Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «I»:
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Impetigo
Impetigo is a common skin infection.
Causes
Impetigo is caused by streptococcus (strep) or staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) is becoming a common cause.
The skin normally has many types of bacteria on it, but intact skin is an effective barrier that keeps ba...
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Implantable cardioverter defibrillator - discharge
A surgeon made a small incision (cut) in your chest wall and implanted an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) under your skin and muscle. The ICD is the size of a large cookie. Leads, or electrodes, were placed in your heart and were connected to your ICD.
The ICD can quickly detect life-th...
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Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that detects any life-threatening, rapid heartbeat. If such a heartbeat, called an arrhythmia, occurs, the ICD quickly sends an electrical shock to the heart to change the rhythm back to normal. This is called defibrillation.
Description
A...
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Impotence and age
Question:
Do most men have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection (impotence) as they grow older?
Answer:
Getting older does not mean you will experience impotence, although in many men, sexual responses may become slower and less intense. For example, it may take longer to achieve an erect...
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In vitro fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the joining of a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in a laboratory dish. In vitro means “outside the body.†Fertilization means the sperm has attached to and entered the egg.
See also:
Infertility
Infertility resources
Description
Normally...
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Inborn errors of metabolism
Inborn errors of metabolism are rare genetic disorders in which the body cannot properly turn food into energy. The disorders are usually caused by defects in specific proteins (enzymes) that help break down (metabolize) parts of food.
See: Newborn screening tests
Side Effects
A food product that...
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Incontinence - resources
The following organizations are good resources for information on urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence:
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders - www.aboutincontinence.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddise...
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Incontinentia pigmenti
Incontinentia pigmenti is skin condition passed down through families. It leads to unusual blistering and changes in skin color.
See also: Incontinentia pigmenti achromians
Causes
Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is caused by a genetic defect. In most cases, there is a problem with one of the genes loc...
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Incontinentia pigmenti achromians
Incontinentia pigmenti achromians is a rare birth defect that causes unusual patches of light-colored (hypopigmented) skin and possible neurological and skeletal problems.
See also: Hypopigmentation
Causes
The cause is unknown. It is slightly more common in girls than in boys.
Symptoms
Crossed e...
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Increased head circumference
Increased head circumference is when the measured distance around the widest part of the skull is larger than expected for the child's age and background.
Considerations
A newborn's head is usually about 2 centimeters larger than the chest size. Between 6 months and 2 years, both measurements are a...
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Increased intracranial pressure
Increased intracranial pressure is a rise in the pressure inside the skull that can result from or cause brain injury.
Causes
Increased intracranial pressure can be due to a rise in cerebrospinal fluid pressure. It can also be due to increased pressure within the brain matter caused by a mass (such...
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Indigestion
Indigestion is a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort -- possibly including belching, heartburn, a feeling of fullness, bloating, and nausea.
Considerations
Indigestion is usually not a serious health problem, unless other symptoms also occur such as weight loss or trouble swallowing.
Indigestion ...
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Indomethacin overdose
Indomethacin is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Indomethacin 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 or management of an actual...
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Industrial bronchitis
Industrial bronchitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large airways of the lungs that occurs in some people who work around certain dusts, fumes, smoke, or other substances.
See also:
Acute bronchitis
Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis
Causes
Exposure to dusts, fumes, strong acids, and other chemi...
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Indwelling catheter care
You have an indwelling catheter (tube) in your bladder. "Indwelling" means inside your body. This catheter drains urine from your bladder into a bag outside your body. Common reasons to have an indwelling catheter are urinary incontinence (leakage), urinary retention (not being able to urinate), sur...