Definition Uveitis is a general term describing a group of inflammatory diseases that produces swelling and destroys eye tissues. These diseases can slightly reduce vision or lead to severe vision loss. The term “uveitis” is used because the diseases often affect a part of the eye called the uvea. Nevertheless, …
Read More »Hernia – Causes, Treatment, and Prevention.
Overview A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Hernias are most common in the abdomen, but they can also appear in the upper …
Read More »Cardiac Tamponade – Overview, Causes, and Diagnosis.
Overview Cardiac tamponade is a serious medical condition in which blood or fluids fill the space between the sac that encases the heart and the heart muscle. This places extreme pressure on your heart. The pressure prevents the heart’s ventricles from expanding fully and keeps your heart from functioning properly. …
Read More »Trigger Finger- Causes, Complications, and Treatment
Definition Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a condition that involves one of the fingers or thumbs becoming stuck in a bent position and then rapidly straightened like the trigger of a gun. This condition is caused by a narrowing of the sheath that surrounds the tendons in the finger, …
Read More »Barrett’s esophagus- Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Definition Barrett’s esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged. This damage occurs when parts of the esophageal lining are repeatedly exposed to stomach acid, and are replaced by tissue that is similar to what is found in the intestine. Barrett’s esophagus can lead to …
Read More »Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) –Causes, Treatment, and Prevention.
Overview Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammation in the intestines (usually the colon) that can be life-threatening if not treated right away. NEC may affect only the lining of the intestine or its entire thickness. The damage caused by NEC to the intestinal tissues can cause a hole in the …
Read More »Peeling skin syndrome- Definition, Treatment and Prevention
Definition Peeling skin syndrome is a group of rare inherited skin disorders characterized by painless, continual, spontaneous skin peeling (exfoliation) due to a separation of the outermost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) from the underlying layers. Other findings may include blistering and/or reddening of the skin(erythema) and itching (pruritus). …
Read More »Leukodystrophy – Definition, Complications, and Pathophysiology.
Definition Leukodystrophies are a group of disorders that cause deterioration of the white matter, or myelin, in the brain. The term Leukodystrophy is derived from the prefix leuko, meaning white, and the word dystrophy, meaning imperfect growth. Therefore, Leukodystrophies are characterized by imperfect growth of the white matter in the …
Read More »