Health and Fitness

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all. Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. Infection The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Many different kinds of wild and domestic animals carry the bacterium. These can include, but are not limited to: Cattle Pigs Horses Dogs Rodents Wild animals When these animals are infected, they may have no symptoms of the disease. Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few...

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. It is sometimes called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease. For some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack. You and your health care team may be able to help reduce your risk for CAD. Coronary artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of your coronary arteries usually caused by the buildup of fatty material called plaque. Coronary artery disease is also called coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease and heart disease. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle to keep it pumping. The coronary arteries are directly on top of your heart muscle. You have four main coronary arteries: The right coronary artery. The left coronary artery. The left anterior descending artery. The left circumflex artery. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque inside your arteries. Plaque ...

Overview Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women. Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped created advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease. Breast cancers can start from different parts of the breast. The breast is an organ that sits on top of the upper ribs and chest muscles. There is a left and right breast and each one has mainly glands, ducts, and fatty tissue. In women, the breast makes and delivers milk to feed newborns and infants. The amount of fatty tissue in the br...

Overview Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. The word "acute" in acute myelogenous leukemia denotes the disease's rapid progression. It's called myelogenous (my-uh-LOHJ-uh-nus) leukemia because it affects a group of white blood cells called the myeloid cells, which normally develop into the various types of mature blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Acute myelogenous leukemia is also known as acute myeloid leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Causes and Risk Factors Doctors often don’t know why someone gets AML. But some things may make you more likely to get it. Acute myeloid leukemia risk factors include: Smoking Coming into contact with certain chemicals such as benzene (a solvent that’s used in oil refineries and other industries and that’s found in cigarette smoke), p...

Overview Paget's (PAJ-its) disease of bone interferes with your body's normal recycling process, in which new bone tissue gradually replaces old bone tissue. Over time, bones can become fragile and misshapen. The pelvis, skull, spine and legs are most commonly affected. The risk of Paget's disease of bone increases with age and if family members have the disorder. However, for reasons unknown to doctors, the disease has become less common over the past several years and is less severe when it does develop. Complications can include broken bones, hearing loss and pinched nerves in your spine. Bisphosphonates — the medications used to strengthen bones weakened by osteoporosis — are the mainstay of treatment. Surgery may be necessary if complications occur. Symptoms Many people with Paget's disease do not have any symptoms at all. The disease is often first discovered when X-rays are taken for another reason or when routine blood work indicates an elevated blood serum alka...

HLH stands for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. It is a life-threatening condition that can be defined as either primary or secondary HLH. Primary, or “familial,” HLH is when the condition is inherited. The term secondary HLH is used when your doctor thinks the condition may have occurred for a variety of other non-inherited reasons. Patients with primary HLH have cells of the immune system called T and NK cells that don’t work properly. These cells become overactive, causing too much inflammation. Ordinarily, these cells should destroy infected, damaged cells of the body. In HLH, the immune system begins to damage the patient’s own tissues and organs, including the liver, brain and bone marrow where blood is made. Sometimes, doctors can see these angry immune cells “eating” other cells when they look at the bone marrow from a patient using a microscope. This process is called hemophagocytosis. Signs & Symptoms The onset and severity of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis can var...