Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach contents flow back (reflux) into the food pipe (esophagus). At the lower end of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach, there is a circular ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). After swallowing, the LES …
Read More »Gallstones – Definition, Treatment, and Management.
Definition Gallstones, or choleliths, are solid masses formed from bile precipitates. These “stones” may occur in the gallbladder or the biliary tract (ducts leading from the liver to the small intestine). There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol and pigment stones. Both types have their own unique epidemiology and risk …
Read More »Lupus – History, Symptoms, and Prevention.
Definition Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs. Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in …
Read More »Fibromyalgia – Symptoms, Complications, and Epidemiology.
Definition Fibromyalgia is the most common condition in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. The pain of Fibromyalgia Syndrome is usually described as aching, throbbing or …
Read More »Lyme Disease – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.
Definition Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, that’s transmitted to humans through a bite from an infected black-legged or deer tick. Symptoms can occur anywhere from 3 to 30 days after the bite, and symptoms can be wide-ranging, depending on the stage of the infection. Lyme disease …
Read More »Erectile Dysfunction – Root Cause, Symptoms, Treatment.
Definition Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain a penile erection adequate for satisfactory sexual intercourse. You may have ED if you can get an erection sometimes, though not every time can get an erection, yet it does not last long enough for sex are unable …
Read More »Epilepsy – Definition, Complications, and Treatment.
Definition Epilepsy is defined as the repeated occurrence of sudden, excessive and/or synchronous discharges in cerebral cortical neurons resulting in disruption of consciousness, disturbance of sensation, movements, impairment of mental function, or some combination of these signs. Because of their sudden nature, seizures are called ictal events, from the Latin …
Read More »Eczema – Risk factors, Diagnosis, and Management.
Definition Eczema refers to a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterized by dry skin, with patches that are red and intensely itchy. These patches of eczema may ooze, become scaly, crusted or hardened. The patients may have times when their skin is clear and other times when they have rash. It …
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