Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «L»:
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LE cell test
Lupus erythematosus (LE) cell test measures the presence of a special cell found mostly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
How the Test is Performed
Blood is 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 (...
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Lead - nutritional considerations
Nutritional considerations to reduce the risk of lead poisoning.
Function
Lead is a natural element with thousands of uses. Because it is widespread (and often hidden) lead can easily contaminate food and water where it is undetectable to the eye or taste.
Food Sources
Lead can be found in canned g...
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Lead and tap water
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors drinking water and requires water suppliers to produce annual water quality reports. These reports, which include information about lead amounts, are available to consumers. For more information, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4...
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Lead levels - blood
Blood lead level is a test that measures the amount of lead in the blood.
How the Test is Performed
Blood is 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 (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band a...
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Lead poisoning
Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows a lead object or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison can stay in the body and cause serious health problems.
Where Found
Lead used to be very common in gasoline and house paint in the U.S. Children living in cities with older houses are mor...
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Left heart catheterization
Left heart catheterization is the passage of a thin flexible tube (catheter) into the left side of the heart to view the area or to treat certain types of heart conditions.
How the Test is Performed
You will be given a mild sedative about 30 minutes before the procedure starts. The health care prov...
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Left heart ventricular angiography
Left heart ventricular angiography is a procedure to look at the left side of the heart and, sometimes, the coronary arteries.
How the Test is Performed
Before the test, you will be given medicine to help you relax. You will be awake and able to follow instructions during the test.
An intravenous l...
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Leg amputation - discharge
You have had all or part of your leg amputated. You may have had an accident, or your leg may have had a blood clot, infection, or disease and doctors could not save it.
What to Expect at Home
It will take time for you to learn to use a walker, and a wheelchair. It will also take time to learn to g...
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Leg CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan of the leg is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the leg.
How the Test is Performed
You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner.
Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray be...
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Leg lengthening and shortening
Leg lengthening and shortening are types of surgery to treat children who have legs of unequal lengths, usually with differences of 1 inch or more.
These procedures may:
Lengthen an abnormally short leg
Shorten an abnormally long leg
Limit growth of a normal leg to allow a short leg to grow to a ma...
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Leg MRI scan
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the leg is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the leg, including the ankle, foot, and surrounding tissues.
A leg MRI also creates pictures of the knee. However, the knee is discussed in a separate article. See also: MRI of the knee.
Unlike ...
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Leg or foot amputation
Leg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by surgery, or they occur by accident or trauma to the body.
Why the Procedure is Performed
Reasons for having an amputation of a lower limb are:
Severe ...
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Leg or foot amputation - dressing change
You will need to change the dressing on your limb. This will help your stump heal and stay healthy.
See also:
Foot amputation - discharge
Leg amputation - discharge
Supplies
Gather the supplies you will need to change your dressing, and place them on a clean work area. You will need:
Paper t...
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Leg pain
Leg pain is a common symptom and complaint.
For more specific information, see:
Foot pain
Knee pain
Joint pain
Hip pain
Muscle pain
Shin splints
Causes
Leg pain can be due to a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse). Common causes of cramps include:
Dehydration or low amounts of...
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Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is when the ball of the thighbone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die.
Causes
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease usually occurs in boys 4 - 10 years old. There are many theories about the cause of this disease, but little is actually known.
Without enough...