Diseases

The prostate gland, located just below the urinary bladder, secretes thin fluid to neutralize the acidic seminal fluid upon ejaculation. The main diseases affecting the prostate are inflammation...

It's estimated that sleep deprivation costs Americans more than $16 billion a year from medical expenses associated with conditions caused by sleeplessness, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But...

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes many symptoms, the most prominent of which are widespread pain and fatigue. Most sufferers of fibromyalgia report that the weather plays a significant role...

The liver is an organ about the size of a football, and is similar in shape. It sits sandwiched between the diaphragm (located above it) and the stomach (directly beneath it). It is one of the...

Trichotillomania, also known as Trich, is the irresistible temptation or urge to pull hair from your body, scalp, eyebrows and/or eyelashes. Scientists and doctors believe Trichotillomania is a...

Reddened and raised birthmarks are hemangiomas, caused by the rapid production of blood vessels. These benign tumors can also appear on the liver of an adult, although the exact reason for the...

Abdominal lymphoma is basically a form of cancer that is located somewhere within the lymphoid tissue or lymphatic system of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, that means the immune system...

PKU is the abbreviation for phenylketonuria, a genetic metabolism error that is present at birth. According to the March of Dimes, 1 in 25,000 babies in the United States is affected. ...

A yeast infection in the body is caused by a strain of fungus called Candida Albicans. A dose of antibiotics destroys good bacteria in the digestive system along with the bad bacteria. The good...

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or RSD, is also known as complex regional pain syndrome. It is a painful condition that can affect muscles, bones, and skin and possibly gets worse over time. It most...

Once one of the most feared diseases in the United States, polio can cause paralysis, respiratory problems and death. Polio caused the death of 3,000 citizens in the United States in the year...

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe form of dengue fever, a disease transmitted via the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue fever, also called breakbone fever, is found in tropical areas of the world....

Especially for first time parents, knowing when to call the doctor for help can be challenging. Because fevers are frequently the only sign parents have to go on, this article discusses when they...

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS) is one of the top causes of infertility in women. Hearing this diagnosis from your doctor may feel like a sentence, but there is hope. With some help from your...

Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disease that causes the immune system of the body to break down. It appears in childhood and is characterized by an early loss of muscle control. Because...

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia three years ago. It is a chronic disorder that will change your life and the life of those who love you forever. I am learning new and creative ways to deal with...

Alcoholic encephalopathy is an extremely serious complication of alcoholic liver disease. This condition is typically caused by years of heavy drinking or alcoholism. Women are more susceptible to...

Whooping cough derives its name from the distinct whoop associated with coughing spasms. Also known as pertussis, this disease was greatly reduced through the administration of the DPT vaccination...

Although advances are constantly being made in the treatment of typhoid, many strains are becoming antibiotic-resistant. Without prompt treatment, 20 percent of those who contract typhoid die from...

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a potentially fatal tick-borne disease caused by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. As it can cause dangerous complications such as kidney failure, gangrene and...

The West Nile Virus (WNV) has been present in the United States since the initial outbreak in New York City in 1999. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),...

Rabies is an encephalitis-producing virus that is usually fatal if measures are not taken immediately to treat the bite before symptoms appear. The most common sources for rabies according to the...

There are three kinds of botulism: Foodborne is the result of eating food containing Clostridium botulinum; Wound botulism is an infection in a wound by the toxin; and Infant botulism is caused by...

The gallbladder acts as the storage depot for bile, which is manufactured by the liver and used to digest and absorb fat. Gallbladder disease occurs when the gallbladder or its ducts become...

Tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne bacteria. There are steps you can take to minimize your risk of getting the disease.

The appendix is a small finger-like pouch that protrudes from the large intestine. Appendicitis, which is most common in people ages 5 to 30, is generally caused by an obstruction that leads to...