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What is the Epidermis?

The epidermis is the thin, outer layer of the skin that is visible to the eye and works to provide protection to the body.

29 Nov 2016

Causes of Pulmonary Hypoplasia

Pulmonary hypoplasia is a condition where a baby’s lungs have failed to develop properly during development in the womb. The alveoli, which are needed for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lung, are reduced in number, which affects the baby’s ability to breathe independently after birth. If newborns with pulmonary hypoplasia cannot be supported long enough for new lung tissue to grow, they are at risk of developing lung failure.

29 Nov 2016

Signs and Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Lead exposure occurs through inhalation of lead dust or fumes or through ingestion of clothing, water or foods that contain the metal. Inhaled or digested lead is released into the blood and then distributed to different parts of the body. Most of the lead builds up and is stored in the bones, which then release it back into the blood, meaning organs are re-exposed long after the initial exposure.

29 Nov 2016

Prevention of Lead Poisoning

Lead is a highly toxic metal. Children under the age of six years are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning because it can affect the formation and connection of neurons while the nervous system is growing and developing. No level of lead in the blood has been found to be safe in children and even small amounts can affect children’s ability to learn, concentrate and achieve academically.

29 Nov 2016

Lead Poisoning Pathophysiology

Lead circulates in the body bound to red blood cells. O nly a small fraction is present in the plasma. However, if the level of lead in the blood exceeds 2.9 µmol/L, red cell binding becomes saturated, meaning the fraction of lead in plasma begins to increase. Lead in the plasma gradually gets distributed to various organs and tissues. B ecause the process is slow, it usually takes long-term exposure over months or years before clinical toxicity occurs.

29 Nov 2016

Lead Poisoning, Diagnosis and Treatment

Lead is a very toxic substance that can build up in the body and affect virtually every organ and bodily function. Lead poisoning is usually a chronic disorder and may not present with any acute symptoms. Whether acute symptoms are present or not, lead poisoning eventually leads to permanent and irreversible damage such as cognitive impairment, kidney dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy.

29 Nov 2016

What Happens if You Take Too Much Iron?

Iron is an essential mineral in the diet, and is a crucial component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Dietary iron is present in two forms. Heme iron is bound within a ring-shaped molecule called porphyrin. It is found mainly in red meat. Non-heme iron is found in both plants and animals. Its absorption is aided by vitamin C.

29 Nov 2016

Iron Deficiency

A deficiency of iron can result from a number of different causes. Inadequate iron in the diet, impaired absorption of iron, and excessive bleeding are all examples of conditions that can lead to iron deficiency.

29 Nov 2016

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (ION): Overview

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a condition in which there is significant impairment or loss of vision in the middle-aged or elderly population, especially Caucasians, due to ischemia of the optic nerve head. The incidence in the USA is between 2 and 10 per 100 000 with 6000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

28 Nov 2016

Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Overview

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal blockage of an artery in the lungs. The nature of the blockage is typically a blood clot, fat agglomeration, bubble of gas, or a piece of foreign material, known as an embolus.

28 Nov 2016

Optic Neuritis: Overview

Optic neuritis is a condition in which the optic nerve becomes inflamed and swollen, leading to an acute severe impairment of vision in the affected eye. The swelling may further lead to damage to the nerve fibers running through the nerve, causing permanent or temporary loss of vision in that eye. It is much more common in young female patients.

28 Nov 2016

Symptoms and Causes of Vitreous Detachment

Vitreous detachment is a process in which the vitreous separates from the retina with or without collapsing in on itself. The vitreous is a jelly-like body that fills the posterior chamber of the eye, giving the eyeball its round shape and keeping the retina in place against the back of the eye.

27 Nov 2016

Vitreous Detachment Treatment

A vitreous detachment by itself does not cause any visual problems. However, it is associated with a significant number of patients who have retinal tears or the formation of a macular hole. These are serious threats to the eyesight and so require immediate treatment. Thus, anyone who has the symptoms of vitreous detachment may also have a retinal break or detachment.

27 Nov 2016

Difference Between Double Outlet Right Ventricle and Double Inlet Left Ventricle

Both double outlet right ventricle (DORV) and double inlet left ventricle (DILV) are congenital heart defects that create the phenomenon of a single ventricle. This means that the heart, which normally has two distinct pumping chambers (i.e., right and left ventricles) has only one functional chamber.

27 Nov 2016

Prognosis for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe form of congenital heart disease which is always fatal without treatment. Though it has a wide spectrum of structural variations, it usually presents with symptoms in the first to third days of life. At birth and shortly thereafter the baby appears to be normal and well.

27 Nov 2016

Treatment of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare but severe cardiac malformation that is invariably fatal without treatment. It is characterized by the failure of the left side of the heart to develop normally.

27 Nov 2016

Diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a serious congenital heart condition in which the development of the left ventricle is abnormal. The normal heart has four chambers, two upper atria, and two lower ventricles. The atria receive blood from the body and the lungs.

27 Nov 2016

Causes and Symptoms of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is one of the most serious congenital heart anomalies, with an incidence of about 0.016-0.036% in North America, and has a mortality of 100% if untreated. Though it accounts for about 2-3% of all congenital heart diseases, it accounts for 23% of all infants who die from such causes.

27 Nov 2016

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a serious congenital heart disease that occurs because the left side of the heart does not form properly during fetal life.

27 Nov 2016

Support for Men with Postnatal Depression

Paternal Postnatal Depression (PPND) in men is a hitherto neglected but important aspect of new fatherhood. It has been estimated to occur in anywhere from 1 to 30 percent of men following the birth of a child. Many factors work together to make its management difficult.

27 Nov 2016