HowsHealth.com

Giant cell arteritis

Dr John — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:09:53 +0000

What is Giant cell arteritis? Giant cell arteritis or GCA or Horton disease is nothing, but an inflammatory disease involving the blood vessels, which carry blood rich in oxygen from the heart to the remaining body parts. Commonly, it affects the blood vessels of the head, especially the medium and large arteries, external carotid artery branches, in particular. So, when the temporal artery is involved, it is also referred to as temporal or cranial arteritis. Picture 1 : Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) Picture 2 : Difference between giant cell arteritis and normal artery source : Davidson medicine Quick GCA facts It generally occurs in elderly population, usually more [...] No related posts.

Coughing After Eating

Dr John — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:42:07 +0000

Cough mechanism Coughing is a forceful and explosive maneuver that is done during expiration, which may be due to deliberate or reflexive action for the purpose of clearing the airways and the respiratory tract. An irritated air passage results in cough due to reflex action as a result of any gastric or nervous disorder. However, chronic cough needs immediate attention. Normally, when phlegm or mucus gets produced, the body tries to cough up the mucus involuntarily. Coughing after eating food causes Coughing indicates that something is wrong in the body. It may either be a foreign body or improper functioning of an organ in the chest area. There are various [...] Related posts:

Hyponatremia

Dr John — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:34:59 +0000

Hyponatremia Definition Hyponatremia is an imbalance in electrolytes, where there is low serum sodium than the normal level. Normal – 136-145 mEq/L Hyponatremia – <135 mEq/L Severe hyponatremia – <125 mEq/L It is one of the common and essential electrolyte abnormalities, which can either be present in isolation or as a resultant complication of the several medical conditions. Excess water in the body dilutes the sodium in blood by getting accumulated within the body, including congestive heart failure, polydipsia or SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone), and sometimes it can also be seen in over-hydration. Inadequacy of sodium intake is rarely the cause for hyponatremia; but this may an indirect [...] Related posts:

Metatarsal Stress Fracture

Dr John — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:43:21 +0000

What is Metatarsal Stress Fracture? Metatarsal stress fracture is a medical condition that seems only a few knows. Unfortunately, this condition has been pestering us since the olden times. The metatarsal bones are a group of long bones of our feet. This can develop as a person has undergone a strenuous exercise or activity of specific bones uncommonly used. This is well aggravated with weight bearing exercises that lead to stress of the metatarsal. The metatarsal stress fracture is also referred as the incomplete fracture of bones. This is highly brought about overuse, as already mentioned. Fatigue is then correlated with this condition. The number of cases for such condition [...] Related posts:

Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome

Dr John — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:18:28 +0000

What is Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome? Post cholecystectomy syndrome is a condition that is acquired after an operative procedure, cholecystectomy. It has been reported, that about 5% to 30% of patients who have had cholecystectomy developed the syndrome. Other patients would even need admission to a hospital when this syndrome arises. But a great percentage of the affected is asymptomatic or presents no symptoms at all. About 28% of those suffering from PCS present mild symptoms while a minute percentage of clients have severe manifestations of the syndrome. It has been reported people are affected by this disease can manifest the symptoms or the syndrome itself after years or even decades [...] Related posts:

Thrombolysis

Dr John — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:26:53 +0000

What Is Thrombolysis? Thrombolysis is a process or a form of treatment with a primary goal of the dissolving blood clots that cause obstruction. This is a common form of treatment that can assist clients who are suffering from blood clots. This can also facilitate improvement of one’s blood flow. Thrombolysis Agents Thrombolysis agents are also known as thrombolytic agents. These are only aimed in acting on the formed blood clots. It doesn’t mean that it can avoid development of blood clots. The following are known agents of thrombolysis: Streptokinase Urokinase Alteplase Anistreplase Prourokinase Retaplase Tenecteplase These agents are composed of 3 classifications and these are tissue plasminogen activator, SK [...] No related posts.

Subchorionic Hematoma

Dr John — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:08:48 +0000

What Is Subchorionic Hematoma? Subchorionic Hematoma is a great concern for expectant mothers. This is described as a blood clot formation found in the pregnancy membranes and the uterus. This is said to be a rare phenomenon. About 25% of pregnancies are noted to be affected of such condition. This is may be due to the fact that this is unrecognizable unless the mother is hemorrhaging. This becomes undetected as it grows. It shall become known when complications have slowly presented themselves. Subchorionic Hematoma Symptoms The basic manifestation of the disease condition involves spotting. There seemed to be bleeding from light to heavy flow (this should be reported). The hematoma [...] Related posts:

Splenic Flexure Syndrome

Dr John — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:16:08 +0000

What is Splenic Flexure Syndrome? Splenic flexure syndrome is a digestive disorder characterized by spasm of the splenic flexure of the colon as a result of trapped gas in the splenic flexure. The pain and abdominal discomfort experienced is excruciating and debilitating which maybe similar to heart attack. This type of digestive disorder produces excessive gas that is way beyond the normal level. Splenic flexure is located near the spleen and a portion of the colon or large intestine. It is a sharp bend that changes direction from horizontal to vertical in the left upper abdomen. It does not have its primary source of blood supply and thus rely from [...] Related posts:

Hypernatremia

Dr John — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:08:06 +0000

Hypernatremia Definition Hypernatremia is an imbalance in electrolyte, where the sodium level gets elevated in the blood. Generally, hypernatremia do not occur due to excess sodium; instead, it is caused due to free water deficiency in the body, which causes the sodium in the body to rise. Hence, hypernatremia is a water-problem rather than sodium homeostasis. Hypernatremia due to excess salt intake is rare, and may happen in situations like salt water ingestion. Thus, hypernatremia is synonymous with dehydration. A strong thirst sensation resulting as a consequence of increased sodium level indicates hypernatremia, and this can be corrected by drinking water while feeling thirsty. Normal range: 136-145 mEq/L Hypernatremia: 145 [...] No related posts.

Hypovolemia

Dr John — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:33:33 +0000

Hypovolemia Definition Hypovolemia is a condition, where the blood volume decreases, otherwise decrease in blood plasma volume occurs. Thus, it is the volume contraction’s intravascular component, or blood volume loss due to hemorrhage and dehydration. Hence, sometimes, volume contraction and hypovolemia are used synonymously. Hypovolemia is represented by depletion of sodium (salt), thereby differing from dehydration, and meaning excessive water loss from the body. Historically, hypovolemia was termed desanguination meaning extensive loss of blood (derived from the Latin word sanguis, meaning blood). Hippocrates widely used this term. Actually, this word was used for describing the personality lack, either due to weakness or health, as a result of massive blood loss [...] Related posts: