Medical science, drawn into focus.

Miscarriage

Overview Miscarriage:  Spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is defined as a clinically recognized pregnancy loss before the 20th week of gestation. Others define it as expulsion or extraction of an embryo or fetus weighing 500 g or less Abortion:  After 20weeks Threatened miscarriage: A pregnancy less than 20 weeks’ gestation associated with vaginal bleeding, generally without cervical dilation.…

Chagas Disease

Authors Megan Miner  Armando Faigl  Overview Chagas disease is caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and is potentially life-threatening. These parasites often live within triatomine bugs. Following a bite to the skin, these bugs, also known as “kissing bugs”, deposit fecal matter near the site of the bite. Their bite, unfortunately, causes…

Diabetes Mellitus type I

Overview Type 1 diabetes is B-cell destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency. It accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes. Type I diabetes is divided into two types: Immune mediated and idiopathic. The traditional paradigm is of childhood onset with acute symptoms of DKA. Diabetes:  A group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood…

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

Overview Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune thrombophilia characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thromboses and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). APS may occur as a primary condition or secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Prevalence of aPL in the general population is ~2%, but true APS is rare…

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview Rheumatoid arthritis is a common systemic inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of a destructive polyarthritis with a predisposition for affecting the small joints of the hands and feet and the wrists. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 1 percent worldwide. Like many autoimmune diseases, the etiology…

Toxic Multinodular Goitre

Overview Toxic Multinodular Goitre (TMNG) is the second most common cause of hyperthyroidism caused by a long-standing goitre and/or iodine deficiency which results in an increased risk of mutation and consequent TSH-independent autonomic function of thyroid nodules to produce excess thyroid hormones. Common clinical manifestations include hyperthyroidism and a painless thyroid goitre with palpable nodules.…

Varicose Veins

Overview Varivose veins (VV) are long, torturous and dilated don't veins of the superficial venous system. There is a spectrum ranging from telangiectasias (dilated interdermal venules less than 1 mm), through to reticular veins (non-palpable subdermal veins 1–3 mm) to varicose veins (greater than 3 mm). 35% of the general population affected. The venous system of…

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