Definition Ovarian cyst is an abnormal fluid-filled pocket that develops on the inside of a girl’s ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organ and are found in the lower abdomen. The ovaries release an egg during the ovulation phase of each menstrual cycle (period). Cysts in the ovaries are relatively …
Read More »Stillbirth – Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention.
What is Stillbirth? A stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs. In the United States, a miscarriage is usually defined as loss of a baby before the 20th …
Read More »Pharyngitis – Types, Causes, Risk Factors and Treatment
Definition Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat (also known as the pharynx) often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The main symptom is a sore throat; other symptoms may include fever, cough, congestion, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. These symptoms can range from mild …
Read More »Adult-onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) – Definition, Symptoms and Treatment
Definition Adult-onset Still’s disease, sometimes known as AOSD, is a rare type of inflammatory arthritis. As the name suggests, it can only be diagnosed in adults. Its name comes from another condition, Still’s disease, which is also known as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Systemic JIA is only diagnosed in …
Read More »Brain Death – Risk Factors, Complications, and Treatment.
Definition of Brain Death Brain death is a clinical and legal definition of death. Sometimes, when a person is declared brain dead, their heart may still be still beating and their chest may rise and fall with every breath from the ventilator. The skin might be warm and a person …
Read More »Claustrophobia – Types, Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Definition Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder that causes an intense fear of enclosed spaces. It can be rational to fear being trapped when there is a genuine threat. However, in claustrophobia, people experience fear even when there is no obvious or realistic danger in a particular situation. People who experience …
Read More »Biliary Obstruction – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.
What is biliary obstruction? Biliary obstruction is a blockage of the bile ducts. A “duct” is a tube that carries specific bodily fluids. The bile ducts carry bile from the liver and gallbladder through the pancreas to the duodenum, which is a part of the small intestine. Bile is a …
Read More »Powassan virus (POW) – Pathophysiology, Causes and Prevention
Definition Powassan virus is transmitted to humans by infected ticks. Approximately 60 cases of POW virus disease were reported in the United States over the past 10 years. Most cases have occurred in the Northeast and Great Lakes region. Signs and symptoms of infection can include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, …
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