Parasomnias - Part II / Sleep Walking / Sleep Disorders

Parasomnias are disorders that disturb sleep. They may occur during specific phases of sleep or during the sleep-wake transition when a person seems to be awake and asleep at the same time. They include nightmares, sleepwalking, and confusional arousals.

Join our online support group for people with parasomnias and their families. Ask your questions to experts and share your experiences.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect in which the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel near the heart which normally closes after birth, remains open (patent). The main symptom for babies is labored breathing and failure to put on weight. If uncorrected, this can lead to heart failure in older children and adults.

Learn more about patent ductus arteriosus by joining our online group, of experts, concerned lay people and parents, on this condition.

Phimosis / Tight Foreskin

A condition that has embarrassed several men and often goes without the adequate medical attention it requires, phimosis or ‘tight foreskin’ refers to the inability to retract the prepuce (foreskin) of the penis over the shaft due to a narrow opening.

To share details of this condition with others, or to learn more on its symptoms and diagnosis, join Medindia’s support group today.

Pierre Robin Syndrome / Bird Facies

The Pierre Robin Syndrome is a congenital condition which causes certain deformities in the face – a small jaw bone placed far back on the throat, a cleft palate, and a tongue which tends to fall back and obstruct the airway. Babies with the Pierre Robin syndrome have recurrent ear infections and problems feeding and sleeping.

Join our online group on the Pierre Robin syndrome for support and information.

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelytis, or polio, is a viral disease that sometimes affects the central nervous system and can lead to paralysis, usually of one leg but sometimes of the chest and abdomen and all the limbs. The polio virus spreads through water contaminated with feces containing the virus. The eradication of polio is one of the WHO’s top priorities.

Join our online group on polio. Ask your questions to experts, share your experiences, and learn more.

Posterior Urethral Valve (PUV)

Posterior urethral valve is a congenital obstruction of the urethra in male babies. Depending upon the extent of the obstruction, the organs of the urinary tract can swell with urine and become damaged, causing renal failure. A lesser degree of obstruction can cause incontinence and frequent urinary tract infections. Usually, surgery can correct the posterior urethral valve.

Join our online support group for families of children with posterior urethral valve. Ask your questions to experts, share your experiences, and learn more.

Rheumatic Fever

The term "rheumatic" refers to synovial joints of the body ("rheum" refers to viscous fluid, such as synovial fluid), hence "rheumatic fever" connotes an illness associated with abnormalities of synovial joints. Synovial is a clear fluid that helps in lubrication of a joint. Any joint in the body which produces this fluid is known as a synovial joint. When a common strain of bac ... Read More

Rickets / Paediatric Osteomalacia

Rickets, a childhood disease characterized by impeded growth, and deformity, of the long bones. Osteomalacia is a term for the softening of the bones due to defective bone mineralization.

Shingles / Herpes Zoster / Post Herpetic Neuralgia / Chicken pox shingles

Shingles is a painful viral skin disease that causes strip-like rashes on one side of the body. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus that also causes chicken pox. After a person has recovered from chicken pox, the virus can lie dormant in the body and reactivate, sometimes after years, to cause shingles.

Learn more about shingles and talk to experts by joining our online group on shingles.

Sleep Disorder:Sleep Problems in Children

Children tend to suffer from some sleep problems like nightmares, sleepwalking, and night terrors more often than adults. Children who are not sleeping well tend to have more behavior and concentration problems, and you need to make sure your child is getting a full nine hours of restful sleep every night.

Join our online support group for parents of children with sleep problems to ask your questions to experts, share your experiences, and learn more.