Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «W»:
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Whiplash
Whiplash is when the soft tissues of the neck are injured by a sudden jerking or "whipping" of the head. This type of motion strains the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion.
See also: Neck pain
Considerations
When a vehicle stops suddenly in a crash or is struck f...
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Whipple’s disease
Whipple's disease is a rare condition that prevents the small intestines from properly absorbing nutrients. This is called malabsorption.
Causes
Whipple's disease is caused by infection from bacteria called Tropheryma whippelii. The disorder mainly affects middle-aged white men.
Whipple's disease ...
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Whipworm infection
Whipworm infection is an infection of the large intestine with a type of roundworm.
Causes
Whipworm infection is caused by the roundworm, Trichocephalus trichiura. It is a common infection that mainly affects children.
Children may become infected if they swallow soil contaminated with whipworm egg...
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White matter of the brain
The white matter of the brain contains nerve fibers. Many of these nerve fibers (axons) are surrounded by a type of fat called myelin. The myelin gives the whitish appearance to the white matter. Myelin acts as an insulator, and it increases the speed of transmission of all nerve signals....
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Whitehead
Whiteheads are white, raised bumps caused by collections of oil and skin in pores. Whiteheads are also known as closed comedomes and pimples. See: Acne
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Widely spaced teeth
Widely spaced teeth can be a temporary condition related to normal growth and the development of adult teeth. Wide spacing can also occur as a result of several diseases or continued growth of the jawbone.
Causes
Acromegaly
Ellis-van Creveld syndrome
Injury
Morquio syndrome
Normal growth (te...
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Williams syndrome
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that can lead to problems with development.
Causes
Williams syndrome is a rare condition caused by missing genes. Parents may not have any family history of the condition. However, a person with Williams syndrome has a 50% chance of passing the disorder ...
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Wilms tumor
Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children.
Causes
Wilms tumor is the most common form of childhood kidney cancer. The exact cause of this tumor in most children is unknown.
A missing iris of the eye (aniridia) is a birth defect that is sometimes associated with Wilms tumor. Oth...
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Wilson's disease
Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous system.
Causes
Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder. If both parents carry an abnormal gene for Wilson's disease, there is a 25% chance in eac...
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Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a heart condition in which there is an extra electrical pathway (circuit) in the heart. The condition can lead to episodes of rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
Wolff-Parkinson-White is one of the most common causes of fast heart rate disorders in infants and children....
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Women's health
Women’s health refers to the branch of medicine that focuses on the treatment and diagnosis of diseases and conditions that affect a woman’s physical and emotional well-being.
Information
Women’s health includes a wide range of specialties and focus areas, such as:
Birth con...
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Wood's lamp examination
A Wood's lamp examination is a test that uses ultraviolet light to closely look at the skin.
How the Test is Performed
The test is done while you are seated in a dark room, usually in a dermatologist's office. The health care provider turns on the Wood's lamp, holds it 4 to 5 inches from the area o...
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Wrinkles
Wrinkles are creases in the skin.
Considerations
Most wrinkles are associated with aging changes in skin. Aging of the skin and related structures (hair and nails) is a natural process. Nothing can be done to decrease the rate of skin aging, but many environmental factors will increase the rate.
F...
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Wrist pain
Wrist pain is any pain or discomfort in the wrist.
Causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain. You may feel aching, burning, numbness, or tingling in your palm, wrist, thumb, or fingers. The thumb muscle can become weak, making it difficult to grasp things. Pain may extend up to ...
