Definition Rheumatic fever is a disease that can occur following an infection caused by the Group A streptococcus bacterium. If untreated, an infection such as ‘strep throat’ may lead to a delayed complication featuring widespread inflammation in other parts of the body, particularly the joints, heart, skin and brain. Rheumatic …
Read More »Endocarditis – Causes, Prevention and Treatment
Definition Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and its valves. The infection is caused by bacteria or fungi that enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes of the mouth, open wounds, needles. It can also occur from medical procedures which involve cutting through infected skin. …
Read More »Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) – Definition, Causes, and Treatment
Definition Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common life-threatening genetic condition that causes high cholesterol. Untreated, FH leads to early heart attacks and heart disease. People with FH have a high amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” due to a mutation in one of the genes that controls the …
Read More »Pressure Ulcers – Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Prevention.
What is Pressure Ulcers? Pressure Ulcers – also called bedsores ulcers and decubitus ulcers – are injuries to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. Bedsores most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone. …
Read More »Polymyalgia Rheumatica – Description, Complications, and Diagnosis.
Description Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and hips. It is most common in women and almost always occurs in people over 50. The main symptom is stiffness after resting. Other symptoms include fever, weakness and weight loss. In some …
Read More »Leg Cramps – Causes, Complications, and Treatment.
What are leg cramps? Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary, intense muscle pains usually in your calf, foot or thigh. You might also know them as a “charley horse.” Sometimes the cramp may cause your leg to spasm – to tighten uncontrollably. Although painful to live with, cramps are generally harmless. …
Read More »Lynch syndrome – Definition, Causes, Types and Treatment
Definition Lynch syndrome is an inherited genetic condition that significantly raises a person’s risk of developing cancer. The cancer is most frequently in the colon, but it could also be in the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, urinary tract, brain, skin, and prostate. Women have higher risk of endometrial …
Read More »Penile Cancer – Causes, Signs, and Symptoms.
Description Penile cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the penis. It is the male sex organ that passes sperm and urine from the body. The most common type of penile cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells in …
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