Top videos
Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells in your body than normal. Several types of thalassemia exist, including alpha-thalassemia, beta-thalassemia intermedia, Cooley's anemia and Mediterranean anemia. Hemoglobin is the substance in your red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen. The low hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells of thalassemia may cause anemia, leaving you fatigued. If you have mild thalassemia, you may not need treatment. But, if you have a more severe form of thalassemia, you may need regular blood transfusions. You can also take steps on your own to cope with fatigue, such as choosing a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Bartter syndrome is a rare inherited defect in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. It is characterized by low potassium levels (hypokalemia), increased blood pH (alkalosis), and normal to low blood pressure. There are two types of Bartter syndrome: neonatal and classic
Nystagmus is a vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements. These movements often result in reduced vision and depth perception and can affect balance and coordination. These involuntary eye movements can occur from side to side, up and down, or in a circular pattern.
While an anal abscess is an infection within one or more of the anal spaces, an anal fistula (Choice B) is a tunneling between the anus or rectum and another epithelial lined space (eg, the skin overlying the drainage site). Fifty percent of patients with anal abscesses will go on to develop a chronic fistula from the involved anal gland to the overlying skin. Patients with fistulas typically present with an anal abscess that persists after incision and drainage, or with a pustule-like lesion in the perianal or ischiorectal area that continually drains. Surgical repair is usually necessary to eliminate the fistula while preserving fecal continence.
A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are noncancerous (benign), though rarely a meningioma may be cancerous (malignant). Some meningiomas are classified as atypical, meaning they're neither benign nor malignant but, rather, something in between.
Croup is a common respiratory camera.gif problem in young children. It tends to occur in the fall and winter. Its main symptom is a harsh, barking cough. Croup causes swelling and narrowing in the voice box, windpipe, and breathing tubes that lead to the lungs. This can make it hard for your child to breathe. An attack of croup can be scary, but it is rarely serious. Children usually get better in several days with rest and care at home.
The E.coli bacteria has claimed 14 lives and infected more than 300 hundred in the country. It has now spread to other European states.
Facing an increasing number of cases, German health authorities warned people to avoid eating raw cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce.
Reinhard Burger, President of Robert Koch Institute, said, "As for the present situation there is no reason to give the all-clear yet and it is possible the original source of the infection is still active and could lead to further infections."
The first cases of the EHEC outbreak were noticed in Northern Germany, but infections are now spreading across the country.
Cases haves spiked compared to other years, and are still rising.
Daniel Bahr, German Health Minister, said, "The result is that we unfortunately still have to prepare for a rising number of cases. Exercising caution is still recommended and we ask our citizens to be particularly careful. "
But, the German government says it's working around the clock to stop the outbreak and clarify how it arose.
Ilse Aigner, German Agriculture Minister, said, "Together, we face a big challenge to piece together hundreds or thousands of mosaic pieces from Germany and abroad into an overall picture that gives us a clear answer on how this terrible infection arose. "
In the meantime, experts are advising not to eat pre-packaged or prepared salad, which may contain the bacteria.
There are two main purposes of an arterial line. Firstly when patients are very sick an arterial line is inserted to provide constant monitoring and recording of the patient's blood pressure. Secondly some patients require frequent blood tests and the arterial line provides easy access to a patient's blood.
Women are routinely invited to have cervical screening tests (also called smear tests). The tests are done to prevent cervical cancer, not to diagnose cancer. During each test some cells are removed from the neck of the womb (cervix), with a plastic brush. The cells are examined under a microscope to look for early changes that, if ignored and not treated, could develop into cancer of the cervix. You are very unlikely to develop cervical cancer if you have regular cervical screening tests at the times advised by your doctor. If the test shows any abnormality, you will have treatment to stop you ever getting cancer of the cervix. So, an abnormal test does not mean you have cancer. It means you should have some treatment to stop you getting cancer.
One of a series of films we produced to help patients, their families and carers learn more about some of the most common tests and procedures used to diagnose and treat blood diseases. Patients who have previously undergone these tests helped us to design the videos. Each film clearly explains what the procedure involves and addresses common issues and concerns including: Why your doctor recommended this procedure What you need to do to prepare What you can expect during the procedure What you need to do afterwards Not every patient will be referred for all of these tests and practice may differ slightly depending on where you are treated.