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Menorrhagia :
Menorrhagia refers to an abnormally long or heavy menstrual flow, often accompanied by the passing of blood clots.
The condition, which is especially common in women in their late 30s and 40s, seldom indicates the existence of a serious disorder. However, it may result in a deficiency of the mineral iron (iron deficiency anemia).
Causes :
Menorrhagia is a common problem, often caused by a disturbance in the hormones controlling the menstrual cycle. It can also be caused by fibroid tumors in the uterus, inflammation of the pelvic region, and underactivity of the thyroid gland.
Diagnosis :
If abnormal menstrual flow continues or recurs or if there is any chance of pregnancy, a physician should be consulted. The physician may perform a number of tests to determine whether there is a serious underlying cause. Biopsy (removal of a small tissue sample for laboratory examination) of the cervix or the uterine lining may be performed to check for cancer or other abnormalities. The physician may also do a blood test to check for iron-deficiency anemia.
Treatment :
It is suggested that women who experience this disorder try to reduce their level of physical activity during menstruation and be sure to get enough iron so that they will not become anemic.
Hormones (estrogen and progesterone) may also be used to control heavy bleeding if the underlying problem is a hormonal disturbance. Hysterectomy may be necessary in severe cases that do not respond to estrogen therapy and in cases of extensive fibroid tumors.
Meningitis :
Meningitis occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the spinal fluid and infect the meninges, the three layers of membrane that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can prove to be fatal, although this is becoming less common because of the increased use of effective medications.
Meningitis seems to strike males more often than females and is most commonly seen in children up to the age of four years and in adults over the age of 60. Swelling of the brain, as well as epilepsy, blindness, amnesia, and deafness, can result when meningitis is not properly and promptly treated.
The three layers of meninges are the dura mater (the outermost layer), the arachnoid (the middle layer), and the pia mater (the innermost layer). The space between the inner two layers, called the subarachnoid space, is filled with clear cerebrospinal fluid, which is produced in the brain. When bacteria or viruses invade this fluid and form pus, the surrounding membranes soon become infected, resulting in meningitis.
Causes :
Meningitis is caused by an infection that enters the system through a serious head wound or through the bloodstream from a source of infection in another part of the body. The bacteria may also reach the meninges from an abscess (localized infection) of the brain itself, but this is quite rare. A deficiency in the immune system, which can be either inherited or acquired over time, may lead to a greater chance of contracting this disease as well.
Also, newborns may be at a greater risk of contracting meningitis if the mother had a genital infection, such as herpes, during the last week of pregnancy; if the membranes of the uterus ruptured prematurely; or if labor was prolonged.
Symptoms :
The symptoms of meningitis are a "bursting" headache, high fever, rising pulse rate, irregular breathing, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.
Pain extends down the neck, into the back and the lower limbs; the neck may be stiff, and it will be difficult for the patient to bend forward. As the disease progresses, the patient may suffer convulsions or may slip into a coma.
Diagnosis :
Unless increased pressure in the brain is suspected, meningitis is diagnosed with a test called a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, in which a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid is withdrawn and examined to see if it is clear (healthy) or cloudy (pus-filled) and to identify the bacteria causing the infection. A physical examination, blood cultures, and cultures from the secretions of the respiratory tract may also be useful in determining the type of bacteria present. A viral infection is much harder to diagnose; it may not show up on any tests.
Treatment :
Because meningitis must be treated immediately, medication may be prescribed before the specific infecting agent has been identified. Once the cause has been determined, a more appropriate medication can then be administered. The patient will be admitted to the hospital, where necessary measures can be taken to reduce fever and control brain swelling.
Viral infections are much more difficult to treat. Fortunately, most cases run their course without causing serious consequences. Treatment is generally limited to hospitalization, so that supportive therapy can be administered.
Prevention :
Prevention of meningitis caused by certain strains of bacteria may be possible with some vaccines that are now available. Immunization against Hemophilus influenzae in infants has led to dramatic decreases in the incidence of meningitis caused by this organism. Research continues on vaccines against other bacterial strains.
Rifampin, an antituberculosis drug, is used for prevention of meningococcal meningitis, which is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The drug is given orally to individuals who have been in close contact with a person who has a documented case of meningococcal meningitis. There is also a vaccine that is effective against certain strains of meningococcal meningitis.
Meniere's Disease :
Meniere's disease is a disease of the inner ear that affects balance and equilibrium.
Causes :
The cause of Meniere's disease is unknown, although it is thought that pressure changes in the ear may be brought on by an infection, a small hemorrhage in the ear, or an allergic response. Ménière's disease occurs most commonly in men and women aged 40 to 60.
Symptoms :
The symptoms of Meniere's disease include recurring and violent attacks of vertigo or dizziness, ringing in the ears, muffling or distortion of noises, and nausea that is sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Deafness in one or both ears may eventually develop.
Mild attacks of Meniere's disease can last from a half hour to several days before fading away naturally. They may recur regularly at intervals of weeks, months, or years.
Severe attacks of Meniere's disease may last for several weeks, requiring the person to be confined to bed. In such cases, almost any movement of the head will result in bizarre and disturbing sensations that the floor and the furniture in the room are spinning around. Severe cases may also be accompanied by anxiety attacks and migraine headaches.
Treatment :
The use of certain drugs, such as diuretics and antihistamines, may help to relieve severe and recurrent attacks. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the condition.
Incontinence :
Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary bladder control. It occurs frequently in children and in older people.
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Hemorrhoids :
Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins inside or just outside the anal canal, which is the opening at the end of the large intestine. As the veins swell, they can cause severe inflammation and discomfort.
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Hemorrhage :
Hemorrhage is the technical term for bleeding, often referring to substantial blood loss or uncontrollable bleeding, either externally or internally. The effects of hemorrhage depend on the part of the body that is bleeding and the total amount of blood that is lost. Hemorrhage can be a symptom of a number of serious, sometimes fatal, disorders.
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Hemophilia :
Hemophilia is a sex-linked hereditary bleeding disorder in which the clotting mechanism of the blood does not function properly. Blood normally contains several factors that enable clotting to occur. These are designated coagulation factors I through XIII. In the most common form of hemophilia -- classic hemophilia, or hemophilia A -- factor VIII is deficient. In this case, factors I through VII function adequately, but the clotting process is interrupted by a lack of sufficient amounts of factor VIII. Hemophilia B is the other common form of hemophilia, although it occurs significantly less often than hemophilia A. Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of factor IX. Hemophilia B is also known as Christmas disease.
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Hemoglobin :
The role of the red blood cells is to carry oxygen through the body. The red blood cells can perform this task because of the presence of hemoglobin, the pigment that is formed when the red blood cells develop in the bone marrow.
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Hematologist :
Hematologists study diseases and disorders of the blood and the blood-forming tissues, such as the bone marrow and the spleen. A hematologist is proficient in a range of diagnostic techniques in which blood and bone marrow samples are used to shed light on disease processes.
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Heartbeat Irregularities :
Heartbeat irregularities (also called cardiac arrhythmias) are deviations from the normal, steady beating of the heart.
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