Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the outer covering of the eye known as the conjunctiva. It is commonly referred to as pink eye or, in India, as the Madras eye. The conjunctiva is a thin invisible lining over the outer eyeball and inner eyelid. It protects the eye from injury but can be easily irritated, injured and infected.
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is the most common malignant cancer arising from liver cells (hepatocytes). It is a primary cancer meaning that it originates in the liver compared to secondary (metastatic) cancer which spreads from elsewhere in the body to cause cancer of the liver.
Gynaecomastia
What is Gynaecomastia?
Gynaecomastia is the abnormal enlargement of glandular breast tissue in men. Deposition of fat in obese individuals may be mistaken for gynaecomastia, but only enlargement of glandular tissue is considered as gynaecomastia.
Causes and risk factors
Gynaecomastia results from an imbalance in the blood levels of female sex hormones (oestrogens, like oestrogen and estrodiol) and male sex hormones (androgens, namely testosterone and dihydrotestosterone). Breast tissue enlargement is caused by oestrogens. Normally all… Continue reading
Lung Cancer
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancers are malignant tumours which arise from the lung tissue. Lung cancers may arise from bronchus, bronchioles or from the alveoli. In majority of the patients, lung cancer is closely associated with cigarette smoking.
Types of lung cancer
Lung cancer is broadly classified as small cell (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) based on the histopathologic appearance. SCLC is less frequent than NSCLC and accounts for about one-fifth of… Continue reading
Meningitis
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of meningeal membranes which are the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. There are three layers of these meninges – pia mater (inside), arachnoid mater (middle) and dura mater (outside). The most important cause of meningitis is due to an infection – mainly with bacteria or viruses. Some types of meningitis can resolve on its own without treatment while other types are potentially fatal unless immediate medical treatment can be commenced.
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Leprosy
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). The disease is also known as Hansen’s disease. M. leprae particularly affects tissues of the body like skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, testis and respiratory mucosa (lining of the airways).
Types of Leprosy
Broadly leprosy is classified as paucibacillary and multibacillary by World Health Organisation (WHO) based on the proliferation of lepra bacilli. Patients with paucibacillary leprosy have lower bacillary load in tissues. This form of leprosy is seen in immune competent individuals. Multibacillary leprosy patients have higher bacillary load in tissue, and this form of leprosy is seen in immune deficient individuals.
Glaucoma
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is disease of the eye. It is characterised by progressive damage to the optic nerve leading to disturbances in vision. Glaucoma can progressively lead to permanent loss of vision and blindness if untreated.
Fibromyalgia
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by pain, tenderness (pain on touching), stiffness and increased sensitiveness of muscles, tendons and joints to pressure. Fibromyalgia may also be present in addition with central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract symptoms.
Fibromyalgia commonly affects women in the age group of 30-50 years. It can occur independently or may be associated with immune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes and risk factors
The… Continue reading
Endometrial cancer
What is endometrial cancer?
Uterine cancers arising from the endometrium (the innermost layer of the uterus consisting of stroma and glands) are known as endometrial cancers. Endometrial cancer is more common in post-menopausal women, although it may occur at an earlier age. It is the third most common gynaecological cancer which causes death.
Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of endometrial cancer is not known, but exposure of the endometrium to high levels of… Continue reading
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (sometimes called impotence) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection to perform satisfactory sexual intercourse. The severity of erectile dysfunction varies from individual to individual. Some individuals completely fail to attain erection, while others can achieve an erection but fail to sustain it for a sufficiently long time. Erectile dysfunction is less common in younger men, but the incidence increases with age, although it is not considered a normal part of aging. Normal penile erection involves integrated functioning of cardiovascular, neurological, renal and psychological functions.
