Catarrh is an inflammation of mucous membranes in the airways, and typically affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses. Doctors sometimes refer to catarrh as postnasal drip. Often, catarrh is the result of an intermittent or temporary illness, such as an allergy or cold. It’s often temporary, but some people experience…
Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It occurs when a part of the skull is abnormally small or misshaped, pressing on the brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation are structural defects in the cerebellum. It is the part of the brain that controls balance. Types Doctors…
Marfan syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder that affects normal body growth. Connective tissue provides support for the skeletal structure and all the organs of the body. Any disorder that affects the connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome, can affect the entire body, including the organs, skeletal system, skin, eyes, and heart. One of…
Gastroparesis is a disease in which the stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal way. It is a condition that affects normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) on the stomach. Usually, strong muscular contractions propel food through the digestive tract. But if a person has gastroparesis, their stomach’s motility is slowed down…
Sinusitis is a common inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, the cavities that produce the mucus necessary for the nasal passages to work effectively. If the Sinus Passages become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection. Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include; The common cold Allergic rhinitis, which is swelling…
Arachnoiditis is a neurological condition that causes pain in the back, perineum (the space between the genitals and the rectum), legs, arms, and feet. Arachnoiditis can also affect a person’s vision, sight and mobility. Types Doctors classify arachnoiditis into several subtypes. Knowing the type of arachnoiditis a person has can aid in predicting symptoms. Types…
Sheehan’s syndrome is a condition that affects women who lose a life-threatening amount of blood in childbirth or who have severe low blood pressure during or after childbirth, which can deprive the body of oxygen. This lack of oxygen that causes damage to the pituitary gland is known as Sheehan’s syndrome. The pituitary gland sits…
Scleroderma is a long-lasting disease that affects the patient’s skin, connective tissue, and internal organs. It happens when the patient’s immune system causes the body to make too much of the protein collagen, an important part of the skin. As a result, the skin gets thick and tight, and scars can form on the lungs…
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are the muscles that the body uses for movement. It occurs when communication between nerve cells and muscles becomes impaired. This impairment prevents crucial muscle contractions from occurring, resulting in muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease. The body’s…
Behcet’s disease, also called Behcet’s syndrome, is a rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation throughout the body. The disease can lead to numerous signs and symptoms that can seem unrelated at first. They can include mouth sores, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions, and genital sores. Behcet’s disease is a chronic condition. The severity…
Blood poisoning is a serious infection. It occurs when bacteria are in the bloodstream. Despite its name, the infection has nothing to do with poison. Although not a medical term, “blood poisoning” is used to describe bacteremia, septicemia, or sepsis. Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that’s associated with an infection. It is a…
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), is a rare genetic condition that causes a child’s body to age fast. Most kids with progeria do not live past age 13. The disease affects both sexes and all races equally. It affects about 1 in every 4 million births worldwide. Children with progeria generally appear…
Febrile seizures usually occur in young children who are between the ages of 3 months to 3 years. They’re convulsions a child can have during a very high fever that’s usually over 102.2 to 104°F (39 to 40°C) or higher. This fever will happen rapidly. The rapid change in temperature is more of a factor…
Niemann-Pick is a rare, inherited disease that affects the body’s ability to metabolize fat (cholesterol and lipids) within cells. These cells malfunction and over time die. People with niemann-pick disease have an abnormal lipid metabolism that causes a buildup of harmful amounts of lipid in various organs. The disease primarily affects the following; LiverSpleenBrainBone marrow…
Tarlov cysts are fluid-filled nerve root cysts found most commonly at the sacral level of the spine — the vertebrae at the base of the spine. These cysts typically occur along the posterior nerve roots. Cysts can be valved or non valved. These cysts are sometimes called perineural, meaning the cyst can surround (peri) a…
Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing means it takes time and effort to move food or liquid from the patient’s mouth to their stomach. Dysphagia may also be associated with pain. In some cases, swallowing may be impossible. Although the medical term “dysphagia” is often regarded as a symptom or sign, it is sometimes used to describe…
Medical Tourism Medical tourism, which is also called medical trip, means visiting abroad countries for medical services. Usually, these trips are combined with a vacation. The concept of medical tourism is not new. In the 4th century BC, Epidaurus was a center of praying and treatment for those visiting Anatolia all around the Mediterranean sea…
Desmoid tumors are noncancerous growths that occur in the connective tissues, it rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It most often occurs in the abdomen, arms and legs. Another term for Desmoid tumors is aggressive fibromatosis. The tumor may also be called one of the following; Aggressive fibromatosisDeep fibromatosisDesmoid fibromatosisFamilial infiltrative fibromatosisHereditary desmoid…
Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in bones or in the soft tissue around the bones. Ewing sarcoma most often begins in the leg bones and in the pelvis, but it can occur in any bone. Less often, it starts in the softest tissues of the chest, abdomen, limbs or other…
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don’t appear until many years after continued exposure. Signs and Symptoms The signs and symptoms of asbestosis typically manifest after…