What Are Obstetrical Complications? Obstetrical complications are reproductive disorders during pregnancy, labor and delivery that endanger the mother and unborn infant. Complications may result from prolonged constipation, malnutriton, hormonal imbalance, infection, systemic disease such as diabetes, obesity, tumors of the uterus, ...
Read More »Muscle Spasm And Muscle Cramps
What Are Muscle Spasm, Muscle Cramps? Muscle spasm and muscle cramps are disorders of muscle function caused by painful involuntary contractions of affected skeletal muscles characterized by limited movement. Q: What is the difference between muscle spasm and cramps? A: ...
Read More »Chronic Fatigue / Lassitude / Tiredness
What Is Chronic Fatigue? Chronic fatigue or lassitude is a state of weariness not relieved by rest and the inability to do normal physical or mental work. Q: What are causes of chronic fatigue? A: Chronic fatigue can be a ...
Read More »Nails, Dry And Brittle (Chip, Peel, Crack, Break Easily)
What Are Brittle Nails? Brittle nails are abnormalities of the nail plate that are characterized by poor nail structure affecting all fingernails and toenails seen as thin, dry nails that easily chip, split, and are difficult to maintain a clean ...
Read More »Muscle Wasting
What Is Muscle Wasting? Muscle wasting, or atrophy, is a muscle disorder resulting from the loss of muscle tissue which is characterized by thin muscles that have reduced strength and endurance. What Is Muscle Wasting In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten ...
Read More »Dermatitis Herpetiformis or Duhring’s Disease
What Is Dermatitis Herpetiformis? Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an autoimmune extremely itchy, painful bullous skin rash (blistering eruptions) arising from the underlying dermis layer of skin as a consequence of gluten sensitivity. Dermatitis herpetiformis is characterized by multiple intensely itchy, ...
Read More »Anemia, Iron Deficiency
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is a blood cell disorder that is characterized by formation of small, pale red blood cells, causing tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia is the inability to meet the demands of the body for oxygen. ...
Read More »Zincemia (Low Zinc Blood Level)
What Is Zincemia? Zincemia means the zinc level in blood plasma is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this mineral. Q: How important is a normal blood level of zinc? A: A low blood level of ...
Read More »Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy (Active Celiac Disease)
What Is Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy? Gluten sensitive enteropathy is active celiac disease characterized by inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa that results from an inherited immunologic intolerance to ingested gluten. Q: What does the inflammation do to the mucosa in the small ...
Read More »Homocysteine, Elevated Blood Level (Hyperhomocysteinemia)
What Is Elevated Homocysteine? Elevated homocysteine in blood, called hyperhomocysteinemia, indicates an abnormal blood level of this transient amino acid. Q: How does the level of homocysteine become abnormal? A: In metabolism, homocysteine is briefly formed in the breakdown of ...
Read More »Muscle Weakness
What Is Muscle Weakness? Muscle weakness is the impaired status of muscle function characterized by decreased or low muscle strength and inability to perform normal work such as lifting a pot off the stove. Q: How do muscles work? A: ...
Read More »Nails, White Spots And White Bands
What Are White Spots And White Bands In Nails? White spots in the nails is a feature of zinc deficiency and white bands signify protein deficiency characterized by abnormal appearance anywhere in one or more nails. White spots and bands ...
Read More »Koilonychia (Washboard Nails)
What Is Koilonychia? Koilonychia is a feature of an iron deficiency state characterized by abnormally shaped nails, called spoon shaped nails, meaning that the normal downward curve is reversed. Depending on the inadequacy of iron, nails may simply remain flat ...
Read More »Nails, Horizontal Ridges (Beau’s Lines), Fragile
What Are Horizontal Ridges In Fragile Nails? Horizontal ridges, also called “beau’s lines,” are abnormalities of the nail plate that appear as rumpling from the base to the tips of nails and are characterized by poor nail structure of both fingernails and ...
Read More »Anemia, Folic Acid Deficiency
What Is Folic Acid Or Folate Deficiency Anemia? Folic acid deficiency anemia, also called folate deficiency anemia, is a macrocytic anemia characterized by defective DNA synthesis of red blood cells that results from a lack of folate in the body. ...
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