Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «T»:
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Thrombolytic therapy
Thrombolytic therapy is the use of drugs to break up or dissolve blood clots, which are the main cause of both heart attacks and stroke.
Information
Thrombolytic medications are approved for the immediate treatment of stroke and heart attack. The most commonly used drug for thrombolytic therapy is ...
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Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein caused by a blood clot.
Causes
The following increase your chances for thrombophlebitis:
Being hospitalized for a major surgery or with a major illness
Disorders that make you more likely to develop blood clots
Sitting for a long period of time...
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Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a blood disorder that causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels around the body, and leads to a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
See also: Hemolytic-uremic syndrome
Causes
This disease may be caused by the lack of an enzyme (a type of prot...
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Thumbsucking
Thumbsucking is the process of sucking on the thumb for oral pleasure. It is a normal activity that peaks around age 1 and 2. However, if thumbsucking continues past age 4 - 5, dental problems may develop.
Thumbsucking is most common when the child is hungry or tired.
Some parents are concerned by t...
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Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a cancerous growth of the thyroid gland.
Causes
Thyroid cancer can occur in all age groups.
People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at higher risk. Radiation therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids and tonsils, and skin disord...
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Thyroid cancer - papillary carcinoma
Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is the most common cancer of the thyroid gland.
See also: Thyroid cancer
Causes
About 80% of all thyroid cancers diagnosed in the United States are papillary carcinoma type. It is more common in women than in men. It may occur in childhood, but is most often seen...
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Thyroid diseases
The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, just below the voice box (larynx). It produces chemicals (hormones) that help the body control metabolism. Thyroid hormone is normally produced in response to another hormone released by the pituitary gland.
There are four main types of thyroid ...
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Thyroid function tests
Thyroid function tests are common tests used to tell how well your thyroid is working.
See the following articles for details:
T3 test
T3 resin uptake
T4 test
Thyroid scan
TSH test
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Thyroid gland removal
Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies over your trachea (the tube that carries air to your lungs). It is just below your voice box.
Total thyroidectomy removes the entire gland.
Subtotal or partial thyro...
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Thyroid gland removal - discharge
You had surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid gland. You probably spent 1 to 3 days in the hospital.
A speech pathologist may have shown you exercises to make your vocal cords stronger. A dietitian may have helped you plan meals for the first few days after your surgery.
What to Expect at H...
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Thyroid nodule
A thyroid nodule is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck.
Causes
Thyroid nodules are growths of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Some nodules are fluid-filled (cysts), while others ...
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Thyroid scan
A thyroid scan is a nuclear medicine examination that uses a radioactive iodine tracer to see how well the thyroid gland is working.
How the Test is Performed
You will be given a pill that contains radioactive iodine, and then you will wait as the iodine collects in the thyroid. The first scan is u...
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Thyroid storm
Thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition that develops in cases of untreated thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism).
Causes
Thyroid storm results from untreated hyperthyroidism. It is usually brought on by a stress such as trauma or infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms are severe and may include:
Agitation...
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Thyroid ultrasound
A thyroid ultrasound is an imaging method used to see the thyroid -- a gland in the neck that regulates metabolism.
How the Test is Performed
Ultrasound is a painless method that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. The test is usually done in the ultrasound or radiology de...
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Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a condition in which there are episodes of muscle weakness in people with high levels of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis).
Causes
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare condition that occurs only in people with high thyroid hormone levels (thyrotox...