What is Hirsutism? Hirsutism is the excessive growth of thick hair, particularly on areas of the body not commonly seen in women. The hair growth in hirsutism is typical of male hair growth patterns, affecting the face (moustache/mustache or beard), chest, abdomen or back. While most women may have fine hair on these parts >> Read More ...
Coughing is a reflex action triggered by some irritant in the respiratory passage. It is intended to expel this irritant as rapidly and forcefully as possible. When the cough reflex is triggered usually by stimulation of the pulmonary irritant receptors lining the lower respiratory tract, the following sequence of events >> Read More ...
Mouth sores are shallow ulcers that usually occur inside the mouth, along the lining of the inner cheek, tongue and soft palate (back part of the roof of the mouth). In acute mouth ulcers, no specific treatment is required as it will often heal on its own. In chronic, recurring cankers sores in the mouth, treatment may >> Read More ...
The breasts are modified skin appendages on the chest wall. It is more prominent in post-pubertal females (after puberty) although some young boys and men may experience larger than usual breast size for various medical reasons (gynecomastia). Fat lobules within the breast largely account for its size although during >> Read More ...
What Is Sciatica? Sciatic pain (sciatica) is a pain in the lower back, buttock, leg and/or foot, usually on one side at a time, caused by one of disorders affecting the sciatic nerve: Pinched nerve due to: Bulging or herniated disc Degeneration disc disease (DDD) Spinal stenosis (narrow spinal canal) Fracture of one or >> Read More ...
Urine with a reddish color does not always indicate the presence of blood or bleeding within the urinary tract. Similarly, the presence of blood in the urine may not be visible to the naked eye. In order to differentiate between reddish brown discoloration of urine and bloody urine, it is important to test for the presence >> Read More ...
What Is Capsule Endoscopy? In capsule endoscopy, you swallow a pill-shaped camera (PillCam) that then travels through your gut and makes pictures of your small intestine (1). Picture 1. A capsule camera to swallow in capsule endoscopy (source: Wikipedia) A capsule camera is 28 mm (about an inch) long and 11 mm wide. It >> Read More ...
A nasal polyp is a small outgrowth of the mucous membrane tissue that lines the nasal passages and sinus cavities. When this tissue is constantly inflamed and swollen, a polyp may develop although the exact cause of the polyp formation is not known. While the term ‘growth in the nose or sinus’ seems serious, >> Read More ...
Characteristics of Gallbladder Pain Pain arising from the gallbladder or bile ducts usually appears below the right lower rib, 3-5 inches (7-12 cm) from the vertical mid-line. It may spread into the right lower or upper back, shoulder blade or shoulder. Other causes of right upper abdominal pain are liver, right kidney, >> Read More ...
A major concern for many parents as the mother approaches full term is the complications that may arise after delivery, particularly breathing problems that may affect the newborn. At birth, the focus of the attending physician is to assure healthy and spontaneous breathing of the newborn as any impediment may result >> Read More ...
