You searched for : 'K'

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 Common Name: Laryngitis Medical Term: None Specified Description: An inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and surrounding tissues, causing temporary hoarseness. Causes: Inflammation of the vocal cords and surrounding area caused by: Viruses (common), bacteria, allergies. Electrolyte-balance disturbances, especially low potassium, that cause muscle weakness (Uncommon). Tumors (rare) or polyps. Excessive use of the voice. Prevention: Avoid raising, or straining your voice. Treat all respiratory infections appropriately….

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 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 Medical Term: IRITIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Inflammation of the iris and the ciliary muscle ( the ring of colored tissue surrounding the pupil of the eye). This is also referred to as Anterior uveitis Causes: Infection that spreads to the eye from other body parts. Common causes include: Toxoplasmosis; Tuberculosis; Histoplasmosis; Syphilis; Sarcoidosis; Viruses (herpes simplex or zoster); Injury to the eye; Autoimmune reaction; Unknown…

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…