Anaphylaxis is the medical term for a severe allergic reaction that can affect the entire body and is potentially life threatening. An anaphylactic reaction can lead to shock, hence the term anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis presents with the same signs and symptoms of shock in addition to an itchy skin rash, airway constriction, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Anaphylaxis is known as a type I hypersensitivity reaction and occurs within 15 to 30 minutes of being exposed to the antigen (foreign organisms or substance). Sometimes a severe reaction can occur within seconds. This reaction is mediated by immunglobulin E (IgE), which is a type of antibody. Antibodies are developed by the immune system to help immune cells identify antigens  as being dangerous and triggering a reaction against them. IgE tends to reside within the respiratory passages, skin and mucus membranes. Therefore much of the symptoms of this type of hypersensitivity reaction occurs in these areas.

Milder type I hypersensitivity reactions may be seen in acute allergies and chronic allergic conditions like asthma and hay fever. Anaphylaxis, however, is a much more severe reaction commonly triggered by certain drugs, foods or insect toxins (from bites or stings). Unlike a mild allergic reaction, anaphylaxis requires emergency medical attention so that epinephrine can be administered. Failure to do so can sometimes lead to death.

The word aspiration in the medical context means to take in or suck up. While these two meanings may appear contradictory, they are relevant to the context in which they are used. For example if the stomach contents are taken into the lungs when vomiting then this is aspiration in the context of taking in. However in another situation, like during liposuction when fat is sucked up, this is also referred to as aspiration. In the latter scenario, aspiration means ‘to remove’.

Anasarca is the medical term for simultaneous swelling throughout the body (generalized edema). The fluid accumulates within the subcutaneous tissue of the skin and gross swelling of the body is evident. There may also be other types of edema occurring simultaneously like ascites, which is fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity (swollen stomach). Other cavities and organs may also be affected by edema.

There are various diseases that cause edema, some of which result in localized swelling while others can lead to anasarca. This may vary from cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) to kidney and liver diseases, certain pharmaceutical drugs and different types of autoimmune diseases like SLE (lupus). Anasarca usually indicates severe illness and may often be seen in the end stages of serious chronic conditions.

Anasarca gives the appearance of being swollen or bloated throughout most of the body and should not be mistaken for weight gain. Immediate medical attention is required if anasarca is evident.

Amenorrhea is the medical term for absent menses (no period). Missing a single period is not considered as amenorrhea although this should not occur in a healthy female unless there are short term disturbances. Amenorrhea is a total lack of menstruation that occurs for 6 months or more. There are two types of amenorrhea – primary and secondary amenorrhea.

Primary amenorrhea is the lack of menstruation in a girl who is 16 years or older or if there are signs of puberty present for more than 2 years with no menses. This means that menarche (the onset of menstruation) has not occurred as yet under the the abovementioned conditions.

Secondary amenorrhea is when menses is absent for 6 consecutive months or more in a girl or woman who was previously menstruating. Pregnancy and menopause are two common causes that are not pathological but there are other causes that may be a result of minor or serious medical conditions.

Anovulation is the medical term for the absence of ovulation. The ovary releases a mature egg cell into the fallopian tube during the menstrual cycle and this process is known as ovulation. It can occur approximately 14 to 16 days before the start of menstruation (refer to Ovulation Schedule). In anovulation, this process does not occur.

The ovary may not release a mature egg cell for a number of reasons including ovarian disorders, menopause or perimenopause, pregnancy, hormone contraceptives, drugs or even severe stress, exercise and starvation (including strict dieting).  Other chronic conditions, even those that are not gynecological in origin, may result in anovulation.

continue reading What is Anovulation? No Ovulation

What Is an Incubation Period?

Incubation (Lat. incubationem = a lying upon eggs) period is the time from exposure to a microbe (like influenza virus) to symptoms appearance.

What Is a Contagious Period?

Contagious (Lat. contingere = touch closely) period is the time during which an infected person is able to spread an infection to others.

Table 1: Incubation and contagious period of seasonal, swine and bird flu

continue reading Incubation Period and Contagious Period of Seasonal, Swine and Bird Flu

What Is the Larynx?

The larynx (from Gk. larynx = the upper windpipe) is an air passage carrying air from the pharynx to the trachea (Picture 1). It contains the vocal cords (folds), so it is also called the voice box.

Adjective form of the larynx is laryngeal, for example, laryngeal cancer.

NOTE: In practice, a term throat is often used for the larynx alone or the pharynx alone. However, the throat is composed of the pharynx, larynx and the upper parts of the esophagus and trachea.

Larynx Functions

• Control of the airflow during breathing
• Sound creation
• Prevents of air from escaping the lungs, for example, during weightlifting
• Protection of lungs against foreign objects

continue reading Larynx or Voice Box – Anatomy, Position, Function, Disorders

Anterior is the anatomical term for indicating that an organ or structure is towards the front of the body.

It is usually  used to indicate the position in relation to another organ or structure and may mean that it is ‘in front of’ another organ or structure.

For example – in a person who is standing erect, the tip of the nose is anterior to the eyes meaning that the nose tip is in front of or located before the eyes.

The term anterior may also be used to indicate ‘towards the head’ because isolating the front and rear (posterior) orientation may be misleading in certain situations, especially in certain animals.

To prevent ambiguity, anterior is regarded as the position towards the front or in front of another organ or structure when a person is in the standard anatomical position for humans (refer to picture) which is standing erect, with the feet together, upper limbs slightly away from the sides of the body with the palms facing forward and the thumb pointing away from the body.

What Is the Pharynx?

The pharynx (Greek pharynx = throat; pharanx = gulf, chasm) is a cavity within the throat that serves as an air and food passage. The other main part of the throat is the larynx.

Functions of the Pharynx

Functions of the pharynx include:

1. Swallowing

When food or fluid enters the pharynx, muscle contraction — swallowing reflex — pushes it toward the esophagus. Disorders of swallowing — dysphagia — can be caused by dry mucous membrane, dry food, disorders in the pharyngeal wall, psychological reasons or neurological disorders.

Touching of the soft palate or the back wall of the pharynx with the finger can trigger vomiting reflex.

continue reading Pharynx – Functions, Anatomy, Pictures, Disorders

Aerophagia is the swallowing of air meaning that air enters the gastrointestinal tract (gut) rather than the lungs. The air may get trapped in the esophagus and/or stomach temporarily and may be passed with an eructation (belch or burp). Aerophagia is not a serious condition but may lead to gas bloating, indigestion and abdominal discomfort. The most noticeable symptom though is excessive belching.

continue reading What is Aerophagia?