You searched for : 'C'

General Illness Information Common Name: HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE Medical Term: COXSACKIE VIRUS A-16 INFECTION Description: It is a viral illness presenting with ulcers in the mouth and water blisters or red spots on palms, soles of feet and in groin and buttock area. Mainly occurs in children from 6 months to 4 years. Causes: Coxsackie Virus A-16 Infection Prevention: Prevent exposure of infants and young children to anyone…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hay Fever Medical Term: Allergic Rhinitis Description: Allergic response to airborne inhaled allergens affecting the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses, throat, bronchial tubes and frequently the eyes). Most common of all allergic diseases. Affects up to 15% of the population in the United States and Canada. Onset of symptoms usually before age 30. Hay fever name is misleading, since symptoms most frequent in the pollen…

General Illness Information Common Name: Head Injury Medical Term: None Specified Description: Injury to the head, with or without unconsciousness or other visible signs.  Head wound may be “open” or “closed” depending on the nature of the injury. Causes: Trauma to the head. Prevention: Wear protective headgear for contact sports and cycling. Use your auto seat belt always. Place young children in approved safety car seats. Signs & Symptoms Loss…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GONORRHEA Common Name: None Specified Description: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infectious disease of the reproductive organs, caused by the bacterium Niesseria gonorrhea. It usually infects urethra in males and in females urethra, vagina, cervix and/or fallopian tubes. It may also involve anus, throat, joints and eyes. It is spread by sexual contact. It may spread through the blood stream to other parts of the…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME (Infectious polyneuropathy, Acute Idiopathic polyneuritis). Common Name: Description: Guillain-Barre syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system that produces rapidly worsening muscle weakness, sometimes leading to paralysis. Causes generalized and symmetrical weakness involving muscles at the extremities and on the trunk, as well as sensory symptoms. Weakness appears either rapidly or over 1-2 weeks, and can produce failure of breathing muscles…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GOUT Common Name: None Specified Description: Gout is a disorder characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of very painful joints, caused by deposits of uric acid crystals, which accumulate in the joints because of an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Crystals in the joints, cause pain, redness, warmth and swelling and most commonly affect the big toe. It may involve any…

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 Medical Term: THYROID NODULE (SOLITARY THYROID NODULE, MULTINODULAR GOITER, BENIGN NODULE, MALIGNANT NODULE, COLLOID NODULE, NODULAR THYROID) Common Name: GOITRE Description: Thyroid nodule is a swelling/mass on the thyroid gland Thyroid nodules are most often benign  (fewer than 5% of detected nodules are malignant). A thyroid nodule may be found on palpation of the gland by your physician, or incidentally on a thyroid/neck ultrasound. Thyroid nodules are…

General Illness Information Medical Term: THYROIDITIS (DE QUERVAIN’S THYROIDITIS, SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS, LYMPHOCYTIC THYROIDITIS, PAINLESS THYROIDITIS, POSTPARTUM THYROIDITIS) Common Name: None Specified Description: Thyroiditis is an acute inflammation of the thyroid gland. This inflammation often leads to destruction of cells of the thyroid gland. It may lead to hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) -as the thyroid gland cells are destroyed, thyroid hormone is released, thus often rendering the…

General Illness Information Medical Term: SEIZURES, FEBRILE Common Name: Seizures, febrile, febrile fits. Description: Seizure occurring with fever in infancy or childhood without evidence of other underlying cause. It is triggered by rapid rise in temperature in infants and children. Febrile convulsions typically occur with rising temperature followed by altered consciousness and uncontrolled muscle spasms. They can occur in up to 4% of children between ages of 6 months to…