Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «D»:
-
Dental x-rays
Dental x-rays are a type of picture of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. They are of higher energy, however, and can penetrate the body to form an image on film.
Structures that are dense (such as silver fillings or metal restoration) will ...
-
Denture problems
Ill-fitting dentures can move and cause sore spots. Denture adhesive may help cut down on this movement.
You should always see a dentist if your dentures do not fit correctly.
Other denture tips:
Scrub dentures with plain soap and lukewarm water after eating.
Dentures should be taken out overnight ...
-
Dependent personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder is a long-term (chronic) condition in which people depend too much on others to meet their emotional and physical needs.
Causes
Dependent personality disorder usually begins in childhood. However, the cause of this disorder is unknown. It is one of the most common per...
-
Depression
Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.
Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended...
-
Depression - elderly
Depression is a medical illness in which a person has persistent feelings of sadness,often with discouragement and a lack of self-worth.
Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem, but is often not recognized or treated.
Causes
See: Depression - major for more information about the causes of...
-
Depression - resources
Depression is a medical condition. If you think you may be depressed, see a health care provider.
The following organizations are good resources of information on depression:
American Psychological Association - www.apa.org
American Psychiatric Association - www.psych.org
Depression and Bipolar S...
-
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the removal of the top layers of the skin. It is a type of skin smoothing surgery.
Description
Dermabrasion is usually done while you are awake. The health care provider will apply a numbing medicine (local anesthesia) to the area of skin that will be worked on.
If you are having a ...
-
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an extremely itchy rash made of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic, which means it continues over a long period of time.
Causes
Dermatitis herpetiformis usually begins in people age 20 and older, although children may sometimes be affected. It is seen in both men an...
-
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a muscle disease characterized by inflammation and a skin rash. It is a type of inflammatory myopathy.
Causes
The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body's immune system.
Anyone can develop de...
-
Dermatoses (systemic)
Dermatoses is a general term used to describe any skin defect or lesion on the skin. Systemic means it affects the entire body, rather than a single part. ...
-
Desipramine hydrochloride overdose
Desipramine hydrochloride is a type of medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant. Desipramine hydrochloride overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment o...
-
Detergent poisoning
Detergents are powerful cleaning products that may contain strong acids, alkalis, or phosphates. Cationic detergents are often used as germ-killing cleansers (antiseptics) in hospitals. Anionic detergents are sometimes used to clean carpeting. Detergent poisoning occurs when someone swallows cationi...
-
Developmental coordination disorder
Developmental coordination disorder is a childhood disorder marked by poor coordination and clumsiness.
Causes
Roughly 6% of school-age children have some degree of developmental coordination disorder. Children with this disorder may trip over their own feet, run into other children, have trouble h...
-
Developmental disorders of the female reproductive tract
Developmental disorders of the female reproductive tract are problems in a baby girl's reproductive organs that occur while she is growing in her mother's body.
Female reproductive organs include the vagina, ovaries, uterus, and cervix.
Causes
A baby starts to develop its reproductive organs betwee...
-
Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva
Developmental disorders of the vagina and vulva include many different structural problems that occur while the baby is developing in the mother's womb.
Causes
Abnormalities of the female vagina and vulva include:
Imperforate hymen -- The hymen is a thin tissue that partly covers the opening to the...