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General Illness Information Common Name: ACNE Medical Term: Acne vulgaris Description: Acne vulgaris is a sebaceous gland disorder wherein the skin pores become clogged by dried sebum and flaked skin, causing lesions such as whiteheads and blackheads (comedones) which may become inflamed and/or infected. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition common in adolescence and characterized by skin eruptions on the face, chest and back. It is more commonly seen…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GLOMERULONEPHRITIS (Post-infectious, Acute  glomerulonephritis) Common Name: None Specified Description: Acute glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli that results in sudden appearance of blood in the urine, with clumps of red blood cells (casts) and protein in the urine. It is an immunologic response to an infection  (usually streptococcal) which damages the glomeruli. It can be initiated by other bacterial or viral infections. Glomeruli are…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EYE, FOREIGN BODY IN Common Name: None Specified Description: Embedding of a small speck of metal, wood, stone, sand, paint or other foreign material in the eye. Causes: Airborne foreign material accidentally gets into the eye Prevention: Wear protective eye coverings (guards or spectacles), if your occupation or hobby involves the risk of eye injury. Spectacles made of polycarbonate plastic lenses with a minimum center…

General Illness Information Medical Term: FROSTBITE Common Name: Frostnip Description: Frostbite is a cold injury in which freezing of tissues occurs to one or more parts of the body causing permanent damage. Skin and muscle are more prone to freezing damage than tendons and bones, and that a person with severe frostbite can still sometimes move his fingers and toes. Exposed hands, feet, earlobes and the nose are most vulnerable…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GALLSTONES (Cholelithiasis) Common Name: Gallstones Description: Gallstones are a  collection of one or more stones in the gallbladder, which is the hollow organ under the liver, that stores bile. When the gallstones are in the gallbladder, the condition is called cholelithiasis; when they are in the bile ducts the condition is called choledocolithiasis. Most gallstones in North America are composed primarily of cholesterol (75%). 25%…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GANGRENE Common Name: None Specified Description: Gangrene is a dead or necrotic tissue and it is usually followed by infection. Gangrene develops when the blood supply to an affected part is cut off because of various factors including infection, vascular disease or trauma. It can involve any body part, but the commonest sites are the extremities. Can be most dangerous when gangrene affects the intestines…

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…

General Illness Information Common Name: ANEMIA, FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY Medical Term: None Specified Description: Folic acid anemia is a megaloblastic anemia caused by lack of folic acid. In this type of anemia, bone marrow produces large, abnormal red blood cells (megaloblasts). It is often accompanied by iron-deficiency anemia. Folic acid is a vitamin found in raw vegetables, fresh fruit and meats and is destroyed by cooking. It is stored in…

General Illness Information Medical Term: FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME Common Name: None Specified Description: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that affects some infants born to mothers who drank alcohol during pregnancy. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation in the Western world and has a worldwide incidence of 1.9 in 1000 live births. Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs in all racial groups according to alcohol abusing mothers. Approximately one…

General Illness Information Medical Term: FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE Common Name: Benign breast disease Description: Fibrocystic breast disease is a generalized term for non- malignant lumps in breasts, causing pain. Although it is called a disease, it is not really a disease. Therefore the term benign breast  disease or fibrocystic condition would be more appropriate. The benign lumps are usually smooth, regular and mobile. At least 50% of women  have benign…