A balanced diet is one which contains different types of foods in such quantities and proportions that the need for calories, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients is adequately met and a small provision is made for extra nutrients to withstand short duration of leanness. Nutrients are chemical constituents of food which specific functions to carry [...]

Clear Liquid Diet includes food that is clear and liquid at room temperature. Clear Liquid Diet provides water, carbohydrates, sodium, and potassium. It is inadequate in energy and other nutrients. Clear Liquid Diet provides 400-500 Kcal. It provides an oral source of liquids which are easily absorbed and leave minimal residue in the gastrointestinal tract. [...]

Renal colic, the excruciating pain caused by a stone passing down the urinary tract is well known in all countries.  The pain stops when the stone is passed naturally or removed by a surgeon.  A patient may never have another attack or attacks may recur at irregular and sometimes long intervals.  Most stones remain in [...]

The Adrenal Glands are composed of two distinct parts, the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex.  The adrenal medulla secretes two hormones Epinephrine and Norepinephrine in response to sympathetic stimulation.  The adrenal cortex secretes an entirely different group of hormones called “corticosteroids”.  There are two types of corticosteroids: Mineralocorticoids Glucocorticoids. Both, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are [...]

Esophagitis usually occurs in the lower esophagus as a result of irritating effect of acidic gastric reflux on the esophageal mucosa.  The common symptom is heartburn (burning epigastric substernal pain).  Other symptoms are regurgitation and dysphagia. Types of Esophagitis: Acute Esophagitis: Caused by ingestion of an irritating agent, viral inflammation, or incubation of Ryle’s tube. [...]

Pernicious anemia is a macrocytic (larger than normal RBC) and megaloblastic (immature, abnormal RBC progenitors in the bone marrow) anemia.  Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).  Generally, vitamin B12 deficiency occurs due to lack of Intrinsic Factor –IF.  Intrinsic Factor is a glycoprotein in the gastric juice that is necessary [...]

Cirrhosis is the final stage of liver injury and degeneration.  It occurs in 15 % of heavy drinkers.  Other causes of liver cirrhosis are drug or chemical poisoning, hepatitis B virus, cystic fibrosis, etc.  Cirrhosis is characterized by liver necrosis meaning the normal liver tissue is gradually destroyed and replaced by inactive fibrous connective tissue [...]

Food that we eat is classified as follows on the basis of its cariogenicity activity: Cariogenic foods: These are foods that contain fermentable carbohydrates, which in contact with micro-organisms in the mouth can cause a drop in salivary pH to 5.5 or less and stimulate caries process.  Examples are foods rich in simple carbohydrates. NOTE:  [...]