Category: Pathophysiology

Calcium and phosphate metabolism are tightly regulated by key hormones like parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D. A significant mineral imbalance can lead to various medical issues, including hypocalcemia, where low calcium is sometimes accompanied by low phosphate, a seemingly counterintuitive finding in certain conditions.

Affecting billions of people globally, iron deficiency anemia is often identified through systemic symptoms, but did you know oral signs are common? Patients frequently report glossal pain, highlighting the important connection between nutrient levels and oral health. Understanding the specific pathophysiology of this condition is key for effective treatment and symptom relief.

Affecting approximately one in four adults, hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease globally. This condition involves a complex molecular symphony where various proteins play critical roles in regulating vascular tone, fluid balance, and inflammatory responses, all of which are involved in hypertension.

The human liver is a metabolic powerhouse, performing over 500 vital functions, including the storage of essential vitamins and minerals. Among its many duties, the liver serves as the body's primary storage site for trace minerals like iron and copper, regulating their balance to prevent toxic excess or debilitating deficiency.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder globally and the leading cause of anemia, affecting billions of people. This widespread condition severely disrupts erythropoiesis, the complex process of red blood cell production, by inhibiting the synthesis of vital components and altering regulatory pathways.

According to the World Health Organization, kwashiorkor is a form of severe acute malnutrition defined by the presence of bilateral pitting edema. The mechanism of edema in kwashiorkor is far more complex than previously thought, involving multiple interacting physiological factors beyond just a simple lack of protein.

An estimated 40% of hemodialysis patients suffer from vitamin B6 deficiency, which is a known cause of sideroblastic anemia. A deficit in this crucial nutrient impairs the very first and rate-limiting step of heme production, preventing the body from properly utilizing iron to create healthy red blood cells. This leads to the characteristic iron buildup observed in this specific type of anemia.

According to the World Health Organization, protein-energy malnutrition, particularly in the form of kwashiorkor, remains a significant health concern globally. A classic and often telltale sign of this severe condition is edema, or noticeable swelling, particularly in the limbs and abdomen. This phenomenon is a direct result of low levels of the crucial protein albumin in the bloodstream.

The hallmark finding on a peripheral blood smear in megaloblastic anemia is the presence of abnormally large, immature red blood cells and a specific change in white blood cells. This article explains what neutrophils are in megaloblastic anemia, focusing on the characteristic hypersegmentation that serves as a crucial diagnostic clue.

Hypoalbuminemia, or low blood albumin, is a common clinical finding in hospitalized patients, with studies indicating a high prevalence in the elderly and critically ill. This condition directly causes the swelling known as oedema by disturbing the body's natural fluid balance, a critical function normally regulated by the protein albumin.