Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Definition Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a rare life threatening bleeding disorder. This condition is characterized by a defective clotting mechanism. DIC causes thrombosis (excessive clotting) or hemorrhage (bleeding) throughout the body. The clotting cells or >> Read More ...
What is shigellosis? Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by the Shigella species of bacteria. It is an acute infection which lasts for about 7 days in adults but may persist for longer and be more severe in infants and children. Death is more likely in children younger than 5 years. Abdominal pain, vomiting, >> Read More ...
What is Legionnaire’s Disease? Legionnaires’ disease (LD), also known as legionellosis, is a severe form of lung infection producing pneumonia-like symptoms. Legionnaires’ disease is a water-borne disease caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling the >> Read More ...
Red blood cells are disc shaped cells that carry oxygen in the blood. There are various disorders that can lead to an abnormal shape of these cells. The term acanthocytosis describes the presence of distorted red blood cells (acanthocytes) in the blood. The cells become denser and irregularly shaped with spiculated >> Read More ...
Macrosomia Definition Macrosomia is the medical term for a baby that has a significantly higher birth weight than the average for newborns. The term is also known by the common term big baby syndrome. The other common term that overlaps with macrosomia is large for gestational age. Macrosomia is usually defined as a birth >> Read More ...
What is actinic prurigo? Actinic prurigo is an itchy skin condition that arises with sunlight exposure. Small and extremely itchy pimples (papules) appear on the areas exposed to the sun usually without a few days after intense sunlight exposure. Sunlight is the trigger but not the cause of the disease. The exact cause of >> Read More ...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Definition Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease that affects blood vessels and is transmitted by tick bites. The infection is caused by the bacterium, Rickettsiae ricketsii. Infection damages the wall of blood vessels thereby making it leaky. Ruptured blood vessels may >> Read More ...
The red blood cells possess a protein known as hemoglobin that binds and transports oxygen from lungs to other body parts. Therefore, hemoglobin is critical for survival and normal body functioning. Any defect in the gene coding for this oxygen-carrier protein may disrupt all vital body functions and present a spectrum of >> Read More ...
Motion Sickness Definition Motion sickness refers to certain temporary unpleasant feelings like dizziness and nausea associated with motion or a perception of motion when the body is stationary. It usually occurs when traveling by sea, air or land in which a person is sitting for long periods. The the brain perceives the >> Read More ...
Polycystic Kidney Disease Definition Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a condition marked by the formation of cysts in the kidney. In some cases, the sac-like cysts can also be seen in the pancreas, liver, and spleen. It is one of the most common genetic disorders, running in the families and a common cause of kidney >> Read More ...
