Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «P»:
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Poisoning - fish and shellfish
This article describes a group of different conditions caused by eating contaminated fish and seafood. The most common of these are Ciguatera poisoning, Scombroid poisoning, and various shellfish poisonings.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poi...
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Poisoning first aid
Poisoning is caused by swallowing, injecting, breathing in, or otherwise being exposed to a harmful substance. Most poisonings occur by accident.
Immediate first aid is very important in a poisoning emergency. The first aid you give before getting medical help can save a person's life.
Consideratio...
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Pokeweed poisoning
Pokeweed is a flowering plant. Pokeweed poisoning occurs when someone eats pieces of this plant.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the Nationa...
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Polio immunization (vaccine)
Polio immunization protects against poliomyelitis, a severe disease that leads to the loss of movement.
The vaccine contains an inactive (dead) form of the polio virus. It is called an inactivated polio vaccine, or IPV. It cannot cause polio.
The IPV is available alone, or combined with:
DTaP-HepB
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Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis.
Causes
Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by infection with the poliovirus. The virus spreads by direct person-to-person contact, by contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth, or by ...
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Polyarteritis nodosa
Polyarteritis nodosa is a serious blood vessel disease in which small and medium-sized arteries become swollen and damaged.
Causes
Polyarteritis nodosa is a disease of unknown cause that affects arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to organs and tissues. It occurs when certain im...
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Polychromatophilia
Polychromatophilia (also called polychromasia) is an excessive number of abnormal red blood cells (RBCs) in the bloodstream. These RBCs are called polychromatophil cells.
In lab tests, these RBCs stain with different types of dyes, and look different than normal red cells. (The term "polychromatophi...
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Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease is a kidney disorder passed down through families in which multiple cysts form on the kidneys, causing them to become enlarged.
Causes
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is passed down through families (inherited), usually as an autosomal dominant trait. If one parent carrie...
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Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman's female sex hormones. This hormone imbalance may cause changes in the menstrual cycle, skin changes, small cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other problems.
Causes
Female sex hormones include estro...
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Polycythemia vera
Polycythemia vera is an abnormal increase in the number of blood cells (primarily red blood cells) produced by the bone marrow.
Causes
Polycythemia vera is a disorder of the bone marrow. It causes too much production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
It is a rare disease that oc...
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Polydactyly
Polydactyly is a condition in which a person has more than five fingers per hand or five toes per foot.
Considerations
Having an abnormal number of digits (6 or more) can occur on its own, without any other symptoms or disease. Polydactyly may be passed down (inherited) in families. This trait invo...
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Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios is the presence of excessive amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn infant.
Considerations
Amniotic fluid is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy. It is contained in the amniotic sac.
While in the womb, the baby floats in the amnio...
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Polymorphic light eruption
Polymorphic light eruption is a common reaction to sunlight (ultraviolet light) that occurs in light-sensitive individuals.
Causes
The cause is unknown. Some experts think it is a type of delayed allergic reaction.
Symptoms
Small red pimples and blisters appear on the skin within 1 - 4 days after e...
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Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder involving pain and stiffness in the hip or shoulder area.
Causes
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder that almost always occurs in people over 50 years old. The cause is unknown. Although symptoms are located mainly in the muscles and there are no ...
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Polymyositis - adult
Polymyositis is a relatively uncommon inflammatory disease that leads to significant muscle weakness.
Causes
Polymyositis is a skeletal muscle disease also known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. The cause of this disorder is unknown. It is thought that an autoimmune reaction or a viral infectio...
