Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «B»:
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Bladder exstrophy repair
Bladder exstrophy repair is surgery to repair a birth defect in which the bladder is inside out and sticks out of the abdominal wall. The pelvic bones are also separated.
Description
Bladder exstrophy repair involves two surgeries: one to repair the bladder and another to attach the pelvic bones to...
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Bladder outlet obstruction
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder that reduces or prevents the flow of urine into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Causes
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can have many different causes, including:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH),...
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Bladder stones
Bladder stones are hard buildups of minerals that form in the urinary bladder.
Causes
Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem, such as:
Bladder diverticulum
Enlarged prostate
Neurogenic bladder
Urinary tract infection
Approximately 95% of all bladder stones occur i...
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Bland diet
A bland diet can be used to treat ulcers, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and gas. You may also need a bland diet after stomach or intestinal surgery.
A bland diet is made up of foods that are soft, not very spicy, and low in fiber. If you are on a bland diet, you should not eat spicy, fried, or raw fo...
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Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is a rare infection that may develop when people breathe in (inhale) a fungus called Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found in wood and soil.
Causes
Blastomycosis occurs in people living in the south-central and midwestern United States and Canada. The infection is seen in 1-2 out o...
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Bleeding
Bleeding refers to the loss of blood. Bleeding can happen inside the body (internally) or outside the body (externally). It may occur:
Inside the body when blood leaks from blood vessels or organs
Outside the body when blood flows through a natural opening (such as the vagina, mouth, or rectum)
Out...
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Bleeding disorders
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body's blood clotting process. These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding after an injury. Bleeding can also begin on its own.
See also:
Acquired platelet function defects
Congenital platelet function...
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Bleeding esophageal varices
Bleeding esophageal varices are very swollen veins in the walls of the lower part of the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach) that begin to bleed.
Causes
Scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver is the most common cause of esophageal varices. This scarring prevents blood from fl...
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Bleeding gums
Bleeding gums can be a sign that you are at risk for, or already have, gum disease. However, persistent gum bleeding may be due to serious medical conditions such as leukemia and bleeding and platelet disorders.
Considerations
It is important to follow the instructions from your dentist in order to...
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Bleeding into the skin
Bleeding under the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny pinpoint red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in larger flat areas (called purpura), or in a very large bruised area (called an ecchymosis).
Considerations
Aside from the common bruise, bleedi...
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Bleeding time
Bleeding time is a blood test that looks at how fast small blood vessels close to stop you from bleeding.
How the Test is Performed
A blood pressure cuff inflates around your upper arm. While on the cuff is on your arm, the health care provider makes two small cuts on the lower arm. They are just j...
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Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelash follicles, along the edge of the eyelid. The cause is overgrowth of the bacteria that is normally found on the skin.
Causes
Blepharitis is usually caused by seborrheic dermatitis or a bacterial infection, and sometimes it is a combination of both. Aller...
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Blind loop syndrome
Blind loop syndrome occurs when part of the intestine becomes bypassed, so that digested food slows or stops moving through the intestines. This causes bacteria to grow too much in the intestines and leads to problems in absorbing nutrients.
Causes
The name of this condition refers to the "blind lo...
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Blindness - resources
The following organizations are good resources for information on blindness:
American Foundation for the Blind - www.afb.org
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - www.loc.gov/nls
Alternative Names
Resources - blindness...
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Blindness and vision loss
Blindness is a lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Partial blindness means you have very limited vision.
Complete blindness means you cannot see anything and do not see light. (Most people who use the term "blindness" mean c...