776 results found for "My"
1p36 deletion syndrome also known as monosomy 1p36 is a disorder of the chromosomes in which chromosome 1 loses the end part of its short arm. This disorder was first depicted during the late 90's and the early parts of 2000's. FISH testing is often required to be able to confirm a diagnosis. This condition can occur as a ?pure' case or it can occur together with other imbalances of the chromosome. [read more]
LCHAD or the long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase is one of the components of the trifunctional protein of mitochondria. When a person becomes deficient of LCHAD activity, he will soon show various manifestations of his inherited condition. [read more]
3-Methylglutaconic aciduria also known as MGA is a term that is used to depict at least 5 varying disorders which makes the body incapable of creating mitochondrial energy. Due to this impairment, 3-methylglutaric acid and 3-methylglutaconic acid create a buildup and their presence can be detected in the patient's urine. 3-Methylglutaconic acid, by classification, is an organic acid. The potency of this acid is made possible by the roles of the double carboxylic acids. The acid function makes the 3-methylglutaconic acid detectable. [read more]
3M syndrome is known by many names. It can also be called as Three M syndrome or dolicospondylic dysplasia; le Merrer syndrome or gloomy syndrome (because prevalent symptoms show malformities on the patients' faces). This is a very rare illness where only 32 patients have been reported to have acquired it. Its name originated from the names of the authors who first described the characteristics of the illness. The authors' names were Miller, J.D., Malvaux P. and the third is McKusick, V.A. No mental retardation has been mentioned as a result of 3M. This disorder is known as an autosomal recessive trait of the genes and can be inherited. [read more]
48 XXXX syndrome is a very rare disorder of the chromosomes where the normal XX combination becomes a quadruple X grouping. This condition is also called tetrasomy X, 48, XXXX or quadruple X and is only seen among females as there is no Y chromosome involved. The first occurrence of this disorder was discovered in 1961 and since then, there are about 100 reported cases globally. [read more]
The 49 XXXXX syndrome (also called as Penta X or pentasomy X) is a chromosomal condition that affects females. In a normal setup, females have only two X chromosomes and anything beyond this is abnormal. In the case of Penta X syndrome, there are an additional three X chromosomes which now totals five. The three additional X chromosomes are the ones that cause multiple problems. These extra X chromosomes are formed together with the two healthy chromosomes inside the nucleus of the human body cells. [read more]
Abdominal aortic aneurysm can be diagnosed on anyone but the most viable candidates are men aged over 60. Couple this range of age with some of the common risk factors and the patient is on his way to developing this condition. This disorder happens when a blood vessel enlarges abnormally or causes a protrusion. The abdominal aorta, which is a huge blood vessel, is the one responsible in supplying blood to the abdomen, the legs and the pelvic area. When this abdominal aortic aneurysm raptures, is truly becomes life-threatening and should be attended to immediately. [read more]
Abercrombie syndrome, also known as amyloid degeneration, is a progressive decay of the organ tissues due to the excessive amyloid infiltration that eats up the tissue fibers. It is sometimes known as waxy degeneration. [read more]
The deficiency or absence of T lymphocytes is a rare immuno-deficiency condition which is characterized by the lack of CD8(+) T lymphocytes and the absence or depression of the function of the T cell. A mutation of the gene for ZAP-70 (tyrosine kinase which has notable effects on indicating through the T cell receptor) has been associated with this syndrome. T cells are cells that belong to a cluster of white blood cells which are known as the lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are responsible in cell-mediated immunity. They are distinguished from the other types of lymphocytes (the NK cells and the B cells) through the presence of a specific receptor on the surface of these cells. This receptor is called as T cell receptor or the TCR. The T abbreviation in T cell refers to thymus which is the primary organ in the development of the T cell. [read more]
Acanthocheilonemiasis is an uncommon tropical infectious illness which is caused by Acanthocheilonema perstans, a parasite. This parasite causes rashes of the skin, chest and abdominal pains, joint and muscle pains, lumps on the skin and also neurologic defects. This disease is often transmitted when small flies bite the victim and the bite has the parasite with it. The scientific name of the fly that transmits the ?infectious bite' is A.Coliroides. Studies manifest that the white blood cell levels at elevated when the parasite is present in the human body. Acanthocheilonemiasis belongs to the parasitic diseases group which is called nematode or filarial diseases. This disease is often found in Africa only because the parasite is found abundantly on this region. Uganda, specifically, has had a lot of reported cases. A handful of patients were found in South America. Other names for this disease are Acanthocheilonemiasis perstans, Dipetalonema perstans, Mansonella perstans, and Dipetalonemiasis. [read more]
Accessory pancreas is a medical condition that is rare and in which there are little clusters of pancreatic cells that are distinct from the pancreas. This condition could occur in the mesentery of small intestines, duodenal walls, the upper portion of the jejunum or, in its rarest form?in the stomach walls, spleen, ileum or gallbladder. Accessory pancreas was first observed and described in 1859 by Klob. [read more]
Acid maltase deficiency or AMD is a type of autosomal recessive disorder which is characterized by an extreme buildup of glycogen contained by vacuoles (in almost all cell types) that are lysosome-derived. Quantities of free extralysosomal glycogen that are in excess have also been depicted. AMD was first observed and described by JC Pompe in 1932 at Amsterdam. He reported a case of a baby girl, aged 7 months, who became chronically ill from what they believed to be pneumonia. The autopsy that was done later showed an uncommonly engorged heart but with normal valves. This condition was called cardiomegalia glycogenica diffusa by Pompe. He considered it as a disorder that is analogous to the von Gierke syndrome. This very first article was soon followed by reports that seemed similar. The two other authors described the children as afflicted with cardiomegaly and acute muscle weakness. They died in their early infancy. Their disease was linked to an excess in the deposition of glycogen in numerous tissues. This disorder was then named the Pompe disease and by the year 1957, it was typified as type 2 glycogenosis by GT Cori. [read more]
Propionic acidemia also known as propionic aciduria or ketotic glycinemia is an uncommon metabolic disorder which is characterized by the deficiency of propionyl CoA carboxylase (an enzyme that is involved in breaking down the amino acids). It is categorized as branched-chain organic acidemia which often presents symptoms early on in the neonatal period which comes with progressive encephalopathy. [read more]
Acne vulgaris or just acne is a common skin disease which is caused by changes on the pilosebaceous units (structures of the skin which consist of sebaceous gland and a hair follicle). The severe cases of acne are often inflamed but it can also show up as non-inflamed. Lesions are common and they are called spots, zits or pimples. This condition is common during the stage of puberty (affecting about 85% of teeners) while some cases carry on to adulthood. Most acne cases diminish and then disappear over time and this begins during the early twenties of an individual's life. There are no means of predicting when the disease will totally disappear because some cases continue even when the person is already in his thirties or forties. Acne is an altered form of the Greek word akun (or skin eruption). The vernacular name bakne or bacne is used often to specify acne that is found at the back of a person. [read more]
Acoustic neuroma also known as a vestibular schwannoma is a primary intracranial tumor that is benign. This is a tumor of the cells that form myelin of the CN VIII or vestibulocochlear nerve. Neuroma is a derivation of a Greek word which means ?tumor of the nerve'. The name ?acoustic' is a misnomer because the tumor hardly occurs from the cochlear or acoustic part of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The precise medical name is vestibular schwannoma. This is because it engages the vestibular part of the eighth cranial nerve and it occurs from schwann cells (the cells that are responsible for the peripheral nervous system myelin sheath). [read more]
Ichthyosis is an inherited disorder of the skin. This disorder is an extreme type of ichthyosis which can afflict both sexes all over the world. When this disease is acquired because of a causal disorder, although, it is very rare; it is still not known how this occurs. But there are studies that claim that it can result from mutations of the genes. The mutated genes can be passed from one generation onto the next. The mutation is believed to cause the abnormality in the skin's standard lifecycle. Normal people shed dead skin cells unnoticed but patients of ichthyosis produce new cells of the skin at a rate where their rate of shedding could not cope. This way, there is a dead skin cell buildup and the patient's skin would then appear to be dry or scaly. Acquired ichthyosis often occurs in adulthood. It could occur before or after a systemic condition diagnosis. [read more]
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome also termed as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a compilation infections and symptoms that result from a specific damage to an individual's immune system. This is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (or HIV) and other similar viruses such as SIV or FIV. The late phase of HIV and AIDS exist to slow down the viral progression. Currently, there is still no cure for this illness. AIDS can be transmitted through direct contacts of the bloodstream or of a mucous membrane with any of the body fluids such as semen, blood, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or preseminal fluid. The modes of transmission could be sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, oral sex, anal sex, or a contact with hypodermic needles that are contaminated with the virus. Another unfortunate means of getting the virus is the exchange of fluids between the baby and its mother during pregnancy. [read more]
Syphilis is a venereal medical condition which is and which comes in two categories: acquired or congenital. Acquired syphilis is further divided into sub-categories which are early and late. The early stage consists of the primary, secondary and the early latent less than two years of being infected. The late sub-category is described as late latent greater than two years, tertiary which includes gummatous, neurological and cardiovascular involvement, the two latter forms are also termed as quartenary syphilis. [read more]
Acrodystrophic neuropathy, also known as Morvan disease, is a rare autoimmune defect characterized by muscle malignancies, severe cramps, myotonia, delirium and insomnia. There are only about 14 recorded cases of the illness disease since it was first discovered. [read more]
Actinomycetales infection is an infection which is bacterial in nature. This comes from the order of actinobacteria. The alternate names for this type of infection are: actinomycete infection; actinomycetales infection; or actinomycte infection. [read more]
Actinomycosis (pronounced ak-tuh-nuh-my-KOH-sihs) is a rare and infectious bacterial disease among humans. This is generally caused by Propionibacterium propionicus and actinoyces israelii, A.gerencseriae. This condition is unlikely a polymicrobial infection. Actinomycosis is a sub-acute to chronic bacterial disease which is caused by the filamentous, anaerobic to microaerophilic, and gram positive bacteria that are non-acid fast. [read more]
Acute erythroblastic leukemia is also known by other medical terms such as erythremic myelosis, erythroleukemia and the DiGuglielmo syndrome, which is the uncontrolled production of immature and undeveloped erythrocytes, more popularly known as the red blood cells. This type of leukemia is a rare form of cancer that originates from the marrow and blood. [read more]
Acute monoblastic leukemia otherwise known as acute monocytic leukemia is an acute type of myeloid leukemia. For patients to be considered a victim of AML-M5, he must have more than 20% blasts in the marrow. Monoblasts are largely distinguished for displaying a rough, circular nucleus and a delicate lacy chromatin. [read more]
Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) is known to be the most common type of leukemia, which is found in adults, although people pf all ages can be affected by this serious medical condition. In AML, underdeveloped leukemia cells accumulate in the patient's bone marrow, thereby causing the destruction and replacement of cells that would produce normal blood cells. [read more]
Acute pancreatitis is characterized as the rapid onset of inflammation of the pancreas. Depending on the severity of the condition, serious complications and high mortality occur despite treatment. This disease is usually prevalent among individuals with bile duct obstruction of prolonged alcohol abuse. [read more]
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a known subtype of AML or acute myologenous leukemia, which is a form of cancer of the bone marrow and the blood. APL patients suffer from the abnormal accumulation of underdeveloped granulocytes . APL is characterized as a disorder brought about by chromosomal translocation. [read more]
Acute renal failure is more popularly known as acute kidney failure or injury, and is characterized by the rapid loss of renal utility that causes serious damage to the kidney. Depending on the durationg and the extent of the condition, the accumulation may also be accompanied with metabolic disturbances such as acidification of the blood, fluid balance changes and elevated postassium levels. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention. [read more]
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or adult respiratory distress syndrome, is a serious reaction to various forms of injuries to the lung. This is the most important disorder that is caused by an increased permeability pulmonary edema. ARDS is a severe lung disease caused by different direct and indirect issues. It is marked by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure. This condition is life threatening and often lethal, typically requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. A less severe form of this disease is called acute lung injury (ALI). ARDS most commonly signified adult respiratory distress syndrome to differentiate it from infant respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. However, as this type of pulmonary edema also arises in children, ARDS has gradually shifted to mean acute rather than adult. The differences with the typical infant syndrome remain the same. [read more]
Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is a medical condition involving the death of tubular cells that form the tubule that transports urine to the ureters while reabsorbing 99% of the water, highly concentrating the salts and metabolic byproducts. Tubular cells continually replace themselves, and if the cause of ATN is taken out, then recovery is likely. ATN presents with acute renal failure and is one of the most frequent causes of ARF. The presence of "muddy brown casts" of epithelial cells present in the urine during urinalysis is pathognomonic for ATN. ATN may be classified as either toxic or ischemic. Toxic ATN arises when the tubular cells are exposed to a toxic substance (nephrotoxic ATN). Ischemic ATN occurs when the tubular cells do not get adequate amounts of oxygen, a condition they are highly sensitive to due to their very high metabolism. [read more]
Very-Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (VLCADD) is a rare autosomal recessive condition in which the body fails to oxidize fatty acids because an enzyme is either missing or not functioning correctly. Long-chain 3-hydroxy acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (LCHAD) is 1 of 3 enzymatic activities that comprise the trifunctional protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The other 2 activities of the protein are long-chain 3-ketoacyl CoA thiolase (LCKT) and 2-enoyl coenzyme A (CoA) hydratase (LCEH). The protein is an octamer made up of 4 alpha subunits that contain the LCEH and LCHAD activities, and 4 beta subunits that contain the LCKT activity. This enzyme complex helps metabolize long-chain fatty acids, and the LCHAD activity is specific for compounds of C12-C16 chain length. The genes for the alpha and beta subunits have been traced to chromosome 2. Affected infants with LCHAD deficiency, which is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, arise in infancy with acute hypoketotic hypoglycemia. These episodes usually appear for the first time after a fast, which usually occurs in the context of intercurrent illness with vomiting. [read more]
Adducted thumb syndrome recessive form, also known as Christian syndrome or Craniostenosis arthrogryposis cleft palate, is a rare disease that affects multiple systems which causes malformations of the palate, thumbs, and upper limbs. [read more]
Adrenal adenomas are categorized as benign or a non-cancerous form of tumour of the adrenal gland. It can arise from the gland's outer layer or what is known as as the adrebal cortez. Ig the adenoma produces hormones, it is considered as a functioning adenoma and non-functioning for adenomas that do not produce hormones. [read more]
Adenomyosis is more popularly known as amenorrhea, and is characterized as a serious health complication among women that consist of the detection of an ectopic endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, are found to extend into the muscular and fibrous tissue of the uterus.There are two known types of adenomyosis?primary and secondary. This disorder may coexist along with external endometriosis. [read more]
Adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMD) is a type of muscle-specific deficiency that is a common cause of many exercise-induced myopathy and is one of the most common causes of metabolic myopathy among human beings. [read more]
An adhesion is a band of fibrous tissue that binds the unconnected anatomic surfaces, which are separated from each other. It develops commonly in the abdomen after trauma or injury. Sometimes it is a congenital defect like the obstruction of the intestine. [read more]
Adie syndrome, sometimes reffered to as Adie's Tonic Pupil or Holmes-Adies Syndrome is categorized as a neurological disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system and the pupil of the patient's eye. It causes damage to the postganglionic fibers of the eye that is usually brought about by bacterial or viral infection. [read more]
Adrenal cancer is a very rare disease that begins in the patient's adrenal glands, which is located on the top section of the kidneys. The tumors can rapidly increase the production of hormones. The good news is about 99% of adrenal tumors are non-cancerous and would not normally require any form of treatment when small in size. It does not produce any detectable symptoms which is why patients diagnosed with this disorder find out about this condition purely by accident in other examination for completely unrelated diseases. [read more]
An adrenal incidentaloma is an adrenal mass which is seen during the imaging for other causes that are non-adrenal related. This means that the lesion was discovered serendipitously. Adrenal incidentaloma is the most common adrenal disorder and it is found during 1-5% of CT scans for the abdomen. 5-10% of patients who are diagnosed with adrenal incidentaloma have masses that are non-functioning (this is based on postmortem examinations). This disease affects both males and females with most of the incidentalomas being hormonally inactive and benign. There are only a few numbers of cases where adrenalectomy is required (and this is done only when the lesion becomes functioning and malignant). The diagnostic assessment often evaluates the hormonal activity of the lesion and if it is malignant. Assessment of functions require plasma dihydroepiadosterone; urinary catecholamines for 24 hours and metanephrines; a low dosage of a test of dexamethasone suppression; serum ACTH; standing serum renin to aldosterone ration for hypertension and hypokalemia. The evaluation of the danger of malignancy requires MRI or CT scans; on CT lesions that are malignant are not regular, non-homogeneous and have great attenuation; for lesions that are MRI malignant, an clear concentration on T2 weighed image; it may also be useful to have CT guided cytology; there is also a need to exclude paechromocytoma before this procedure; [read more]
The more proper term for adrenogenital syndrome is congenital adrenal hyperplasia or CAH. This refers to numerous other autosomal recessive disor which result from biochemical paths of cortisol setoidogenesis from cholesterol done by the adrenal glands. Most number of these conditions could have lesser or greater sex steroid production and they can alter primary or secondary sex characteristic development among adults, children and infant patients. Only a few cases of people with CAH can be appropriated with intersex condition although this attracted the attention of the American public in the 90's and since then, there have been various accounts that have been circulated. It is estimated that 95% of CAH cases are caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Conditions Caused by CAH The most common conditions that are caused by adrenogenital syndrome are: ambiguous genitals (in some female patients wherein it can be initially hard to know the exact sex of the infant); salt-wasting that causes vomiting (which may lead to dehydration and eventually?death); the early appearance of pubice or the occurrence failure or the delay of puberty (including sexual infantilism); too much facial hair; virilization; irregular menstrual periods during the adolescent stage; infertility caused by anovulation; and hypertension. [read more]
Adrenoleukodystrophy is also known as ALD, Sudanophilic leukodystrophy and Schilder's disease. This is a rare disorder that is inherited which often leads to progressive damage of the brain, adrenal gland failure and eventually, death. ALD belongs to a group of disorders that are inherited which are called Leukodystrophies. Leukodystrophies often progressively destroy the myelin (a complex fatty neutral tissue which insulates numerous nerves of the peripheral and central nervous systems). The absence of myelin intensifies destruction. Patients of this disorder have a missing essential protein called the transporter protein. The transporter protein is needed in carrying an enzyme (the one used in breaking down long chain fatty acid in a normal person's diet). A long chain fatty acid accumulation can bring about brain damage and adrenal gland damage. Usually, the patients of ALD are males who inherit the X-linked disorder. Leudodystrophies are not similar to demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis where the myelin is normally formed but is eventually lost through immunologic dysfunction or for other causes. [read more]
Adrenomyodystrophy is a rare genetic disease which is often characterized by chief adrenal insufficiency, acute psychomotor retardation, dystrophic myopathy, and an acutely swollen bladder which can result into death. [read more]
Aganglionosis is a medical term used to describe absence of the ganglia or ganglion cells from the myenteric plexus. [read more]
Aggressive fibromatosis is an unusual type of tumor that is locally persistent but not malevolent or malignant. Patient's symptoms will depend on the precise location and size of the tumor and also whether it reduces adjacent structures. [read more]
Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia is characterized as a condition that typically occurs when the bone marrow is scarred, resulting to its failure to function properly. With the reduced production from the bone marrow, the liver and the spleen will produce the necessary blood cells, causing it to become enlarged. This condition gradually develops through the years and often found in individuals over 50 years old. [read more]
Agyria which actually means smooth brain is an unusual brain formation disorder distinguished by the absence of normal folds in the brain. Malfunctioning neuronal movement is the cause of Agyria where in the nerve cells travel from their original place to their stable location. It is a kind of cephalic disorder. Convolutions or gyri refer to the folds in the brain and this forms the surface of the normal brain. Young patients who have Agyria has have a lack of or partially formed convolutions which makes the exterior of the brain smooth. [read more]
AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) is one of the most common complications of HIV-1 infection. It is severe and is greatly associated with high morbidity. Its pathogenesis is still a mystery although as compared with other opportunistic infections of HIV, it is believed to be caused directly by the HIV-1 virus. ADC was first seen alongside the AIDS epidemic. As with the term, there is the persistent cognitive deterioration which not only affects the intellect of the patient but including the motor complex and behavior. Also, myelopahty is an important aspect of the ADC. The moment the patient is diagnosed with the ADC, it is staged according to the ADC Staging System. The staging is composed of five steps which are based on the cognitive and motor incapacity of the patient. The earlier stage is when there are neurologic symptoms but without the functional impairment and the advanced stage is when there is severe dysfunction. Generally, ADC affects the patient's cognition, motor skills and behavior. Usually the cognitive and motor skills are the first ones affected and the diagnosis is usually made when the patient manifest impairment of these skills. In a study conducted on the ADC, it was found that ADC is commonly found for those with advanced HIV-1 infection although it is also commonly found in those with preserved helper lymphocyte. This means that immunosuppression has an effect on the development of the complex. According to the data by the Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA), ADC is strongly associated with the advanced stage of HIV. Moreover it also showed that there is strong relationship between survival rate and the development of stage 2 and over of ADC. Compared with the mortality rate of Pneumocystic carinii pneumonia, the 6-months cumulative mortality rate of ADC is three times greater. Compared with other neurologic diseases it is almost the same is the 85% rate if PML, 70% of CNS lymphoma and 51% of cerebral toxoplasmosis. The high rate may be attributed to ineffectiveness of antiviral treatment, the vulnerability of neurologic debility and the hopelessness attitude of the caregivers. According to the most recent studies the HIV-1 plays a significant role in the development of ADC particularly those with severe cognitive dysfunction. It was found that it is due to the production of the macrophages and microglia by the HIV-1, which affects the neuronal dysfunction. There is also the activation of the cytokine circuits and the neuropahtologic sequelae which causes neurotoxicity. By identifying these factors doctors may soon find effective treatment for ADC. [read more]
Albinism is the term used to describe a heterogeneous group that display genetically determined disorders that are generally characterized by hypopigmentation that largely affects the eyes. This group of disorders will result to little or no melanin production; hence patients don't have melanin on their skin, eyes and hair. Albinos are quite sensitive to sun exposure and at significantly more at risk of developing skin cancer. [read more]
Alcohol fetopathy is characterized by a series of congenital defects that affect the facial, cranial, cardiac and nueral abnormalities. This medical condition also involves mental and physical retardation that occur on infants arising from excessive alcohol intake by the mother during pregnancy. [read more]
Alexander disease is considered as a very rare type of neurological conditions that is known as leukodystrophies, which is a disorder results from abnormalities in myelin, the ?white substance? that protects the nerve fibers in the brain. Alexander disease is progressive in nature and is usually fatal. [read more]
Allan-Herndon syndrome is categorized as an extremely rare hereditary disorder that causes severe mental retardation along with impaired speech ability, diminished muscle tone, as well as possible movement abnormalities. For most infants afflicted with this medical condition tend to develop normally during the first few months. However, when the child reaches more or less six months, the baby will appear weak and unable to hold up its head and may never learn to walk on their own. [read more]
Alstrom syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder ? one of the rarest in the world, existing in only 266 reported cases in medical books and only 411 patients in 42 countries. First described by Carl Henry Alstrom in 1959, this condition is usually mistaken with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which has resembling symptoms. However, the Bardet-Biedl syndrome usually have later onset with its symptoms. [read more]
Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a very rare form of Alzheimer's disease that affects people aged 20 to 65. This condition is inherited in an ?autosomal dominant fashion?. As its name suggest, Familial AD occurs in patients with 2 or more first-degree relatives with AD history. However, only 5% of the total Alzheimer's disease account to familial AD. Emil Kraepelin first identified the symptoms of FAD, while Alois Alzheimer observed the characteristic neuropathology of FAD in 1906. [read more]
American trypanosomiasis, also known as Chagas' disease, is a human parasitic disease, which occurs in tropical areas in South America. The pathogenic agent of this disease is a ?flagellate protozoan? called ?Trypanosoma cruzi?, which is transmitted to mammals by blood-sucking assassin bugs of the Reduviidae Family. These insects are also called barbeiro, chupanca, chipo, vinchuca, benchuca and kissing bug. However, other forms of transmission are possible; some affected patients acquire the disease through fetal or blood transmission as well as ingestion of food contaminated with various parasites. [read more]
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. It is implemented to control pain or a disease, such as malignancy or gangrene. A special case is the congenital amputation, where foetal limbs have been taken off by constrictive bands. Amputation of the hands or feet is implemented as a form of punishment for people who committed crimes in some countries. [read more]
Amyloidosis is a unique and potentially deadly disease that takes place when substances called amyloid proteins build up in your organs; which areabnormal proteins commonly formed by cells in your bone marrow that can be deposited in any tissue or organ. [read more]
Amylotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys the motor neurons causing paralysis and eventual death. In this condition the nerves associated with voluntary muscle control degenerate and results to atrophy of the muscles. Most patients become bound to a wheelchair and soon die due to other complications. [read more]
Amyoplasia congenita is a birth disorder characterized by stiffness of the joints and muscle and nerve wastage that causes severe impairment and eventual immobility of the arms and legs. [read more]
abbreviated ALS; is a disorder of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that are in charge for voluntary muscle movement. It is a crucial neurological disease that harms the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. [read more]
Anaphylactic Shock is also called Anaphylaxis. It is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction in humans and other mammals. It occurs when an allergic response triggers a rapid release from mast cells of huge quantities of immunological mediators leading to systemic vasodilation and edema of bronchial mucosa. Anaphylactic shock can advance to death in a count of minutes if left untreated. Anaphylactic Shock may occur after ingestion, injection of an allergen, skin contact or, in rare cases, inhalation. [read more]
Sideroblastic anemia is a condition caused by the abnormal production of red blood cells, normally as a part of myelodysplastic syndrome that can evolve into hematological malignancies, such as acute myelogenous leukemia. When this happens, the patient's body will have iron, but it cannot incorporate this into the hemoglobin. [read more]
Angina Pectoris is a term that illustrates chest pain due to myocardial ischemia. It normally happens on exertion and is comforted by resting. Alternative names for Angina Pectoris are stable angina and chronic angina. [read more]
A chronic inflammatory condition of the corners of the mouth is called angular cheilitis or perleche. It is usually associated with a bacterial (Staphylococcal) or fungal (Candidal) infection, and those infected may also have thrush (an oral candidiasis). Depending upon whether or not the affected person seeks treatment, the condition can last from days to months. [read more]
Annular pancreas is an extremely rare condition that occurs in 1 out of 15,000 newborns. Annular pancreas is a condition wherein the second part of the ?duodenum? is surrounded by pancreatic tissues that continue up to the head of the pancreas. This part of the pancreas constricts the duodenum and impairs or blocks the flow of food to the intestines. [read more]
Ano-rectal atresia is a birth defect characterized by a malformed rectum due to an unknown cause. This condition is commonly present along with other types of birth defects such as heart and spinal problems, renal and limb anomalies, tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. Ano-rectal atresia is sometimes a complication of sacrococcygeal teratoma. There are several forms of Ano-rectal atresia. Sometimes the colon remains close to the skin (low lesion), which can be caused by narrowing of the anus or missing anus with the rectum ending in a pouch. Other types are characterized with a high lesion, wherein the colon is located high in the pelvis, while the fistula connects the rectum with the vagina, urethra or bladder. Some patients suffer from a joined vagina and colon into a single channel, a disorder called persistent cloaca. To confirm the type of Ano-rectal atresia, sonography is recommended. Ano-rectal atresia occurs in 1 in 5,000 newborns. It affects both boys and girls. However, Ano-rectal atresia will be present as the low version 90% in females and 50% in males. [read more]
Anosmia is a condition wherein patients experience the loss of temporary or permanent ability to smell. Hyposmia is a related condition wherein patients experience a decrease in their ability to smell, while ?hyperosmia? is a condition that causes an increase in the patient's ability to smell. However, when a person loses his sense of smell for a particular odor, he is suffering from a genetically based disorder called ?specific anosmia?. ?Congenital Anosmia? refers to the condition wherein a person is born without the sense of smell. Anosmia can be associated with other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, zinc deficiency, cadmium poisoning, allergies, Refsum disease, holoprosencephaly, Alzheimer's disease, Kallman syndrome and Parkinson's disease. [read more]
Anoxia is a medical condition where there is lack of oxygen in the body to supply it to the person's organ tissues. It is also known as hypoxia inasmuch as they refer to same condition where there is not enough oxygen needed to supply the organ tissues of the body. [read more]
Anthrax is an acute disease in animals and humans, which is caused by the bacterium ?bacillus anthracis?. Some types of anthrax are highly lethal. There are 89 types of anthrax recorded. Unlike other types of bacteria, anthrax can form long-lived spores. As soon as the life cycle of the bacteria is threatened by various factors, such as temperature change of dying host, the bacteria can transform into dormant spores, wait for another host and transfer to continue their life cycle. Anthrax usually occurs in wild and grass-eating mammals that breathe or ingest in the spores while eating grass. This disease can also be caught by humans exposed to dead infected pigs, high amounts of anthrax spores in animal wool, fur or hide and tissues from infected animals. While anthrax cannot be spread directly from one person to the next, human clothing can transfer the spores and when an infected person dies and the body is buried. [read more]
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea typically occurs when the natural balance of bad and good bacteria in the intestinal tract is disturbed. This causes the harmful bacteria to proliferate resulting to frequent bowel movements. Often, it is mild and can clears up after several days or less. [read more]
Antibiotic-caused colitis is an infectious disease affecting the colon. Like the typical colitis, it is caused by C. difficile, which is also present among individuals who are taking antibiotic treatment. This infection commonly occurs in hospitals. [read more]
Aortic dissection is a condition wherein the wall of the aorta tears, causing blood to flow between the layers of the aorta wall and forcing the layers apart. Aortic dissection is a life threatening condition and is considered as a medical emergency because it could lead to a quick death even with appropriate treatments. If the dissection tears the aorta through all its three layers, rapid and massive blood loss would occur. Aortic dissection that result in rupture have 80% mortality rate. Almost 50% of patients with aortic dissention die before they reach the hospital. [read more]
Apiphobia is the fear of bees or bee stings, a common phobia among people. Derived from the Latin words ?apis? for honeybee, Apiphobia is a specific phobia ? an abnormal fee of bees. Apiphobia is a type of zoophobia common in young children, which could prevent them from participating in any activities outdoors. Older people with Apiphobia can control this fear more easily. However, a few cases of Apiphobia in adults, such as Adam Savage of MythBusters, may show extreme fear of bees. One method of overcoming Apiphobia in children is to train them in facing their fears. [read more]
Apocrine duct Occlusion, commonly known as the Fox-Fordyce disease, is an uncommon skin disorder, affecting male and children, but is more common in women between 13 and 35 years old. This condition is characterized by the sudden development of itchy bumps usually around hair follicles of nipples, underarm areas and pubic region. [read more]
Appendicitis, also known as epityphlitis, is a condition wherein an inflammation of the appendix occurs. Although mild cases of appendicitis can be resolved without any treatment, most require removal of the appendix. [read more]
It is an uncommon disease which involves cysts that are fluid-filled that forms in the arachnoid membrane that is a thin layer of tissue that creates a membrane that covers the brain and the spinal cord It can start during childhood or can come later during adulthood. The determination of the severity of the disease is based on the location of the cyst and how big it is. [read more]
Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a condition in which a patient with underlying disease has a breathing problem. It is a non- specific respiratory disorder that occurs if there is a fluid build up in the lungs that blocks the exchange of gases that provide energy in the body. ARDS is a life threatening disease if failed to provide care immediately and properly. [read more]
Ocassionally it is called as Chiari II malformation or ACM, it is is a hereditary deformity of the brain. It is an unusual deformity where the support of the brain goes through the upper spinal canal. This disorder happens to approximately every child born with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Chiari malformations I, II and III is associated with the apparent irregularity of the hindbrain which was described by German pathologist Hans Chiari in the late 1800's. Afterwards, further investigators supplemented a fourth (Chiari IV) malformation. The severity scale is rated I ? IV, with IV as the most severe. Arnold Chiari Malformation particularly refers to the Chiari II malformation. [read more]
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an genetic cardiac muscle disorder characterized by a damaged muscle that can be gradually replaced by fat and scar tissue. This serious heart disease is one of the highly recognized causes of sudden death among teenagers. ARVC can cause some abnormal heart rhythms that can result to the weakening of the heart's pumping action. In most cases, this medical condition is not fatal and does not significantly affect the quality of life. However, a number of patients usually develop some other complications and would require constant medical attention. [read more]
This disorder is an unusual heart ailment that involves primarily right ventricle. It causes the muscle tissue of right ventricle to be changed by fibrous or fatty tissue which affects the capability of the heart to pump blood. It is distinguished by hypokinetic parts relating the free wall of the right ventricle, with fibro-fatty substitute of the right ventricular myocardium, together with related arrhythmias starting in the right ventricle. It is also referred to as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or ARVC. [read more]
Arsenic Poisoning is a type of poisoning which results from ingestion of food and fluid containig the chemical arsenic. [read more]
Arthritis is a condition that usually involves damage on the joints of the body. For people older than fifty-five years, it is the leading cause of disability. Arthritis is a medicinal term, which mean any kind of joint swelling but the term is usually used to refer to age-related osteoarthritis that is the most usual kind. Though, there are other kinds of arthritis involving rheumatoid arthritis (second-most usual, involving younger adults and juveniles), and different kinds of minor arthritis which are caused by a primary condition: immediate arthritis caused by an infection, psoriatic arthritis from psoriasis, gonococcal arthritis from gonorrhea, and the like. Several probable circumstances with arthritis-like signs involve ankylosing spondylitis and gout. [read more]
Arthritis, septic (septic arthritis) is an inflammation of a joint that results from a bacterial infection, or, in rare cases, from a viral or fungal infection. Also sometimes called infectious arthritis or bacterial arthritis, this disease is commonly acute but has the potential to become chronic. [read more]
Arylsulfatase A deficiency also referred to as Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is the very ordinary type of a family of hereditary ailments identified as the leukodystrophies, ailments that involves the enlargement and/or growth of myelin, the fatty layer which works as an insulator around nerve fibers all through the inner and marginal nervous systems. Arylsulfatase A results to a damaging swelling of fatty material in the body. [read more]
Aseptic meningitis symptoms happens the same as meningitis without the location contributing organism. The disease causes the lining of the brain or meninges to swell and a pyogenic bacterial source is not present. History of distinguishing symptoms and certain examination findings is the basis to diagnose meningitis. Using lumbar puncture it should show an increase in the amount of leukocytes visible in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Several cases of aseptic meningitis embody infection with viruses or mycobacteria that cannot be noticed with custom techniques. Although the start of polymerase chain effect has augmented the capability of clinicians to identify viruses for instance cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, and herpes virus in the CSF, several viruses can still escape detection. [read more]
An unusual genetic disorder resulted from a deficit of an enzyme glycoprotein (aspartylglucosaminidase). It is associated to a Finnish ailment heritage wherein a set of ailments results from a transformation in a single gene distinguished with elevated occurrence in Finland comparing to the rest of the world. [read more]
Asplenia is the lack (?a-') of spleen with its normal function and related with several severe infection dangers. Hyposplenism is used to refer to the decreases (?hypo-') splenic performance, but comparing it to asplenism it is not that severe. In general, splenic hypoplasia and asplenia refers to the entire or partial absence of the splenic function. Hereditary/congenital splenic abnormalities are commonly related with abnormalities in several organ systems, particularly cardiac irregularities but it can happen separately. Polyspenia is also regularly related with hereditary/congenital splenic abnormalities Loss of splenic function usually occurs as a result of surgical removal or autosplenectomy or, infarction in patients with hemoglobinopathies. Polysplenia, or bilateral left-sidedness, is also frequently associated with congenital cardiac anomalies. [read more]
Asthenia is a medical term referring to the feeling of weakness without actually losing strength. General asthenia happens to a lot of chronic wasting ailments like cancer and anemia and most likely developed in ailments of the adrenal gland. Asthenia may partially affect specific organs or systems. [read more]
Astigmatism is characterized by a mild defect in the curvature of the eye which causes blurry vision. Astigmatism is an easily treatable condition. In astigmatic patients, the cornea or the lens of one eye has a slightly different curvature in one direction from the other. It comes in two forms: corneal astigmatism, characterized by a distorted cornea; and lenticular astigmatism, characterized by a distorted lens. [read more]
Ataxia means ?lack of order? in Greek where the term originated. It consists of nasty in-coordination of muscle movements which is considered as a neurological sign and symptom. Ataxia is an exact medical sign entailing dysfunction of potions of the nervous system that manage movement for instance the cerebellum. Every September 25th of each year the "International Ataxia Awareness Day" is observed. [read more]
Athlete's foot or Tinea pedis which is its other term is a parasitical fungal contamination of the epidermis of the human foot. It is usually caused by a mold that develops in the surface of the skin and then into the skin's living tissue. For severe cases it appears as a widespread ?moccasin? pattern seen on the sides and bottom of the foot but usually it appears between the toes. This infection commonly affects male. After acne, athlete's foot is considered as the most common skin disease in the US. [read more]
Atrial Flutter is the arrhythmia of the heart where there is a rapid beating in its upper chambers due to irregular signals causing an irregular heartbeat. [read more]
Atrial myxoma a tumor that is not cancerous located in the upper left or right portion of the heart. It develops on the wall that divides the two sides of the heart. The familial type of the condition also includes tumors in several parts of the body like in the skin. [read more]
Atrioventricular septal defect formerly known as "common atrioventricular canal" (CAVC) or "endocardial cushion defect" distinguished by a deficit of the heart's atrioventricular septum. It results from an abnormal or insufficient union of the lower and higher endocardial cushions with the middle part of the atrial septum and the muscular part of the ventricular septum. The Atrioventricular septal defect is divided into two forms which are ?partial? and ?complete? forms. In partial AVSD there is a partial defect in the primum or lower portion of the atrial septum but does not have straight intraventricular communication while in complete AVSD, there is a huge ventricular element underneath each or both the higher or lower bridging leaflets of the AV valve. [read more]
Atrophy is a general physiological process, it is either the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body or a part of the body being useless. Size of a cell, tissue or organ can be wasted away with this disorder. [read more]
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity is it classified as a neuro-behavioural developmental disorder which affects 5% of the world's population. It is usually acquired during childhood, and is distinguished by a constant pattern of distraction or hyperactivity and forgetfulness, poor inclination control or impulsivity, and being distracted and over the years it has been increasingly seen on adults. Children around 60% who have this disorder carries it as they grow. [read more]
Autoimmune peripheral neuropathy is a term for the nerves of the secondary nervous system being damaged that can result from either diseases of the nerve or from the systemic illness side-effects. Secondary neuropathies differ in their presentation and origin and can affect the neuromuscular or nerve junction. [read more]
Avascular Necrosis otherwise known as the Osteonecrosis, aseptic necrosis and ischemic necrosis, is a disease which results to a temporary pr permanent loss of blood supply to the bones leading to bone death and collapse. [read more]
Axillary hyperhidrosis refers to the extreme sweating of the armpits accompanied by foul odor. It is a common condition in men. [read more]
B-cell lymphoma, also known as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), is a heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative malignancies with varying patterns of behavior and responses to treatment. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative malignancies with varying patterns of behavior and responses to treatment. NHL usually originates in the lymphoid tissues and can spread to other internal organs. However, unlike Hodgkin's disease, NHL is less predictable and has a greater predilection to extranodal sites. [read more]
Babesiosis is an uncommon, vector-borne, malaria-like disease usually caused by ticks or parasites of the genius ?Babesia?. In areas where babesia is common, such as North America, this disease can be transmitted through blood transfusion. [read more]
Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is a bacterial disease brought about by two kinds of bacteria under the Bartonella family: Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana. The infection is usually characterized by tumor-like lesions in the skin and other internal organs of the body, and can manifest in people affected by AIDS. [read more]
Back pain is a relatively common complaint characterized by a painful sensation in the patient's back that may be attributed to a number of conditions. [read more]
Bacterial endocarditis it is the swelling and infection of the interior layers of the heart and usually the valves that resulted from bacteria. [read more]
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges ? the protective membranes wrapping the central nervous system. This condition may develop as a result of viruses, bacteria and a number of infectious agents. However, it may also occur in people who recently experience physical injury, those with cancer and others who have a history of drug abuse. Most cases of meningitis resolve without treatment. However, this condition can become severe because the inflammation can damage the spinal cord and the brain, which are both in close proximity to the areas affected by meningitis. Since severe meningitis could cause serious neurological damage or death, immediate medical attention and diagnosis is needed. The most common type of meningitis ? infectious meningitis ? can be treated with antibiotics alone, but requires continues observation. Other types of meningitis can be prevented through scheduled immunization. [read more]
Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria. The most common cause is the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (J13.) which is also common in all ages except for newly born babies. Another type of bacteria that causes pneumonia is the Staphylococcus aureus (J15.2) these bacteria are classified as Gram-positive bacteria. For Gram-negative bacteria it is seen less regularly like Klebsiella pneumoniae (J15.0), Haemophilus influenzae (J14.), Escherichia coli (J15.5), Moraxella catarrhalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (J15.1) are the most usual bacteria. The gut is where these bacteria reside and enters the lungs when the lung's content is inhaled like vomit. Not unlike typical bacteria, ?atypical? bacteria are commonly seen in young adults and teenagers and are less sever and needs various antibiotics. Examples of ?atypical? bacteria are Chlamydophila pneumoniae (J16.0), Coxiella burnetti, Legionella pneumophila and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (J15.7). [read more]
Bacterial Vaginosis Is a type of vaginitis resulting to overgrowth of organisms present in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina. Bacterial vaginitis can be present in many pregnant women without even knowing that they have it. Sometimes bacterial vaginitis in early stages is often asymptomatic. [read more]
Bannayan-Zonana syndrome or other term is Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome is an unusual hamartomatous disorder through the incidence of several subcutaneous macrocephaly, lipomas and hemangiomas. In an autosomal prevailing form the disease is inherited though wild cases have been documented. Hamartomatous polyposis syndrome is the family where the disease belongs that also involves juvenile polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and Cowden syndrome. BZS lesions are slowly developing and simply resectable. Intracranial association and visceral may happen in unusual conditions and can result to bleeding and indicative automatic compression particularly of the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots and may need surgical resection. [read more]
Bardet-Biedl syndrome, type 1 is an unusual hereditary or genetic disorder distinguished by mental retardation, polydactyly, obesity and pigmentation of the retina and other anomalies. Bardet-Biedl syndrome, type 1 results from the deficiency in chromosome 11q13. [read more]
Barrett's Esophagus is a condition marked by the changes in color and composition of the cells lining the lower esophagus due to repeated stomach acid exposure often due to long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). [read more]
Barth syndrome also recognized as 3-Methylglutaconic aciduria type II and Cardiomyopathy-neutropenia syndrome it is an unusual hereditary disorder categorized by a lot of signs and symptoms and also includes motor skills being delayed, metabolism distortion, stamina deficiency, chronic fatigue, cardiomyopathy, delayed growth, and compromised immune system. The research or study of Dr. Peter Barth in the Netherlands and discovery in 1983 was the reason why the syndrome was named after him. He designed a pedigree chart where in it shows that the disease is an inborn behavior. [read more]
Basal ganglia diseases or also known as basal nuclei are a collection of nuclei in the brain interrelated with the cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem. [read more]
Becker's muscular dystrophy (BMD), also known as benign pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy, is an X-linked inherited disorder that involves the slowly and progressive weakness of the muscle in the legs and pelvis. It is a type of dystrophinopathy, which includes a range of muscle diseaseswhere there is insufficient dystrophin produced in the muscle cells, resulting in instability in the muscle cell membrane's structure. [read more]
Bejel, which was previously called endemic syphilis, is a nonsexually transmitted infection caused by treponemal spirochetes closely related to Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes the sexually transmitted disease syphilis. Bejel, yaws, and pinta are diseases closely related to syphilis. They mainly occur in the tropics and subtropics. Unlike syphilis, they are transmitted through skin contact, mostly between children living in poor hygienic conditions. Like syphilis, these diseases start with skin sores and have a latent period that is followed by more a destructive disease. Bejel occurs mainly in the warm arid countries like the eastern Mediterranean region and West Africa. Yaws occurs in equatorial countries. Pinta is most common among the Indians of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Although the bacteria that causes bejel, Treponema pallidum endemicum, is morphologically and serologically indistinguishable from Treponema pallidum pallidum, transmission of bejel is not venereal in nature, generally resulting from mouth-to-mouth contact, skin-to-skin contact, or sharing of domestic utensils, and the courses of the two diseases are vary somewhat. [read more]
Benign astrocytoma (or astrocytoma Grade I, astrocytoma Grade II, intracranial neoplasm, intracranial tumor) is categorized into two types: Diffuse (Adults, cerebral hermisphere and brainstem) and circumscribed (Children, characteristic location/morphology). They are benign tumors that occur in the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms and severity of the astrocytoma depends on its location and size. [read more]
Benign congenital hypotonia is a condition of abnormally low muscle tone, which is the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle, and it often involves reduced muscle strength. It is not a specific medical disorder, but a potential manifestation of many different diseases and disorders that affect the motor nerve control of the brain or muscle strength. Recognizing benign congenital hypotonia, even in early infancy, is relatively straightforward, but diagnosing the cause underlying it can be difficult and often unsuccessful. The long-term effects of hypotonia on a child's growth and development, and later on in life, depend primarily on how severe the muscle weakness is and the nature of the cause. Other names of this condition are Hypotonia , Congenital Hypotonia, Congenital Muscle Hypotonia , Congenital Muscle Weakness, and Amyotonia Congenita. [read more]
Benign essential tremor (ET) is a movement disorder affecting the neurological system. It is characterized by involuntary fine rhythmic tremor of a body part or different parts, mostly the hands and arms (upper limbs). In many individuals affected by this, upper limb tremor may occur as an isolated finding. In others, however, tremors may gradually involve other regions of the anatomy, such as the head, voice, tongue, or palate (roof of the mouth), leading to dysarthria, or difficulty articulating speech. Less common are tremors that affect muscles of the torso or legs. It is also known as Presenile Tremor Syndrome, familial essential tremor, or hereditary benign tremor. [read more]
Benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) is a disorder affecting the neurological system and characterized by fasciculation (or twitching) of various voluntary muscles in the body. The twitching can occur in any voluntary muscle group but is most commonly found in the eyelids, arms, legs, and feet. Even the tongue may be affected by BFS. The twitching may be occasional or may go on almost continuously. Any intentional movement of the affected muscle causes the fasciculation to cease immediately, but may return once the muscle is at rest again. [read more]
Primary biliary cirrhosis is a disease in which the bile ducts in the liver are slowly and steadily destroyed. The body has an intricate system of ducts designed specifically to transport bile, which is a fluid produced in the liver. Bile is needed for the proper digestion of fats and helps rid the body of worn-out red blood cells, cholesterol and potentially toxic metals. In primary biliary cirrhosis, the destruction of bile ducts can cause dangerous substances to build up in the liver and sometimes lead to irreversible scarring of liver tissue (or cirrhosis). Many experts consider primary biliary cirrhosis an autoimmune disease in which the body turns against its own cells, although it's possible that genetic and environmental factors also play a part. Primary biliary cirrhosis develops somewhat slowly. Medication can slow the progression of the disease, especially if treatment starts early. [read more]
Binswanger's Disease, also known as subcortical dementia, is a rare form of dementia characterized by cerebrovascular lesions in the deep white-matter of the brain, mood changes, and loss of memory and cognition. Patients often show signs of abnormal blood pressure, blood abnormalities, stroke, disease of the large blood vessels in the neck, and disease of the heart valves. Other prominent features of the disease include urinary incontinence, clumsiness, difficulty walking, speech difficulty, slowness of conduct, and lack of facial expression. These symptoms, which tend to start after the age of 60, are not present in all patients and may sometimes appear only as a passing phase. [read more]
Biotin Deficiency otherwise known as the Vitamin H deficiency is a nutritional disorder where a person is deficient in taking biotin or the water-soluble B vitamin. [read more]
Biotinidase Deficiency (BIOT) is the result of the lack of an enzyme called biotinidase. Without treatment, this disorder can cause seizures, developmental delay, eczema, and hearing loss. [read more]
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the Blastomyces dermatitidis organism. Blastomycosis causes clinical symptoms that have similarites to histoplasmosis. The organism causing blastomycosis is endemic to portions of North America. [read more]
A blood platelet disorder refers to an abnormally low number of platelets, the particles in blood that help with clotting. As a result, blood does not clot normally for the patient with a low platelet count. [read more]
Blood pressure, low (or low blood pressure) is the opposite of high blood pressure. Also known as hypotension, low blood pressure may not necessarily pose a health risk unless it is caused be an underlying medical condition. [read more]
Bloom syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by telangiectases and photosensitivity, deficiency in growth of prenatal onset, variable degrees of immunodeficiency, and increased susceptibility to neoplasms of many sites and types. The dermatologist David Bloom first described the syndrome in 1954. [read more]
Bone infection is a common term for a medical condition known as osteomyelitis, which is characterized by an infection that may begin in the bone itself or has spread to the bone from other parts of the body. [read more]
Bornholm Disease otherwise known as the Devil's grip, the Epidemic myalgia, or the Epidemic pleurodynia, the Epidemic transient diaphragmatic spasm or The Grasp of the Phantom is a medical condition that is brought about by a viral infection.. [read more]
Borreliosis, also known as Lyme disease, is an emerging infectious disease caused by bacteria from the genus Borrelia. The vector of infection is usually the bite of an infected black-legged or deer tick, but other carriers (including other ticks in the genus Ixodes) have been implicated. Borrelia burgdorferi is the leading cause of Lyme disease in the U.S. and Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are found in Europe. The disease presentation varies greatly, and may include a rash and flu-like symptoms in its initial stage, then musculoskeletal, neurologic, arthritic, psychiatric and cardiac manifestations. In a most of the cases, symptoms can be eliminated with antibiotics, especially if treatment begins early in the course of illness. Late or inadequate treatment often results to "late stage" Lyme disease that is disabling and difficult to treat. Controversy over diagnosis, testing and treatment has resulted to two different standards of care. [read more]
Bourneville's disease (also known as Tuberous sclerosis) is characterized by facial lesions with tuberous sclerosis, first reported as adenoma sebaceum, but now recognised as angiofibromas. It produces tuberous sclerosis occurring in association with adenoma sebaceum. It is syndrome of epilepsy, severe mental retardation associated with adenoma sebaceum (overgrowth of the sebaceous glands) of the face, hamartomatous tumours of the heart and kidney, and cerebral cortical tubers (hence the name "tuberous sclerosis"). It is heredofamilial and usually shows itself early in life. Females are more often affected by this disease than males. Incomplete forms of the syndrome can manifest. Bourneville's disease is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity. [read more]
Bovine TB is a disease that primarily attacks animals that can also be transmitted to humans through aerosols and intake of raw milk. This disease is common in under developed countries. [read more]
Bowen's disease (BD) is a skin disease induced by sunlight, considered either as an early stage or intraepidermal form of squamous cell carcinoma. [read more]
Results when nerves connecting the arm and spinal cord get stretched and torn when the shoulder is pressed down forcefully while the head is pushed up away from the shoulder. [read more]
Brain attack is a type of stroke that occurs from a drastic shortage of blood supply in the brain. Brain cells will commonly die in a matter of minutes. A brain attack is more commonly referred to as a stroke. [read more]
Breast Cancer is a malignant tumor that originated from the cells of the breast and the disease, most women fear most. [read more]
Bright's disease (also known as nephritis) is a historical classification of kidney diseases that is described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer in use, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood etiologies. It is typically characterized by the presence of serum albumin (blood plasma) in the urine, and frequently accompanied by edema (tissue particulate). Many people believe that too much protein consumption can lead to Bright's disease, but this is a spurious statement and is nothing but a myth. [read more]
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (or BOOP) is the inflammation of the bronchioles and surrounding tissue in the lungs. BOOP is often the result of a pre-existing chronic inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis. BOOP can also be a side effect of certain medicinal drugs, such as amiodarone. In cases where no cause is detected, the disease is called cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. The clinical characteristics and radiological imaging resemble infectious pneumonia. However, diagnosis is suspected after there is no response to multiple antibiotics, and blood and sputum cultures are found to be negative for organisms. [read more]
Bronchitis is a condition that occurs when the inner walls lining the main airways of the lungs become inflamed; usually happening after a previous respiration infection like colds. [read more]
Bronze diabetes, or hemachromatosis, is a kind of diabetes caused by an overload of iron deposits in the body tissues. Without treatment, iron overload may cause complications and eventually lead to organ failure. [read more]
Brown Syndrome is a rare eye disorder marked by defects in eye movements. This disorder may be present at birth (congenital) or may occur as the due to another underlying disorder (acquired). Muscles control eye movements and activities. Some of these muscles turn the eyeball up and down, move the eyeball from side to side, or let the eyeball to rotate slightly in its socket. The superior oblique tendon sheath of the superior oblique is the muscle that surrounds the eyeball. The symptoms of Brown Syndrome are due to abnormalities of this tendon sheath including shortening, thickening, or inflammation. This leads to the inability to move the affected eye upward. [read more]
Brucellosis, also known as undulant fever, undulating fever, or Malta fever, is a zoonosis (infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans) caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. It is generally a disease of domestic animals (goats, pigs, cattle, dogs, etc) and humans and has a worldwide distribution, mostly now in developing countries. [read more]
The Brugada syndrome is a genetic disease that is marked by abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. It is also known as Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome (SUDS), and is the most commonly found cause of sudden death in young men without known underlying cardiac disease in Thailand and Laos. Although the ECG findings of Brugada syndrome were first reported among survivors of cardiac arrest in 1989, it was only in 1992 that the Brugada brothers recognised it as a distinct clinical entity, causing sudden death by resulting to ventricular fibrillation (a lethal arrhythmia) in the heart. [read more]
Bruton agammaglobulinemia was the first immunodeficiency disease to be described. Colonel Ogden Bruton noted in 1952 the absence of immunoglobulins in a young male with a history of pneumonias and other bacterial sinopulmonary infections. Bruton was also the first physician to furnish specific immunotherapy for this X-linked disorder by administering intramuscular injections of immunoglobulin G (IgG). The patient improved but died of chronic pulmonary disease in his fourth decade of life. This disorder is now formally known as X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), and the gene defect has been mapped to the gene that codes for Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) at band Xq21.3. The BTK gene is big and consists of 19 exons that encode the 659 amino acids that form the Btk cytosolic tyrosine kinase. Mutations can happen in any area of the gene. Btk is needed for the proliferation and differentiation of B lymphocytes. In the absence of working Btk, mature B cells that express surface immunoglobulin and the marker CD19 are few to absent. The lack of CD19 is readily detected with fluorocytometric assays, and this finding usually easily confirms the diagnosis of XLA in a male. As Bruton originally described, XLA shows itself as pneumonias and other bacterial sinopulmonary infections in 80% of cases. Such infections that start in male infants as maternal IgG antibodies, acquired transplacentally, are lost. Thus, XLA is most often diagnosed when unusually severe or recurrent sinopulmonary infections occur in a male infant younger than 1 year. [read more]
Bundle branch block pertains to an obstruction or delay in the electrical impulse pathway that causes the heart to beat. [read more]
Bunions pertain to abnormal bony bumps that grow on the joint at the base of the big toe, causing the latter to enlarge. [read more]
Bursitis of the knee is a condition characterized by inflammation of a bursa (tiny fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between moving parts of the knee) located near the knee joint. [read more]
C. difficile (Clostridium difficile) is a type of bacterium that causes a widespread and serious illness. This bacterium can be found almost anywhere and can easily infect people. [read more]
Calciphylaxis is a highly morbid syndrome of vascular calcification and skin necrosis that is poorly understood. Mostly seen exclusively in patients with end stage renal disease, Caciphylaxis results in chronic non-healing wounds and requires parathyroidectomy and hyperbaric therapy. Considered as a rare but serious disease, calciphylaxis is a type of extraskeletal calcification that is similar to those observed among patients with hypercalcaemic states such as those with milk alkali syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis and hypervitamino sis D. [read more]
CAMFAK syndrome or CAMAK syndrome is only an acronym used to describing a rare and inherited neurological disease. It is characterized by peripheral and central demyelization of nerves, similar to that seen in Cockayne syndrome. The name "CAMFAK" is derived from the first letters of the characteristic findings of the disease: cataracts, microcephaly, failure to thrive, and kyphoscoliosis. However, the disease may also occur with or without failure to thrive and arthrogryposis. Among the first signs of the disease are low birth weight and a bird-like face. It is also typical for persons with CAMFAC to be intellectually deficit. Death may even occur within the first decade. Listed as a rare disease by the Office of Rare Disease (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CAMFAK syndrome only affects less than 200,000 people in the US population. [read more]
Campylobacteriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria campylobacter or most commonly known as C. jejuni. Considered as among the most common human bacterial infections, it can be transmitted in several ways such as fecal-oral, person-to-person sexual contact and ingestion of contaminated food or water. When infected with the bacteria, an inflammatory and sometimes bloody diarrhea or dysentery syndrome may be experienced. It may include cramps, fever and pain. Campyolabacteriosis is usually self-limiting. [read more]
Canavan disease is an autosomal recessive disorder that is the most common cerebral degenerative disease of infancy. The disease causes progressive damage to the brain's nerve cells. It is also a gene-linked, neurological birth disorder, wherein the white matter of the brain disintegrate into spongy tissue puzzled with microscopic fluid-filled spaces. The disease belongs to a group of genetic disorders called leukodystrophies, which are characterized by the degeneration of myelin. Myelin is an electrically insulating dielectric covering the phospholipids layer of neuron insulating the axon. Canavan disease hinders the body's normal production of myelin. Called the central nervous system's ?white matter,? this fatty membrane ensures that nerve impulses are properly transmitted. [read more]
Commonly called yeast infection or thrush, candidiasis is a fungal infection (mycosis) of any of the Candida species. The most common Candida specie is Candida albicans. Candidiasis includes infections that range from superficial, such as oral thrush and vaginitis, to systemic and potentially life-threatening diseases. The latter belongs to a category called candidemia are usually confined to severely immunocompromised persons. These include persons with cancer, transplant, and AIDS patients. [read more]
Carcinoma, squamous cell is a type of cancer of the carcinoma that may happen in several diverse organs which includes the skin, mouth, lips, esophagus, urinary bladder, prostrate, lungs and cervix. It is a nasty squamous epithelium, epithelium that presents differentiation in squamous cell. [read more]
Cardiac amyloidosis is a medical condition that is a type of amyloidosis the reason of which is because of the deposits of an amyloid protein in the heart tissue that results to the reduced function of the heart. [read more]
Cardiac arrest is also recognized as cardiorespiratory arrest, cardiopulmonary arrest or circulatory arrest and it is the sudden stop of normal flow of the blood because of the failure of the heart to contract efficiently during systole. Cardiac arrest varies from a heart attack or myocardial infarction where in the flow of blood to the still-beating heart is sporadic. The prevention of oxygen to be supplied to all parts of the body is referred to as "Arrested" blood circulation. [read more]
Cardiac tamponade, is also known by another medical term as pericardial tamponade, which is characterized as an emergency condition where fluid accumulates in the sac that encloses the heart. The accumulation of the fluid can significantly elevate the heart's pressure and can ultimately lead to shock and possible death if without any medical intervention. [read more]
Cardiomyopathy is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium (i.e., the actual heart muscle) for any reason. [read more]
Carney complex (CNC) is characterized as a lentiginosis syndrome and familial multiple neoplasma. Patients with this medical condition are observed to have spotty skin pigmentation, multiple myxomas and tumors of the thyroid and endocrine glands. [read more]
Carnitine transporter deficiency is a hereditary carnitine deficiency, which is a result of defective proteins. These proteins are called carnitine transporters. These transporters are responsible for carrying carnitine to wherever it's needed in the body, and prevents it from being excreted. With the deficiency, carnitine is released through urine. Illness or fasting may trigger severe attack. [read more]
Caroli disease is categorized as an uncommon congenital disease that involves the cystic dilatation of the liver's intrahepatic bile ducts. It has two types, known as Simple Caroli disease and Complex Caroli disease. The first type is characterized by ectasia or dilatation of bile ducts, while the latter includes the presence of portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis besides ectasia. [read more]
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition wherein the carpal tunnel's median nerve is pinched or entrapped due to swelling tendons or nerve or both. Carpal tunnel safeguards the major nerve to the hand, as well as the nine tendons responsible for bending the fingers. When pressure is placed on this major nerve, it causes pain, muscle weakness, and paresthesias in the hand and forearm. [read more]
Caudal regression syndrome is an uncommon disorder wherein the fetal spine's bottom portion does not properly develop. As a result, abnormalities that can be mild or severe occur. The syndrome can lead to various problems, varying from partial nonappearance of the spine's tailbone areas, to severe cases entailing significant malformation of pelvis, lower vertebrate, and spine. [read more]
Celiac disease pertains to a digestive disorder set off by consumption of gluten, a type of protein that can be found in pasta, bread, pizza crust, cookies, and other food products that contain barley, wheat or rye. [read more]
Central pontine myelinolysis is a neurological condition caused by damages incurred by the pons, the myelin sheath wherein the nerve cells in the brainstem are located. [read more]
Centronuclear myopathy belongs to a group of rare diseases called congenital myopathies. Congenital myopathies are conditions wherein the cell's nuclei is located within the skeletal muscle cells, an abnormal condition. Normally, the nuclei would be positioned in the periphery of the cell, but with centronuclear myopathy the nuclei is in the center, hence the name. [read more]
Ceramidase deficiency, also known as Farber's Disease, is a group of genetically predisposed metabolic diseases named lipid storage diseases. The diseases characterize a condition wherein excessive amounts of lipids, such as fatty acids, oils, and other related substances, accumulate to harmful levels in the central nervous system, tissues, and joints. This may also affect the liver, heart, and kidneys. Ceramidase deficiency occurs in children when both parents have the protein-regulating gene sphingomyelin. Their children have a 25% chance of acquiring the disease, and a 50% chance of bearing the gene. [read more]
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a condition that affects the small blood vessels of the brain, wherein the amyloid protein associated with the Alzheimer's disease is deposited in the vessel walls. This may result in brain diseases such as dementia, brain hemorrhage, and stroke. Patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy are usually older than 65 years old, although it may also occur in those who are around 45 years of age. The disease prevalence increases with age, and equally affects both men and women. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is responsible for 5-20% of brain hemorrhage occurrences, and 30% of lobar hemorrhage. [read more]
Cerebral cavernous malformation, sometimes known as cavernous angioma, is a disease that affects the central nervous system. The disease may occur sporadically or may be inherited. When one has the disease, there are groups of abnormal blood vessels located in the brain and spinal cord, although in rare cases they are also located in other parts of the body. A cerebral cavernous malformation resembles a raspberry, although it varies in size. The small bubbles are filled with blood, and a special layer of cells called endothelium lines the bubbles. [read more]
Cerebral thrombosis is defined as blood clot that takes place in the cerebral vessel. It is more commonly known as stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. TIA is a ?mini? or ?warning? stroke, but doesn't have lasting damage. There are strokes that damage part of one's brain, and some have permanent injury. TIA is important in foreseeing if a ?stroke? will happen and the chance to prevent it. They may occur several days, some weeks, or even a few months prior to a major cerebral thrombosis attack. In approximately half of the cases, stroke happens within a year from TIA. [read more]
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cervix, located in the lower part of the uterus. Cervical cancer falls under two classifications: squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The cancers are classified according to how they look under a microscope, and squamous cell carcinoma occurs in 80-90% of cases. [read more]
Cervical dystonia pertains to a painful condition characterized by involuntary contraction of neck muscles, which cause the head to twist or turn to one side. Cervical dystonia is also referred to as torticollis or spasmodic torticollis. [read more]
Cervical osteoarthritis also known as cervical spondylosis is the deterioration of the bones and cartilage of the backbone and neck. The condition sometimes leads to the formation of bone spurs or irregular bony outgrowths. [read more]
It is an inflammation of the cervix. [read more]
Chancroid is a kind of sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. This STD is common in hot, tropical countries, and is characterized by open, painful sores in the genital area. When left untreated chancroid may give way to ulcers that may persist in the affected area for up to several months. [read more]
Charcot's Disease, or more commonly known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the gradual death of motor neurons which control muscle movement. This illness usually causes muscle weakness and progressive atrophy, making the person lose his ablity to make voluntary movements in all parts of his body except for his eyes. Eventually the disease can lead to dementia and death. [read more]
The Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited heterogeneous disease characterized by the death of muscle tissue and loss of touch sensation. It usually attacks the legs and feet but also triggers the arms and hands as the disease progresses. It is also known as Peroneal Muscular Atrophy or Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy, and is incurable at present. The disease is named after scientists who took the effort to do research on it, Jean-Martin Charcot and his student Pierre Marie, as well as Howard Henry Tooth. [read more]
Chiari malformation is the displacement of brain tissue into the spinal canal. [read more]
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. A common STD, Chlamydia can cause serious complications which may lead to damages in the female reproductive organs. It can also bring forth permanent problems such as infertility in both males and females. This disease is regarded to be a ?silent killer? because around 75% of infected people notice no symptoms. If the signs do surface, these are usually noticed a few weeks after the disease is acquired. [read more]
Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial specie under the genus Chlamydia. Unlike the two other species, Chlamydia trachomatis cannot be detected by using the Gram stain. It is the first kind of Chlamydia found in humans, and was discovered in 1907. C. trachomatis is made up of a pair of human biovars, trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum. [read more]
Cholangiocarcinoma is a kind of cancer affecting the bile ducts. It is a rare form of cancer linked with other diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, congenital liver dysfunction, and infection with liver flukes. [read more]
Cholecystitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the gall bladder. It is mainly caused by gallstones or choleliths which block the cystic duct. The blocking of the bile ducts leads to complications such as bile stasis, inspissation of the bile, and infection done by gut organisms. The disease takes place when the gall bladder's wall becomes swollen. Sometimes this inflammation may develop into necrosis and damage other structures such as the bowel and diaphragm. [read more]
Cholelithiasis is the process of forming gallstones or choleliths in the body through accretion of bile components. They can develop anywhere in the biliary area such as a gallbladder and the bile duct. Once the bile duct becomes affected by this process it can cause choledocholithiasis, while obstruction of the biliary tree can lead to jaundice. The gallstones can also reach the pancreas, thus resulting to pancreatitis. [read more]
Cholera is a contagious kind of gastroenteritis caused by a bacterium named Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted to humans via contaminated food or water. The cholera-causing bacterium produces an enterotoxin that obstructs the small intestine leading to diarrhea. Cholera is one of most fatal diseases in history, and it can transform a healthy person into a hypotensive one in a matter of hours. When not treated immediately, patients may die from the disease within three hours after diagnosis. [read more]
Cholestasis is a medical condition where the bile fluids cannot pass from the liver to the duodenum. This condition occurs when gallstones block the bile ducts due to side effects from other diseases or as a genetic defect in a person's DNA. [read more]
Choriocarcinoma is a kind of malignant cancer under the group of gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD). This cancer targets the placenta, and commonly attacks women, rather than men. [read more]
Chromomycosis, also known as chromoblastomycosis, is a fungal infection common in places of tropical climate. It can be caused by different types of fungi that thrive under the skin and spreads slowly and becomes difficult to treat. [read more]
Chromosomal translocation is a genetic defect in which chromosomes break apart and reconnect with other chromosomes resulting to certain disorders. Chronic myelogenic leukemia and hemophilia are examples of chromosomal translocations. [read more]
Chromosome 15q partial deletion is a rare genetic condition produced by a chromosomal aberration wherein the long arm (q) of one copy of the some chromosome 15 is either partially or completely deleted. Angelman syndrome is formed when the mother's copy of the chromosome arm is deleted, while Prader-Willi syndrome is produced. Aside from the deletions, the uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 leads to the same genetic disorders. [read more]
Chromosome 15q trisomy is genetic disorder wherein the end of the long arm of chromosome 15 (15q) appears thrice instead of only twice in the body cells. This results to growth delays either before or after birth as well as mental retardation and malformations in the head and face. Other abnormalities are a short neck, disfigured fingers or toes, scoliosis and other skeletal malformations. Males with this condition suffer from genital problems, and cardiac illnesses. In most cases, Chromosome 15q trisomy is a result of a translocation of chromosome balance in one of the parents. [read more]
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disorder where in one suffers from recurring fatigue which cannot be improved by rest and can be aggravated by mental or physical activity. People suffering from CFS do not engage in lots of activities because they easily get tired. CFS can last for years and there are no specific tests available to diagnose this disorder. [read more]
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system but as well involves the central nervous system. It is sometimes known as chronic relapsing polyneuropathy and is related to Guillain-Barre syndrome. [read more]
Chronic myelogenous leukemia or CML is a rare kind of blood cell cancer. It is considered as chronic leukemia due to its slow progression pattern, sometimes over a period of years. CML isn't solid tumor that may be removed surgically. Fortunately, prognosis for individuals with CML might be improving due to new medications for treatment of the condition. [read more]
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is an illness wherein cells that normally develop into monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils become cancerous. This is a slow-progressing kind of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative illness where countless white blood cells called myelomonocytes are present in one's bone marrow, and crowds out the normal blood cells. [read more]
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is an ailment wherein the bones of a child become painful and inflamed. The condition ?comes and goes', meaning there can be times when one doesn't have symptoms but experience occasional flare-ups. [read more]
Chylous ascites is an uncommon disorder that involves the drainage blockage of the abdominal lymph glands, resulting in the accumulation of milky chyle in the abdominal cavity. [read more]
Clap is a contagious sexually-transmitted disease commonly known as gonorrhea. It is an infectious disease characterized by swelling, pain and abnormal discharge in the genital areas. [read more]
Cleidocranial dysplasia is an inherited condition that mainly affects bone development. It is distinguished by an absence or incompletely developed collar bones, as well as facial and cranial abnormalities. [read more]
Coccidioidomycosis is an infection caused by Coccidioides immitis, a dimorphic fungus. [read more]
Coccidioidomycosis is an infectious condition brought about by fungus known as coccidioides immitis found in soil. The disease affects the skin and lungs, and is distinguished by too much nodules and sputum. It may occur as a severe or mild, progressive infections spreading all through one's body. Coccidioidomycosis' progressive form can often be fatal. [read more]
Colic is the condition wherein babies seem to cry and fuss a lot despite of the fact that they are perfectly healthy, well-fed and well taken care of; one of the most worrisome and difficult problems in infancy that is very disappointing for parents; usually common in both breast-fed and bottle-fed infants. [read more]
Colon cancer is malignancy (cancer) of the large intestine; which is the lower part of the digestive system; usually starting as small, benign cell appearing in clusters known as adenomatous polyps. [read more]
A common cold is characterized as an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, throat and nose. This condition is usually harmless and is known to be self-limiting. There are about 200 viruses that are known to cause common colds, making this condition highly prevalent among adults and children alike. [read more]
Compartment syndrome is categorized as an acute medical disorder that usually develops after surgery and injury, where the increase in pressure that is usually caused by inflammation within the body's fascial compartment. Without prompt treatment, this condition can lead to muscle death and nerve damage. [read more]
A conductive hearing loss is characterized as one that greatly affects the ear structures that is used to conduct the sound into the person's inner ear, which include both the outer and middle ear. Infections in the middle ear are among the most common causes of this hearing impairment. [read more]
Congenital facial diplegia or more popularly known as Mobius syndrome is categorized as an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes facial paralysis among newborn babies. This is known to be caused by the underdevelopment of the sixth and seventh cranial nerves that are known to control the facial expression and eye movements. [read more]
Congenital myopathy is characterized by a muscle disorder that is already present at birth, and this includes a great number of highly distinct neuromuscular syndromes and disorders. In most cases, congenital myopathies do not display any evidence of progressive dystrophic progress or any inflammations. This comes with the marked muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone that significantly delays motor development of babies such as learning how to walk. [read more]
Congenital toxoplasmosis is defined as a set of symptoms and traits caused by fetus infection with an organism called Toxoplasma gondii. The disease is usually mild for the mother, and might not even be evident. However, the infected fetus can be the cause of many problems. Early pregnancy infection results in serious health troubles compared to getting the disease later in pregnancy. [read more]
Congestive heart disease is a disorder that may result from any type of functional or structural disease, which impairs the heart's ability to pump or fill sufficient quantity of blood all through the body. The term ?congestive? is taken from blood ?backing up' or ?congesting' into the abdomen, liver, lungs, and lower extremities. [read more]
Conjunctivitis is an infection or inflammation of the eyelids' membrane lining known as conjunctiva. This tissue aids in maintaining the eyeball and eyelid moist. The disease is among the most treatable and widespread infections in adults and children. It is also frequently called ?pink eye?. [read more]
Continuous muscle fiber activity syndrome, also known as neuromyotonia, is a rare illness characterized by abnormal movements of the muscles due to impaired impulses at the peripheral nervous system. These abnormal impulses may continue even during one's sleep. Long term cramps, muscle pain and stiffness may be encountered at random instances, making it difficult for the muscles to relax. [read more]
Coproporhyria, also known as Porphria, is a term used to define a set of hereditary disorders arising from troubles in the body's manufacture of a substance identified as ?heme'. Heme is present in each body tissue. The body utilizes enzymes to transform ?porphyrins' into heme. When one of the enzymes has an inherited deficiency, the process of transformation is interrupted. This causes porphyrins to accumulate in one's body, which in turn leads to the symptoms of Coproporhyria. [read more]
An extremely rare disease with only 200 to 300 cases reported worldwide, Costello Syndrome is a genetic abnormality that slows down development and causes mental retardation. Patients share the same facial features, with loose skin and flexible joints, and are more prone to develop certain diseases like heart abnormalities, non-cancerous and cancerous tumors, and cell carcinoma. Individuals affected by this condition are relatively short and may possess lesser levels of growth hormones. [read more]
The rare medical condition called Crow-Fukase syndrome is also called POEMS syndrome after the clinical features that distinguish it from other diseases ? Polyneuropathy (peripheral nerve damage), Organomegaly (abnormal enlargement of organs), Endocrinopathy (damage to hormone-producing glands)/Edema, M-protein (an abnormal antibody) and Skin abnormalities (including hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis). [read more]
The precipitation of the proteins called cryoglobulins in low temperature can cause serious health problems for some people. The condition is called cryoglobulinemia and it occurs when there are huge deposits of cryoglobuline in the blood, damaging organs and causing illness. It could be linked to multiple myeloma, liver disease, lymphoma, and infection. More women are afflicted with the disease. [read more]
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract characterized predominantly by diarrhea usually starting when a tiny one-celled parasite called Cryptosporidium enter the body and travel and hollow out in the small intestinal wall and force out of the body by means of feces. [read more]
Cutaneous anthrax was once known as a rather obscure disease is now a household name, largely owing to the media hype since it was used bioterrorism agents in the past. There are three different types of anthrax: gastronintestinal, inhalational and cutaneous. Anthrax is actually categorized as a zoonotic disease, which means, it mainly affects animals and not humans. This disease can be contracted through handling contaminated excrement from the infected animals. [read more]
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is considered an extremely rare disease, and is usually occurs in people between the ages 40-60, primarily affecting the skin. This medical condition is caused by the uncontrollable development of within blood cells on the skin, which is known as T-cells. Among the most common types cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are Sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides. [read more]
Deerfly fever is otherwise known as Tularemia which is characterized by a rare and infectious disease that primarily attacks the eyes, skin and lungs. There are less than 200 reported cases of this disease annually, and is known to affect mostly the south-central and western states. Deerfly fever spreads through humans though a number of routes, including direct exposure and insect bites from an infected animal. [read more]
Degenerative nerve disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive fatal illness that affects the motor neurons that control the body's skeletal muscles. It is characterized by paralysis and weakening of the voluntary muscles. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. [read more]
Dejerine-Sottas disease is an uncommon genetic motor and sensory polyneuropathy that manifests progressive effects on mobility. The peripheral nerves thicken and enlarge, leading to weakness of the muscle. The progress of this disease is irregular, as well as frequently accompanied by numbness, pain, weakness, and a burning, prickling, or tingling sensations in one's legs. [read more]
Demyelinating disease is defined as any type of nervous system condition wherein the neurons' protective covering, called myelin sheath, is damaged. This causes impairment in the transmission of signals within affected nerves, which in turn results to damage in movement, cognition, sensation, or other bodily functions, depending on the nerves involved. Some common demyelinating disease includes multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, devic disease, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, and adrenomyeloneuropathy. [read more]
Dermatomyosis is a disease of the connective tissues associated with muscles and skin inflammation. Juvenile dermatomyositis affects young children often associated with pink patches in the knuckles, abnormal and painful erection of the penis that can last for a long period of time, and groton's papules. It is one type of autoimmune disease of the connective tissue which is related to polymyositis characterized by many inflammations of the muscles, and the related disease that attacks the arm and leg muscles called Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis. [read more]
Devic syndrome is an autoimmune disease that attacks the protein of the central nervous system which is called aquaporin. This is a condition in which the fatty covering of the spinal cord is destroyed and the nerves in the eyes are affected causing sight loss and pain. A form of multi sclerosis that is rare and is rapid and severe. Patients having this disease will experience paralysis at different degrees. [read more]
Diabetic nephropathy or nephropatia diabetica is also called Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome. Another term is intercapillary glomerulonephritis. It is a kidney disease, which is progressive in nature and is caused by angiopathy of the capillaries in kidney glomeruli. It occurs because of diabetes mellitus that has been in the patient for a long period of time already. [read more]
Diabetic neuropathies is a microvascular trauma that involves capillaries and venoules that provides blood and nutrients to the nerves, it is cause by diabetes melllitus. [read more]
A complication resulting from damage to the blood vessels of the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina) is called diabetic retinopathy, which at first my cause only mild vision problems or no symptoms at all. [read more]
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) also known as congestive cardiomyopathy, is refer to enlargment and weakening of the heart that leads to decrease cardiac output and affects other body organs. DCM is one of the cause of congestive heart failure (CHF). This condition also occurs in yound adults and children. [read more]
Diptheria is a communicable disease of upper respiratory tract it is caused by an anaerobic Gram- positive bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. it is spread through direct contact. Vaccine of this bacteria is recommended for children after four weeks of birth, it has 3 dosage with 3 weeks interva. It also recommended to travellers. Incubation period of Diphtheria is from 2 to 5 days. [read more]
Your shoulders are prone to injury as they have the ability to move in any directions and they are your body's most mobile joints. An injury in which your upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of your shoulder blade is called a dislocated shoulder. [read more]
Distal Myopathy are also known as distal muscular dysrtophy is a hereditary disease that causes weakness of muscuskeletal system at the distal area, it includes the hands and the feet .There are Different types of distal myopathy: the miyoshi myopathy, limp-girdle muscular dystrophy, welander distal myopathy and distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset. [read more]
Down syndrome otherwise known as trisomy 21 is a disorder caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome. This disorder was termed as chromosome 21 trisomy in 1959 by J?r?me Lejeune. It is characterized by major and minor structural differences. Down syndrome is always associated with impairments of the cognitive ability and the physical growth. Facial appearance also is different. This disorder can be known even during pregnancy or right at birth. [read more]
Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy is a condition that occurs as a reaction of the Doxorubicin. In this case, it targets the heart. [read more]
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is characterized by the abnormal multiplication of cells and the gradual formation of a growth within a milk duct of the breast. This medical condition may be difficult to detect. However, this is normally not a fatal condition since it is not a form of cancer but would still require a form of treatment. [read more]
Dysgerminoma is considered to be the most common classification of malignant form of germ cell ovarian cancer. Dysgerminoma usually occurs in adolescence and early adult life; about 5% occur in pre-pubertal children. Dysgerminoma is known to be an extremely rare medical condition that usually occurs after age 50. Dysgerminoma occurs in both sections of the ovaries in more than 10% of patients and, in a further 10%, there is microscopic tumor found to have developed in the other ovary. [read more]
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cramps, referring to dull and throbbing pain felt in the lower abdomen just before or during menstrual periods. [read more]
Dystrophia myotonica is categorized as an extremely rare genetic disorder that is characterized by muscle atrophy, myotonia, hypogonadism and cataracts. This is primarily caused by a multi-system, autonomic dominant disorder that can significantly affect the skeletal muscles that largely affects the central nervous system as well as other body parts. [read more]
Ectopia cordis is categorized as ab extremely rare congenital malformation of the heart that still remains very not easy to treat up to this day and age. Ectopia cordis is characterized by the development of the heart outside the chest wall, which means it is not protected by the sternum or the skin. In such cases, it is also likely that other organs may also form outside the body. [read more]
Edwards' syndrome is primarily caused by a gene mutation, particularly the extra copy of chromosome 18. For this very reason, it is also known by a medical term trisomy 18 syndrome. The presence of the extra chromosome has proven to be quite lethal for most babies who are born with this medical condition. Edwards' syndrome causes major physical malformations and also severe mental retardation and also comes with high mortality rate. [read more]
Eisenmenger's syndrome is categorized as a medical condition that involves the collection of symptoms such as cyanosis, pulmonary hypertension and erythrocytosis. This disease is usually found among young teenagers and adults that suffer from some form of congenital heart defect that may or may not have been repaired surgically. This may also be closely associated to pulmonary hypertension. [read more]
Encephalomyelitis is a general term for inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, describing a number of disorders like acute disseminated encephalomyelitis , encephalomyelitis disseminata, a synonym for multiple sclerosis; equine encephalomyelitis and myalgic encephalomyelitis [read more]
Encephalomyelitis, Myalgic is an inflammatory, chronic, mainly neurological disorder that's multisystematic and affects the body's immune system, cardiovascular system, muscoskeletal system, endocrinological system, and central nervous system or CNS. In every case of myalgic encephalomyelitis, there is an extent of disability and impaired mobility. The impairment level and complexity will depend on the level of brain injury and involvement of the end organ. [read more]
Endocardial fibroelastosis is a rare heart disorder that is characterized by a thickening within the muscular lining of the heart chambers (the endocardium) due to an increase in the amount of supporting connective tissue and elastic fibers. It is considered to be a rather uncommon cause of some unexplained types of heart failure among infants and children. [read more]
Endocarditis is characterized as an inflammation of the inner layer of the patient's heart, which is medically termed as the endocardium. Among the most common structures of this medical condition involves the heart valves. [read more]
Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus called the endometrium. It is one of the most common cancers in American women. About 40,000 American women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer each year, which makes it the fourth most common cancer found in women. [read more]
Endometrial cancer is a common type of cancer affecting most American women. Roughly forty thousand American women are diagnosed per year, making it the 4th most common female cancer. It begins in the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium), and may also affect other cells of the uterus. It is alternatively known as uterine cancer, and usually appears as the female's reproductive period ends, usually at ages 60-70. [read more]
An endometrial polyp or uterine polyp is a polyp or lesion in the lining of the uterus or the endometirum, which takes up space within the uterine cavity. Ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size, polyps are attached to the uterine wall by a large base or a thin stalk. [read more]
Endomyocardial fibrosis otherwise known as EMF is a kind of disease, progressive, which is due to unknown origin or idiopathic that is known to affect the heart seriously. The most obvious feature of this disease is a great change in the lining of the heart cavities known as the endocardium in one or can be both of the chambers of the heart in the lower part. It may also involve the heart valves found between the four chambers of the heart including the tendon-like cords holding the valves to the ventricles. Endomyocardial fibrosis is also similar to Loeffler's disease. Some regard Loeffler's disease as an early stage of the EMF, however, this idea remains to be controversial. This is one form of the Hypereosinophilic syndrome [read more]
Enetophobia is described as "a persistent, unwarranted, and abnormal fear of pins." Every year this very common phobia or fear causes so many people distress of being needless. To make things worst for such very distressing condition, most therapies usually take months or even years which at times will even require the person frequent and countless exposure to his fear. It is believed that the procedure is not only unnecessary, it also often worsen the condition. It is really cruel the fear can be eliminated with just 24 hours of commitment provided the right method is done to the patient. [read more]
Enlarged heart or cardiomegaly is a sign of an underlying problem. [read more]
Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as the age. When the prostate gland grows bigger, it can press on the urethra and cause urination and bladder problems. Prostate gland enlargement is also known for the medical term benign prostate hyperplasia. [read more]
Goiter, or the enlargement of the thyroid gland, is a condition more common in women and older adults. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland weighing less than an ounce, located just below the Adam's apple. [read more]
Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome or EMS is an incurable neurogical condition. Sometimes this conditon is fatal to some patients. It is flu-like condition that is associated to be triggered by ingestion or consumption of L-tryptophan supplements which are poorly produced. Like the regular eosinophilia, it can cause increase in the eosinophil granulocytes present in the patient's blood. There are new developments though, another explanation for EMS claims that it is brought about by the consumption of large amount of tryptophan. It leads to the production of the metabolites, which can interfere with the normal degradation of histamine. Also too much activity of histamine has been associated and related to blood eosinophilia and myalgia. [read more]
Ependymoma is a tumor that usually arises from the ependyma. Ependyma a tissue located in the central nervous system. Most of the time, the location of the tumor in children is in the intracranial, while the location of the tumor is in the spinal in the case of adults. The most common location of the intracranial ependymoma is in the fourth ventricle. It is only very rarely that ependymoma occurs in the pelvis or in the pelvic cavity. It is believed that Ependyomoma may have cause Syringomyelia. These tumors are also seen with Type 2 Neurofibromatosis. [read more]
Epidermolysis Bullosa is a very rare disease inherited genetically. It is often characterized by very fragile skin and blister formation that may come and go. These skin blisters often result from minor friction to other rough surfaces or by trauma. [read more]
Epididymitis is a condition wherin the epididymis swell or becomes inflamed. This medical condition may entail mild to extremely pain. Adminsitration of antibiotics may also be needed to control infection. Epididymis is structure located along the posterior area of the testis. It is coiled and tubular in appearance. It is the structure that allows for the transport, storage, and maturation of the sperm cells and also connecting the efferent ducts to the vas deferens. Swelling of the epididymis can either be acute or chronic and is commonly caused by infection. [read more]
Also known as intracranial hematoma, Epidural hematoma is a serious and possibly life-threatening condition that often requires immediate treatment. The condition occurs when a blood vessel ruptures within the brain or between the skull and the brain. The brain tissue is then compressed due to the collection of blood. [read more]
Epiglottitis is the medical term used to describe the inflammation of the epiglottis. The epiglottis is the flap that prevents the passage of food and other solid particles into the trachea. A swollen epiglottis is painful and can cause permanent damages to the trachea. [read more]
Epilepsy is a very common chronic neurological condition characterized by a recurrent seizure which is usally.The unprovoked seizures are transient signs or symptoms brought about by synchronous, abnormal, or excessive activities of the neurons in the patient's brain.There are about 50 million people around the world who suffer epilepsy at an any given time. Not all of epilepsy syndrome cases occur in a lifetime. Some forms of this disorder are only confined to some certain stages of childhood. Epilepsy, however, should not be considered or interpreted as a single disorder, rather occur as a group of syndromes with widely divergent symptoms which are all involving an episodic, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. [read more]
Erysipelas also known as Saint Anthony's Fire, is a streptococcus bacterial infection of the skin that results inflammation. It occurs on any part of the body, including the face, arms, fingers, legs and toes. [read more]
Erythema, or Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL), is the medical name of the dreaded skin disease, leprosy. It is characterized by a rapid development of sores in the different parts of the skin. When not treated, it can lead to blindness, tuberculosis, and irreversible disfigurement of one's physical appearance. [read more]
A common skin condition affecting the skin folds and is called erythrasma. An infection by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum is a result of the slowly enlarging patches of pink to brown dry skin. People affected by this condition are mostly overweight or have diabetes which are common in warm climates. [read more]
Erythromelalgia is also popularly known as Mitchell's disease. Other terms associated with Erythromelalgia are red neuralgia, or erythermalgia. This is a rather rare disorder characterized by the blood vessels located usually in the legs of the lower extremeties are blocked and becomes inflamed. The blocking then entails a severe pain and skin redness. Oftentimes, the attacks of Erythromelalgia comes in a periodic pattern and are mostly triggered by too much heat, drinking alcohol, or exertion. It can also occur as a primary or can be a secondary disorder. Oftentimes, econdary erythromelalgia could result from minute fiber peripheral neuropathy cause by any factors, poisoning from the mushroom or mercury, hypercholesterolemia, and some autoimmune disorders. [read more]
Esophageal atresia is also otherwise known as Oesophageal atresia. This condition is a medical birth defect condition, which usually affects the alimentary tract. It causes the esophagus to result in a blind-ended pouch impeding its function of normally connecting to the stomach. [read more]
Esophageal spasms are an uncoordinated series of muscle contractions that prevent food from traveling properly from your esophagus to your stomach. These spasms can be very painful. Chest pain is a common symptom of esophageal spasms. [read more]
Essential thrombocytopenia refers to low platelets level in blood. The normal platelet count in the blood ranges from 150,000 and 450,000 per mm3. While in thrombocytopenia it has less than 150,000 per mm. [read more]
Evans' Syndrome is a disorder that refers to an autoimmune disease. It means that the patient's antibodies attack their own blood products like the red blood cells and platelet. It is commonly cause by the two autoimmune disorders, the Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (a condition in which the red blood cells are destroyed by an autoimmune process). And the immune thrombocytopenic purpura (a condition in which the platelets are destroyed by autoimmune process.) [read more]
Exogenous lipoid pneumonia Also known as Lipid pneumonia or lipoid pneumonia is a lung inflammation or what we called pneumonia. But the difference is the exogenous is the lipid has entered the bronchial tree or the lungs while in pneumonia the water enters the lungs. [read more]
Extrapontine myelinolysis is a neurological disorder wherein the pons area, or myelin sheath in which the nerve cells are located, is damaged. [read more]
Eye cancers are malignant growths in the eyes. They are commonly associated with other cancers such as breast and lung cancers. They begin to grow as benign cysts or malignant rhabdomyosarcoma. When not treated, these cancers can caused permanent blindness or even death. [read more]
Eye melanoma cancer is a disease affecting the cells in the eyes that produce melanin. It affects the frontal area of the uvea, particularly in the iris and ciliary body, as well as in the back portion of the uvea, particularly in the choroids layer. Melanoma is more commonly associated with skin cancer; however, it can also develop in an individual's eyes, as in the case of eye melanoma cancer. It may occur in the form of a primary eye cancer, which means that the melanoma originated in the eye; or as a secondary eye cancer, in which the melanoma has spread to the eye from some other part of the body. [read more]
Facial palsy or Bell's palsy is a temporary form of facial paralysis occurring when the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face are damaged. [read more]
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is also commonly known by another medical term as Landouzy-Dejerine. This is categorized as an autosomal dominant type of muscular dystrophy that primarily affects the patient's skeletal muscles of the scapula, face and upper arms. It is categorized as one of the most common genetic disorder that affects the skeletal muscle. The symptoms gradually develop and can become increasingly evident during the teenage years. [read more]
Factor X Deficiency, Congenital -is an uncommon inherited disorder that involves the lack of a protein, known as Factor X, in one's blood. The deficiency in the protein leads to blood clotting problems, ranging from mild to serious. Women affected by the deficiency may experience extremely heavy menstrual flow, as well bleeding following delivery. [read more]
Familial adenomatous polyposis is a common genetic disorder that can lead to cancer of the colon if it is left undetected. Affected individuals develop countless ?adenomatous colorectal polyps' in the rectum or colon, particularly during their teenage years and twenties. The polyps aren't cancerous, but due to their numerous quantities, there's greater chance that a number will go through mutation and trigger cancer development. [read more]
Familial amyloid polyneuropathy, otherwise known as Corino de Andrade's Disease, is a deadly and untreatable health condition that was first identified in the 1950s. This disease is characterized by amyloidogenic transthyretin protein that aer systematically deposited particularly in the peripheral nervous system of the body. [read more]
A genetic health condition, familial Mediterranean fever is characterized by the repeating occurrences of inflammation in the chest, abdomen, or joints. These episodes, which were found to be painful, typically happen along with fever, and at times, a rash. [read more]
Fanconi's anemia (FA) is an inherited ailment that involves children and adults belonging to all ethnic backgrounds. FA is distinguished by skeletal abnormalities, short figure, elevated occurrence of solid tumors and leukemias, failure in bone marrow and cellular sensitivity destroying agents like mitomycin C. [read more]
Farsightedness or hyperopia is a common vision condition in which an affected person can see objects in the distance clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. The degree of farsightedness determines your focusing ability and for people with severe farsightedness, they can only clearly see objects at a great distance while those with mild farsightedness may clearly see objects that are closer. [read more]
Fasciculations are muscle twitches that occur within the involuntary muscles underneath the skin. They occur due to a sudden discharge of skeletal muscle fibers. Most fasciculations are benign. [read more]
Fatal familial insomnia is a very rare and deadly disease that affects the central nervous system. It results to ?spongiform degeneration' of the neurons inside the brain. It is characterized by extended incubation period, and it can be inherited, sporadic, or result from the intake of some contaminated food. [read more]
Favism, also known as glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, is an X-linked recessive disease that demonstrates insufficient amounts of the G6PD enzyme. This enzyme is important to red blood cell metabolism. Patients with the disease may suffer from non-immune hemolytic anemia. [read more]
Fecal incontinence or Bowel incontinence is the loss of bowel control, resulting in involuntary passage of stool. This can range from an occasional leakage of stool with the passage of gas, to a complete loss of control of bowel movements. [read more]
Feingold syndrome is an extremely uncommon syndrome with several congenital anomalies. The syndrome is characterized largely by gastrointestinal abnormalities, toe and finger deformities, eye abnormities, and a small head. The features of the syndrome share considerable overlap with Vacterl and Vater connections, particularly patients that have esophageal/duodenal atresia. [read more]
Female carrier ALD is an X-linked disorder which affected females carry and transmitted to males. Only males are affected by the disease. ALD stands for adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare genetic defect that deteriorates the adrenal glands. Advanced stages of ALD can cause demyelation of the brain's white matter. [read more]
Also known as pyrexia is a symptom of disease that describes that there is an internal termporary increase in the body core temperature which is above the regular body's thermoregulatory set point usually about 1 ? 2 0C. [read more]
Fibroma is mainly a benign tumor which is made of fibrous connective tissues. This is a disease that is seen to be common among children and youngsters. This is found to occur to any part of the body. Generally, it can be categorized into Hard Fibroma or Soft Fibroma. Fibroma types include myxofibroma, pleomorphic fibroma, desmoplasmic fibroma, cemento-ossifying fibroma, cystic fibroma, ossifying fibroma, nonossifying fibroma and many more. [read more]
Fibromyalgia is categorized as a chronic condition that is characterized by extensive pain in the ligaments, muscles and tendons. It can also be accompanied by multiple tender points and fatigue. This medical condition is more prevalent among females than male. Although the pain symptoms may vary, this condition may never be able to disappear completely. [read more]
Fibromyomas or uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors?that develop within or attach to the wall of the female reproductive organ called the uterus. [read more]
Fish tank granuloma is an infectious skin disease caused by the Mycobacterium marinum. In this disease, lesions grow on the skin and result to infections as well as tearing of the skin. The bacteria are commonly found in waters, particularly in swimming pools, and people exposed to salt or fresh water are more susceptible to the disease. Fish tank granuloma can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycyclin, and rifampin. [read more]
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is characterized by pain that is typically felt on the right upper quadrant that is a result of an ascending infection of the pelvis and inflammation of the diaphragm or liver capsule. This medical condition is typically associated with another disease called acute salpingitis and usually mimics typical abdominal emergencies. Since there are a number of possibilities that may be associated with the symptoms of this disease, proper diagnosis is required to rule out other possibilities. [read more]
Flynn-Aird syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder that is characterized by gradual neurological degeneration that is associated with symptoms such as ataxia, dementia, eye problems, muscle wasting and skin disorders. [read more]
Sometimes called drop foot, foot drop is a general term used to describe the difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot and cases of dragging the front of the foot on the ground when walking. Foot drop is a sign of an underlying cause such as neurological, muscular, or anatomical problem and is not a disease. [read more]
Forbes Disease occurs in 1 for every 100,000 live births. It is also called Cori's type III glycogenosis. It was Gerty Theresa Radnitz Cori and Gilbert Burnett Forbes who developed an accurate description of this condition. This rare disease is due to a missing enzyme which causes abnormal glycogen levels to be absorbed by the body, namely the liver and the skeleton musculature. [read more]
A rare disorder, Fox-Fordyce disease becomes a problem for most women who fall between ages 13 to 35 years. Males and young children may also develop this medical problem. Fox-Fordyce Disease is also called ?sweat retention disease' and ?apocrine duct occlusion'. [read more]
Frontotemporal demential is considered to be a clinical syndrome wherein the cause of the condition is due to a degeneration of the brain's frontal lobe and extends to the temporal lobe. This syndrome can occur in patients diagnosed with a motor neuron disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. It often occurs in people of young age. When FTD is diagnosed together with MND, the prognosis is worse. [read more]
Gall bladder disease is characterized by the infection, inflammation, or obstruction of the gallbladder. Gall bladder disease is also alternatively known as gallbladder attack, biliary disease, or biliary colic. [read more]
Gamstorp episodic adynamy is the name taken by Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) when it occurs in humans. Usually, HYPP (known as Impressive Syndrome as well), is a disorder that affects the channels for sodium in the muscle cells, and incapacitates regulation of potassium in the blood. This disorder, with autosomal dominant inheritance, is also a disease that affects horses. [read more]
Gastric cancer pertains to cancer of the stomach. Adenocarcinomas, lymphomas, carcinoid tumors, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common types of gastric cancer. [read more]
Gastric dumping syndrome, otherwise known as rapid gastric emptying, occurs when the small intestine's lower end, called the jejunum, fills up too fast with undigested food routed from the stomach. Rapid gastric emptying is experienced in two forms: early dumping commences after the meal or during the meal, while late dumping occurs about 1 to 3 hours after the meal. Early dumping is usually linked to difficulty in digesting fats. Late dumping, on the other hand, is associated with difficulty in digesting carbohydrates. [read more]
Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis is a rare disease caused by fungi. It is characterized by a painless lump underneath the stomach lining, which eventually causes abdominal pain and swelling. It can also cause the development of elephantiasis. The lump that grew on the abdomen may block the lymph nodes causing problems in the bloodstream. The inflammation can be treated by surgical removal of the lump as well as ketoconazole to reduce swelling. [read more]
These are rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract also known ?GIST'. GIST is a form of joint tissue cancer or sarcoma. GISTs are therefore non-epithelial tumors, separate from common forms of bowel cancer. [read more]
Gastroparesis happens when the muscles in the stomach are not properly functioning which prevents an individual from emptying properly. [read more]
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a medical condition consisting of a paresis (partial paralysis) of the stomach ("gastro-"), resulting in food remaining in the stomach for a longer period of time than normal. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine to digest, while the vagus nerve controls these contractions. Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not function normally. Food then moves gradaully or stops moving through the digestive tract. [read more]
The disease usually infects horses and mules though it can also infect other animals and humans. In laboratory settings, human infection usually happen or from prolong contact with animals that are contaminated. [read more]
Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis, is a disease that thrives in the saliva. When not treated, it can cause serious damages to the blood, liver and spleen. [read more]
Glioblastoma multiforme is the highest grade brain tumor, and is also the most aggressive and most common type. It is also the most malignant form of gliomas characterized by star-shaped cells, called astrocystoma tumors. [read more]
Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease wherein the glomeruli, or internal kidney structures, become inflamed. Also known as glomerular nephritis, the disease is a result of a problem within the body's immune system. [read more]
Glycogen storage disease type 7, also called Phosphorofructokinase deficiency or Tarui's disease, is a metabolic disease characterized by a deficiency in the phosphorofructokinase enzyme. This in turn disturbs the function of the cells, including rhabdomyocytes and erythrocytes, to utilize carbohydrates for energy. The disease is autosomal recessive in nature, and may affect mammals apart from humans. [read more]
Glycogen storage disease type II, also known as acid maltase deficiency or Pompe disease, is characterized by an enzyme acid maltase deficiency. The body uses the enzyme acid maltase to metabolize glycogen for energy. Among all the glycogen storage diseases, this is the only one with a lysosomal metabolism deficiency. [read more]
Glycogen storage disease type V is a glycogen storage disease characterized by a myophosphorylase deficiency. It is also known by the names muscle phosphorylase deficiency or McArdle's disease. [read more]
Glycogen storage disease type VI, also known as Hers disease, is a glycogen storage disease (GSD) characterized by a liver glycogen phosphorylase deficiency. It is also one of the less severe forms of all GSDs. [read more]
Glycogen storage disease type VII, also known as Tauri disease, affects only the muscle tissue. This is similar to GSD type V. [read more]
Glycosuria otherwise known as glucosuria is an osmotic diuresis due to excretion of too much glucose by the kidneys. [read more]
Turner type Gonodal Dysgenesis, otherwise known as Turner Syndrome or Ullrich syndrome, is a condition wherein the monosomy of X chromosome is the most ommon, making the female sexual characteristics though present are generally underdeveloped. It is said to occur in about one out of every 2500 female birth (National Institutes of Health (2004). Clinical Features of Turner syndrome). [read more]
Gonococcal conjunctivitis is a sexually-transmitted ocular disease. It is a very rare eye infection in adults and is most commonly seen in infants by mothers who are suffering gonorrhea. [read more]
Gonorrhea most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Non-genital sites that thrives are in the rectum, the throat (oropharynx), and the eyes (conjunctivae). The vulva and vagina in women are often spared because they are lined by stratified epithelial cells in women the cervix is the usual first site of infection. [read more]
Granuloma inguinale, also known as donovanosis, a bacterial illness characterized by genital ulcers that can be mistaken for syphilis. They can grow to endemic proportions and eat up genital tissues causing blood and mucus leakage. [read more]
Graves' disease, the most common type of hyperthyroidism, is a condition wherein the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to overproduce thyroxine. [read more]
Griscelli Disease, GS for brevity is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in the pigmentary dilution of the skin and the hair, the accumulation of the melanosome in melanocytes. It involves impairment of the lymphocyte function and the inability to produce normal levels of immunoglobulins (Griscelli C, Prunieras M. Pigment dilution and immunodeficiency: a new syndrome. Int J Dermatol. Dec 1978;17(10):788-91). [read more]
Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a disorder affecting the body's immune system, causing it to attack part of the peripheral nervous system. GBS is autoimmune and acute in nature. GBS has many forms, although its most common form is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). [read more]
H. pylori infection occurs when a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) thrives in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. [read more]
Hairy cell leukemia is a slow-growing cancer characterized by overproduction of B cells in the bone marrow. These B cells, called lymphocytes, are a kind of white blood cell needed to fight infection. The bone marrow is unable to produce other types of normal cells as well, including platelets that heal bleeding, and red blood cells that carry oxygen. Hairy cell leukemia is a rare disease, constituting only 2% of all leukemia cases. [read more]
Hansen's disease, more commonly known as leprosy, is a chronic contagious disease that causes severe disfigurement on the skin, face, hand and feet. It was once a dreaded epidemic. [read more]
Hantavirosis is a term that describes an infection from the Bunyaviridae virus family which is transmitted from rodents. The condition occurs in China, Russia, Korean Peninsula, northern and western Europe, Brazil, Chile, United States, Panama, Canada, and Patagonian Argentina. [read more]
HARD syndrome, also known as Walker-Warburg syndrome, is a congenital muscular dystrophy related to eye and brain abnormalities. Around 30 different muscular disorders are classified under the HARD syndrome. [read more]
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus, but by an allergic response to indoor or outdoor airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander. [read more]
Hearing disorders, also known as hearing loss or hearing impairments, are conditions wherein there is full or partial decrease in hearing quality. Environmental and biological factors can bring about various types of hearing disorders. Hearing disorders are classified into sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss. [read more]
Heart block is a disease that affects the heart's electrical system. Signal from the upper to the lower chambers of the heart do not transmit. There are 3 degrees of heart block: first degree, second degree, and third, which is complete heart block. [read more]
Hemmorhagic fever belongs to a group of viral hemmorhagic fevers (VHFs), which are human and animal diseases caused by any four RNA families: Filoviridae, Arenaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Bunyaviridae. [read more]
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by excessive absorption of dietary iron resulting in a pathologic increase on total body iron stores. Human, like virtually all animals, have no means to excrete excess iron. Excess iron accumulates in tissues and organs disrupting their normal function. [read more]
Hemothorax is a disease wherein blood accumulates in the chest. It is a relatively common condition, usually occurring from traumatic force in the thorax which causes the serous membrane of the thorax surrounding the lungs to rupture. [read more]
Hendra virus is a strain of virus under the Paramyxoviridae family. It was first described in 1994 during an outbreak of neurological and respiratory disease in humans and horses in the Hendra suburb of Brisbane, Australia. [read more]
Hepatocerebral degeneration is an acquired brain defect due to liver damage. When not treated, the disorder can bring about irreversible damages to the whole nervous system. [read more]
Hepatomegaly is the condition of having an abnormally enlarged liver. [read more]
In medicine, amyloidosis refers to a group of conditions in which amyloid proteins are abnormally deposited in organs and/or tissues, causing disease. A protein is amyloid if, because of an alteration in its secondary structure, it takes on a particular insoluble form, called the beta-pleated sheet. [read more]
Hereditary elliptocytosis is a blood disorder in which a large proportion of the sufferer's erythrocytes (i.e. red blood cells) are elliptical instead of being biconcave disc-shaped. The disorder comes before haemolytic anaemia. [read more]
Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic disease affecting the production of enzymes in the pancreas. In the pancreas, a genetic mutation causes the enzyme cationin trypsinogen to be made in a way which leaves it resistant to inactivation through autolysis. Normally this autolysis mechanism prevents trypsinogen from being activated inside the pancreas. However, when the abnormal trypsinogen is activated, it results to a chain reaction where all the trypsinogen in the pancreas is activated, effectively digesting the pancreas from the inside. [read more]
Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetically-transmitted form of spherocytosis, an auto-hemolytic anemia marked by the production of red blood cells that are sphere-shaped rather than donut-shaped, and therefore more prone to hemolysis. [read more]
Homocystinuria is an inherited disorder in which the body cannot process certain building blocks of proteins (amino acids) properly. [read more]
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a rare infectious disease that is part of a group of diseases known as the Human Ehrlichioses. The Ehrlichioses are infectious diseases caused by bacteria in the "Ehrlichia" group. Several forms of Human Ehrlichial infection have been described including Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE), Sennetsu Fever, and Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME). Though caused by different strains of Ehrlichia bacteria, the disorders are all marked by similar symptoms. [read more]
Human Parvovirus B19, a species of parvovirus that infects humans, is linked with the development of several different autoimmune diseases including dematomyositis, mixed connective tissue diseases, a lupus-like illness, a serologically negative (negative RA factor test) form of arthritis, granuloma annulare, autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune schizophrenia, and various forms of vasculitis, including Henoch Schonlein purpura, Kawasaki disease, Wegener's granulomatosis, and polyarteritis nodosa. The development of autoimmune conditions following Human Parvovirus B19 arises in people of all ages and occurs more frequently in females. Autoimmune disease development is also known to appear in adults exposed to children with fifth disease [read more]
HTLV causes T-cell leukaemia and T-cell lymphoma in adults and may also be engaged in certain demyelinating diseases that includes tropical spastic paraparesis. HTLV is described as a human, single-stranded RNA retrovirus. [read more]
Hunt's syndrome is a rare form of progressive cerebellar dyssynergia mainly marked by intention tremor and often associated with convulsions and myoclonic epileptic jerks. [read more]
Hurthle cell cancer (or HCC) is a relatively rare and extremely aggressive type of cancer that occurs in the thyroid gland, the gland responsible for secreting hormones that are essential in regulating the metabolism. [read more]
Hydranencephaly is a rare condition in which the brain's cerebral hemispheres are missing and replaced by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid. [read more]
Hydrosyringomyelia refers to a group of conditions a person experiences when the spinal cord is damaged by an abnormal formation of fluid-filled cavities within the cord. [read more]
Literally, Hypercholesterolemia means ?high blood cholesterol?. Characterized by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood, Hypercholesterolemia is not a disease per se, but a metabolic dysfunction which may be indicative of other diseases as well as contribute to several other forms of disease. Hypercholesterolemia is strongly correlated with ?hyperlipidemia?, marked by high lipid levels, and ?hyperlipoproteinemia", marked by high lipoprotein levels. A rare genetic form of this disorder is known as familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition occurring in families where members cannot properly metabolize cholesterol. [read more]
Hypereosinophilic syndrome is an uncommon blood disease process wherein the bone marrow generates steadily elevated ?eosinophil' count over a prolonged period of time causing damage to the tissue or organ. The syndrome may affect any part of one's body, but mostly affects the heart, nervous system, and the skin. [read more]
Hyperglycinemia (nonketotic) is an innate metabolism error that's distinguished by the build up of huge quantities of amino acid glycine in urine, blood, and especially in the CSF or cerebrospinal fluid. This metabolic block happens in the transformation of glycine into tinier molecules. The disorder comes in several forms: classic form, infantile form, mild-episodic form, late-onset form, and atypical form. [read more]
Also known as Impressive Syndrome, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a genetic disorder inherited via autosomal dominancy. In HYPP patients, sodium channels in muscle cells as well as the ability to regulate potassium levels in the blood are affected. While closely associated with horses, this disease also affects humans. In human patients, HYPP is often referred to as Gamstorp episodic adynamy. [read more]
Hypermobility syndrome is a condition in which a person with doubled joints also experiences athraigia and myalgia, as skin hyperextensibility and varicose veins. [read more]
High blood pressure or more popularly referred to as hypertension means high pressure in the arteries or the vessels that carries blooding from the heart to other parts of the body. The normal blood pressure of a human being is typically below 120/80 and people who reaxch 140/90 are most likely suffering form hypertension. [read more]
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a defect in the muscle of the heart known as myocardium. This disease is characterized by the thickening (or hypertrophy) of the myocardium without any evident cause. HCM is believed to be the leading cause of sudden, unexpected cardiac arrest in any age group. [read more]
Hyper IgM syndrome, or ?Hypogammaglobulinemia with Hyper-IgM', is a type of genetic disease characterized by a distinctly high occurrence of Immunoglobulin M (i.e., IgM) antibodies. [read more]
Hyponatremia is an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood. [read more]
Hyposplenism is a disorder characterized by reduced functions of the spleen. [read more]
An imperforate anus or anal atresia is a congenital defect in which the rectum is malformed. [read more]
Sporadic inclusion body myositis (acronym: sIBM) is a rare condition marked by gradually progressive wasting and weakness of the proximal and distal muscles. This inflammatory muscle disease is most evident in the muscles of the legs and arms. Two progressive processes, one degenerative and the other autoimmune, seem to occur simultaneously in the muscle cells. In the autoimmune aspect, the T cells are cloned, seemingly driven by certain antigens to invade the fibers of the muscles. In the degeneration aspect, holes (vacuoles) appear in the muscle, with amyloid-related protein deposits and abnormal filamentous inclusions appearing in the cells. [read more]
Inclusion conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the white part, or sclera, of the eyeball) by the chlamydia trachomatis. [read more]
Infantile paralysis is the old name for the disease poliomyelitis (or polio). It is an infectious disease transmitted from one's saliva or feces, and it can lead to paralysis and muscle dystrophy. [read more]
Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection affecting the endocardial surface of the heart. The intracardiac effects of this infection include severe valvular insufficiency, which may result to intractable congestive heart failure and myocardial abscesses. [read more]
An insulinoma is a tumour of the pancreas derived from the beta cells which while keeping the ability to synthesize and secrete insulin is autonomous of the normal feedback mechanisms. [read more]
Intestinal lipodystrophy, or Whipple's disease, is a rare bacterial infection that most often affects the gastrointestinal system. It interferes with normal digestion, impairing the breakdown of foods such as fats and carbohydrates and hampering the body's ability to absorb nutrients. [read more]
An intracranial hematoma occurs when a blood vessel ruptures within the brain or between the skull and the brain. The collection of blood (hematoma) compresses the brain tissue. [read more]
Intraductal carcinoma, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is when abnormal cells multiply and form a growth within a milk duct of your breast. [read more]
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is not a cancer, but its presence means that there is a small increase in the risk of developing breast cancer later on in life. Even so, majority of women with LCIS do not develop breast cancer. [read more]
In medicine, iron overload (also known as hemochromatosis) disorders are diseases caused by the accumulation of iron in the body. [read more]
Jejunum is the central part of the small intestine, lying between the duodenum and the ileum. In Jejunal atresia, a part of the small intestine is completely absent or closed. Patients with this disorder are born with a missing stomach membrane fold connecting the small intestine to the abdominal back wall. Consequently, the jejunum twists around the marginal artery causing a blockage. This rare birth defect is also described as malformation of the jejunum. [read more]
Juvenile dermatomyositis or JDM is an autoimmune disorder which causes vasculitis manifesting itself among children; and it is a pediatric equivalent of dermatomyositis. JDM manifests vasculitis an inflammation which is caused by the attack of the body's immune system to the blood vessels. In the US, the rate of occurrence of JDM is estimated to be 3 in every 1,000,000 children annually. This is about 300 to 500 fresh cases every year or about 3,000 to 5,000 children. Other types of juvenile myositis include juvenile inclusion-body myositis (JIBM) and juvenile polymyositis (JPM). These two other types are very rare and are not that as common among children. The underlying cause of Juvenile dermatomyositis is still unknown. It is most probable that it has a genetic component such as other autoimmune diseases (inherited within the family). The most common triggering factors include infections, immunizations, sunburn and injuries. [read more]
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy or JME is also called the Janz syndrome. This is a common type of idiopathic generalized epilepsy which represents 5-10% of all the types of epilepsies. This disease manifests primarily between the 12th-18th month and with myoclonus showing very early during the morning. Most of the patients also manifest absence and tonic-clonic seizures. Studies have shown at least six loci for JME of which 4 have specific causative genes. Most of the genes are ion channels together with the sole non-ion channel gene after manifesting effects on currents of ion channel. [read more]
JRA or Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is not just a single illness. It is, in fact, a group of illnesses of unidentified etiology. The manifestation is a chronic inflammation of the joint. Treatment advances in the last thirty years have altered the prognosis for the more acute types of this disease. The first treatment is limited with only the use of salicylates and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. The initial treatment resulted into numerous patients being bound to their wheelchairs. Some patients tried synovectomies to get rid of tissue excesses which result from uncontrolled arthritis. The second-line medicines that were added have improved the prognosis for those who suffered from JRA. It started with gold salt injection and gradually replaced by MTX or methotrexate which is a more effective solution. These drugs are administered with team approach background in centers of pediatric rheumatology. In there, occupational and physical therapies have allowed much improved physical functions. The introduction of etanercept (which is a biologic enemy of tumor necrosis factor or TNF) has introduced a new era in treatments. A few more biologic agents such as the anakinra (which is an IL-1 or interleukin-1 receptor opponent) could be used in some patients who are not responsive to second-line medication. The future holds an inhibition of IL-6 which could be effective in systemic sufferers with JRA with high levels. [read more]
A rare degenerative disorder marked by a progressive thinning and cone-shape appearance of the cornea of the eyes; it is categorized as a non-inflammatory eye ailment. It is considered as the most usual type of corneal dystrophy in the US. [read more]
A skin condition affecting the soles of the feet and, less commonly, the palm of the hands is called pitted keratolysis, which is caused by a bacterial infection of the skin and may give off an unpleasant odor. [read more]
Ketotic glycinemia, also referred to as propionic acidemia, is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects the amino acid production. [read more]
King-Denborough Syndrome is the termed used for the combination of the particular characteristics of people with malignant hyperthermia. King-Denborough syndrome is a usually inherited reaction to exposure to general anesthesia and its component drug like volatile anesthetics. It is a rare life-threatening condition. Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant disorder that is usually inherited. It is genetically related to Central Core Disease (CCD), another autosomal dominant disorder that is remarkable by MH symptoms and neuromuscular disease that leads to muscle weakness. Exposure to drugs of this kind can lead to circulatory collapse and worse, death if left untreated. [read more]
Klumpke's paralysis is paralysis of the brachial plexus. Brachial plexus is the arrangement of nerve fibres from above the fifth cervical (neck) vertebrae to the bottom of the first thoracic vertebrae extending through the neck, armpit and the arm. It is also described as paralysis of the forearm and muscles of the hand. Klumpke's paralysis is also known with other names as Klumpke's palsy or Dejerine-Klumpke palsy. The risk of developing this rare condition is greater if the mother is small and when the neonate is too large to pass the pubic symphysis of the mother. [read more]
Kniest Dysplasia is a rare genetic bone growth disorder; it is an uncommon kind of inherited disorder. It is a subtype of Type II and XI collagenopathies, which are described as group of disorders that affect the tissue supporting the body's joints and organs. This disorder is usually exemplified by dwarfism, skeletal anomalies, enlarged joints, as well as vision and hearing deficiencies. [read more]
Kocher-Debr-Semlaigne syndrome is a rare disease. It is a disease of the bone muscles that are products of any nerve disorders. It is a myopathy of hypothyroidism (a medical condition marked by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. The name of the syndrome is derived from the names of Emil Theodor Kocher, Robert Debr?, and Georges Sem?laigne. This syndrome are referred with other names including: Debr Semlaigne syndrome, myxoedema-myotonic dystrophy syndrome, myxoedema-muscular hypertrophy syndrome, myopathy-myxoedema syndrome, cretinism-muscular hypertrophy, hypothyroidism-large muscle syndrome, hypothyroid myopathy, infantile, myxoedema-muscular hypertrophy, hypothyreotic muscular hypertrophy in children, [read more]
Kostmann Syndrome is a rare disease usually distinguished and identified soon after birth. This is an uncommon inherited type of Severe Chronic Neutropenia; which is a blood disorder marked by abnormally low number of neutrophil granulocytes. Neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) are essential for fighting infection. Kostmann syndrome was formerly presented and defined as an autosomal-recessive disorder, marked by early phase maturation arrest of myelopoiesis. Kostmann Syndrome was named after Dr. Kostmann, a Swedish doctor who first discovered the disease in 1956. [read more]
Krabbe disease (also called globoid cell leukodystrophy or galactosylceramide lipidosis) is a rare, often fatal degenerative disorder that affects the myelin sheath of the nervous system. [read more]
A Krukenberg tumor is a secondary ovarian abnormality in which an ovarian tumor grows in the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors are characterized by the presence of mucin-secreting signet-ring cells in the ovarian tissues. [read more]
Lafora disease is a deadly autosomal hereditary disease marked by the presence of inclusion bodies within the cells of neurons, heart, liver, skin, and muscles. These inclusion bodies are known as Lafora bodies. Lafora Disease is name after a Spanish neuropathologist, Gonzalo Rodriguez Lafora. [read more]
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that involves the neuromuscular junction. It has a great similarity with Myasthenia Gravis, but there are also obvious distinctions with the symptoms and pathogenetic features between the two medical conditions. The disease is common in middle aged and older people; however, this is not a guarantee that young people will have no chances of suffering the disease. [read more]
Landouzy-Dejerine muscular dystrophy, also known as Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant form of muscle weakness disorder. On the initial onset of this disorder, the first affected part is the facial, scapulo and humeral skeletal muscles. Landouzy-Dejerine muscular dystrophy is the third most prevalent genetic disease affecting the skeletal muscle. [read more]
Laryngomalacia is a medical condition wherein the larynx is extremely soft enough to cause breathing difficulties and also can initiate voice quality negative effects. Because the larynx is very soft, it tends to collapse during inhalation causing blockage to the airway passage. Laryngomalacia is literally referred to as soft larynx. The condition is most common to occur in infants; however, it can also occur in older patients essentially those who have neuromuscular problems that are possible to develop weakness of the throat muscles. [read more]
Latent tuberculosis is a form of tuberculosis in which the actual disease is not actively felt by the patient. This form of tuberculosis is not contagious, but it is still caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is diagnosed be special tests such as Mantoux test, Heaf test and Tine test, and is treated by the same procedure as the typical tuberculosis. [read more]
Legionellosis is a contagious disease that causes respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and pontiac fever. It was first described in 1976 when an outbreak occurred in a convention in Philadelphia, U.S.A. An average of 8,000 to 18,000 people in the Unites States acquire the disease each year. [read more]
Legionnaires' disease is an infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella. Over 90% of legionellosis cases are caused by Legionella pneumophila, a ubiquitous aquatic organism that thrives in warm environments (25 to 45 ?C with an optimum around 35 ?C). [read more]
Leigh disease, or Subacute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy (SNEM), is a rare disorder affecting the central nervous system. [read more]
Leiomyoma is a benign muscle neoplasm which may develop in any body organ but occurs mostly in the esophagus, small bowel and the uterus. [read more]
Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer in which a malignant neoplasm develops in the involuntary muscles. Leiomyosarcoma is commonly detected in gastrointestinal organs such as the small intestine, retroperitoneum and the stomach. [read more]
Lemierre's syndrome is a rare bacterial disease that usually targets young adults. It brings about an inflammation of the internal jugular vein. A blood clot also develops in the said area during the onset of the disease. It was first described by Andre Lemierre in 1936, and the disease has produced about 160 cases for the past 100 years. [read more]
Leprosy is a chronic contagious skin disease that attack the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the respiratory tract. It also develops skin lesions in various parts of the body. When left untreated, the disease may cause irreverisible damages to the eyes, nerves and skin. [read more]
Leukemia, B-Cell, chronic, is a cancer of the white blood cells. It attacks a particular lymphocyte called B cell and thrives on the lymph nodes. When the B cell is damaged, it can no longer fight infections and kills other healthy blood cells in the process. [read more]
Myeloid leukemia is a kind of leukemia that affects the bone marrow tissue. It has two distinct types, the acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by the overpopulation of white blood cells in the bone marrow and get in the way of production of the normal blood cells. Chronic myeloid leukemia meanwhile is a stem cell disorder linked with chromosomal translocations. [read more]
Globoid cell leukodystrophy, or Krabbe disease, is a rare, fatal degenerative disease that destroys the myelin content of the nervous system. [read more]
Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a kind of leukodystrophy that destructs the development of myelin, the fatty white matter that protects the nerve fibers in the the central and peripheral nervous system. [read more]
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is an autosomal muscular dystrophy that is characterized by a collection of rare muscle disorders. [read more]
Literally meaning ?smooth brain?, lissencephaly is a rare brain abnormality characterized by a lack of normal convolutions (or folds) in the brain. In lissencephaly syndrome type 1, the cerebral cortex is not normally developed, and the gyri are malformed. [read more]
Listeria infection, also referred to as listeriosis, is a relatively rare bacterial infection that results from Listeria monocytogenes, a type of gram-positive motile bacterium. Listeria infection commonly affects newborn infants, elderly patients, and individuals with immuno deficiencies. [read more]
It is the second most common gene in the long QT syndrome, and it involves mutations in chromosome 7. The Long QT syndrome type 2 leads to the blockage of cardiac action potential to potassium channels. This syndrome is brought about by overdose to drugs such as erythromycin, ketoconazole and terfenadine. [read more]
Long QT syndrome type 3 deals with the alpha subunit of the gene that encodes Na+ ion channel, located at chromosome 1p21-24. These mutations can lead to Brugada syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy and Cardiac Conduction disease. [read more]
Lou Gehrig's Disease, also called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, is a progressive and often fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neuron degeneration. Motor neurons are nerve cells in the central nervous system that are primarily responsible for voluntary muscle movement. When these neurons degenerate, the resulting disease is known as Lou Gehrig's. [read more]
Lung abscess pertains to an acute lung infection characterized by a localized accumulation of pus, inflammation, and tissue damage. [read more]
Systemic lupus erythematosus, simply called lupus, is an autoimmune disease that when untreated, can prove to be fatal. With lupus, as with autoimmune disorders in general, the patient's immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue, thus resulting in inflammation or damage of the tissues. Although it often targets the heart, joints, skin, blood vessels, lungs, liver, nervous system, and kidneys, lupus can actually affect any part of the human body. Lupus progresses unpredictably, with episodes of illness called flares that alternate with remission. [read more]
Lupus nephritis is a condition characterized by an inflammation of the kidney arising from an autoimmune disease known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). [read more]
Also called borreliosis, lyme disease is an infectious disease that results from an invasion of a bacteria from the genus Borrelia. The point of infection is usually the bite of a contaminated black-legged or deer tick. Other carriers, including other kinds of ticks, may also pass the affliction to humans. In the US, lyme disease is primarily caused by borrelia burgdorferi, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are the predominant causes in Europe. [read more]
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, LMA for brevity, is a rare lung disorder in which abnormal smooth muscle cells grow rapidly in lung and lymph tissue [read more]
It is also referred to as lymphopathia venereal which is a tropical bubo, climatic bubo, strumous bubo, poradenitis inguinales, Durand-Nicolas-Favre disease and lymphogranuloma inguinale and it is also a sexually transmitted disease. [read more]
Lymphogranuloma venereum (or LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease primarily affecting the lymphatics and caused by certain invasive strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. This disease is also known by many other names, including: climatic bubo, tropical bubo, strumous bubo, poradenitis inguinales, lymphopathia venerea, Durand-Nicolas-Favre disease, and lymphogranuloma inguinale. [read more]
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), which is an uncommon sexually transmitted disease and is characterized by its spreading though having unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex is caused by certain types of the bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. This disease causes swollen and painful lymph nodes, which can then break into large ulcers. As it develops, lymphogranuloma venereum goes through 3 distinct stages where the first 2 stages may be minor and you might not even be aware of any symptoms until you reach stage 3, called genitoanorectal syndrome. [read more]
Mac Ardle Disease, otherwise known as Glycogen Storage Disease Type V (GSD-V) is a kind of metabolic disorder due to the glycogen storage. It is the most common of the various type of GSD. (Wolfe, Gil I. et al. ?McArdle's disease presenting with asymmetric, late-onset arm weakness.? Muscle & Nerve, 2000). [read more]
Macroglobulinemia otherwise known as Waldenstr?m Macroglobulinemia, is a cancer involving lymphocytes. It is characterized by increased levels of macroglobulins in the circulating blood and diffuse of infiltration of bone marrow and produces symptoms of hyperviscosity. [read more]
Macroglossia dominant refers to the severe enlargement or hypertrophy of the tongue which cause functional difficulties in speaking, eating, and sleeping. It is most common in primary and myeloma-related amyloidosis, which refers to the accumulation of insoluble proteins in tissues that impedes its normal functioning (Merck Manual 17th Ed.) [read more]
Macular hole is a medical condition affecting the center of the retina in which the vitreous gel inside the eye weakens and eventually separates from the retina, leading to macular traction and causing a hole to form. [read more]
Mad Cow Disease, otherwise known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a neurodegenerative diseases in cattle that cause a spongy degeneration in the brain and in the spinal cord. [read more]
Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by mosquito bites, known as Anopheles Mosquitoes. It is one of the most common vector-borne infectious diseases in most tropical and sub-tropical regions in Asia, Africa, and some parts of Americas. [read more]
Malignant hyperthermia is a rare life-threatening condition. It is triggered by exposure to most drugs used in general anesthesia. Vulnerability to malignant hyperthermia is most of the time inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. It is genetically associated with Central Core Disease, which usually presents malignant hyperthermia manifestations and myopathy, described as a muscle suffering disorder. [read more]
Malonic aciduria is a rare genetic condition marked by a deficiency of the enzyme Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase bringing about impairment in the body's ability to convert fatty acids into energy, which can be used by muscles like muscles in the heart. Because of this occurrence, fatty acids tend to accumulate in the body since they are not metabolized. The deficiency in Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase interrupts the normal balance of fatty acid breakdown and formation. This condition is also known as Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency. [read more]
Malouf syndrome is a very rare syndrome primarily characterized by a heart disease in addition to abnormal ovaries. This congenital disorder is also known as congestive cardiomyopathy-hypergonadotropic hypogonadism syndrome. Malouf syndrome is derived from the name of Jean Malouf, who is a famous sideshow performer during the 19th century; she was born in Montreal. [read more]
Marburg fever is a rare and severe type of hemorrhagic fever affecting both human and non-human primates. It is a serious virus related to Ebola. The disease is transmitted through bodily fluids like saliva, blood, excrements (waste products of metabolism), and vomit. [read more]
Marchiafava-Bignami disease is also known as Marchiafava's disease and Marchiafava's syndrome. It is a progressive neurological disorder oftentimes associated with alcohol abuse and/or nutritional disorder. [read more]
Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder affecting many structures like skeleton, lungs, eyes, blood vessels and heart since connective tissue is found in all parts of the body. It is an inheritable condition in an autosomal dominant genetic pattern. [read more]
Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome is a rare disorder of mucopolysaccharide metabolism due to a deficiency of the enzyme aryl sulphatase B, the enzyme necessary to break down the complex sugar glycosaminoglycan (formerly referred to as mucopolysaccharide). This complex sugar needs to be recycled and replayed to carry out its normal function of providing structure to skin, bones, organs, and airways. It belongs to a group of uncommon inherited diseases categorized as lysosomal storage disorders. Other names for Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome are mucolopolysaccharidosis VI and MPS VI. [read more]
Marshall syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. The condition can occur in both male and female. [read more]
By definition, Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid process, which is that part of the temporal bone of the skull and is located behind the ear. [read more]
By definition MacArdle's disease is also known as Glycogen storage disease type V and is a kind of metabolic disorder that is characterized by the body's inability to produce enough of the muscle isoform called phosphorylase. Relatively recent, it was first identified in 1951 by the English physician whose name it now bears. [read more]
2Measles, which is also known as, Rubeola is a viral disease that has had a long history with medical accounts of it going as far back as 600 B.C. It was first clinically described in an Arabic book which significantly distinguished it from small pox. Measles is one of the great childhood killers, claiming the lives of more then 200 million children and adults in the last 150 years. The development of a vaccine has made the effectively checked the disease. [read more]
By definition, Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary inflammatory disorder that specifically afflicts a groups of patients who come from in and around the Mediterranean Sea- hence the name. The disorder is also very prominently present among Armenians, Sephardi Jews and people from Turkey and some Arab countries. [read more]
Megacolon otherwise known as the Hirschsprung's disease, is a disease that usually hits the large intestine or the colon causing bowel movement problems. [read more]
By definition, Megaloblastic anemia is a rare form of anemia classified as macrocytic that result when DNA synthesis is inhibited in the body's red blood cell production [read more]
Characterized in 1984, MELAS is the abbreviation for Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes, which belongs to the family of mitochondrial cytopathies which include MERRF, and Leber's Hereditary Optic Atrophy. [read more]
This disease is defined as an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei which is found in soil and in water. There are certain places where this bacterium is specially prevalent such as Thailand and Australia and that care must be given to those who might be traveling in parts of these areas where the diseases is prevalent. [read more]
M?n?trier disease which is also known as hyperplastic hypersecretory gastropathy, is named after the French physician Pierre Eug?ne M?n?trier and is a disorder in which the gastric mucosal folds or rugae become enlarged. [read more]
Meningomyelocele is a condition in which protruded membranes cover the spine as well as some of the spinal cord through the vertebral column's defective bony encasement. The bony defect is referred to as spina bifida. [read more]
Menkes disease is a disorder affecting the body's copper levels and characterized by sparse and coarse hair, growth and development problems, as well as deterioration of the nervous system. It is also alternatively known as Menkes kinky hair syndrome. [read more]
is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. Causes could be due to abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus. Depending on the cause, it may be associated with abnormally painful periods (dysmenorrhea). [read more]
Menstrual cramps often referred to as dysmenorrhea, is the pain in the lower abdomen experienced by women before and during their menstruation. [read more]
Meralgia paresthetica (burning thigh pain) pertains to a condition defined by a tingling, numbing, and burning pain in the outer thigh. [read more]
Mesenteric ischemia is a medical condition where inadequate blood supply inflames and injures the small intestine [read more]
This is a process that if unchecked can lead acidemia in which blood pH is very low (less because of the increased production of H+ by the body as well as the inability of the body to form bicarbonate in the kidney. [read more]
Metabolic disorders have many types but they typically affect the production of energy in individual cells. [read more]
Metachromatic leukodystrophy or MLD is the most common type of leukodystrophies, a family of genetic disorders that affect myelin growth and development. Myelin is the fatty covering that insulates nerve fibers throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Metachromatic leukodystrophy is also alternatively known as Arylsulfatase A deficiency. [read more]
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in humans. It can also be referred to as multiple-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA). The organism is usually sub-categorized as Community-Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) or Hospital-Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) depending upon the circumstances of acquiring disease, based on current data that these are distinct strains of the bacterial species. [read more]
Microcephaly is a neurological disorder which results in an individual with a much smaller head circumference for individual's age and sex compared with the average head sizes. [read more]
Miller Fisher Syndrome is a descending paralysis. It is the reverse variant of Guillain-Barr? syndrome. GBS exhibits an ascending paralysis from the legs spreading to the upper limbs and face with complete loss of deep tendon reflexes. [read more]
A disease also known as Sharp syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a term used by some experts to describe a collection of symptoms similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. MCTD is a serious autoimmune disease in which the body's defense system attacks itself. [read more]
Moeschler Clarren syndrome is also known as a congenital disorder affecting the development of the lower half of the face, most commonly the ears, the mouth and the mandible. The disease can either occur on one side of the face or both and sever cases can lead to difficulties in breathing, blocking the trachea. The condition may then require a tracheotomy. After clefts, Moeschler Clarren syndrome is the second most common facial birth defect with an incidence of 1 in 3500 to 4500. [read more]
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or benign monoclonal gammopathy is a condition in which a low or non-quantifiable level of a monoclonal paraprotein is detected in the blood by means of protein electrophoresis. Undetermined in the term may also be replaced with unknown or uncertain. [read more]
Monomelic amyotrophy (or MMA) pertains to a rare disorder of the motor neurons, which are a group of nerves responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. [read more]
MND or motor neurone diseases are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy the cells that control voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing. Those cells are called motor neurons. The disease has several forms including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), and bulbar. Spinal muscular atrophy is sometimes considered a form of MND. [read more]
Known as Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN) or Peroneal Muscular Atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is characterized by loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation, primarily in the feet and legs but also in the hands and arms in the advanced stages of disease. The disease is presently incurable and is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders, with 37 in 100,000 affected. [read more]
In most parts of the world, except Japan, Moyamoya is considered an extremely rare disease. Characterized by progressive intracranial vascular stenoses of the circle of Willis, the condition may result to ischemic events as well as hemorrhagic events. It may also lead to irreversible blockage of the carotid arteries to the brain as they enter into the skull. [read more]
Myeloperoxidse deficiency or MPO is a common genetic disorder featuring deficiency, in either quantity or function of the enzyme myeloperxidase. Said enzyme can be found in certain phagocytic immune cells, particularly polymorphonuclear leukocytes. [read more]
First described in 1962 by Thomas James Muckle and Michael Vernon Wells, Muckle-Wells syndrome is also known as Urticaria-deafness-amyloidosis (UDA). It is a rare autosomal disease, which causes sensorineural deafness, recurrent hives, and can lead to amyloidosis. MWS happens when a mutation in the CIAS1 gene leads to increased activity of the cryopyrin protein. The disorder is closely related to two other syndromes, familial cold urticaria and neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease. [read more]
Affecting one in 100,000 people, Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting one in 100,000 people wherein the enzyme arylsulfatase B is missing. The enzyme normally breaks down the mucopolysaccharides dermatan sulfate and without it mucopolysaccharides build up in all tissues in the body causing progressive deterioration and eventual death.?Doctors Maroteaux and Lamy first described the disease in 1963. [read more]
Mucormycosis also known as zygomycosis or phycomycosis is a rare yet life threatening and serious infection of fungi, usually affecting the face or oropharyngeal cavity. Occasionally, when caused by Pythium or other similar fungi, the condition may affect the gastrointestinal tract or the skin. It often begins in the nose and paranasal sinuses and is one of the most rapidly spreading fungal infections in humans. [read more]
Multiple myeloma is a disease known to have several names; these include MM, myeloma, plasma cell myeloma, or as Kahler's disease after Otto Kahler. It a type of cancer of plasma cells that serve as immune system cells in the bone marrow that produce antibodies. [read more]
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory, and demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system. It also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis, which onset, usually occurs in young adults and more common among women. The disease was first described in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot. [read more]
Mumps or epidemic parotitis is a human viral disease. "Mumps" originally meant "to mumble", and came to be useful to the disease due to the side effects it causes. Mumps was a common childhood disease worldwide prior to the development of vaccination and the introduction of a vaccine. It remains to be a significant health threat in third world countries. [read more]
Muscle Strain or commonly known as ?pulled? muscles is a condition whereby there is a stretching or tearing of the muscles in contrast with the muscle sprain which is the stretching or tearing of the ligaments. [read more]
Referring to a group of genetic and hereditary muscle disease that cause progressive muscle weakness, muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue. There are nine diseases that are classified as muscular dystrophies namely Duchenne, Becker, limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreifuss. [read more]
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant from of muscular dystrophy that is also known as Landouzy-Dejerine. It initially affects the skeletal muscles of the face (facio), scapula (scapulo) and upper arms (humeral) and is the third most common genetic disease of skeletal muscle. [read more]
Also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a poorly understood and debilitating disorder of uncertain cause or causes. According to a 1999 study among adults in the United States, CFS is thought to affect approximately 4 per 100 adults, and commonly occurs among women ages 40s and 50s. [read more]
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder, a neuromuscular disease that can lead to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The name is coined from Greek and Latin terms, which literally means serious muscle weakness. [read more]
A neuromuscular disease, Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to unpredictable muscle weakness and fatigability. The term is coined from Greek and Latin terms, which literally means serious muscle weakness. [read more]
Mycetoma, also referred to as Madura Foot, is a highly relevant disease commonly encountered in arid and semi-arid regions all over the world. This condition can be found in Mexico, the Sahel, in pan-Arabia, Brazil and in the semi-arid areas within India. Mycetoma can also exist in countries as distant as Romania. Mycetoma consists of two common forms. These are the bacterial mycetoma which is also referred to as actinomycetoma and the fungal mycetoma or also known as eumycetoma. These two common presentations of this condition are very hard to determine and differentiate from each another even under the electron microscopy. [read more]
Mycobacterium avium complex (or MAC) pertains to a group of genetically-related bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium which, in humans, can cause fatigue, fever, and weight loss. [read more]
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (shortened as M. pneumoniae) pertains to a tiny bacterium belonging to the class Mollicutes. In general, Mollicutes lack a peptidoglycan cell wall, and instead have a cell membrane that contains sterol compounds similar to eukaryotic cells. These sterols are obtained from the host sterum, allowing the organism to retain its simple structure. Because of the absence of a cell wall, these organisms are therefore resistant to penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics, which work by destroying the bacterial cell wall. [read more]
Mycoplasmal pneumonia is a bacterial infection caused by a very small bacterium, in the class Mollicutes. Characteristically, these organisms are resistant to penicillin as well as in other beta-lactam antibiotics. The bacteria closely associated with this condition spread via transmission of respiratory droplets. When the bacteria get attached to the mucosa of a host organism, it will extract nutrients to grow. Its reproduction is by binary fission. The sites where it can commonly get attached include the upper and lower respiratory tract which results to bronchitis, pharyngitis and pneumonia. Atypical Pneumonia refers to the infection caused by this very small bacterium primarily due to its protracted course. Moreover, it is characterized by lack of sputum production and by multiple extra-pulmonary symptoms. Chronic mycoplasma infections had also been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The severity of illnesses from mycoplasma is often defined as mild to moderate. [read more]
Mycosis Fungoides is also referred to as Alibert-Bazin Syndrome or granuloma fungoides. It is the most common presentation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma wherein the skin is the primary part of the body that is affected. As the disease progresses, it can also affect the internal organs and the blood. This condition was initially described in 1806 by a French dermatologist named, Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert. Mycosis fungoides caused several misconceptions because it stands for a fungal disease characterized by a mushroom-like presentation. It was named as such by Alibert based upon his description of the disease's severe case which appears similarly to a mushroom. However, it is far from a fungal disease or infection. It is actually a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. [read more]
Mycosis Fungoides Lymphoma is classified as the most common presentation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In general, the skin is the primary part of the body that is affected. However, it can advance internally as the disease progresses. Initially described in 1806 by a French dermatologist named, Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert, mycosis fungoides lymphoma caused some misconceptions. It stands for a fungal disease characterized by a mushroom-like presentation. It was named as such by Alibert based upon his description of the disease's severe case which appears similarly to a mushroom. However, it is far from a fungal disease or infection. It is actually a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. [read more]
Myelitis is a disease that affects humans which is characterized by swelling or inflammation of the spinal cord. This condition targets and causes disruption in the functions of the central nervous system, particularly the part linking the brain and extremities. [read more]
Myelodysplasia is characterized by a diverse group of hematological conditions. This particular disease is associated with ineffective blood cell production. It is presented with varying chances of transforming into acute myelogenous leukemia. In majority of cases, this condition is also associated with severe anemia that requires regular blood transfusion. [read more]
Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS was previously known as Preleukemia. It is characterized by a diverse group of hematological conditions. This hematological disease is associated with ineffective blood cell production. It is presented with varying chances of transforming into acute myelogenous leukemia. In majority of cases, this condition is also associated with severe anemia that requires regular blood transfusion. [read more]
Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia is also referred to as Agnogenic Myeloid Metaplasia, Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis, and Primary Myelofibrosis. This condition was initially described in 1879. At present, it is classified as myeloproliferative disease resulting from the growth and proliferation of an abnormal bone marrow stem cell. This is due to the bone marrow being replaced with fibrous connective tissue. Assmann's Disease or Heuck-Assmann Disease is an eponym for this condition. Mean survival for patients with this condition is 5 years. Usual causes of mortality are bleeding, infection, portal hypertension, organ failure and resulting leukemia. [read more]
Myeloma is a kind of cancer of plasma cells which are immune system cells in bone marrow that produce antibodies. Myeloma is regarded as incurable, but remissions could be induced with steroids, chemotherapy, thalidomide and stem cell transplants. Myeloma is a part of the broad group of diseases called hematological malignancies. [read more]
Myelomeningocele otherwise known as the Spina Bifida is a birth defect that is often called the neural tube defect which is caused whenever the tissue found in the spinal cord of a fetus does not close orderly resulting in to a defect in the spinal cord and the backbone of the infant. [read more]
Myeloperoxidase deficiency is considered a common genetic disorder which is characterized by a deficiency in the quantity of enzyme myeloperoxidase or its lack of functionality in the human body. This enzyme can usually be found in some types of phagocytic immune cells, the polymorphonuclear leukocytes in particular. Myeloperoxidase deficiency typically has no distinct signs of immunodeficiency among majority of affected patients. This is despite its immune deficiency presentation which is especially observed in candida albicans infections. Basically, this condition shows no specific manifestations of an immunodeficiency. The absence of major symptoms for Myeloperoxidase deficiency suggest that the role of the enzyme myeloperoxidase in immune responses might be similar with that of other mechanisms of intracellular killing of bacteria that had been phagocytosed. [read more]
Myiasis is a disease affecting both animals and humans resulting from parasitic dipterous fly larvae which is feeding on the host's living or necrotic tissues. Other colloquial terms used for the disease Myiasis are fly-strike and fly blown. Fritz Zumpt, a German entomologist described this disease as "the infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae, which at least for a period, feed on the host's dead of living tissue, liquid body substances, or ingested food." [read more]
Myoadenylate Deaminase Deficiency or MADD is classified as a metabolic disorder with a recessive genetic cause. This condition affects about 1-2% of the Eastern descent populations which makes it not particularly a rare disease. MADD is somewhat rarer in the Oriental populations. Myoadenylate Deaminase which is also referred to as AMP deaminase is an enzyme responsible in converting adenosine monophosphate or AMP into inosine monophosphate or IMP. This process frees ammonia molecule. This is a portion of metabolic process responsible in converting sugar, fat and protein to cellular energy. A cell usually converts sugar, fat and protein to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the mitochondria to utilize energy. Processes within the cell, the muscles in particular then convert ATP to adenosine diphosphate or ADP which frees the energy to perform work. Failure to deaminate AMP molecules covers three major effects which are: 1. The cell and body loses considerable amounts of AMP 2. Ammonia is not freed or released in the event that the cell performs work 3. Maintenance of IMP levels within the cell is impaired [read more]
Myocardial Infarction is the medical term for heart attack which is the occurrence of blood clot which hampers and block the blood flow in the coronary artery which is a blood vessel that supplies blood to a part of the muscle of the heart. This interruption of the flow of blood will often damage or even destroy the part of the heart muscle. [read more]
Myocarditis is a cardiology condition marked by an inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular part of the heart, due to either viral or bacterial infection. [read more]
Myoclonus is a medical symptom marked by a brief, involuntary twitching of a muscle or a group of muscles, often caused by contractions of the muscle as a result of brief lapses in concentration. [read more]
Myoclonus epilepsy is a type of brain function disturbance characterized by epileptic seizures, muscle twitching or myoclonus, and other serious symptoms. [read more]
Myofascial pain syndrome is type of muscle pain which centers around the trigger points or those sensitive points of the muscles. [read more]
The presence of myoglobin in the urine results in a condition known as myoglobinuria, and is usually correlated with rhabdomyolysis or muscle destruction. Myoglobin is the red pigment of muscle cells which serve as an oxygen reserve. [read more]
Myomas other wise known as the uterine fibroids, fibromyomas and leiomyomas, is a condition where there is growth of fibroids in the uterus. [read more]
The word myopathy literally means muscle disease. ?Myo? is from the Greek word for muscle, while ?pathy? is Greek for ?suffering?. More specifically, myopathies are neuromuscular conditions wherein the muscle fibers are damaged and no longer function for a number of reasons, thus resulting in muscular weakness. Myopathy implies a primary defect in the muscle. Even mild muscle complaints, such as cramps, stiffness, and spasms are, in fact, associated with this disorder. Myopathy is a very broad term. Specific classes are available with more distinct classifications. Some of these classes are dystrophies, myotonia, neuromyotonia, mitochondrial myopathies, and familial periodic paralysis, among others. [read more]
Myotubular Myopathy is the most common form of Centronucleara myopathies, in which the cell nuclei are located at a position in the center of the skeletal muscle cells, instead of their normal location at the periphery. [read more]
Centronuclear myopathies (or CNM) are a group of rare congenital myopathies that occur when cell nuclei are abnormally located in the center of the skeletal muscle cells (whereas, normally, they are located in the periphery). A myopathy implies a disease of the muscle tissue itself ? myo is from the word muscle and pathos literally means disease. CNM is considered very rare, but its most commonly occurring form is Myotubular Myopathy (or MTM). [read more]
Myopia, more commonly called near or short-sightedness, is characterized by a refractive defect of the eye wherein collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed. [read more]
Severe myopia is a severe form of near- or short-sightedness that often result in retinal detachments and primary open-angle glaucoma. The most difficult form of this condition, severe myopia or high myopia, is classified with a degree or severity of -6.00 or more. This measurement is in diopters, which measure the strength of optical power of the corrective lens. [read more]
Myositis is a general medical term encompassing conditions with muscle inflammation. Most myositis disorders are caused by autoimmune factors, rather than directly due to infection. Basically, the muscle fibers become damaged by inflammation, thus interfering with muscle contraction and eventually causing muscle weakness. Some documented types of myositis include myositis ossificans, fibromyositis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathiesm, and pyomyositis. [read more]
Myositis ossificans is a nonhereditary type of a syndrome marked by heterotopic ossification or calcification of the muscles. In myositis ossificans, extra-skeletal bone develops at the area of the injured muscle, typically in the arms or in the quadriceps of the thighs. [read more]
Myositis ossificans progressiva, also known as fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, is one of two kinds of heterotopic ossification or calcification of the muscle. This is a rare genetic condition, with an autosomal dominant pattern, in which the ossification occurs even without injury and grows in an often predictable pattern. [read more]
Myotonic dystrophy, also known as muscular dystrophy, is a progressive crippling illness presented by extreme muscle weakness until the affected person is confined to a wheelchair. [read more]
Myotubular Myopathy (MTM) is the most common form of a group of congenital myopathies called centronuclear myopathies (CNM). CNM is characterized by the abnormal positioning of the nuclei in the skeletal muscle cells. Normally, the nuclei are located at the periphery. But in CNM patients, they are located centrally, i.e. in the center of the cell. The term myotubular myopathy was first coined by a New York neurologist named Dr. Spiro. Dr. The presence of nuclei in the center of the cells reminded Dr. Spiro of the ?myotubular? stage during embryonic development, thus the term. He suspected that the myopathy may be caused by growth detention during the myotubular phase. [read more]
Myxedema (spelled ?myxoedema? in British English) is a disorder of the skin and tissue brought about by severe and prolonged hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder affecting both humans and animals caused by the insufficiency of thyroid production by the thyroid gland. [read more]
Also known as a digital mucous cyst or pseudocys, a myxoid cyst is a growth usually tissues and may be associated with osteoarthritis. [read more]
Myoxozoa is an exotic disease caused by a group of parasitic individuals called myxozoa. The term is from the Greek ?myx?, meaning slime or mucus, and ?zoa?, meaning animals. The myxozoa were originally believed to be protozoan, but were later distinguished to be metazoan through rDNA testing. [read more]
Nail fungus results from a fungi infection of the nails which spreads into the nail and causes discoloration and thickening of the nails. Nail Fungal Infection is also called Onychomycosis. [read more]
Nasal Polyps are the soft and usually not cancerous or benign growth of polyps in the lining of the nose or the sinuses. [read more]
Naxos Disease is an autosomal recessive modification of Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD, also known as Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or ARVC). It is a very rare syndrome characterized primarily by the heart disease and wooly hair. [read more]
Nearsightedness otherwise known as the myopia is a condition whereby the person can see clearly the objects near him clearly but not those which are far away which are usually blurred. [read more]
Neck pain is a medical condition where there is an acute and chronic pain in the neck which may be caused by poor posture. [read more]
Necrotizing fasciitis also known as fasciitis necroticans is a rare infection of the deeper skin layers and subcutaneous tissues spreading in the superficial and deep fascia enough to produce thrombosis of the subcutaneous vessels and eventually gangrene in the underlying tissues. This medical condition is commonly known as ?flesh-eating bacteria?. [read more]
Nemaline myopathy is a congenital hereditary neuromuscular disorder that causes muscular weakness that continuously progresses and with varying severity. It is also known as rod myopathy or nemaline rod myopathy. Nemaline myopathy is a clinical and genetical heterogeneous disease. This disorder has two forms: autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms. Autosomal dominant form is produced by a defective gene contributed by one parent while autosomal recessive form is produced by defective genes coming from both parents. [read more]
Neonatal ALD (short for neonatal adenoleukodystrophy) is a genetic disease affecting infants, causing damage to the adrenal gland and the myelin sheath, or the protective coating of the nerve cells. [read more]
Neonatal myasthenia is a postsynaptic neuromuscular transmission defect that arises as a complication in the infants of mothers with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that affects the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles. [read more]
Neonatal ophthalmitis pertains to a discharge of pus from the eye of a newborn infant. It is also alternatively known as opthalmia neonatorum. [read more]
Neonatal tetanus is a serious tetanus infection of newborn infants. It is also alternatively known as tetatnus neonatorum. In general, tetanus can affect people of all ages; but in babies, this disease is particularly serious and may be fatal. [read more]
Nephrotic syndrome is a nonspecific disorder in which the kidneys are damaged instigating them to leak large protein amounts from the blood into the urine. [read more]
Neuraminidase deficiency is a medical condition caused by insufficient amounts of neuraminidase, a glycoside hydrolase enzyme, which is known to one of the enzymes present on the surface of the Influenza virus. Deficiency of neuraminidase results to the development of a rare lysosomal storage disease called sialidosis. [read more]
Neurasthenia is a medical condition also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is characterized by a combination of fatigue, headache, anxiety, headache, neuralgia or painful disorders of the nerve, depression or any turndown in the mood and impotence (the inability to develop erection of the penis). The term ?Neurasthenia? was first used in 1869 by George Miller Beard. [read more]
Neuroendocrine cancer is cancer of the interface between the endocrine system and the nervous system. It is also known as gastro-entero-pancreatic or gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Some examples of neuroendocrine tumors are carcinoid tumors, islet cell tumors, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and pheochromocytoma. These tumors secrete hormones in excess, causing a variety of symptoms. [read more]
Neurofibroma is a type of nerve sheath tumor. Nerve sheath tumors are nervous system tumors which are mostly consist of myelin surrounding nerves. Essentially, Neurofibroma is a benign tumor originating from nerve cells. It usually arises from nerves in the skin or under the skin. [read more]
Neutropenia is a condition of an abnormal low number of a type of a particular type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. White blood cells are the cells in the blood that has an important role in the body's immune by fighting off infection. Because white blood cells could be affected by many diseases, doctors will often check the "white blood cell count" in evaluating health conditions. [read more]
Nicholas-favre disease, also known as lymphogranuloma venereum, is a sexually transmitted disease characterized by genital ulcers. It can affect the lymph nodes and cause serious problems in the bloodstream. [read more]
Nocardiosis is an infectious disease which affects the lungs or the whole body. Affectation of the lungs is termed as Pulmonary Nocardiosis while affectation of the entire body is referred to as Systemic Nocardiosis. Nocardiosis is caused primarily of an infection by bacterium of the genus Nocardia. The common forms are Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia brasiliensis. Men are more commonly affected particularly those whose immune systems are already compromised. Among patients afflicted with brain infection, rate of mortality goes beyond 80%. Among the other forms, mortality rate is at 50% even with therapy. [read more]
Non-ketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH) more commonly known as Glycine encephalopathy is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. Clinical presentation shows abnormally high level of Glycine which is a form of amino acid. This works as a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the brain. Primary cause of non-ketotic hyperglycinemia is insufficient amounts of the enzyme which normally metabolizes the amino acid, glycine, in the body. Shortage or lack of this enzyme allows abnormally high levels of glycine to accumulate in the organs and tissues. Particularly affected is the brain which leads to complicated medical problems. [read more]
Non-Specific Urethritis (shortened as NSU) is a type of urethritis characterized by inflammation of the urethra that cannot be attributed to Chlamydia, gonorrhea, or any infectious cause. Most cases of non-specific urethritis are sexually transmitted, while some have no evidence of infections at all. [read more]
Nystagmus is involuntary eye movement that can be part of either the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) or a pathological process. It is characterized by alternating smooth pursuit in one direction and saccadic movement in other direction. [read more]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychiatric anxiety disorder. Individuals with this disorder have thoughts that are obsessive, distressing, intrusive, related with compulsions to neutralize their obsessions. [read more]
Obstetric fistula or vaginal fistula is a severe medical condition in which a fistula (hole) develops between the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina after severe or failed childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available. [read more]
Obstructive sleep apnea a sleeping disorder in which a sleeping person's breathing is obstructed by a physical block to the airflow despite the effort to breathe. [read more]
Ocular Melanoma is a condition which occurs in the uvea or the vascular layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera or the white of the eye. It may occur in in the front part of the uvea or the iris and ciliary body or in the choroid layer or the back part of the uvea. [read more]
Oculomelic amyoplasia is a genetic disorder resulting in limb contractures from birth and eye abnormalities. [read more]
Ohtahara syndrome pertains to a neurological disorder characterized by epileptic seizures which affect newborn infants, usually within the first 3 months of life and more commonly within the first 10 days. [read more]
An oncocytoma is an epithelial tumor in the kidney or salivary gland. These tumors are composed of oncocytes, which are special cells. [read more]
Ondine's Curse is a respiratory disorder which results in episodes of respiratory arrest during sleep. It is a serious disorder and fatal if not treated. The disorder is also referred to as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome or primary alveolar hypoventilation. [read more]
Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nail. It is the very common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities. This condition can affect toe- or fingernails, but toenail infections are particularly common. The prevalence of onychomycosis is about 6-8% in the adult population. Onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes is also called as tinea unguium (tinea of the nails). [read more]
Oophoritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of either one or both ovaries, usually occurring alongside an infection and possibly affecting female fertility. [read more]
Open-angle glaucoma pertains to a relatively common, chronic, slowly progressing form of glaucoma that usually affects both eyes. Glaucoma pertains to a group of eye conditions characterized by damage to the nerve at the back of the eye, usually due to increased pressure within the eye, and ultimately resulting in vision loss. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common of all types of glaucoma, and tends to develop very slowly. The term ?open-angle? is used in reference to the relatively normal angle between the iris and the sclera; normal in contrast to other forms of glaucoma. [read more]
Opththalmoplegia pertains an eye abnormality characterized by the paralysis of eye muscles. It may also be spelled alternatively as opththalmoplegia. [read more]
Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which may cause a complete or partial loss of vision. It is sometimes referred to as retrobulbar neuritis. [read more]
Oral thrush is a medical condition whereby there is an unusual accumulation of Candida Albicians in the lining of the mouth. It usually manifests as lesions in the tongue and in inner cheeks. [read more]
Ornithosis is a zoonotic infectious disease also known as psittacosis, parrot disease, and parrot fever. [read more]
Orotic aciduria is the excessive excretion of orotic acid in the urine. [read more]
Osteomyelitis is a medical condition that is caused by the inflammation or abnormal swelling of bone tissue. This is mainly caused by an infection of an infection. This disease may occur on both adults and children for different reasons. [read more]
Osteosclerosis is a very rare disorder that is characterized primarily by an abnormal increase in the bone density. This means as the old bone is not resorbed and is not replaced with a new bone. This is why it is also known as the marble bone disease. [read more]
Overactive thyroid disease, otherwise known as hyperthyroidism, is a condition which occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, resulting to the significant acceleration of the body's metabolism. [read more]
Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection or OPSI is known as the rapidly fatal septicaemia infection that is brought about by the absence of the protection of the spleen against certain types of bacteria. Most patients who either have a non-functional or absent spleens can die in a few hours if exposed by uncommon infections. However, this medical condition can be prevented with the use of antibiotics and vaccinations. [read more]
Pachydermoperiostosis is categorized as a rare disorder that is primarily characterized by clubbing of the fingers, excessive sweating and thickening of the skin of the face. It medical condition typically appears during early childhood or adolescence, and progresses slowly within the next ten year or so. [read more]
Pachygyria is defined as a congenital malformation affecting the cerebral hemisphere. This often results in the unusually thick convolutions that form in the patient's cerebral cortex. Typically, most children with this medical condition may also suffer from developmental delay as well as seizures [read more]
Paget's disease of the breast is identified as a highly rare form of breast cancer. This disease accounts of less than five percent of the breast cancers. The disease usually originates in the breast ducts and develops to the nipple's skin and the areola. [read more]
Pallister-Killian syndrome is very rare and sporadic cytogenetic abnormality. This medical condition was first described in the three adults by Pallister way back in 1977. The information about this disease is still largely unknown other than the medical belief that it is causes by an autosomal tetrasomy in humans. [read more]
Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is condition characterized by the excessive sweating of the hands and feet. This can be an utterly annoying in one's social and professional environment, since excessive sweating may reduce one's efficiency at work due to lack of precision of the instrument s he handles, or when dealing with his peers. [read more]
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of pancreas. The pancreas is a big gland behind the stomach and just close to the duodenum. [read more]
Pancreatoblastoma is also known as the infantile form of pancreatic carcinoma. This medical condition is considered to be one of the extremely rare types of pancreatic tumor that typically develops during early childhood. In comparison to all other carcinomas, PB has been known to be less aggressive in infants as well as children than the cases found in adult. [read more]
Paracoccidioidomycosis is characterized as an infection primarily caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Paracoccidioidomycosis is a type of fungal infection that typically involves the mouth, skin, lymph nodes and throat, although symptoms sometimes appear in the patient's liver, lungs or spleen. [read more]
Parainfluenza viruses are paramyxoviruses, of which there are 4 distinct serotypes. Parainfluenza viruses are the second most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. [read more]
Paralysis pertains to the complete loss of muscle function and/or sensation in one or more muscle groups. [read more]
Paramyotonia congenita is categorized as an autosomal dominant disorder affecting the muscle. This medical condition is characterized by paradoxical myotonia, which is a defined as myotonia , which usually appears during exercise as well as during sever exposure to the cold. During episodes, the patient may suffer from difficulty in making voluntary movements and breathing. [read more]
Parotitis pertains to the inflammation of either one or both parotid glands, which are the largest of all salivary glands located on either side of the face. The parotid glands are chiefly responsible for producing saliva which they then release into the mouth. [read more]
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria is also termed as Donath-Landsteiner syndrome. This is a disease usually affecting humans and is characterized by abrupt presence of the hemoglobinuria in urine especially after being exposed to very cold temperatures. [read more]
Patau syndrome is also called trisomy 13. This is an abnormality in the chromosome in which a person has an extra chromosome 13. This condition is often inherited by the sufferers. [read more]
Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare disease which often occurs to older black men who are obese and with hypertension. In pelvic lipomatosis, dense deposits of normal fat in abnormal amount may be seen in spaces in the pelvic area. Pelvic lipomatosis is often benign overgrowth of some adipose tissue with small fibrotic components as well as inflammatory. Pelvic lipomatosis is commonly found incidentally when doing a routine check up. [read more]
The pemphigus vulgaris is the most common form of Pemphigus disorder. Pemphigus vulgaris results when the antibodies attack the Desmoglein 3. It causes sores originating in the mouth and making eating difficult and also uncomfortable for the sufferer. Commonly, it occurs to people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 although it can also affect other people not belonging to that age group. In rare cases though, it is linked with myasthenia gravis. [read more]
Penile candidiasis pertains to a rare yeast infection of the penis caused by a fungus of the genus Candida, transmitted via sexual contact. [read more]
Perilymph fistula is also known as labyrinthine fistula. This is a condition wherein there is leakage of the inner ear fluid entering into the middle ear. This condition is believed to be a complication due to stapedectomy. Perilymphatic fistula are classified into four categories, namely congenital, iatrogenic, spontaneous, and traumatic. [read more]
Perinatal infection is described as an infection which is caused by less common parasites, bacteria, or viruses passed from the mother to the baby during her pregnancy or at childbirth which the baby can get from the mother's vagina at birth. [read more]
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is a form of a dilated cardiomyopathy. It is described as the deterioration in cardiac function usually in periods between the late pregnancy months up to five months of postpartum. Patients usually have no history relating to any heart disease with no other causes of the heart failure. Peripartum cardiomyopathy involves decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction which is associated with congestive heart failure as well as an elevated risk of having atrial and ventricular arrhythmias or even a sudden cardiac death. [read more]
Peripheral neuropathy is the term used to describe damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. The damage may be bue to diseases involving the nerve due to side-effects of some systemic illness. The damage or Peripheral neuropathies may vary on how they are presented and how it originated. [read more]
Peritonitis is defined as an the swelling or inflammation of the serous membrane which lines a part of our abdominal cavity and the viscera it contains. This mebrane is called peritoneum. The swelling may be localised in just one part or covering generally the whole lining of the cavity. Peritonitis usually manifest an acute course which may depend largely on either localised or generalised infection. People with Peritonitis are usually treated with surgical emergency. [read more]
Peroneal muscular atrophy is a hereditary neurological disorder that causes neuropathy, particularly to the peripheral nerves or the myelin sheath, resulting in muscle weakness and muscle bulk loss. The other names for peroneal muscular atrophy are Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. [read more]
Pertussis is popularly called whooping cough. This is a very highly contageous disease that caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Pertusis is one of the top causes of vaccine-preventable deaths with most deaths occuring to very young infants who are unvaccinated or who are not completely vaccinated. [read more]
Phaeohyphomycosis pertains to a group of mycotic (fungal) infection identified by the presence of dematiaceous (brown-pigmented) septate hyphae and, sometimes, yeast, or both in the tissue. The infection can be seen as superficial and deep, and often leads to subcutaneous cyst formations. [read more]
Pharyngitis is the inflammation due to irritation of the back of the throat, or of the pharynx. [read more]
Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor which occur in the medulla found in the adrenal glands. These originated in the chromaffin cells or from the extra-adrenal chromaffin tissues that failed to curl or curve forward after birth. [read more]
Phocomelia is a malformation of the upper appendage of the arm or the leg is omitted with the hands or the legs directly attached to the body. This is a congenital defect also described as seal's flippers. [read more]
A pinched nerve is a condition wherein the the nerve's function is disrupted because of too much pressure applied by the surrounding tissues to a nerve, causing pain and/or numbness in the affected area. [read more]
Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash, mainly on the torso. Although the cause remains unknown, it is most likely a virus. Antibiotics like Erythromycin have been found to be completely ineffective. The condition appears to be completely non-contagious. [read more]
Placental abruption is a pregnancy complication in which the placental lining has separated from mother's uterus. [read more]
Plague is a life-threatening infection caused by the organism Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that caused the 14th-century Black Death plague pandemic. [read more]
Poland syndrome is a physical condition in which an individual has one-sided congenital malformations of the body characterized by underdeveloped chest muscles and webbed fingers. The abnormalities usually occur on the same side of the body. [read more]
Poliomyelitis is a very contagious disease caused by poliovirus. The disease is usually referred to as polio or infantile paralysis. [read more]
Polycythemia, or erythrocytosis, is a condition where there is a net increase in the total number of blood cells, primarily in the red blood cells, of the body. There are different types of polycythemia: primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera), secondary polycythemia, chuvash polycythemia, and relative polycythemia [read more]
Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder due to the excess of red blood cells or over production of white blood cells and platelets. The excess red blood cells cause the thickening of blood. [read more]
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder causing muscle aches and stiffness such as in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, thighs, and hips. [read more]
Polymyositis is an inflammation of the muscle fibers usually those muscles close to the torso. [read more]
Uterine polyps are growths appearing on the inner wall of the uterus, and protruding into the uterine cavity, caused by overgrowth of cells. [read more]
Pompe's disease is a metabolic disorder in which the body an acid maltase deficiency. [read more]
Pontiac fever pertains to a disease caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium, which typically manifests with flu-like symptoms. Pontiac fever is actually a mild from of legionellosis; the severe form being Legionnaires disease. [read more]
Post Polio syndrome (PPS) is a disorder that is experienced by individuals who have suffered from an initial paralytic attack of poliomyelitis, a viral infection that affects the nervous system. [read more]
Posterior urethral valves is a congenital condition characterized by an obstruction in the male urethra. [read more]
Postpartum Hemorrage is excessive bleeding following the birth of a baby, particularly more common in cesarean births. It usually happens right after delivery, but it can also happen later. [read more]
Primary polycythemia, also called polycythemia vera, is a blood disorder due to the excess of red blood cells or over production of white blood cells and platelets. The excess red blood cells cause the thickening of blood. [read more]
Proctitis is a medical condition characterized by inflamed lining if the rectum. [read more]
Progressive spinal muscular atrophy is a disease marked by progressive degeneration of motor neurons located in the spinal cord, which causes weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles. [read more]
Prostate cancer, familial refers to the clustering of prostate cancer within families. Patients are classified as suffering form prostate cancer, familial if they have at least one first-degree relative with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is malignancy (cancer) of the seminal fluid producing gland in males. [read more]
Proteinuria is a condition in which the urine contains a relatively abnormal amounts of proteins or the albumin. This can be because the glomeruli in our kidneys are damaged allowing the protein from our blood to exit to the urine. This condition is also being linked to some cardiovascular diseases. [read more]
Proximal myotonic myopathy is a inherited muscular disorder that results to muscle weakness, frequent muscle contractions, cataracts, infertility, balding, and cardiac problems. The disorder was only discovered in 2001. It is also known as myotonic dystrophy type 2. [read more]
Prune belly syndrome is a congenital defect that occurs in about 1 in 30,000 newborn babies. It is a rare birth defect of the urinary system. The disease got its name because of the wrinkled skin that develops in the abdomens of those affected. Prune belly syndrome is also known as Abdominal Muscle Deficiency Syndrome, Eagle-Barrett Syndrome, and Obrinsky Syndrome. [read more]
This term refers to the persistent swelling which is caused by shaving. The term means false (pseudo) hair (follicle) inflammation (itis) of the beard (barbae). It is also referred to as PFB or term such as razor bumps. This often affects male faces especially with curly hair though it can also affect other parts of the body where hair is plucked or shaved. [read more]
Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a malignant tumor that develops in the abdominal and pelvic areas. In this state tumor cells grow due to the bursting of a certain polyp with the appendix wall. When the tumor cells accumulate they make the abdominal area swollen, and the gastrointestinal functions become impaired. [read more]
Pseudopapilledema is an atypical elevation of the eye's optic disc. It consists of acid mucopolysaccharides. Pseudopapilledema develops in severe cases of hyperopia and optic nerve drusden. [read more]
Psittacosis is a contagious disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, which can be transmitted from infected birds. It is also called parrot disease, chlamydiosis, or ornithosis. [read more]
Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by red spots in the skin that are usually painful and itchy. It is a lifelong condition that heavily affect the lifestyles of those with the disease. It has five types, and its severity can lead to psoriatic arthritis, where joints become affected. [read more]
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a lung disease where the abnormal accumulation of surfactants inside the alveoli interfere with respiration. The disease can occur with respect to other diseases such as pulmonary infection, myeloid leukemia and exposure to harmful chemicals. [read more]
When an artery in the lung becomes blocked, Pulmonary embolism may occur. Though the condition is not fatal in most cases, it is still a leading cause of hospital deaths and is an increasing risk to passengers on long airplane flights. [read more]
PVL stands for Panton-Valentine leukocidin which is a cytotoxin. It has been said that the occurrence of PVL is due to the increased virulence of several strains of Staphylococcus aureus. [read more]
Pyomyositis is an infection of the skeletal muscles caused by bacteria. Affected muscles show pain and extreme swelling. It is common in tropical countries but also with patients with HIV. [read more]
Pyropokilocytosis is a severe congenital disease that affects the red blood cells. It is a kind of hemolytic anemia and is under the disease group homozygous hereditary elliptocytosis. This disease causes a defect in spectrin which leads to an insufficient count of red blood cells. [read more]
Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is a common enzymatic disorder of the erythrocyte. It involves hematologic abnormalities leading to hemolytic anemia. When not treated, PKD can result to death due to anemia. [read more]
Q fever is an infectious disease spread by infected cattle and other animals. It is caused by specie of bacteria named Coxiella burnetti. It first became known in the United States in 1999. When cultured, the bacteria can be a potential form of biological warfare, just like anthrax. [read more]
Quadriplegia or spinal cord injury is the parlysis of most of the body that includes the arms and legs. [read more]
Neuromyotonia, also known as quantal squander syndrome, is a rare disease that consists of abnormal movements due to dysfunctional impulses at the peripheral nervous system. These unusual impulses may continue even during sleep. Intensive cramps, muscle pain and stiffness may be experienced at random instances, making it hard for the muscles to relax. [read more]
Queensland tick typhus - also alternatively known as Spotted Fever or Rickettsial Spotted Fever - is a type of bacterial parasitic disorder. [read more]
Quinsy is also known as peritonsillar abscess or PTA. This is a pustule between the wall of the throat and the back of the tonsils. [read more]
Rabbit fever is an infectious disease that attacks the skin, eyes, and lungs. It is also referred to as deerfly fever or tularemia. [read more]
Also known as Chronic Focal Encephalitis (CFE), Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare, progressive neurological disorder affecting a single cerebral hemisphere and usually occurring in children under the age of ten. [read more]
Rat-bite fever in an infectious disease where in a bite from a rat transfers a bacteria or fungi infection. The symptoms of the fever will depend on the organism which caused the infection. [read more]
Raynaud's phenomenon, or Raynaud's disease, is a vasospastic disorder characterized by a discoloration of the fingers, toes, and occasionally other extremities. Named after 19th century French physician Maurice Raynaud, Raynaud's disease occurs more commonly in women than in men. When Raynaud's disease occurs without any underlying associated disease, it is known as primary Raynaud's (or simply, Raynaud's disease). If it appears as part of another disease, it is known as secondary Raynaud's or Raynaud's phenomenon. [read more]
Reactive arthritis (acronym: ReA) is a type of seronegative spondyloarthropathy and an autoimmune disorder that results from an infection in another part of the body. It is called ?reactive? because it is caused by another infection; and ?arthritis? because it presents with symptoms very similar to a range of conditions collectively called ?arthritis?. Other names for this condition include venereal arthritis, arthritis urethritica, and polyarteritis enterica. [read more]
Rectal cancer pertains to carcinoma affecting the last 6 inches of colon or large intestine, which is the lower part of the digestive system. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are sometimes collectively called colorectal cancers. [read more]
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a form of a chronic neurological condition commonly known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is Type I of CRPS and does not demonstrate any distinct nerve lesions. (Conversely, Causalgia or type II CRPS presents with evident nerve damage.) [read more]
Refractive errors are conditions in which the light passing through eye often loses focus. This is a cause for vision acuity. This condition is due to genetic or environmental factors, and the effects can either lead to blurry vision, astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. The condition can be diagnosed by visual eye examination, retinoscopy and by the use of an automated refraction factor to measure the errors of eye focus. Treatment is by wearing prescription glasses, and contact lenses, as well as undergoing refractive eye surgery. [read more]
Reiter's syndrome is a medical condition characterized by three seemingly unrelated symptoms: redness of the eyes, arthritis, and urinary tract problems. It is a form of seronegative spondyloarthropathy, causing inflammation throughout the body, particularly in parts of the spine and at joints connecting the tendons and bones. Reiter's syndrome is also referred to as a form of reactive arthritis, because the resulting arthritis occurs as a reaction to an infection that started in a different part of the body. [read more]
Reiters arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops complications in the urinary tract, bowels and genital system. This kind of arthritis has two kinds: one that is sexually transmitted and another that is caused by salmonella. [read more]
Relapsing fever is an infection transferred by a tick or a louse which is characterized by repeated episodes of fever. Other names for relapsing fever are tick-borne relapsing fever and louse-borne relapsing fever. [read more]
Relapsing fever is a type of fever that keeps recurring. It is often joined by headaches, muscle pain, joint aches and nausea. There are two kinds: tick-borne (TBRF) and louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF). [read more]
Simply put, renal tuberculosis is the kidney affected by tuberculosis. This is normally because of some haematogenous seeding from pulmonary diseases, although it is secondary to a tuberculous infection of the gastrointestinal tract or bone. By the time this condition is diagnosed, the primary laceration in the lungs might be calcified. [read more]
Respiratory diphtheria pertains to an acute bacterial illness infecting the throat. [read more]
Respiratory Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated disease caused by virus called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. There are 2 main forms: respiratory and cutaneous. This kind of condition lasts for several days. [read more]
This virus causes infections in the lungs and respiratory tract. This virus commonly affects children by the age of 2 and even adults. Infection can severe especially when it infects premature babies and infants with underlying health conditions. [read more]
Respiratory system cancer is a range of carcinomas commonly found in the respiratory system. Respiratory system cancer may encompass all organs involved in the breathing process, including: lung cancer, mouth cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer, tongue cancer, larynx cancer, pharynx cancer, and bronchial cancer. [read more]
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least usual cardiomyopathy. It is called as such due to the fact that it limits the heart from extending and filling it with blood correctly. The firm walls of the chambers of the heart prevent them from properly filling even though the rhythmicity and contractility of the heart may be regular. That is why blood flow is decreased and the blood that usually enters the heart is backed up in the circulatory system. Over time, patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy acquire heart failure. [read more]
Retinal detachment is an eye disorder there the retina peels away from the core layer of supporting tissue. At first, detachment may be localized, but if not treated quickly the whole retina may be detached. This can lead to loss of vision or blindness. [read more]
Also known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), retrolental fibroplasia (RLF), is an eye disease that primarily affects prematurely born babies. [read more]
Rhabdomyolysis is described as the rapid breakdown (i.e. lysis) of the skeletal muscle tissue (i.e. rhabdomyo) as a consequence of a prior injury to muscle tissue. [read more]
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare form of cancer of the sarcoma (or connective tissues) commonly occurring in children ages 1 to 5 and, in some cases, teenagers ages 15 to 19. The malignant cells are believed to originate from skeletal muscle progenitors. The cancer may also attach itself to muscle tissues, wrap around intestines, or affect any other areas. The cancerous mass may resemble a 6-8 week old embryo in younger children. In teens and older children, the cancer may be as large as a 10-12 week old embryo. [read more]
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, also alternatively called sarcoma botryoides, is a rare form of vaginal cancer affecting female infants and children under 8 years old. [read more]
Rheumatism, also known as rheumatic disorder, is a general term encompassing medical problems affecting the bones, kidney, joints, skin, heart, and lungs. While rheumatism is used colloquially or in a historical context, the word no longer appears in strict medical or technical literature. To date, the word ?rheumatism? does not apply to a recognized disorder in modern medicine. While the term covers a wide range of medical problems, it is most commonly used in reference to fibromyalgia syndrome and/or arthritis-like symptoms. However, it is important to note that rheumatism itself is neither a recognized disease nor a distinct entity. [read more]
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, potentially disabling autoimmune disease wherein the immune system attacks the joints, causing an inflammation in the joints (i.e. arthritis) as well as in other parts of the body (commonly in the lungs and the skin). [read more]
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a type of viral zoonosis; meaning, it primarily affects domestic livestock, but can be transmitted to humans. It is most commonly spread among humans through bites of infected mosquitoes or direct contact with infected animals. [read more]
Also known as nemaline myopathy and nemaline rod myopathy, rod myopathy pertains to a congenital, hereditary neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive and non-progressive muscle weakness of varying severity. Rod myopathy is clinically classified into several groups, ranging from mild (typical), intermediate, severe, to adult-onset. However, this categorization is somewhat ambiguous, with categories commonly overlapping. [read more]
Rubeola, more commonly known as measles, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and spread through respiration. [read more]
Ruptured spleen causes a life-threatening bleeding. [read more]
Russell-Silver syndrome is a rare disorder that affects slow development, low birth weight, and obvious differences in the size of the sides of the body. [read more]
Salla disease is an autosomal recessive congenital disease affecting lysosomal storage, resulting in early physical impairment and mental abnormalities. It is also alternatively known as Finnish type sialuria or sialic acid storage disease. [read more]
Salmonella food poisoning is a type of food poisoning caused by Salmonella bacterium. Its effect is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines called gastroenteritis. [read more]
Salpingitis is an infection in the fallopian tubes, often synonymous to PID. There are 2 types: acute and chronic salpingitis. Acute salpingitis happens when the fallopian tubes are swollen and stick together causing a blockage. Chronic salpingitis is milder but lasts longer that acute salpingitis. It may also result in hydrosalpinx. Salpingitis usually involves many types of organisms or is polymicrobal. [read more]
San Joaquin Valley fever is an alternative name for coccidiodomydiosis. This is a fungal infection that once became endemic in the areas of California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and New Mexico. [read more]
Santavuori disease is a form of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, a genetic disorder marked by an excessive accumulation of lipopigments (lipofuscin) in the tissues. It is also alternatively known as Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (INCL). Santavuori disease is extremely rare, with only 60 documented cases worldwide. Inherited via the recessive autosomal trait, this disease is degenerative, progressive, and often fatal. [read more]
Granulocytic sarcoma is a form of chloroma, characterized by the appearance of a solid tumor consisting of myeloblasts (i.e. or white blood cells that are described as immature and malignant). It is also alternatively known as granulocytic sarcoma or (more appropriately) extramedullary myeloid tumor. Basically, a chloroma is a solid collection of leukemic cells found outside the bone marrow; in particular, it is an extramedullary symptom of acute myeloid leukemia. [read more]
Scarlatina or scarlet fever covers the body with rashes, turns the tough into a strawberry-like appearance, and results in high fever. [read more]
Scarlet fever is an exotoxin illness characterized by a red ?strawberry-like? tongue, sore throat, fever, and a rash on the upper body that may spread to other parts of the body. A distinction must be made between scarlet fever and rheumatic fever, although the former can progress into the latter. [read more]
Schilder's Disease otherwise known as the Diffuse Myelinoclastic Sclerosis is a type of neurodegenerative disease tjhat manifest throough pseudotumoural demyelinating lesions and is considered as one of the borderline of multiple sclerosis. [read more]
Schinzel-Giedion syndrome is an extremely rare neurodegenerative terminal disease characterized by severe mid-face retraction, renal abnormalities, skull deformities, and other anomalies. [read more]
Schwannoma, malignant is a type of malignant tumor that grows from the nerve sheath cells. It originates from the Schwann cells that are responsible for providing myelin insulation to nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system. It is most common to occur on the sciatic, brachial and sacral plexus nerves. [read more]
Scleroderma is a rare, progressive connective tissue disorder characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin and connective tissue. Some forms of scleroderma can involve even internal organs. There are two types of scleroderma: localized scleroderma and the systemic type, known as systemic sclerosis. The localized type can be disabling but not fatal. However, the systemic type can be fatal due to complications brought about by some accompanying diseases. [read more]
This is a medical condition wherein the person's spine is curved sideways and may also be rotated. When the spine is seen in x-rays, it may look more like a letter ?S' or a ?C'. It is categorized as congenital, idiopathic or developed due to a secondary symptom of another condition like celebral palsy. [read more]
Scoliosis with unilateral unsegmented bar is a medical condition marked by abnormal spinal development wherein two or more vertebrae fail to separate on one side of the spine which caused curvature of the spine. In this condition, several vertebrae are fused together on one side of the spine. The spine becomes increasingly curved to the point wherein lung and heart function becomes affected. [read more]
Scrotal masses are fluid or solid materials found in, on, or around the testicles. It may also indicate a serious condition such as cancer. [read more]
SARS is an infectious respiratory illness that had an outbreak in February 2003. SARS starts with flu-like symptoms and either the condition develops or subsides to chronic respiratory phase. When SARS develops to the second phase the condition can be deadly. [read more]
Sharp Syndrome is a rare connective tissue disorder affecting a range of body tissues and organs. It is also referred to as mixed connective tissue disease. Sharp syndrome is a serious auto immune disease, wherein the body's defense system attacks and damage itself. [read more]
Shock is a serious and life-threatening medical condition that happens when the body does not receive sufficient amount of blood causing the cells of the body to receive inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. Medical shock is a critical medical emergency and has been reported as one of the leading causes of death for seriously-ill patients. There are four types of shock namely: hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive and distributive shock. The most recent type of shock classified is endocrine shock, which is based on endocrine disruptions. [read more]
Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare congenital disorder that occurs in just about one in 50,000 births. This syndrome affects multiple organs in the body and symptoms may differ from one individual to another. People who have Shwachman-diamond syndrome are at a great risk of developing life-threatening complications such as severe infections, acute myelogenous leukemia and bone marrow failure in addition to exocrine pancreatic dysfunctions. [read more]
Snoring is an annoying condition that may indicate a serious medical condition. It occurs when air flows past cause the tissues in the throat to vibrate, which creates hoarse or harsh sounds. [read more]
Sociophobia is a kind of social anxiety disorder, a type of mental disorder wherein an individual experiences intense and unfounded fear of social gatherings where there lies a great possibility of being embarrassed and make fun of. [read more]
The medical term for this kind of infection is pharyngitis. It is the swelling of the pharynx and in most cases is painful. It is regarded to be caused by viral infection (90%) while the remainder is caused by bacterial infection and in rare cases oral thrush. Irritation due to pollutants or chemical substance, sometimes cause sore throat. [read more]
Spherocytosis is a hereditary blood disorder wherein red blood cells are sphere-shaped instead of the normal bi-concaved disk shape. These sphere-shaped red blood cells are referred to as spherocytes. The spleen damages the cells because they appear in a different sphere shape. This result in a lack of red blood cells called hemolytic anemia. [read more]
Spinal muscular atrophy is a degenerative group of disorder affecting the spinal cord and nerves, which results in muscle wasting and weakness caused by loss of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem. [read more]
Spinal Stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition puts pressure on the spinal cord. If the narrowing is located on the lower part of the spinal cord, it is referred to as lumbar spinal stenosis. Cervical spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing on the upper part of the spinal cord. However, there are also cases wherein stenosis can be found in any part of the spine. [read more]
Spinal tumor pertains to a potentially malignant mass growing at or near the spinal cord. Spinal tumors may be either cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). [read more]
Splenomegaly is enlargement of the spleen afar from its regular size. The spleen is an organ that plays an important role in the production and maintenance of red blood cells and in the production of some circulating white blood cells. The spleen is also part of two systems in the human body; the immune and lymph systems. [read more]
This infection is caused by staphylococcus. Staphylococcus is a type of Gram-positive bacteria. These bacteria are comprised of thirty-one species. It resides usually in the mucous membranes and skin of humans and other organisms and is usually harmless. If it resides deep in the body staph infection can be deadly. [read more]
Staphylococcal infection, commonly known as Staph, is a medical condition resulting from exposure to the staph bacteria, which causes infection of various tissues of the body, or the production of harmful toxins, which may in turn, cause a number of diseases [read more]
Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning is simply defined as food poisoning caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which occurs in contaminated foods (those not handled hygienically, and kept at the correct temperature). [read more]
The quick developing failure of brain functions because of a disturbance in the blood vessels that provide blood to the brain. This may happen because of ischemia which is caused by thrombosis or embolism or because of hemorrhage. Medically, stroke can be referred to as ictus which means ?to strike? in Latin. [read more]
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis that mainly affects children and young adults, caused by a persistent infection of immune resistant measles virus. [read more]
A subdural hematoma is the result of a head injury. Intracranial hematoma occurs after a blood vessel ruptures in the brain or between the skull and brain producing blood that compresses the brain tissue. [read more]
A subdural hematoma is the result of a head injury. Intracranial hematoma occurs after a blood vessel ruptures in the brain or between the skull and brain producing blood that compresses the brain tissue. [read more]
SADS is a medical term used to explain unexpected death because of cardiac arrest caused by arrhythmia. Around 300,000 people die from SADS every year in the US. [read more]
Sudden cardiac arrest pertains to a sudden, unexpected loss of breathing, heart function, and consciousness. Also known as sudden cardiac death, this condition is a medical emergency that, if untreated, can be fatal. [read more]
Swimming pool granuloma is a bacterial infection caused by the microorganism named Mycobacterium marinum. [read more]
Synovial osteochondromatosis (SOC) is a rare disease that creates a harmless change or proliferation in the synovium or joint lining tissue which changes to form bone forming cartilage. Typically there is only one joint affected, mostly either the knee, hip, or elbow. [read more]
Syringobulbia is a neurological disorder marked by a fluid-filled cavity (syrinx) within the spinal cord that extends to involve the brainstem (medulla). It typically occurs as a slit-like gap within the lower brainstem that may affect one or more of the cranial nerves, causing facial palsies of various kinds. Additionally, sensory and motor nerve pathways may be affected by compression and/or interruption. This disorder is closely associated with syringomyelia, in which the syrinx is limited to the spinal cord, and to the Chiari I malformation. [read more]
Syringomyelia (SM) is a disorder in which a cyst develops within the spinal cord. This cyst, known as a syrinx, expands and elongates over time, destroying the center of the cord. [read more]
Carnitine deficiency is a metabolic state in which carnitine concentrations in plasma and tissues are less than the levels needed for normal function of the organism. Biologic effects of low carnitine levels may not be clinically significant until they reach less than 10-20% of the norm. [read more]
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be fatal, though with recent medical advances, fatalities are becoming increasingly less. As with other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, causing inflammation and tissue damage. [read more]
Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes below 300 per cubic millimeter, or less than one-fourth of total lymphocytes, in the absence of HIV infection or other known causes of immunodeficiency. This is a rare, heterogeneous syndrome and does not seem to be caused by a transmissible agent. People with ICL are susceptible to opportunistic infections, such as cryptococcus, atypical mycobacterial and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP). [read more]
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TJD), also known as myofacial pain dysfunction, is problematic state of the jaw muscles used for chewing, or of the temporomandibular joint, which links the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. [read more]
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), also known as Lyell's syndrome, is a life-threatening dermatological condition that is commonly induced by a reaction to medications. It is marked by the detachment of the top layer of skin (the epidermis) from the lower layers of the skin (the dermis) all over the body. [read more]
Testicular cancer is characterized by a growth of a malignant mass in the testicles or testes, which are located inside the scrotum below the penis of males. [read more]
Tethered Spinal Cord is an uncommon neurological disorder. [read more]
Tetrapelgia, also known as quadriplegia or spinal cord injury, is the parlysis of most of the body that includes the arms and legs. [read more]
Thrombocytopenia is the presence of relatively few platelets in one's blood. [read more]
Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (or ATP) is a rare blood disorder where a low number of platelets prevents the blood's ability to clot and results in bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes. [read more]
Thrombocytosis is the presence of high platelet counts in the blood, and can be either reactive or primary. [read more]
Thromboembolism is the medical condition whereby there is a formation of clot or thrombos is the blood vessels that breaks loose and carried by bloodstream to plug another vesses in the lungs, brain,gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and leg. [read more]
Candidiasis, commonly known as yeast infection or thrush, is a fungal infection (mycosis) of any of the Candida species, of which Candida albicans is the most common. [read more]
In medicine (oncology), thymoma is a tumor progressing from the thymus. It is made up of any type of thymic epithelial cell as well as lymphocytes that are typically abundant and probably not neoplastic. [read more]
Tic douloureux or trigeminal neuralgia is a condition in which the trigeminal nerve function is disrupted. Sensation from the face to the brain is carried by the trigeminal nerve. [read more]
Tinea otherwise known as Dermatophytes is a fungeal infection that is caused by a group of fungi that usually invades the dead keratin of the skin, hair and nails. It may be spread from person to person or anthropophili animal to person or zoophilic. [read more]
It is basically the infection of the tonsils and may or may not cause a fever or sore throat. There are three types of tonsillitis which are acute which can be viral or bacterial, subacute which is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces that can last for at least three to three months and chronic that can last for long periods if not immediately treated. [read more]
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, life-threatening bacterial infection that has been most often linked with the use of superabsorbent tampons and occasionally with the use of contraceptive sponges. [read more]
Congenital toxoplasmosis is the infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii that is transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy. [read more]
Also known as TEF, tracheoesophageal fistuka is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea, and is a common congenital abnormality. [read more]
The leading cause of blindness around the world, Trachoma is an infectious eye disease that resulted to about 8 million, visually-impaired people around the world. According to studies, the disease results to an estimated US $ 2.9 billion in lost productivity every year. [read more]
Originating in the kidney, bladder or ureter, Transitional cell carcinoma is a type of cancer and is the most common type of bladder cancer. The disease arises from the transitional epithelium lining found in said organs. [read more]
Translocation, or chromosomal translocation, is a genetic disorder in which chromosomes break off and attach to another chromosome. Translocations are caused by poor genetic makeup and evolve over generations. Among the common chromosomal translocations is chronic myelogenic leukemia as well as hemophilia. Genetic counseling is likewise recommended to persons with chromosomal translocations. [read more]
Caused by an inflammatory process of the grey and white matter of the spinal cord, Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder that can also cause axonal demyelination. [read more]
Also known as essential tremor or ET, Tremor hereditary essential is a neurological disorder characterized by shaking of hands and sometimes the other parts of the body such as the head, induced by intentional movements. Though the exact incident is unknown, ET is presumed to be the most common type of tremor and also the most commonly observed movement disorder. The disease was also previously known as ?benign essential tremor? but the ?benign? was removed due to the sometimes disabling nature of the disorder. [read more]
Sometimes referred to as ?trich,? Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trich is primarily an infection of the genitourinary tract. The disease is most common among women and uncircumcised men. [read more]
Triple-A syndrome or Allgrove syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder discovered by Jeremy Allgrove and colleagues in 1978. The name Triple A stands for achalasia-addisonianism-alacrima syndrome. This means that affected individuals have adrenal insufficiency, alacrima (absence of tear secretion), and achalasia. The latter means failure of a ring of muscle fibers such as the sphincter, to relax. [read more]
A form of chromosomal variation, Triple X syndrome is characterized by the presence of X chromosome in each cell of a human female. The condition also known as triplo-X, trisomy X, XXX syndrome, and 47, XXX aneuploidy, it results during a division of a parent's reproductive cells, which occurs once in every 1,000 births. [read more]
This disorder is a form of aneuploidy that has a presence of 3 copies instead of the normal 2, of a particular chromosome. An extra chromosome 21, found in Down syndrome, is called trisomy 21. [read more]
Trisomy 21 syndrome is a form of down syndrome, which is caused by the abnormal cell division involving the 21st chromosome during the development of the sperm cell or the egg cell. [read more]
Gestational trophoblastic disease or also known as Trophoblastic neoplasms is a quick growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus after a pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion. The disease is usually metastatic, which means it spreads to other places in the body. It is also known as choriocarcinoma. [read more]
Also known as Gestational trophoblastic disease or Trophoblastic neoplasms a Trophoblastic tumor is a quick growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus after a pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion. The disease is usually metastasizes and spreads to other places in the body. It's other name is choriocarcinoma. [read more]
TB or Disseminated tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection that has spread from the lungs to other organs of the body through the blood or the lymph system. [read more]
The most common form of CNS tuberculosis, Tuberculosis meningitis is an infection of the meninges, or the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a very rare disorder. [read more]
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is very common and attacks the lungs. The disease can also affect the central nervous system, the lympathic system, circulatory system, genitourinary system, bones, joints, and even the skin. About one-third of the world's population has been infected with the disease and new cases are added at a rate of one per second. [read more]
Tuberous sclerosis is also known as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). It is a rare, multi-system genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin. The disease also has a predilection to tumor and the names are named after a characteristic abnormal growth in the brain, which takes the shape of a tuber root. [read more]
An infection common among wild rodents, is also known as ?rabbit fever,? ?deer fly fever,? ?Ohara fever,? and ?Francis disease.? The bacterium causing the disease has several subspecies with varying degrees of virulence. Ticks and deer flies are the primary vectors of the disease but can also be spread through other arthropods. Its name was derived from Tulare County, California. [read more]
Tularemia (deliberate release) is a serious infection caused by Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) bacterium, a tiny gram-negative non-motile coccobacillus. Deer-fly fever, Francis disease, rabbit fever, and Ohara fever are other names for Tularemia (deliberate release). [read more]
Tummy ache, otherwise known as stomachache, is the pain experienced by the abdomen due to reactions in the digestive system. Tummy ache is an indication of other diseases and problems that are taking place in the gastrointestinal tract. [read more]
Typhus is an infectious disease caused by louse-born bacteria that is spread by lice or fleas. Its name is derived from the Greek typhos that means smoky or lazy, which describes the state of mind of those affected with the disease. It is often mistaken for dengue fever in tropical countries. The disease has 3 types namely epidemic typhus, endemic typhus and scrub typhus. [read more]
First described in 1952, UHL anomaly is a rare congenital heart disease characterized by a partial or total loss of the myocard muscle in the right ventricle. This results in decreased output of the right side of the heart. [read more]
Uniparental disomy is the situation in which two copies of a chromosome come from the same parent, instead of one copy coming from the mother and one copy coming from the father. Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome are examples of disorders caused by uniparental disomy. [read more]
Urachal Cancer is a rare form of bladder cancer that can occur at any site along the urachal tract. First described in 1863 by Hue and Jaequin, the most common locations of the cancer are the umbilicus and the dome of the bladder. The urachus develops inside the womb and after birth, it is no longer needed and normally closes off. Though sometimes there are still traces of it from the bladder to the umbilicus, there is often a small bit left at the bladder end. [read more]
Urethral stricture is a medical condition where there is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra which is responsible for releasing the urine in the body. [read more]
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra that manifest through the painful and often difficult urination. [read more]
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control which is often become embarrassing to the individuals affected by this condition where in an individual cannot control the release of urine from the bladder. Urinary incontinence severity ranges from urine secretion from simply coughing or sneezing to sudden, random episodes of strong urinary emergencies. [read more]
Urinary retention is the opposite of urinary inconstinence or the inability of a person to empty his bladder. It's because the patient will have problem starting to urinate or completely emptying the bladder. Anyone can suffer from urinary retention but mostly men who are in their fifties. [read more]
Urine Retention otherwise known as the Ischuria is the medical condition that refers to the person's inability to urinate. [read more]
Also known as Muckle-Wells syndrome, Urticaria-deafness-amyloidosis (UDA) was first described in 1962 by Thomas James Muckle and Michael Vernon Wells. It is a rare autosomal disease, which causes sensorineural deafness, recurrent hives, and can lead to amyloidosis. MWS happens when a mutation in the CIAS1 gene leads to increased activity of the cryopyrin protein. The disorder is closely related to two other syndromes, familial cold urticaria and neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease. [read more]
Usher syndrome type 1C is a rare inherited disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness and progressive vision loss, which starts during the first decade of life. The disorder is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which means that Usher syndrome, type 1C, or its subtype affects less than 200,000 people in the US population. [read more]
Uterine cancer may point to one of numerous kinds of cancer that happen in the uterus. It includes uterine sarcomas, uterine fibroids, endometrial cancers, hydatidiform mole and cervical cancer. [read more]
Uterine cancer is a most common form of carcinoma that begins in the endometrium or the lining of the uterus. Also called endometrial cancer, this type of cancer typically appears after the reproductive years, mostly in the sixth or seventh decade of life. [read more]
Uterine fibroids are seen in the muscle layers of the uterus which are benign tumors. During the reproductive years it affects about 25% of white women and 50% of black women it also the most common neoplasm in females. [read more]
Uterine fibroids are characterized as noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus that appear within the childbearing years. Uterine fibroids are also known as fibromyomas and are not elated with uterine cancer. Generally, these growths do not pose any real problem and would seldom require any treatment. [read more]
A nonrandom association of birth defects, VATER syndrome or VACTERL association, is not considered a syndrome since all the defects are linked. [read more]
Vaginal cancer is a rare form of carcinoma that affects the vagina, or the muscular tube connecting the uterus to the outer genitals. Most cases of vaginal cancer occur in the birth canal. [read more]
Vagina cancer is considered to be a very rare form of cancer that affects the vagina, especially the cells that use to line the surface of the vagina or otherwise known as the birth canal. This cancer usually affects women with ages 60 and up and can spread to other parts of the body. [read more]
Vaginal discharge, also known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammation of the female genital tract. It is a result of various sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea. [read more]
The German equivalent of the word Vaginism, Vaginismus is a condition that affects a woman's ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual penetration, insertion of tampons, and the penetration involved in gynecological examinations. The spasm is not controlled by the vaginismic woman since the vagnismic reflex can be compared to the response of the eye shutting when an object comes towards it. The severity of the condition varies from woman to woman. [read more]
Vaginitis is the swelling of the vagina, which is the female genital, that can lead to discharge, pain and itching. There are common types of vaginitis which are bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, trichomoniasis and atrophic vaginitis. [read more]
Valley fever is usually caused by fungi that reside in the soil. These fungi can enter the human body in cases where in the soil is stirred like farming or construction and wind and it can be breathed in by an individual. Valley fever is a type of coccidioidomycosis or cocci infection. [read more]
Valley fever is caused by fungi in the soil, which can be stirred into the air by anything that disrupts the soil such as farming, construction, and wind. A form of coccidioidomycosis or cocci infection, the fungi causing the disease can be breathed into the lungs. [read more]
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is a group of bacterial species of the genus Enterococcus, which is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. The aid bacteria are enteric and can be found in the digestive and urinary tracts of some humans. Even healthy people can carry VRE if they have been exposed to the bacteria. Hospitals are the most likely places whewre such contacts can occur although it is thought that a significant percentage of intensively-farmed chicken can also carry VRE. [read more]
Varicocele is a medical condition where there is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum which drains the testicles. [read more]
Varicose veins looks like gnarled, enlarged veins. The veins that are usually affected are those found in the legs and feet. For other people pain and discomfort can be felt. Varicose veins can also indicate other disorders especially in the circulatory system. [read more]
Vater Syndrome, sometimes called Vacterl Association, refers to the non-random association ofv ertebral anomalies, anal atresia, cardiovascular anomalies, tracheoesophageal fistula, esophageal atresia, renal and/or radial anomalies and Preaxial limb anomalies (Weaver, David and Brandt, Ira (1999). Catalog of Prenatally Diagnosed Codition, JHU Press, pp. 248). More specifically , it refers to the abnormalities in structures deduce from the embryonic mesoderm. [read more]
Ventricular septal defect or VSD for brevity is a defect in the wall dividing the left and right ventricles of the heart called the ventricular septum which consists of an inferior muscular and superior membranous portion which is close to the atrioventricular node, It is the most common congenital heart defects in adults and older children (Hoffman JI, Kaplan S. (2002) The Incidence of congenital heart disease, p 39). [read more]
Vibrio is a gram-negative bacteria, usually a curved rod shape, is most often associated with gastroenteritis and septicemia. It usually thrive in living animals living in salt walter including prawns and crabs. [read more]
Viral hemorrhagic fever, VHF for brevity, is a group of illnesses that are caused by a taxonomically diverse group of simple RNA viruses with lipid envelopes (Gravenstein, N., Lobato, E., Kirby, R. (2007) Complications in Anesthesiology, p.446). It is an illness which is commonly detected or seen in both human and animals. [read more]
Vitamin C deficiency otherwise known as scurvy, is the medical condition whereby there is less intake of Vitamin C that the body needs for protection against infections. [read more]
It is a condition whereby the person is unable to absorb dietary fat due to an inability to secrete bile. It is characterized by neurological problems associated with nerve degeneration in hands and feet (Institute of medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. (2000) Dietary Reference intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and Carotenoids, National Academy Press, Washington D.C). [read more]
Familial Isolated Vitamin E Deficiency which is synonymous to Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency or to isolated Vitamin E Deficiency is a rare and autosomal recessive neurodegenrative disease. It is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that is often characterized by the inability to coordinate voluntary movements and disease of the peripheral nervous system. It is a progressive disorder. [read more]
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome or Uveodematologic Syndrome or just VKH for brevity, is an immune-mediated disease. It is a rare condition which may affect both dogs and human and involves melanocyte-containing organ, which is characterized by the inflammation of the inside of the eye or the uveitus, occurrence of poliosis or the whitening of the hair, vitiligo or the loss of the pigmentation of the skin and even meningitis. The mechanism of the disease is said to be the T helper cell mediated autoimmune attack of melanocytes in the skin and uvea and in the central nervous system and inner ear of human (Sigle K, McLellan G, Haynes J, Myers R, Betts D (2006). "Unilateral uveitis in a dog with uveodermatologic syndrome". J Am Vet Med Assoc 228 (4): 543-8). [read more]
Very long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency or VLCAD for brevity is a disorder of the fatty acid oxidation disorder that hinders the normal conversion of certain fats to energy by the body especially during period without food intake. [read more]
Vocal cord paralysis is a medical condition that primarily affects the person's ability to produce a sound and can be quite life-threatening since it affects the way you breathe. The paralysis usually occurs after a throat or neck surgery. Cancer of the thyroid, and lung tumors may also cause vocal cord paralysis. [read more]
Vulvar cancer pertains to a rare carcinoma affecting the vulva, the outer part of the female genitalia. It usually occurs in women aged 55-85, although it may sometimes affect females under 40 years old. [read more]
Vulvodynia is a medical condition which refers to the disorder which causes vulvar pain and discomfort. [read more]
Wagner-Stickler Syndrome or Srickler Syndrome or David-Stickler syndrome, is a genetic disorder which primarily affect the connective tissue particularly the collagen. It is characterized by distinctive facial appearance, eye abnormalities and loss of hearing and problems in the joint areas. [read more]
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia , WM for brevity, is a type cancer disease which involves the lymphocytes or the subtype of white blood cells. It is usually a type of lymphoproliferative disease, and is often said to share the same characteristics with the non-Hodgkin Lymphomas ( Cheson BD (2006). "Chronic Lymphoid Leukemias and Plasma Cell Disorders", in Dale DD, Federman DD: ACP Medicine. New York, NY: WebMD Professional Publishing). [read more]
Wallerian Degeneration or Anterograde degeneration is a medical condition where there is a cutting or crushing of the nerve fiber after an injury or when there is part distal to the injury as in the case of a separation of the axon from the neuron's cell nucleus (Trauma and Wallerian Degeneration, University of California, San Francisco). [read more]
Wandering spleen otherwise known as the Pelvic spleen is a rare medical disease that is often linked to the loss or the weakening of the ligaments that help hold the spleen. [read more]
Warkany Syndrome or other wise known as the Trisomy 8 is an aberration in the chromosome that causes severe effects on the fetus. It is often observed in person with chronic myeloid leukaemia which may be a result of instability of the karyotype which is probably due to bcr:abl fusion gene. The Warkany Syndrome is discovered by Joseph Warkany. [read more]
Weber Christian Disease or otherwise known as the idiopathic lobular panniculitis is a disorder affecting the skin whereby there is a recurring inflammation of the fat layer of the skin. [read more]
Weil's Disease is more commonly known as leptospirosis, which is a term used to identify certain forms of diseases that are caused by microorganisms of the genus Leptospira. These viruses can usually contracted from urine of rats and other farm animals, most commonly found in cave environment in mud and water. [read more]
Weissenbacher Zweymuller Syndrome is a genetic disorder where there is abnormalities in the skeletal system of the person. [read more]
Werdnigg-Hoffman Disease otherwise known as the Sever Infantile Spinal Muscular Atropy or simply Spinal Muscular Atropy Type I is an sutosomal recessive condition that presents either neonatally as floppy baby or with progressive weakness and wating within the first year of life owing to widespread lower motor neuron degeneration (Souhami, R. and Maxham,J. (2002) Textbook on Medicine, p 1391). [read more]
West Syndrome also known as the ?Infantile Spasms? is a rare form of epilepsy in infants. The syndrome is related to the age of the person and usually occur in the 3rd and 12th month especially the 5th month of the infant. [read more]
Whipple disease is a systematic and rare disease which is often described as a gastrointestinal disorder that causes mal-absorption and affect other part of the including the heart, lungs, brain and eyes. [read more]
Whooping Cough otherwise known as the Pertussis is a higly contagious diseased that is said to be caused by a bacteria named Bordetella Pertussis. The disease is often described as the whooping which is generally on high-pitched that usually occur in the case of infected babies and children only (Finger H, von Koenig CHW (1996). Bordetella-Clinical Manifestations. In:Barron's Medical Microbiology (Barron S et al. Eds.) 4th., Univ of Texas Medical Branch). [read more]
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome otherwise known as the eczema-thrombocytopenia-immunodeficiency syndrome (Aldrich RA, Steinberg AG, Campbell DC (1954). "Pedigree demonstrating a sex-linked recessive condition characterized by draining ears, eczematoid dermatitis and bloody diarrhea". Pediatrics 13 (2): 133-9) is a x-linked recessive disease that is characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenia of low platelet counts, immune deficiency and blood in diarrhea. [read more]
Wolfram syndrome otherwise known as the DIDMOAD which is the acronym for the Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy, and Deafness, generally a genetic disorder classified as a neurodegenerative disease which affects the brain and the central nervous system. It was first describe in 1938 by Dr. Don J. Wolfram, M.D. (Wolfram, D. J.; Wagener, H. P: Diabetes mellitus and simple optic atrophy among siblings: report of four cases. Mayo Clin. Proc. 13: 715-718, 1938). [read more]
Yaws otherwise known as the P?tasse tropica, or the thymosis, the polypapilloma tropicum or the pian is an infection of the skin, bones and joints. [read more]
Yeast infection is medically known as candidiasis it is an infection caused by fungi of any of the Candida species where in the most common type is the Candida albicans. Yeast infection can range from superficial to systemic which can be a dangerous disease. [read more]
Yersinia is a gram-negative rod-shaped genus of bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. They are usually a few micrometers in length and fractions of a micrometer in diameter. The natural reservoirs of Yersinia are rodents and, though less likely, other mammals. In humans, some species of Yersinia are pathogenic and cause infections through the blood or via the alimentary tract. Yersiniosis is the name of the disease caused by Yersinia in humans. [read more]
Yersinia pestis otherwise known as the Pasteurella pestis is a gram-negative facultative and anaerobic bipolar staining that makes it look as a safety pin bacteria which belongs to the family of Enterobacteriaceae (Collins FM (1996). Pasteurella, Yersinia, and Francisella. In: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.), 4th ed., Univ of Texas Medical Branch). Yersinia Pestive have three distinct forms namely: the bubonic, the pneumonic, and the septicemic plague. [read more]
Zellweger syndrome is a congenital disorder caused by reduced or absent peroxisomes in the cells of the liver, kidneys, and brain. Peroximes are cell structures that get rid of toxic substances in the body. The syndrome belongs to a group of peroxisomal diseases, which affect brain development and the growth of the myelin sheath on nerve fibers in the brain. [read more]
Zuska's Disease, also known as lactiferous fistula, is a rare recurrent condition characterized by draining abscesses around the nipple. This disease is often misanalyzed and miscured, occasionally resulting in unnecessary mastectomy. [read more]
Zygomycosis is a medical condition characterized by infection that is said to be caused by the fungi of the orders Mucorales and Entomophthorales. [read more]