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Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Brief Overview of the Disease
A rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple joints and has a significant impact on patients’ lives. Genetic predisposition and various environmental factors, such as infections or stress, play a role in the development of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 0.5–1% of the population, making it a relatively common condition. It occurs particularly in women, most often among middle-aged individuals. The symptoms of the disease can vary, often starting suddenly with pronounced joint inflammation, but in many cases, complaints gradually appear in a latent form. The essence of rheumatoid arthritis is that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane of the joints, leading…
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Can MRI Diagnose Stomach Ulcers?
A modern medical imaging world offers a variety of examination methods for diagnosing diseases. MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, plays a prominent role in assessing the condition of internal organs and tissues. This technique can detect numerous pathological conditions and diseases, but it is important to consider that it cannot identify every abnormality. The medical community is continuously working on the development of diagnostic tools to achieve more accurate and effective results. MRI examinations are capable of providing detailed images of various body parts and tissues, but they are not suitable for diagnosing gastric ulcers. The examination of the retroperitoneal area, which includes the space behind the peritoneum, also does…
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Dandy-Walker syndrome
The Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) is a rare, congenital brain developmental disorder that affects the central nervous system and typically impacts the back part of the brain, particularly the cerebellum and the fourth ventricle. This disorder is associated with the disruption of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, which causes severe central nervous system problems. The manifestation of the syndrome can be linked to various factors, and understanding the disease as well as knowledge of related information is extremely important for proper diagnosis and treatment. Dandy-Walker syndrome is a complex condition that can cause problems in various areas, including motor functions, behavior, and cognitive abilities. In addition to exploring the causes of the disorder,…
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Tourette syndrome and its characteristics
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by the presence of various motor and vocal tics. Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements or sounds that can often be noticeable and disruptive for those affected. The syndrome was first described by a French neurologist who also bears its name. Tourette syndrome most commonly begins in childhood, typically among boys, and symptoms usually decrease by adolescence. Although Tourette syndrome is not the most common neurological disorder, estimates suggest that 5 to 50 out of every 10,000 children may be affected. The symptoms of the disorder are diverse and varied, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. It is important for those affected and their families…
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Signs of Celiac Disease and Therapeutic Options
The gluten sensitivity, also known as celiac disease, is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the small intestine and malabsorption issues. This condition arises in response to a plant protein called gluten, which is particularly found in wheat, rye, and barley. In individuals with gluten sensitivity, the presence of gluten triggers an immune response that leads to damage to the intestinal mucosa. As a result, the absorption of nutrients decreases, which can lead to various health problems. It is important to highlight that gluten sensitivity can manifest at any age, and the symptoms can vary widely, making diagnosis challenging. Often, the recognition of the disease is delayed because…
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Methods for Identifying Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
A pregnancy is a wonderful yet challenging time during which expectant mothers may face various health issues. To protect maternal and fetal health, proper medical supervision and regular health check-ups are crucial. Complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, can pose serious threats, and professionals are continuously working on how to facilitate early detection. New research and discoveries offer opportunities to make the pregnancy period safer for expectant mothers. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive condition that occurs during pregnancy, often developing after the 20th week of gestation. As a consequence, protein may appear in the woman’s urine, indicating the severity of the problem. Untreated preeclampsia carries serious health risks, such as heart…
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“What Could Be the Causes of Tremors?” – Medical Answers
A head tremor is a neurological phenomenon that complicates the lives of many people. This symptom can arise for various reasons, and in many cases, there is no clear disease behind it. Patients often find that stressful situations or excitement exacerbate the tremor, which further worsens the situation. The appearance of symptoms often induces anxiety and fear, as the tremor is visible and can be perceived by others. Therefore, head tremor carries not only physical but also psychological burdens. Experts and doctors attempt to diagnose and treat this phenomenon using various methods, but the solution is not always straightforward. During medical examinations, serious health problems are usually not found, which…
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The signs, identification, and therapeutic options of Pickwick syndrome
The Pickwick syndrome is a condition characterized by obesity and sleep-related breathing cessation. This condition is named after a character in Charles Dickens’s novel “The Pickwick Papers,” who is the overweight Joe. The disease most commonly affects middle-aged, obese men and can have serious consequences due to breathing disorders that occur during sleep. In Pickwick syndrome, the patient’s airways can become obstructed, leading to a cessation of breathing. This phenomenon is caused by the weight of the chest and the accumulation of fat in the area of the pharynx. As a result, the blood’s oxygen level decreases, which can lead to damage to the central nervous system in the long…
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Differences between Dementia Associated with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia
A deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between Parkinson’s disease dementia and Lewy body dementia is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Both conditions fall under the category of primary degenerative dementias and exhibit similar symptoms that arise due to characteristic inclusions in the brain. These inclusions are known as Lewy bodies and consist of proteins that do not break down properly, leading to their accumulation in brain cells as age progresses. It is important to recognize that diseases associated with dementia involve not only a decline in cognitive abilities but also a significant impact on physical condition. Both Parkinson’s disease dementia and Lewy body dementia can present both…
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
The spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, characterized by the gradual degeneration of the motor neurons in the spinal cord. This disease causes varying degrees of muscle weakness and atrophy, significantly impacting the quality of life of patients. In Hungary, 10-15 new children with SMA are born each year, indicating the relatively rare occurrence of the disease, yet it can have severe effects on the lives of families. The underlying cause of SMA is a defect in the SMN1 (Survival Motor Neuron 1) gene, which plays a key role in the survival of motor neurons. When this gene does not function properly,…
