Blood Cancer (Leukemia)

Introduction Blood cancer encompasses cancers that originate in the bone marrow (organ that produces blood cells). Most of the blood cancers involve white blood cells (cells that fight infection) and are called leukemia. Cancers can also develop in the red blood cells (cells that carry oxygen) and p

Black stools

Black stools can be due to bleeding in gastrointestinal (GI) tract or ingestion of certain medications (iron, bismuth) or certain food (blueberries). Black, tarry, sticky and smelly stool  is caused by bleeding in the GI tract, and is known as melena. Malena is a serious medical

Tuberculosis

  Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can affect any organ in the body but lungs (Pulmonary TB) are the most common site of infection. Other common sites of infection are bones, lymph nodes, kidneys, uterus, brain (meninges), skin, etc. Tuberculosis i

Acute Kidney Failure

Kidney failure means the kidneys become unable to filter the blood and remove waste and excess salt and water from body. Kidney failure can occur acutely over hours and days or develop gradually over a period. When kidney stops working abruptly, it is called acute kidney failure (injury) . When kidney function

Weight Gain – Obesity

A person is said to be obese if s/he weighs much more for his or her height. An obese person is at risk of developing many health problems as s/he has excess body fat, which is undesirable. A special measure based on weight and height, called “body mass index,” or BMI is used to find out if a person is underweight,

Ascariasis

Ascariasis is infestation of humans intestine by roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides). The roundworm may reside in the guts for 6 to 24 months. The eggs are passed into the stool and under warm, shady, moist conditions they can survive for up to 10 years.  The infection is transmitted by in

Fatigue / Tiredness

  Tiredness means you feel exhausted both during activity as well as rest,, even while sleeping as well. It is not a disease but could be a symptom of various physical and psychological ailments. It can alternatively be called as fatigue; exhaustion; lethargy or weariness. We all

Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins are a group of substances that are needed, in very small amounts, for your body to grow and develop normally.  There are two broad categories of Vitamins based upon how they are absorbed:

• Fat-soluble vitamins

Menstrual Irregularities

  Menstrual abnormalities include irregular menstrual cycle, heavy bleeding and painful menstruation. Irregular menses denotes variation in the length of a menstrual cycle. A menstrual cycle is the period between the first day of bleeding of one cycle to the onset of next period of bleeding. A normal menstrual

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of immune system that can affect many organs in the body. Normally, the immune system produces proteins directed against infectious agents and protects us from infection. In SLE, however, your body produces antibodies that attack body’s o

Malaria

Malaria is a febrile, mosquito-borne disease caused by parasitic protozoa, Plasmodium. Four different species of Plasmodium cause malaria. The parasite is transmitted by bite of female Anopheles mosquito. It occurs mostly in high temperature areas - tropical regions and the Terai belt of Nepal. Infected female Anoph

Heart Failure

Heart failure means your heart is not able to pump out sufficient amount of blood into the rest of the body. It does not mean that your heart has stopped to beat which is called “cardiac arrest” (see Heart Attack for more informat

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus (commonly called diabetes) is a chronic disease where your blood sugar levels are persistently high. There is an important hormone called insulin in our body that keeps the blood glucose level within normal range. Insulin is produced by pancreas which is a gland located behind the stomach between the

Anemia

Anemia Anemia is  a condition where your hemoglobin level is low.  Hemoglobin is the substance found in the red blood cell that carries oxygen in  the blood.  When you are anemic the oxygen carrying capacity of you blood in reduced and it  may not be enough to meet the dem

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a disorder of heart rhythm that manifests as an irregular heartbeat. Usually, it is associated with rapid heart rate ranging from 100 to  170 beats per minute.  But you can have atrial fibrillation with normal heart rate specially if you are treated with med

Hookworm Infestation

Hookworm infestation is a parasitic disease of humans caused by one of the two organisms- Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. It is the second most common helminthic infection in developing world. Hookworms are found in soil contaminated by human feces. The transmission of infection occurs when the following