Congenital Defects The bones and joints of the human body, although designed to withstand a great deal of stress,

are subject to a variety of disorders that can affect people of all ages. Some skeletal deformities are the result of congenital defects. Treatment : It can be treated by physical therapy or surgery with varying degrees of success.

Arthritis and Other Joint Diseases Arthritis is probably the most common of all disabling diseases, at least in the temperate areas of the world. It has been estimated that almost 20 percent of the population suffers from one of the many forms of arthritis. Treatment :There are several types of medications that are used for the treatment of arthritis. Treatment typically begins with medications that have the fewest side effects with further medications being added if insufficiently effective. Treatment also depends on the type of the arthritis. For example, the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis is acetaminophen while for inflammatory arthritis it involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

Defects and Diseases of the Spine Fever-inducing microorganisms may reach the spine via the blood and lymph channels, resulting in spinal osteomyelitis or a general inflammation of the vertebrae. This results in bone destruction, pressure on the spinal cord, and paralysis of the legs. Treatment : Successful treatment includes bed rest, drug therapy, and sometimes a body jacket (for immobilization) made from plaster of Paris.

Skeletal System Diseases The skeletal system not only protects vital organs, like, brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, etc. but also acts as a reservoir of minerals, like, calcium and phosphorous which are supplied to various body parts through blood. However, the bones become weak or tenuous due to aging, poor eating habits, deficiency of nutrients and minerals or a prior accident or injury, due to which the risk of fractures or long term skeletal system diseases or disorders also increases. Diseases of skeletal system are not only painful but they also make simple activities, like, lifting a pencil from the ground or bending down to tie shoe laces extremely difficult. Treatment : By following a healthy diet enriched with vitamins and minerals and including weight bearing, low impact activities in our daily exercise routine, we can keep our bones strong and healthy.

Bones Diseases Aside from accidents, there are also diseases that affect the bones. Damage caused by diseases to the bones maybe temporary or permanent. Rickets is a bone injury caused by deficiency of vitamin D. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones common to women as they grow older. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the backbone. Arthritis is a disease of the joints and affects mostly elderly people. Bone Infections is an injury to the bone such as an open fracture can cause infection. Treatment : Exposure to morning sunshine But do not over-exposed your skin to sunlight . There should be adequate calcium in the diet which can be obtained from milk, green leafly vegetables, citrus fruits and shellfish. Calcium tablets may also be needed. Uses of braces or hooks. Bed rest is also important. The doctor may advise antibiotics for treating bone infections. Further infection can be avoided by practicing hygienic measures such as washing hands often, and washing and covering the wound. Early detection of these bone diseases is very important and there is a high probability that these can be treated. Also, the best prevention is to eat the proper diet and maintain cleanliness to your body.

Muscle Diseases Muscle Diseases are essentially diseases affecting muscles that control various body movements in the human body. Muscle Diseases are further divided into primary and secondary muscle diseases. All disorders/diseases of muscles that are a direct result of abnormalities in the muscles, whether acquired or congenital, are called Primary Muscle Diseases. Muscle Diseases that are essentially a manifestation or symptom of another disease are grouped as Secondary Muscle Diseases. The most quoted example of Secondary Muscle Diseases is that of neuromuscular disorders wherein the main cause of the problem is impaired neurological function, i.e. problems in the conduction of electrical impulses from the nerves to skeletal muscles. This causes impaired muscular movements, i.e. a secondary result to the main, neurological problem. Many healthcare practitioners tend to use the term muscle diseases when referring to neuromuscular diseases also since neuromuscular diseases form the larger portion of all muscle diseases decoded until now. Further, most muscular disorders exhibit typical, Neuromuscular Disorder Symptoms such as uncoordinated muscle movement apart from twitching, cramping, pain and inflammation of the muscles. Treatment : It is important to seek early medical help to control the diseases before the progress.

Diseases of the Blood Blood is the life-maintaining fluid that circulates through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Because the blood performs many and complex functions, there are many disorders related to blood that require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. These conditions include anemia, bleeding disorders, as well as cancers of the blood.Certain factors may cause Blood Disorders, disorders that affect the cells in the blood (blood cells) or proteins in the blood clotting or immune systems. Laboratory tests of blood samples are recommended to diagnose and monitor blood diseases. Because the liquid portion of the blood (plasma) carries so many substances essential to the functioning of the body, blood tests can be used to find out what is happening in many parts of the body. There are a number of Blood Disorders prevailing these days. Some of them are Anemia, Pernicious Anemia, Sepsis, Sickle Cell Anemia, Hypoglycemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia and Leukemia. Different type of Blood Disorder shows different symptom. Symptoms of blood disorders are often vague and nonspecific, that is, they could indicate a disorder of almost any part of the body. However, although no single symptom unmistakably indicates a blood disorder, certain groups of symptoms suggest the possibility. Such groups of symptoms most commonly relate to decrease in blood cells, such as a reduced number of red blood cells (anemia), a reduced number of white blood cells, a reduced number of platelets or increased numbers of blood cells.

Treatment : Doctors may prescribe different treatment options according to the type and stage of Blood Disorder. A number of treatment options are being suggested like bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, Blood Transfusion, Chemotherapy etc. Diseases of the Blood Vessels Blood vessel disease, also known as vascular disease or artery disease is the narrowing down or constriction of blood vessels in the arms, abdomen and legs. The blood vessels in the body are responsible for the transport of oxygen, blood and nutrients throughout the body. Blood vessels comprise veins and arteries. The arteries (except pulmonary artery) carry oxygenated blood and the veins (except pulmonary vein) carry de-oxygenated blood. Narrowing of arteries and veins leads to blood vessel disease. The constriction of arteries causes less oxygenated blood to flow to the different parts of the body, resulting in cell or tissue death. If this condition is not treated, it can end up in gangrene, which is a condition in which the cells and tissues of the body extremities die. When this happens, amputation of those parts of the body is done. Blood vessel disease is generally caused due to constriction of blood vessels, by plaque built from fats and cholesterol over a long period of time. Saturated fats found in fried and junk foods go and collect on the walls of blood vessels, eventually blocking the path for blood flow. Family history, age, gender, etc. increase the possibility of getting blood vessel disease. People over the age of 45 or who have family members with such heart or blood vessel diseases are at greater risk of contracting this disease. Moreover, certain conditions such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and sedentary lifestyle can lead to blood vessel problems. Treatment : While nothing much can be done to change inherited genes, one can prevent blood vessel disease by keeping a strict tab on one's diet. By making healthy choices, one can prevent or slow down this blood vessel disease. One should avoid eating a lot of saturated fats, which are present in abundance in junk food and fried dishes. A high-fiber, balanced and nutritious meal is what will help keep this disease at bay. Regular exercise is also recommended to burn up the excess calories consumed. Moreover, exercise helps increase the levels of good cholesterol in the blood, which reduce risks of heart diseases and artery blocks.

Heart Disease Heart disease is a general term that refers to any disease or condition of the heart, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, congenital heart disease, disorders of the heart valves, heart infections, cardiomyopathy, conduction disorders, and heart arrythmias. This information item will focus on atherosclerotic changes the changes that occur because of the build up of plaques or fatty streaks on the interior walls of the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. This condition is also known as coronary artery disease. Treatment :There are several treatment methods that will help improve blood flow through the arteries: The Medications, Balloon Angioplasty, Bypass Graft Surgery, Electrophysiologic devices (Pacemakers). You can do several things to prevent heart disease: Begin or sustain some regular physical activity. Increase your consumption of vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat milk and other dairy products, grains, fish and poultry. Know your cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels. Watch your weight. Know your family's history of heart conditions. Pay attention to the pain. Reduce your stress. Don't smoke. Limit the amount of alcohol you consume. Diseases of the Digestive System Digestive diseases are disorders of the digestive tract, which is sometimes called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In digestion, food and drink are broken down to small parts (called nutrients) that the body can absorb and use as energy and building blocks for cells. The digestive tract is made up of the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, large and small intestines, liver, pancreas, and the gallbladder. Treatment : Diagnostic tests for digestive problems can include colonoscopy, upper GIendoscopy, capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound. Many surgical procedures are performed on the digestive tract. These include procedures done using endoscopy, laparoscopy, and open surgery. Organ transplants can be performed on the liver, pancreas, and small intestine. Many health care providers can help diagnose and treat a patients digestive problems. A gastroenterologist is a physician specialist who has received extra training in the diagnosis and treatment of the digestive disorders. Other health care providers involved in the treatment of digestive diseases include: Nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) Nutritionists or dietitians Primary care doctors Radiologists Surgeons

Diseases of the Respiratory System Respiratory disease is a medical term that encompasses pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange possible in higher organisms, and includes conditions of the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity, and the nerves and muscles of breathing. Respiratory diseases range from mild and self-limiting, such as the common cold, to life-threatening entities like bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer. Respiratory diseases can be classified in many different ways, including by the organ or tissue involved, by the type and pattern of associated signs and symptoms, or by the cause (etiology) of the disease. Treatment :Respiratory diseases may be investigated by performing one or more of the following tests : Chest x-ray, Pulmonary function test, Computed tomography scan, Culture of microorganisms from secretions such as sputum, Bronchoscopy, Biopsy of the lung or pleura, Ventilation - perfusion scan, Ultrasound scanning can be useful to detect fluid such as pleural effusion. Lung Disease Lung diseases are conditions in which some function of the lung is adversely affected. In some cases, the problem is in the gas exchange process at the membrane between the alveoli and blood impeding efficient uptake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide. The term lung disease refers to many disorders affecting the lungs, such as asthma ,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infections like influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis, lung cancer, and many other breathing problems. Treatment : Diseases of the Endocrine Glands Glands are organs that produce and secrete substances essential for normal body functioning. There are two main types of glands: the endocrine and the exocrine. The Structure of the Immune System The immune system is what protects us from different types of disease. When an invading bacteria, virus, or other antigen enters the human body, a network of cells move in to attack and destroy the invading substance. Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune diseases are created when the human body stops recognizing one internal part as its own. It fails to recognize the self cells and attacks them as if they were foreign bodies. Diseases of the Eye and Ear Most people never experience any impairment of the senses of smell, taste, and touch. But it is indeed lucky and unusual to reach old age without having some problems connected with sight or with hearing or both. Diseases of the Urinogenital System The parts of the urinogenital tract that produce and get rid of urine are the same for men and women: the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. To understand some of the problems that can arise from diseases of the urinary tract, it is necessary to know a few facts about the anatomy and function of these parts. Major Forms of Cancer Cancer has always figured uniquely in the diseases of mankind. For centuries people spoke of it only in whispers, or not at all, as if the disease were not only dreadful but somehow shameful as well. Tropical Diseases

This chapter discusses a number of diseases of major importance that are not dealt with elsewhere: acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease characterized by a defect in the body's natural immune system; plague, of great historical importance but fortunately now uncommon in the United States; three infectious diseasesHantavirus, tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; and seven tropical diseases that afflict millions of people in the warmer regions of the world and that occasionally occur elsewheremalaria and yellow fever, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, filariasis, schistosomiasis, and leprosy.

Skin Disorders The skin is susceptible to physical injury and to infection by bacteria, virus, fungi, and exposure to sunlight. Rashes can be caused by allergic reactions and some skin disorders are hereditary.