Amyloid is a substance which is composed of different types of proteins. It is a proteinaceous substance in that it is composed largely of protein in addition to other compounds like polysaccharides, lipids and even hormones. In amyloidosis, amyloid is deposited and builds up between the cells of tissues and organs. This >> Read More ...
Diagnosing vaginal bleeding with the presence of clots first depends on whether the bleeding is normal or abnormal. Normal vaginal bleeding relates to the periods (menstruation) and while any other bleeding may be considered abnormal, there may be a little blood after surgery to the vagina, cervix or uterus, or after an >> Read More ...
Lymph nodes of the armpit are known as the axillary lymph nodes. These nose are usually not palpable (felt by touch) but may sometimes become swollen, hard and/or painful. This can arise from a host of possible causes ranging from minor injuries to infections and even cancer. Apart from the armpit itself, disorders or >> Read More ...
What Does “Immune” and “Immunity” Mean? Immune in medicine means “protected against infection”. Immunity means resistance against certain infections. What Is Infection and Who Develops Infectious Disease? Infection is an invasion of harmful microbes in the body. It depends on >> Read More ...
What Is Infection? An infection is an invasion and multiplying of pathogenic microbes in the body tissues in which they are not usually present (1). Pathogenic means capable of causing disease. Infection does not always cause a disease. Definitions of Infection-Related Terms A colonization is the usual presence of >> Read More ...
What Is Sepsis? Sepsis (Greek sepsis= putrefaction, decay) is an exaggerated response of body’s immune system to an infection, like severe pneumonia or cellulitis, which has spread to the blood; it is also called blood infection. If treatment does not start promptly, sepsis may be deadly. NOTE: Bacteremia, viremia, >> Read More ...
What Is The Heart The heart (in Latin cor; in Greek kardia) is a muscular organ that pumps the blood through the vessels, supplying the body cells with oxygen and nutrients. Together with the brain, the heart is the center of one’s personality and emotional life. Location of the Heart The heart lies in the middle of >> Read More ...
Autoimmune disorders are those diseases that occur as a result of the body’s immune system attacking different cells, tissues, organs or the entire body. The body has a number of mechanisms to prevent the immune system from attacking its own tissues but under certain conditions, these self regulating mechanisms may >> Read More ...
Bacteremia – Definition Bacteremia (from bacteria + Latin suffix -emia = blood related) is the presence of the bacteria in the bloodstream (1). Bacteremia is not the same as septicemia (sepsis), which is bacteremia accompanied with an inflammation in the blood. Both Gram-positive bacteria, like staphylococci or >> Read More ...
What Is Paleness? Paleness (pallor in Latin) is abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes due to reduced amount of the blood in the skin arteries. Paleness should be distinguished from other causes of prominent white skin: Fair skin is genetically determined skin hue with low concentration of skin pigment >> Read More ...
