Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «P»:
-
Pericardial fluid gram stain
Pericardial fluid gram stain is a method of staining a sample of fluid taken from the sac surrounding the heart to diagnose a bacterial infection. The gram stain method is one of the most commonly used techniques for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections.
How the Test is Performed
A sample of...
-
Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the pericardial sac, the tissue that surrounds the heart.
How the Test is Performed
The procedure is usually done in an intensive care unit's procedure room or even at the bedside.
A health care provider will put an IV into y...
-
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.
See also: Bacterial pericarditis
Causes
Pericarditis is usually a complication of viral infections, most commonly echovirus or coxsackie virus. Less frequently, it is caused by influenza or ...
-
Pericarditis - after heart attack
Pericarditis is inflammation and swelling of the covering of the heart (pericardium). The condition can occur in the days or weeks following a heart attack.
See also: Bacterial pericarditis
Causes
Pericarditis may occur within 2 to 5 days after a heart attack, or it may occur as much as 11 weeks l...
-
Pericarditis - bacterial
Bacterial pericarditis is irritation and swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium), due to infection by bacteria.
See also: Pericarditis
Causes
Bacterial infections are one cause of pericarditis. The bacterial infection causes the pericardium to become swollen and inflamed. Pain o...
-
Pericarditis - constrictive
Constrictive pericarditis is long-term (chronic) inflammation of the sac-like covering of the heart (the pericardium) with thickening, scarring, and muscle tightening (contracture).
See also:
Bacterial pericarditis
Pericarditis
Pericarditis after heart attack
Causes
Constrictive pericarditi...
-
Perichondritis
Perichondritis is an infection of the skin and tissue surrounding the cartilage of the outer ear.
Causes
Cartilage is the thick tissue that creates the shape of the nose and the outer ear. All cartilage has a thin layer of tissue around it called the perichondrium. This covering helps provide nutri...
-
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.
Causes
Periodontitis occurs when inflammation or infection of the gums (gingivitis) is untreated or treatment is delayed. Infection and inflammation spreads from the gums (gingiva) to the ligaments and bo...
-
Perioral dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is a skin disorder characterized by tiny red bumps (papules) around the mouth.
Causes
Perioral dermatitis most commonly affects young women. However, it sometimes affects men, too. While its exact cause is unknown, it may appear after skin creams containing steroids are applied ...
-
Periorbital cellulitis
Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of the tissues surrounding the eye.
Causes
Periorbital cellulitis is most common in children under age 6.
It can be the result of minor trauma to the area around the eye, or it may extend from another site of infection, such as sinusitis.
Symptoms
There is gen...
-
Periosteum
The periosteum is a fibrous sheath that covers bones. It contains the blood vessels and nerves that provide nourishment and sensation to the bone....
-
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare disorder in which a weakened heart is diagnosed within the final month of pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery.
Causes
Cardiomyopathy occurs when there is damage to the heart. As a result, the heart muscle becomes weak and cannot pump blood efficiently. D...
-
Peripheral
Peripheral means "away from the center." It refers to the areas away from the center of the body or a body part. For example, the hands are peripheral to the shoulder. The toes are peripheral to the knees....
-
Peripheral artery bypass - leg
Peripheral artery bypass is surgery to reroute the blood supply around a blocked artery in one of your legs. Your peripheral arteries can become blocked with fatty material that builds up inside them. This is called atherosclerosis.
See also:
Angioplasty and stent replacement - peripheral arteries...
-
Peripheral artery bypass - leg - discharge
You had peripheral artery bypass surgery to reroute the blood supply around a blocked artery in one of your legs. Your surgeon made an incision (cut) over the area where the artery was blocked. This may have been in your leg or groin, or the lower part of your belly. Clamps were placed over the arte...
