Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «D»:
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Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Causes
Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets (such as those produced by a cough or sneeze) of an infected person or someone who carries the bacteria but has no symptoms. Diphtheria can also be sp...
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Diphyllobothriasis
Diphyllobothriasis is an infection from a fish tapeworm.
Causes
The fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum), is the largest parasite that infects humans. Humans become infected when they eat raw or undercooked freshwater fish that contain tapeworm cysts.
The infection is seen in many areas where hum...
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Dirt - swallowing
This is poisoning from swallowing or eating dirt.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Poi...
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Discipline
Frustration, anger, and occasional acting-out are inevitable behaviors in every child. Whether you are a strict disciplinarian or more laid-back and easy-going, it is important to find a strategy of discipline that works for your family. The following guidelines may help you shape your approach.
1) ...
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Discussing death with children
Death is a concept that is difficult for a child to understand. Grieving adults are often confused and unsure how to respond supportively. Most children require many explanations and have many questions regarding death. "What happens when people die?" and "Where do they go?" are among the most commo...
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Diskectomy
Diskectomy is surgery to remove all or part of a cushion that helps protect your spinal column. These cushions, called disks, separate your spinal bones (vertebrae).
When one of your disks herniates (moves out of place), the soft gel inside pushes through the wall of the disk. The disk may then pla...
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Diskitis
Diskitis is swelling (inflammation) and irritation of the space between the bones of the spine (intervertebral disk space).
Causes
Diskitis is an uncommon condition. It is usually seen in children younger than age 10.
Diskitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, or it can be caused by ...
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Dislocation
A dislocation is a separation of two bones where they meet at a joint. (Joints are areas where two bones come together.) A dislocated bone is no longer in its normal position, which may result in damage to ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels.
Considerations
It may be hard to tell a dislocated bone...
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Disorder of written expression
Disorder of written expression is a childhood condition which involves poor writing skills.
Causes
Although no body-wide (systemic) studies have been conducted to determine how common this disorder is, it is thought to be about as common as learning and reading disorders.
This disorder appears by i...
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Dissect
Dissect means to cut or separate tissues. Surgeons dissect tissue during surgery....
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Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become abnormally active.
Causes
Normally, when you are injured, certain proteins in the blood become activated and travel to the injury site to help stop bleeding. However, in perso...
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Disseminated tuberculosis
Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that has spread from the lungs to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system.
See also: Tuberculosis - pulmonary
Causes
Tuberculosis (TB) infection can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a coug...
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Distal median nerve dysfunction
Distal median nerve dysfunction is a form of peripheral neuropathy that affects the movement of or sensation in the hands. Peripheral means further out from the spinal cord.
A common type of distal median nerve dysfunction is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Causes
Dysfunction of one nerve group, such as th...
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Distal renal tubular acidosis
Distal renal tubular acidosis is a disease that occurs when the kidneys don't remove acid properly into the urine, leaving the blood too acidic (called acidosis).
Causes
Your kidneys normally regulate your body's pH by removing acids from the blood and discarding them into the urine.
Distal renal t...
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Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is swelling (inflammation) of an abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the intestinal wall. These pouches are usually found in the large intestine (colon). The presence of the pouches themselves is called diverticulosis.
Causes
Small, protruding sacs of the inner lining of the intestine (...
