General Illness Information Common Name: Hyperlipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia Medical Term: Hyperlipidemia Description: Abnormally high levels of fat in the blood. Serum cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L). High risk: Serum cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL (6.22 mmol/L) High density lipoprotein fraction of cholesterol (HDL) is protective [“Good Cholesterol”] Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is atherogenic [“bad cholesterol”] This is a serious and “silent” problem in North America. 120 million people with…
General Illness Information Common Name: Morning Sickness (Severe) Medical Term: Hyperemesis gravidarum Description: Persistent severe nausea and vomiting in a pregnancy; This may lead to dehydration and drastic changes in body chemistry; This is different from, and much more serious than, morning sickness during pregnancy. Causes: Unknown. May be psychological factors; Hyperthyroidism; Hyperparathyroidism; Gestational hormones; Liver dysfunction; Autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Prevention: Don’t use any drugs, including non-prescription drugs or…
General Illness Information Common Name: Hyperhidrosis Medical Term: Hyperhidrosis Description: Excessive perspiration due to over activity of the sweat glands. May be general or confined to the palms, soles, armpits, below the breasts or groin. Often causes social embarrassment. Causes: Genetic factors; Anxiety; Fever and infection; Malignancy; Hyperthyroidism; Menopause; Some drugs and medicines, such as narcotics; Withdrawal from addictive drugs; Unknown in some cases. Prevention: Control anxiety; Keep cool. Signs…
General Illness Information Common Name: Hyperlipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia Medical Term: Hyperlipidemia Description: Abnormally high levels of fat in the blood. Serum cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L). High risk: Serum cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL (6.22 mmol/L). High density lipoprotein fraction of cholesterol (HDL) is protective [“Good Cholesterol”]. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is atherogenic [“bad cholesterol”]. This is a serious and “silent” problem in North America. 120 million people with…
General Illness Information Common Name: Hodgkin’s disease Medical Term: Hodgkin’s disease Description: A malignant disease of the lymphoid tissue. Involves lymph glands, white cells (lymphocytes) and the spleen. May present as a localized or generalized form of cancer. Has two age distribution patterns— One between the ages of 15 to 34 and the other after the age of 60. Rare in children under 10. Causes: Unknown; Viruses may be implicated….
General Illness Information Common Name: HIV, AIDS Medical Term: HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Description: A chronic infection with a variable course (about 10 years from the time of infection for 50% of persons to develop AIDS). HIV infects cells with CD4 receptors, most notably the CD4 lymphocytes (also called T4 or T helper cells). Infection causes cell death and a decline in immune function resulting in opportunistic infections, malignancies,…
General Illness Information Common Name: High Blood Pressure Medical Term: Hypertension. Description: Hypertension is defined as a sustained elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater). 50 million people in the US have hypertension; 20% of the U.S. population. It is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Even though most patients have no symptoms, treatment…
General Illness Information Common Name: Hives Medical Term: Urticaria Description: Disorder characterized by a skin rash with raised areas with redness and itching. Commonly allergic but may also occur on a non-allergic basis. Causes: Allergic or non-allergic; massive histamine release from mast cells in skin; Drug reaction especially Aspirin, Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs; Food or food additive allergy; Allergy to peanuts and/or tree nuts a leading cause of severe (sometimes…
General Illness Information Common Name: Shingles Medical Term: Herpes Zoster Description: Reactivation of a latent or dormant virus (varicella,or chickenpox virus) in the body. When the virus is activated, it spreads through part of the nervous system called the dorsal root ganglia, causing the characteristic crops of blistering lesions (vesicles) of shingles. Can affect any age, but most common in adults over the age of 50. Causes: Herpes zoster is…
General Illness Information Common Name: Hiatus hernia, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, GERD Medical Term: Gastro-esophageal reflux Disease. Description: Reflux of stomach and duodenal contents into the esophagus, with or without esophageal inflammation. This is a common condition. 65% of adults have suffered heartburn; 24% have had symptoms for > 10 years. All ages are affected. Males and females suffer equally. Causes: Inappropriate relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter; Familial clustering of GERD…
