Diabetes mellitus (type 2) is a condition in which the body’s cells do not respond well to the hormone insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas to make sugar in the blood accessible to the body for energy. People with…
Conjunctivitis is the name for inflammation of the conjunctiva; this is the thin layer of tissue on the inside of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye. Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is often caused by…
Malaria is a serious disease that occurs almost exclusively in the tropics and subtropics. It is caused by infection with a parasite called Plasmodium, which is spread through the bite of female mosquitoes that carry it.[1] The World Health Organization…
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland (a gland surrounding the neck of the bladder in men). The condition is sometimes also called benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP), in cases where the enlarged prostate…
Cutaneous burns, also known as thermal injuries, are one of the most common household injuries, mostly caused by hot liquids or fire. They can be mild or life-threatening emergencies depending on the percentage of the surface of the body which…
A middle ear infection, otherwise known as otitis media, is a viral or bacterial infection of the air-filled cavity behind the eardrum. In most cases, a middle ear infection affects just one ear, but can also occur in both ears…
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that occurs after tonsillitis caused by a specific bacteria (specifically, a group A Streptococcus). Rheumatic fever commonly affects the joints and heart. Rheumatic fever can cause many different symptoms, but the most common symptoms…
Pneumonia is an infection of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, which inflames them and causes them to fill with fluid or pus. This interferes with the lungs’ ability to breathe and properly supply oxygen to the body, causing…
Folate is also known as Vitamin B9. It is one of a group of important vitamins involved in cell metabolism. Folate plays a critical role in synthesizing DNA, RNA, and proteins. Therefore, deficiency can cause impairment of cell division and…
Trichomonas vulvovaginitis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) of the vulva (external female genitals) and vagina. It is caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This condition mainly affects women between the ages of 16 and 35 years. It…