DESCRIPTION

An overgrowth of the normally benign yeast (or fungus) Candida albicans, chronic candidiasis (also called the yeast syndrome) results in a wide variety of symptoms in virtually every system of the body, the most susceptible being the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine (hormonal), nervous, and immune systems. Normally, C. albicans lives harmoniously in the inner warm creases and crevices of the digestive tract and, in women, also in the vaginal tract. (Read more…)

DESCRIPTION

 
Also called non-tropical sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac sprue, celiac disease is an allergic response to gluten (a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye grains) and its smaller derivative, gliadin, which damages the small intestine resulting in diarrhoea, weight loss and multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Symptoms typically appear either during the first 3 years of life when cereals are introduced into the diet, or during the third decade of life. In adults, symptoms may develop gradually over months or even years.

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DESCRIPTION

An inflammation of the liver, hepatitis can be caused by many drugs and toxic chemicals, but in most instances, is caused by a virus. The most common hepatitis viral types are A, B, and C. Other less common viral causes of hepatitis include hepatitis viruses D, E, and G, as well as herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein–Barr virus. Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through fecal contamination. (Read more…)

DESCRIPTION

Diabetes is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism characterized by elevations in fasting blood sugar (glucose) levels. Diabetes occurs if the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or if the cells of the body become resistant to insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting sugar from the bloodstream into cells. In either case, diabetes results in high levels of sugar in the bloodstream and inadequate levels of sugar entering cells. This situation leads to serious complications including a greatly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, loss of vision, senile cataracts, gangrene in the legs and feet, and impotence in men. (Read more…)

DESCRIPTION
Osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone”, is a progressive reduction in normal bone mineral density, mass, and strength resulting in marked bone thinning and vulnerability to fracture. Although bone mass normally declines 1.5–2% per year in both sexes after age 40, women are at greater risk for  osteoporosis since their peak bone mass is naturally less than that of men due to their smaller size and muscle mass. Osteoporosis is very uncommon in men and is typically due to some underlying cause such as long-term use of anticonvulsive or corticosteroid drugs, alcoholism or hyperthyroidism. In women, osteoporosis is quite common, occurring in approximately one in four women after menopause, and is due, in part, to the perimenopausal decrease in progesterone and postmenopausal drop in estrogen, both of which play important roles in maintaining bone mass. (Read more…)

DESCRIPTION

A pattern of behaviour in children characterized by short attention spans and impulsivity, with or without hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder (ADD) is implicated in learning disorders and estimated to affect 5–10% of school-aged children with incidence substantially greater in boys than girls (10 : 1). Over two million American school-aged boys take the drug methyl-phenidate (Ritalin) for ADD. Onset is usually by 3 years of age, but diagnosis is generally not made until later when the child is in school.

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DESCRIPTION

A biochemical and/or genetic disorder that causes an organic defect in brain development, autism occurs in early childhood (first diagnosis is typically no later than 30 months), and results in a neurological disorder that disrupts normal brain function, manifesting in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autistic children are usually retarded in their intellectual development, have significant difficulty with both verbal and non-verbal communication, and do not develop social relationships. Compulsive, and in some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviour may be present. (Read more…)

DESCRIPTION

Hypothyroidism refers to low function of the thyroid, an endocrine gland located in the front of the neck, just below the larynx (voice box). Through its production of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), the thyroid gland activates over 100 cellular enzymes responsible for a multitude of functions in every cell of the body. Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones can increase metabolic rate up to 100% above normal, while if no thyroid hormone is produced, a 40% drop in metabolic activity can quickly occur. In most cases of hypothyroidism, thyroid function is simply less than optimal, but this results in a slowing down of cellular functions and a buildup of metabolic wastes in all body systems. (Read more…)

Diagnostic summary : recurrent attacks of dyspnoea, cough, and expectoration of tenacious mucoid sputum; prolonged expiration phase with generalised wheezing and musical rales; eosinophilia, increased serum IgE, positive food and/or inhalant allergy tests.

General Considerations

Bronchial asthma is a hypersensitivity disorder characterised by bronchospasm, mucosal oedema, and excessive excretion of a viscous mucus that can lead to ventilatory insufficiency; its prevalence is approximately 3% of the population, and although it occurs at all ages, it is most common in children under 10; there is a 2:1 male:female ratio in children, which equalizes by the age of 30. (Read more…)

DESCRIPTION

A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin eruptions on the face, chest, back and shoulders, acne is the most common of all skin problems. Acne vulgaris, the least severe form, is a superficial disease that affects the skin’s oil-secreting glands and hair follicles and manifests as blackheads, whiteheads and redness.

Acne conglobata, a more severe form, is characterized by the formation of pustules and cysts with the potential for subsequent scarring. Both forms are more common among males than females with onset typically at or shortly after puberty.

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