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General Illness Information Common Name: ALLERGY (Food) Medical Term: Applies according to allergy Description: Food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to certain foods or substances that are otherwise harmless. These adverse reactions may be inborn or an acquired biochemical defect. Symptoms may occur within minutes or up to two hours after ingestion. In some instances, the symptoms may not appear until a day or two later. Causes:…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GLAUCOMA Common Name: None Specified Description: Glaucoma is a term applied to a number of conditions causing optic nerve damage often in  association   with increased intraocular pressure ( increased  pressure in the eyeball ) causing damage to the optic nerve and resulting in potential loss of vision. Glaucoma is a disease of pressure and adequate lowering of intra-ocular pressure almost always stops optic nerve damage….

General Illness Information Medical Term: GLOMERULONEPHRITIS (Post-infectious, Acute  glomerulonephritis) Common Name: None Specified Description: Acute glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli that results in sudden appearance of blood in the urine, with clumps of red blood cells (casts) and protein in the urine. It is an immunologic response to an infection  (usually streptococcal) which damages the glomeruli. It can be initiated by other bacterial or viral infections. Glomeruli are…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EYE, FOREIGN BODY IN Common Name: None Specified Description: Embedding of a small speck of metal, wood, stone, sand, paint or other foreign material in the eye. Causes: Airborne foreign material accidentally gets into the eye Prevention: Wear protective eye coverings (guards or spectacles), if your occupation or hobby involves the risk of eye injury. Spectacles made of polycarbonate plastic lenses with a minimum center…

General Illness Information Medical Term: FROSTBITE Common Name: Frostnip Description: Frostbite is a cold injury in which freezing of tissues occurs to one or more parts of the body causing permanent damage. Skin and muscle are more prone to freezing damage than tendons and bones, and that a person with severe frostbite can still sometimes move his fingers and toes. Exposed hands, feet, earlobes and the nose are most vulnerable…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GALLSTONES (Cholelithiasis) Common Name: Gallstones Description: Gallstones are a  collection of one or more stones in the gallbladder, which is the hollow organ under the liver, that stores bile. When the gallstones are in the gallbladder, the condition is called cholelithiasis; when they are in the bile ducts the condition is called choledocolithiasis. Most gallstones in North America are composed primarily of cholesterol (75%). 25%…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hiatus hernia, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, GERD Medical Term: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Description: Reflux of stomach and duodenal contents into the esophagus, with or without esophageal inflammation. This is a common condition. 65% of adults have suffered heartburn; 24% have had symptoms for > 10 years. All ages are affected. Males and females suffer equally. Causes: Inappropriate relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter; Familial clustering of GERD…

General Illness Information Medical Term: FIBROSITIS Common Name: Fibromyalgia (Fibromyositis) Description: Fibrositis (fibromyalgia syndromes, myofascial pain syndromes) are a group of disorders characterized by chronic widespread aches and pains in the muscles, muscle sheath and connective tissues of tendons, muscles, bones and joints, with associated tenderness. The pain and stiffness (fibromyalgia) may affect the whole body or may be restricted to certain parts of the body, as in myofascial pain…

General Illness Information Medical Term: FOOD POISONING Common Name: None Specified Description: Abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms caused by contaminated food ,consumed within the preceding 48 hours. The illness may be caused by bacterial infection itself or by the chemical toxins produced by the bacteria, that contaminated the food. Can affect people who consumed the food (e.g. in restaurant, day care etc.). Symptoms due to bacteria toxins will present in 1-12…

General Illness Information Common Name: ANEMIA, FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY Medical Term: None Specified Description: Folic acid anemia is a megaloblastic anemia caused by lack of folic acid. In this type of anemia, bone marrow produces large, abnormal red blood cells (megaloblasts). It is often accompanied by iron-deficiency anemia. Folic acid is a vitamin found in raw vegetables, fresh fruit and meats and is destroyed by cooking. It is stored in…