for family physicians and you
General Illness Information Medical Term: CROUP (Laryngotracheobronchitis) Common Name: Croup Description: Croup is a contagious viral infection causing inflammation and swelling of the larynx and surrounding tissues. It presents with difficulty in breathing especially breathing in and a typical barking cough. It usually affects children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Causes: Croup can be caused by a number of different viruses. In the fall, it is…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Keratosis Pilaris Common Name: None Specified Description: A common skin disorder in which the openings of the hair follicles become filled with hard plugs. Commonly on the back of upper arms, front of thighs or buttocks. It more often affects children and young adults. It is not contagious. Causes: Unknown, but it may be hereditary. These commonly occur in association with allergic dermatitis. Prevention: Cannot…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Keratosis, Actinic Common Name: None Specified Description: A small area of sun-damaged skin that is pre-cancerous. It involves skin of exposed areas, especially the scalp, face, ears, lips, arms and hands. Causes: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s radiation. Prevention: Protect yourself against direct sun exposure. When outdoors, wear a hat and protective clothing. Use sunscreen lotions and creams with SPF rating of 15 or more….
General Illness Information Medical Term: Kidney Infection, Chronic (Pyelonephritis, Chronic) Common Name: None Specified Description: Chronic infection of the kidneys, resulting from anatomic abnormalities of the kidneys or the urinary system. Causes: Chronic pyelonephritis occurs only in patients with major anatomic abnormalities, such as obstructive uropathy, kidney stones, or, most commonly, reflux of urine at the junction of the bladder and ureter. Prevention: Obtain prompt medical treatment for acute kidney…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Kidney Infection, Acute (Pyelonephritis, acute) Common Name: None Specified Description: Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidney. It can be serious because of the important function of the kidneys and because the infection may enter the bloodstream. In women who are pregnant it may cause premature labor. Kidney infections are much more common in women than men. Causes: Most kidney infections result from lower…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Kidney Stones (Renal Calculi) Common Name: None Specified Description: Small solid particles (stones) that form in the kidney and sometimes travel down to the urethra (tube that connects kidney to urinary bladder). About 1 in 1000 adults is hospitalized annually in the USA because of urinary calculi, which are also found in about 1% of all autopsies. Causes: Almost 95% of all kidney stones are…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Keloids Common Name: None Specified Description: An overgrowth of fibrous tissue (scar) on the skin. Keloids can appear anywhere on the skin, but most commonly appear on the breastbone, upper back and shoulder. They usually arise in an area of injury (such as after a burn or from severe acne), but sometimes arise from a very minor scratch. Keloids are more frequent in people of…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Keratitis Common Name: None Specified Description: Infection or inflammation of the cornea (the center portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil). Causes: Bacterial, viral or fungal infections. The most common is herpes simplex virus, Type I. Drying of the eye caused by an eyelid disorder or insufficient tear formation. Foreign object in the eye. Contact lenses over-use. Intense light, such as from welding arcs…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Keratoses, Seborrheic Common Name: None Specified Description: A non-contagious, benign, inflammatory, pigmented, raised, scaling disease of the skin. It may involve the chest; back; face; arms; and can affect adults of both sexes. By age 60, almost everyone has a few seborrheic keratoses. Causes: Unknown. Prevention: No specific preventive measures. Signs & Symptoms Characteristic papules, which are pigmented, raised, flat, scaly lesions scattered on the…
General Illness Information Common Name: ANEMIA, IRON-DEFICIENCY Medical Term: None Specified Description: Anemia is caused due to lack of iron. Small, pale red blood cells and depletion of iron stores characterize it. Iron is an essential mineral, and is used by the body to produce hemoglobin, the red pigment protein in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). Lack of iron causes low hemoglobin, which decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Iron…