Archive for the ‘Disease & Conditions’ Category
Bacterial vaginosis is the medical term for a bacterial infection in the vagina. The vagina harbors many naturally occurring species of bacteria in a controlled environment. With a balanced pH and a constant level of moisture, the vaginal tissue remains intact from any bacterial invasion. However under certain circumstances, a bacterial overgrowth can occur. Alternatively, foreign bacteria may gain entry into the vagina and infect the cavity.
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Cancer of the prostate gland is one of the most common types of cancer detected in men. Prevalence of prostate cancer is higher in the older age groups and is more common after the age of 65. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, although it is known to be hormone related, and a family history is often present. It is also more common in African-Americans and Caucasians than in Asians. There may not be any noticeable symptoms in the early stages and often cancer of the prostate gland is detected incidentally or during a routine screening such as digital rectal examination (DRE) or blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Early detection gives better treatment results hence routine screening for prostate cancer is very important, especially for those considered as high risk.
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Gangrene is the death of tissue followed by consumption by pathogens, usually bacteria. When any living tissue gets injured and if healing and repair is impossible, the tissue will die. This is known as necrosis. If the tissue is not discarded or the body cannot wall it off, bacteria will begin to consume this dead tissue and this is known as putrefaction. Gangrene is not separate from the body, but rather when the decomposing area lies adjacent or in continuity with the living tissue surrounding it, thereby running the risk of causing death to this healthy tissue.
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An autoimmune disease is a disorder with the immune system whereby the immune cells attack the body’s own tissues. Unlike an immune deficiency, like HIV/AIDS, an autoimmune disease is due to an overactive and strong immune systems that is malfunctioning and incorrectly identifying the body’s cells as a foreign invader. An autoimmune disease may target specific cells, tissues or organs or the entire body.
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A ‘clicking neck’ is a clearly audible sound caused by either turning (rotation) or tilting (lateral flexion) the head. In most cases, the clicking sound is caused by tight muscles of the neck causing the vertebrae to rub against each other during certain movements of the neck and head. While there may be no other symptoms present apart from a clicking neck, with time, the persistent muscle spasm will lead to headaches, neck or upper back pain. In most cases of a clicking neck, cracking the joints (medical term ~ articular release) usually resolves the clicking noise and eases tightness of the joint.
A concussion is one of the most common conditions arising from severe head injury and is not always evident after trauma. The full effects of a concussion may only be noticed days, weeks or month after the incident and if they persist for a long period of time, it is known as post concussion syndrome. A concussion is any trauma to the brain resulting in impairment of normal brain functions, either short or long term. Fainting or a ‘black out’ meaning a loss of consciousness does not always occur in a concussion and for this reason many head trauma patients ignore the possibility of a concussion and do not seek medical investigation or treatment after their injury.
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