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General Illness Information Medical Term: Keratitis Common Name: None Specified Description: Infection or inflammation of the cornea (the center portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil). Causes: Bacterial, viral or fungal infections. The most common is herpes simplex virus, Type I. Drying of the eye caused by an eyelid disorder or insufficient tear formation. Foreign object in the eye. Contact lenses over-use. Intense light, such as from welding arcs…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Keratoses, Seborrheic Common Name: None Specified Description: A non-contagious, benign, inflammatory, pigmented, raised, scaling disease of the skin. It may involve the chest; back; face; arms; and can affect adults of both sexes. By age 60, almost everyone has a few seborrheic keratoses. Causes: Unknown. Prevention: No specific preventive measures. Signs & Symptoms Characteristic papules, which are pigmented, raised, flat, scaly lesions scattered on the…

General Illness Information Common Name: ANEMIA, IRON-DEFICIENCY Medical Term: None Specified Description: Anemia is caused due to lack of iron. Small, pale red blood cells and depletion of iron stores characterize it. Iron is an essential mineral, and is used by the body to produce hemoglobin, the red pigment protein in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). Lack of iron causes low hemoglobin, which decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Iron…

General Illness Information Medical Term: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME Common Name: SPASTIC COLON, MUCOUS COLITIS Description: A disorder of the motility pattern of the bowels, characterized by abdominal pain, gaseousness, constipation or diarrhea, usually after meals or stress and in the absence of organic pathology. It is divided into 4  categories: 1.Alternating diarrhea with constipation; 2. Diarrhea predominant; 3. Constipation predominant; 4. Upper abdominal bloating and discomfort Irritable bowel syndrome affects…

General Illness Information Common Name: Coronary Artery Disease Medical Term: Ischemic Heart Disease Description: Coronary artery disease is a condition  in which fatty deposits  (atheroma) accumulate in the cells lining the wall of the coronary arteries. These fatty deposits build up gradually and irregularly in the large branches of the two main coronary arteries which encircle the heart and are the main source of its blood supply. This process is…

General Illness Information Medical Term: INSECT BITES AND STINGS Common Name: None Specified Description: Skin eruptions, swelling and other symptoms caused by insect bites or stings. Insects affect man by being pests, inoculating poison, invading tissue, or transmitting disease. Inoculation of poison may occur as either a bite or a sting. The bites cause a variety of reactions from a small bump to large sores (ulcers) with swelling and pain….

General Illness Information Medical Term: INFLUENZA Common Name: (FLU) Description: A specific acute contagious, viral illness causing fever, runny nose, cough, headaches, generalized aches and pains, malaise and upper respiratory infection. Incubation period is 24-48 hours. Main types: A, B, & C, but can mutate to different forms. Can affect most ages, especially infants. Causes: Infection by myxovirus class of viruses; The viruses spread by personal contact or indirect contact. Prevention:…

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: Hyperthyroidism Medical Term: Hyperthyroidism Description: Excessive levels of thyroid hormone  – usually due to over-activity of the thyroid gland.  This hormone regulates all body functions, and therefore over-production of thyroid hormone will have widespread effect in the body. Types of hyperthyroidism include: Graves’ disease (GD) – the most common form – an autoimmune disease; Toxic multinodular goiter – occurs late in life. Nodules are insidious…

General Illness Information Medical Term: IMPETIGO (IMPETIGO CONTAGIOSA) Common Name: None Specified Description: An infectious bacterial infection of the skin, causing small bubbles that become pustules and eventually form crusts; Most common in children; Very contagious, especially in families. Causes: Staphylococcal or streptococcal (or combination) bacteria growing in the skin. 50 to 90% of infections are due to staphylococci and are spread by contact or insect vector or contamination at…