Ventricular septal defect Ventricular septal defect describes one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. Ventricular septal defect is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defects. It may occur by itself or with other congenital diseases.
Causes
Before a b...
Ventricular tachycardia Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the ventricles.
Causes
Ventricular tachycardia is a pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, with at least three irregular heartbeats in a row.
The condition can develop as an early or late complication of a heart attack. It may ...
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt - discharge Your child has hydrocephalus and needed a shunt placed to drain excess fluid and relieve pressure in the brain. This buildup of brain and spinal cord fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) and pressure causes the brain tissue to press (become compressed) against the skull. Too much pressure or pressure...
Ventriculoperitoneal shunting Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is surgery to relieve increased pressure inside the skull due to excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the brain (hydrocephalus).
This article primarily discusses shunt placement in children.
See also: Intracranial pressure
Description
This procedure is done in the oper...
Vernal conjunctivitis Vernal conjunctivitis is long-term (chronic) swelling (inflammation) of the outer lining of the eyes due to an allergic reaction.
See also:
Allergic conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis
Causes
Vernal conjunctivitis often occurs in people with a strong family history of allergies, such as allergic rh...
Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders are conditions in which blood supply to the back of the brain is disrupted.
See also:
Transient ischemic attack
Stroke
Causes
The vertebrobasilar system is also called the back (posterior) circulation of the brain. Three main blood vessels provide blood f...
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is surgery to help with weight loss. The surgeon removes a large portion of your stomach. The smaller stomach limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.
See also:
Gastric bypass surgery
Laparoscopic gastric bandin...
Vertigo-associated disorders
Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness.
Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.
Causes
There are two types of vertigo:
Peripheral ver...
Vesicles A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister.
See also: Bulla
Considerations
A vesicle is small -- it may be as tiny as the top of a pin or up to 5 or 10 millimeters wide.
In many cases, vesicles break easily and release their fluid onto the skin. When this fluid dries, yellow crusts may remain on th...
Victim assistance - resources The following organizations are good resources for information on domestic violence and rape:
National Center for Victims of Crime - www.ncvc.org
National Organization for Victim Assistance - www.try-nova.org
Office for Victims of Crime - www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc
Rape, Abuse & Incest National N...
VIPoma VIPoma is a very rare type of cancer that usually grows from certain cells in the pancreas.
Causes
VIPoma causes cells in the pancreas to produce high levels of a hormone called vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). This hormone increases secretions from the intestines and relaxes some of the smooth...
Viral arthritis Viral arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the joints from a viral infection.
Causes
Arthritis may be a symptom of many virus-related illnesses. It usually disappears on its own without any lasting effects.
It may occur with:
Enterovirus
Dengue virus
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
...
Viral gastroenteritis Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines from a virus. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It is sometimes called the "stomach flu."
Causes
Viral gastroenteritis is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in both adults and children. Many types of viruses can caus...
Viral pneumonia Viral pneumonia is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lungs caused by infection with a virus.
See also:
Atypical pneumonia
Influenza
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Respiratory syncytial virus
Causes
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that affects 1 out of 100 people annually. Vira...
Virilization Virilization is when a female develops male sex characteristics, or a newborn boy has increased male characteristics at birth.
Information
Virilization may be caused by:
Excess testosterone production
Use of anabolic steroids
In newborn girls, the condition may be caused by:
Certain medications ...