Whipple disease is triggered by a rare bacterial infection that impairs the small intestinal lining and might affect other bodily organs. This condition affects white males aged 30-60. It is due to an infection with Tropheryma whippelii. This infection usually affects the small intestines but can also affect other organs such as the lungs, heart, […]
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Bacterial overgrowth syndrome is a condition involving diminished mobility of the intestinal contents which allows the normal intestinal bacteria to grow disproportionately. This results to diarrhea and poor absorption of nutrients. The normal stable movement of the intestinal contents is vital in maintaining suitable equilibrium of bacteria in the small intestine. Circumstances in which the
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Diverticulosis is characterized as the presence of several balloon-like sacs or diverticula in the large intestine. It is important to note that diverticula can develop anywhere in the large intestine but quite common in the sigmoid colon which is the last region just before the rectum. Diverticulosis is considered uncommon before the age of 40
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Clostridium difficile colitis involves inflammation of the large intestine that triggers episodes of diarrhea. This inflammation can be caused by growth of unusual bacteria that results from antibiotic use. Various antibiotics are capable of altering the equilibrium among the types and number of bacteria present in the intestine, thus allowing some bacteria to grow and
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Acid reflux is a common condition that manifests once stomach acid and other digestive contents flow back into the esophagus via the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If this sphincter is weakened or impaired, it will not properly close, thus allowing the stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus, resulting to the symptoms of acid
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Difficulty swallowing involves inability to swallow liquids or foods normally. Individuals who have a hard time swallowing might choke on liquid or food when attempting to swallow. Difficulty swallowing is medically known as dysphagia. This symptom is not always indicative of a medical issue. Essentially, difficulty swallowing might be brief and subsides on its own.
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A stroke transpires once a blood clot disrupts the flow of blood to a region of the brain or a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and blood could not flow to certain regions of the brain. In case oxygenated blood does not reach the brain, the brain cells start to die and results to
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Spinal cord compression occurs once a mass applies pressure on the cord. The spinal cord is comprised of nerves that transmit signals back and forth between the brain and the entire body. The mass might be a tumor or fragment of bone. Compression can occur anywhere throughout the spinal cord from the neck up to
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Reactive arthritis is activated by an infection in the body. Generally, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a bacterial infection in the intestines can lead to reactive arthritis. The condition does not develop until the infection has been treated successfully. Individuals who have reactive arthritis typically experience symptoms in the bigger joints of the lower
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Secondary drowning occurs after an individual seems to recover from drowning. The child might go underwater but appears fine even though water has entered the lungs or oxygen has been impaired to a point in which the child manifests life-threatening symptoms as time passes after the initial drowning accident. It is important to note that
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