Triglycerides are important organic compounds. Most of the fat we consume in our diet is triglyceride and so is most of the fat we store in our body. Fatty acids contained in triglycerides are an essential source of energy for human cells. Triglyceride concentration can be measured in blood and may provide valuable information about … Read more
One of the most feared adverse health effects of civil aviation is the formation of blood clots in the deep veins of the lower limb, usually called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A part of the clot can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism (PE) which is a serious … Read more
Dizziness is a term that is used to describe a feeling of wooziness, lightheadedness or being off balance. Sometimes it is also used to describe a spinning sensation or a sensation of movement although in such cases the term vertigo will fit better. Dizziness is a nonspecific symptom that often means different things to different … Read more
Most women will experience hot flashes when going through the menopause. In the USA, the term hot flashes is used to describe this phenomenon whereas in the UK the term hot flushes is used. Both mean the same thing. Hot flashes are also known as vasomotor symptoms. The term ‘vasomotor’ refers to the vasomotor center in … Read more
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a widespread condition that can affect people of any age. Indeed, about 30% of people may have bad breath. It has been reported that Americans spend up to 3 billion dollars a year on gum, mints and breath fresheners, in most cases in order to improve their breath (1). … Read more
Coughing is a reflex action where the air is rapidly expelled from the lungs to clear excessive secretions, fluids, or foreign material from the airway. Therefore, cough is an important respiratory defense mechanism. However, coughing may also be a symptom of an underlying disease. Apart from the discomfort of coughing itself, excessive coughing can cause multisystem problems. For … Read more
In the early fall of 1975, two mothers from Old Lyme, Connecticut, desperately sought medical help because of a mysterious outbreak of a strange, unexplainable disease. Both children and adults were affected, and arthritis appeared to be the most prominent symptom. It was soon discovered that many patients also reported a skin lesion with an … Read more
Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of headache. The pain is often described as throbbing, and there may be a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. Migraines are commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound (1). The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but they’re believed to be the … Read more
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and circadian rhythms in humans. Circadian rhythm describes the sleep/wake cycle, a biological clock that runs in our brain and cycles between sleepiness and alertness. It explains why we may feel energized or sleepy at around the same time each day. We all know that sleep is crucial … Read more
Major depression affects more than 16 million American adults each year (1). It can occur to anyone, at any age. And, importantly, depression is not a personal weakness but a severe medical illness. Of course, we all have times when our mood is low. Gloom, heartache, melancholy, woe, desolation. These are all parts of life’s … Read more