Introduction Athlete’s foot is a common foot infection caused by infection with certain types of fungi, called dermatophytes—these are the same fungi that cause ringworm and jock itch. Dermatophytes grow best in moist, damp places, which is why infection commonly spreads in the shower areas of gyms and swimming pools. …
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Xerophthalmia – Definition, Risk factors, and Treatments.
Definition Xerophthalmia is a medical condition in which the eye film is reduced and the eye is incapable of producing tears. This appears when there is something wrong with lacrimal glands and their main function, meaning to produce tears, is affected. Xerophthalmia is also known as the dry eye syndrome …
Read More »Goitre – Description, Causes, Symptoms, and Medications.
What is Goitre? An enlargement of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland which is present at the front of the throat and below the Adam’s apple, is called goitre. The thyroid gland comprises of two lobes that lie on either side of the windpipe joined by a bridge of tissue …
Read More »Scurvy – Causes, Symptoms, Complications, and Prevention.
Introduction Scurvy is a disease caused by prolonged severe dietary deficiency of ascorbic acid, in which the breakdown of intercellular cement substances leads to capillary haemorrhages and defective growth of fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and odontoblasts results in impaired synthesis of collagen, osteoid, and dentine. It is characterized by haemorrhagic gingivitis affecting …
Read More »Trichinosis – Risk factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Trichinosis is a disease caused by parasitic roundworms (nematodes) that can infect and damage body tissues. Nematodes are a major division of the helminth family of parasitic worms (for example, Trichinella spiralis). When ingested, these parasitic worms can pass through the intestinal tract to invade other tissues, such as …
Read More »Osteomalacia – Definition, Manifestations, and Diagnosis.
Definition Osteomalacia means soft bones. Bone is a living, active tissue that’s continually being removed and replaced. This process is known as bone turnover. Bone consists of a hard outer shell (the cortex) made up of minerals, mainly calcium and phosphorus, and a softer inner mesh (the matrix) made up …
Read More »Psittacosis or Parrot Disease – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Psittacosis is an uncommon infectious disease that is most often transmitted to humans through exposure to infected birds, especially parrots, cockatiels, parakeets and similar pet birds. Psittacosis can affect the lungs and may cause inflammatory illness of the lungs (pneumonia). Additional common symptoms include fever, muscle pain (myalgia), headaches, …
Read More »Photophobia – Causes, Complications, and Diagnosis.
What is photophobia? Photophobia is not a fear of light, as the name might suggest, but rather it is an intolerance or sensitivity to light that can lead to extreme pain and discomfort. Sources of light such as fluorescent light, sunlight, and incandescent light can all be responsible for causing …
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