What is Cogan syndrome?
Cogan syndrome or Cogan’s syndrome is a rare type of a rheumatic disorder. It is characterized by frequent inflammation of the ears and the front portion of the eye i.e., the cornea. These symptoms are also accompanied by frequent episodes of fever, loss of energy and fatigue, episodes of dizziness, weight loss and loss of hearing. If left untreated, the disorder can lead to permanent blindness or deafness. Cogan’s syndrome is also often associated with vasculitis or blood-vessel inflammation in other parts of the body which can ultimately lead to damaging of organs or in some rare cases even death. In most cases, the patients are young adults around 20s or 30s. [click to continue…]
What is Dubin–Johnson syndrome?
Dubin–Johnson syndrome is a form of autosomal recessive disorder that increases the level of conjugated bilirubin in the blood serum without elevating the liver enzymes. This condition is much alike Rotor syndrome, as it is closely related to the hepatocytes’ inability to secrete conjugated bilirubin in the bile. [click to continue…]
Cerebral Aneurysm Definition
It is one of the commonest cerebrovascular disorders characterized by a localized expansion or ballooning of a blood capillary in the brain. It results from a weakness or defect in the wall of a cerebral vein or artery.
The disorder is also known as “Brain Aneurysm” or “Aneurysm in the brain”. [click to continue…]
Spasmodic Dysphonia Definition
It is a condition marked by speech difficulties caused due to Dystonia or spasms of the muscles controlling the vocal cords. It is a peculiar communication disorder that was once considered to be associated with psychological problems.
SD usually arises in individuals aged between 30 and 51. Women are likelier to suffer from this disease than men. The condition is also referred to as “Laryngeal Dystonia”. [click to continue…]
What is Ischial bursitis?
Scientifically speaking, ischial bursitis is a swelling in ones bursa region which divides ordinary maximus muscle found in the buttock region from an underlying skeletal protrusion of the bone that we usually sit on, known as ischial tuberosity.
What is a bursa?
A bursa is a small sac filled with fluid that acts as a cushion to reduce the sliding friction between body tissues.
Alternate name for Ischial bursitis
It is mostly caused by extended sitting on rigid surfaces which press up against bones that are this area. Some people also call this disorder ‘weaver’s bottom’
Who may get affected with Ischial bursitis?
Though Ischial bursitis can affect anyone, the incidence is higher in athletes, almost 10% high in runners.
What are the causes of Ischial bursitis?
There are diverse causes of this ailment but the most common ones are infection, crystal deposits and traumatizing events.
- Traumatizing events- Physical trauma may lead to inflammatory ischial bursitis especially from recurrent injury. It leads to expansion of one’s blood vessels. This in turn will permit proteins as well as extracellular fluid to make their way into bursae area. Consequently, bursae will react against the perceived ‘foreign’ components by swelling up. Trauma can either be severe or acute and these two categories each have their own unique indicators. [click to continue…]
Do you have a small, painless lump in the scrotum? You may be having a medical condition known as Spermatocele. Know all about Spermatocele – its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Spermatocele Definition
Spermatocele is an abnormal cyst that appears on the testis or the epididymis. It looks like a lump and usually consists of a milky white fluid that may contain male sperm. It is due to the finding of sperm in the fluid that Spermatoceles are also known as Epididymal Cysts.
This unnatural cyst is commonly seen in men who are between 40 and 60 years of age. It is a very common disease affecting about 1/3rd of the male population.
Spermatoceles are generally less than half an inch in diameter. But they can also be larger in size.
Spermatocele Location
For Spermatocele epidydymis is the most common location. Spermatoceles are usually found at the upper part of the epididymis, the small coiled tubular structures located in the higher part of the testicle. These are also seen in the sides or rear position of the testes. Spermatoceles generally lie separate from the testicles.
Spermatocele Symptoms
Spermatoceles have quite a lot of symptoms associated to them. Some of the notable symptoms of Spermatocele are
Discomfort
What does a Spermatocele feel like? A person affected by this condition normally experiences no discomfort. In people with Spermatocele discomfort may arise if the lump grows too large. It can create problems in wearing dresses, especially undergarments. A swollen Spermatocele can rub with the cloth of the underwear and create great discomfort.
Pain
Spermatoceles are generally painless. People having Spermatoceles do not experience any pain from these testicular lumps. But in a few cases of Spermatocele painful sensation arises, mainly when the Spermatocele size becomes too large.
Heaviness
People with a much swollen Spermatocele can experience heaviness in the testicles.
Cancer
In rare cases of Spermatocele cancerous conditions may also arise. This happens when malignant tumors are mistaken as Spermatoceles. A Spermatocele may also mask other serious complications like Epididymitis, Inguinal Hernia, Varicocele and Hydrocele. Because of a Spermatocele Hydroceles are often difficult to diagnose.
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