സൗദി മെഡിക്കല്‍ ഇന്‍ഷുറന്‍സ്

Amylase test
Also known as: Amy
Formal name: Amylase
Related tests: Lipase

The Test How is it used?
The blood amylase test is ordered, often along with a lipase test, to help diagnose and monitor acute or chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and other disorders that may involve the pancreas. A urine amylase test may also be ordered. Typically, its level will mirror blood amylase concentrations, but both the rise and fall occur later. Sometimes a urine creatinine clearance may be ordered along with the urine amylase to help evaluate kidney function since decreased kidney function can result in a slower rate of amylase clearance.
Amylase tests are sometimes used to monitor treatment of some cancers involving the pancreas and after removal of gallstones that have caused gallbladder attacks.
Screening Tests for Newborns
What are screening tests?
ROUTINE TESTS: Congenital Disorders
: Infectious Diseases Inherited (Genetic) Disorders
In the United States, routine evaluation of a newborn includes a number of laboratory tests. These tests are valuable because they have the potential to identify diseases and disorders before symptoms appear. Early detection allows treatment that may prevent development of serious problems.
Newborns can now be screened for up to 55 conditions and diseases. Most of the screening tests are done on a spot of blood obtained from a prick of the heel. A single blood sample can be used to perform many different tests at the same time.
Screening Tests for Infants
What are screening tests?
Iron deficiency Lead poisoning Tuberculosis

Without symptoms of disease, infants generally do not need many laboratory screening tests once newborn screening tests have been performed during the first week of life. If the health care provider identifies risk factors in an infant, laboratory screening tests may be ordered, for example, for iron deficiency, lead poisoning, and tuberculosis.
For more information on what happens at your infant’s medical exams, see Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Pocket Guide.
You can find out more about preventive medicine and steps you can take to keep you and your family healthy by reading the companion article Staying Healthy in an Era of Patient Responsibility

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
What is it? Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammation and infection of a woman’s upper reproductive organs. It occurs when bacteria move from the vagina, upward through a layer of mucus that protects the opening of the cervix, and into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID can cause an acute illness, chronic pain, or it may be present as an almost silent chronic infection. Left untreated, it can cause scarring and irreversible damage to one or more of the reproductive organs. Scarring in the fallopian tubes can cause infertility and significantly increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is primarily associated with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, two common microorganisms that cause the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID may also be caused by bacteria typically found in the vagina or gastrointestinal tract - such as Gardnerella vaginalis or Escherichia coli, and by a variety of other pathogens.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term used to describe disorders that can affect your heart (cardio) and/or your body’s system of blood vessels (vascular).
Most cardiovascular diseases reflect chronic conditions – conditions that develop or persist over a long period of time. However, some of the outcomes of cardiovascular disease may be acute events such as heart attacks and strokes that occur suddenly when a vessel supplying blood to the heart or brain becomes blocked.
The most popular usage of the term CVD is in reference to diseases that are associated with atherosclerosis. These diseases occur more frequently in people who smoke, who have high blood pressure, who have high blood cholesterol (especially high LDL), who are overweight, who do not exercise and/or who have diabetes. Public health initiatives focus on decreasing CVD by encouraging people to follow a healthy diet, avoid smoking, control their blood pressure, lower their blood cholesterol, exercise regularly and, if they are diabetic, maintain good control of blood glucose. Some of the classifications of CVD as described above include:
Meningitis and Encephalitis
What are they?Meningitis is an inflammation of the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Meningoencephalitis is an inflammation of both the brain and the meninges. These conditions are caused by a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection. Meningitis and encephalitis can be acute or chronic, and their severity can range from mild and self-limited to fatal. Their associated inflammation and swelling increases pressure on the brain and nerve tissue. This can hinder, or permanently damage, the function of nerves and the body systems that they control.
Chlamydia. Chlamydia trachomatis is often called "the silent epidemic" because infections are common yet many people do not realize that they are infected. This bacterial disease is easily cured with antibiotics but can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
Gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is another bacterial infection that may not cause symptoms, especially in women, but can lead to sterility and other complications if not treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis. Syphilis is another bacterial infection that can be easily missed. The first symptom is a painless chancre at the site of exposure that will disappear on its own. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, the disease can spread throughout the body over the course of many years and cause considerable organ damage.
Trichomonas. Trichomonas vaginalis is a microscopic parasite that causes trichomoniasis, a common STD, especially among sexually active young women. Treatment is available.
Human papillomavirus (HPV). One of the most common STDs in the United States, this virus can infect the genital area, causing genital warts (condyloma) in some cases, and has been associated with cervical cancer. Early detection can reduce the risk of cancer. An FDA-approved vaccine is available for the prevention of HPV in females.
Genital herpes. This virus causes recurrent, periodic outbreaks of sores in the genital region and remains in your body for life. However, there are anti-viral therapies available that can shorten the duration of symptoms.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. These are viral infections that can cause liver inflammation. They can be transmitted through sexual contact although hepatitis C is spread more often through sharing of contaminated needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. Both viruses can cause acute forms of the disease that usually result in a few mild symptoms or no symptoms, but they can also progress to a chronic form that causes severe and/or lasting liver damage. Treatment of chronic hepatitis with antiviral medications is available, but drug therapy may have serious side effects. A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B, but currently no vaccine has been developed for hepatitis C. For more information on these types of viral hepatitis, click here.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV causes AIDS. This virus attacks and destroys certain white blood cells (T-helper lymphocytes) that are an important part of the immune system. As the number of these cells is reduced, the ability of your body to fight off infections also decreases. This eventually results in death. Although there is no cure, early detection allows for treatment with anti-retroviral therapies (ART) that can help to prolong life. For more information on HIV, click here.
For any sexually transmitted disease, if you are infected, you should inform your recent sexual partner(s) so that they may be tested and treated as well. In some states, public health workers will contact those with recently reported gonorrhea or chlamydia infections to be sure that they were treated and to get the names of their sexual partner(s) to notify them to get tested and treated as well.
Hemochromatosis

What is it?Hemochromatosis is an iron metabolism disorder that may be inherited or acquired. People with hemochromatosis accumulate more iron than their body needs. As the body does not have a way to excrete excess iron, there is a progressive buildup of iron in tissues and organs. Eventually, the iron overload can lead to dysfunction and failure of several organs, notably the heart, liver, and endocrine portion of the pancreas. Complications include arthritis, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, heart arrhythmias and failure, and an increase in skin pigmentation termed "bronzing."
Thalassemia
What is it? Thalassemia is a group of inherited disorders that affects the amount and type of hemoglobin a person produces. Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) is found in all red blood cells. A hemoglobin molecule is made up of heme, an iron-containing complex, and globin, protein chains that surround the heme complex. The types of protein chains found in the hemoglobin molecule affect its structure and function. Different types of hemoglobin are classified according to the type of protein chains they contain. Normal hemoglobin types include:
Heart Attack and Acute Coronary Syndrome
Also known as: Acute myocardial infarct; AMI; Myocardial infarct; MI
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body via a system of veins and arteries. Blood flows from the lungs, where it picks up oxygen via the pulmonary veins into the heart, and gets pumped out to the body, delivering oxygen to the tissues. The blood returns to the heart via the veins and gets pumped back to the lungs once again. In order to perform these tasks, the heart requires large amounts of oxygen that it obtains from blood.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF), also called heart failure, occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently, so the blood backs up in the body – particularly in the liver, lungs, hands, and feet. If blood backs up from the right side of the heart (which returns blood from the body), symptoms typically start with swelling of the legs and ankles that gets worse when the person stands and improves when he lays down. If blood backs up from the left side of the heart (which returns blood from the lungs), it can cause shortness of breath and coughing, especially during exercise such as walking up stairs or when lying down flat in bed. Many people with heart failure have symptoms related to blood backing up on both the right and left sides of the heart.
In addition to swelling (edema) and shortness of breath, symptoms can include heart palpitation or rapid pulse, weakness and fatigue, exercise intolerance, coughing or wheezing, sudden weight gain, and loss of appetite or nausea.
Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of aging. It is the time in a woman's life when her normal menstrual periods stop and she can no longer become pregnant. Menopause can occur anytime after the age of 35, but the typical age of onset is in the late 40s to early 50s. During child-bearing years, the hormones FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), estradiol, and progesterone work in concert each month to develop and release an egg from the ovaries and to either regulate the monthly menstrual period or support the beginning of a pregnancy. As menopause approaches, the cyclical production of estradiol and progesterone by the ovaries diminishes and becomes less consistent.
Stroke
Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Each year, about 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke while more than 150,000 people die as a result of a stoke. Over 60% of stroke deaths occur in women. Strokes are also associated with long-term disability among survivors.
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly blocked or diminished, which alters the body function controlled by that area of the brain. This is often referred to as a “brain attack.” If any part of the body - including the brain - is without a source of fresh blood and oxygen, the cells will be injured or may die. Although some cell injury is reversible, the death of brain cells is permanent, usually leaving lasting disability.
There are two main types of stroke:
PCOS

Also known as: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; Stein-Leventhal syndrome
What is it?Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is also called Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a common condition, affecting 5 to 10% of women of childbearing age. The disorder is probably the most common hormonal abnormality in women of reproductive age and is certainly a leading cause of infertility. Although the underlying cause is not well understood, PCOS is generally characterized by an excess production of androgens (male hormones - usually testosterone), anovulation (the egg is not released by the ovary) and amenorrhea, and by a varying degree of insulin resistance.
Androgens are normally created in small amounts by a woman's ovaries and adrenal glands. Even a slight overproduction can lead to symptoms such as hirsutism and acne. In extreme cases, they can lead to virilization.
മെഡിക്കല്‍ പുസ്തകം Medical book
Acidosis and Alkalosis
Acidosis/Alkalosis
ACS
Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Acute myocardial infarct
Addison's Disease
Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease
Alcohol dependence
Alcoholism
Allergies
Alzheimer's Disease
AMI
Anemia
Angina Pectoris
Anthrax
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune thyroiditis
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Bioterrorism Agents
Bleeding Disorders
Bone Marrow Disorders
BPH
Breast Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Cervical Cancer
CFIDS
CFS
CHF
Chlamydia
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic thyroiditis
Colon Cancer
Congestive Heart Failure
Conn's Syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing's Syndrome
CVD
Cystic Fibrosis
Degenerative Joint Disease
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Diffuse thyrotoxic goiter
Diseases of the Pancreas
Disseminated lupus erythematosus
DJD
Down Syndrome
Encephalitis
Endocrine Syndromes
Endocrine System and Syndromes
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Folate Deficiency
Fungal Infections
Genital Herpes
Gonorrhea
Gout
Gouty arthritis
Graves' Disease
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Heart Attack
Heart Attack and Acute Coronary Syndrome
Heart Disease
Hemochromatosis
Hepatitis
Herpes
High blood pressure
HIV
HPV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Human Papillomavirus
Hypercoagulable Disorders
Hypertension
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Infectious Arthritis
Infectious polyneuritis
Infertility
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Insulin Resistance
Jaundice
JIA
JRA
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Kidney and Urinary Tract Function, Disorders, and Diseases
Kidney Disease
Landry's ascending paralysis
LE
Lead Poisoning
Leukemia
Liver Disease
Lung Diseases
Lupus
Lupus erythematosus
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma
Malnutrition
Meningitis
Meningitis and Encephalitis
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome / Syndrome X
MI
MPDs
MRSA
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Sclerosis
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Myocardial infarct
Neural Tube Defects
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
OA
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Ovarian Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Diseases
Pancreatic Insufficiency
Pancreatitis
PCOS
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Peptic Ulcer
PID
Pituitary Disorders
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Pregnancy
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Prostate Cancer
Proteinuria
Rheumatoid Arthritis
SCD
Septic Arthritis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Disease
Sjögren's Syndrome
SLE
Staph Wound Infections
Staph Wound Infections and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
STDs
Stein-Leventhal syndrome
Stroke
Syphilis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Testicular Cancer
Thalassemia
Thyroid Diseases
Travelers' Diseases
Trichomonas
Tuberculosis
Urinary Tract Infection
UTI
Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin K Deficiency
West Nile Virus
Wilson's Disease
Wound and Skin Infections
Definition of Hernia
A hernia is an abnormal protrusion, or bulging out, of part of an organ through the tissues that normally contain it. In this condition, a weak spot or opening in a body wall, often due to laxity of the muscles, allows part of the organ to protrude.
A hernia may develop in almost any part of the body; however, the muscles of the abdominal wall are most commonly affected.
A hernia may develop in almost any part of the body; however, the muscles of the abdominal wall are most commonly affected.
Description of Hernia
Hernias cause pain and reduce general mobility. They never cure themselves, even though some can be cured (at least temporarily) by external manual manipulation. Depending on the nature of the protruding organ and the solidity of the structure through which it is protruding, a hernia may cause complications that are medically dangerous.
One major danger of a hernia is that if bowel is contained within the protruding loop it may hinder or stop the flow through the intestine (occlusion). More serious still, if the loop itself becomes twisted outside its containing structure, or compressed at the point where it breaks through that structure (a strangulated hernia), the blood supply to the loop will also cease and the entire hernia will undergo tissue death (necrosis). This requires immediate emergency surgery.
Types Of Hernia
Although there are many types of hernias, the following are the most common:
Abdominal wall hernia: Also called an epigastric or ventral hernia; affects 1 person in 100 nationwide. Technically, this group also includes inguinal hernias and umbilical hernias.
Indirect inguinal hernia: This affects men only. A loop of intestine passes down the canal from where a testis descends early in childhood into the scrotum. If neglected, this type of hernia tends to increase progressively in size (a "sliding hernia") causing the scrotum to expand grossly.
Direct inguinal hernia: This affects both sexes. The intestinal loop forms a swelling in the inner part of the fold of the groin.
Femoral hernia: This affects both sexes, although most often women. An intestinal loop passes down the canal containing the major blood vessels to and from the leg, between the abdomen and the thigh, causing a bulge in the groin and another at the top of the inner thigh.
Umbilical hernia: This affects both sexes. An intestinal loop protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall at the navel (but remains beneath the skin).
Hiatal hernia: This affects both sexes. A loop of the stomach when particularly full protrudes upward through the small opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes, thus leaving the abdominal cavity and entering the chest.
Incisional hernia: This is a hernia that occurs at the site of a surgical incision. This is due to strain on the healing tissues due to excessive muscular effort, lifting, coughing, or extreme pressure.