Fever is a condition where the body temperature goes above the normal range. The normal range is 36–37° Centigrade or 98–100° Fahrenheit). It is a very common symptom occurring due to infection, inflammation or other body conditions releasing pyrogens. Pyrexia is another term for it. Body’s core temperature is controlled by anterior hypothalamus. Pyrogens released […]
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Edema or Swelling – Types , Causes and Treatment
Edema is the collection of fluid in the interstitial spaces or serous cavities. This could occur due to inflammation of the part or changes in hydrostatic pressure across vessels becomes evident only when 5-6 liters of fluid has accumulated in the water depots. There could be many causes, localized, for example, in the ankle, to […]
Digital Clubbing or Nail Clubbing – Causes and Grading
Digital clubbing or nail clubbing or finger clubbing is bulbous enlargement of soft parts of the terminal phalanges with both transverse and longitudinal curving of the nails. The swelling of the terminal phalanges in clubbing occurs due to interstitial edema and dilation of the arterioles and capillaries. Digital clubbing is also called fingernail clubbing or […]
Lymphadenopathy – Sites, Causes and Characteristics in Different Conditions
Lymphadenopathy means lymph nodes which are abnormal in size, number or consistency and is often used as a synonym for swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. Image from Wikipedia under GNFL Causes of Lymphadenopathy Reactive Enlargement of lymph nodes in response to infection or injury somewhere in the body. Inflammatory Lymphadenitis Bacterial infection Tuberculosis Filariasis Syphilis […]
Cyanosis or Bluish Discoloration – Causes, Types, and Treatment
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the nails, skin, and/or mucosa. The term is derived from the Greek word cyanos which means dark blue. It manifests due to the increased amount of reduced hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is involved in the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Thus high levels of deoxygenated hemoglobin within the […]
Body Temperature- Different Ways to Measure It?
Normal body temperature changes in response to many conditions. fever is nothing but an increase in body temperature due to the release of pyrogens in response to external stimuli. Therefore, it often becomes necessary to measure body temperature to find and document abnormal temperatures. There are many methods to measure body temperature. Normal Body Temperature […]