Diseases & Health Conditions

1. Understand the Biology At its roots, bipolar disorder is a malfunctioning of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The malfunction may happen spontaneously, seemingly on its own, if there’s a genetic tendency to bipolar disorder in your family. It can…
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Overview The pituitary gland represents a junction between the nervous system and the endocrine system. The pituitary makes a variety of hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin as well as hormones that stimulate the adrenal and thyroid glands. Pituitary tumors, even…
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Heavy smoking is a dangerous habit that can cause conditions that affect the heart, lungs and other major organs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, male smokers are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer and…
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The liver is an organ that helps in both the digestion of food and the elimination of toxic substances from the body. Most cancer that affects the liver comes from someplace else, the Mayo Clinic reports, then metastasizes to the…
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Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may lead to many different signs and symptoms, but none of them are specific. That is, no specific single symptom or symptom complex indicates an HIV infection. According to the Centers for Disease…
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Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, and is a common form of treatment for pancreatic cancer. It can be used in any stage of pancreatic cancer, but is most commonly used in advanced stages, according to…
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Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca plant. It’s a stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug due to its impact on the natural reward pathway of the brain. When used in…
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When a normally pink mouth develops whitish lesions or a milky lining on the tongue and the inner cheeks, the culprit may be an oral yeast infection called thrush. While anyone can develop thrush mouth, breastfeeding infants of mothers with…
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Schizophrenia, a lifelong psychiatric disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations and abnormal social behaviors, usually first appears in young adults, with 25 the average age in males and 30 for women, according to Helpguide.org. Schizophrenia affects around 1 percent of Americans….
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Overview If you’re having intense mood swings similar to manic and depressive phases, you might be diagnosed with bipolar disorder NOS (not otherwise specified) if you don’t meet the criteria for any of the other bipolar disorders. Bipolar I, bipolar…
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Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, known as ADHD, is a common disorder, affecting many people. According to The National Institute of Health, approximately 3 to 5% of children suffer from some type of ADHD. Though extensive research as been done on…
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Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi bacteria. Only humans carry this strain of bacteria. Common symptoms associated with the infection in adults include a high fever, stomach pains, constipation, fatigue and a rash….
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of Americans get the flu each year. While most recover without medical care, more than 200,000 have to be admitted to the hospital and about 36,000 die. Flu is…
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Overview Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. According to Mayo Clinic, infections reach the bone by way of the blood vessels and nearby tissues. Traumatic injuries to the bone can create an entryway for infection. The most commonly affected…
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Allergic rhinitis refers to a type of allergy in which people adversely respond to dust, dander or pollen. MedlinePlus indicates that signs of a allergic rhinitis include a runny nose, sneezing, a runny nose and itching of the eyes, throat,…
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Overview A cancer patient’s diet can have a dramatic effect on his treatment and recovery. Good nutrition supports the immune function, preserves and rebuilds body tissue, improves strength and energy and prevents infection. It is important that a cancer patient…
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Emphysema is a serious and chronic condition that can become life threatening. If you have emphysema, it means your airways are damaged and have narrowed which makes it hard to breathe normally. However, it can be treated and managed, especially…
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Overview Diarrhea is a very uncomfortable medical condition that can be very embarrassing and force individuals to spend large part of their days in the bathroom. It is usually a symptom of another medical problem, such as a bacterial infection,…
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The National Cancer Institute reports that 192,000 women, and 2,000 men, are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States each year. Breast cancer occurs when the cells of the breast transform into a new type of cell that grows…
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Overview You have a child who is more active, more easily distracted and more impulsive than your other children; thus, you have been given a special role and assignment–you have to learn to work with an exceptional child. When you…
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Multiple myeloma is a blood-related cancer affecting the plasma cells. Sufferers of multiple myeloma experience bone pain, fatigue, kidney problems and repeated infections. A number of treatments are available to lengthen life and improve quality-of-life. These treatments vary according to…
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Acne scars often result from severe acne. The Acne Resource Center Online states that about 20 million people in the United States suffer from severe enough acne to cause scaring. Unfortunately, it may take up to 12 months before a…
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Sciatica is the medical term used for pain associated with the sciatic nerve. This nerve, the Mayo Clinic reports, is by far the longest of your nerves. It stretches from the spinal column to the area of your hips and…
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Children can get the common cold as often as six times a year, states the Mayo Clinic. If your child has cold symptoms like a sore throat, headache and cough, take her to the doctor just to be sure. If…
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Low white blood cell counts, a condition known as neutropenia, can be a serious medical condition leading to chronic or fatal infections. White cell levels can reach low levels in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, as many chemotherapeutic drugs damage the…
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When diarrhea strikes, you may suffer from stomach cramping in addition to loose or watery stools. Medline Plus, a division of the National Institutes of Health, reports that a temporary viral infection is the most common cause of diarrhea. However,…
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According to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” acute respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu account for 30 to 50 percent of time lost from work and 60 to 80 percent of time lost from school each year. Colds and…
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Amoxicillin is a penicillin-based antibiotic, meaning it is an antibacterial substance that kills certain bacteria by using the penicillin mold. Taken by mouth, it can be used in children for a variety of diseases, from the extremely common ear infection…
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection in the lungs. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis attacks the tissue in the lungs and may spread to other locations in the body. Tuberculosis is contagious and can transfer easily when an infected individual coughs,…
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Adolescence is a time of drastic change, both physically and emotionally. The pressure to succeed academically and socially can be overwhelming for many teenagers. Fears of rejection or being different can lead to low self-esteem and self-worth. It is important…
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