Articles on various diseases
identified through differential
diagnosis using the
DDxHub AI-driven system
Abdominal Pain, Stomach Cramps
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly. Almost everyone has pain in the abdomen at one time or another. Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical ...
Acetaminophen Overdose
Acetaminophen is one of the most known and used medical substances, entering into the composition of numerous OTC (over-the-counter) products. Perhaps its popularity makes patients to often ignore its danger of overdose. Like any medical substance, ...
Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi (medium-size airways) in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath ...
Acute Cystitis (Bladder Infection)
Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder. Most of the time, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, and it's called a urinary tract infection (UTI). A bladder infection can be painful and annoying, and it can become a serious health ...
Acute tubular necrosis (Renal tubular necrosis)
Acute tubular necrosis is a kidney disorder involving damage to the tubule cells of the kidneys, which can lead to acute kidney failure. Reversible or irreversible type of renal failure caused by ischemic or toxic injury to the renal tubular epithelial ...
Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease
Adrenal insufficiency is a condition characterized by inadequate production of the adrenal hormones cortisol and aldosterone. The adrenal glands are small organs located on top of each kidney. They consist of an inner layer called the adrenal medulla and ...
After Surgery
After any operation, you will have some side effects. There is usually some pain with surgery. There may also be swelling and soreness around the area that the surgeon cut. Your surgeon can tell you which side effects to expect. There can also be ...
Alcoholism
Alcohol use problems range from occasional problem drinking to alcohol abuse to alcoholism. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and ...
Aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism is a type of hormonal disorder that leads to high blood pressure. The adrenal glands produce a number of essential hormones. One of these is aldosterone, which balances sodium and potassium in your blood. In primary aldosteronism, ...
Alkaptonuria
Alkaptonuria is a rare genetic metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic acid in the body. Affected individuals lack enough functional levels of an enzyme required to breakdown homogentisic acid. Affected individuals may have ...
Allergies
Allergies are hypersensitivities, overreactions of the immune system to substances that do not cause reactions in most people. Hypersensitivities are grouped into four types, I through IV. These classifications are based, to some extent, on what parts of ...
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause lung disease in adults and liver disease in adults and children. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that protects the lungs. The liver usually makes the protein, and releases it ...
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. People with memory loss or other possible signs of Alzheimer’s may find it hard to recognize they have a ...
Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation - one or more missed menstrual periods. Women who have missed at least three menstrual periods in a row have amenorrhea, as do girls who haven't begun menstruation by the age of 16. The most common cause of ...
Amyloidosis
Primary amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid deposits. Primary amyloidosis can lead to conditions that include:Carpal tunnel syndrome;Heart muscle damage ...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a serious neurological disease that causes muscle weakness, disability and eventually death. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it in 1939. In the USA, ...
Anabolic Steroid Abuse
Anabolic steroids are used illegally to increase muscle, decrease fat, and enhance athletic performance and body appearance. Anabolic steroids act by increasing the androgenic testosterone effects within the body. Anabolic steroids can lead to potentially ...
Androgenic alopecia (Hair Loss)
Losing up to 100-150 hairs per day is normal. In general, most hair loss is not associated with systemic or internal disease, nor is poor diet a frequent factor. Frequently, hair may simply thin as a result of predetermined genetic factors, family ...
Anemia (any)
Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. Having anemia may make you feel exhausted. There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long ...
Aneurysm, Aortic Aneurysm (Vascular Disease)
An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. They can form in any blood vessel, but they occur most commonly in the aorta (aortic aneurysm) which is the main blood vessel leaving the heart. The two types of aortic aneurysm are: Thoracic ...
Angioedema
Swelling of the soft tissue just beneath the skin, including the face, lips, and around the eyes. Angioedema is swelling that is similar to hives, but the swelling is under the skin instead of on the surface. Hives are often called welts. They are a ...
Anion gap disorder (High anion gap metabolic acidosis)
Increased anion gap is a disorder of electrolytes. High anion gap metabolic acidosis is a form of metabolic acidosis characterized by a high anion gap. The anion gap is the difference in the measured cations and the measured anions in serum, plasma, or ...
Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of arthritis that affects the spine and is a chronic condition. The term is derived from two Greek words that mean ...
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to simply as anorexia, is one type of eating disorder. More importantly, it is also a psychological disorder. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond concern about obesity or out-of-control dieting. A person with ...
Anovulation
Anovulation means lack of ovulation, or absent ovulation. Ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovary, must happen in order to achieve pregnancy. If ovulation is irregular, but not completely absent, this is called oligovulation. Both ...
Anxiety, Panic Attack
Anxiety happens as a normal part of life. It can even be useful when it alerts you to danger. But for some people, anxiety persistently interferes with daily activities such as work, school or sleep. This type of anxiety can disrupt relationships and ...
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve. A number of conditions cause disease resulting in narrowing of the aortic valve. When the degree of narrowing becomes significant enough to impede the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the ...
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is a rare disease, caused by a decrease in the number of all types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Normally, the bone marrow produces a sufficient number of new red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets ...
ARDS, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Acute Lung Injury)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when fluid builds up in the tiny, elastic air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. More fluid in your lungs means less oxygen can reach your bloodstream. This deprives your organs of the oxygen they need to ...
Argininemia (Arginase Deficiency)
Argininemia is an autosomal recessive disorder causing hyperammonemia secondary to arginine accumulation. It is a disorder first noticed in children with growth reduction, slowing cognition, and milestone development. Symptoms: Slowing of linear growth at ...
Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. Symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness. There are over 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis may be triggered by injury (such as a fracture) or infection (viral, ...
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by reversible or at least partially reversible constrictions of the bronchi in the lungs. Bronchi are muscular tubes that carry air throughout the lungs, transporting it to and from smaller airway ...
Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT)
Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare inherited condition that affects the nervous system, the immune system and other body systems. It is characterized by the presence of: Progressive ataxia (lack of coordination) due to a defect in the cerebellum (the ...
Atelectasis (Pulmonary collapse)
Atelectasis is defined as the collapse or closure of the lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange. It may affect part or all of one lung. It is a condition where the alveoli are deflated, as distinct from pulmonary consolidation. It is a very ...
Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also ...
Avascular necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
Osteonecrosis also known as Avascular Necrosis (bone infarction, aseptic necrosis, ischemic bone necrosis) is when your bone dies due to a lack of blood supply. Avascular necrosis can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone's eventual collapse. The ...
Bacteremia
Bacteremia, in the strictest sense, refers to viable bacteria in the blood. Asymptomatic bacteremia can occur in normal daily activities such as conducting oral hygiene and after minor medical procedures. In a healthy person, these clinically benign ...
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostate gland enlargement
Prostate gland enlargement is a common condition as men get older. Also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic hypertrophy, prostate gland enlargement can cause bothersome urinary symptoms. Untreated prostate gland enlargement can block ...
Bile duct inflammation (Ascending cholangitis)
Acute cholangitis is a bacterial infection superimposed on an obstruction of the biliary tree most commonly from a gallstone, but it may be associated with neoplasm or stricture and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Most patients have fever, ...
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is the body part that holds and releases urine. It is in the center of the lower belly area. Gross or microscopic hematuria is the primary symptom of bladder cancer. Screening for ...
Bladder outlet obstruction (Obstructive uropathy)
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder that reduces or prevents the flow of urine into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can have many different causes, including: ...
Bleeding disorders (Coagulopathy)
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions that result when the blood cannot clot properly. In normal clotting, platelets stick together and form a plug at the site of an injured blood vessel. Proteins in the blood called clotting factors then interact ...
Blood Transfusion Reaction/Complications
Prompt recognition of an immune-mediated transfusion reaction is fundamental to improving patient outcome. Immune-mediated transfusion reactions can be classified as acute or delayed. Acute reactions occur within 24 hours of transfusion and include acute ...
Bone Disease
Metabolic bone diseases include osteoporosis, osteomalacia (rickets) and hyperparathyroidism. These conditions can cause weakened bone, loss of bone, frequent fractures or delayed growth in children. The early signs of bone disease can include: bone or ...
Bone Marrow Disorders (Myelodysplasia, Myelodysplastic syndromes)
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells. The stem cells can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body, the white blood cells ...
Bowel Disease (Short bowel syndrome)
Short bowel syndrome is a condition in which the body cannot absorb enough nutrients from foods because part of the small intestine is missing or damaged. The small intestine is where most of the nutrients you eat are absorbed into your body during ...
Brain Tumor, Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a rare hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, nearly always as a result of a noncancerous (benign) tumor. The excess hormone causes swelling, skin thickening, tissue growth and bone ...
Brain Tumor, Craniopharyngioma
A craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that develops near the pituitary gland (a small endocrine gland at the base of the brain). This tumor most commonly affects children 5 - 10 years of age. Adults can sometimes be affected. Boys and girls are equally ...
Brain Tumor, Nonfunctional pituitary adenoma
Almost half of all pituitary tumors are what is called non-functioning tumors. This means that they do not produce any hormones themselves. But the presence and position of the tumor can cause headaches, vision problems or put pressure on the pituitary ...
Brain Tumor, Primary CNS (Non-Hodgkin) lymphoma
A primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), also known as microglioma and primary brain lymphoma, is a primary intracranial tumor appearing mostly in patients with severe immunosuppression (typically patients with AIDS). The central nervous system ...
Breast Cancer
A cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. Breast cancer can occur in women and rarely in men. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast. ...
Bruton (X-linked) agammaglobulinemia
Bruton agammaglobulinemia, also known as X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) or Bruton's agammaglobulinemia, is an inherited immunodeficiency disorder. It is characterized by the absence of mature B cells which in turn leads to severe antibody deficiency ...
Buerger's Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans) (Vascular Disease)
Buerger's disease most commonly affects the small and medium sized arteries, veins, and nerves. Although the cause is unknown, there is a strong association with tobacco use or exposure. The arteries of the arms and legs become narrowed or blocked, ...
Burns
Damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity, or chemicals. The degree of severity of most burns is based on the size and depth of the burn. Electrical burns, however, are more difficult to diagnose because they're ...
Cancer
Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual ...
Carcinoma, Thyroid cancer
If thyroid cancer spreads (metastasizes) outside the thyroid, cancer cells are often found in nearby lymph nodes, nerves, or blood vessels. If the cancer has reached these lymph nodes, cancer cells may have also spread to other lymph nodes or to other ...
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is disease that damages the heart muscles and leads to heart failure. There are several different types. Injury to the heart muscles may cause the heart muscles to thin out (dilate) or become too thick (become hypertrophic). In either case, ...
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is primarily found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. People with celiac disease who eat foods ...
Cellulitis
A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection. With cellulitis, the bacteria enter the skin. Cellulitis may spread rapidly. Affected skin appears swollen and red and may be hot and tender. Without treatment with an antibiotic, cellulitis can ...
Cerebrovascular disease Atherosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis)
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes ...
Cervical Cancer
A malignant tumor of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus. A malignant tumor of the lower most part of the uterus (womb) that can be prevented by PAP smear screening and a HPV vaccine. There may be no symptoms. In a few cases, there may be ...
Cervical Conization (cone biopsy)
Cervical conization is an excisional surgical procedure employed to diagnose cervical dysplasia and for therapeutic purposes in some patients. Also known as cone biopsy, this procedure involves the removal of a cone-shaped section of the cervix, ...
Chemotherapy
Because cancer cells grow and divide rapidly, anticancer drugs are designed to kill fast-growing cells. But some normal, healthy cells also grow and divide quickly, and chemotherapy can affect these normal cells too, causing side effects to happen. The ...
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It can cause an itchy, blister-like rash among other symptoms. The rash first appears on the chest, back, and face, and then spreads over the entire body. Chickenpox can ...
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is defined as inflammation of the gallbladder that occurs most commonly because of an obstruction of the cystic duct from cholelithiasis. Ninety percent of cases involve stones in the cystic duct (ie, calculous cholecystitis), with the other ...
Choledochal Cyst
Choledochal cyst is a problem with the tubes (ducts) that carry bile from your child's liver to their gallbladder and intestine. The tubes get bigger than normal (dilate) or pouches form on the tubes. This keeps bile from flowing well, which can cause ...
Chorea (dyskinesias)
Chorea is a movement disorder where people have brief movements they cannot control. These movements drift from one muscle to another and can involve virtually any part of the body. Chorea is a common symptom of Huntington’s disease and other less-common ...
Chronic Bacterial infection
A bacterium can survive on its own, inside or outside the body. Some bacteria can cause infections. Persistent bacterial infections are characterized by a long incubation period to leads to chronic, sometimes lifelong, debilitating disease with serious ...
Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is a persistent cough that lasts for at least eight weeks, and often much longer. Although cough is a common symptom of many lung diseases, chronic cough can't always be linked to another disease or condition and it often doesn't respond to ...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent fatigue and other associated symptoms (e.g., musculoskeletal pain, sleep disruption, memory impairments) lasting at least 6 months. The fatigue is not related to other medical conditions, ...
Churg-Strauss syndrome (Wegener's Granulomatosis)
Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a form of primary systemic autoimmune vasculitis characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs and tissues, sometimes permanently damaging them. In CSS, vasculitis ...
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis refers to the replacement of normal liver tissue with non-living scar tissue. It is always related to other liver diseases. As cirrhosis becomes worse, the liver will have less healthy tissue. If cirrhosis is not treated, the liver will fail and ...
Citrullinemia (Argininosuccinate Synthetase Deficiency, CTLN1)
Citrullinemia is an inherited disorder that causes excess nitrogen, in the form of ammonia, and other toxic substances to build up in the blood. An untreated infant with early-onset citrullinemia type 1 is expected to live only 17 days as the longest ...
Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a possible diagnosis for patients who experience an episode that may represent the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervous system, or may represent an isolated episode that does not require ...
Clostridia, Clostridial infection
Clostridial infection, any of several infectious conditions in humans and other animals resulting from Clostridium species, bacteria that are found in soil and that enter the body via puncture wounds or contaminated food. These bacteria synthesize and ...
Collagen Vascular Disease
Collagen vascular disease occurs when problems with the immune system affect collagen. Collagen is a tough, fiber-like protein that makes up 30% of body protein. It contributes to the structure of tendons, bones, and connective tissues. In a class of ...
Colon Cancer, colorectal cancer
A cancer of the colon or rectum, which may begin as noncancerous polyps. Colorectal cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the lower end of the digestive tract. Most of these cancers start as noncancerous growths called polyps. Removing polyps can ...
Common variable immunodeficiency
Common variable immunodeficiency, also called CVID, is an immune system disorder that causes low levels of the proteins in the body that help fight infections. People with CVID have repeated infections in the ears, sinuses and the system for breathing, ...
Congenital
Congenital disorders can be defined as structural or functional anomalies that occur during intrauterine life. Also called birth defects, congenital anomalies or congenital malformations, these conditions develop prenatally and may be identified before or ...
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart function as a pump is inadequate to deliver oxygen rich blood to the body. Congestive heart failure can be caused by: diseases that weaken the heart muscle; diseases that cause stiffening of ...
Connective Tissue Disease
Connective tissue disease refers to a group of disorders involving the protein-rich tissue that supports organs and other parts of the body. Examples of connective tissue are fat, bone, and cartilage. These disorders often involve the joints, muscles, and ...
Coronary Artery Disease Atherosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis)
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes ...
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become ...
Crohn's Disease (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBD)
Crohn's disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the intestine. It is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. ...
Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time. The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome, sometimes called hypercortisolism, is the use of oral corticosteroid medication. The condition can ...
Cystic Fibrosis (Mucoviscidosis)
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening, inherited disorder that mainly affects the lungs and pancreas; however it can also affect other organs in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. This disease is also recognized by the following names - ...
Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus found around the world. It is related to the viruses that cause chickenpox and infectious mononucleosis (mono). From 50% to 80% of adults in the US have had a CMV infection by age 40. Once CMV is in a person's body, it ...
Deep Vein Thrombosis (Vascular Disease)
DVT is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in a calf or thigh muscle. DVT can partly or completely block blood flow, causing chronic pain and swelling. It may damage valves in blood vessels, making it difficult for you to get around. A ...
Dehydration (Volume depletion)
Dehydration (volume depletion) occurs when body loses more fluid than taken in, and the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. Common causes of dehydration include hemorrhage, vomiting, intense diarrhea, ...
Delirium tremens, Alcohol withdrawal
Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. Delirium tremens can occur when you stop drinking alcohol after a period of heavy drinking, especially if you do not eat enough food. ...
Dengue
Dengue fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. These viruses are related to the viruses that cause West Nile infection and yellow fever. Each year, an estimated 100 million cases of ...
Depression
Depression has an incredibly low rate of correct diagnosis. Common in primary care, affecting 5% to 10% of patients in this setting. Often have a personal or family history of depression; have experienced a recent stress, trauma, or loss; or have comorbid ...
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, including seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Although the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms, it ...
Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body. Symptoms include frequent ...
Diabetes Insipidus
The disorder characterized by intense thirst and the excretion of large amounts of urine (polyuria). In most cases, it's the result of your body not properly producing, storing or releasing a key hormone, but diabetes insipidus (DI) can also occur when ...
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces very high levels of blood acids called ketones. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) results from dehydration during a state of relative insulin deficiency, associated ...
Diarrhea
Loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than usual. Diarrhea is usually caused by a virus or, sometimes, contaminated food. Less frequently, it can be a sign of another disorder, such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. ...
DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an abnormal activation of coagulation (blood clotting) mechanisms that can develop as the result of a variety of diseases and conditions. It is associated with inappropriate blood clotting (thrombosis) ...
Diverticulosis (Diverticulitis, Diverticular disease)
Diverticulitis is small, bulging sacs or pouches of the inner lining of the intestine (diverticulosis) that become inflamed or infected. Most often, these pouches are in the large intestine (colon). No one knows exactly what causes the sacs, or pouches of ...
Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby's body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth. Typically, a baby is born ...
Dysmetria, Ataxia
Dysmetria is the inability to control the distance, speed, and range of motion necessary to perform smoothly coordinated movements. Dysmetria is a form of ataxia (issues with coordination). Dysmetria is a symptom - and/or a complication - of cerebellar ...
Dystonia
Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract involuntarily. This can cause repetitive or twisting movements. The condition can affect one part of your body (focal dystonia), two or more adjacent parts (segmental dystonia), or all ...
Ebola
Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD), is a type of hemorrhagic fever. It is a rare and often deadly disease. It can be caused by several different types of Ebola viruses. There are occasional outbreaks of Ebola, and they mostly occur in Africa. ...
Eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are basically two forms of the same disorder. Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy involving a sudden increase in blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling of the extremities. Women with pre-eclampsia are ...
Ectopic Pregnancy, Eccysis
In a normal pregnancy, a fertilized egg travels through a fallopian tube to the uterus. The egg attaches in the uterus and starts to grow. But in an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches (or implants) someplace other than the uterus, most often ...
Eczema, Atopic dermatitis
Eczema is a general term for many types of skin inflammation (dermatitis). The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis (sometimes these two terms are used interchangeably). However, there are many different forms of eczema. Eczema can affect ...
Edwards syndrome, Trisomy 18
Trisomy 18 is a disorder in which babies are born with 3 copies of chromosome 18 instead of 2. For an unknown reason, this accident occurs at the time of conception and all cells in the body will have this structure. In 90-95% of the children with Trisomy ...
Emphysema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The lungs are a pair of organs in the chest that are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Emphysema, along with chronic bronchitis, together are referred to as Chronic Obstructive ...
Encephalitis
Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain parenchyma, presents as diffuse and/or focal neuropsychological dysfunction. Although it primarily involves the brain, the meninges are frequently involved (meningoencephalitis). Serious, complex, and potentially ...
Encephalopathy
A broad term for any brain disease that alters brain function or structure. Your brain function is altered when it's injured due to an accident, infection or disease. Encephalopathy is a term for this serious neurological change. The condition commonly ...
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an inflammation of heart's inner lining. The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs enter the heart. These germs come through the bloodstream from another part of the body, often from mouth. Bacterial endocarditis can ...
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. Endometriosis can start at a person's first menstrual period and last until ...
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
In eosinophilic esophagitis, a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) builds up in the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach (esophagus) as a reaction to foods, allergens or acid reflux. When that happens, the eosinophils can inflame or injure the ...
Epidural Hematoma
Epidural hematoma is a traumatic accumulation of blood between the inner table of the skull and the stripped-off dural membrane. The inciting event often is a focused blow to the head, such as that produced by a hammer or baseball bat. In 85-95% of ...
Epileptic, Phenobarbital usage, Barbiturate Abuse
Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effects. While barbiturate abuse may not be as talked about as some other drugs, statistics show ...
Erythema multiforme
Erythema multiforme is a skin disorder due to an allergic reaction or infection. Erythema multiforme is a type of hypsersensitivity reaction that occurs in response to medications, infections, or illness. Medications include: Barbiturates; Penicillins; ...
Essential Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure. Essential hypertension means that the cause of high blood pressure is not known. Blood pressure measures the force against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your ...
Essential thrombocytosis (Primary thrombocythemia)
This is the clinical syndrome characterized by repeated spontaneous hemorrhages and a remarkable increase in the number of circulating platelets. An increased number of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood, without a known cause. A chronic ...
E
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few particularly nasty strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe ...
Fanconi syndrome
Fanconi syndrome is a condition where the tubules of the kidneys do not function properly. In the normal kidneys the tubules there function to reabsorb vitamins, minerals, and sugars back into the body to be reused. This is a disorder of the kidney tubes ...
Felty syndrome
Felty syndrome is a rare disorder that involves rheumatoid arthritis, a swollen spleen, decreased white blood cell count, and repeated infections. It is more common in people who have had rheumatoid arthritis for a long time. People with this syndrome are ...
Fever
A fever is usually a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on in your body. For an adult, a fever may be uncomfortable, but fever usually isn't dangerous unless it reaches 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. For very young children and infants, a ...
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome diagnosed by the presence of widespread body pain (front and back, right and left, both sides of the diaphragm) for at least 3 months in addition to tenderness (digital palpation at an approximate force of 4 kg) of ...
Fibrosis
The term fibrosis describes the development of fibrous connective tissue as a reparative response to injury or damage. Fibrosis may refer to the connective tissue deposition that occurs as part of normal healing or to the excess tissue deposition that ...
Fibrous dysplasia
Fibrous dysplasia is a benign (noncancerous) bone condition in which abnormal fibrous tissue develops in place of normal bone. As these areas of fibrous tissue grow and expand over time, they can weaken the bone - causing it to fracture or become ...
Folate deficiency
Folate deficiency means you have a lower than normal amount of folic acid, a type of B vitamin, in your blood. Folic acid works with vitamin B12 and vitamin C to help the body break down, use, and make new proteins. The vitamin helps form red blood cells. ...
Fungal Infection
Fungal infections are any disease or condition you get from a fungus. They usually affect your skin, hair, nails or mucous membranes but they can also infect your lungs or other parts of your body. You’re at higher risk for fungal infections if you have a ...
Galactose malabsorption/intolerance, Galactosemia
Glucose and galactose are two common sugars, which are present in many foods. They are found as free sugars, but also in combination with other sugars (e.g. sucrose – table sugar – is made up of glucose and fructose, or lactose (milk sugar) is made up of ...
Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)
Cholelithiasis is the medical term for gallstone disease. Gallstones are hard, pebble-like deposits that form inside the gallbladder. Gallstones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Gallstones are concretions that form in the ...
Ganglioneuroma
Ganglioneuroma is a tumor of the peripheral nervous system. A person with a ganglioneuroma has a tumor that forms in the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. A ganglioneuroma may form near the brain or spinal cord, or in the chest or abdomen. ...
Gangrene
Gangrene refers to the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection. Gangrene most commonly affects the extremities, including your toes, fingers and limbs, but it can also occur in your muscles and internal organs. Chances of ...
Gastric Cancer, Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer, which is also called gastric cancer, is a growth of cells that starts in the stomach. The stomach is in the upper middle part of the belly, just below the ribs. The stomach helps to break down and digest food. Stomach cancer can happen in ...
Gastroenteritis (Enteritis, Colitis)
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the ...
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a type of cancer that begins in the digestive system. GIST s happen most often in the stomach and small intestine. A GIST is a growth of cells that's thought to form from a special type of nerve cells. These ...
Genital arterial disease Atherosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis)
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes ...
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of hyperglycemia seen in some pregnant women, usually late in their pregnancy. The cause is unknown, but it is thought that some hormones from the placenta increase insulin resistance in the mother, causing elevated blood ...
Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal arteritis, Cranial arteritis)
Giant cell arteritis is an inflammation of the lining of arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a common form of vasculitis in people aged 50 years or older. Mostly it ...
Giant Platelet, Megathrombocytes
Giant platelets are larger than 7 micrometers and usually 10 to 20 micrometers (larger than a normal red blood cell). Large platelets can be seen when platelet turnover is increased (as in immune thrombocytopenic purpura). The term giant platelet is used ...
Giardia, Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis (or 'Giardia' for short). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop). Giardia infection ...
Gilbert's syndrome (Nonhemolytic Jaundice)
Gilbert's syndrome is a common, mild liver condition in which the liver doesn't properly process a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. Gilbert's syndrome typically is harmless and doesn't require ...
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is not just one eye disease, but a group of eye conditions resulting in optic nerve damage, which may cause loss of vision. Abnormally high pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure) usually, but not always, causes this damage. Glaucoma is ...
Glioblastoma (brain tumor)
Glioblastoma begins in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes that help protect the brain from diseases in the blood and provide it with nutrients. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell. Glial cells supply the brain with nutrients and give the brain its ...
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged. Glomerulonephritis may be caused by problems with the body's immune system. Often, the exact cause of ...
Glutaric acidemia, glutaric aciduria
Glutaric acidemia type I (also called glutaric aciduria type I) is an inherited disorder in which the body is unable to process certain proteins properly. It is classified as an organic acid disorder, which is a condition that leads to an abnormal buildup ...
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. N. gonorrhoeae infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the ...
Gout; Gouty arthritis (Hyperuricemia)
Gout is a type of arthritis, in which crystals of sodium urate produced by the body can form inside joints. The most common symptom is sudden and severe pain in the joint, along with swelling and redness. The joint of the big toe is usually affected, but ...
Graft versus host disease
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a systemic disorder that occurs when the graft's immune cells recognize the host as foreign and attack the recipient's body cells. 'Graft' refers to transplanted, or donated tissue, and 'host' refers to the tissues of ...
Granuloma, Granulomatous
A granuloma is a tiny cluster of white blood cells and other tissue. It can appear in your lungs, skin or other parts of your body. Granulomas aren't cancerous. They form as a reaction to infections, inflammation, irritants or foreign objects. The most ...
Graves Disease; Hyperthyroidism
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that can cause overactivity of the thyroid -- a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can also result from toxic nodules, certain medications and supplements, and temporary viral infections of the ...
Group B Strep infection
If you are pregnant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a group B strep screening between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy. Your doctor will take a swab sample from your vagina and rectum and send it to a lab for testing. A positive ...
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is an overdevelopment or enlargement of the breast tissue in men or boys. The breasts become larger. They often grow unevenly. It is often caused by changes in levels of the female hormone (estrogen) and the male hormone (testosterone). Other ...
Hallucinations
Hallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind. A hallucination is a perception in the absence of an external stimulus that has the qualities of a real perception. ...
Hashimoto Thyroiditis; Hypothyroidism
The major symptoms of hypothyroidism (weight gain, depression, fatigue) are often attributed to other causes, and the disease can go untreated for years because of this. Some estimate that as much as 15% of the population has it to some degree, and a ...
Hay Fever, Allergic rhinitis
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever is not caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to ...
Heart Attack, Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of your heart is blocked for a long enough time that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies. The medical term for this is myocardial infarction. Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks ...
Heart disease, Cardiovascular disease
Heart disease is a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect your heart. The various diseases that fall under the umbrella of heart disease include diseases of your blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems ...
Heart Failure (see also Heart Disease)
Heart failure is a term used to describe a heart that cannot keep up with its workload. The body may not get the oxygen it needs. Heart failure is a lifelong condition in which the heart muscle can't pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood ...
Hematuria
Blood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the blood is visible. It often turns the toilet water red or pink. This condition happens when the kidneys or ...
Hemochromatosis (Iron overload)
Hemochromatosis is too much iron in the body. It is also called iron overload. There are two types of hemochromatosis: Primary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder passed down through families. It occurs at birth. People with this condition absorb too ...
Hemolytic Anemia (Thalassemia)
Rarely, anemia is due to problems that cause the red blood cells (RBCs) to die or be destroyed prematurely. Normally, red cells live in the blood for about 4 months. In hemolytic anemia, this time is shortened, sometimes to only a few days. The bone ...
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition that results from the abnormal premature destruction of red blood cells. Once this process begins, the damaged red blood cells start to clog the filtering system in the kidneys, which may eventually cause the ...
Hemorrhoids (Rectal lump, Piles)
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus. Hemorrhoids are very common, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. They result from increased pressure in the veins of the anus. The pressure causes the veins ...
Hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible syndrome observed in patients with advanced liver dysfunction. This syndrome is characterized by a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities resulting from the accumulation of neurotoxic substances in the ...
Hepatic necrosis
Acute, toxic injury to the liver with sudden and precipitous onset, marked elevations in serum aminotransferase levels, and early signs of hepatic or/and other organs dysfunction or failure despite minimal or no jaundice. Rapid recovery after withdrawal ...
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. It is not a condition, but is often used to refer to a viral infection of the liver. Your liver helps your body digest food, store energy and remove poisons. Hepatitis is a swelling of the liver that ...
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation that affects your liver's ability to function. You're most likely to contract ...
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, leading to liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver. Most ...
Hepatitis C, HCV
Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms. In fact, most people don't know they have the hepatitis C infection until liver damage ...
Herpes Simplex
Herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It affects ...
Histidinemia
Histidinemia is a rare hereditary metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme histidase, which is necessary for the metabolism of the amino acid histidine. The concentration of histidine is elevated in the blood. Histidinemia is caused ...
HIV (AIDS, Human Immunodeficiency)
AIDS is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV is a sexually transmitted ...
Hodgkin's lymphoma (Cancer)
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites. The cause is not known. Hodgkin's lymphoma is most common among people ages 15 - 35 and 50 - 70. Most commonly presents with painless ...
Homocystinuria
Homocystinuria is a genetic disorder that affects the metabolism of the amino acid methionine. Amino acids are the building blocks of life. Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the breast bone (sternum) appears sunken and the chest concave. It is ...
Hydroxylase Deficiency (Congenital Adrenogenital disorders)
21-hydroxylase deficiency is an inherited disorder that affects the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and produce a variety of hormones that regulate many essential functions in the body. In people with 21-hydroxylase ...
Hyperactivity, ADHD
ADHD is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder. An individual with ADHD finds it much more difficult to focus on something without being distracted. He has greater difficulty in controlling what he is doing or saying and is less able to control how much ...
Hyperammonemia
Hyperammonemia is a metabolic condition characterized by the raised levels of ammonia, a nitrogen-containing compound. Normal levels of ammonia in the body vary according to age. Hyperammonemia can result from various congenital and acquired conditions in ...
Hypercalcemia
Too much calcium in the blood. Hypercalcemia is most often caused by overactivity in the four tiny glands in the neck (parathyroid glands) or from cancer. Extra calcium in the blood affects many body systems. Symptoms of hypercalcemia range from mild to ...
Hypercalciuria
Hypercalciuria means excess calcium in the urine. It may be secondary—that is, a side-effect of some other condition causing high levels of calcium in the bloodstream—or it may be “idiopathic”—occurring on its own, with normal blood calcium levels. Causes ...
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum or plasma potassium level above the upper limits of normal, usually greater than 5.0 mEq/L to 5.5 mEq/L. While mild hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic, high potassium levels may cause life-threatening cardiac ...
Hyperlipidemia, Dyslipidemia
Lipid is the scientific term for fats in the blood. At proper levels, lipids perform important functions in your body, but can cause health problems if they are present in excess. The term hyperlipidemia means high lipid levels. Hyperlipidemia includes ...
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is a disorder in which the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). The parathyroid glands are located in the neck, near or attached to the back side of the thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid ...
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia is marked by abnormally high levels of the hormone prolactin (which stimulates breast milk production during and after pregnancy) in the blood. It is caused by a benign tumor (prolactoma) in the pituitary gland, which controls ...
Hyperprolinemia
Hyperprolinemia is a condition which occurs when the amino acid proline is not broken down properly by the enzymes proline oxidase or pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase, causing a buildup of proline in the body. The signs and symptoms of ...
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions are exaggerated or inappropriate immunologic responses occurring in response to an antigen or allergen. Type I, II and III hypersensitivity reactions are known as immediate hypersensitivity reactions because they occur within 24 ...
Hypoglobulinemia, Hypogammaglobulinemia
Decreased globulin concentration (hypoglobulinemia) Decreases in alpha and beta globulins are not significant. Decreased gamma globulins are seen when there is a deficiency of immunoglobulins (dependent on class of immunoglobulin involved and severity of ...
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than the standard range. Glucose is your body's main energy source. Hypoglycemia is often related to diabetes treatment. But other drugs and a variety of conditions — many rare ...
Hypogonadism in male (Testicular hypofunction)
Hypogonadism is when the sex glands produce little or no hormones. In men, these glands (gonads) are the testes. Testicular Hypofunction is an endocrine disorder and usually affects the left testicle. The vein from the testicle will usually swell when you ...
Hypokalemia
Low blood potassium level is a condition in which the amount of potassium in the blood is lower than normal. The medical name of this condition is hypokalemia. Potassium is an electrolyte (mineral). It is needed for cells to function properly. You get ...
Hyponatremia (Hypo-osmolality)
Hyponatremia is when the level of sodium in your blood is lower than normal. Sodium is an important mineral that helps balance the amount of fluid (water) in your body. It also helps your nerves and muscles to work properly. When the sodium level in your ...
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition in which your body secretes abnormally low levels of parathyroid hormone (parathormone). This hormone plays a key role in regulating and maintaining a balance of your body's levels of two minerals: calcium and ...
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a rare disorder in which the pituitary gland either fails to produce one or more of its hormones or does not produce enough of them. This is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its ...
Hypotension (Low blood pressure)
Low blood pressure occurs when blood flows through your blood vessels at lower than normal pressures. The medical term for low blood pressure is hypotension. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as the heart ...
Hypothalamic dysfunction, Hypothalamic amenorrhea
Abnormal function of the thalamus located in the brain. The thalamus controls pituitary gland function which in turn controls other hormone producing glands such as the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovaries and testes. The thalamus also regulates ...
Hypotonia
Hypotonia means decreased muscle tone. Hypotonia is often a sign of abnormality in the case of a newborn or older infant, and may suggest the presence of central nervous system dysfunction, genetic disorders, or muscle disorders. Hypotonia is a lifelong ...
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP,Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), also known as primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, is defined as isolated thrombocytopenia with normal bone marrow and the absence of other causes of thrombocytopenia. ...
Infertility in women
Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after a year of unprotected intercourse. Women are born with a finite number of eggs. Thus, as the reproductive years progress, the number and quality of the eggs diminish. The chances of having a baby decrease ...
Inflammation (any)
Response of the body to injury such as trauma or infection; when localized, recognized by pain, heat, swelling and redness. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli (such as pathogens, damaged cells, or ...
Inflammatory Condition
A localized protective response resulting from injury or destruction of tissues. Inflammation serves to destroy, dilute, or wall off both the injurious agent and the injured tissue. In the acute phase, inflammation is characterized by the signs of pain, ...
Influenza; Flu
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as the stomach ...
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder. With insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good quality sleep. This happens even if you have the time and the right environment to sleep well. Insomnia can get in the way of your ...
Insulin Resistance (Metabolic syndrome)
In insulin resistance, the body's cells have a diminished ability to respond to the action of the insulin hormone. To compensate for the insulin resistance, the pancreas secretes more insulin. Normally, food is absorbed into the bloodstream in the form of ...
Intellectual disability
Intellectual disability is a term used when there are limits to a person's ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life. Intellectual function can be measured with a test. The main symptom is difficulty thinking and understanding. Life ...
Interstitial cystitis (Bladder pain syndrome)
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder disorder that predominantly affects young and middle-aged women, with an average age of onset of 40 years. But men can also develop IC, as can women of any age. Estimates of prevalence among US women range ...
Invasive Ductal carcinoma (IDC)
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is a type of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts of the breast and moves into nearby tissue. In time, IDC may spread (metastasize) through the lymph nodes or bloodstream ...
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia. Symptoms are related to the overall decrease in number of red blood cells and/or level of hemoglobin. The most common signs and symptoms include: feeling of tiredness, fatigue; lack of energy. ...
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, meaning it is a problem caused by changes in how the GI tract works. People with a functional GI disorder have frequent symptoms, but the GI tract does not become damaged. IBS is not ...
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition produced when excess amounts of bilirubin circulating in the blood stream dissolve in the subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat just beneath the skin), causing a yellowish appearance of the skin and the whites of the eyes. ...
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis; JRA; Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; JIA; Juvenile chronic arthritis; JCA
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis consists of joint inflammation and stiffness for more than six weeks in a child aged 16 or younger. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in the joints. Still, many children with JRA do not complain of ...
Kawasaki's Disease (Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome)
A condition that causes inflammation in the walls of some blood vessels in the body. It's most common in infants and young children. Early stages include a rash and fever. Symptoms include high fever and peeling skin. In late stages, there may be ...
Kidney Disease, Nephropathy
Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of fists. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. Inside each kidney about a million tiny structures called nephrons filter blood. They remove waste products and extra ...
Kidney Failure, Renal Failure
Acute kidney failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. When your kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of wastes may accumulate and your blood's chemical makeup may get out of ...
Kidney Stone (renal calculi)
Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. Each year, people make almost 3 million visits to health care providers and more than half a million people go to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems. Most kidney stones pass ...
Klinefelter Syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition that results when a boy is born with an extra copy of the X chromosome. Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition affecting males, and it often isn't diagnosed until adulthood. Klinefelter syndrome may ...
Lactose Intolerance, Lactase deficiency (hypolactasia)
Lactose intolerance, also called lactase deficiency and hypolactasia, is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and to a lesser extent milk-derived dairy products. Lactase deficiency is the most common form of disaccharidase deficiency. ...
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (Hashimoto-Pritzger disease, Histiocytosis X)
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a group of idiopathic disorders characterized by the presence of cells with characteristics similar to bone marrow–derived Langerhans cells juxtaposed against a backdrop of hematopoietic cells, including T-cells, ...
Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Children younger than 6 years are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental ...
Learning Disability
Learning disability is a general term that describes specific kinds of learning problems. A learning disability can cause a person to have trouble learning and using certain skills. The skills most often affected are: reading; writing; listening; ...
LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure)
A LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) allows your provider to remove abnormal tissue on the surface of your cervix and, if necessary, test it for cancer. Your provider may prescribe LEEP if a Pap test and colposcopy find abnormal cell growths. ...
Leprosy, Hansen's disease
A chronic, curable infectious disease mainly causing skin lesions and nerve damage. Leprosy is caused by infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the skin, eyes, nose and peripheral nerves. Symptoms include light colored or red ...
Leukemia
Leukemia is a bone marrow disorder that arises when one abnormal white blood cell begins to continuously replicate itself. These cells do not function normally, they do not fight infection as they should, and they do not die at the same rate as other ...
Leukopenia, Neutropenia
The decrease in the white blood cells count in the human blood is known as Leukopenia. This disease affects the ability of the body to counter diseases and infections. Leukopenia Symptoms may not be detected easily. The white blood cells present in the ...
Liver Cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Hepatoma)
Primary liver cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the liver. Secondary liver cancer is cancer that spreads to the liver from another part of the body. Hepatocellular Carcinoma usually arises in patients with cirrhosis of the liver due to any ...
Liver Disease
There are many types of liver disease. Some of the most common types are treatable with diet and lifestyle changes, while others may require lifelong medication to manage. If you begin treatment early enough, you can often prevent permanent damage. But ...
Lung Cancer
A cancer that begins in the lungs and most often occurs in people who smoke. Two major types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Causes of lung cancer include smoking, secondhand smoke, exposure to certain toxins, and ...
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded recorded 24,364 cases as confimed and 8,733 cases as probable. The infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, ...
Lymphedema (Vascular Disease)
The lymphatic system is a circulatory system that includes an extensive network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The lymphatic system helps coordinate the immune system's function to protect the body from foreign substances. Lymphedema is an abnormal ...
Lymphocytic Leukemia (lymphoblastic leukemia)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. The term 'chronic' in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that this leukemia typically progresses more ...
Lymphoma
A Lymphoma is a tumour that develops from the cells (lymphocytes) of the lymph glands (lymph nodes) located throughout the human body. The disease can spread, through the blood and/or lymphatic vessels, from the lymph nodes to other lymph nodes or organs, ...
Magnesium deficiency, Hypomagnesaemia (Disorders of magnesium metabolism)
Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. As magnesium deficiency worsens, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and coronary ...
Malaria
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have malaria usually feel very sick with a high fever and shaking chills. While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, ...
Male infertility (obstructive azoospermia)
Obstructive azoospermia refers to no sperm in a man's semen, as a result from problems with sperm delivery. Obstructive azoospermia accounts for around 40 percent of azoospermia cases. Most commonly, obstructive azoospermia results from previous ...
Malignant Hypertension (Hypertensive emergencies, High Blood Pressure)
Malignant hypertension is very high blood pressure that comes on suddenly and quickly. The lower (diastolic) blood pressure reading, which is normally around 80 mmHg, is often above 130 mmHg. The disorder affects about 1% of people with high blood ...
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare but serious inherited condition. It means the body cannot process certain amino acids (the 'building blocks' of protein), causing a harmful build-up of substances in the blood and urine. Normally, our bodies ...
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue - the fibers that support and anchor your organs and other structures in your body. People with the syndrome are usually tall and thin with long arms, legs, fingers and toes. Marfan ...
Mastocytosis
Mastocytosis is a disorder of abnormal mast cell proliferation with clinical features that include flushing, pruritus, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hypotension, syncope and musculoskeletal pain. These features are the result of mast cell mediator release and ...
Measles (Rubeola)
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, with at least a 90% secondary infection rate in susceptible domestic contacts. It can affect people of all ages, despite being considered primarily a childhood illness. Measles is marked by ...
Melanoma, Skin cancer
Melanoma is less common than some other types of skin cancer, but it is more likely to grow and spread. If you have melanoma or are close to someone who does, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Here you can find out all about melanoma, including ...
Meningitis
Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). The most common causes of meningitis are viral infections that usually get better without treatment. However, bacterial meningitis infections are extremely ...
Menopause
Menopause, confirmed after at least 12 consecutive months without menses or when both ovaries are removed or permanently damaged, marks the end of fertility. Menopause is a natural biological process, not a medical illness. Even so, the physical and ...
Menstruation
Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus, or womb, sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and ...
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury in any form is poisonous, with mercury toxicity most commonly affecting the neurologic, gastrointestinal and renal organ systems. There are three different types of mercury that cause health problems: Elemental mercury, also known as liquid ...
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Although uncommon, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare. The primary ...
Metabolic acidosis
Increased breathing rate (hyperventilation) to increase CO2 elimination. Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids. Metabolic acidosis occurs when the body produces too much acid, or when the kidneys are not ...
Metabolic alkalosis
Slowed breathing (hypoventilation) to decrease CO2 elimination. Alkalosis is a condition in which the body fluids have excess base (alkali). This is the opposite of excess acid (acidosis). The kidneys and lungs maintain the proper balance of chemicals, ...
Metastasis
Metastasis is a pathogenic agent's spread from an initial or primary site to a different or secondary site within the host's body; the term is typically used when referring to metastasis by a cancerous tumor. The newly pathological sites, then, are ...
Microcytic Anemia
Microcytic anemia refers to the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) smaller than normal in a lab sample. This finding is usually coupled with reduced hemoglobin in the RBCs, known as ...
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by a loss of efficiency in the electron transport chain and reductions in the synthesis of high-energy molecules, such as adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), is a characteristic of aging, and essentially, of all ...
Monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance [MGUS]
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which an atypical protein is found in the blood. The protein is called monoclonal protein or M protein. This protein is made in the soft, blood-producing tissue in the center of ...
Mononeuritis multiplex
Mononeuritis multiplex is a painful, asymmetrical, asynchronous sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy involving isolated damage to at least 2 separate nerve areas. Multiple nerves in random areas of the body can be affected. As the condition worsens, it ...
Mononucleosis (Mono, Epstein-Barr virus)
Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck. Mononucleosis, or mono, is often spread by saliva and close contact. It is known as ...
MRSA infection (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as ...
Mucopolysaccharidosis, Hunter syndrome (lysosomal storage disease)
Mucopolysaccharides consist of glycosaminoglycans attached to a link protein with a hyaluronic acid core. Lysosomal enzymes degrade these macromolecules into smaller components. Heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and keratan sulfate are by-products of an ...
Mucous Inflammation, Mucositis
Mucositis is inflammation of the mucosa, the mucous membranes that line your mouth and your entire gastrointestinal tract. It's a common side effect of cancer treatments involving radiation or chemotherapy. Mucositis is temporary and heals on its own, but ...
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell in the bone marrow—the soft, spongy tissue at the center of your bones. In healthy bone marrow, normal plasma cells make antibodies to protect your body from ...
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as an inflammatory demyelinating disease characterized by the presence of episodic neurologic dysfunction in at least 2 areas of the CNS (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves) separated in time and space. Today there is ...
Mumps (Parotitis)
Mumps is a disease caused by a virus that usually spreads through saliva and can infect many parts of the body, especially the parotid salivary glands. These glands, which produce saliva for the mouth, are found toward the back of each cheek, in the area ...
Myasthenia gravis (MG)
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles. Myasthenia gravis affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially those ...
Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis is a serious bone marrow disorder that disrupts your body's normal production of blood cells. The result is extensive scarring in your bone marrow, leading to severe anemia, weakness, fatigue, and often, an enlarged spleen and liver. ...
Myeloid leukemia
Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells. AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. Myeloid leukemia (AML) ...
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. In both cases, the body's immune system causes inflammation in response to an infection or some other trigger. The inflammation can reduce ...
Myositis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a muscle disease characterized by inflammation and a skin rash. It is a type of inflammatory myopathy. The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's ...
Myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Myotonic dystrophy can affect muscles of movement and often affects the electrical conduction system of the heart, breathing and swallowing muscles, bowels, ...
Necrosis
Necrosis is death of body tissue. It occurs when there is not enough blood flowing to the tissue, whether from injury, radiation, or chemicals. Necrosis is not reversible. This is the death of one or more cells in the body, usually within a localized ...
Nephrotic syndrome
A kidney disorder that causes the body to excrete too much protein in the urine. Nephrotic syndrome is often caused by damage to small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess water from the blood. An underlying health condition usually ...
Neural Tube Defects, Anencephaly
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are birth defects. They are a group of disorders that arise early in pregnancy that affect the development of a baby and can cause life-long complications of varying severity. During the first 3 to 4 weeks of a pregnancy, ...
Neuroblastoma cancer
A cancer that is commonly found in the adrenal glands. Neuroblastoma is a cancer often found in the small glands on top of the kidneys (adrenal glands). It can develop in the belly, chest, neck, pelvis, and bones. Children ages five or younger are most ...
Night epilepsy (Nocturnal epilepsy)
Some form of epilepsy may occur during sleep, but some types of epilepsy are more likely to be restricted exclusively to sleep. Some people have seizures occur only during sleep while others have both daytime and nocturnal seizures. Because the seizures ...
Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia (Glycine encephalopathy)
Nonketotic hyperglycinemia is a disorder characterized by abnormally high levels of a molecule called glycine in the body (hyperglycinemia). The excess glycine builds up in tissues and organs, particularly the brain. Affected individuals have serious ...
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Mycobacteria are a diverse group of rod-shaped bacteria that include more than 100 different species. Except for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (which causes the disease tuberculosis (TB)) and Mycobacterium leprae (which causes leprosy), most mycobacteria ...
Obesity
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone, or water, as well as from having too much fat. Presentation of obesity may range from ...
Oral contraceptives usage
Birth control pills contain one or two types of synthetic female hormones, estrogen and/or progestin. Similar hormones are normally made by the ovaries. Besides preventing pregnancy, there are other uses of oral contraceptives. Certain pills are also ...
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. While ...
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process of the bone and its structures secondary to infection with pyogenic organisms. Hematogenous osteomyelitis usually presents with a slow insidious progression of symptoms. Direct osteomyelitis ...
Osteopenia
Osteopenia is a condition that begins as you lose bone mass and your bones get weaker. This happens when the inside of your bones become brittle from a loss of calcium. It's very common as you age. Total bone mass peaks around age 35. Sometimes, ...
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle. So brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue, ...
Ovarian Cancer
Cancer of the ovaries is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the life-time risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1/71. They estimate that about 21,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in ...
Paget's Disease
Paget's disease of bone is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes bones to grow larger and become weaker than normal. The disease usually affects just one or a few bones. The bones most commonly affected by Paget's disease include: Pelvis, Skull. ...
Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer that begins in the organ lying behind the lower part of the stomach (pancreas). The pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars. This type of cancer is often detected late, spreads rapidly, ...
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar ...
Papilloma, Human Papillomavirus
HPV is the most common STI. There were about 43 million HPV infections in 2018, many among people in their late teens and early 20s. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems, including genital warts and cancers. But ...
Paraneoplastic syndromes
Paraneoplastic syndromes of the nervous system are a group of rare disorders that develop in some people with cancer. Paraneoplastic syndromes of the nervous system occur when cancer-fighting agents of the immune system attack nerve or muscle cells. ...
Parenchymal Disease
Renal Parenchymal Disease is a medical condition that affects the functional section of the kidneys which includes the renal cortex (the outermost part of the kidney) and the renal medulla. Our kidneys comprise of several components and structures ...
Parkinson's Disease
While Parkinson's is easily identifiable in its later stages, early onset of the disease can often be a difficult diagnosis to make. There are no precise tests or rubrics by which doctors can use to establish a diagnosis, and it is often mistaken for ...
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of one or more of the upper reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Untreated PID can cause scar tissue and pockets of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the ...
Pericarditis
Acute pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium characterized by chest pain, pericardial friction rub, and serial electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane that ...
Peripheral arterial disease Atherosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis)
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes ...
Peripheral neuropathy, Polyneuropathy
Weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, but it can also result from injuries, infections, and exposure to toxins. Symptoms include pain, a pins-and-needles ...
Pernicious Anemia (B Vitamin Deficiencies)
Pernicious anemia is a condition in which the body does not make enough of a substance called 'intrinsic factor'. Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by parietal cells in the stomach that binds to vitamin B12 and allows it to be absorbed from the small ...
Pertussis
Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper ...
Phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria, also called PKU, is a rare inherited disorder that causes an amino acid called phenylalanine to build up in the body. PKU is caused by a change in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. This gene helps create the enzyme needed to break ...
Pheochromocytoma
A pheochromocytoma is a rare, usually noncancerous, benign tumor that develops in the core of an adrenal gland. You have two adrenal glands, one just above each of your kidneys. Your adrenal glands produce hormones that give instructions to virtually ...
Pneumococcal Infection
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus). It causes contagious and potentially severe illness, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis, so early diagnosis and treatment is ...
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection. Bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a particular concern if you're older than 65 or have a chronic illness or weak immune system. It can also occur in ...
Pneumothorax
A pneumothorax is a collapsed lung, accumulation of air in the pleural space. Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between lungs and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of a lung and makes it collapse. In most cases, only a portion of ...
Poisoning
Many conditions mimic the signs and symptoms of poisoning, including seizures, alcohol intoxication, strokes and insulin reactions. If you suspect poisoning, call your regional poison control center or, in the United States, the National Capital Poison ...
Polyarteritis nodosa
Polyarteritis nodosa is a serious blood vessel disease in which small and medium-sized arteries become swollen and damaged. Polyarteritis nodosa is a disease that affects arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to organs and tissues. The ...
Polycystic Kidney Disease
According to the American Kidney Foundation, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common life threatening genetic disorder caused by a single gene and affects between 1 in 400 to 1,000 people worldwide. It is characterized by fluid-filled cysts ...
Polycystic Ovary syndrome, PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. The name of the condition comes from the appearance of the ovaries in most, but not all, women with the disorder — enlarged and containing numerous small cysts ...
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder in which bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. Polycythemia vera also may result in production of too many of the other types of blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. But it's the excess red blood cells ...
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a relatively common clinical syndrome of unknown etiology that affects elderly individuals. It is characterized by proximal myalgia of the hip and shoulder girdles with accompanying morning stiffness that lasts for more ...
Porphyria
Porphyria refers to a group of disorders that result in a buildup of chemicals called porphyrins in your body. Although porphyrins are normal body chemicals, it's not normal for them to build up. The cause is usually an inherited mutation. Porphyria ...
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying, or dangerous event. These stressful or traumatic events usually involve a situation where someone's life has ...
Preeclampsia, Toxemia of Pregnancy
Preeclampsia is defined as high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a woman who previously had normal blood pressure. Even a slight increase in blood pressure may be a sign of preeclampsia. Left untreated, ...
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the term used to describe when a woman has a growing fetus inside of her. In most cases, the fetus grows in the uterus. Human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or just more than 9 months, from the start of the last menstrual period to ...
Premature Menopause
Menopause before the age of 45 is called early menopause. Menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause. A spontaneous (natural) early menopause affects approximately 5% of the population before the age of 45. Premature menopause affects 1% ...
Premature Ovarian Failure
Premature ovarian failure is the cessation of menses for more than 1 year before 40 years of age secondary to loss of ovarian function. POF used to be called premature menopause. However, POF is not the same as menopause. Some women with POF still have ...
Priapism
Priapism is a prolonged erection of the penis. The unwanted, persistent erection is not caused by sexual stimulation or arousal, and priapism is usually painful. Pathologic condition of persistent (4 hours) penis erection in the absence of sexual ...
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic disease that causes the bile ducts in the liver to become inflamed and damaged and, ultimately, disappear. Bile is a liquid produced in the liver that travels through the bile ducts to the gallbladder and then the ...
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a disease of the bile ducts in your liver. The term ...
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland grow out of control. There are often no early prostate cancer symptoms, but some men have urinary symptoms and discomfort. Prostate cancer treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, ...
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. The prostate gland produces fluid (semen) that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostatitis often causes painful or difficult ...
Prosthetic Heart Valve Hemolysis
Prosthetic heart valves are associated with a variety of complications: Structural deterioration, particularly with bioprosthetic valves; Valve obstruction due to thrombosis or pannus formation; Systemic embolization Bleeding; Endocarditis and other ...
Protein‑losing enteropathy (intestinal malabsorption)
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a condition that causes the body to lose too much plasma protein into the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to low serum proteins and hypoalbuminemia. It can be caused by a variety of disorders, including ...
Proteinuria (Albuminuria)
Proteinuria is a condition characterized by the presence of greater than normal amounts of protein in the urine. It is usually associated with some kind of disease or abnormality but may occasionally be seen in healthy individuals. Plasma, the liquid ...
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. You usually get them on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet, but they can show up on other parts of your body. A problem with your ...
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that often occurs with psoriasis of the skin. Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin condition that causes red patches on the body. About 1 in 20 people with psoriasis will develop arthritis with the skin condition. ...
Pulmonary Edema (Fluid in the Lungs)
Pulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, which leads to shortness of breath. Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure. When the heart is not able to pump blood to the body efficiently, it can back up ...
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a common and potentially lethal condition. Most patients who succumb to pulmonary embolism do so within the first few hours of the event. Despite diagnostic advances, delays in pulmonary embolism diagnosis are common and represent an ...
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, lungs become progressively more short of breath. The scarring ...
Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection)
Pyelonephritis is caused by a bacterium or virus infecting the kidneys. Though many bacteria and viruses can cause pyelonephritis, the bacterium Escherichia coli is often the cause. Bacteria and viruses can move to the kidneys from the bladder or can be ...
Pylori
H. pylori is a type of bacteria that infects your stomach. It attacks your stomach and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum). This can cause redness and swelling (inflammation). Many people with the bacteria won't have any symptoms. It can ...
Raynaud's Phenomenon (Vascular Disease)
Raynaud's phenomenon consists of spasms of the small arteries of the fingers and sometimes the toes, brought on by exposure to cold or excitement. Certain occupational exposures bring on Raynaud's. The episodes produce temporary lack of blood supply to ...
Reactive Arthritis; Post-infectious arthritis
Reactive arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis featuring the following three conditions: 1) inflamed joints; 2) inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis); and 3) inflammation of the genital, urinary or gastrointestinal systems. Reactive arthritis is a ...
Reflux (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into your food pipe (esophagus). The backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD ...
Renal Artery Stenosis (Renovascular Hypertension)
Renal artery stenosis (narrowing) is a decrease in the diameter of the renal arteries. The resulting restriction of blood flow to the kidneys may lead to impaired kidney function (renal failure) and high blood pressure (hypertension), referred to as ...
Renal cell carcinoma
A type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of small tubes in the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is most common in older men. Risk factors include cigarette smoking and obesity. Many cases of renal cell carcinoma are symptomless until the conditon is ...
Renal ischemia
Renal ischemia is the deficiency of blood in one or both kidneys, or nephrons, usually due to functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessels. When the kidneys do not have an adequate amount of blood, renal ischemia can result. This ...
Renal Tubular Acidosis
Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine, which causes a person's blood to remain too acidic. Without proper treatment, chronic acidity of the blood leads to growth retardation, kidney ...
Respiratory acidosis
Kidney increases retention of HCO3- and excretion of acid. Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces. This causes body fluids, especially the blood, to become too acidic. ...
Respiratory alkalosis
Kidney decreases retention of HCO3- and excretion of acid. Alkalosis is a condition in which the body fluids have excess base (alkali). This is the opposite of excess acid (acidosis). The kidneys and lungs maintain the proper balance of chemicals, called ...
Respiratory Infection
Respiratory tract infections are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing, such as the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see a GP. Upper respiratory tract infections often ...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need ...
Reye Syndrome
Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition that can affect children or young adults after they've had an illness like flu or chickenpox. It can cause serious brain problems if it's not treated quickly. Symptoms of Reye's syndrome often start 1 to 3 weeks ...
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a rare muscle injury where your muscles break down. This is a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest. When this happens, toxic components of your muscle fibers enter your circulation ...
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop when strep throat or scarlet fever isn't properly treated. Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by an infection with streptococcus bacteria. Rheumatic fever most often affects children ages ...
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes stiffness, pain, loss of mobility, inflammation, and erosion (deterioration) in the joints. It usually affects multiple joints symmetrically, the hand and wrists most commonly, but also ...
Rickets, Osteomalacia
Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones in children, usually because of an extreme and prolonged vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract. A deficiency of vitamin D makes it ...
Risk of Miscarriage, Failing Pregnancy
An impending miscarriage will often have some distinct symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, but having these symptoms in pregnancy does not always mean a miscarriage. ...
Risk of Preterm delivery, Threatened preterm labor (TPTL)
Spontaneous premature labor is often associated with infection and inflammation, particularly at early gestations. Only a minority of women who present with preterm contractions progress to actual labor and delivery. Preterm labor occurs when contractions ...
Salmonella
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through stool (feces). Humans become infected most frequently through ...
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease that results from a specific type of inflammation of tissues of the body. Chronic multisystem disease of unknown etiology, commonly affecting the lungs, skin, and eyes, characterized by formation of noncaseating granulomas. Has a ...
Sarcopenia (Muscular wasting and disuse atrophy)
Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The main symptom of the condition is muscle weakness. Sarcopenia is a type of muscle atrophy primarily caused by the natural aging process. Scientists believe being physically ...
Sepsis, Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), Septicemia
Sepsis is a clinical term used to describe symptomatic bacteremia, with or without organ dysfunction. Currently, sepsis is commonly defined as the presence of infection in conjunction with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), with severe ...
Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis is an intensely painful infection in a joint. Bacteria, or less commonly fungi, can spread from other infected areas in your body to a joint. Sometimes bacteria infect only the joint, leaving other areas of your body unharmed. In septic ...
Severe combined immunodeficiency
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is very rare genetic disorder that causes life-threatening problems with the immune system. It is a type of primary immune deficiency (also called an inborn error of immunity). Essentially, a baby with SCID ...
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections generally acquired by sexual contact. The organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. Some of these infections ...
Shigella
Shigella infection (shigellosis) is an intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella. The main sign of shigella infection is diarrhea, which often is bloody. Shigella is very contagious. People get infected with shigella when they ...
Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle cell anemia)
Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. 'Sickle-shaped' means that the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent. Normal red blood cells are ...
Sinus, Sinusitis (rhinosinusitis)
Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining your sinuses. Sinuses are structures inside your face that are normally filled with air. Bacterial infections, viral infections and allergies can irritate them, causing them to get blocked ...
Sjogren Syndrome (Sicca syndrome)
Chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorder characterized by diminished lacrimal and salivary gland secretion (sicca complex). This is a disorder of the immune system identified by its two most common symptoms - dry eyes and a dry mouth. Sjogren's ...
Skin Infection
Germs can cause a skin infection. It often happens when the germs enter your body through a break, cut, or wound on your skin. Other skin infections can happen in places where the skin rubs together, especially if the area is moist. Infections can also ...
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. The worse the obstructive sleep apnea, the greater the risk ...
Splenic, hepatic, or peritoneal Hematoma (Hematoma in abdomen)
Hematoma is generally defined as a collection of blood outside of blood vessels. Most commonly, hematomas are caused by an injury to the wall of a blood vessel, prompting blood to seep out of the blood vessel into the surrounding tissues. A hematoma can ...
Splenic Sequestration
Splenic sequestration happens when too many blood cells get stuck in the spleen. It is a type of emergency that can happen to people, usually kids, who have sickle cell disease. During severe sequestration crisis, the blood-filled spleen may enlarge to ...
Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites. ...
Squamous-Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. It starts in squamous cells in the outer layer of your skin, the epidermis. Usually, squamous cell ...
Starvation
When our body is deprived of energy, either by dietary restriction or through compensatory behaviours the body responds with physical and psychological changes to protect itself against the adverse effects of food deprivation. This survival mechanism is ...
Strep Throat
A bacterial infection that may cause a sore, scratchy throat. The infection is generally transmitted by direct contact with the mucus or sores of someone else with strep. Common symptoms include sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. ...
Stress
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the ...
Stroke, Ischemic Stroke
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a 'brain attack'. If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage. ...
Subdural Hematoma
A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood on the surface of the brain. A subdural hematoma is an emergency condition. Subdural hematomas are usually the result of a serious head injury. When one occurs in this way, it is called an ...
Subungual Hematoma
A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood in the space between the nail bed and fingernail. Subungual hematomas result from a direct injury to the fingernail. The pressure generated by this collection of blood under the nail causes intense pain. ...
Sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Sweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps your body stay cool. Sweat is commonly found under the arms, on the feet, and on the palms of the hands. ...
Sympathetic uveitis
An inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea). The most common type is an inflammation of the iris called iritis (anterior uveitis). Symptoms include redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and dark floating spots in the field of vision. ...
Syphilis
A bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact that starts as a painless sore. Syphilis develops in stages, and symptoms vary with each stage. The first stage involves a painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. After the initial sore ...
Systemic Lupus erythematosus, SLE
Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation of various tissues of the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex ...
Systemic sclerosis, Scleroderma
Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease or systemic connective tissue disease that is a subtype of scleroderma. It is characterized by deposition of collagen in the skin and, less commonly, in the kidneys, heart, lungs ...
T-cell lymphoma
A type of cancer that forms in T cells (a type of immune system cell). T-cell lymphomas may be either indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing). Most T-cell lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphomas. There are many different types of T-cell ...
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles, the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum. Symptoms: There may be no symptoms. Most commonly presents as a hard, painless nodule on one testis noticed by the patient or at a regular ...
Thrombocytopenia (Thrombopenia)
This is a relative decrease of platelets in blood. A normal human platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microlitre of blood. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a low circulating platelet count (150,000 per microliter). Platelets are ...
Thrombophilia (Hypercoagulable state) (Coagulopathy)
Prothrombin thrombophilia is an inherited disorder of blood clotting. Thrombophilia is an increased tendency to form abnormal blood clots in blood vessels. People who have prothrombin thrombophilia are at somewhat higher than average risk for a type of ...
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (partial or complete blockage) within blood vessels, whether venous or arterial, limiting the natural flow of blood and resulting in clinical sequela. The ability of blood to flow freely in vessels relies on ...
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
In 1924, Eli Moschowitz, MD, described a girl who presented with an abrupt onset of petechiae and pallor followed rapidly by paralysis, coma, and death. Upon pathologic examination, the small arterioles and capillaries of the patient were found to have ...
Thymoma
A thymoma is a malignant epithelial tumor most commonly found in the prevascular mediastinum. It also can be found in the neck, pulmonary hilum, thyroid, lung, pleura, or pericardium. In gross examination; it is a well-circumscribed, tan, firm mass that ...
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis. Found worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals, but felids are the only known definitive hosts in which the parasite may undergo sexual ...
Trauma, Injuries
Traumatic injury is a term which refers to physical injuries of sudden onset and severity which require immediate medical attention. The insult may cause systemic shock called “shock trauma”, and may require immediate resuscitation and interventions to ...
Trichomoniasis
A sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. Trichomoniasis is among the most common sexually transmitted infections. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners and not using condoms during sex. Trichomoniasis causes a foul-smelling vaginal ...
Tuberculosis (Consumption, phthisis)
Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects your lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes. Tuberculosis was ...
Turner Syndrome
This is genetic disease that produces sterile females due to monosomy for X chromosome; the ovaries are rudimentary or missing; other abnormalities include short stature, webbed neck, and a broad chest with widely spaced nipples. Chromosomal abnormality ...
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, which used to be called insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes, makes up about 10% of the diabetes cases in the United States. Most cases of type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in those under the age of 30. Symptoms often develop abruptly and ...
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes. Those affected do make their own insulin, but it is either not in a sufficient amount to meet their needs or their body has become resistant to its effects. At the ...
Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBD)
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation in part of your digestive tract. Like Crohn's disease, another common IBD, ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes can lead to life-threatening ...
Ulcer (Peptic Ulcer, Stomach Ulcer)
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of esophagus, stomach and the upper portion of small intestine. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is abdominal pain. Peptic ulcers that occur on the inside of the stomach are called ...
Urea cycle disorder
Urea cycle disorders are inborn errors of metabolism resulting from defects in one of the enzymes or transporter molecules involved in the hepatic removal of ammonia from the bloodstream. Removal of ammonia from the bloodstream normally occurs via its ...
Uremia, Renal failure on dialysis
A condition involving abnormally high levels of waste products in the blood. Uremia is a dangerous condition that occurs when the kidneys no longer filter properly. It's likely to occur when a person is in the final stage of chronic kidney disease. ...
Urethral cancer
Urethral cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. In women, the urethra is about 1½ inches long and is just above the vagina. ...
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection that begins in your urinary system. Your urinary system is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Any part of your urinary system can become infected, but most infections involve the lower urinary ...
Varicose Veins (Vascular Disease)
Varicose veins are bulging, swollen, purple, ropy veins, seen just under your skin, caused by damaged valves within the veins. They are more common in women than men and often run in families. Varicose veins can be caused by faulty valves in one or more ...
Vasculitis, Angiitis, Arteritis
Vasculitis refers to a rare group of conditions characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. It occurs when the immune system attacks a person's own blood vessels. The cause of vasculitis is often unknown. In the absence of an identifiable cause, it is ...
Vitamin B6 deficiency (Pyridoxine deficiency)
As a coenzyme, vitamin B6 is a cofactor in over 100 enzymatic reactions. It contributes to neurotransmitter synthesis, interleukin-2 production, and hemoglobin formation. Vitamin B6 deficiency may present with seizures, mental status changes, anemia, ...
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency, when the level of vitamin D is too low, can cause bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen. This is most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, characterized by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 20 nanograms/mL. Vitamin D insufficiency ...
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes - skin cells that make pigment - are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color. It can ...
Wilson's disease
This is the rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the deposition of copper in the brain, liver, cornea and other organs; clinical features include liver cirrhosis, liver failure, splenomegaly, tremor, bradykinesia, dysarthria, chorea, muscle ...
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
What is Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome? Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a rare genetic immunodeficiency that keeps a child's immune system from functioning properly. It also makes it difficult for a child's bone marrow to produce platelets, making a child prone to ...
Worms, Helminthiasis
A person with threadworms (also known as pinworms) may have an itchy bottom or redness and scratch marks around the bottom. A child with threadworms may be irritable, not sleep very well and lose their appetite. Threadworms (come out of the anus at night ...
Wounds
An open wound is an injury involving an external or internal break in body tissue, usually involving the skin. Nearly everyone will experience an open wound at some point in their life. Most open wounds are minor and can be treated at home. Falls, ...
Yeast Vaginitis, Yeast infection (Candidiasis)
Yeast vaginitis, commonly referred to as yeast infection, is an all-too-familiar problem for many women. It can cause extreme itching and burning in the vulva and surrounding area and can be very hard to cure. Yeast is a type of fungus; when one speaks of ...
Zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency can result in skin changes that look like eczema at first, but do not improve with moisturisers, steroid creams or lotions. You may also experience symptoms including hair loss, more frequent infections, wounds that take a long time to ...