Author Archives: Alila Medical Media

Cellulite

The following video is available for licensing on Alila Medical Media website. Click here!

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is the dimpling, lumpy appearance of the skin, commonly occurs in females after puberty age. It’s most visible on the thighs, the buttocks, and belly. Other names include adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, gynoid lipodystrophy, orange peel syndrome and cottage cheese skin. Cellulite is not a disease and should NOT be confused with cellulitis, which is the infection of skin and underlying tissues.

Anatomy of cellulite

The skin has three layers : epidermis (outermost), dermis and subcutaneous fat (Fig.1). Vertical bands of connective tissue called fibrous septae (singular: septum) connect the dermis to underlying soft tissues. Cellulite happens when fat cells accumulated in the subcutaneous fat layer push the skin up while the fibrous septae pull it down. These two actions in opposite directions result in the bumpy appearance of the skin. In people with thin skin, this becomes even more noticeable.

Fig. 1 : Structure of normal skin and skin with cellulite, back to back for comparison. Note the fibrous septae pull the skin down in cellulite. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Causes

Causes of cellulite are not fully understood but the following factors are likely to be involved:
– Hormonal : Over 80% of women over the age of 20 has some degree of cellulite. Cellulite is rare in men, but is more common in those with androgen deficiency.
– Genetic: Some genetic make-ups are likely to be predisposing factors. You have more chance of getting it if other women in the family have it.
– Lifestyle: Diet and exercises definitely have a good share of contribution. Reducing body fat typically improves cellulite appearance. Extreme diet, however, may produce adverse effect as thinner skin makes it more visible (see the anatomy part above).

Treatment

Various therapies are available including massages, heat therapy, ultrasound, drugs,… These treatments supposedly act to either reduce subcutaneous fat or thicken the skin, but none are scientifically proven to be effective in the long term.

The latest technology based on releasing of the fibrous septae that pull the skin down (see the anatomy section above) has received a better response from scientists. Cellulaze, a device that uses laser beams to cut through the fibrous septae, has produced promising initial results in U.S. clinical trials. It’s been advised, however, to take this approach with precaution given the newness of the technique and shortness of long term data.

Finally, as repetitive and obvious as it may sound, the best treatment for cellulite is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy (but no extreme diet), drinking lots of fluid and daily exercises.

>See all dermatology topics

Laser skin resurfacing

What is laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing, also known as laser peel or laser lasabrasion, is a procedure using laser beams to reduce certain skin imperfections such as wrinkles, pigment spots, scars and blemishes.

Below is a narrated animation about laser skin resurfacing procedures. Click here to license this video and/or other dermatology related videos/images on Alila Medical Media website.

How does it works?

The skin is composed of three layers (Fig.1, left panel): epidermis (the outermost), dermis and hypodermis (subcutaneous fat). The dermis contains bundles of well organised collagen fibers which contribute to the firmness and smoothness of the skin. As skin gets older, these fibers become less in number and also less organized, wrinkles and age spots (uneven pigmentation) appear (right panel of Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 : Structure of young skin and older skin back to back for comparison. Note the differences in collagen fibers number and arrangement. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Laser beams ablate (destroy) the outer layer of the skin removing unwanted wrinkles and spots. At the same time, the heat of the beams stimulates the growth of collagen fibers in the dermis. As the wound is healing, new skin that grows over it is smoother and firmer (Fig. 2)

Classic laser skin resurfacing versus Fractional laser skin resurfacing

The classic laser skin resurfacing uses laser to ablate a large area of the “problematic” skin, the whole problem (e.g. a dark spot) is removed, the skin is the left to heal naturally by itself. The plus : as the whole “problem” is removed, only one treatment is needed. The minus: burned-out area is large, it takes a long time to heal and is subject to higher risk of infection.
Click here to see an animation of laser skin resurfacing procedure on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

Fig. 2 : Laser skin resurfacing technique for removal of a dark spot. Note a large wound after treatment. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

The newer technique : fractional laser skin resurfacing uses multiple smaller laser beams to ablate the skin in smaller spots, leaving undamaged skin tissue in between. The plus: healing is faster and less complicated. The minus: a series of treatments is needed to eliminate the “problem”. See the animation of this procedure here.

Fig. 3 : Fractional laser skin resurfacing technique. Note smaller wounds after treatment but part of the dark spot still remains after healing.
Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

>See all dermatology topics

Ankle Fusion Surgery

The videos on this page can be downloaded upon purchase of a license on Alila Medical Media website. Click here!

Ankle fusion surgery is a reconstructive surgical procedure where a damaged ankle joint is converted into an immobile mass of bone. It’s a highly successful procedure commonly suggested for repair of severely injured joint.

During the procedure the end of the fibula is cut to gain access to the joint (transfibular procedure), damaged bones and cartilage are then removed and screws (and possibly plates) are used to fix the tibia and talus together. With time bone grows fusing the joint into one solid mass of bone. Sometimes, bone graft may be added to facilitate bone growth, this is usually taken from some other bones of the same person. Screws will remain inside the body after surgery.

Click here to see an animation of ankle fusion surgery on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

Fig. 1 : Steps of surgical procedure for ankle fusion: 1. damaged joint; 2. fibula modified; 3. damaged bones and cartilage removed; 4. screws used to fix the tibia and talus together. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

After the surgery, the up and down range of motion is mostly restricted, but lateral motions remain unchanged. Compared to ankle joint replacement and other ankle procedures, ankle fusion has higher success rate with less pain and less complication risk.

> Ankle joint anatomy and common injuries

> See all Orthopedic topics

Treatment for UI in women

< PREVIOUS PAGE: Anatomy, Types and Causes of Incontinence in Women

Treatment for UI in women

Treatment depends on the type of incontinence and severity of symptoms. For most people, simple lifestyle changes may be sufficient, for others, medication would be necessary. Finally some women may require surgery to treat the condition.

1. Lifestyle changes and physical exercises

– Limit fluid intake at certain times of the day (such as before going to bed or before a long trip). However, note should be taken to increase fiber content in your meals to prevent constipation.
– Cut down on caffeine, alcohol, keep a healthy weight.
– Try pelvic floor muscle exercises such as Kegel exercises. This is to strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and is particularly recommended after childbirth.
– Timed voiding or bladder training therapy : plan regular trips to the bathroom at set times of the day, gradually increase the interval between trips as you gain control.
– Keep a bladder diary: record the times of incidents to help your doctor identify the best treatment for your case.
– Small leakage can be managed by wearing menstrual pads.

Fig.1: Female urinary and reproductive organs, median section, side view. Note the pelvic floor muscles that support the urinary bladder and the uterus. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

2. Medication

– anticholinergics: these act on nerves to block bladder spasms in overactive bladder, for treatment of urge incontinence.
– estrogen: applied as a cream or patch can help to tone muscles and tissue around the urethra to keep it closed. This is a treatment for stress incontinence.
– some medicines used for treatment of other conditions such as high blood pressure or edema may have adverse effect on your bladder, talk to your doctor to find an optimal solution for your case.

3. Non-surgical therapies

– pessary: a medical device in the shape of a ring that can be inserted into your vagina to lift up the bladder. This helps if your condition is due to a prolapsed (dropped) bladder or uterus. The ring would need to be taken out and cleaned regularly.
– bulking agents injections: bulking materials such as collagen and carbon-coated beads are injected into the area surrounding the urethra to support and keep it closed. It’s a minimal invasive procedure but usually has to be repeated to be effective in the long term.

4. Surgery

Surgical procedures include:
– Sacral nerve stimulation: treatment for overactive bladder that does not response to medication. A small pulse generator device is implanted under the skin of the buttock, the device sends mild electrical impulses to the sacral nerve (the nerve that controls bladder activity) to moderate and control bladder spasms.
– A variety of procedures available to create an artificial support for the bladder neck and/or urethral sphincters: bladder suspension, sling procedures. These usually involve tightening of the bladder neck and/or urethra to strong ligaments within the pelvis or to the pubic bones.

< PREVIOUS PAGE: Anatomy, Types and Causes of Incontinence in Women

See all Urology topics

Urinary Incontinence in Women

This video is available for licensing on our website. Click HERE!

Urinary incontinence (UI) is twice more common in women than in men. About one out of three women over the age of 60 is estimated to be incontinent. Pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes during menopause, and anatomy of the urinary tract account for this difference.

Urinary incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine. Urine is produced in the kidneys and stored in urinary bladder. Urination is the process of emptying the bladder through the urethra that connects the urinary bladder to the external urethral orifice. There are two sphincters (valves) that keep the urethra closed to prevent leak: internal urethral sphincter located at the neck of the bladder, and external urethral sphincter located right above the external urethral orifice and is supported by the pelvic floor muscles (See Fig. 1). The urethra is much shorter in women than in men.

Fig.1: Anatomy of female urinary organs. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

When the bladder is full, stretch receptors in the wall of the bladder send a signal to the spinal cord and the brain. At times when it’s not appropriate to urinate, the brain sends back an inhibitory signal to keep the sphincters closed and prevent voiding. When you wish to urinate, this inhibition is removed, the spinal cord instructs the muscle of the bladder (detrusor muscle) to contract and the sphincters to open to let the urine out (Fig. 2).

Below is a narrated animation of neural control of micturition. Click here to license this video and/or other urinary system related videos on Alila Medical Media website.

Fig.2: Neural control of urine voiding. Sensory nerve sends the signal from the full bladder to the nervous system; motor nerve brings instruction from the nervous system to the muscles. See text for more details. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Causes of urinary incontinence

– Problems with the nervous system: stroke, multiple sclerosis, Pakinson’ s disease and spinal cord injuries may affect the neural control loop illustrated in Fig.2 and cause incontinence.
– Weakness of sphincters, or lack of support from underneath muscles (muscles of the pelvic floor) making the sphincters weak so they can not close properly.
– Blocked or narrowed urethra, weakness of bladder muscles: bladder can not empty, urine builds up and leaks.

Fig.3: Female urinary and reproductive organs, median section, side view. Note the pelvic floor muscles that support the urinary bladder and the uterus. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Types of urinary incontinence in women and typical cause of each type.

1. Stress incontinence: small amount of urine leakage while sneezing, coughing, laughing or any activity that creates abdominal pressure on the bladder. This usually occurs because the muscles underneath the bladder (pelvic floor muscles) are weakened and can no longer support it (Fig. 3 and 4). In women, this typically happens as a result of pregnancy, childbirth during which these muscles are overstretched. Stress incontinence symptoms usually worsen during certain times in the menstrual cycle when your estrogen level is low. Incidents are also increased following menopause. This is by far the most common type of incontinence in women.

Fig.4: Stress urinary incontinence in women. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Below is a narrated animation of stress urinary incontinence. Click here to license this video (and other related videos) on Alila Medical Media website.

2. Urge incontinence: need to void that can not be deferred, inability to hold resulting in sudden loss of a large amount of urine. This is commonly caused by overactive bladder, a condition in which muscles in the wall of the bladder contract in an uncontrollable manner. The reason why this happens is unclear but it’s likely to involve problems in the nervous system.
3. Overflow incontinence: constant dribbling of urine. This happens when the bladder does not empty properly while voiding making it almost always full and urine overflows. This is due to weak detrusor muscle in the bladder wall or a blocked/narrowed urethra. This type of incontinence is rare in women.

> NEXT PAGE : Treatment for UI in women

> See all Urology topics

Urinary Incontinence in Men (continued)

< PREVIOUS PAGE: Anatomy, Types and Causes of Incontinence in Men

Treatment for UI in men
Treatment depends on the type of incontinence and severity of symptoms. For some people, simple lifestyle changes may be sufficient, for others, medication would be necessary. Finally some men may require surgery to treat the condition.

1. Lifestyle changes
– Limit fluid intake at certain times of the day (such as before going to bed or before a long trip). However, note should be taken to increase fiber content in your meals to prevent constipation.
– Cut down on caffeine, alcohol, keep a healthy weight.
– Try pelvic floor muscle exercises such as Kegel exercises. This is to strengthen the muscles that support your bladder.
– Timed voiding or bladder training therapy : plan regular trips to the bathroom at set times of the day, gradually increase the interval between trips as you gain control.

2. Medication
Depending on the cause of incontinence the following types of drugs maybe prescribed:
– Alpha-blockers and/or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: for treatment of enlarged prostate (BPH). Click on the link to read more about BPH and mechanism of action of these drugs.
– Imipramine, antispasmodics : these act on nerves to block bladder spasms in overactive bladder.

3. Surgery
Surgical procedures include:
– Implantation of artificial sphincter: this is performed when weak sphincter is the source of problem.
– Man sling : implementation of an artificial support for the urethra. This is usually recommended for those who have had their prostate gland previously removed.
– Urinary diversion: bypass of the bladder and urethra altogether. In this procedure, a reservoir is made to collect urine directly from the ureters and urine is emptied through an opening in the abdominal wall into a bag. This is performed when other methods fail.
– other procedures (non-surgical and surgical) for treatment of enlarged prostate, see the main article on prostate hypertrophy for more details.

Fig. 1 : Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for treatment of enlarged prostate (BPH) incontinence in male. A catheter containing a microwave antenna is inserted through the urethra, a balloon is inflated at the end to keep the catheter in place. The antenna is heating the tissue of the prostate to destroy it. Cooled water is circulating in the wall of the catheter to keep the surface of the urethra safe from heating. See the main article about BPH for more details. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

< PREVIOUS PAGE: Anatomy, Types and Causes of Incontinence in Men

See all Urology topics

Urinary Incontinence in Men

This video is available for licensing on our website. Click HERE!

Urinary incontinence (UI) is involuntary leakage of urine. Urine is produced in the kidneys and stored in urinary bladder. Urination is the process of emptying the bladder through the urethra that connects the urinary bladder to the external urethral orifice. There are two sphincters (valves) that keep the urethra closed to prevent leak: internal urethral sphincter located at the neck of the bladder, and external urethral sphincter located below the prostate gland and is supported by the pelvic floor muscles (See Fig. 1).

Click here to see an animation of male urinary system on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

Fig.1: Anatomy of male urinary organs. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Click here to see an animation of micturition (urination) control on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

Causes of urinary incontinence

Types of urinary incontinence in men and typical cause of each type

1. Stress incontinence: urine leakage while sneezing, coughing, laughing or any activity that creates abdominal pressure on the bladder. This usually occurs because the muscles or tissues underneath the bladder are weakened and can no longer support it. In men, this typically happens after the prostate gland is removed for reasons such as prostate cancer.
2. Urge incontinence: need to void that can not be deferred, inability to hold. This is commonly caused by overactive bladder, a condition in which muscles in the wall of the bladder contract in an uncontrollable manner. The reason why this happens is unclear but it’s likely to involve problems in the nervous system.
3. Overflow incontinence: constant dribbling of urine. This happens when the bladder does not empty properly while voiding making it almost always full and urine overflows. This is due to weak detrusor muscle in the bladder wall or a blocked/narrowed urethra. In men, the major cause for this type of incontinence is a condition called enlarged prostate or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) . Click on the link to read more about this condition.

Fig.3: Types of urinary incontinence in men and typical cause in each case. The prostate gland (orange color) is located under the bladder where it wraps around the first part of the urethra. See text for more details. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

> NEXT PAGE: Treatment

See all Urology topics

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Below is a narrated animation about BPH and treatments. Click here to license this video on Alila Medical Media website.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called benign prostatic hypertrophy or enlarged prostate, is a condition in which the size of the prostate gland is increased. It is considered “benign” because it’s NOT a cancer, and it does not increase the risk of cancer. However, when becomes sufficiently large, the prostate tissue may compress the urethra and block the urine flow causing a number of urination problems and urinary tract infection. BPH is very common in aging men: about 50% of men have some degree of BPH by the age of 60.

Anatomy

The prostate is a walnut-size exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the urinary bladder where it wraps around the first part of the urethra – prostatic urethra (see Fig. 1 and 2).

Fig. 1: Male reproductive and urinary organs, mid-sagittal view. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Prostate gland produces a milky fluid that is expelled into the urethra to mix with spermatozoa during ejaculation. The fluid serves as a lubricant and nutrition for the sperms.

Click here to see an animation of male reproductive system on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

Click here to see an animation of male urinary system on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

In BPH, the enlarged prostate presses on the prostatic urethra making it narrower. This affects normal flow of urine (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2: Normal prostate (left) and enlarged prostate (right). Same sagittal view as in Fig. 1 with other organs removed to simplify. The urethra is squeezed narrow in BPH. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Click here to see an animation of prostate hypertrophy on Alila Medical Media website where the video is also available for licensing.

Causes

BPH is considered a normal part of male aging as a result of hormonal changes. The rate of cell proliferation induced by androgens (male hormones) somehow exceeds the rate of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in aging prostate tissue resulting in enlargement of the prostate.
Severity of BPH (development of symptomatic BPH), however, has been associated with lifestyle. The incidence of clinically significant BPH is notably higher in men who lead a modern lifestyle compared to those who live in rural traditional settings.
About half of men with histopathologic BPH demonstrate clinically significant symptoms.

Symptoms

Obstruction of urine flow makes urine voiding difficult and incomplete. This leads to common symptoms of BPH:
– frequent urination.
– urgency : need to void that can not be deferred.
– urinary hesitation: difficulty to initiate urine stream, weak and interrupted stream.
– straining to void: need to push to completely empty the bladder.
– residual urine: constant feeling of need to void.
– dribbling
Altogether the voiding dysfunction resulted from BPH is called lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) – a more recent term for prostatism.

Treatment

Patients with mild symptoms and who are not bothered by their symptoms are usually advised to follow a “watch and see” approach with regular check-up and lifestyle changes such as low-fat diet, reduced consumption of alcohol and caffeine, reduced fluid intake before bedtime, avoidance of certain products and medications such as diuretics,…
1. Medication
There are two main classes of medication:
– alpha-blockers: these drugs relax smooth muscle in the prostate and by doing so relieve blockage of urine flow.
– 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: these inhibit local production of the hormone that is responsible for prostate enlargement.

2. Minimal invasive treatment
These non-surgical therapies use heat to cause cell death (necrosis) in prostate tissue. The heat is delivered in small amount and to a specific location to minimize unwanted damage. Different procedures differ mainly in the type of energy used.
– Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT): use of microwave energy delivered through a probe inside a catheter inserted into the urethra.
– Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) : use of radio frequency energy delivered through a transurethral device with needles.
– Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP): use of laser to vaporize prostate tissue.
3. Surgery
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure for removal of prostate tissue through the urethra. This procedure has been around for a long time and is still considered gold standard for treatment of severe BPH. Nowadays, it is usually performed when medications and less invasive methods fail.

See all Urology topics

Paranasal sinuses and sinus conditions

The videos on this page can be downloaded upon purchase of a license on Alila Medical Media website. Click here!

Paranasal sinuses, or simply “sinuses” in common language, are air cavities in the bones of the skull. There are four pairs of sinuses (see Fig. 1, 2 and upper panel of Fig. 3):

– the maxillary sinuses are under the eyes, in the maxillary bones.
– the frontal sinuses are above the eyes, in the frontal bone.
– the ethmoid sinuses are between the nose and the eyes, in the ethmoid bone.
– the sphenoid sinuses are behind the nasal cavity, in the sphenoid bones.

Fig.1: The four pairs of sinuses. Red = frontal, green = ethmoid, blue = sphenoid, beige = maxillary. The right panel show normal sinuses on half of the head and inflamed sinuses on the other half. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

The sinuses are lined with respiratory epithelium producing mucus. The mucus drains into nasal cavity through small openings (Fig. 2 left panel, Fig. 3 upper panel). Impaired sinus drainage has been associated with inflammation of sinuses (sinusitis, see below).
Biological function of the sinuses remains unclear.

.
Fig. 2: Front view of the sinuses (left panel) showing connections to the nasal cavity. Right panel shows mid-sagittal section of the head. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Sinusitis or rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (Fig. 1, right panel). This can be due to:
– allergy (allergic rhinitis): allergens such as pollen, pet dander,.. trigger overreaction of the mucosa of the nose and sinuses resulting in excess mucus, nasal congestion, sneezing and itching.
– infection: usually as a complication of an earlier viral infection of the nasal mucosa, pharynx or tonsils such as during a common cold. Impaired sinus drainage due to inflammation of nasal mucosa during a cold often leads to infection of the sinus itself. Cold-like symptoms plus headache and facial pain/pressure are common complaints.
– other conditions that cause blockage of sinus drainage: structural abnormality such as deviated nasal septum (Fig. 3); formation of nasal polyps (Fig. 4). When a sinus is blocked, fluid builds up making it a favorable environment for bacteria, viruses or fungi to grow and cause infection.

Fig. 3: Front view of the sinuses (upper panel) showing connections to the nasal cavity, also shown the nasal septum (light blue color). Lower panel shows deviated septum blocking drainage of the right maxillary sinus (your left). Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Fig. 4: Nasal polyps – overgrowths of nasal mucosa – block sinus drainage. Click on image to see a larger version on Alila Medical Media website where the image is also available for licensing.

Treatment depends on the cause of sinusitis:
– For viral infection : symptom relief medications such as nasal spray for irrigation and decongestion; other conservative treatment for common cold such as rest and drinking plenty of fluid.
– For bacterial infection: antibiotics may be prescribed.
– For allergy: intranasal corticosteroids are commonly used.
– For recurrent (chronic) sinusitis due to structural abnormalities or nasal polyps, nasal surgery may be recommended.

See all Respiratory topics

Asthma (with Animation Video)

The videos on this page can be downloaded upon purchase of a license on Alila Medical Media website. Click here!

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition where the airway is inflamed and narrowed causing breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. Symptoms come as recurrent episodes called asthmatic attacks more commonly during the night and early morning. Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood and lasts for life.

Anatomy of asthma

Our lungs consist of millions of air tubes or airways (bronchi and smaller bronchioles) bringing air in and out of the body. Each tube ends with a cluster of air sacs (alveolus, plural alveoli) where the gas exchange process takes place. The airways have a layer of smooth muscle in their wall which enables them to constrict or dilate. In response to the body’s higher demand of air, such as during exercise, the airways dilate to increase air flow. In response to presence of pollutants in the air, they constrict to prevent the lungs from being polluted. In people suffering from asthma these airways are inflamed, narrowed and become more sensitive to certain substances. Asthmatic attack (or exacerbation) happens when the airways react to these substances. During the attack smooth muscle contracts squeezing the airways making them even narrower, mucus secretion increases further obstructs the airways.

Causes of asthma

Causes of asthma are complex and not fully understood but likely involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Family history is a known risk factor for asthma. There are at least over twenty genes associated with asthma of which many are involved in the immune system. Most people who have asthma also have allergies. Many environmental factors such as air pollution, chemicals, smoking, allergens have been associated with development of asthma or triggering of asthmatic attacks.

Triggers of asthmatic attack

Triggers are factors that initiate the attack, these can be very different from person to person. Common triggers include :
– allergens (pollen, animal fur, pet dander, sulfites in preserved food..)
– irritants (cigarette smoke, industrial chemicals, dust, household chemicals,..)
– some medication (aspirin, beta blockers,..).
– physical activity, exercise.

Treatments

There is no cure for asthma. The most effective way to manage symptoms is to identify the triggers of asthmatic attack and avoid them.
There are two main classes of medication:
– bronchodilators – substances that dilate bronchi and bronchioles – are used as short-term relief of symptoms.
– inflammation moderators such as corticosteroids are used as long-term treatment.
Asthma inhalers are used to deliver medication to the lungs.

Associated conditions

A number of conditions tend to occur more frequently in people with asthma:
– Allergies : eczema and hay fever. These individuals are considered hyperallergic (high tendency to develop allergic reactions). The combination of these conditions is called atopy or atopic symdrome.
– Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a condition in which stomach acid backs up and damages the mucosal lining of the esophagus. GERD may worsen asthma symptoms and medications for asthma often worsen GERD symptoms. Treating GERD usually improves asthma and must be included in asthma treatment plan.
– Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): asthmatic patients tend to develop OSA. The mechanism is not fully understood but it’s likely due to nasal obstruction. Click on the link to read more about OSA.
– Sinusitis: inflammation of paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis commonly worsens asthma symptoms and makes treatment less effective.

See all Respiratory topics

See all Immunology topics

Medical Information Illustrated

Medical and health topics fully illustrated with pictures and videos for easy understanding.

Author Archives: Alila Medical Media

Cellulite

What is cellulite?

Anatomy of cellulite

Causes

Treatment

>See all dermatology topics

Laser skin resurfacing

What is laser skin resurfacing?

How does it works?

Classic laser skin resurfacing versus Fractional laser skin resurfacing

>See all dermatology topics

Ankle Fusion Surgery

Treatment for UI in women

Treatment for UI in women

1. Lifestyle changes and physical exercises

2. Medication

3. Non-surgical therapies

4. Surgery

Urinary Incontinence in Women

Causes of urinary incontinence

Types of urinary incontinence in women and typical cause of each type.

Urinary Incontinence in Men (continued)

Urinary Incontinence in Men

Causes of urinary incontinence

Types of urinary incontinence in men and typical cause of each type

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Anatomy

Causes

Symptoms

Treatment

Paranasal sinuses and sinus conditions

Asthma (with Animation Video)

Anatomy of asthma

Causes of asthma

Triggers of asthmatic attack

Treatments

Associated conditions