Overview Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. It causes hypothyroidism which means the thyroid gland functions less than it normally should. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland below Adam’s apple in the neck. A picture of normal thyroid vs Hashimoto’s disease is shown below. It is part of the endocrine…
What is Asthma and Its Triggers? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the lungs. Certain triggers can cause an asthma attack where the airways become tight, inflamed, and produce mucus. Each person may have different asthma triggers. Common ones include tobacco smoke, air pollution, stress, upper respiratory infections, mold, dust mites, pets, strong chemicals,…
What is the Norovirus? Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis which is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Although norovirus is commonly referred to as the “stomach flu,” it is not related to the influenza virus which causes respiratory symptoms. Norovirus is spread from contaminated food or water, contaminated surfaces and close…
Virus Mutation? Viral mutations occur when viruses, which cannot reproduce on their own, infect a host and use the host’s cellular machinery to reproduce themselves. During this process, the genome, which is made of either DNA or RNA, depending on the type of virus, is replicated (copied). When the genome of any species is copied,…
What is C. Diff? Clostridioides difficile, formerly known as Clostridium difficile and commonly known as C. diff, is a bacterium which causes serious gastrointestinal (GI) infections and watery diarrhea. C. diff infections are contagious. C. diff is in the poop of people who are infected or colonized with C. diff. and can survive for a…
What is Protein? Protein, carbohydrates, and fats are the three macronutrients which make up your diet. Proteins are made of amino acids. The body breaks protein down into amino acids, and uses these amino acids as building blocks to make new proteins. Protein does a lot of useful things, such as: How much should you…
What is Diabetes? Being diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming, but being educated on the disease can help manage it as well as relieve some of the worry. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. In diabetes type 1, the pancreas does not make insulin, because the body’s immune system attacks…
Sexually transmitted disease There are many different types of sexually transmitted diseases and anyone who is sexually active can be at risk. These infections can be obtained by sexual contact involving your vagina, penis, mouth, or anus. It is important to be educated on prevention, signs and symptoms, and treatment, as STDs are very contagious…
Antibiotics? Antibiotics are powerful medications that work against bacterial infections. It is important for the public to understand their significance, proper usage, and risks/side effects associated with them. Significance Firstly, antibiotics work against bacterial infections only. This means they are not effective against viral infections such as the cold or flu. Using them for viruses…
Losing hair trouble? Losing hair can be a troubling experience for many people and can affect self-esteem and confidence. However, understanding some of the causes and solutions can help make it more manageable and ease people’s way through this challenge. Causes There are several causes for baldness, including genetic, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or normal…
What is UTI? A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of your urinary system and can bring discomfort and inconvenience. They are common and that’s why it’s important to be able to recognize signs and symptoms as well as know what to do. Signs and Symptoms The following problems can be caused due to…
What is cough? Understanding coughs, both new and persistent, is important for taking care of your health. Coughs are common and one of the most reported reasons for visits to the doctor’s office. Some people can be more likely to get coughs than others, including smokers, people who vape, children, or have allergies or chronic…
