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General Illness Information Common Name: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Medical Term: None Specified Description: Common painful disorder in the hand and wrist, caused by compression (pressure) on the median nerve at the wrist. Causes: May be caused by: Inflammation of the tendon sheaths; Frequently from arthritis; A fracture of the forearm; Sprain or dislocation of the wrist; Ganglion cyst; Hyperparathyroidism and hypocalcemia. Most often associated with hypothyroidism and diabetes. Occurs with…

General Illness Information Common Name: Care of Feet and Skin Medical Term: Diabetic foot ulcers Description: Because of impaired nerve supply and nerve involvement people with diabetes are more susceptible to have foot injuries and foot infections. In diabetes, care of feet is very important. Causes: As above. Prevention: Report the foot injuries and ulcers to your doctor promptly. Wash feet daily with soap and warm (not hot) water. Dry…

General Illness Information Common Name: Lung Cancer (Bronchogenic Carcinoma) Medical Term: None Specified Description: A highly malignant primary lung tumor that accounts for most cases of lung cancer and has a very poor prognosis. It is the second most common cancer in men (13%) and the third most common cancer in women (13%).  It is the leading cause of cancer death among men (32%) and women (25%), and its incidence…

General Illness Information Common Name: BREAST ABSCESS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Infection of breast tissue, occurring most often during nursing. The infected area becomes filled with pus. Causes: Bacteria that enter the breast through the nipple (usually a cracked nipple during the early days of breast-feeding). Prevention: Clean the nipples and breasts thoroughly before and after nursing. Lubricate the nipples after nursing with lanolin or Vitamin A & D…

General Illness Information Common Name: BRONCHIOLITIS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Bronchiolitis is a contagious viral infection of the airways of infants and young children that causes difficulty in bresthing especially breathing out. Bronchiolitis mainly affects children under 18 months of age and most commonly in infants younger than 6 months. Often occurs in epidemics Causes: Inflammation of the small airways called bronchioles; usually caused by a viral infection, most…

General Illness Information Common Name: BREAST CANCER Medical Term: None Specified Description: A malignant growth of breast tissue. Breast cancer may spread to nearby lymph glands, lungs, pleura, bone (especially the skull), pelvis, and liver. Breast cancer is classified by the kind of tissue in which it starts and by the extent of spread. It may affect males in rare cases. Breast cancer is rare before the age of 30,…

General Illness Information Common Name: BRONCHITIS, ACUTE Medical Term: None Specified Description: Infection or acute inflammation of the lung air passages (Bronchi, bronchioles) of sudden onset and short duration. Causes: Infection from one of many respiratory viruses. Most cases of acute bronchitis begin with a cold virus in the nose and throat that spreads to the airways. A secondary bacterial infection is common. Infectious bronchitis can also be caused by…

General Illness Information Common Name: BRONCHITIS, CHRONIC Medical Term: None Specified Description: Chronic inflammation of bronchial tubes causing cough and purulent sputum production for at least three months of the year for more than two years. More commonly associated with and exacerbated by cigarette smoking. Causes: Chronic Bronchitis can be caused by: Smoking; Air pollution. Occupational – more common in women exposed to dusts or noxious gases. Infection – repeated…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Common Name: Prostate Enlargement (Benign) Description: Benign glandular growth of prostate which may result in bladder outlet obstruction. The prostate gland is situated at the base of the urinary bladder, and encircles the urethra at the bladder outlet. This condition is common in males over the age of 60. It must be distinguished from Prostate Cancer. Causes: Exact cause unknown, but…

General Illness Information Common Name: Meningitis, Bacterial Medical Term: None Specified Description: Bacterial infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord (the meninges).  May affect any age group, but most severe in infants and elderly. Causes: Many species of bacteria can cause meningitis. 3 species account for 80% of all cases: Meningococcus (Niesseria meningitides). Haemophilus (Haemophilus influenza type B).Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumonia). Prevention: Get medical care for treatment of…