Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic condition in which the meibomian glands present in the eyes do not secrete enough oil or secrete oil of poor quality. The condition is also known as “meibomianitis.” It occurs due to blockage or other abnormality of the meibomian glands so they don’t secrete enough oil into the […]
Diseases
Dry Eye: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment
Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears for adequate lubrication of the eyes. It is a very common condition, particularly in older individuals. It is also known as dry eye syndrome (DES), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or keratitis sicca. It affects around 5–34% of the general population. Among older people, […]
Sjogren’s Syndrome -Features, Diagnosis, Self-Care Tips, and Treatment
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by two common symptoms – dry eyes and a dry mouth. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system of the body mistakenly identifies certain parts of one’s own body as foreign invaders. In response, it releases special antibodies, called autoantibodies that attack a person’s own cells and tissues. These […]
Pulse Oximetry – Indications, Procedure and Limitations
Pulse oximetry is a test that is used to measure the oxygen saturation level or the oxygen level in the blood. In other words, it tells whether the heart and the lungs are supplying enough oxygen to meet the body’s requirements. It is a quick, non-invasive, and painless procedure. They are called pulse oximeters since […]
Pure Red Cell Aplasia- Causes, Types, Investigations and Treatment
Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) is a rare disorder in which there is a failure of the bone marrow to produce precursors of red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) resulting in anemia. Read more about Anemia- Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Read more about Bone Marrow- Structure, Composition, and Functions The disorder may be acquired or […]
Chorionic Villus Sampling: Indications, Limitations, Procedure and Risks
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test carried out during pregnancy to detect any chromosomal or genetic abnormality in an unborn baby. In this procedure, a small sample of chorionic villus is removed from the mother’s body and tested for the presence of any abnormality in the baby. Chorionic villus is the tissue present […]
Abnormal RBC Types and Shapes
Abnormal RBC types and shapes can be seen under a variety of conditions. Normal RBCs have a biconcave shape with a central pale area. Any variation in size, shape, structure, color or arrangement of RBCs represents an abnormal cell. These abnormalities are detected by viewing the blood smear through a microscope. Identification of the abnormal […]
Genetic Inheritance-Modes and Significance
Genetic inheritance is a basic principle of genetics. It explains how characteristics and traits are passed from one generation to the next. Every individual receives genetic material from both the parents. However, which gene will dominate to express itself or how the various genes interact with each other to express a certain trait or disorder […]
Hemochromatosis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Hemochromatosis is a condition characterized by the excessive storage of iron in the body. The condition is also known as iron overload. Primary hemochromatosis is a type of hemochromatosis when there is excessive absorption of iron due to a genetic defect. Secondary hemochromatosis occurs due to some other underlying disease. This excess iron is stored […]
Wilson Disease – Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment
Wilson disease is a rare inherited disorder in which excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the body, particularly in the liver, brain, and eyes. It is also called hepatolenticular degeneration syndrome or copper storage disease. Most people present with symptoms between 5 to 35 years of age, but it can affect younger and older people, […]