Phases of Clinical Research

Phases of Clinical Research

Bringing new drugs onto the market The process of bringing new drugs (or other health interventions) onto the market is long and arduous and, in some cases, can take years or even decades. Developing any new drug begins by developing an understanding of the disease or...
Lung Volumes and Capacities

Lung Volumes and Capacities

Lung volumes, which are also known as respiratory volumes, refer to the various volumes of gas in the lungs at any given time during the respiratory cycle. Lung capacities are derived from a summation of different lung volumes. It is important to have an understanding...
The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a hormonal system that is responsible for the regulation of arterial blood pressure and of the concentration of sodium in the plasma.   Renin and angiotensinogen The first stage of the RAAS is the release of the...
Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Approximately 10 million per year develop tuberculosis globally, and an estimated 1.7 billion people have latent tuberculosis. It is the second most common cause of death from...
Addison’s Disease

Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) is caused by the underproduction of the steroid hormones by the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and sex steroid production are all affected. It is more common in women than in men and most commonly...
Hyperaldosteronism

Hyperaldosteronism

Hyperaldosteronism occurs when there are excessive circulating levels of aldosterone. Hyperaldosteronism can be subdivided into two main types: Primary hyperaldosteronism (~95% of cases) Secondary hyperaldosteronism (~5% of cases)   Primary hyperaldosteronism is...