Tag: autoimmune diseases

  • Thyrotoxicosis

    Thyrotoxicosis: Definition and Description of Thyrotoxicosis: Thyrotoxicosis is a medical condition characterized by an excessive amount of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. This condition results from various thyroid-related disorders, particularly hyperthyroidism, which increases the production of thyroid hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyrotoxicosis can lead to an acceleration of the body’s metabolism, causing a range…

  • Tietze Syndrome

    Tietze Syndrome: Definition and Description of Tietze Syndrome: Tietze Syndrome is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by swelling of the cartilage in the chest wall, particularly at the junction where the upper ribs meet the sternum. Unlike costochondritis, which also causes chest pain and discomfort but lacks the swelling component, Tietze Syndrome specifically involves the…

  • Temporal Arteritis

    Temporal Arteritis: Definition and Description of Temporal Arteritis: Temporal Arteritis, also known as Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the blood vessels, particularly those in the head and neck. It primarily affects the temporal arteries, which run along the temples. This inflammation can lead to serious complications such as…

  • Thrombocytopenia

    Thrombocytopenia: Definition and Description of Thrombocytopenia: Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low level of platelets in the blood, which are critical for normal blood clotting. When platelet levels drop to below 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood, the risk of bleeding increases significantly. This condition can arise due to various factors,…

  • Thrombocytopenia, Essential

    Thrombocytopenia, Essential: Definition and Description of Thrombocytopenia, Essential: Thrombocytopenia, essential, is a medical condition characterized by remarkably low levels of platelets in the blood. Platelets are critical components in the clotting process, and a deficiency can lead to increased bleeding and bruising. While a normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter…

  • Sweet Syndrome

    Sweet Syndrome: Definition and Description of Sweet Syndrome: Sweet Syndrome, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a rare inflammatory skin condition characterized by the sudden appearance of painful skin lesions, fever, and elevated white blood cell counts. Initially described by Dr. Robert Sweet in 1964, this syndrome typically manifests as tender, red or…

  • Sjogren’s Syndrome

    Sjogren’s Syndrome: Definition and Description of Sjogren’s Syndrome: Sjogren’s Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized primarily by dry eyes and dry mouth, resulting from the body’s immune system attacking the glands responsible for producing moisture. This condition can occur on its own, referred to as primary Sjogren’s Syndrome, or alongside other autoimmune diseases, such…

  • Rheumatic Purpura

    Rheumatic Purpura: Definition and Description of Rheumatic Purpura: Rheumatic purpura is a type of skin rash characterized by purple spots or bruises resulting from bleeding underneath the skin. It is often associated with rheumatic diseases, particularly those that affect vascular inflammation. Medical professionals define purpura as purplish discolorations caused by small blood vessel leakage, and…

  • Raynaud’s Phenomenon

    Raynaud’s Phenomenon: Definition and Description of Raynaud’s Phenomenon: Raynaud’s Phenomenon is a vascular disorder characterized by episodic vasospasm of the small blood vessels, primarily in the fingers and toes. This condition results in reduced blood flow, causing the affected areas to typically turn white and may eventually develop a blue hue, leading to discomfort and…

  • Purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic

    Purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic: Definition and Description of Purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic: Purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic (ITP) is a blood disorder characterized by an unusually low level of platelets, which are essential for normal blood clotting. In ITP, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that target and destroy platelets in the bloodstream. The condition can lead to easy…