At first glance, low iron saturation with normal ferritin seems contradictory. Ferritin is the body’s main iron storage protein, and low iron saturation typically reflects insufficient circulating iron—so how can one be normal while the other is low? The answer lies in understanding that iron metabolism is a complex, multi-layered system, and ferritin alone does … Read more
The so-called “Disney rash” is not a condition exclusive to amusement parks, but it got its nickname because many people report developing a red, itchy rash on their lower legs after spending long days walking at Disney theme parks. Medically, this condition is known as exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV) or golfer’s vasculitis, and it’s a form … Read more
Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes pain, tingling, burning, or numbness on the outer part of the thigh. Unlike sciatica, this condition does not affect motor control or muscle strength—it solely impacts sensation. The root cause is the compression or entrapment of a sensory nerve called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). This nerve … Read more
An intrathecal pain pump is a surgically implanted medical device that delivers pain medication directly to the intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord. By bypassing the digestive system and bloodstream, this method allows a much smaller dose of medication to be delivered with greater efficiency and fewer systemic side effects. The pump, typically about the … Read more
A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a medical device used to treat hydrocephalus, a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles, increasing pressure inside the skull. Left untreated, this pressure can lead to headaches, nausea, balance issues, visual disturbances, cognitive decline, and other neurological problems. The VP shunt system diverts excess CSF … Read more
Meningitis can be a tough condition. The term refers to inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord. Infections—bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic—are the main triggers, though there’s also a non-infectious version. Anybody can be affected, yet certain groups, like newborns and young adults, are at higher risk. Bacterial … Read more