When the parts and process of vision work correctly, you see sharp, colored entities out in the world. When things go wrong, the need for a contact lense or glasses arises. The human visual system is both simple and complex. Complex, because there are so many parts that have to work together to make sight [...]
Introduction Epilepsy can cause strange sensations, emotions and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. The reason for these abnormalities in behavior is the disturbance of the normal pattern of neuronal activity. In an epileptic person, clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. A person may have [...]
Introduction Some things that are typically harmless to most people may cause an abnormal immune system reaction in some people. Such things are known as allergens. What happens is that the person’s immune system wrongly believes that such substance is harmful to the body and so takes necessary steps to safeguard body against those substances. [...]
Introduction The blood in the arteries exerts pressure on its walls. This pressure is known as blood pressure. There are two factors responsible for blood pressure: pumping of blood through arteries ( by the heart) and the opposition of arteries to flow of blood through them. Blood pressure is given in two numbers, separated by [...]
Introduction The literal meaning of the word ‘Arthritis’ is – inflammation of one or more joints. Joint, as we all know, is an area of the body where two different bones meet. The function of the joint is to move the body parts connected by its bones. Medical name for joint pain is ‘arthralgia’. Arthritis [...]
Introduction First, the etymology. The English word ‘dysentery’ has its roots in two Greek words meaning “ill” and “intestine”. Dysentery is a general term for a class of gastrointestinal disorders that are characterized by inflammation of the intestines, particularly the colon. Characteristic features of dysentery include abdominal pain and cramps, staining of stools, and frequent [...]
What is Chickenpox? Chicken Pox is an ubiquitous and extremely contagious viral illness. The primary illness, characterized by a generalized skin rash, is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. Recurrence of the infection results in a localized skin rash, otherwise known as shingles or Herpes Zoster. Chicken Pox, often confused with Small Pox in earlier [...]
Introduction Encephalitis is a rare disease that occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000 individuals — most commonly in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems (i.e., those with HIV/AIDS or cancer). Encephalitis literally means an inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus.
Introduction Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but rather are symptoms of many different conditions, such as infection (“stomach flu”), food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating, blocked intestine, illness, concussion or brain injury, appendicitis, and migraines. Nausea and vomiting can sometimes be symptoms of more serious diseases such as heart attacks, kidney or liver disorders, central [...]
What It Is Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease of humans caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy is also known as hansen’s disease. Greek: lepid = scales on a fish. The disease can affect the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes and some of the nerves that are located outside the central nervous system (peripheral [...]
