for family physicians and you
General Illness Information Common Name: ARTHRITIS, INFECTIOUS Medical Term: Septic Arthritis Description: Painful swelling in an inflamed joint resulting from infection in the synovial fluid and the tissues of the joint. Any joint may be involved, but larger joints are more commonly affected. Causes: Infection is mainly caused by bacteria which usually enter the joint through the blood stream. However, a joint can be infected directly if it is contaminated…
General Illness Information Common Name: ASTHMA Medical Term: None Specified Description: Asthma is a chronic disorder with recurrent attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath and cough. Asthma is defined as an inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by intermittent or persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, sputum production and cough, associated with variable airflow limitation and a variable degree of airway hyperresponsiveness to endogenous or exogenous…
General Illness Information Common Name: ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID Medical Term: None Specified Description: A chronic auto-immune disease characterized by inflammation, swelling and pain in the joints, and it affects muscles, membrane linings of the joints and cartilage. Usually joints of the hands and feet are symmetrically inflamed. It is a multi-system disease, and sometimes the eyes and blood vessels are affected. It is 3 times more common in women than men….
General Illness Information Common Name: ATELECTASIS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Collapse of part or all of one lung, preventing normal oxygen absorption. Causes: Obstruction of small or large lung air passages by: Thick mucus plugs from infection or other disease, including cystic fibrosis; Tumors in the air passages; Tumors or blood vessels outside the air passages, causing pressure on airways; Inhaled objects, such as small toys or peanuts; Prolonged…
General Illness Information Common Name: ATHLETE’S FOOT Medical Term: Tinea Pedis, Ringworm of the Feet Description: A common, contagious fungus infection of the skin on the feet, especially the soles and skin between toes (often the 4th and 5th toes). It usually affects adolescents and adults. Usually occurs in warm moist weather Causes: Caused by an infection by a fungus, usually Trichophyton or Epidermophyton that grows in warm moist areas…
General Illness Information Common Name: ANOREXIA NERVOSA Medical Term: None Specified Description: An eating disorder in young previously healthy women, who develop a paralyzing fear of becoming fat, and have a distorted body image. The patient refuses to eat adequately, and continues to want to lose weight even after a reasonable weight loss. Primarily affects teenage and young adult females. Occasionally young males are affected. There is also an absence of…
General Illness Information Common Name: APPENDICITIS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a small intestinal pouch (a finger shaped structure) that extends from the cecum, the first part of the large intestine. The appendix has no known function, but it can become diseased. Appendicitis affects 1 in 500 people each year. Appendicitis should be considered in any person with undiagnosed abdominal pain. It affects…
General Illness Information Common Name: AORTIC STENOSIS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Aortic stenosis is a heart condition where the aorta (the artery taking blood from the heart to the rest of the body) is constricted at the aortic valve (the valve that prevents backflow of blood from the aorta into the heart). This results in the body receiving a much-reduced supply of oxygenated blood. Also, the heart must work…
General Illness Information Common Name: ANXIETY (generalized anxiety disorder) Medical Term: None Specified Description: Generalized anxiety disorder (G.A.D.) is commonly known as anxiety disorder and is classified as an anxiety state. It comprises of excessive, almost daily anxiety and worry- lasting 6 months or longer. Anxiety can be about variety of activities or events. Other components of anxiety states are panic disorder, obsessive disorder, and post-trauma stress disorder. Anxiety is…
General Illness Information Common Name: ANIMAL BITES Medical Term: None Specified Description: Bite injuries and wounds to humans from dogs, cats, or other animals including humans. Causes: Animal bites are primarily caused by the following: Most bite wounds are from a domestic pet known to the victim. Large dogs are the most common source. Human bites are often the result of one person striking another in the mouth with a clenched…