Conditions & Diseases, 10 -ASP
Whether we like it or not, living things are susceptible to any number of illnesses and conditions that can threaten or harm the health of those afflicted. Bacteria, viruses, and other microbiological agents are obvious challenges to health. Human disease may be acute, chronic, malignant, or benign, and it is usually indicated by signs and symptoms such as fever or vomiting. Additionally, diseases may be communicable (contagious) or noncommunicable; of the latter, the four major types identified by the World Health Organization are cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Conditions & Diseases Encyclopedia Articles By Title
10 Deadly Animals that Fit in a Breadbox
Everybody knows that big animals can be deadly. Lions, for instance, have sharp teeth and claws and are good at......
10 Major Epidemics
Throughout history outbreaks of disease have reshaped communities, altered political destinies, and advanced medical......
12 Peculiar Phobias
There are hundreds of phobias. Most people know about claustrophobia (fear of closed places), xenophobia (fear......
5 Common Misconceptions About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can affect oneâs thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. People with the......
6 Common Infections We Wish Never Existed
We all miss a day of school or work here and there thanks to a cold or a sore throat. But those maladies have nothing......
7 of the Worldâs Deadliest Plants
They may look harmless enough, but plants can harbor some of the most deadly poisons known. From the death of Socrates......
7 of the Worldâs Most Poisonous Mushrooms
Although only a few of the 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are actually fatal when ingested, many of these......
8 Zoonotic Diseases
Animals can bring tremendous joy to our lives, but they can also make us sick. Every year, tens of thousands of......
9 of the Worldâs Deadliest Spiders
More than 51,500 different species of spiders are found in the world. Of these, only a small number are said to......
abrasion
abrasion, damage to the epidermis of the skin. Abrasions are caused primarily by friction against a rough surface,......
abscess
abscess, a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed from tissues that have been broken down by infectious......
acatalasia
acatalasia, rare hereditary metabolic disorder caused by a lack of the organic catalyst, or enzyme, called catalase.......
acceleration stress
acceleration stress, physiological changes that occur in the human body in motion as a result of rapid increase......
achondroplasia
achondroplasia, genetic disorder characterized by an abnormality in the conversion of cartilage into bone. As a......
acidosis
acidosis, abnormally high level of acidity, or low level of alkalinity, in the body fluids, including the blood.......
acne
acne, any inflammatory disease of the sebaceous, or oil, glands of the skin. There are some 50 different types......
acoustic neuroma
acoustic neuroma, benign tumour occurring anywhere along the vestibulocochlear nerve (also called acoustic nerve),......
acoustic trauma
acoustic trauma, physiological changes in the body caused by sound waves. Sound waves cause variations in pressure,......
acrocephalosyndactyly
acrocephalosyndactyly, congenital malformation of the skeleton affecting the skull and limbs. The disorder most......
acrocyanosis
acrocyanosis, bluish discoloration of the hands caused by spasms in arterioles (small arteries) of the skin. Less......
acromegaly
acromegaly, growth and metabolic condition characterized by enlargement of the skeletal extremities. Acromegaly......
acrophobia
acrophobia, intense fear of heights. Persons affected by acrophobia are intensely fearful and anxious when high......
actinomycosis
actinomycosis, chronic bacterial infection of humans and cattle that is caused by anaerobic or microaerophilic......
addiction
addiction, physical or psychological need for a substance or behavior that is physically, psychologically, or socially......
Addison disease
Addison disease, rare disorder defined by destruction of the outer layer of the adrenal glands, the hormone-producing......
adenovirus infection
adenovirus infection, any of a group of illnesses caused by infection with an adenovirus. There are numerous different......
adipsia
adipsia, rare disorder characterized by the lack of thirst even in the presence of dehydration. In adipsia the......
affective disorder
affective disorder, mental disorder characterized by dramatic changes or extremes of mood. Affective disorders......
aflatoxin
aflatoxin, Complex of toxins formed by molds of the genus Aspergillus, which frequently contaminate improperly......
African horse sickness
African horse sickness (AHS), disease of Equidae (horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras) caused by an orbivirus called......
African swine fever
African swine fever (ASF), highly contagious and usually fatal viral disease of swine that is characterized by......
Agatha Christieâs Poisons
In the world of Agatha Christie, murder rarely makes itself known. Many a time, the death of a victim is certified......
agenesis
agenesis, in human physiology, failure of all or part of an organ to develop during embryonic growth. Many forms......
agnosia
agnosia, loss or diminution of the ability to recognize objects, sounds, smells, tastes, or other sensory stimuli.......
agoraphobia
agoraphobia, type of anxiety disorder characterized by avoidance of situations that induce intense fear and panic.......
agranulocytosis
agranulocytosis, acute infection characterized by severe sore throat, fever, and fatigue and associated with an......
AIDS
AIDS, infectious disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a lentivirus (literally meaning âslow......
air embolism
air embolism, blockage of an artery or vein by an air bubble. Air can be introduced into the blood vessels during......
albinism
albinism, (from the Latin albus, meaning âwhiteâ), hereditary condition characterized by the absence of pigment......
alcohol consumption
alcohol consumption, the drinking of beverages containing ethyl alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are consumed largely......
alcohol poisoning
alcohol poisoning, serious medical condition that results from intentional or accidental consumption of alcohol,......
alcoholism
alcoholism, excessive and repetitive drinking of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the drinker repeatedly......
Alexander v. Choate
Alexander v. Choate, legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court on January 9, 1985, ruled unanimously (9â0) that......
alkalosis
alkalosis, abnormally low level of acidity, or high level of alkalinity, in the body fluids, including the blood.......
alkaptonuria
alkaptonuria, rare (one in 250,000 to 1,000,000 births) inherited disorder of protein metabolism, the primary distinguishing......
allergen
allergen, substance that in some persons induces the hypersensitive state of allergy and stimulates the formation......
allergy
allergy, hypersensitivity reaction by the body to foreign substances (antigens) that in similar amounts and circumstances......
alopecia areata
alopecia areata, autoimmune disease characterized primarily by hair loss on the face and scalp and often also on......
alpha-gal syndrome
alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), allergic condition in which the immune system reacts to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal),......
altitude sickness
altitude sickness, acute reaction to a change from sea level or other low-altitude environments to altitudes above......
Alzheimer disease
Alzheimer disease, degenerative brain disorder that develops in mid-to-late adulthood. It results in a progressive......
amblyopia
amblyopia, reduction in vision in one or both eyes due to abnormal visual experience in early childhood, leading......
amenorrhea
amenorrhea, failure to menstruate. Menstruation is the normal cyclic bleeding from the uterus in the female reproductive......
Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. legislation that provided civil rights protections to individuals with......
amphibian chytridiomycosis
amphibian chytridiomycosis, a disease affecting amphibians, especially frogs, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium......
amyloidosis
amyloidosis, disease characterized by the deposition of an abnormal protein called amyloid in the connective tissues......
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by the gradual loss......
analgesia
analgesia, loss of sensation of pain that results from an interruption in the nervous system pathway between sense......
anaphylaxis
anaphylaxis, in immunology, a severe, immediate, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction to contact with a......
anasarca
anasarca, a severe, generalized form of edema...
Andersenâs disease
Andersenâs disease, extremely rare hereditary metabolic disorder produced by absence of the enzyme amylo-1:4,1:6-transglucosidase,......
androgen insensitivity syndrome
androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), rare genetic disorder in which a genetically male individual fails to respond......
Anemia
Anemia, condition in which the red blood cells (erythrocytes) are reduced in number or volume or are deficient......
aneurysm
aneurysm, widening of an artery that develops from a weakness or destruction of the medial layer of the blood vessel.......
Angelman syndrome
Angelman syndrome, rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. The syndrome is named for English physician......
angina pectoris
angina pectoris, pain or discomfort in the chest, usually caused by the inability of diseased coronary arteries......
angioedema
angioedema, allergic disorder in which large, localized, painless swellings similar to hives appear under the skin.......
angioma
angioma, congenital mass of blood vessels that intrudes into bone or other tissues, causing tissue death and, in......
ankylosis
ankylosis, in medicine, stiffness of a joint as the result of injury or disease. The rigidity may be complete or......
anorexia
anorexia, persistent lack of appetite not caused by repletion. It may spring from psychoneurotic causes, as in......
anorexia nervosa
anorexia nervosa, eating disorder characterized by the refusal of an emaciated individual to maintain a normal......
anthrax
anthrax, acute, infectious, febrile disease of animals and humans caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that......
antidote
antidote, Remedy to counteract the effects of a poison or toxin. Administered by mouth, intravenously, or sometimes......
antigen
antigen, substance that is capable of stimulating an immune response, specifically activating lymphocytes, which......
antimony poisoning
antimony poisoning, harmful effects upon body tissues and functions of ingesting or inhaling certain compounds......
antisocial personality disorder
antisocial personality disorder, personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for the......
anxiety disorder
anxiety disorder, any of several disorders that are characterized by a feeling of fear, dread, or apprehension......
aorta, coarctation of the
coarctation of the aorta, congenital malformation involving the constriction, or narrowing, of a short section......
aortic arch syndrome
aortic arch syndrome, group of disorders that cause blockage of the vessels that branch off from the aorta in the......
aortic insufficiency
aortic insufficiency, failure of the valve at the mouth of the aortaâthe principal artery that distributes blood......
aortic stenosis
aortic stenosis, narrowing of the passage between the left lower chamber (ventricle) of the heart and the aorta,......
Apgar, Virginia
Virginia Apgar was an American physician, anesthesiologist, and medical researcher who developed the Apgar Score......
aphasia
aphasia, defect in the expression and comprehension of language caused by damage to the temporal and the frontal......
aplastic anemia
aplastic anemia, disease in which the bone marrow fails to produce an adequate number of blood cells. There may......
apraxia
apraxia, the inability to carry out useful or skilled acts while motor power and mental capacity remain intact.......
arachnophobia
arachnophobia, extreme fear of spiders. The word arachnophobia is derived from the Greek arakhnÄ, meaning âspiderâ......
Are Beagles Hypoallergenic?
Cuddling with a furry companion can be lovely, until the sneezing begins. Beagles, like any other dog breed, can......
Are daddy longlegs the most venomous spiders?
This question comes from a popular urban legend and gets a couple of things wrong. First, true daddy longlegs are......
arrhythmia
arrhythmia, variation from the normal rate or regularity of the heartbeat, usually resulting from irregularities......
arsenic poisoning
arsenic poisoning, harmful effects of various arsenic compounds on body tissues and functions. Arsenicals are used......
arteriosclerosis
arteriosclerosis, chronic disease characterized by abnormal thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries,......
arteriovenous fistula
arteriovenous fistula, abnormal direct opening between an artery and a vein; it sometimes results from accidental......
arteritis
arteritis, inflammation of an artery or arteries. Arteritis may occur in a number of diseases, including syphilis,......
arthritis
arthritis, inflammation of the joints and its effects. Arthritis is a general term, derived from the Greek words......
Arthus phenomenon
Arthus phenomenon, local swelling, redness, and tissue death following skin injection of soluble antigen into a......
ascariasis
ascariasis, infection of humans and other mammals caused by intestinal roundworms of the genus Ascaris. In humans,......
ascites
ascites, accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, between the membrane lining the abdominal wall and the......
Asclepiades Of Bithynia
Asclepiades Of Bithynia was a Greek physician who established Greek medicine in Rome. His influence continued until......
aspergillosis
aspergillosis, a number of different disease states in humans that are caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus,......
asphyxia
asphyxia, the failure or disturbance of the respiratory process brought about by the lack or insufficiency of oxygen......