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General Illness Information Medical Term: ENDOMETRIOSIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium (i.e. the inner lining of the uterus) which is normally found only in the uterus, grows in and around the pelvic organs e.g. the fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic cavity and also around other abdominal organs like the bowels, kidneys and rarely the lung. Most commonly found in women between the ages…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EPIDIDYMITIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Infection or inflammation of the epididymis, which is a tubular structure attached to the upper posterior part of each testicle, and results in scrotal pain. Causes: Causes depend on the age of the patient: In younger men ( less than 35 ) – Sexually transmitted disease e.g.. Chlamydia or Gonorrhea and E. coli infection, associated with anogenital sex –…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EPIGLOTTITIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Epiglottitis represents a true medical emergency. It is a life-threatening childhood infection of the epiglottis. Epiglottis is the structure that closes the entrance to the voice box and the wind pipe (larynx and trachea ) during swallowing. Epiglottitis is contagious. It can lead to upper airway obstruction. It is rare under the age of two years, commonest between the…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EPILEPSY Common Name: Seizures Description: Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. These are attacks of abnormal brain function characterized years. by brief periods of altered consciousness, motor activity or inappropriate behavior. A seizure (or a fit) is an abnormal focus of sudden electrical activity in the brain. It affects approximately 0.5% of the population in the United States and Canada and affects males…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EPISTAXIS Common Name: Nosebleeds Description: Epistaxis is bleeding from the nostril, nasal cavity or from the nasopharynx (back part of the nose). Most common site of bleeding is from the Little’s area (Kiesselbach’s plexus) which is located in the front part of the nasal septum and contains many blood vessels. Second most common site is the anterior end of the inferior nasal turbinate. Less commonly…

General Illness Information Medical Term: ENCEPHALITIS ( VIRAL) Common Name: None Specified Description: An acute inflammation of the brain cells caused by a direct viral infection (primary encephalitis) or by a hypersensitivity reaction initiated by virus (secondary encephalitis).  Secondary or post viral  encephalitis usually occurs 2- 12 days after the primary viral infection. Meningeal, spinal cord and peripheral nerve involvement may accompany encephalitis. Most cases of viral encephalitis are rare…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EMPHYSEMA Common Name: None Specified Description: Emphysema is a chronic lung condition with abnormal enlargement of the air sacs (alveoli), because of destruction of their walls and with resulting loss of elasticity. The disease occurs in the distal and terminal airways and involves the airways as well as the lung parenchyma ( air sacs). It usually affects adults between 35 and 75. Males are more…

General Illness Information Medical Term: ENCOPRESIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Lack of bowel control in a child , older than 4 years of age, and who does not have an organic defect or illness. A child cannot be expected to have complete bowel control until at least 2-1/2 years of age. Occurs in about 1% of 4 year olds. Causes: Most of these accidental bowel movements result from resistance…

General Illness Information Medical Term: ENDOCARDITIS (Bacterial or Infective endocarditis) Common Name: None Specified Description: Infective endocarditis is a serious infection of the endocardium (the smooth interior lining of the heart ) and the heart valves. It is mostly caused by bacteria. Rarely, can be caused by fungi or other organisms. May be acute or sub acute. Infective endocarditis can come on suddenly and become life-threatening within a matter of…

General Illness Information Medical Term: EARDRUM, RUPTURED Common Name: Perforated eardrum Description: A hole in the thin membrane (tympanic membrane) that separates the inner ear from the outer ear. Causes: The eardrum may be perforated when a sharp object is inserted in the ear, such as: a cotton swab or paper clip to clean the ear or relieve an itch; or by an object accidentally entering the ear, such as…