Author: Sony Sherpa

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects 9% of women and 6% of men. The peak age range for the development of CTS is 45-60 years. Read more

Brittle Bone Disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects collagen production, and in turn, affects bone mass and tissue abnormalities.

Known causes of male pattern baldness are mainly divided to genetic and hormonal causes.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It presents as itchy rashes with fluid-filled blisters that spread from the trunk to other body parts. It is usually self-limiting in immunocompetent individuals, resolving within two weeks. VZV is spread through close contact with infected individuals. In the past, chickenpox was endemic worldwide and contracting the disease was a common rite-of-passage in school-going children. However, with the advent of vaccination programs in the 90’s, incidences of varicella infection or hospitalisation due to varicella-related complications have declined sharply.  PSA: Medical Channel Asia (MCA) is now on Telegram! Join…

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary tract:   Kidneys – Infection in kidney(s) (Pyelonephritis), where urine is produced.   Ureters – Infection in the tubes that take urine from the kidneys to the bladder   Bladder – Infection in the bladder (Cystitis), where urine is stored.   Urethra – Infection in the tube that empties urine from bladder to the outside (Urethritis) UTIs usually involve the urethra and bladder, but can spread to the kidneys if left untreated. Epidemiology  The lifetime incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is 50−60% in adult women.…

Fungal infection of the nail is termed onychomycosis. Different fungal organisms may infect the nails with different presentations affecting any part of the nail including nail bed, nail matrix, and plate. Fungal nail infection is not a serious health problem, but it may negatively alter the appearance of the nail. It is highly contagious and can spread to healthy people easily from an infected person. It occurs more often in toenails than fingernails. How do you know if you are having a fungal nail infection? Read on to find out more about it! Epidemiology Fungal nail infection is one of…

Introduction A mole is a benign or non-cancerous condition of the skin characterized by the overgrowth of pigment-producing cells of the skin known as melanocytes. Although moles may be seen since childhood, they can increase in number and size during teenage and early adulthood years. New moles in an adult are more likely to become cancerous than pre-existing moles. Moles can develop anywhere on your body, both in sun-exposed and sun-protected areas e.g. armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes.  Majority of people have moles, and mostly they are harmless. However, It is important to recognize changes…

What is Appendicitis? Acute appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch that extends from the large intestine on the lower right side of the body, and is not known to perform any function.  Inflammation of the appendix occurs when it becomes obstructed due to accumulation of stool, tumours or diseased due to infection by viruses, bacteria or parasites in the digestive tract. As the appendix becomes increasingly engorged, it will irritate the lining of the abdominal wall, known as the peritoneum. This then causes characteristic sharp pain in the right lower part of the abdomen.…

Common refractive errors today include myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, of which myopia is most prevalent in Asians. Myopia or near-sightedness is when near-vision is normal but distant objects become blurry. Conversely, hyperopia or far-sightedness is when you can see distant objects clearly but near objects are blurry. Astigmatism occurs when there is uneven curvature of the cornea or lens; light rays cannot be focused properly leading to blurred near and distant vision.   LASIK and Implantable Contact Lenses have added a new dimension to the treatment of refractive errors. In contrast to traditional glasses and disposable contact lenses, these techniques provide…

Endometriosis is a painful disorder of the uterine lining that affects approximately 10 to 15 percent of women worldwide during their reproductive age. While it is associated with chronic inflammation, the cause of such inflammation remains unknown. Endometriosis is a heavily researched and studied condition with potential cures being studied in clinical trials yearly. 1. What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a gynaecological disorder that is associated with the growth of endometrial cells also known as endometrial implants-which usually line the uterus-outside of the uterus in places such as ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can affect an individual’s ability to perform…