7 Facts About Synovitis: Symptoms and Causes

The synovial membrane is the part of the body that lines the inside of certain joints. It lines the joint capsule in the knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, hand, foot, and shoulder. When this membrane gets inflamed, it is called synovitis. Synovitis is often the result of repeated joint bleeds that are not treated early or correctly. With synovitis, the synovial membrane thickens and grows more blood vessels, causing even more bleeding into the joint. If you have synovitis, it means that your synovial membrane has become inflamed.



Source

Symptoms
Because of the mass of inflammatory cells in rheumatoid arthritis, the joint appears swollen and feels puffy to the touch. The increased blood flow that is a feature of the inflammation makes the joint warm.

• The joint remains swollen and "spongy" even after treatment.
• There is usually no pain or loss of motion unless there is an active bleed.
• There is an increased number of bleeds in the same joint.

Causes
The pain caused by synovitis can be a major problem in connection with other illnesses such as juvenile arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis. Synovitis can also be part of rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, injury, or gout. It is a defining characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. In that disorder, the cells in the inflamed membrane attract other inflamed cells from all over the body, making the synovitis more and more painful. Sometimes it is not known what is causing the synovitis; a person may have had an injury that seemed minor at the time, or they may not recall an injury at all, but the fluid collects in response to the trauma and causes inflammation.

What is Nursemaid's Elbow?: Causes and Symptoms

Nursemaid's elbow is a common injury of early childhood. It is sometimes referred to as "pulled elbow" because it occurs when a child's elbow is pulled and dislocates. The medical term for the injury is "radial head subluxation." Because a young child's bones and muscles are still developing, it typically takes very little force to pull the bones of the elbow out of place, making this injury very common. It occurs most often in children ages 1 to 4, but can happen any time from birth up to age 6 or 7 years old. Although the injury may cause initial pain, a doctor or other healthcare professional can easily reset the elbow, quickly relieving any discomfort and restoring arm movement.


Source

Causes
Nursemaid's elbow usually happens in kids 1 to 4 years old. Their ligaments (the elastic-like bands that hold bones together) are a bit loose. So it can be easy for a ligament in the elbow to slip into the joint and get stuck. Nursemaid's elbow can happen with just a small amount of force. For example:

• Pulling a child up by the hands can put stress on the elbows. Never pick up a toddler or infant by the hands or wrists, but lift under the armpits.
• Swinging a toddler by holding the hands or wrists can put stress on the elbow joint and should be avoided.

Symptoms
Because moving the injured arm may be painful, the primary symptom of nursemaid's elbow is that the child will hold the arm still at his or her side, and refuse to bend the elbow or use the arm.

What Causes Freckles?

Freckles are usually flat, beige, brown circular spots that typically are the size of the head of a common nail. The spots are multiple and may develop on sun-exposed skin after repeated exposure to sunlight. These are particularly common in people with red hair and a fair skin. They may appear on people as young as 1 or 2 years of age. Most freckles are uniform in color. On different people, freckles may vary somewhat in color -- they may be reddish, yellow, tan, light brown, brown, or black -- but they are basically slightly darker than the surrounding skin. They may become darker and more apparent after sun exposure and lighten in the winter.



Source
How do you get freckles?
Ephelides: These freckles form as a result of sun exposure and sunburns. They can appear on anyone who doesn’t protect themselves from UV rays. They show up on your face, the back of your hands, and upper body.

What increases your chance for freckles?
The credit for freckles goes to both the natural environment and genetics. Your risk for burning can increase the incidence of freckles. In a study of 523 middle-aged French women, two elements predicted the presence of freckles: frequent sunburns and a gene known as MC1R, which provides instructions for making melanin. But the gene doesn’t affect all individuals the same way. There are two type of melanin: pheomelanin and eumelanin.

8 Signs Your Prolactin Levels are Too High

Prolactin is a hormone that affects many different hormones in the body. Present in both men and women, it rarely causes problems, but those who care about their health should understand what it is and how it impacts the body’s overall health and well-being. Prolactin, as its name implies, is a hormone that promotes lactation or breast milk production in mammals and is responsible for a number of other functions and systems. Prolactin is created in the front portion of the pituitary gland in your brain, as well as in the uterus, brain, breasts, prostate, adipose tissue, skin, and immune cells.


Source

How is prolactin controlled?
One of the main regulators of the production of prolactin from the pituitary gland is the hormone called dopamine, which is produced by the hypothalamus, the part of the brain directly above the pituitary gland. Dopamine restrains prolactin production, so the more dopamine there is, the less prolactin is released. Prolactin itself enhances the secretion of dopamine, so this creates a negative feedback loop.

Why is the prolactin test done?
Women with prolactinoma symptoms may need the test. Prolactinoma is a noncancerous tumor on the pituitary gland that produces high levels of prolactin. Symptoms of prolactinoma in women include:

• unexplained headaches
• visual impairment
• galactorrhea, or lactation outside of childbirth or nursing
• pain or discomfort during sex
• abnormal acne

7 Facts About Encopresis - Causes and Symptoms

Encopresis, sometimes called fecal incontinence or soiling, is the repeated passing of stool into clothing. Typically it happens when impacted stool collects in the colon and rectum: the colon becomes too full and liquid stool leaks around the retained stool, staining underwear. Eventually, stool retention can cause swelling of the bowels and loss of control over bowel movements. Encopresis usually occurs after age 4, when the child has already learned to use a toilet. In most cases, soiling is a symptom of chronic constipation. Less frequently it occurs without constipation and may be the result of emotional issues.



Source

Causes
Most encopresis cases are due to constipation. The stool is hard, dry, and difficult to pass when a person is constipated. Many kids hold their BMs to avoid the pain they feel when they go to the bathroom, which sets the stage for having a poop accident. So to understand encopresis, it's important to understand constipation. There's a wide range of normal when it comes to having a BM. "Normal" pooping might range from one or two BMs per day to only three or four per week.

Symptoms
Pediatric gastroenterologists indicate that symptoms of constipation generally involve six characteristics of abnormal stooling present in infants and toddlers for at least one month and children 4 to 18 years of age for two months.

• Two or fewer bowel movements per week
• One episode of stool incontinence after mastering toilet-training skills
• A history of excessive stool retention which may be accompanied by characteristic retentive posturing in older children

5 Facts About Cat Scratch Fever - Symptoms

Cat scratch disease (CSD), also known as cat scratch fever or subacute regional lymphadenitis, is a bacterial infection affecting lymph nodes that drain the sites of inoculation. Bartonella henselae, a gram-negative rod, is considered the principal etiologic agent. CSD is one of the most common causes of chronic lymphadenopathy in children and adolescents. Patients with CSD usually have a history of sustaining a scratch or bite from a cat. The initial symptom is formation of a papule at the inoculation site, followed by solitary or regional lymphadenopathy within 1-2 weeks. In most patients, the disease resolves spontaneously within 2-4 months.



Source

Symptoms

Feline Symptoms
Cats can carry Bartonella but they don’t get sick from the bacteria, so you can’t always tell if they are carriers. It’s believed that cats contract Bartonella henselae from infected fleas, but there’s no evidence that humans can contract the bacteria directly from fleas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 40 percent of cats carry the bacteria at some time in their lives, most commonly when they are kittens. Your vet can test your cat to see if it’s carrying the bacteria, but cats tend to carry the bacteria only for a short time. Treatment isn’t usually recommended.

Human Symptoms

• a bump or blister at the bite or scratch site
• swollen lymph nodes near the bite or scratch site
• headaches
• a low-grade fever
• loss of appetite

7 Signs and Symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome?

Munchausen syndrome is a specific condition in which a person intentionally fakes, simulates, worsens, or self-induces an injury or illness for the main purpose of being treated like a medical patient. Munchausen syndrome was named after a German military man, Baron von Munchausen, who traveled around telling fantastic tales about his imaginary exploits. In 1951, Richard Asher applied the term to people traveling from hospital to hospital, making up various illnesses.



Source

Symptoms
Factitious disorder symptoms involve mimicking or producing illness or injury or exaggerating symptoms or impairment to trick others to believe them. People with the disorder go to great lengths to hide their deception, so it can be very difficult to realize that their symptoms are actually part of a serious mental health disorder. Most often, they continue with the deception, even without receiving any visible benefit or reward or when faced with objective evidence that doesn't support their claims.
Factitious disorder signs and symptoms may include:

• Clever and convincing medical or psychological problems
• Extensive knowledge of medical terms and diseases
• Conditions that get worse for no apparent reason
• Seeking treatment from many different doctors or hospitals, which may include using a fake name

Causes

The exact cause of the disease is not known, but researchers believe both biological and psychological factors play a role in the development of this syndrome. Some theories suggest that a history of abuse or neglect as a child, or a history of frequent illnesses requiring hospitalization, might be some of the factors associated with the development of this unusual syndrome. Researchers also are studying the possible connection with personality disorders, which are common in these individuals.

What is Marfan Syndrome: Risks and Complications

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder. It affects our connective tissue, fibers that support your organs and other structures in your body.
Your skeleton, blood vessels, eyes, and heart are the most commonly affected organs in your body if you have Marfan syndrome.
A person who has Marfan syndrome is mostly tall and with thin with disproportioned fingers, toes, legs, and arms.
The damage cause can be mild to moderate to severe and if your blood vessels are affected, it can be fatal.



Source

Symptoms
The symptoms of the Marfan syndrome vary from the members of the family. Some may be fatal depending on the complications that the person is experiencing, but some may only develop mild effects.

Due to aging, it may become worst. The symptoms may include: tall and thin built of the body, disproportion in your arms, fingers, legs, and toes. Crowded teeth and extreme nearsightedness.

Causes
A gene defection that makes your body produces a protein that gives connective tissue its strength and elasticity is the main cause of Marfan syndrome. It’s hereditary.

A person who has a Marfan syndrome inherits the abnormality from his parents or other members of the family. There is a 50-50 chance that a child will have Marfan syndrome if one of his parents has the same disorder.

What is Encephalitis: Symptoms and Causes

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue. The most common cause is viral infection. In some cases it can be caused by bacteria or fungi. There are two main types of encephalitis: primary and secondary. Primary encephalitis occurs when a virus directly infects the brain and spinal cord. Secondary encephalitis occurs when an infection starts somewhere else in the body and then travels to your brain. Encephalitis is a rare, but serious disease that can be life-threatening. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms of encephalitis.



Source

SymptomsMost people with viral encephalitis have mild flu-like symptoms, such as:

• Headache
• Fever
• Aches in muscles or joints
• Fatigue or weakness

CausesEncephalitis can develop as a result of a direct infection to the brain by a virus, bacterium, or fungus, or when the immune system responds to a previous infection; the immune system mistakenly attacks brain tissue (secondary encephalitis, or post-infectious encephalitis).
Primary (infectious) encephalitis can be split into three main categories of viruses:

• Common viruses - including HSV (herpes simplex virus) and EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)
• Childhood viruses - including measles and mumps
• Arboviruses (spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects) - including Japanese encephalitis, West Nile encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis

What Is Trichotillomania: Risk Factors and Treatment

Trichotillomania is a type of mental disorder, which involves an irresistible and recurrent urge to pull out one's hair from the scalp and other parts of the body with hair, in spite of having the desire to stop. Due to hair pulling, the scalp tends to have patchy bald spots, which can lead to a significant amount of distress. It can also interfere with one's work and social interactions.



Source

Risk Factors
Below are certain risk factors, which can increase the risk of developing this mental disorder:

• Age: Trichotillomania is known to develop in an individual just before the onset of puberty or during the early teenage years between the age of 10-13 years old, which often becomes a lifelong or chronic issue. Infants are also prone to developing the habit of hair pulling. However, it is usually mild and would go away on its own without the need for treatment.

• Family History: Genes have a significant role in most complex disorders. Similarly, genetics also play a role in the development of trichotillomania. Thus, trichotillomania may happen in people who have close relatives suffering from the disorder.

• Stress: People dealing with stressful life events or situations may trigger the disorder. Stress can be physical, emotional, or mental.

• Other Disorders: Individuals who suffer from trichotillomania may also have other forms of mental disorders, which include anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Treatment
There are certain treatment methods that can help individuals with trichotillomania. They include:

• Cognitive Therapy: In this therapy, any kind of distorted belief, which may have a connection when it comes to pulling hair is identified and examined.

• Habit Reversal Training: This type of behavioral therapy is considered as the main treatment for trichotillomania. This therapy would help an individual recognize the urges or triggers of hair pulling, and learn how to substitute such feelings with other behaviors instead. One example would be clenching one's fists to stop the urge of hair pulling or simply redirecting their hands to their ears instead of going for their hair. Other types of therapies can be used in combination with habit reversal training. 

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): In this particular therapy, individuals learn to accept their hair-pulling urge without acting too much on it.

What is Tourette Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes

Tourette syndrome is doing repeated movements or making unwanted sounds that can’t be easily controlled. For example, blinking eyes repeatedly, shrugging the shoulders or blurt out unusual sounds (tics).
They show up usually between the ages 2 and 15. Males are about 3 to 4 times more likely to develop Tourette syndrome.
There are some treatment methods available to reduce the repetitiveness but there is no complete cure. Tics often decrease after attaining puberty.



Source

Symptoms
Sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds also known as tics, are the characteristic symptoms of Tourette syndrome. Tics are classified into simple tics (involves limited number of muscle group) and complex tics (involves several muscle groups). Tics can also be differentiated into motor tics or vocal tics. Motor ticks usually precede vocal tics.

Some of the common motor tics include:

• Simple tics ( eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, eye darting, nose twitching and mouth movements).
• Complex tics (touching or smelling objects, repeated observed movements, stepping in a certain pattern, obscene gesture, bending or twisting and hopping).

Causes
Tourette syndrome is a complex disorder which is likely to be caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. But, the exact cause is unknown.

Dopamine and serotonin are the chemicals that transmit nervous impulses in the brain. Disorders in these chemicals may lead to such disease.

What is cauliflower ear: Causes and Treatments

When we talk about the term “cauliflower ear”, it refers to a kind of deformity of the ear. It can be due to various causes such as an injury or blunt trauma to the ear during a wrestling or boxing match. If this injury is not treated in a timely manner, then it can lead to a blockage, which would, in turn, prevent the flow of blood and damage the tissues. The injury ultimately results into a lumpy or bumpy appearance on the part of the ear that looks quite similar to a cauliflower. If treatment is carried out earlier, then it can help prevent a permanently deformed ear from developing.


Source

Causes
There are certain parts of the human body, which are vulnerable to injury such as the ears. When the ear is struck, it causes the blood to clot in that area and tends to develop under the skin. There are also instances where the skin is sheared from the cartilage. The disruption caused in between the skin and the cartilage leads to the formation of a cauliflower ear.

Treatment
The main goal of treatment is to prevent permanent damage to the cartilage by draining the blood from the hematoma. Other treatment measures include getting the infection treated in a timely manner and reducing inflammation to properly establish a connection between the skin and its underlying cartilage. The doctors can also prescribe antibiotics to prevent further infections or complications.