Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «M»:
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Mesenteric venous thrombosis
Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a blood clot in the major veins that drain blood from the intestine.
Causes
Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a clot that blocks blood flow in the mesenteric veins, one of two veins through which blood leaves the intestine. The condition interrupts the blood supply to ...
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Mesothelioma (benign-fibrous)
Benign mesothelioma is a noncancerous tumor of the lining of the lung and chest cavity, an area called the pleura.
See also: Malignant mesothelioma
Causes
Nonmalignant mesothelioma affects men more frequently than women.
Symptoms
Approximately half of persons with this disease are asymptomatic, w...
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Mesothelioma - malignant
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor of the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) that is typically due to long-term asbestos exposure.
Causes
Long-term exposure to asbestos -- a fire-resistant material -- is the biggest risk factor. Asb...
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Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids.
Causes
Metabolic acidosis occurs when the body produces too much acid, or when the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body. There are several types of metablic acidosis:
Diabetic acidosis (also called ...
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Metabolic neuropathies
Metabolic neuropathies are nerve disorders that occur with diseases that disrupt the chemical processes in the body.
See also: Alcoholic neuropathy; Diabetic neuropathy
Causes
In some cases, nerve damage is caused by the inability to properly use energy in the body -- often due to a nutritional de...
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Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Causes
Metabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common in the United States. Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one s...
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Metabolism
Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy, such as:
Breathing
Circulating blood
Controlling body temperature
Contracting muscles
Digesting food and nutrients
Eliminating waste through urine and feces
Functioning of the brain and nerves
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Metabolite
A metabolite is any substance produced during metabolism (digestion or other bodily chemical processes).
In terms of medications, a metabolite usually refers to the product that remains after the drug is broken down (metabolized) by the body....
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Metachromatic leukodystrophy
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a genetic disorder that affects nerves, muscles, other organs, and behavior. It slowly gets worse over time.
Causes
MLD is usually caused by the lack of an important enzyme called arylsulfatase A. Because this enzyme is missing, chemicals called sulfatides buil...
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Metastasis
Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the bloodstream or the lymph system.
Information
Whether or not cancer cells metastasize (spread to) to other parts of the body depends on many factors, including:
The t...
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Metastatic brain tumor
A metastatic brain tumor is cancer that started in another part of the body and spread to the brain.
Causes
Many tumor or cancer types can spread to the brain, the most common being lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, certain sarcomas, and testicular and germ cell t...
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Metastatic cancer to the lung
Metastatic cancer to the lung is cancer that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads to the lungs.
See also: Lung cancer
Causes
Metastatic tumors in the lungs are cancers that developed at other places in the body (or other parts of the lungs) and spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic ...
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Metastatic pleural tumor
Metastatic pleural tumor is a type of cancer that has spread from another organ to the thin membrane (pleura) surrounding the lungs.
Causes
The blood and lymph systems can carry cancer cells to other organs in the body, where they can produce new growths or tumors. The spread of cancer cells to oth...
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Metatarsus adductus
Metatarsus adductus is a foot deformity. The bones in the middle of the foot bend in toward the body.
Causes
Metatarsus adductus is thought to occur as a result of the infant's position inside the womb.
This is a relatively common disease affecting about one out of every 1,000 to 2,000 live births....
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Methadone overdose
Methadone is a very strong painkiller. It is also used to treat heroin addiction. Methadone overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
Methadone overdose can also occur if a person takes methadone with certain paink...
