Diseases

Aarskog syndrome is an inherited disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance of the face.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.

A complete abortion is an abortion (induced or spontaneous) in which the entire fetus and placenta have passed out of the uterus before the 20th week of pregnancy.

In an incomplete abortion, parts of the fetus or placental material stay inside the uterus.

An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body that is surrounded by swelling (inflammation).

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin disorder characterized by dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases.

Achilles tendinitis is inflammation, irritation, and swelling of the Achilles tendon (the tendon that connects the muscles of the calf to the heel).

Achondroplasia is a disorder of bone growth that causes the most common type of growth hormone deficiency.

Acne is a skin condition characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples or "zits.

Acoustic trauma is injury to the hearing mechanisms in the inner ear due to very loud noise.

Acrodermatitis is a childhood skin condition that may be accompanied by mild symptoms of fever and malaise.

Acromegaly is a chronic metabolic disorder in which there is too much growth hormone and the body tissues gradually enlarge.

Actinomycosis is a long-term (chronic) bacterial infection that commonly affects the face and neck.

Acute arterial occlusion of the kidney is a sudden, severe blockage of the artery that supplies blood to the kidney.

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the main airways to the lungs (the bronchi) that usually lasts for a brief period of time.

Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain.

Acute HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a virus that gradually destroys the immune system.

Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing electrolytes.

Acute mountain sickness is an illness that can affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, or travelers at high altitude (typically above 8,000 feet or 2,400 meters).

Acute nephritic syndrome is a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the internal kidney structures (specifically, the glomeruli).

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting into the blood.

Acute unilateral is a sudden blockage in one of the tubes (ureters) that drain urine from the kidneys.

Addison's disease is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of their hormones.

Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body.

Adolescent depression is a disorder that occurs during the teenage years, and involves persistent sadness, discouragement, loss of self-worth, and loss of interest in usual activities.