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A cleft is a fissure, or an opening, that may occur in the lip or palate of a person. A cleft palate is when the two plates from the skull that form the hard roof of the mouth do not fully fuse together. This causes a gap between these plates, which is known as a cleft palate. The condition can occur just in the soft palate which is called an incomplete cleft or can occur in both palates and include the jaw. Many people born with a cleft palate also have a cleft lip. Cleft palates which include the lip can be unilateral or bilateral. This condition occurs in approximately one in 700 births worldwide.

Dengue fever is a tropical disease that infects over 50-100 million people each year and causes approximately 13,000–25,000 deaths. In 80% of cases few or no symptoms are reported, but in 5% of cases the symptoms are very serious and can become life threatening. The common symptoms include; skin rash, fever, headache and severe muscle and/or joint pain. This pain gave rise to the alternative name for the disease, break-bone fever. In a small number of cases the disease develops into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which causes bleeding, plasma leakage and low platelet count. In other serious cases a condition called dengue shock syndrome occurs, which causes extremely low blood pressure. If you have ever wondered what causes this potentially fatal disease, keep reading to find out.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that is found in the fruit and leaves of some varieties of plants. It is a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects. Caffeine is present in coffee and tea as both the beans of the coffee plant and the leaves of the tea bush have naturally occurring caffeine. Other sources of caffeine include Kola nuts, yerba maté, guarana berries, guayusa, and the yaupon holly. Caffeine is a stimulant and is the world’s most consumed psychoactive substance. So, how exactly does caffeine affect the body? Read this article to find out.

Celiac disease, also written coeliac disease, is a genetic autoimmune condition of the small intestine. The condition damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents proper absorption of nutrients from food. Some of the common symptoms of celiac disease include bloating, chronic diarrhoea, failure to thrive in infants or children, and fatigue. However, symptoms vary from person to person and a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms may occur. Symptoms of celiac disease usually appear when gluten is ingested which is found in wheat, barley and rye. Without a modified diet a person with celiac disease will become malnourished, even if they consume the correct amount of food. Those who have family members with celiac disease are at greater risk and should be tested for celiac disease.

Nosebleeds, also called epistaxis, are a common occurrence that can be frightening and unpleasant, but are not usually of medical concern. They can originate in the front or the back of the nose and can generally be managed at home. One out of every seven people will have a nosebleed in their lifetime and they are most common in children 2 to 10 years and adults over 50. Nosebleeds are common in the dry winter months and usually occur during the morning.

CMV retinitis, properly known as cytomegalovirus retinitis, is a disease that causes inflammation of the retina in the eye. This can lead to serious complications including blindness. Although many people never show any signs the most common symptoms of CMV retinitis are; eye pain, blind spots, blurred vision, floaters (the appearance of floating specks) and other vision problems. Without proper treatment the damage to the retina can cause blindness in less than 6 months. The problem usually begins in one eye and will often progress to the other eye. CMV retinitis is diagnosed with blood and urine tests. Let’s take a look at what causes this serious condition.

Aspirin is a drug that is commonly used to reduce fever and to relieve aches and pains. It is also often used as an anti-inflammatory drug for those suffering from conditions such as arthritis. Aspirin is in many cases prescribed to those with heart conditions as it is known to thin the blood and prevent damage to cardiac tissue. Aspirin can be purchased over the counter without a prescription and an estimated 40,000 tonnes of aspirin is used around the world each year. So, is this commonly used medication safe for children? Read this article to find out.

Stretch marks are a form of scarring on the skin that may fade with time, but seldom disappear all together. The medical term for stretch marks is striae. Most stretch marts first appear as red or purple lines in the skin gradually fading with time to a pink, white or cream color. Stretch marks are most likely to occur on parts of the body where fat is stored such as hips, breasts, abdomen, upper arms, thighs and buttock.

Hiccups are involuntary expulsions of air that repeat a number of times per minute. They are also commonly referred to as hiccoughs and are accompanied by a “hic” sound that is caused by the abrupt closure of the vocal cords. Hiccups usually resolve themselves, but many people choose to try and shorten the duration of hiccups due to the discomfort and embarrassing nature of the sound. Prolonged hiccups that last a number of hours or days may require medical intervention.

At one time or another we have all experienced stomach growling. It usually happens in a very quiet place and causes all sorts of embarrassment for the unlucky person. Stomach growls can be so soft they are not audible or so loud that those around you can hear it! No matter the volume or intensity everyone’s stomach growls at some point. So, what cause the stomach to grow? Read this article to learn more.