Chondrocalcinosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of calcium phosphate crystals (Pyrophosphate) in the joints. It is mainly due to magnesium deficiency; however, it can also be related to other diseases and metabolic disorders. I. How is Pyrophosphate Produced in the joints? Chondrocytes are specialized cells that control the synthesis of cartilage, from collagen…
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause cardiovascular diseases through the following mechanisms: Approximately 34% of middle-aged men and 17% of middle-aged women are diagnosed with OSA [1]. The prevalence of OSA is estimated at 40% to 80% in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and stroke…
The immune system starts to become weak around the age of 60 years through a process known as immunosenescence. It is estimated that 2 billion people will have an age of over 60 by 2050 [1], and therefore, would be affected by immunosenescence. What Is Immunosenescence? Immunosenescence is the process of aging of our immune…
Iron Deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in the elderly. It is due to abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract such as stomach ulcers and cancer, and the reduction in iron supply through diet. It manifests with a reduced size and color of red blood cells. The prevalence of iron deficiency in individuals older…
Although non-pathological and often asymptomatic, high-intensity exercise and training can lead to structural, functional, and electrical transformations of the athlete’s heart. This exercise-adaptative physiological remodeling is known as athlete’s heart syndrome, characterized by an enlarged heart and a lower heart rate due to cardiac loading [1]. However, no evidence exists linking athlete’s heart syndrome and heart…
Hair loss or alopecia is a temporary or permanent loss of hair that mainly affects men but is also observed in women. Hair loss is associated with disorders that affect your scalp or the entire body such as illness, stress, iron deficiency, genetics, weight loss, aging, cancer treatment, and lifestyle. 1. What Is the Biology…
Aging is a natural and time-dependent decline in body function due to alterations at the molecular and cellular levels that leads to changes in the function of the cardiovascular system, the brain, the digestive system, the bladder and urinary tract, the muscles, joints, and muscles, the eyes and ears, the teeth, and the skin. Changes…
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep that can last for days or weeks (short-term insomnia) or for more than 6 months (chronic insomnia). Insomnia can be caused by biological factors such as anxiety, depression, sleep apnoea, genetics, and chronic conditions. It can also be caused by environmental factors such as…
Wound healing is a natural reaction of our body to tissue injury that involves crosstalk between different cells, cytokines, mediators, and the vascular system to repair the damaged tissue. It involves 4 main phases including homeostasis, inflammatory response, proliferation, and remodeling [1]. 1. What Are the Stages of Wound Healing? Homeostasis Phase This phase involves…
The growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) or bone morphogenetic protein 11 (BMP-11) is a protein that belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta family (TGF-b) that is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, wound healing, and the immune system [1]. GDF11 has been proposed as a rejuvenating factor as it was reported that it restores skeletal…
