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General Illness Information Common Name: High Blood Pressure Medical Term: Hypertension. Description: Hypertension is defined as a sustained elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater). 50 million  people in the US have hypertension; 20% of the U.S. population. It is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Even though most patients have no symptoms, treatment…

General Illness Information Common Name: HIV, AIDS Medical Term: HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Description: A chronic infection with a variable course (about 10 years from the time of infection for 50% of persons to develop AIDS). HIV infects cells with CD4 receptors, most notably the CD4 lymphocytes (also called T4 or T helper cells). Infection causes cell death and a decline in immune function resulting in opportunistic infections, malignancies,…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hives Medical Term: Urticaria Description: Disorder characterized by a skin rash with raised areas with redness and itching. Commonly allergic but may also occur on a non-allergic basis. Causes: Allergic or non-allergic; massive histamine release from mast cells in skin; Drug reaction especially Aspirin, Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs; Food or food additive allergy; Allergy to peanuts and/or tree nuts a leading cause of severe (sometimes…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hodgkin’s disease Medical Term: Hodgkin’s disease Description: A malignant disease of the lymphoid tissue. Involves lymph glands, white cells (lymphocytes) and the spleen. May present as a localized or generalized form of cancer. Has two age distribution patterns— One between the ages of 15 to 34 and the other after the age of 60. Rare in children under 10. Causes: Unknown; Viruses may be implicated….

General Illness Information Common Name: Herpes, Genital Medical Term: Genital Herpes Description: An infection of the genital or anal area caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 2, and occasionally type 1 Herpes simplex virus; It can involve the penis, vagina, cervix, thighs and buttocks  and can affect both sexes, and all ages; In women, genital herpes may increase the risk of cervical cancer; Genital herpes is transmitted by sexual…

General Illness Information Medical Term: HERPES SIMPLEX Common Name: Cold Sores, Fever Blister Description: A common, contagious virus (herpes simplex or HSV-1) infection. Usually involves the lips; gums and mouth area; cornea (rare); occasionally genitals. Primary oral herpes infection (primary herpes gingivostomatitis) is an initial infection by the herpes simplex virus which causes very painful sores on the gums and in the other parts of the mouth. Secondary herpes (recurrent…

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 Common Name: Shingles Medical Term: Herpes Zoster Description: Reactivation of a latent or dormant virus (varicella,or chickenpox virus)  in the body. When the virus is activated, it spreads through part of the nervous system called the dorsal root ganglia, causing the characteristic crops of blistering lesions (vesicles) of shingles. Can affect any age, but most common in adults over the age of 50. Causes: Herpes zoster is…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hay Fever Medical Term: Allergic Rhinitis Description: Allergic response to airborne inhaled allergens affecting the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses, throat, bronchial tubes and frequently the eyes). Most common of all allergic diseases. Affects up to 15% of the population in the United States and Canada. Onset of symptoms usually before age 30. Hay fever name is misleading, since symptoms most frequent in the pollen…

General Illness Information Common Name: Headache, Cluster Medical Term: Same Description: Constant one-sided headache over and behind the eye, with onset occurring usually within 3-4 hours of falling asleep. 80% of these affected are males. Pain recurs nightly for several weeks or month, followed by no symptoms for months or years. Causes: Unknown. Thought to be related to changes in blood flows to the brain, and to disturbances in RAM…