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General Illness Information Common Name: ALOPECIA AREATA Medical Term: None specified Description: Sudden hair loss in circular patches on the scalp (in the absence of any other visible skin disorder or systemic disease). Any hairy area may be involved, the scalp and the beard most frequently. Rarely, all the body hair may be lost (Alopecia universalis). Alopecia totalis is loss of all scalp hair and eyebrows. In most cases, the…

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 Common Name: ACNE Medical Term: Acne vulgaris Description: Acne vulgaris is a sebaceous gland disorder wherein the skin pores become clogged by dried sebum and flaked skin, causing lesions such as whiteheads and blackheads (comedones) which may become inflamed and/or infected. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition common in adolescence and characterized by skin eruptions on the face, chest and back. It is more commonly seen…

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: 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 Medical Term: GANGRENE Common Name: None Specified Description: Gangrene is a dead or necrotic tissue and it is usually followed by infection. Gangrene develops when the blood supply to an affected part is cut off because of various factors including infection, vascular disease or trauma. It can involve any body part, but the commonest sites are the extremities. Can be most dangerous when gangrene affects the intestines…

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: GASTRITIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The lining of the stomach is remarkably resistant to injury from the acid and the digestive enzymes. Nevertheless, the stomach lining  can sometimes become irritated and inflamed. Causes: There are numerous causes for gastritis and these are listed below: Medications like ASA and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and steroids-…