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General Illness Information Common Name: Larynx Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer Medical Term: None Specified Description: Cancer of the larynx (voice box), and surrounding tissues. Usually in patients over age 50 years old. Men are nine times more affected than women. Causes: The cause has not been identified, but there is a very strong association with smoking, and also with heavy alcohol use. Prevention: Do not smoke. Limit alcohol use. See your…

General Illness Information Common Name: Legionella Pneumonia Medical Term: None Specified Description: Infection of the lungs by a bacteria called Legionella Pneumophila. Named in 1976 after an epidemic affected 182 people attending the American Legion convention. Accounts for 1-8% of all pneumonias. Causes: Infection by Legionella pneumophilia. It is spread between persons and contaminated sources. The germ is transmitted through the air, and the incubation period after exposure is 2…

General Illness Information Common Name: Lactose Intolerance Medical Term: None Specified Description: Diarrhea and abdominal distention caused by inability to digest carbohydrates because of a lack of one or more intestinal enzymes. The commonest variant is a lack of lactase, which is required to digest lactose in cow’s milk. If lactose is not digested, it remains in the intestine, and causes diarrhea and abdominal distension. Causes: Deficiency or absence of…

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…