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Na (sodium)
Na is the chemical symbol for sodium. From natrium, a synonym for sodium.
Sodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride (Cl), the resulting substance is table salt (NaCl).
Excess sodium (such as from fast food hamburger and fries) is excreted in the urine. Too much or too little sodium can cause cells to malfunction, and extremes can be fatal.
Normal blood sodium level is 135 - 145 milliEquivalents/liter (mEq/L), or in international units, 135 - 145 millimoles/liter (mmol/L).
Nail
In medicine, there are two types of nails. One is just a plain old metal nail used to hold 2 or more pieces of bone together, for example, after a fracture. The other type of nail is the horny plate on the end of the finger or toe. Each nail anatomically has a body, lateral nail folds (on the sides), a lunula (the little moon-shaped feature at the base), and a proximal skin fold (at the base).
Nail care
Many nail problems are due to poor nail care. Good nail habits help keep nails healthy.
The following recommendations are designed for good nail care:
Keep nails clean and dry to keep bacteria and other infectious organisms from collecting under the nails.
Soak toenails that are thick and difficult to cut in warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt to a pint of water) for 5-10 minutes and apply a 10 percent urea cream(available at the drug store without a prescription) and then trim the toenails.
Nails should be cut straight across and rounded only slightly at the tip. Use sharp nail scissors or clippers.
Use a "fine" textured file to keep nails shaped and free of snags.
Do not bite your nails. It's not good for them.
Do not "dig out" ingrown toenails, especially if they are sore. Seek treatment from a doctor.
Nail changes, swelling and pain can signal a serious problem. Report any nail irregularities to your doctor.
Nail infection, fungal
The most common fungus infection of the nails is onychomycosis.
Onychomycosis makes the nails look white and opaque, thickened, and brittle. Those at increased risk for developing onychomycosis include:
People with diabetes;
People with disease of the small blood vessels (peripheral vascular disease); and
Older women (perhaps because estrogen deficiency increases the risk of infection);and
Women of any age who wear artificial nails (acrylic or "wraps").
Artificial nails increase the risk for onychomycosis because, when an artificial nail is applied, the nail surface is usually abraded with an emery board damaging it, emery boards can carry infection, and water can collect under the nail creating a moist, warm environment favorable for fungal growth.
Alternative names include tinea unguium and ringworm of the nails.
Nail-patella syndrome
An hereditary condition with abnormally formed (dysplastic) or absent nails and absent or underdeveloped (hypoplastic) kneecaps (patellae). Other features include:
Iliac horns,
Abnormality of the elbows interfering with full range of motion (pronation and supination), and
Kidney disease resembling glomerulonephritis, which is often mild but can be progressive and lead to renal failure.
Nail-patella syndrome is inherited as dominant gene. This means that the disease can be transmitted by an affected parent. The nail- patella gene locus was found linked genetically to the ABO blood group locus in 1965 and is now known to be in chromosome region 9q34. Also called Turner-Kieser syndrome, and Fong disease.
Nails, jogger's
Very common small semi-circular white spots on the nails.
These spots result from injury to the base (matrix) of the nail (the part under the visible nail) where the nail cells and the nail are produced.
The injury responsible for white spots on the nails can be due to athletic activity and poorly fitting shoes. For example, jogging in poorly fitting shoes causes this condition so often it is known as "jogger's nails."
These spots are not a cause for concern. They eventually grow out.
Nails, ringworm of the
The most common fungus infection of the nails, also called onychomycosis.
Onychomycosis makes the nails look white and opaque, thickened, and brittle. Those at increased risk for developing onychomycosis include:
People with diabetes;
People with disease of the small blood vessels (peripheral vascular disease); and
Older women (perhaps because estrogen deficiency increases the risk of infection);and
Women of any age who wear artificial nails (acrylic or "wraps").
Artificial nails increase the risk for onychomycosis because, when an artificial nail is applied, the nail surface is usually abraded with an emery board damaging it, emery boards can carry infection, and water can collect under the artificial nail creating a moist, warm environment favorable for fungal growth.
Alternative names for ringworm of the nails include tinea unguium and dermatophytic onychomycosis.
Nails, white spots on the
Very common small semi-circular white spots on the nails.
These spots result from injury to the base (matrix) of the nail (the part under the visible nail) where the nail cells and the nail are produced.
The injury responsible for white spots on the nails can be due to athletic activity and poorly fitting shoes. For example, jogging in poorly fitting shoes causes this condition so often it is known as "jogger's nails."
These spots are not a cause for concern. They eventually grow out.
Named reporting
In public health, named reporting is the reporting of infected persons by name to public health departments. This is standard practice for the surveillance of many infectious diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and tuberculosis that pose a public health threat. The opposite of named reporting is anonymous testing in which the individual remains nameless.
Nanism
Once known as dwarfism, this condition is now correctly called short stature.
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