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Appendicitis in Children

The appendix is a vestigial organ left behind by human evolution. While the appendix has no specific function in the human digestive system, it is situated along the bottom right side of the large intestine.

17 Nov 2016

Nail Patella Syndrome Features

Nail patella syndrome is a genetic disorder which results in abnormal development of an individual’s nails, kneecaps, elbows and pelvis. There is a one in fifty thousand chance of a person being born with this disorder.

17 Nov 2016

Nail Patella Syndrome Genetics

Nail patella syndrome or NPS, is a genetic disorder passed down to children from their parents. It is usually present at birth and identified easily by a visual examination of the condition of the nails of the infant.

17 Nov 2016

Dehydration in Children

Dehydration is a state in which the body lacks its normal complement of water and electrolytes. Severe dehydration can lead to multi-system failure and death, and is therefore considered a life-threatening condition that demands urgent hospital treatment. Brain damage, convulsions, thrombus formation and death are just some of the serious complications of severe dehydration.

17 Nov 2016

Ataxia Telangiectasia Overview

Affecting the nervous system, immune system and other body organs, ataxia telangiectasia is characterized with uncoordinated movements of the individual suffering from this disorder. The secondary tell tale sign is the enlarged blood vessels visible under the surface of the skin like tiny red spider webs. They are predominantly visible inside the eye giving a red appearance to the whites of the eye.

17 Nov 2016

Primary Adrenal Insufficiency Comorbidities

Primary adrenal insufficiency - also known under the eponym Addison’s disease - occurs when the adrenal glands situated on top of the kidneys produce inadequate amounts of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid hormones. Autoimmune destruction of the aforementioned glands is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency in the developed countries, whereas tuberculosis is the second most frequent cause worldwide.

17 Nov 2016

What is Adrenal Insufficiency, Primary and Secondary?

Adrenal insufficiency is a condition that develops when most of the adrenal gland is not functioning normally. Primary adrenal insufficiency arises due to the damage of the glands or because of using drugs that halt synthesis of cortisol. On the other hand, secondary adrenal insufficiency stems from processes that inhibit the secretion of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the hypophysis as a result of a hypothalamic or pituitary pathology. The former is sometimes also referred to as tertiary adrenal insufficiency.

17 Nov 2016

What is an Adrenal Crisis?

Adrenal crisis (also known as the acute Addisonian crisis) is the most important – and potentially fatal – complication of hypoadrenalism (i.e. decreased activity of the adrenal glands). This condition develops in situations when marginally adequate adrenal reserve suddenly becomes insufficient to combat the growing needs for adrenal hormone cortisol during stress.

17 Nov 2016

What are Adrenal Disorders?

The adrenal glands are a significant part of human endocrine system, which is an intricate network of glands that produce interacting hormones. Those hormones are responsible for regulating a plethora of body functions, and can even affect other endocrine organs. For example, the adrenal glands are influenced by hormones that are produced by the hypophysis and the hypothalamus in the central nervous system.

17 Nov 2016

How is Adrenal Cancer Treated?

Following a diagnosis of adrenal cancer, there are several treatment options that may be used. Each of these techniques has unique advantages and disadvantages that will make it preferable for some cases and not others. As adrenal cancer is relatively rare, it can be worthwhile to collaborate with other endocrine specialists to discuss the best treatment options for the particular case.

17 Nov 2016

How is Adrenal Cancer Diagnosed?

There are several important steps in the diagnosis of adrenal cancer. Initially, a patient usually presents with signs or symptoms that may indicate adrenal cancer. This prompts an investigation involving blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests to determine the cause of the symptoms.

17 Nov 2016

What are the Signs of Adrenal Cancer?

Adrenal cancer is characterized by the growth of a tumor in the adrenal glands. The signs and symptoms associated with it can vary significantly according to the size and nature of growth of the tumor. Initially, the symptoms are quite subtle but usually become more obvious as the tumor grows in size and press against nearby tissues in the abdomen, or spreads to other areas of the body. The characteristics of adrenal cancer are discussed in more detail below.

17 Nov 2016

Outlook and Complications of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

JIA is an autoimmune condition caused by the formation of autoantibodies that target the synovial membranes of the affected joints.

16 Nov 2016

Causes of Bleeding in the Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract begins in the mouth and works its way down the esophagus, through the stomach, small and large intestines and rectum, before terminating at the anus. Bleeding or hemorrhaging anywhere along this pathway may be acute or chronic and can be due to a host of factors.

16 Nov 2016

Causes of Asthma

The precise cause of asthma isn’t entirely clear. However, there are a number of environmental and inherited factors that are thought to be involved in causing the condition.

16 Nov 2016

Air Pollution and Lung Health

Air pollution is air that contains a high concentration of pollutants that has the potential to cause harm to humans, animal, plants, or buildings. It is an important risk factor for the health of populations throughout the world. In fact, it has been estimated that outdoor air pollution caused 3.7 premature deaths on a global basis in 2012 alone.

16 Nov 2016

How Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Differ from Tuberculosis

Mycobacteriaceae represent a family of bacteria. This family includes several bacterial species, some of which cause human disease, and others which do not. Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to the onset of tuberculosis in humans. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a species in the mycobacteria group that could precipitate illness, but not tuberculosis (TB).

15 Nov 2016

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Diagnosis

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are bacteria that grow and survive naturally in water and in dirt. These bacteria have been classified as nontuberculosis to distinguish them from tuberculosis-causing bacteria, also known as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

15 Nov 2016

Nontuberculosis Mycobacteria

Just as with plants, germs are segregated into a variety of categories, known as families. The Mycobacteriaceae family represents one family of bacteria. Several species exist in the Mycobacteriaceae family but only certain species, known as pathogenic Mycobacteriaceae, can lead to the onset of human disease. Other species, termed saprophytic Mycobacteriaceae, do not lead to the onset of human disease or illness.

15 Nov 2016

How to Use Nasal Sprays Correctly

When used correctly, nasal sprays can offer effective relief of allergy symptoms or other conditions, depending on the type of spray being used. However, it is important that patients are clear about the way in which the spray should be used. This helps in both increasing the efficacy of the medication and reducing the risk of side effects associated with nasal sprays.

15 Nov 2016