IntroductionWhy is self-perceived health an important indicator in the healthcare setting?Methodological strength of self-perceived healthWhat factors affect self-perceived health?ReferencesFurther reading Self-perceived health is defined as the perception of an individual's health in general. It is a subjective perception of how healthy an individual feels. Health is defined as not only the absence of injury or disease, but as a function […]

Variegate porphyria (VP) is an autosomal dominant condition that results from the deficiency of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX, EC 1.3). The build-up of porphyrin precursors delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), and porphobilinogen (PBG) is observed in patients with VP. Photosensitivity and acute neurovisceral episodes are some common symptoms. Adult-onset cutaneous blistering lesions of sun-exposed skin, notably the hands and face, are the most […]

The majority of germs that cause serious infections in humans are transmitted by people’s actions. One of the effective means to prevent these infections is by practicing good hand hygiene. Several studies have indicated that healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the time they should. This causes the transmission of healthcare-associated infections among hospitalized patients. It is […]

Clinicians must make diagnostic treatment decisions using a large body of probabilistic information and process this information under the pressure of time and workload. The pressure of this task is thought to result in mental shortcuts, otherwise known as heuristic decision-making. Psychologists posit that to integrate probabilistic information, the cognitive process must be optimized during the decision-making process. Heuristics are […]

New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has solved the medical mystery of why a 2-year-old child — seemingly healthy at birth — succumbed to an undiagnosed, rare illness. The research team identified a previously unknown genetic cause of interstitial lung disease, providing answers to the parents and doctors puzzled by the child’s condition. The research, […]

All over the world, chronic physical diseases are increasing, as are mental disorders. Lifestyle changes play a major part in this transition. Mental illnesses pose a great challenge to healthcare systems and the economy, due to their disabling nature. Image Credit: melitas/Shutterstock.com Background Mental health disorders are medical issues that adversely affect a person’s cognitive, emotional, and relational health, and disrupt […]

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is considered to be a health risk, causing skin and eye damage, alongside effects on the immune system comment that ultimately compromise health. The primary protection against solar UV radiation is the stratospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer absorbs high-energy UV rays preventing them from reaching the earth's surface. Catalytic destruction of the ozone layer, therefore, […]

Diabetes or high blood glucose during pregnancy can lead to defective fetal development, premature delivery, high birth weight, miscarriage, or stillbirth. In pregnant women, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to the development of preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure and high urinary protein level. Image Credit: Halfpoint/Shutterstock.com Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops […]

The coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a global pandemic by WHO in March 2020. It was not only a health emergency but also put a halt on economic and social relations. COVID-19 is a viral infectious disease that is spread through respiratory droplets. It mainly attacks the lungs although some investigations […]

Music holds a unique and important place in virtually all cultures on earth today and has likely held a similar position for tens of thousands of years. Its historical prominence is clearly evident through artifacts such as a vulture bone flute found in Hohle Fels, Southern Germany, in 2008. This flute was carbon-dated to be approximately 40,000 years of age, […]