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 ...
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 a Drug? Broadly speaking, a drug is any substance other than food intended to affect the structure or any function of the body (1). Drug As a Medication According to the United States Federal Drug Agency (FDA), a drug is an article (substance) intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation (lessening), >> 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 ...
What Is Blood Pressure (BP)? Blood pressure, abbreviated BP, is the pressure of the blood against the arterial walls. Blood pressure results from the force of the heart that pumps the blood into the arteries, and the force of the arteries as they resist the blood flow. Why Are Two Values in the Blood Pressure Reading? >> Read More ...
What Is Medical History? A medical history or anamnesis (Greek anamnesis = recalling) is a summary of your symptoms, past diseases, therapies, medical investigations and diagnoses (personal medical history), and chronic diseases running in your family (family medical history), as you reveal them to your doctor (Picture 1). >> Read More ...
Abdominal pain is a common symptoms that afflicts every child and adult at some point in their life. For some, it is a common occurrence and can be debilitating when severe. However, most of us experience abdominal pain occasionally and it is usually linked to an underlying condition. The pain may be accompanied by a host >> Read More ...
What is a symptom? In medicine, a symptom (Greek symptoma = a happening, befall) refers to a change in body function or sensation, like weakness or pain, as experienced by a patient (1). It is subjective meaning that it cannot be verified or measured independently and has to be reported by the patient. A patient’s >> Read More ...
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 >> Read More ...