Essays and Research Papers on Disease

A 5 page overview of the drug nitroglycerin and the role it plays in relieving the discomfort of angina. Details the cause of angina and the physiochemical action of the vasodilator nitroglycerin in abating it. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

An 8 page overview of the condition known as Raynaud’s, a condition in which the small arteries in the hands, toes, cheeks, nose, and ears constrict after exposure to cold. This paper distinguishes between Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and Raynaud’s syndrome. Noting that the cause of the condition is unknown and, in all, ...

A 5 page discussion of the health impacts of hypertension. This paper defines hypertension and outlines its impacts to cardiovascular and renal function in particular. Presenting the case study of a fictional patient who presents to the emergency room with chest pain, the author reviews the diagnostic techniques which are utilized and the ...

A 10 page discussion of the impact of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). This paper provides a description of the cellular and molecular structure of the virus which makes it such a formidable opponent to the treatment of AIDS (Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This paper examines paraplegia, what it is, how to diagnose it, and the methods of treatment for this spinal cord trauma. Also included is a look at the history of paraplegia from as far back as ancient Egypt.

The Emerging Epidemic : This 20 page paper contends that Hepatitis C is quickly becoming an epidemic and should be addressed now before things get out of hand. The disease is discussed in depth and treatments are discussed as well. Statistics about the rate of infection of the population is provided. Special populations are ...

A 7 page overview of the drug Clozapine and older anxiolytic drugs used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. The author emphasizes that there are definite advantages to drugs such as Clozapine when compared to older anxiolytic drugs. There are concerns as well, however. To be most effective and ...

This 12 page paper looks at several types of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The Spin Echo Sequence, the Inversion Recovery Sequence, Saturation Recovery Sequence, Spiral Pulse Sequence and the Gradient Echo Sequence are each discussed in depth. Bibliography lists 13 sources.

This 15 page paper discusses the state of research into finding an AIDS vaccine, including the medical perspective. New AIDS cases have declined in the US and several other developed nations, but AIDS is still the scourge of much of Africa, India and China, threatening an entire generation in some sections of Africa. ...

This 6 page paper provides a philosophical argument that supports the view that testing should be required. However, both sides of the issue are carefully discussed. Kantian ethics and utilitarianism are used as a basis for discussion. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

6 pages in length. Huntington's Disease, a genetically programmed degeneration of brain cells named after Dr. George Huntington's discovery, impacts only certain parts of the brain. Isolated in 1872, these neurons cause uncontrolled psychological and physiological behaviors in patients who have Huntington's Disease, ultimately leading to a succession of irreversible occurrences that, at ...

This 12 page paper provides a comprehensive overview of emphysema, one of the two primary chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/chronic obstructive lung diseases (COLD). This paper offers an beginning introduction to how the lung functions, focusing on how emphysema affects the functioning. Other topics include: incidence of the disease; symptoms; diagnosis; treatment and prognosis. Bibliography ...

A 10 page discussion of the ethics behind palliative care for the terminally ill. The author contends that palliative care for the terminally ill is a specialized field of medicine which is slowly emerging in step with certain changes in our society and our mindset. Evaluates a number of issues surrounding care for ...

A 5 page paper discussing dysfunction of the disks of the C2 – C7 vertebrae. There is much attention given to the topic of lower back pain in the popular press, but much less energy devoted to the degenerative effects of disk disease at the other extreme of the spine, an issue with which ...

This 5 page paper provides an overview of monoclonal antibody and its potential uses. The concept is defined. Its role in potentially curing cancer is highlighted. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page overview of depression noting that while depression is most often thought of as a psychological disorder, there are a number of factors which can be associated with the disorder. Current research reveals, in fact, that depression can be caused by either environmental factors or biological factors. A third school of ...

An 8 page paper. Colon cancer is one that is 90 percent preventable IF people over the age of 50 are screened for the disease. This paper discusses the colon's function, the incidence of colon cancer and five-year survival rates, differences among some minority groups, symptoms of the disease, the different screening tests used and ...

A 6 page description of the physical manifestations of Tourette’s Syndrome and an investigation of the physiological reasons behind the condition. The condition is one with neurological, psychopathological, biochemical, and genetic aspects. In particular, it appears to be genetically linked with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD). As such, ...

A 10 page paper. Prevnar is vaccine from Wyeth Lederle. This vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in small children, in fact, it was credited with reducing the incidence of pneumococcal diseases by 40 percent in its first year. This essay is divided into these sections: product life ...

This 6 page paper discusses pediatric asthma in terms of who is at risk. Also, the paper discusses the best treament options and efective interventions. Bibliography lists 3 sources

A 6 page overview of the relative benefits and risks of LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis). This paper emphasizes that while LASIK has many advantages over the more traditional method of correcting poor vision, it too has its drawbacks. These drawbacks include a failure rate of one percent, infections, or even surgical complications ...

A 10 page paper. Kwashiorkor is a complicated form of malnutrition in that the simple addition of food does not cure it. It is caused by a lack of protein in the diet and almost always occurs in infants and children who have been weaned from their mother's breast milk and given a diet of ...

6 pages in length. The extremely toxic contaminant TCDD – scientifically classified as 2,3,7,8-Terachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxyn; 2,3, 7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; 2,3,6,7-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin; dioxin; TCDBD. C12H4C14O2 mol wt 321.97. C 44.77%, H 1.25%, Cl 44.04%, 0 9.94% -- is a by-product of chlorinated phenols and phenoxyherbicide manufacturing, as well as paper pulp chlorine bleaching and chlorine-containing waste combustion. Better ...

A 5 page overview of the importance of emergency medical services in diagnosing and addressing heart attacks. Presents the case of a fifty-one year old patient who has admitted to an emergency room complaining of chest pain. Reviews the patient’s vital signs and uses these signs to conclude that an acute myocardial infarction ...

A 10 page discussion of the causes and interventions commonly employed in treating pediatric asthma. Asthma is one of several restrictive airway diseases (RAD) which can be complicated by a number of factors. Some of these factors are biological but others are environmental. One of the most prevalent associative conditions ...