Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «M»:
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Myasthenia gravis - resources
The following organizations provide information on myasthenia gravis:
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America - www.myasthenia.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke -- www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis/detail_myasthenia_gravis.htm
Alternative Names
Resources - ...
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Mycobacterial culture
Mycobacterial culture is a test to look for tuberculosis or a related organism in the body. It can be done on tissue taken from the bone marrow, liver, or lungs.
See also:
Atypical mycobacterial infection
Tuberculosis
How the Test is Performed
A sample of body fluid or tissue is needed. A biops...
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Mycoplasma pneumonia
Mycoplasma pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae).
See also:
Atypical pneumonia
Viral pneumonia
Causes
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a type of atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacteria M. pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia usually ...
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Myelin
Myelin is an insulating layer that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. The purpose of the myelin sheath is to allow rapid and efficient transmission of impulses along the nerve cells. If the myelin is damaged, the impulses...
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Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow, in which the marrow is replaced by scar (fibrous) tissue.
Causes
Bone marrow is the soft, fatty tissue inside your bones. Stem cells are immature cells in the bone marrow that give rise to all of your blood cells. Your blood is made of:
Red blood cel...
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Myelomeningocele
Myelomeningocele is a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. The condition is a type of spina bifida.
Causes
Normally, during the first month of a pregnancy, the two sides of the spine (or backbone) join together to cover the spinal cord, spinal nerves and me...
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Myocardial biopsy
Myocardial biopsy is the removal of a small piece of heart muscle for examination.
How the Test is Performed
Myocardial biopsy is done during cardiac catheterization or similar procedure.
The procedure will take place in a hospital radiology department, special procedures room, or cardiac diagnosti...
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Myocardial contusion
Myocardial contusion is a "bruise" of the heart muscle.
Causes
The most common causes are:
Auto-pedestrian accident injuries
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Falls from heights greater than 20 feet
Motor vehicle accidents (usually due to the driver coming into contact with the steering wheel)
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Myocarditis
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.
See also: Pediatric myocarditis
Causes
Myocarditis is an uncommon disorder that is usually caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections that reach the heart.
Viral infections:
Coxsackie
Cytomegalovirus
Hepatitis C
Herpes
HIV
Parvovirus
B...
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Myocarditis - pediatric
Pediatric myocarditis is inflammation and weakness of the heart muscle in an infant or young child.
Causes
Myocarditis is an uncommon disorder. In children it is usually caused by viral infections that reach the heart, such as the influenza (flu) virus, Coxsackie virus, and adenovirus. However, it ...
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Myoglobin - serum
Serum myoglobin is a test that measures the amount of myoglobin in the blood.
Myoglobin is a protein in heart and skeletal muscles. When you exercise, your muscles use up any available oxygen. Myoglobin has oxygen attached to it, which provides extra oxygen for the muscle to maintain a high level of...
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Myoglobin - urine
Urine myoglobin is a test to detect the presence of myoglobin in a sample of urine.
Myoglobin is a protein in heart and skeletal muscles. When a muscle is exercised, it uses up available oxygen. Myoglobin has oxygen attached to it, which provides extra oxygen for the muscle to maintain a high level ...
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Myopathic changes
Myopathic changes are weakness or biopsy results that suggest a muscle disorder, such as muscular dystrophy.
Symptoms
The main symptom is weakness.
Exams and Tests
An electromyogram can confirm the presence of a myopathy.
Sometimes, a muscle biopsy is done. This allows a tissue sample to be examine...
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Myotonia congenita
Myotonia congenita is an inherited condition that affects muscle relaxation. It is congenital, meaning that it is present from birth.
Causes
Myotonia congenita is caused by a genetic change (mutation). It is passed down from either one or both parents to the children (inherited).
Myotonia congenita...
