What is Rheumatoid Arthritis by Kathleen Province
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes painful inflammation of the joints. RA is one of the most serious and also common forms of arthritis, affecting more than one million Americans annually. RA is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints which causes swelling that can result […]
What is Prostate Cancer by Andrea Fobert
Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cancer cells within the prostate, a gland in men that carries sperm and produces the majority of semen. Although it is rare in men under the age of fifty, it is a crucial health concern for men of all ages. One-third of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men […]
What is Osteoporosis by Megan Poley
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens and thins bones until they reach a point where they become very fragile and break easily. People with osteoporosis most often break the bones in the wrist, hip, and spine, but any bone in the body can break due to this disease. Osteoporosis is not a disease that can […]
What is Marfan Syndrome by Mandakini Patel
Marfan syndrome is a disease related to connective tissue disorder. Connective tissues are the tissues in the body that help support, and connect other tissues and organs of the body and also play an important role in the growth and development of the body. Marfan syndrome is said to be a genetic disorder. Marfan syndrome […]
What is Menopause by Robin Cavanaugh
Menopause is the time when menstruation and the ability to reproduce ends for a woman. Menopause can last several months to several years and is cause for celebration to some, a curse to others. There are 34 recognized symptoms of menopause and various treatment options available for those suffering from severe symptoms. Menopause can occur […]
What is Gum Disease by Carly Weis
Gum disease, also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease, starts off as bacterial growth in your mouth, and if it is not treated can lead to tooth loss and damage to the surrounding tissue. The first stage is known as gingivitis, and this is when the gums become inflamed due to plaque buildup and causes […]
What is Melanoma Skin Cancer by Carissa Hoffman
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that originates in cells that are found in the skin called melanocytes. These melanocytes give the pigment or color to people’s skin. This is one of the three kinds of skin cancer and the most life-threatening. Not only can this type of cancer be very aggressive but it […]
What Causes Dwarfism by Emily Mulchek
Dwarfism is defined as a person whose adult height does not exceed four feet ten inches resulting from a genetic or medical condition. The term dwarf, little person, or a person of short stature are socially acceptable terms for people with this condition. There are two different categories of dwarfism disproportionate dwarfism and proportionate dwarfism. […]
What is Diabetes by Bijal Shah
Commonly referred to as the “slow killer,” diabetes has been affecting people’s lives for so many years. About 30 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes. That is almost a tenth of the U.S. population! But what really is diabetes? Insulin is produced by your pancreas to get the glucose from your […]
What is Kidney Disease by Brittany Klann
Your Kidneys are the organ that produces urine and cleanses your body of waste. Chronic kidney disease occurs when waste starts to build up in the body and the kidneys are not filtering as they should. Most people who are affected by chronic kidney disease are older adults, but it may occur at any age. […]