The placenta (also called the afterbirth) separates from the uterine wall. The placenta carries all nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. A separation can cause complications for the mother and the...
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A chronic inflammatory (red and sore) skin condition that is most common in teenagers. The skin eruptions may appear on the face, chest, and back. Acne is more common in males than in females.
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Chronic inflammation of skin of the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. Rarely, the neck, chest, ears, or scalp may be affected. Extensive nose involvement, mostly in men, is called rhinophyma. Acne...
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A rare disease that involves failure of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce hormones (cortisol and aldosterone) that affect almost every body organ and tissue. These hormones help the body...
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A person's response to a stressful life event (sometimes called a stressor) is out of proportion to what would be a normal reaction. The person is unable to adjust, and this causes problems in both...
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This diet is designed to promote optimum health through good nutrition. It is to be used for those individuals requiring no special dietary modification or restrictions.
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A chronic, progressive disease that involves dependence on, or an addiction to, alcohol. It involves: Craving: A strong need or urge to drink. Loss of control: Not being able to stop drinking once...
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The diet is individually tailored to omit those foods that cause an immediate or delayed allergic reaction.
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Sudden hair loss in circular patches on the scalp. The hair loss does not occur with other visible evidence of scalp disease. It can involve hair on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, genital area, or...
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Altitude illness results from travel to higher-than-normal altitudes. It can affect anyone, no matter what his or her age or how healthy they are. Types of altitude illness include: Acute mountain...
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A brain disorder that involves gradual mental deterioration. The more gradual form, with slow development of symptoms, begins around ages 65 to 70. A rapidly progressive form begins in adults around...
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A parasitic infection of the intestines (bowels). Amebiasis is found worldwide, but occurs most often in developing countries. In the United States, the disease is fairly rare in the general...
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Complete absence of menstruation in a young woman who is at least 16 years old, or at age 14 with a lack of normal growth or absence of secondary sexual development. It is a rare disorder, as over...
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Absence of menstruation in a woman who has previously menstruated.
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A progressive breakdown of the cells of the spinal cord. This results in a gradual loss of muscle function. It involves the central nervous system and the muscle system, especially in the hands,...
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A laceration, tear, or crack in the lining of the anus. It affects all age groups, including infants.
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A very small tube or tract that leads from the anal canal (the last part of the rectum) to the skin near the anal opening. Watery pus drains through this opening and causes irritation to the skin.
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A life-threatening allergic response to drugs or any other allergy-causing substance. Reactions that happen the fastest are often the worst.
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A low level of red cells and hemoglobin in the blood during pregnancy. Hemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to body tissues. Common anemias in pregnancy include...
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Anemia that is caused by a deficiency of folic acid. It is often occurs along with iron-deficiency anemia.
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An anemia that is due to red blood cells being destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce them. In the intrinsic type, the destruction is due to a defect in the red blood cells themselves. In...
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An anemia caused by inadequate amounts of iron, which is required to meet the body's needs. Iron is present in all cells and has several vital functions. The anemia can affect any age. It is more...
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An anemia that prevents the body from absorbing enough vitamin B12 from the digestive tract. Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) is needed for making red blood cells and keeping the nervous system...
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A ballooning or bulge in the wall of a blood vessel (almost always an artery). It can affect the arteries in the chest, abdomen, brain, legs, or heart wall. Aneurysms have thin, weak walls and have a...
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Chest pain or discomfort due to a decrease in the blood (and oxygen) supply to the heart muscle (myocardium). Angina may be stable (symptoms are predictable), or unstable (symptoms are unexpected and...
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Bite wounds to humans from dogs, cats, or other animals (including humans).
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An abscess (collection of pus due to infection) that develops in the area around the anus and rectum. They may occur on the edge of the anal opening or deep in the rectum. They are more common in...
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Anorexia is a type of eating disorder. A person refuses to eat enough to maintain a normal weight for height and age. It develops over time and can occur in both sexes. It most often affects young...
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An illness that involves constant worry, even though nothing is wrong. A person feels tense most of the time and always expects the worst to happen. They may worry about health, money, family, work,...
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Inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small, tubelike pouch that is part of the large intestine. The appendix has no known function, but it can become diseased. Symptoms vary widely. It can...
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A chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that affects children. The joints most often involved are the knees, hands, and feet. Symptoms vary from mild to severe.
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A chronic, inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints. It often begins between ages 25 and 50, and is more common in women.
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Inflammation of the lungs due to breathing asbestos particles. It is a chronic disorder, but is not contagious. Men over age 40 who have been exposed to asbestos are more likely to be affected.
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Asthma involves blockage of normal airflow into and out of the lungs. The blockage develops when certain allergens or irritants are inhaled and cause a reaction in the airways. They become swollen...
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Collapse of lung tissue affecting part or all of one lung. It prevents normal lung function. Atelectasis can affect all ages, but is more common in children under age 10.
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A hardening or narrowing of the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the heart, brain, and other body parts. Atherosclerosis can begin in childhood and progress slowly...
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A common, contagious fungal (tinea) infection of the skin on the feet. It often affects the soles and skin between toes (often the fourth and fifth toes). It usually affects teens and adults (rare in...
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The goal of this diet is to aid in weight loss by adjusting the participant's metabolism. Foods high in carbohydrates are restricted. The diet works on the principle of ketosis, a process in which...
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An abnormal heart rhythm. Fibrillation pertains to a "quivering" of muscles. Atrial pertains to the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. The abnormal rhythm reduces the flow of blood to the brain...
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A consistent pattern of behaviour that includes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common and affects 3% to 5% of children. It also...
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Autism is a disorder that involves the way a child develops. It is usually discovered by the time a child is aged 2 and a half years, but could be later. Parents may notice that an infant or child is...
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