What is Bacterial Meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial infection of the meninges, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is a serious condition and requires urgent medical treatment. Many different bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis. Typical symptoms are headache, neck stiffness,…
What is Reactive Arthritis?
Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a rare inflammatory disease of the joints that occurs in reaction to an infection occurring in another part of the body. It sometimes is referred to as Reiter’s syndrome, Reiter’s disease, or Reiter’s arthritis. However, these…
What are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens which leads to a decrease in vision and, in some cases, possible blindness. The condition occurs when protein clumps in one or both eyes prevent the retina from receiving clear images.[1]…
What are Chemotherapy Side-Effects?
Chemotherapy – often abbreviated to chemo or CTX – is a cancer treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to fight the disease. Chemo is very common and is used to treat most types of cancer, both as a cure and as…
What is Conversion Disorder?
Conversion disorder is a condition in which people experience symptoms affecting the nervous system that have no physical explanation. This may include symptoms such as:[1] Weakness Movement problems, such as tremors or twitching Sensory issues, such as loss of sense…
What is Acute HIV Infection?
Acute HIV infection, also known as an early or primary retroviral infection, is a condition that develops within two to four weeks of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Symptoms of acute HIV infection are similar to other viral infections,…
What are Foods to Eat During Pregnancy?
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is vital during pregnancy. Although there is no need to begin or follow a special diet during pregnancy, it is important to consume a variety of different food groups to ensure the growing baby…
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is cancer that affects the bone marrow. The bone marrow is where blood cells are made and mature. Myeloma is caused by a white blood cell called a plasma cell, which normally works to produce proteins that fight…
What is Gallbladder Cancer?
Gallbladder cancer, also known as a malignant neoplasm of the gallbladder, is rare cancer with just over 12,000 new cases expected to be confirmed in the U.S. in 2018.[1] The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits under the…
What is Fabry Disease?
Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A – also known as alpha-GAL. Alpha-GAL breaks down a fat called globotriaosylceramide (GL-3 or Gb3), which is normally produced inside healthy cells. A lack…
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is overactive, or hyperactive, and causes an excess of thyroid hormone in the body. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the lower part of the neck, below the voice box.…
What is Concussion Syndrome?
Concussion refers to any mild head injury. A concussion can cause headaches, confusion, tiredness, mood changes, and nausea. If symptoms occur after a blow to the head one should be assessed by a doctor and should be observed carefully for…