Crohn's disease is a form of irritable bowel syndrome that is thought to be caused by an immune system abnormality and/or heredity. Diet and stress are known to aggravate the condition; however, these factors are not believed to be the cause of...
It is possible to test a baby's DNA before birth. Known as prenatal genetic testing, this is generally performed when there is a family history of a genetic syndrome or features of a genetic syndrome have been during the pregnancy. Prenatal...
By age 80, more than half of all Americans will develop a cataract, a clouding of the lens in the eye that diminishes vision. But while cataracts usually develop slowly as people age, younger people can also suffer from them. Luckily, cataracts...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is often diagnosed in childhood. Children with this disorder struggle to focus and attend to tasks, and may demonstrate difficulties controlling hyperactive and impulsive behavior. The...
Acid reflux is caused by the contents of the stomach traveling up the esophagus. The contents of the stomach are acidified by the production of gastric acid, which helps break down food and activates certain enzymes necessary for digestion....
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is an important part of your body's overall health. However, high levels of certain types of cholesterol can have a detrimental effect on your heart. Understanding cholesterol and the risk factors...
Numerous potential causes exist for pain in your knees, as well as different tests that your doctor may perform to make an accurate diagnosis. Although knee pain is common, the cause can range from an injury to an underlying medical condition. The...
Diabetes is a condition that requires a diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications. Without treatment, blood glucose levels can become dangerously high, causing damage to blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, says the...
There are a number of different types of optic nerve atrophy, so presentation can vary from case to case. In general, patients experience abnormal color vision and a decrease in visual acuity. Optic nerve atrophy can occur precipitously or...
Fructose intolerance, or fructose malabsorption, is a disorder in which fructose absorption is impaired, resulting in an increased concentration of fructose in the intestine, causing abdominal discomfort. If your child has fructose intolerance, he...
According to Web MD, one of the quickest ways to test for allergies is to get a skin test done. This is a very common test that can be done in your doctor's office. You can find out results usually within the hour as you should be able to see a...
The urinary tract runs throughout the ureters, bladder, urethra and kidneys. It allows urine to flow from the bladder, then out the urethra as waste. This waste includes byproducts of bodily functions such as toxins, water and salt. When bacteria...
Angina is a symptom that may warn of heart disease. It is a term used to describe pain, pressure or tightness in the chest. This discomfort may also radiate to other areas such as the arms, back, neck and jaw. There are different kinds of angina...
The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder is a very common medical problem known as cholelithiasis. Gallstones are formed when bile, which is stored in the gallbladder, becomes overconcentrated and hardens into pebble-like substances. Bile...
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Once HIV enters the body, the body starts to produce antibodies---substances the immune system creates after infection." These antibodies function to help protect your body against the HIV virus. The...
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the pathogen responsible for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. It can be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids during unprotected sex, the sharing of drug needles and transfusion with...
Should your doctor feel that you might have diabetes, she will order a fasting blood glucose test for you in order to get a better idea of how your body deals with glucose. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you have the test done...
Most people are born with the ability to digest lactose, the milk sugar found in breast milk, cow's milk and other dairy products. Infants get almost all their nutrition from milk during their first few months of life. But as they age, many of...
The only way that a diagnosis of diabetes can be confirmed is by one or more blood tests that are carried out by a physician. Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, excess thirst and hunger and frequent urination. The National Institute of...
To diagnose depression, several tests or gauges can be used. It is important that the individual see a doctor to rule out any medical conditions or complications that could be causing the symptoms. Then a mental health professional can obtain a...
The chronic condition interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a condition impacting the urinary system of an estimated 1.3 million Americans with women representing the bulk of most cases, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases...
The Mayo Clinic defines acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma, as a slow growing, non cancerous tumor that develops adjacent to the brain on a portion of the eighth cranial nerve that runs from the brain to the inner ear....
Food poisoning can occur when foods and beverages are ingested that contain bacteria, parasites and viruses. The actual parasite itself may not cause the symptoms associated with food poisoning, but may emit a toxin that can cause harmful...
Breathing difficulties refer to a sensation characterized as a feeling of discomfort or pain that occurs when breathing and is associated with the feeling of not being able to get enough air, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National...
As discussed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, a food allergy is an adverse reaction to food that is mediated by the immune system. Almonds, a type of tree nut, are one of the most common triggers, along with eggs, milk, soy, wheat,...
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles in the shoulder that work together and is composed of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint and depends on the rotator cuff to stabilize the...
AML is a kind of leukemia that is also known as acute myeloid leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia and acute myelocytic leukemia. It starts in the bone marrow and the cells that turn into various types of blood cells,...
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare condition, but one of the most common causes of sudden unexpected death in athletes. In this progressive disorder, fibrous scar tissue and fat replace normal muscle cells of the...
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells of your body, leaving it susceptible to various infections you might otherwise be able to recover from. The virus is transmitted easily from one person to the next, and no cure...
