What should I know about diabetes type 1 and type 2? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Photo of diabetic treatment by iStock Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 facts Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Insulin produced by the pancreas lowers blood glucose. Absence...
What is chronic sinusitis? Chronic sinusitis has several potential causes. Sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull. Chronic sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining the facial sinuses becomes inflamed for at least three months. Chronic sinusitis usually involves nasal airway swelling (rhinitis). Hence, it is also called chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Chronic sinusitis usually occurs as...
A fetal ultrasound during pregnancy can show features that are suggestive of trisomy 18 Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards’ syndrome, is a genetic disorder that affects babies and can often be diagnosed before birth. A fetal ultrasound during pregnancy can show features that are suggestive of trisomy 18, and the detection rate is about...
What Is Bowel Diversion Surgery? Bowel diversion surgery allows stool to safely leave the body when (because of disease or injury) the large intestine is removed or needs time to heal. Bowel is a general term for any part of the small or large intestine. Some bowel diversion surgeries (those called ostomy surgery)divert the bowel...
Burkitt lymphoma facts Burkitt lymphomas are aggressive B-cell cancers that require urgent diagnosis and therapy. The cause of these lymphomas is not known, but does involve a change in chromosome 8 and may be related to infections such as malaria and/or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. There are many signs and symptoms associated with Burkitt's lymphoma;...
Botulism facts The botulinum toxin, produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, can cause severe, deadly food poisoning. Researchers have also harnessed it cosmetically and therapeutically to paralyze specific muscles. The botulism neurotoxin is one of the most potent, lethal substances known. Botulism is a disease caused by this neurotoxin (specifically A, B, E, or F...
Quadriplegia is also known as tetraplegia. Quadriplegia is also known as tetraplegia. It is defined as the temporary or permanent loss of sensations and movements of the upper and lower limbs. This may be the result of injury or infection to the spinal cord at the level of the neck. The spinal cord serves as...
A woman with a broken middle toe. Buddy taping (taping the toe to an adjacent toe can be used to splint a fractured toe.Source: iStock Broken toe definition and facts Readers Comments 100 Share Your Story Broken toes are often caused by trauma or injury. Prolonged repetitive movements can cause a type of broken toe...
What is the hydrogen breath test? The hydrogen breath test is a test that uses the measurement of hydrogen in the breath to diagnose several conditions that cause gastrointestinal symptoms. In humans, only bacteria – specifically, anaerobic bacteria in the colon – are capable of producing hydrogen. The bacteria produce hydrogen when they are exposed...
Facts you should know about bedwetting Bedwetting is also medically termed nocturnal enuresis. There are two types of bedwetting: primary and secondary. Primary bedwetting is bedwetting since infancy. Primary bedwetting is due to a delay in the maturing of the nervous system. Primary bedwetting is an inability to recognize messages sent by the bladder to...