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General Illness Information Common Name: Laryngitis Medical Term: None Specified Description: An inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and surrounding tissues, causing temporary hoarseness. Causes: Inflammation of the vocal cords and surrounding area caused by: Viruses (common), bacteria, allergies. Electrolyte-balance disturbances, especially low potassium, that cause muscle weakness (Uncommon). Tumors (rare) or polyps. Excessive use of the voice. Prevention: Avoid raising, or straining your voice. Treat all respiratory infections appropriately….

General Illness Information Medical Term: CROUP (Laryngotracheobronchitis) Common Name: Croup Description: Croup is a contagious viral infection causing inflammation and swelling of the larynx and surrounding tissues. It presents with difficulty in breathing especially breathing in and a typical barking cough. It usually affects children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Causes: Croup can be caused by a number of different viruses. In the fall, it is…

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, 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…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Kidney Stones (Renal Calculi) Common Name: None Specified Description: Small solid particles (stones) that form in the kidney and sometimes travel down to the urethra (tube that connects kidney to urinary bladder). About 1 in 1000 adults is hospitalized annually in the USA because of urinary calculi, which are also found in about 1% of all autopsies. Causes: Almost 95% of all kidney stones are…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Keloids Common Name: None Specified Description: An overgrowth of fibrous tissue (scar) on the skin. Keloids can appear anywhere on the skin, but most commonly appear on the breastbone, upper back and shoulder. They usually arise in an area of injury (such as after a burn or from severe acne), but sometimes arise from a very minor scratch. Keloids are more frequent in people of…

General Illness Information Common Name: ANEMIA, IRON-DEFICIENCY Medical Term: None Specified Description: Anemia is caused due to lack of iron. Small, pale red blood cells and depletion of iron stores characterize it. Iron is an essential mineral, and is used by the body to produce hemoglobin, the red pigment protein in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). Lack of iron causes low hemoglobin, which decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Iron…

General Illness Information Medical Term: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME Common Name: SPASTIC COLON, MUCOUS COLITIS Description: A disorder of the motility pattern of the bowels, characterized by abdominal pain, gaseousness, constipation or diarrhea, usually after meals or stress and in the absence of organic pathology. It is divided into 4  categories: 1.Alternating diarrhea with constipation; 2. Diarrhea predominant; 3. Constipation predominant; 4. Upper abdominal bloating and discomfort Irritable bowel syndrome affects…

General Illness Information Common Name: Coronary Artery Disease Medical Term: Ischemic Heart Disease Description: Coronary artery disease is a condition  in which fatty deposits  (atheroma) accumulate in the cells lining the wall of the coronary arteries. These fatty deposits build up gradually and irregularly in the large branches of the two main coronary arteries which encircle the heart and are the main source of its blood supply. This process is…

General Illness Information Medical Term: INSECT BITES AND STINGS Common Name: None Specified Description: Skin eruptions, swelling and other symptoms caused by insect bites or stings. Insects affect man by being pests, inoculating poison, invading tissue, or transmitting disease. Inoculation of poison may occur as either a bite or a sting. The bites cause a variety of reactions from a small bump to large sores (ulcers) with swelling and pain….