The allergic cascade facts Share Your Story The allergic response is usually very selective for specific allergens. T- and B-lymphocytes play important roles in the allergic reaction. Mast cells and basophils release a variety of chemical mediators and cytokines that cause allergic inflammation. In an allergic cascade, the immediate or "early" phase allergic reaction is subsequently followed by a more...
Asthma Complexities: Get Info on Types and Symptoms
Asthma complexities facts Symptoms of asthma include cough, rapid breathing, fatigue, sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can mimic other illnesses. Asthma can be mimicked by other conditions, such as heart failure, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, bronchial obstruction, vocal-cord dysfunction, and hypersensitivity reactions. Exercise is a common trigger for asthma and may cause symptoms in 80% to 90%...
Arthroscopy Definition, Recovery Time & Preparation
Facts you should know about arthroscopy Readers Comments 68 Share Your Story Arthroscopy uses a small tube-like viewing device to view the internal structure of a joint. Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that can be performed for diagnosis and/or treatment of joint abnormalities. Arthroscopy is most often an outpatient procedure. Arthroscopy can be performed using general, spinal, regional, or local...
Is a Sore Throat Contagious?
What is pharyngitis? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Pharyngitis is medical term for a sore throat. Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx (throat) that results in throat discomfort, pain and/or throat scratchiness; in some individuals it may cause painful swallowing. Sore throat is usually caused by a viral infection and less commonly, a bacterial infection usually by group...
Laxative Types for Constipation Relief, Weight Loss & Side Effects
Laxatives and constipation definitions and facts Fruits and vegetables can act as natural laxatives. The definition of constipation is infrequent bowel movements that may be painful or difficult, along with hard stool. Common causes of constipation include diets low in fiber, side effects of medications (such as narcotics, antidepressants, iron supplements, calcium channel blockers and other medications for high blood...
Is Crohn’s Disease Contagious?
What is Crohn’s disease? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Crohn's disease can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowels, mainly involving the small and large intestines. Additionally, Crohn's disease may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease has many subtypes depending on...
Febrile Seizure Treatment, Definition, Symptoms & Causes
Facts you should know about seizures Seizures occur because the brain becomes irritated and an "electrical storm" occurs. This "electrical storm" occurs because the normal connections between the cells in the brain do not function properly. This causes the brain to try to shut down because of the electrical surge. The muscle shaking occurs because the brain is ending out...
Sleep Disorders in Children: Diagnosis, Treatment, Symptoms & Signs
How much sleep do children need? Share Your Story Just as with adults, the amount of sleep children need varies with both age and unique needs of the individual. Below are general guidelines for children of various ages. If your child is happy and thriving, but needs more or fewer hours of sleep than indicated below – rest assured they...
Plastic Surgery (Cosmetic Surgery): Facts on Procedure Types
Introduction Fighting the effects of aging on the outside; your guide to the risks of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures Trying to fight the effects of aging? Below is a basic guide to the risks involved in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For more information on each procedure, click on the highlighted links of the procedure. Cosmetic Procedures: Surgical...
Lipodystrophy: Symptoms, Types (Familial, HIV), Causes & Treatment
Lipodystrophy definition and facts Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Picture of HIV Lipodystrophy Lipodystrophy refers to medical problem where there is an abnormal distribution of fat in the body. This can refer both to fat loss (lipoatrophy) and abnormal accumulation of fat tissue. The disease may be inherited genetically, (for example, familial partial lipodystrophy or FPLD), or acquired. If...