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General Illness Information Common Name: Cholecystitis and Cholangitis Medical Term: None Specified. Description: Infection or inflammation of the gallbladder, which collects and concentrates bile from the liver (Cholecystitis). Infection or inflammation of the ducts that drain bile from the liver to the gallbladder (cholangitis). More common in women and some ethnic groups (North American Indians). Incidence increases with age. Causes: Unknown. Postulated to be caused by inflammation or bacterial infection,…

Description Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative process that develops in the bones of the neck (vertebrae) and intervertebral discs, resulting in compression of the spinal cord in the neck. Affects men and women equally. Very common after age 50, and considered by many to be a natural aging phenomenon. Causes Osteoarthritis (wear and tear on joints that accompanies aging); Arthritis (inflammation of a joint); Injuries such as automobile accidents with…

General Illness Information Common Name: Chalazion Medical Term: None Specified. Description: Chronic inflammation of the meibomian gland in the eyelid.  Meibomian glands are long thin oil glands found in the eyelid, and serve to lubricate the lid margins. Causes: Blockage of a duct leading to the surface of the eyelid from the meibomian gland. The blockage may be due to infection (usually staphylococcal) around the duct opening. Prevention: If you…

General Illness Information Common Name: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Medical Term: None Specified Description: Common painful disorder in the hand and wrist, caused by compression (pressure) on the median nerve at the wrist. Causes: May be caused by: Inflammation of the tendon sheaths; Frequently from arthritis; A fracture of the forearm; Sprain or dislocation of the wrist; Ganglion cyst; Hyperparathyroidism and hypocalcemia. Most often associated with hypothyroidism and diabetes. Occurs with…

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: Lung Cancer (Bronchogenic Carcinoma) Medical Term: None Specified Description: A highly malignant primary lung tumor that accounts for most cases of lung cancer and has a very poor prognosis. It is the second most common cancer in men (13%) and the third most common cancer in women (13%).  It is the leading cause of cancer death among men (32%) and women (25%), and its incidence…

General Illness Information Common Name: BUNION Medical Term: Hallux Valgus Description: A bony protrusion from the outside edge of the joint at the base of the big (first) toe. Three times as many women as men have the disorder. Causes: If the big toe has grown or been forced into a position where it overlaps one or more of the other toes, that is called hallux valgus. Prevention: Wear wide-toed…

General Illness Information Common Name: BRONCHIOLITIS Medical Term: None Specified Description: Bronchiolitis is a contagious viral infection of the airways of infants and young children that causes difficulty in bresthing especially breathing out. Bronchiolitis mainly affects children under 18 months of age and most commonly in infants younger than 6 months. Often occurs in epidemics Causes: Inflammation of the small airways called bronchioles; usually caused by a viral infection, most…

General Illness Information Common Name: BRONCHITIS, ACUTE Medical Term: None Specified Description: Infection or acute inflammation of the lung air passages (Bronchi, bronchioles) of sudden onset and short duration. Causes: Infection from one of many respiratory viruses. Most cases of acute bronchitis begin with a cold virus in the nose and throat that spreads to the airways. A secondary bacterial infection is common. Infectious bronchitis can also be caused by…

General Illness Information Common Name: BRONCHITIS, CHRONIC Medical Term: None Specified Description: Chronic inflammation of bronchial tubes causing cough and purulent sputum production for at least three months of the year for more than two years. More commonly associated with and exacerbated by cigarette smoking. Causes: Chronic Bronchitis can be caused by: Smoking; Air pollution. Occupational – more common in women exposed to dusts or noxious gases. Infection – repeated…