Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is a respiratory condition occurring in people of any age. This disease is caused due to infection by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria often start growing in the upper respiratory tract and lead to inflammation in the airways. Although this disease is highly contagious, the spread of whooping cough has been brought under control because of the TDAP (combined tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine.

Neurofibromatoses are a group of genetic disorders that cause tumors in the nervous system. There are three types of neurofibromatosis: mainly neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), and schwannomatosis. The symptoms are usually mild but may cause serious complications. Here are the common symptoms of neurofibromatosis and what causes them.

As formidable as it sounds, the tenosynovial giant cell tumor is not malignant. But this group of rare tumors tends to develop in the joints, accompanied by their own set of problems. Although the tenosynovial giant cell tumor isn’t cancerous, it keeps growing and can damage the surrounding regions. These tumors tend to grow in three areas of the joint:

Dyskinesia is a movement disorder that is characterized by involuntary muscle movement. It usually affects the head, or the arms and sometimes the entire body. It could also be painful. While suffering from dyskinesia, a person can experience mild to debilitating discomfort. Based on the type and severity of the condition, it could affect your daily activities as well.

The immune system protects the body against harmful pathogens. When potentially dangerous agents enter the body, the immune system acts promptly to nullify their effects. However, at times, the immune system acts strangely and attacks the healthy cells in the body. Diseases caused due to this effect are called autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disorder where an individual’s joints are attacked by their immune system. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually affect the wrists, feet, and hands, and spotting the signs early enough can make it possible for a person to get an early diagnosis and the necessary treatment.

Ulcerative colitis is commonly referred to as a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which affects the GI tract (gastrointestinal tract) and causes its inflammation. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon region of the digestive system and can affect the rectum. Inflammation begins in the innermost lining of the rectum and gradually goes up to affect the innermost linings of GI tracts.

Seizures can be defined as significant changes in the brain’s electrical activity. These changes result in noticeable symptoms in one’s body such as jerky movements of the arms and legs or violent shaking. The signs of seizures can range from mild to severe. They should be taken seriously, as even mild seizures may be a sign of a significant underlying medical condition.