Symptoms

Medical condition that develops due to swelling of tonsils, ball shaped lymphatic tissues present at the back of the throat on either side of the neck is termed as tonsillitis. It is a contagious disease that generally develops due to bacterial or viral infections. In an attempt to fight the infection tonsils produce more number of white blood cells that fight against microorganisms.  Tonsillitis is commonly observed in toddlers and in mid teenage children that are frequently exposed to bacteria and viruses especially from peers suffering with infections. Tonsillitis is not generally observed after puberty as tonsils cease to act as first line of defense against bacteria entering the body through mouth.

Types of tonsillitis

• Acute tonsillitis: Infection of tonsils caused by virus or bacteria.
• Chronic tonsillitis: Recurring and persistent infection of tonsils that can result in formation of tonsil stones.

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Hemoglobin is the red blood cell protein that carries oxygen. Disorder of the hemoglobin causes destruction of the red blood cells, causing severe forms of anemia. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that produces an abnormal version of hemoglobin. Thalassemia is also called Cooley’s anemia, Mediterranean anemia, Alpha thalassemia and Beta thalassemia. The latter two names refer to the two proteins – alpha and beta globin that hemoglobin is made up of. A defect of the gene that controls creation of these proteins (alpha or beta) causes thalassemia.

There are different types and sub-types of thalassemia. The two main types are alpha and beta thalassemia. Both have two forms – thalassemia major and thalassemia minor. A person with thalassemia major would have inherited the flawed gene from both parents while with thalassemia minor, only one parent passes on the defective gene. Those with thalassemia minor are carriers of the disorder and do not suffer from any symptoms.

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Slipped disc can also be called herniated disc, lumbar radiculopathy, and prolapsed intervertebral disc and so on. Slipped disc occurs when part of a disc in the spine is weak and all or part of it is forced through this weak portion. This produces extreme pain since it puts pressure on surrounding nerves.

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PAD (peripheral arterial disease) also called peripheral vascular disease is caused when fatty deposits called atheroma build-up in the arteries. This is a common disease but often ignored.

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An aneurysm is caused when there is an abnormal ballooning or widening of a part of a major artery. This could be due to a weakness in the wall of the artery. The aorta is the biggest artery in the body and is the principal blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. It originates from the heart and extends to the thorax and the abdomen. When the heart pumps out blood, this is carried by the aorta to the body organs. 

There are three major organs where aneurysms can occur – the brain, thorax and abdomen. An aortic aneurysm occurs in the abdomen and thorax and it is called thoracic aortic aneurysm and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

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Rare form of cancer (abnormal growth of cells) originating in bones is termed as bone cancer. However, it does not include cancers such as leukemia and multiple myeloma that begin in bone marrow, a jelly like substance hidden inside the bones. Even cancers originating at other parts of the body such as breast cancer and has spread to bone are also not considered as bone cancers.

Triggering agents for bone cancer are not exactly known. Like any other type of cancer, bone cancer also starts due to a change in the sequence of DNA of the cell. This mutated gene causes the cell to grown uncontrolled resulting in formation of mass of cells that have the ability to spread to other areas of the body.   Increased exposure to radiations at work or as a part of cancer therapy, diseases such as Paget’s disease of bone and hereditary diseases such as hereditary retinoblastoma and Li-Fraumeni syndrome increase the risk for bone cancer.

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Bacterial or viral infection of the ear canal, eardrum or the middle ear is termed as ear infection. Infection of the ear canal affecting the visible external portion of the ear and ear canal is termed as otitis externa. This is mainly observed in swimmers due to contact of water to the ear. Infection of the middle ear is termed as otitis media.

Majority of the middle ear infections follow after common cold or other respiratory infections due to swelling of Eustachian tubes. Swollen tubes often block ear discharge from draining outside making it a fine place for growth of microorganisms.  Ear infections can be bacterial infections caused by bacteria such as streptococcus pneumonia and haemophilus influenza or viral infections caused by flu virus. Young children with small tubes often contract ear infections.  Allergies, weak immune system, birth defects, medical conditions such as down’s syndrome, exposure to cigarette smoke, use of pacifier and family history of ear infections often increases the risk for ear infections in children.

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Crohn’s disease or IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) represents an unceasing transmural inflammatory disease. It tends to affect the distal ileum and may also affect gastrointestinal tract of the body.  Normally, it affects 1 out of the 1000 people and is not contagious. However, medical is still unable to provide a proper explanation regarding the subject but people are more likely to get affected due to a reaction between certain bowel bacteria and body’s immune system.

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Laryngitis is a common illness that affects the voice box or larynx. When the area surrounding the larynx becomes irritated, swollen or inflamed, you are said to suffer from laryngitis. The vocal chords get swollen and the voice sounds distorted and hoarse. Some people experience complete voice loss for a few days or are able to speak merely in whispers.

Laryngitis symptoms often accompany cold or other viral infections. It usually gets cured by itself. In children, laryngitis can cause complications such as croup when the throat swells, airways narrow and the child suffers from a ‘barking’ cough. Chronically hoarse voice could be a sign of other serious illnesses and must not be ignored.

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A rare autoimmune disease characterized by tightening and hardening of the skin and underlying connective tissues supporting the body is termed as scleroderma. It can be observed in anyone irrespective of sex, age and geographical area. However, women and those in the 30-50 age groups are at increased risk for the disease. Exact cause of the disease is unknown but the body immune system is responsible for all scleroderma symptoms. Increased exposure to silica dust, paint thinners, and use of certain chemotherapy drugs increases the risk for scleroderma.

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