Definition Head lice (Pediculus capitis) are small, wingless, egg laying insects found on the human head. They grow to about 3.5mm (the size of a sesame seed or pin head). It live on the hair and feed by sucking blood from the scalp. They are pale grey in colour before …
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Insomnia – Definition, Types, Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Definition Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can sap not only …
Read More »Insulin resistance – Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Definition Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, body fat and liver start resisting or ignoring the signal that the hormone insulin is trying to send out which is to grab glucose out of the bloodstream and put it into our cells. Glucose, also known as blood sugar, is …
Read More »Hair loss or Balding – Causes, Complications, and Treatment
Introduction Hair loss is a disorder in which the hair falls out from skin areas where they are usually present, such as the scalp and the body. This loss interferes with the many useful biologic functions of the hair, including sun protection (mainly to the scalp) and dispersal of sweat …
Read More »Graves’ disease – Introduction, Triggers, Diagnosis and Treatment
Introduction Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body’s immune system acts against its own healthy cells and tissues. In Graves’ disease, the immune system makes antibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that attach to thyroid cells. TSI mimics the action of TSH and stimulates the thyroid to make too …
Read More »Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Epidemiology, Symptoms, and Prevention.
Definition Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large bowel (colon) in which the bowel overreacts to a mild stimulus – such as eating or the presence of gas by going into spasm. It is also known as spastic colon. IBS is characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and …
Read More »Lactose intolerance – Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention.
Definition Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance develops when the body does not specifically make an enzyme called lactase. Lactase is needed to break down lactose the sugar …
Read More »Gout – Manifestations, Complications, and Medications.
Introduction Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to: Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that …
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