Illness

Cushing's disease is a disorder of the pituitary and adrenal glands in which too much of a hormone called cortisol is made. It is part of Cushing's syndrome, which is a complex of different...

Human parvovirus B19 is the only parvovirus that people catch. The Mayo Clinic says you cannot give your dog human parvo and you cannot get canine parvo.

While lupus and psoriatic arthritis are different conditions, they share some similar symptoms. Individuals affected may experience fatigue, tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and...

Polio (poliomyelitis) is highly infectious. It attacks the nervous system and in some cases can cause paralysis in a matter of hours. Polio has been almost wiped out in the majority of Western...

Necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the flesh-eating disease or flesh-eating bacteria, is an infection of the underlying layers of skin and the tissues directly beneath the skin, the subcutaneous...

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and malnutrition due to absorption problems in the intestines. Doctors believe an overactive...

Steroids used to treat Crohn's disease differ from the anabolic steroids associated with bodybuilders. They mimic the cortisone produced in the body. These steroids help people with Crohn's...

Cushing's disease occurs when there is too much of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. An abundance of this hormone can lead to a series of problematic symptoms. Treatment is readily...

Adrenal failure (also known as Addison's disease) occurs when the adrenal glands cannot produce enough hormones, such as cortisol and aldosterone. It's important to recognize the symptoms at an...

Your gallbladder is shaped much like a pear and is attached to your liver. The main function of the gallbladder is to release bile into the intestines in order to break down the foods in our...

Your maxillary sinuses are cavities for mucus drainage located behind your cheeks. Infections of the maxillary sinuses are known as sinusitis or maxillary sinus disease.

Agglutinin disease occurs when the antibodies react to colder climates by forming protein on the red blood cells (RBCs). These cold-reacting antibodies attack antigen I, which is found on the...

Alcoholic liver disease is caused by extended periods of time spent excessively drinking. Your risk of developing the disease increases with the length of time that you have been drinking and the...

Dementia is not a disease itself; it's a group of symptoms such as memory loss, hallucinations and paranoia. Some forms of dementia may occur on their own, but others are caused by disease and...

Osteonecrosis, or avascular necrosis, is a condition that leads to bone tissue death because of limited blood supply. Generally, this condition affects the femur but symptoms also occur in other...

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious condition in which healthy liver tissue is damaged and replaced by scar tissue. This causes the liver to not be able to function properly. The causes of...

By definition, a chronic disease is a disease that affects an individual for an extended period of time. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, chronic diseases account for...

Several medical conditions affect women today. These health concerns cover a wide spectrum and commonly include emotional issues, cancers and various diseases. As a woman, regular health...

Elevated liver function is the result of cell injury or inflammation inside the liver. It is characterized by the release of abnormal quantities of liver-related chemicals into the bloodstream....

Flu or influenza is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract. This usually attacks during the winter months when people are in close proximity to one another indoors. Symptoms of...

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Parkinson's disease is a condition that causes tremors, usually in people over 50 years old. However, in some cases, this disease can also...

An adult experiencing hyperbilirubinemia develops jaundice due to excess bilirubin circulating in his blood. Bilirubin forms when old red blood cells get metabolized by the liver, and...

Approximately 400 cases of typhoid fever occur in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the disease is much more prevalent in the developing...

The liver is an important organ. The most vital job the liver has is getting rid of toxins in the blood. Unfortunately, the initial symptoms of liver damage are quiet. Someone could have liver...

In 2007, 34.5 percent of American adults had metabolic syndrome, a figure that equals 76 million in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Despite the large number of...

According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoking is one of the biggest causes of preventable disease and illness, and premature death worldwide. An estimated 438,000 Americans die...

Mercer Disease or MRSA is an infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The letters MRSA are an acronym for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria...

Lyme disease only exists in one species of tick, which is the deer tick, and this tick is usually brown or black. Find ways to look out for Lyme disease, or other tick-borne illnesses, with help...

Not all ticks transmit Lyme disease, and in fact, only one tick in North America transmits the disease, and that is the deer tick. Find out how to identify deer ticks by their black or brown...

Acid reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a painful condition that affects a large percentage of the population. When this condition occurs, liquid that is inside of the stomach...

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are mild and often go undetected, leaving some to characterize the disease as "the silent killer." The epidemiology of ovarian cancer shows a future that is not very...

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that sit above the kidneys. Known as the "stress hormone," cortisol makes blood pressure and blood sugar levels rise. Chronic elevated blood...

Liver disease is actually a term that refers to a group of conditions that affect the liver. Depending upon the type of condition affecting the liver and the extent of the damage, liver disease...

There are 500,000 cases of malaria diagnosed every year. At least a million of those cases end in death. Many times, young children are the victims. People in high area groups for malaria should...

Over 30,000 deaths occur annually from liver disease. It strikes in many different ways. The first step in overcoming liver disease is knowing the signs and symptoms. It may mean the difference...

It’s okay to have a good time when you’re drinking. If you do it safely and in moderation, you can have a good time within reason. But if you binge drink often for years on end, it...

Fifth disease, also known as Erythema Infectiosum, commonly infects children between the ages of 5 and 14. Often referred to as "slapped cheek syndrome," fifth disease typically causes a mild red...

To survive any disease takes a great amount of strength and discipline

Most people have heard of the disease tetanus, and receive vaccinations and boosters on a regular basis. Most also know you can get it by a puncture with a rusty object. But few people actually...

Being sick can be frustrating, especially if you can't get a clear diagnosis. If you think you have a disease, but you aren't sure what it could be, read the following steps for advice on getting...

Fifth disease, otherwise known as Erythema infectiosum, is caused by parvovirus B19. It only infects humans. It is not to be confused with the parvovirus that affects dogs and cats. While it is...

Fifth disease, an illness most noted for the "slapped-cheek" rash, is a virus found mostly in children. Adults who are not immune to the parvovirus B19 can be infected. Symptoms are different for...

Pink eye is an irritation or infection of the eye that requires medical attention, regardless of the cause. While some causes are not serious, others can lead to potentially damaging corneal...