The vertebral column is the most important collection of bones to maintain stability of the skeletal structure and support of the entire body, especially when upright. It is made up of 33 bones, known as vertebra (plural ~ vertebrae), which may be fused at certain points, like in the lower parts of the spinal column. The spine is flexible because most of the vertebrae are separated from each other by an intervertebral disc, allowing articulation between the bones.

continue reading Parts of the Spine – Anatomy, Picture, Spinal Column, Backbone

A plantar calcaneal spur is an outgrowth from the bone at the back of the foot known as the calcaneus. This outgrowth is the cause of severe discomfort on the sole of the foot (plantar surface) and pain and is commonly known as heel spur pain. These spurs may develop over a long period of time and are initially unidentifiable, even upon x-ray, although the symptoms are present. Calcaneal spurs may be mistaken for plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation of the thin fibrous layer between the skin on the sole of the foot and the bones of the foot.

continue reading Plantar Calcaneal Spur – Foot Heel Bone and Sole Pain

The breast bone, also known as the sternum, is a flat bone located in the middle of the thorax (chest) and serves two important functions in the body. Firstly, the breast bone protects the vital organs lying behind it, primarily the heart and airways, and secondly, it serves as a central point where the ribs and shoulder bones (clavicle) connect and articulate. The breast bone can be divided into three distinct parts :

1. Manubrium
2. Body
3. Xiphoid process

continue reading Causes of Breast Bone Pain (Sternum)

Head and Brain Injuries

Hitting the windshield or falling out from the car, when not being harnessed with a safety belt, are main reasons for head injuries in car accidents.

Apart from unconsciousness, head pain, bleeding and visible head deformities, the following symptoms may speak for a head or brain injury:

• Tenderness or instability of head bones upon pressing
• Painful mouth opening (temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain)
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Pupils of unequal diameter, or excessively wide or narrow
• Nosebleeds or clear liquid (liquor) leaking from the nose
• Impaired vision, hearing, smelling or unusual sensations in any body part
• Weak or paralysed limbs

continue reading Car Accident Injuries – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Pictures, Prevention

What Is the Calf?

The calf is a back part of the lower leg - between the knee and ankle.

Causes of Calf Pain

Pain in the calf may arise from:

• Calf muscles: exercise, injury, mineral deficiencies, dermatomyositis
• Injury or inflammation of Achilles tendon
• Nerves: pinched sciatic nerve (read about sciatic nerve pain)
• Arteries: atherosclerosis (smokers, diabetics)
• Veins: varicose veins
• Blood: venous thrombosis
• Leg swelling from any cause
• Lymphatic vessels: elephantiasis, enlarged lymph nodes in the groin or behind the knee
• Joints: popliteal cyst behind the knee
• Skin: streptococcal or staphylococcal infection of the skin or under-skin tissues (cellulitis), Herpes zoster,  systemic sclerosis

Related Articles:

• Itchy Legs
• Leg Numbness

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatic pain (sciatica) is a pain in the lower back, buttock, leg and/or foot, usually on one side at a time, caused by one of disorders affecting the sciatic nerve:

• Pinched nerve due to:
  • Bulging or herniated disc 
  • Degeneration disc disease (DDD)
  • Spinal stenosis (narrow spinal canal)
  • Fracture of one or more of spinal vertebra or direct injury of the nerve
  • Tumor of the spinal cord or spine
  • Spondylolysthesis (slipping disc – from several reasons)
  • Piriformis syndrome (pressure from piriformis muscle that extends from the sacrum to the outer hip bone)
  • Spondylosis – degeneration due to wear and tear of spinal vertebra
  • Spondylitis – inflammation of spine
  • Osteoporosis
  • Tuberculosis or osteomyelitis of spinal vertebra
• Peripheral neuropathy e.g. from diabetes or alcoholism  

continue reading Sciatic Nerve Pain – Causes and Symptoms

Rarely, diarrhea caused by bacterial food poisoning may be accompanied or followed by nose bleeding, body swelling, painful joints, muscle paralysis due to exaggerated body reaction to harmful bacteria.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) may appear in children having diarrhea caused by food poisoning with Escherichia coli 0157:H7 or other bacteria. From the intestine, bacteria may enter the blood and break down red blood cells (hemolysis) that clog kidney vessels what may result in kidney failure. (Uremia refers to increased blood urea (a product of protein breakdown), which can not be successfully removed by impaired kidneys, so it builds up in the blood). Symptoms of HUS include: nose bleeding, pale skin with bruises, profound fatigue, fever, swelling of the face or limbs and decreased urination or blood in the urine usually develop several days after the start of diarrhea, mostly in children under 10 years of age. A child with the mentioned symptoms has to be admitted to hospital promptly. Diagnosis is made by blood test that reveal low level of red cells and platelets, and presence of bacteria. Treatment with blood transfusion and kidney dialysis usually results in full recovery (1). Without proper treatment, permanent kidney damage or even death may occur.

continue reading Complications of Food Poisoning: Bleeding, Arthritis or Paralysis

Treatment of Leg & Foot Cramps

Treatment should be directed at the possible causes of leg cramps at night if it is suspected that the condition is occurring as a symptom of one of the causes or risk factors. However, nocturnal leg cramps as a parasomnia disorder is not treatable and the exact cause is unknown therefore the focus should be on management of the condition.

Some important points should be noted in the treatment of secondary causes of night leg cramps.

continue reading Treatment & Management of Leg Cramps at Night

The exact cause of nocturnal leg cramps is unknown (idiopathic). However certain individuals with chronic conditions may be at risk of leg cramps at night. Nocturnal leg cramps are more common in older persons, especially women, and primarily affects the calf muscles and small muscles of the feet.

Leg cramps may occur as a symptom, side effect or complication to a multitude of secondary causes.

continue reading Risk Factors & Causes of Severe Leg Cramps at Night

Nocturnal leg cramps are the painful cramping of muscles, usually the calf muscles, which commonly occurs during sleep. In some cases, night leg cramps may occur while the sufferer is in bed and between the sleep-wake stage. Nocturnal leg cramps are considered to be one of the parasomnia disorders that affect a person’s body functions when asleep.

continue reading What is Nocturnal Leg Cramping? Leg Cramps at Night