Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «A»:
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Acetaminophen and codeine overdose
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine is a prescription pain medicine. It is a narcotic, which means it has the potential to relieve pain while making you feel sleepy.
Acetaminophen and codeine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount ...
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Acetaminophen overdose
Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings worldwide. People often think that acetaminophen, a pain-relieving medicine, is extremely safe. However, it may be deadly if taken in large doses.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual pois...
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Acetylcholine receptor antibody
Acetylcholine receptor antibody is a protein found in the blood of most people with myasthenia gravis. The antibody attacks receptors for a chemical called acetylcholine, which sends signals from nerves to muscles and between nerves in the brain.
How the Test is Performed
Blood is drawn from a vein...
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Achalasia
Achalasia is a disorder of the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus), which affects the ability of the esophagus to move food toward the stomach
Causes
A muscular ring at the point where the esophagus and stomach come together (lower esophageal sphincter) normally relaxes...
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Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is inflammation, irritation, and swelling of the Achilles tendon (the tendon that connects the muscles of the calf to the heel).
Causes
There are two large muscles in the calf: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles generate the power for pushing off with the foot or go...
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Achondrogenesis
Achondrogenesis is a rare type of growth hormone deficiency in which there is a defect in the development of bone and cartilage.
Causes
Achondrogenesis is inherited, which means it is passed down through families.
Some types are known to be recessive, meaning both parents carry the defective gene a...
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Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is a disorder of bone growth that causes the most common type of dwarfism.
Causes
Achondroplasia is one of a group of disorders called chondrodystrophies or osteochondrodysplasias.
Achondroplasia may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, which means that if a child gets the de...
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Acid loading test (pH)
The acid loading test (pH) measures the ability of the kidney tubules to acidify urine when there is increased plasma acidity.
See also: Urine pH
How the Test is Performed
You'll be told to take ammonium chloride capsules by mouth for 3 days. Then, a urine and blood sample are taken. (The blood sa...
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Acid mucopolysaccharides
Acid mucopolysaccharides is a test that measures the amount of mucopolysaccharides released into the urine over a 24-hour period. Mucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules found throughout the body, often in mucus and in fluid around the joints.
How the Test is Performed
A 24-hour urin...
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Acid-fast stain
The acid-fast stain is a laboratory test that determines if a sample of tissue, blood, or other body substance is infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis and other illnesses.
How the Test is Performed
Your health care provider will collect a sample of blood, urine, stool, sputum, bone m...
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Acidosis
Acidosis is a condition in which there is excessive acid in the body fluids. It is the opposite of alkalosis (a condition in which there is excessive base in the body fluids).
Causes
The kidneys and lungs maintain the balance (proper pH level) of chemicals called acids and bases in the body. Acidos...
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ACL reconstruction
ACL reconstruction is surgery to replace the ligament in the center of your knee with a new ligament. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) keeps your shin bone (tibia) in place. A tear of this ligament can cause your knee to give way during physical activity.
Description
You will probably receive g...
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ACL reconstruction - discharge
You had surgery to repair your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). In this procedure, your surgeon drilled holes in the bones of your knee and placed a new ligament through these holes. Then your surgeon attached the new ligament to the bone. If you needed it, you may have also had surgery to repair o...
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Acne
Acne is a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red lesions (papules, pustules, and cysts) to form. These growths are commonly called pimples or "zits."
Causes
Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin, called pores, become clogged. Each pore is an opening to ...
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Acoustic trauma
Acoustic trauma is injury to the hearing mechanisms in the inner ear due to very loud noise.
Causes
Acoustic trauma is a common cause of sensory hearing loss. Damage to the hearing mechanisms within the inner ear may be caused by:
An explosion near the ear
Gunshots
Long-term exposure to loud noise...
