Pathogens and Mechanisms of Infection
Explore pathogens and mechanisms of infection: viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, prions, transmission modes, host defenses, and evasion strategies. Pathogens and >> Read More ...
Hormones and Metabolism
Thyroid Gland Location, Anatomy, Parts and Pictures
The thyroid gland is the one of the largest endocrine gland in the body lying in the front part of the neck. It plays a central role in the body’s metabolism by secreting the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which increases the basal metabolic rate of cells. It also secretes the hormone >> Read More ...
Diabetic Foot Pain, Ulcers, Care and Other Problems
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder where a deficiency of insulin or the unresponsiveness of cels to insulin leads to elevated blood glucose levels. Proper treatment and effective management can help delay or even avoid certain complications associated with diabetes mellitus but eventually its effects become evident. >> Read More ...
Acromegaly – Excessive Growth Hormone in Adults
Growth hormone as the name suggests is responsible for the growth of all the tissues of the body. It is produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, a small pea-shaped gland at the base of the skull. The pituitary gland is commonly referred to as the master gland because it secretes various hormones that have a >> Read More ...
Graves Disease – Thyroid Antibodies and Excess Thyroid Hormones
Hyperthyroidism is the state of a hyperfunctioning thyroid gland commonly referred to as an overactive thyroid gland. In this state, the thyroid gland produces and secretes excessive quantities of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis). Hyperthyroidism is due to a number of causes but over 70% of the cases are a result of >> Read More ...
Pineal Gland Anatomy (Parts), Function and Pinealoma (Tumor)
The pineal gland does not receive much attention in medicine because there are no significant diseases or lesions that solely affect it apart from tumors. Even then, a pineal tumor referred to as a pineoloma is a rare occurrence in comparison to diseases affecting surrounding tissues and glands. For as long as the pineal >> Read More ...
Untreated Diabetes Mellitus Consequences and Symptoms
Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as sugar diabetes, is a growing problem globally largely associated with a more sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Despite it being one of the more common chronic conditions in most populations, there is still widespread ignorance about the serious nature of this disease and the >> Read More ...
High Sugar (Glucose) Levels in Blood or Urine – What does it mean?
How does sugar get into the blood? All food that is digested and then absorbed travels through the bloodstream to the liver. Here it is processed further – some is broken down into simpler compounds, some is stored and others may be converted or even excreted. However, the body retains almost all of the >> Read More ...
Weight Gain with Stress (Hormones, Diet and Exercise)
Does stress cause weight gain? There are several reasons for weight gain – some related to lifestyle factors (the most common causes), physiological responses like pregnancy and pathological factors like diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands. Weight gain in most instances is a result of consuming more calories >> Read More ...
Subacute Thyroiditis (Temporary Thyroid Dysfunction)
What is subacute thyroiditis? Subacute thyroiditis is a condition where the thyroid gland is inflamed for short periods of time leading to overactivity, then underactivity and eventually returning to a normal state. The condition responds spontaneously meaning that it heals on its own although medication may be used to >> Read More ...
Insulinoma (Insulin Tumors)
What is an insulinoma? An insulinoma is a rare tumor of the pancreas leading to an excess of insulin. The pancreas makes several enzymes and hormones, including the hormone insulin. In case of an insulinoma, the pancreas makes too much of insulin which can upset the normal metabolism. Insulin controls blood sugar (glucose) >> Read More ...