Leg weakness is a serious symptom which is commonly ignored by many people. Leg weakness is highly based on ones own perception, so many people may not even realize that they have leg weakness. However, for practical purposes it is the first sign of paralysis because of nerve compression in the lower back. Leg weakness is frequently accompanied by loss of touch sensation and shooting pain, which generally come before the leg weakness. Thus, loss of sensation or shooting pain can be taken as an alarming signals, which tell us that leg weakness is on its way. Hence, it should be taken very seriously and any prompt medical help should be sought. This is especially important for people having low back problems, who have a greater chance of getting leg weakness.
continue reading Leg Weakness – Causes and Treatment

Meaning of Aerophagia

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?

What is Atrophy?

Atrophy is a decrease in size of a part of a body. This can affect an organ, tissue or cell. Atrophy may be attributed to a decrease in size of individual cells or a reduced number of cells in the affected organ or tissue. Atrophy is usually acquired, meaning it is the result of a disease (pathological atrophy) or some change in condition within the body (physiological atrophy).

Atrophy is commonly referred to as ‘wasting’ and while it usually affects one or a few areas of the body at a time, it can also affect large parts of the body. This generalized wasting which is usually associated with fatigue and a lack of appetite or malnutrition is seen in certain chronic diseases like cancer or AIDS and is known as cachexia. Atrophy in these cases may not be reversible, especially in the latter stages of the disease that precede death. Depending on the cause, severity and site that is affected, atrophy may be reversed although this may take a long period of time and require medical treatment and other therapeutic measures.

continue reading Atrophy and Degeneration Meaning and Differences

What Is the Throat?

The throat comprises of air and food passageways lying behind the nasal cavity and mouth and in the neck. It consists (from the top to the bottom) of the pharynx, epiglottis, larynx (voice box with vocal cords) and the upper part of the esophagus and trachea (Picture 1).

Picture 1: Throat parts: pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, esophagus
(trachea extends downwards from the larynx)
(source: Wikimedia)

continue reading Throat Anatomy: Throat Parts, Pictures

In secondary or metastatic lymph node cancer, cancer cells from a malignant tumor of a  distant organ travel to the lymph nodes via the lymphatic or blood vessels and lodge within the lymph nodes, where they continue to proliferate. These cells, when examined under a microscope, are seen to resemble the cancer cells of the organ from where they originated.

continue reading Secondary (Metastatic) Lymph Node Cancer