What is achondroplasia?

Achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder, is the most common cause of dwarfism. Achondroplasia means ‘absence of cartilage formation’. However, the defect in achondroplasia is not in the formation of the cartilage but is in the conversion of cartilage to bone (particularly the long bones). Achondroplasia may run in families or may result from a spontaneous mutation.

The average height of a man with achondroplasia is 52 inches (131 cm, or 4 foot 4 inches). A woman with achondroplasia reaches an average height of 49 inches (124 cm, or 4 foot 1 inch). The appearance of a person with achondroplasia is distinctive as they have a short height with disproportionately small limbs. The features of achondroplasia are apparent at birth. Achondroplasia can also be detected in the fetal stage.

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What is an insulinoma?

An insulinoma is a rare tumor of the pancreas leading to an excess of insulin. The pancreas makes several enzymes and hormones, including the hormone insulin. In case of an insulinoma, the pancreas makes too much of insulin which can upset the normal metabolism. Insulin controls blood sugar (glucose) levels by moving blood sugar into cells. Hormone-producing tumors of the pancreas are also known as pancreatic endocrine tumors.

Under normal conditions, the pancreas stops making insulin once blood sugar becomes low. Blood sugar again rises slowly and comes to a normal level. However, in case of an insulinoma the pancreas keeps making insulin, which keeps moving sugar into the cells. Due to this, blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels. This can result in mild to severe symptoms ranging from anxiety and hunger to seizures, coma or death.

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What is wrist arthritis?

Wrist arthritis is a condition where multiple joints that are collectively known as the wrist becomes inflamed. This leads to pain, stiffness and swelling of the wrist. It is one of the most commonly affected sites with regards to arthritis. The term arthritis literally means joint inflammation while arthralgia refers to joint pain. Sometimes there is pain in the wrist (arthralgia) but this does not mean that the joint is inflamed (arthritis). The more common type of arthritis that affects the wrist is osteoarthritis (OA) but the wrist is also a likely site for rheumatoid arthritis.

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What is taeniasis?

Taeniasis in humans refers to parasitic tapeworm infection caused by the Taenia species of worms. There are more than 30 species of Taenia tapeworms, but the two most important species causing tapeworm infections in humans are the beef tapeworm (T. saginata) and pork tapeworm (T. solium). Fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) can also result in tapeworm infection, though it is not of the Taenia species and is therefore not responsible for taeniasis as such.

Humans get tapeworm infections by eating raw or undercooked pork (T. solium), beef (T. saginata), or fish (D. latum). In the majority of cases, tapeworm infection produces no symptoms or very mild symptoms. However, in rare cases it can lead to serious complications like cysticercosis, a nervous system disease.

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What is hand dermatitis?

Hand dermatitis is the term for irritation, inflammation and a rash of the skin on the hands, often including the fingers. The hands are a fairly common site of skin problems since it is exposed to the environment and in contact with various substances that may act as allergens or irritants for the development of a rash. Dermatitis literally means inflammation of the skin and is used interchangeably with the term eczema. Although the condition is more likely to affect a person with an allergic constitution or people constantly touching harsh chemicals, hand dermatitis can sometimes occur spontaneously.

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