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General Illness Information Common Name: Care of Feet and Skin Medical Term: Diabetic foot ulcers Description: Because of impaired nerve supply and nerve involvement people with diabetes are more susceptible to have foot injuries and foot infections. In diabetes, care of feet is very important. Causes: As above. Prevention: Report the foot injuries and ulcers to your doctor promptly. Wash feet daily with soap and warm (not hot) water. Dry…

General Illness Information Common Name: BACK PAIN, LOWER Medical Term: None Specified Description: Pain in the lower back usually caused by muscle strain. It is often accompanied by sciatica (pain that radiates from the back to the buttock and down into the legs). Onset of pain may be immediate or occur some hours after exertion or an injury. The symptoms get into a cycle, starting with a muscle spasm, the…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EARWAX BLOCKAGE Common Name: Cerumen Impaction Description: Overproduction of earwax (cerumen), causing blockage of the external ear canal. Wax is produced, by glands in the ear  to protect the ear canal ( passage leading from the eardrum to the outside). The amount of wax produced varies from person to person. Some people produce enough earwax  to block the ear canal and need treatment. Causes: Overproduction…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Disk, Ruptured Common Name: Herniated disk, Slipped Disk Description: A herniated disk is a spinal disk which has collapsed and is bulging into the spinal cord, pressing on the spinal cord or the nerves emanating from it. This occurs as a result of  degeneration of the ligaments and tissues surrounding a spinal disk (i.e.. the cushion separating bony spinal vertebrae). The disks of the lower…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Morning sickness during pregnancy Common Name: Morning sickness Description: Common symptom of nausea and vomiting,  usually during the first trimester of pregnancy. Occurs in over 50% of all pregnancies. Causes: Nausea probably results from rising levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin in the blood. These rising levels of hormones probably activate the vomiting center in the brain. Prevention: It is sometimes recommended for patients suffering nausea…

General Illness Information Common Name: Leukemia, Chronic Myelocytic Medical Term: None Specified Description: A stem cell in the bone marrow becomes cancerous, and produces a large number of abnormal white cells, called granulocytes. May affect any age and sex, but uncommon under the age of 10. Causes: Unknown Prevention: Cannot be prevented. Signs & Symptoms No symptoms in early stages. Later, causes the following: Weakness and fatigue. Loss of appetite…

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…