Hyperkalemia Definition Hyperkalemia is referred to as the condition, where the electrolyte “potassium” concentration gets elevated in the blood (hyper means- high, kalium- potassium, emia- in blood). Benefits of potassium Potassium is the most abundant cation inside the cell that is essential for several physiological processes. Potassium is very essential for the normal functioning of the heart, muscles and nerves. It controls the activity of smooth muscles, including muscles of the heart, digestive tract and extremities. It helps in the normal transmission of electrical signals in the nervous system of the body. It maintains the normal electrical rhythm of heart The intracellular is to extracellular potassium ratio is essential in [...]

Having a bad taste in mouth is an irritating and disagreeable one can experience. This can lead an individual to lose appetite. Alteration in the ability to taste indicates problem in taste perception and the olfactory sense. It can be a temporary nuisance but bad taste can also be long term. Bad Taste in Mouth Causes A lot of reason can be attributed to cause a bad taste in the mouth. Some of the causes may be common while the rest of the cause may be due to certain health condition which may be serious and often bad taste in mouth is a symptom. Halitosis Halitosis is characterized as odorous [...]

Hypervolemia Definition Hypervolemia, otherwise known as fluid overload, is a condition where there is excess fluid in the blood. Here, excess fluid plasma leads to the increased volume. Hypervolemia is associated with diseases of lung, liver, kidney, heart and few other conditions. The opposite of this condition is known as hypovolemia, where there is insufficient fluid volume in the blood, having decreased plasma amount. Hypervolemia Facts Average water intake is 2000 ml/day Average output = 2000 ml In hypervolemia, fluid intake is more. Hence, edema occurs. ADH and Aldosterone maintain water/fluid balance. Hypervolemia pathophysiology The recommended sodium and water intake for normal adults is: Sodium – 70 mmol per 24 [...]

Most of us experience sour taste in mouth every time we wake up from our sleep. This normally fades although for some it does not fade and often persists. Sour taste in mouth that persists is one type of dysguesia where a taste alteration exists. It is often caused by anaerobic bacteria that thrive at the back of the tongue. Taste for sourness depicts acidity and the taste is detected by small subset of cells spread on the taste buds expressed by protein PKD2L1. It is sensed by using ion channels where hydrogen ion channels perceive concentration of hydronium ions formed from acid and water. Fruit is the common food [...]

What is Brain Eating Amoeba? Brain Eating Amoeba is a single-celled organism from the specie of Naegleria. There are many species of Naegleria but only the Naegleria fowleri is known to cause human disease. They belong to a group of Heterolobosea. It was first identified in Australia in 1965 and is believed to have evolved in the United States. The amoeba-flagellates human disease was first identified by 2 physicians M. Fowler and R. F. Carter whose work provided an example of how protozoan can freely live in the environment and human host. Fowleri termed the infection from Naegleria fowleri as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis distinguishing its invasion of the central nervous [...]

What is Hyperprolactinemia? Hyperprolactinemia is defined as a condition of elevated serum prolactin which is the most common endocrine disorder involving hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Prolactin is peptide hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland particularly of the lactotroph cells. The function is vital in the development of breast during pregnancy by stimulation of epithelial cells to induce milk production and maintenance especially important in breastfeeding. Ovulation may be suppressed during lactation and breastfeeding as a result of suppression in gonadotropins by prolactin but may commence before menstruation begins. Hyperprolactinemia in Men Normal level of prolactin in blood for men is less than 450mIU/L. Increased level of prolactin in men is an [...]

What is Biliary Dyskinesia? Biliary dyskinesia is a functional disease described as abnormal motion of the bile ducts or the inability of the gallbladder to contract and release bile. The disorder involves the sphincter of Oddi associated with biliary colic. It is a common disease of the gallbladder and normally occurs without the growth and development of gallstones. It is characterized by abdominal pain located in the right upper quadrant. Increased pressure build up is attributed to its typical gallbladder symptoms. The disorder is much more common in women than in men. Gallbladder functions by storing the bile released by the liver. The bile passes through the common bile duct [...]