Atrial Fibrillation can be referred to as the abnormal beat or rhythm of the atrium (the upper chambers of the heart). It is one of the most common types of arrhythmias. An arrhythmia is simply an abnormal beat or impulse that originates outside the SA-node. The SA or sinoatrial node is known as the hearts real pacemaker. It is where impulses are the quickest at 60-80 beats per minute. It is located in the upper right quadrant of the heart, in the right atrium. Abnormal electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation often originate in the left pulmonary veins rather than the sinoatrial node causing irregularities in the pattern of the heart depolarizing.

Described as a complex developmental disorder, autism is a neurobiological condition that interferes with an individual’s ability to interact and communicate with other people. Most likely a result of abnormal development of the foetus brain, autism is the most common of the group of developmental disorders characterised as autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory disease which affects the diverticula, or small pockets, in the wall of the large intestine (colon). When the diverticula bulge outward through weak spots in the large intestine, this is called diverticulosis. Diverticula pockets can form when pressure inside the large intestine increases, which is often due to constipation. The most likely cause of constipation is a low-fibre diet, which leads to increased pressure inside the colon. For most people with diverticulosis, eating a high fibre diet is the only form of treatment needed. Fibre intake can be increased by eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread and cereals, and legumes.

Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, the small fluid filled sac which cushions the point of contact near joints. There are 160 bursae in the body. The major bursae are found next to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Bursitis is most commonly caused by overuse of a joint, or from repeated pressure or tension on the joint for extended periods of time.

Mitral valve prolapse is a displacement of the mitral valve when the heart contracts. This is also commonly called “floppy” mitral valve or “Barlow’s syndrome. It is the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting five to ten percent of the world population.

HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus, which is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks the immune system. There are two types of HIV virus – type 1 is found all around the world, while type 2 is found primarily in West Africa. The illness caused by these different virus strains can be different. For example the onset of illness in a person infected by HIV-2 is usually slower and less severe than if the person were infected by HIV-1.

An aneurysm can be defined as a blood filled dilation (expansion or bulge) of a blood vessel caused either by a disease or the weakening of the vessel wall. The aorta is the body’s largest artery that stems off the left ventricle, which is the lower left quadrant of the heart. This artery is responsible for carrying and delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to other leading arteries in the body. 

The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus, which connects the uterus to the vagina, and is part of the woman's reproductive system. Cancer of the cervix is called cervical cancer. This type of cancer is usually slow-growing, and can take up to 10 years to develop. Cervical cancer is therefore often preventable by regular screening. This is most often done in the form of a Pap smear, which tests the cells lining the cervix for abnormalities. Over the past decades the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year has been declining, which is thought to be mainly due to the success of campaigns that have raised awareness about the benefits of having regular Pap smears.

Many people feel depressed at some time or another in their lives, and these feelings usually involve sadness, unhappiness, hopelessness or general feelings of despair. When these feelings remain for extended periods of time, they can be symptoms of clinical depression, a mood disorder where feelings of anger, loss, frustration and sadness dominate and interfere with everyday life. 

In the circulatory system, the force that is exerted on the walls of arteries by the pumping of blood by the heart is termed Blood Pressure.  The device that is used to measure blood pressure is called a sphygmomanometer. This measurement is often taken while relaxed and in a lying down position. The reading acquired will look like this: 120/80 and the units that blood pressure is measured in are: mm of Hg (millimetres of mercury). The larger number represents systolic pressure. This is the pressure exerted on the arterial walls, as the heart squeezes blood systematically during each beat. The diastolic pressure, the smaller number, corresponds to the pressure that presents as the heart relaxes before its next beat. Both systolic and diastolic pressure increase with age and are known to vary widely amongst populations.