Definition A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine (hematuria) and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi. The condition of having …
Read More »Gastroparesis- Definition, Causes, and Treatment
Definition Gastroparesis means partial paralysis of the stomach. The word ‘gastro’ refers to the stomach, and the word ‘paresis’ means partial paralysis. To understand what goes wrong in gastroparesis, it is important to know how a healthy digestive tract functions. When we eat, we start by chewing and swallowing (ingesting), …
Read More »Cardiomegaly – Causes, Complications and Prevention.
What is Cardiomegaly? An enlarged heart is medically known as cardiomegaly. Cardiomegaly can be caused by a number of different conditions, including diseases of the heart muscle or heart valves, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and pulmonary hypertension. Cardiomegaly can also sometimes accompany longstanding anemia and thyroid diseases, among other conditions. …
Read More »Lichen Planus (LP) – Overview, Causes, and Prevention.
Lichen Planus – Overview Lichen planus is a condition that can cause swelling and irritation in the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. On the skin, LP usually appears as purplish, itchy, flat bumps that develop over several weeks. In the mouth, vagina and other areas covered by a mucous …
Read More »Neutropenia- Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Definition Neutropenia is when a person has a low level of neutrophils. It is a type of white blood cell. All white blood cells help the body fight infection. Neutrophils fight infection by destroying harmful bacteria and fungi (yeast) that invade the body. Neutrophils are made in the bone marrow. …
Read More »Corns and Calluses – Causes, Treatment, and Prevention.
What are corns and calluses? Corns and calluses are annoying and potentially painful conditions that form thickened areas in the skin in areas of excessive pressure. The medical term for the thickened skin that forms corns and calluses is hyperkeratosis (plural=hyperkeratoses). A callus refers to a more diffuse, flattened area …
Read More »Gricelli Syndrome – Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
Gricelli Syndrome – Overview Gricelli syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by unusually light (hypopigmented) skin and light silvery-gray hair starting in infancy. Researchers have identified three types of this disorder, which are distinguished by their genetic cause and pattern of signs and symptoms. Griscelli syndrome type 1 involves severe …
Read More »Pancreatitis- Overview, Causes and Treatment
Definition Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that is painful and at times deadly. Despite the great advances in critical care medicine over the past 20 years, the mortality rate of acute pancreatitis has remained at about 10%. Diagnosis of pancreatic problems is often difficult and treatments are …
Read More »