AtoZ Diseases

Dizziness is almost as common a complaint, especially among older people, as headache. Dizziness is the lay equivalent the medical term, veTtigo. Dizziness is often loosely applied to include giddiness. giddiness refers to a mild form of dizziness frequently seen among elderly people in which there is a momentary sensation of clouding of the mind and reeling or unsteadiness when they suddenly change position, as from a reclining to a sitting or standing position, or “hen they suddenly bend to pick up an object. It is believed to be due to hardening of the brain arteries, in which a sharp mange in posture leads to a momentary flooding of the brain with blood, or the emptying of blood from the brain. Giddiness may prove frightening to some patients, but does not lead to any serious consequences and most patients learn to avoid making sudden postural changes.

Dizziness refers to a slightly more disturbing situation than giddiness that may last a few minutes to a half hour, inuring which there is some unsteadiness in walking and a slight reeling sensation, perhaps nausea, but rarely vomiting. It is usually due to a temporary impoverishment of brain circulation, caused by hardening of the brain arteries, by poor heart heart function, or by a drug that suddenly lowers the blood pressure. The patient will generally seek a sitting position for a few minutes until the unpleasant sensation passes.

Meniere’s disease or syndrome is characterized by attacks that commence suddenly with violent dizziness, ringing in the ear, vomiting, a reeling sensation and unsteadiness of body equilibrium so severe that if the person does not lie down, he would fall to the floor. During the course of a severe attack, the patient is confined to bed and cannot move his head from one side to the other without experiencing disturbing sensations that the floor, bed, and chairs are turning around him. Such a bout may last several weeks before there is complete recovery.

Milder attacks may last a half hour to several hours. The attacks may recur at irregular i

No Comments yet »

In this condition, endometrial tissue occurs outside of its customary location: the lining of the uterine cavity. Called ectopic tissue, it’s generally confined to the pelvic area, but it can appear anywhere in the body. This ectopic endometrial tissue responds to normal stimulation in the same way that the endometrium does. During menstruation, the ectopic tissue bleeds, which causes inflammation of the surrounding tissues. This inflammation causes fibrosis, leading to adhesions that produce pain and infertility.

Active endometriosis usually occurs between ages 30 and 40, especially in women who postpone childbearing; it’s uncommon before age 20. Severe symptoms of endometriosis may develop rapidly or may develop over many years. This disorder usually becomes progressively severe during the menstrual years; after menopause, it tends to subside.
What causes it?

Although there are several theories to explain this disorder, its precise cause remains unknown.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The painful menstruation is one of the main endometriosis symptoms which may produce constant pain in the lower abdomen and in the vagina, posterior pelvis, and back. This pain usually begins from 5 to 7 days before a period reaches its peak and lasts for 2 to 3 days.

Other clinical features depend on the location of the ectopic tissue:

*

ovaries and oviducts: infertility and heavy menstrual flow
*

ovaries or cul-de-sac: deep-thrust dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
*

bladder: suprapubic pain, dysuria, and hematuria
*

recto vaginal septum and colon: painful defecation, rectal bleeding with a menstrual period, and pain in the coccyx or sacrum (base of the spine)
*

small bowel and appendix: nausea and vomiting, which worsen before menses, and abdominal cramps
*

cervix, vagina, and perineum: bleeding from endometrial deposits in these areas during a menstrual period.

How is it diagnosed?

The doctor will perform a pelvic exam to detect endometriosis. He or she may be able to feel multiple tender nodules on the uterosacral ligaments or between the rectum and vagina or detect ovarian enlargement. Laparoscopy must confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease before treatment begins.
How endometriosis is treated?

Treatment varies according to the stage of the disease and the woman’s age and desire to have children .Conservative therapy for young women who want to have children includes androgens, such as Danocrine, which produce a temporary remission. Progestins and oral contraceptives also relieve symptoms. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, which work by inducing false menopause, are commonly used to provide a remission of disease. When ovarian masses are present, surgery must be performed to rule out cancer. Conservative surgery is possible, bur the treatment of choice for women who don’t want to bear children or for extensive disease is total removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

No Comments yet »

What do doctors call these conditions?

Hypomagnesemia, hypermagnesemia
What are these conditions?

Too little magnesium in the blood is called hypomagnesemia; too much, hypermagnesemia. Magnesium imbalance can affect many of the body’s functions because magnesium is found in the fluid that surrounds all the body’s cells. Its major role is to keep nerves and muscles functioning properly.

Magnesium also stimulates the parathyroid glands, four tiny glands in the neck, to secrete parathyroid hormone. If these glands don’t produce sufficient hormones, the level of calcium in the blood will fall.

Magnesium also activates many enzymes that help the body extract nutrients from foods and carry them to the body’s organs.
Who suffers from a magnesium imbalance?

Because many common foods contain magnesium, a dietary deficiency is rare. Magnesium deficiency primarily strikes people who have been receiving intravenous feedings or who have other imbalances, especially low calcium and potassium levels. Magnesium excess is common in people with kidney failure and in those who take too many magnesium-containing antacids.
What causes magnesium deficiency?

Low magnesium levels are usually linked to poor absorption of magnesium in the intestines or excessive excretion in the urine or stools. Possible causes include:

• poor absorption because of chronic diarrhea or complications after bowel surgery, chronic alcoholism, prolonged diuretic therapy, suctioning of the stomach by a nasal tube, starvation, or malnutrition

• excessive loss of magnesium due to severe dehydration and diabetic acidosis or imbalances in iodine, calcium, and other elements and hormones.
What causes magnesium excess?

High magnesium levels result from the kidneys’ inability to excrete magnesium that was either absorbed from the intestines or taken as medication. Common causes include:

• chronic kidney insufficiency

• use of laxatives (magnesium sulfate, milk of magnesia, and magnesium citrate solutions), especially with kidney insufficiency

• overuse of magnesium-containing antacids

• severe dehydration

• overcorrection of low magnesium levels.
What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

Too little magnesium causes neuromuscular irritability and irregular heartbeats. A person may experience confusion, emotional instability, or even delusions or hallucinations. He or she also may develop nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, high blood pressure, and a rapid heart rate.
What are the symptoms of magnesium excess?

Too much magnesium depresses the nervous system and breathing and produces neuromuscular and heart effects. The person may experience flushing, profuse sweating, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, sluggishness, drowsiness, or even coma. He or she may have low blood pressure and a slow heart rate.
How are they diagnosed?

After asking about symptoms, the doctor will order blood tests to check the level of magnesium in the person’s system. The doctor will also look for other irregularities, such as low or high levels of potassium and calcium in the blood.
How are they treated?

To treat magnesium imbalance, the doctor will try to identifY and correct the underlying cause. For mild low magnesium, the doctor may prescribe an oral form or intramuscular injections of magnesium supplements. For a severe case, the magnesium is given intravenously.

For high magnesium, the doctor will try to flush out excess magnesium by giving diuretics and having the person drink more fluids. For temporary relief of symptoms in an emergency, the doctor may recommend peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, especially if kidney function is poor or if excess magnesium can’t be eliminated.

No Comments yet »