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Bell's Palsy Recovery

Most patients with Bell's palsy recover completely within 6 weeks, regardless of eventual treatment received. In some cases full recovery ensues after 9 months or even longer, but often with residual damage and development of sequelae.

21 Nov 2009

Bell's Palsy Epidemiology

Bell's palsy is the most common cause of acute unilateral facial paralysis, accounting for approximately 60-75% of such cases. The right side is generally affected more often, i.e. 63% of the time.

21 Nov 2009

Bell's Palsy Pathology

Seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve) passes through a portion of temporal bone known as the facial canal. Inflammation of at the part of the nerve termed geniculate ganglion (a group of fibers and sensory neurons) leads to compression within this bony canal.

21 Nov 2009

Bell's Palsy Symptoms

Clinically, Bell's palsy is primarily characterized by the dysfunction of peripheral seventh cranial nerve (i.e. facial nerve), leading to a complete or partial facial paralysis. The classic sign of the disease is the involvement of only one side of the face with a sudden onset.

21 Nov 2009

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's palsy is a common neurologic disorder characterized by peripheral paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve (also known as the facial nerve), resulting in muscle weakness on one side of the face.

21 Nov 2009

Autism History

The term autism first was used by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1908. He used it to describe a schizophrenic patient who had withdrawn into his own world. The Greek word ''autós'' meant self and the word “autism” was used by Bleuler to mean morbid self-admiration and withdrawal within self.

21 Nov 2009

Autism Prognosis

Autism is a complex disorder with a variety of manifestations and is thus termed Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD. There is no known cure for this condition. Children with autism may often grow up with lack of social support systems, employment and meaningful relationships and family.

21 Nov 2009

Autism Management

Autism has no cure at present. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder with various manifestations. The aim of treatment is to lessen associated difficulties and deficits and to improve quality of life and functional independence. No single treatment is best and management needs to be tailored to the child's needs.

21 Nov 2009

Autism Mechanism

Autism is a spectrum of disorders with no specific only cause. This is the reason why its mechanism of pathophysiology is difficult to understand.

21 Nov 2009

Autism Screening

Diagnosis of autism is difficult since it is a complex disorder and no two individuals with the disorder have similar manifestations. There are no medical tests like a blood test that can help diagnose the disorder. In addition, autism may be manifested as a wide range of disorders and is thus termed Autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

21 Nov 2009

Autism Causes

Autism is a spectrum or range of disorders and no exact cause is known. There are several interacting causes that may lead to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In most cases there is a combination of genetic risk factors that can interact with environmental risk factors. Because of the complexity of the disorder and because of the overlapping of symptoms making each autistic individual unique, the exact cause is difficult to determine.

21 Nov 2009

Autism Classification

Autism has a wide range of severity and symptoms that is often used to classify the Autism Spectrum disorders. Each of the syndromes under ASD is different from the other. For example, people with Asperger syndrome have no substantial delay in language development.

21 Nov 2009

What is Autism?

Autism is not a single disease entity. It is part of a range of developmental disorders known as autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). They begin in childhood and last through adulthood.

21 Nov 2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis Epidemiology

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects nearly 1% of the population worldwide. Due to its severely debilitating nature, especially in advanced stages, the disease burden is considerable in economic and health expenditure terms.

21 Nov 2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis History

Arthritis and diseases of the joints have been plaguing mankind since ancient times. In around 1500 BC the Ebers Papyrus described a condition that is similar to rheumatoid arthritis. This is probably the first reference to this disease.

21 Nov 2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis Prognosis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not have a cure. It is a progressive disease that leads to steady joint damage and severe debility.

21 Nov 2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment is outlined in several guidelines worldwide. These include guidelines from ACR, EULAR, and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. It is to be remembered that rheumatoid arthritis has no absolute cure. It is a progressive disease. However, there are several approaches that can help in preventing and delaying the progress of the disease as well as improving the functional capacity of the patients to a great extent.

21 Nov 2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mainly depends on the presence of signs and symptoms. However, there is a wide range and degree of severity of these signs and symptoms. In addition, there are several inflammatory and arthritic conditions that manifest with similar symptoms. This makes diagnosis difficult.

21 Nov 2009

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is an inflammatory condition that affects joints primarily leading to pain and stiffness and difficulty in movements. Commonly affected joints are those of the hands, feet and wrists. RA however can also affect other parts of the body.

21 Nov 2009

Ulcerative Colitis Research

Ulcerative colitis affects a large population worldwide. With severe conditions there may be damage to the gut walls leading to several conditions such as obstruction of the bowel, perforation of the gut necessitating bowel surgery.

21 Nov 2009