Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «B»:
-
Balanitis
Balanitis is an inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis.
Causes
Balanitis is usually caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. The inflammation can be due to infection, harsh soaps, or failure to properly rinse soap off while bathing. Several other diseases, including reactive arthrit...
-
Bananas and upset stomach
Bananas are part of the BRAT diet, a diet many physicians and nurses recommend for children recovering from gastrointestinal problems, particularly diarrhea. BRAT stands for the different components that make up the diet:
Bananas
Rice cereal
Applesauce
Toast
These are binding foods that may help m...
-
Barbiturate intoxication and overdose
Barbiturates are a type of depressant drug that cause relaxation and sleepiness. In relatively low doses, barbiturates and alcohol have very similar clinical syndromes of intoxication.
However, excessive and prolonged dosages of barbiturate drugs, such as phenobarbital, may produce the following chr...
-
Barium enema
Barium enema is a special x-ray of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum.
How the Test is Performed
This test may be done in an office or a hospital radiology department. It is done after the colon is completely empty. Your doctor will give you instructions how to do this.
You li...
-
Barrett’s esophagus
Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach) is damaged by stomach acid.
See also: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Causes
When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus (als...
-
Bartholin’s abscess
Bartholin's abscess is the buildup of pus that forms a lump (swelling) in one of the Bartholin's glands, which are located on each side of the vaginal opening.
Causes
A Bartholin's abscess forms when a small opening (duct) from the gland gets blocked. Fluid in the gland builds up and may become inf...
-
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome refers to a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.
See also: Aldosterone test
Causes
There are five gene defects known to be associated with Bartter syndrome. The condition is present from before birth (congenital).
The condition is thought to be caused by a defect in t...
-
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing form of skin cancer.
See also:
Squamous cell skin cancer
Melanoma
Causes
Skin cancer is divided into two major groups: nonmelanoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the Unite...
-
Basal cell nevus syndrome
Basal cell nevus syndrome is a group of defects, passed down through families, that involve the skin, nervous system, eyes, endocrine glands, and bones.
The condition causes an unusual facial appearance and a higher risk of skin cancers.
Causes
Basal cell nevus syndrome is a rare genetic condition....
-
Basal ganglia dysfunction
Basal ganglia dysfunction is a problem with the basal ganglia, the deep brain structures that help start and control movement.
Causes
Conditions that cause injury to the brain can damage the basal ganglia. Such conditions include:
Drug overdose
Head injury
Infection
Liver disease
Metabolic probl...
-
Basic metabolic panel
The basic metabolic panel is a group of blood tests that provides information about your body's metabolism.
See also:
Blood chemistry
Comprehensive metabolic panel
How the Test is Performed
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is c...
-
Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome
Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome is a rare, inherited disease in which a person is unable to fully absorb dietary fats through the intestines.
Causes
Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition that more often affects males, but can also affect girls. It is caused by a defect in the mic...
-
Bathing an infant
Bath time can be fun. But you need to be very careful with your child around water. Most drowning deaths in children happen at home, most times when the caregiver leaves a child alone in the bathroom. Do not leave your child alone around water, not even for a few seconds.
Ways to Prevent Bathing Ac...
-
Bathroom safety - adults
Staying safe in the bathroom is important for people with joint pain, muscle weakness, or physical disability. If you have these problems, you will need to make some changes in your bathroom.
Bath or Shower
You can make several changes to protect yourself when you take a bath or shower:
Put non-sl...
-
Bathroom safety - children
To prevent accidents in the bathroom, never leave your child alone in the bathroom. Keep bathrooms closed when they are not being used.
Bathtub Safety
Children younger than 6 years old should NOT be left unattended in the bathtub. They should also not be in the bathroom alone if there is water in t...
