Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «M»:
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Macroamylasemia
Macroamylasemia is the presence of an abnormal substance called macroamylase in the blood.
Causes
Macroamylase is a substance that consists of an enzyme, called amylase, attached to a protein. Because it is large, macroamylase is filtered very slowly from the blood by the kidneys.
Most people with ...
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Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom
Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). It is associated with the overproduction of proteins called IgM antibodies.
Causes
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a result of a condition called lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. The cause of the overprodu...
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Macroglossia
Macroglossia is a disorder in which the tongue is larger than normal.
Information
Macroglossia is usually caused by an increase in the amount of tissue on the tongue, rather than by a growth, such as a tumor.
This condition can be seen in certain inherited or congenital (existing at birth) disorder...
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Macrosomia
Macrosomia describes an unusually large body size. It is often used to describe an oversized fetus.
Information
The most common cause of macrosomia is diabetes in the mother. Macrosomia can lead to trauma during birth and a greater chance of a cesarean delivery....
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Macula lutea
The macula lutea is the yellow oval spot at the center of the retina (back of the eye). It is responsible for sharp, detailed central vision (also called visual acuity).
Alternative Names
Macula
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Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that damages the center of the retina, which is called the macula. This makes it difficult to see fine details.
Causes
The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are ...
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Macule
A macule is a flat, distinct, colored area of skin that is less than 10 millimeters in diameter and does not include a change in skin texture or thickness....
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Magnesium in diet
Magnesium is an essential mineral for human nutrition.
Function
Magnesium in the body serves several important functions:
Contraction and relaxation of muscles
Function of certain enzymes in the body
Production and transport of energy
Production of protein
Food Sources
Most dietary magnesium come...
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Magnetic resonance angiography
Magnetic resonance angiography is an MRI exam of the blood vessels. Unlike traditional angiography that involves placing a tube (catheter) into the body, MRA is considered noninvasive.
How the Test is Performed
You will lie down on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-like tube inside t...
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Major 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.
True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for a lon...
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Major depression with psychotic features
Major depression with psychotic features is a condition in which a person experiences depression along with reduced contact with reality (psychosis). This can take the form of false beliefs (delusions) or seeing or hearing something that isn't really there (hallucinations).
See also:
Major depress...
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Make peak flow a habit!
Checking your "peak flow" is one of the best ways to control your asthma. It can help you keep your asthma from getting worse.
Asthma attacks do NOT usually come on without warning. Most times, they build slowly. Checking your peak flow can tell you if an attack is coming, maybe before you have any ...
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Making the decision to quit tobacco
Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a variety of effects.
It is considered an addictive substance because it contains the chemical nicotine.
Tobacco also contains more than 19 known cancer-causing chemicals (most are collectively known as "tar") and mor...
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Malabsorption
Malabsorption is difficulty absorbing nutrients from food.
Causes
Many diseases can cause malabsorption. Malabsorption is usually the inability to absorb certain sugars, fats, proteins, or vitamins from food. It can also involve a general malabsorption of food.
Some of the causes of malabsorption i...
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Malaise
Malaise is a generalized feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.
Considerations
Malaise is a symptom that can occur with almost any significant health condition. It may start slowly or quickly, depending on the type of disease.
Fatigue occurs with malaise in many common diseases. Ma...
