baby should have two copies of the chromosome but in this case, there are three. The presence of the extra chromosome causes abnormal development of the fetus, often resulting in a miscarriage or stillbirth.

15 Mar 2018

What is Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)?

Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) is characterized by a severely impaired immune response and frequent, severe infections.

15 Mar 2018

What is Gardner Syndrome?

Gardner syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by multiple intestinal polyps, dental abnormalities, multiple osteomas, and mesenchymal tumors.

15 Mar 2018

Turner Syndrome Causes

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.

15 Mar 2018

What is Alkaptonuria?

Alkaptonuria is caused by the deficiency of a single enzyme called homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase. This is responsible for the degradation of homogentisic acid (HGA) to maleylacetoacetic acid via the degradation of tyrosine. It occurs at a frequency of about 1 in 250,000 to 1 in 1,000,000. It is autosomal recessive in inheritance, and is a classical example of an inborn error of metabolism.

15 Mar 2018