Chylous ascites is a less common form of ascites resulting from a collection of lymph in the abdominal cavity due to an interruption in the lymphatic system. It is also called milky ascites because of the milky appearance of the fluid. By definition, the presence of more than 200 mg per dl triglycerides in ascitic […]
Systemwise
Shingles or Herpes Zoster – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Shingles or Herpes zoster is a viral disease that occurs with reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (a virus that causes varicella or chickenpox). It is characterized by a painful skin rash which usually shows a dermatomal distribution. Pathophysiology of Herpes Zoster Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is a double-stranded DNA virus. It is a herpes virus related […]
MELD and PELD Score
MELD is the short form for the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, a scoring system that is used for gauging prognosis and determining priority for receipt of a liver transplant. The score was developed at Mayo’s clinic to predict mortality within three months of surgery in patients who had undergone a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt […]
Herpes Simplex Infection: Causes, Presentation and Diagnosis
Herpes simplex is an infection caused by HSV (herpes simplex virus). This virus can affect various organs including the external genitalia, anal region, mucosal surfaces, and skin in other parts of the body. It is a contagious disease causing sores, painful blisters, or ulcers at the site of infection. The term herpes is derived from […]
Liver Fibrosis Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Liver fibrosis or hepatic fibrosis is an aggressive wound healing, often triggered by chronic injury and resulting in excessive connective tissue in the liver. In simple terms, it means scarring in response to liver injury. Liver fibrosis itself does not cause any symptoms but can lead to portal hypertension or cirrhosis. Various types of chronic […]
Lymph Node Structure and Function
The lymph node is small, oval bean-shaped structure of lymphatic system formed of lymphoid tissue enclosed in a connective tissue capsule. These occur in association with the lymphatic vessels and serve as filters for the blood. They are typically found concentrated near junctions of the major lymphatic vessels, most prominently in the neck, groin, and […]
Subclavian Steal Syndrome Presentation and Treatment
Subclavian steal syndrome is said to be present when the blood flow in vertebral artery reverses due to significant stenosis or occlusion of the ipsilateral subclavian artery just before the origin of the vertebral artery. As a number of these cases are asymptomatic, the term Subclavian steal syndrome is used when there is a presence […]
Tinea Versicolor [Pityriasis Versicolor] – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection of the skin which causes hypopigmented [light colored] or hyperpigmented macules [dark colored] spots on chest and back. The infection is caused by Malassezia genus of fungus that is found on everyone’s skin. Versi means several and the term implies discoloration of the skin, with colors ranging from […]
Splenomegaly- Causes, Investigations and Treatment
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen due to any cause. The spleen is an important organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm and next to the stomach. It lies underneath the ninth, tenth, and eleventh ribs. In a normal person, the spleen is not palpable. Not only […]
Dietary Iron Requirement and Sources
Iron is a mineral vital for performing various functions in the human body. Its most important function is that it is one of the components of hemoglobin, the protein present in red blood cells that helps the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Therefore, it becomes essential to know about dietary iron, our main […]