Health conditions and diseases starting with P. Explore reliable details on symptoms, causes, and treatments to protect your well-being.
Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Transmission typically occurs through respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid. Given its significant morbidity in susceptible individuals, especially immunocompromised patients, neonates, and non-immune pregnant women, timely post-exposure interventions are essential. This article outlines the most effective strategies
Uterine inertia, a failure of the uterus to contract effectively during parturition, is a significant cause of dystocia in both veterinary and human obstetrics. Characterized by weak or absent uterine contractions, uterine inertia can be classified as either primary—where labor fails to initiate or progress—or secondary, where contractions cease after initial effectiveness due to exhaustion
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar (glucose). Unlike type 1 diabetes, where the body doesn’t produce insulin, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body either becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough of it. This results in elevated blood sugar levels, which can
Traveler’s diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses affecting travelers, particularly those visiting developing regions or countries with lower sanitation standards. This condition is typically caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water and can lead to symptoms such as abdominal cramps, watery stools, nausea, and vomiting. While it is generally not life-threatening,
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a “mini-stroke” because it exhibits similar symptoms to a full-blown stroke but resolves within a few minutes to hours. TIAs occur when there is a temporary disruption in the blood supply to a part of the brain, usually due to a clot or blockage. While
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a form of irregular heart rhythm where the atria experience brief episodes of chaotic electrical activity. These episodes can last from a few seconds to several hours, and in many cases, they resolve spontaneously. Despite the transient nature of these arrhythmic episodes, patients with PAF are at a significantly higher
Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmias globally and is closely associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, particularly ischemic stroke. The irregular rhythm of AF disrupts the normal flow of blood in the atria, leading to the formation of blood clots. These clots can then travel to the brain,
Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare inherited bleeding disorder caused by defects in the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex, which is essential for platelet aggregation. As a result, individuals with GT experience impaired platelet function, leading to increased susceptibility to bleeding, especially during and after surgical procedures. Surgical interventions in patients with GT require careful planning
Von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, caused by quantitative or qualitative defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF). The disease impairs platelet adhesion and factor VIII stabilization, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgical procedures. Surgical interventions in patients with VWD require meticulous preoperative evaluation and personalized hemostatic
Stress ulcers are acute gastric mucosal lesions frequently encountered in critically ill patients, especially those in intensive care units (ICUs). These lesions can progress to stress-related mucosal disease (SRMD), often leading to upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding—a serious complication with high morbidity and mortality. Prophylactic strategies have been proven effective in reducing their incidence, necessitating a