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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: Hyperthyroidism Medical Term: Hyperthyroidism Description: Excessive levels of thyroid hormone  – usually due to over-activity of the thyroid gland.  This hormone regulates all body functions, and therefore over-production of thyroid hormone will have widespread effect in the body. Types of hyperthyroidism include: Graves’ disease (GD) – the most common form – an autoimmune disease; Toxic multinodular goiter – occurs late in life. Nodules are insidious…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hypothyroidism Medical Term: Hypothyroidism Description: The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, under the control of the pituitary gland in the brain. Thyroid hormone is essential to the body in the consumption of oxygen by the cells, and in protein synthesis. The condition in which the thyroid gland produces low levels of thyroid hormone is termed hypothyroidism. It affects both sexes, but is more common among…

General Illness Information Medical Term: IMPETIGO (IMPETIGO CONTAGIOSA) Common Name: None Specified Description: An infectious bacterial infection of the skin, causing small bubbles that become pustules and eventually form crusts; Most common in children; Very contagious, especially in families. Causes: Staphylococcal or streptococcal (or combination) bacteria growing in the skin. 50 to 90% of infections are due to staphylococci and are spread by contact or insect vector or contamination at…

General Illness Information Medical Term: IMPOTENCE, MALE SEXUAL (ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION) Common Name: None Specified Description: A consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection; Impotence is not inevitable with aging. The capacity for erection is retained, though a man may need more stimulation to achieve erection and more time between erections than in the past. Causes: Psychological causes include: Guilt feelings; A poor relationship with the sexual partner; Psychological disorders,…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hyperlipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia Medical Term: Hyperlipidemia Description: Abnormally high levels of fat in the blood. Serum cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L).  High risk: Serum cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL (6.22 mmol/L) High density lipoprotein fraction of cholesterol (HDL) is protective [“Good Cholesterol”] Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is atherogenic [“bad cholesterol”] This is a serious and “silent” problem in North America. 120 million people with…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hyperhidrosis Medical Term: Hyperhidrosis Description: Excessive perspiration due to over activity of the sweat glands. May be general or confined to the palms, soles, armpits, below the breasts or groin. Often causes social embarrassment. Causes: Genetic factors; Anxiety; Fever and infection; Malignancy; Hyperthyroidism; Menopause; Some drugs and medicines, such as narcotics; Withdrawal from addictive drugs; Unknown in some cases. Prevention: Control anxiety; Keep cool. Signs…

General Illness Information Common Name: Hyperlipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia Medical Term: Hyperlipidemia Description: Abnormally high levels of fat in the blood. Serum cholesterol higher than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L).  High risk: Serum cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL (6.22 mmol/L). High density lipoprotein fraction of cholesterol (HDL) is protective [“Good Cholesterol”]. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is atherogenic [“bad cholesterol”]. This is a serious and “silent” problem in North America. 120 million people with…

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: 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….