Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that tends to run in families Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tends to run in families. Your likelihood of getting RA, however, is not determined by family history of the disease alone. It is also influenced by environmental factors such as age, obesity and smoking. RA is an autoimmune disease that develops as a result...
Dyslexia Symptoms, Signs, 6 Types, Tests, & Treatment
Dyslexia facts Primary dyslexia: This is the most common type of dyslexia, and is a dysfunction of, rather than damage to, the left side of the brain (cerebral cortex) and does not change with age. Dyslexia is a difficulty in learning to read. Dyslexia can be related to hereditary factors or other factors that affect brain development. The precise cause...
7 Indigestion Symptoms: Dyspepsia Signs, Causes & Remedies
Indigestion definition (dyspepsia, upset stomach) and facts Indigestion can have many different causes. Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a functional disease in which the gastrointestinal (GI) organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine (and occasionally the esophagus), function abnormally. It is a chronic disease in which the symptoms fluctuate in frequency and intensity usually over many months or...
Ear Tubes Surgery: Placement Procedure in Toddlers & Adults
Ear tubes surgery definition and facts Diagram showing how ear tubes are surgically inserted Recurrent ear infections may require insertion of ear tubes. Ear tube placement involves a tiny incision in the ear drum. It is helpful to understand what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Ear tubes can have complications, it is important to follow of the doctor's...
Does Retinoblastoma Cause Blindness?
Does retinoblastoma cause blindness? Retinoblastoma can lead to blindness, but the majority of patients do not experience vision loss. Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the eye that begins in the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive lining inside the eye. Retinoblastoma most commonly affects young children and rarely occurs in adults. Retinoblastoma and vision: Retinoblastoma can affect vision and even...
Finger Dislocation Treatment, Recovery Time, Symptoms & Signs
Finger dislocation facts Share Your Story Deformity, swelling, and pain are signs and symptoms of a dislocated finger. Finger dislocations occur at the joints within the finger: metacarpal phalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP). Dislocations are when the bones of these joints become dislocated from each other. Finger dislocation injuries are painful and cause swelling and deformity....
Gangrene Infection Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Wet vs. Dry
Gangrene facts Wet gangrene is a medical emergency that needs prompt treatment. Gangrene refers to dead or dying body tissue(s) that occurs because of inadequate blood supply. There are two major types of gangrene, wet gangrene and dry gangrene. Dry gangrene can result from conditions that reduce or block arterial blood flow such as diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and tobacco addiction as...
Grief Symptoms: Get Facts on the Seven Stages of Grief
Grief: Loss of a loved one facts Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Grief is the feeling one experiences after the death of a loved one or other significant loss. Grief is quite common and is the normal internal feeling one experiences in reaction to a loss, while bereavement is the state of having experienced that loss. Although most commonly...
Bowel or Fecal Incontinence: Causes, Treatment, Symptoms & Prevent
Bowel incontinence (fecal incontinence) definition Picture of a Person with Bowel Incontinence Fecal incontinence can be defined as the unintentional loss of stool (feces) or gas (flatus). It is often due to a failure of one or more of the components that allow the body to control the evacuation of feces, when it is socially appropriate. A normal bowel movement...
Diphtheria Symptoms, Treatment, Transmission, Causes & Vaccine
Diphtheria facts Respiratory tract infections include sore throat, bronchitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that usually produce exotoxins that damage human tissue. The initial symptoms of diphtheria are flu-like but worsen to include fever, swallowing problems, hoarseness, enlarged lymph nodes, coughing, and shortness of breath; some patients may have skin involvement, producing skin ulcers....