Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «E»:
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ELISA/Western blot tests for HIV
HIV ELISA/Western blot is a set of blood tests used to diagnose chronic infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
How the Test is Performed
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (an...
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Ellis-van Creveld syndrome
Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects bone growth.
Causes
Ellis-van Creveld is passed down through families (inherited). It is caused by defects in one of two Ellis van Creveld syndrome genes (EVC and EVC2) that are next to each other.
The severity of the disease varies...
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Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is a method to prevent pregnancy in women who have had unprotected sex, or for whom a barrier method has failed (slipped condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap, or broken condom).
Information
Emergency contraception may be used following many different situations, including:
Af...
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Empty sella syndrome
Empty sella syndrome is a condition in which the pituitary gland shrinks or becomes flattened.
Causes
The pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain. It sits in a saddle-like compartment in the skull called the "sella turcica," which in Latin means "Turkish saddle."
When the ...
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Empyema
Empyema is a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the inside of the chest wall (pleural space).
Causes
Empyema is caused by an infection that spreads from the lung. It leads to a buildup of pus in the pleural space.
There can be a pint or more of infected fluid. This fluid puts press...
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Encephalitis
Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, usually due to infections.
See also: Meningitis
Causes
Encephalitis is most often caused by a viral infection. Many types of viruses may cause it. Exposure to viruses can occur through:
Breathing in respiratory droplets from an ...
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Encopresis
Encopresis is the voluntary or involuntary passage of stools in a child who has been toilet trained (typically over age 4), which causes the soiling of clothes.
See also: Bowel incontinence
Causes
Encopresis is frequently is associated with constipation and fecal impaction. Often, hard fecal mater...
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End-stage kidney disease
End-stage kidney disease is the complete, or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function. The kidneys can no longer remove wastes, concentrate urine, and regulate many other important body functions.
Causes
End-stage kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to function at a ...
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Endocardial cushion defect
Endocardial cushion defect (ECD) is an abnormal heart condition in which the walls separating all four chambers of the heart are poorly formed or absent. It is a congenital heart disease, which means it is present from birth.
Causes
Endocardial cushion defect occurs while a baby is still growing in...
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Endocarditis
Endocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium).
See also:
Culture-negative endocarditis
Infective endocarditis
Causes
Endocarditis can involve the heart muscle, heart valves, or lining of the heart. Most people who develop endocarditis h...
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Endocervical gram stain
Endocervical gram stain is a method of identifying bacteria on tissue from the cervix using a special series of stains.
How the Test is Performed
The health care provider will obtain a tissue sample from the lining of the cervical canal (the opening to the uterus).
You lie on your back with your fe...
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Endocrine glands
Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream.
Endocrine glands include the:
Adrenal
Hypothalamus
Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
Ovaries
Parathyroid
Pineal
Pituitary
Testes
Thyroid
Information
When a gland releases a substance, it is called secretion. Hypersecretion is when to...
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Endometrial biopsy
Endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus (endometrium), and is checked under a microscope for any abnormal cells or signs of cancer.
How the Test is Performed
This procedure may be done with or without anesthesia. You will lie on your back wi...
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Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).
Causes
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. Although the exact cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, increased levels of estrogen appear to play a role. Estrogen helps stimulate ...
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Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that behaves like the cells lining the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and possible infertility.
The tissue growth (implant) typically occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ov...