What is a pinched nerve?

The term ‘pinched nerve‘ actually refers to any condition where compression of the nerve causes a range of sensory (‘feeling’) and motor (‘movement’) related symptoms in the affected area. While a pinched nerve if often believed to affect the spinal nerves only, due to compression between parts of the spine, it can actually affect any nerve in the body. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the site that is affected, the extent of the nerve compression, movement or other aggravating factors as well as duration of the compression.

continue reading Pinched Nerve vs Bulging Disc Meaning

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 non-pathogenic and even potentially pathogenic microbes on the skin, in the nose, mouth, bowel, penile or vaginal mucosa, as a part of normal human flora, in the amount not harmful for the body – this is not an infection. An example is the presence of Lactobacilus acidophilus bacteria in the colon.

A contamination is the presence of germs which do not multiply, for example, in a contaminated (not infected)wound. Infected or septic wound contains multiplying microbes. Contamination also refers to presence of pathogenic microbes on medical equipment, in the water, food etc.

continue reading Infection and Incubation Period Meaning

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

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, fungemia or parasitemia refer only to a presence of microbes in the blood, which by themselves rarely causes any symptoms, while sepsis is always a serious condition with detectable inflammation in the blood and obvious symptoms. Check what septic means.

continue reading Blood Infection or Sepsis – Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Treatment