You are reading our best questions and answers in the Health category

Gonorrhea, also known as “The Clap”, is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be passed via oral, anal, and virginal sex, as well as from a pregnant mother onto her newborn. The disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae and an infection with this bacteria can causes a number of symptoms. Men usually experience a burning sensation while urinating and have discharge from the penis. Only half of women infected have symptoms and these include discharge from the vagina and pain in the pelvic area. If the bacteria is spread via oral sex the bacteria may infect the throat. This doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, but some people report a sore throat. Complications of untreated gonorrhea are rare but can be more serious, especially for newborn babies. Let’s find out how this disease can be prevented and how it is treated.

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness, is a medical condition that most commonly occurs above 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Most people are not affected by this condition and it is not understood why certain people are susceptible. Most cases of altitude sickness cause minor symptoms, which disappear when the person descends to a lower altitude. However, serious cases can cause high altitude pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and high altitude cerebral edema (brain swelling) and these are often life threatening. Let’s find out what causes this potential fatal condition.

Foot odor is a unpleasant, often strong, smell that comes from the feet of many people. Some people describe the smell as being like cheese, sulfur, vinegar or ammonia, but most are in agreement that the smell is very bad! If you have ever had, or stood next to someone with, foot odor you may have wondered what causes the horrible smell.

The corpus luteum is a temporary yellow body structure that occurs in all female mammals. The structure develops from the follicle on the ovary during the second half of the menstrual cycle (period) after the egg has been released. In humans the corpus luteum has a diameter of approximately 2-5 cm (0.8-2 in). The corpus luteum has a very important role to play in the mammal reproduction.

Gangrene is a medical condition that occurs when a large mass of body tissue dies (called necrosis). The affected area usually appears black, green and/or a yellow color. There are many types of the condition including dry, wet, internal and gas gangrene. It is considered to be a very serious condition and often leads to amputation of the affected area. It is probably best known for occurring after a serious case of frostbite, but there are many other more common conditions that lead to gangrene.

Obesity is a condition which is characterized by an excess of body fat. There are many different methods to measure obesity, but the most common is the body mass index (BMI). The BMI compares weight and height and defines anyone with a BMI of more than 30 as obese and anyone with a BMI over 40 as morbidly obese. Obesity is considered to be a medical condition because it increases the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. It is predicted that obesity will soon be the number 1 cause of poor health. Let’s take a look at the cause of obesity.

The ovaries are the part of the female reproductive system that produce, store and release the ovum (eggs). They also secrete the important hormones estrogen and progesterone. The estrogen is responsible for the sexual development during puberty and proper functioning of the reproductive system. The progesterone has an important role in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and formation of the embryo. Let’s find out where this important organ is located in the body.

Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. This virus causes a number of symptoms such as fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose and a well recognized itchy rash. In serious cases it can cause a range of complications including ear infection, encephalitis (dangerous swelling of the brain), damage to the cornea of the eye and even death. Measles is highly contagious and spreads via contact with the fluids from and infected persons nose and mouth. After the disease is transmitted it takes about 9-12 days for any symptoms to show. The rash begins a few days after the initial symptoms and starts on the head before spreading to cover the entire body. This rash can last up to 8 days and a person is usually no longer infectious at this time. Let’s take a closer look at how this serious illness is treated.

Dysentery is a disorder of the intestine that can be fatal if it is not treated. It commonly presents as inflammation of the colon, but it can affect any of the intestine. The common symptoms of dysentery include diarrhea with blood and/or mucus, fever, urge to defecate and abdominal pain. Dysentery can lead to dehydration and can also cause severe damage to the intestinal tissue, and these problems can cause further complications and even death. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of this serious medical condition.

Bursitis is a painful condition that is caused by the inflammation of the bursae. These are small sacks filled with synovial fluid that are located where muscle and tendon slide across the bone. Their normal function is to allow a gliding surface to make movement painless. However, when bursitis affects one or more bursa the movement in the local area can be restricted and painful. This movement can also aggravate the problem. It commonly occurs due to repetitive movement and pressure, but can also be caused by an injury. The elbows, knees and shoulders are usually affected, but other areas can also be involved. Let’s take a look at how this painful condition is treated.