Health Facts

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY FACTSTYPESSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESCOMPLICATIONSPREVENTIONTYPICAL TREATMENTSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), also called polycystic kidney syndrome, is a genetic disorder where numerous cysts form within the kidney. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs of varying sizes. In PKD, these cysts gradually increase, causing an overall increase in…
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Prediabetes

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY POINTSSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESPREVENTIONTREATMENTCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Prediabetes is a condition characterised by sugar imbalance. The body uses sugar in the form of glucose as an energy source. The sugar in the blood needs to be regulated, so it does not become too much. The hormone insulin, secreted by the pancreas, regulates the blood sugar…
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Health Facts

Teething

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY POINTSSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESPREVENTIONTYPICAL TREATMENTSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Teething also called teething syndrome, is a process in babies where the tooth grows through the gum.  Babies are born with a complete set of teeth embedded underneath the gum. During teething, babies’ teeth cut through the gum to emerge in the mouth. Another name for…
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Proton Pump Inhibitors

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY POINTSMECHANISM OF ACTIONUSESSIDE EFFECTSCONTRAINDICATIONSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) comprise a class of medications that reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach parietal cells. They act by irreversibly inhibiting the action of the H+/K+ enzyme responsible for catalysing gastric acid production. Another name for the…
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Jaundice

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY POINTSSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESPREVENTIONTYPICAL TREATMENTSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Jaundice is a clinical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. It is also called icterus. The yellow colouration is due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow-orange pigment from bile. When bilirubin…
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Hemochromatosis

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY FACTSSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESCOMPLICATIONSPREVENTIONTYPICAL TREATMENTSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Hemochromatosis is a disease condition characterised by an excess amount of iron in the body. Hemochromatosis is also known as iron overload. In this condition, the intestine absorbs more iron than the adequate amount, which becomes toxic to the body. The excess…
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Hashimoto's Disease

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY FACTSSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESRISK FACTORSPREVENTIONTREATMENTSCOMPLICATIONSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (or Hashimoto’s disease) is a form of thyroiditis (thyroid gland inflammation) that causes hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition where antibodies attack the cells of the thyroid gland. This…
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Flu Vaccine

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY POINTSTYPES OF SEASONAL FLU VACCINESSIDE EFFECTS OF FLU VACCINECONCLUSION OVERVIEW The flu vaccine, also the influenza vaccine, is a vaccine that gives individual protection against four influenza viruses. The vaccine is mostly given as shots (injections) in the arm; hence it is sometimes called flu shots. The flu vaccine is also available as nasal…
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Chronic kidney disease

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY FACTSSYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSISCAUSESRISK FACTORSPREVENTIONTYPICAL TREATMENTSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also called chronic kidney failure, is a condition that results in the decline of kidney function over a long period. It is a slow, gradual and progressive kidney disease condition. If left unchecked, chronic kidney failure could…
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Atelectasis

Table of ContentsOVERVIEWKEY FACTSSYMPTOMSDIAGNOSISCAUSESRISK FACTORSPREVENTIONTYPICAL TREATMENTSCONCLUSION OVERVIEW Atelectasis is a common lung condition that involves a total or partial collapse of the lungs due to the deflation of the alveoli. The presence of fluid in the alveoli could also lead to Atelectasis. Atelectasis usually occurs on one side (unilaterally)…
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