Heartburn is a symptom of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is the painful burning sensation described by person having gastroesophageal reflux disease caused by stomach acid refluxes up into esophagus. This pain is felt behind the sternum or breastbone, either as a spasm or a sharp pain. The pain often rises in the chest and may […]
Digestive System
Scurvy Presentation and Treatment
Scurvy is a state of dietary deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It is called Barlow’s disease in infants. Scurvy is uncommon now but can affect adults and children with poor nutrition. Although scurvy can occur at any age, the incidence of scurvy peaks in children aged 6-12 months and elderly populations. Scurvy is uncommon […]
Gastrointestinal Diseases Symptoms and Causes
Gastrointestinal diseases are diseases of gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal tract or digestive system tract is system of serially connected organs from the mouth to the anus. Mouth, Pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus are major regions of digestive system. Symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases are of various types. These symptoms can occur in isolation or […]
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcoholic liver disease is a spectrum of liver of injury caused by heavy and prolonged alcohol use, ranging from simple fatty liver to frank cirrhosis. The burden of alcohol-related disease is highest in the developed world. Alcoholic liver disease may be classified as: Alcoholic fatty liver Alcoholic hepatitis Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver Multiple stages that […]
Portal Hypertension – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Portal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Normal portal pressure is generally considered to be between 5 and 10 mm Hg. Once the portal pressure rises to 12 mm, complications arise. Relevant Anatomy and Physiology The portal venous system refers to the vessels […]
Cirrhosis of Liver
Cirrhosis of liver is chronic diffuse liver disease of varied etiology. It is characterized by hepatic cell necrosis, resulting in collapse of hepatic architecture and nodular regeneration. There is proliferation of connective tissue resulting in fibrosis and altered intrahepatic circulation. It is an irreversible condition. Causes Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis B, C and D may lead […]
Viral Hepatitis – Presentation and Treatment
Viral hepatitis can be caused by any one of the Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E and Delta virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, rubella virus and virus of yellow fever. Hepatitis A Virus This is an RNA virus transmitted by feco-oral route. Incubation period is 2-6 weeks. It leads to acute […]
Examination Of Abdomen
In a patient with an abdominal disorder, the following points must be asked whilst taking the history and noted on examination. History History is of paramount importance in clinical examination. It enables you to narrow your examination to a region and also guides you about the likelihood of a particular disorder. Following points should be […]
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 […]
Causes of Jaundice
Jaundice is a symptom complex which is characterized by yellow coloration of tissues and body fluids due to an increase in bile pigment bilirubin and related products. For understanding causes of jaundice, first, we need to learn about the metabolism of bilirubin. Jaundice is also known as icterus. Bilirubin Metabolism Breakdown Hemoglobin released by the […]