What is angina? The heart is the pump responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. Myocardium (myo=muscle + cardium=muscle) is the heart muscle that contracts to pump that blood and like any other muscle, it requires oxygen rich ...

The heart is the pump responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. Myocardium (myo=muscle + cardium=muscle) is the heart muscle that contracts to pump that blood and like any other muscle, it requires oxygen rich blood for energy. Angina...

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. It is caused by various types of fungi, most commonly Trichophyton rubrum. Athlete's foot is highly contagious and can be spread through dir...

Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition that is characterized by vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of atypical bacteria in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing sym...

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. Normally, the vagina contains a balance of good and harmful bacteria. However, when the harmful bacteria outnumber the good bacteria, it can l...

Hairy tongue is an uncommon, benign condition that is also known as black hairy tongue or lingua nigra. It is characterized by abnormal elongation and blackish or dark brownish discoloration or "staining" of the thread-like elevations (filiform pa...

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It is a common condition that can cause redness, itching, burning, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. It can also cause the eyelids to become swollen, crusty, and flaky. Blepharitis is usually caused...

Bunions facts Bunions involve boney prominences and repositioning of the joints at the base of the big toes. Bunions most commonly affect the inner foot at the base of the big toe but also can affect the outside of the foo...

Familial articular chondrocalcinosis is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals (CPPD) in one or more joint cartilages resulting in eventual damage to the joints. Symptoms may devel...

Chilblains (CHILL-blayns) are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air. Also known as pernio, chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blis...

Compartment syndrome describes increased pressure within a muscle compartment of the arm or leg. It is most often due to injury, such as fracture, that causes bleeding in a muscle, which then causes increased pressure in the muscle. This pressure ...

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. It is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infecti...

Contact dermatitis facts Contact dermatitis is a rash that occurs at the site of exposure to a substance capable of producing an allegic or irritant skin response. Contact dermatitis can be caused by noxious, irritating su...

Autosomal dominant interstitial kidney disease describes a group of diseases affecting solely the proper function of the kidney and having the following characteristics: They are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner; kidney disease develops, ...

Dejerine-Sottas disease is an inherited neurological disorder that progressively affects mobility. Peripheral nerves become enlarged or thickened leading to muscle weakness. Progress of the disorder is irregular and often accompanied by pain, weak...

Neuropathy is damage to nerves, and diabetic neuropathy is damage to nerves that occurs as a result of diabetes. Diabetes is thought to damage nerves as a result of prolonged elevated levels of blood glucose. Diabetic neuropathy can affect differe...

Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can cause irritation, redness, and a feeling of dryness in the eyes. Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, including environment...

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme ferrochelatase (FECH). Due to abnormally low levels of this enzyme, excessive amounts of protoporphyrin accumulate in the bone m...

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme ferrochelatase (FECH). Due to abnormally low levels of this enzyme, excessive amounts of protoporphyrin accumulate in the bone m...

Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, are a type of allergic reaction that affects the eyes. Symptoms of eye allergies include redness, itching, burning, tearing, and swelling of the eyes. Eye allergies are usually caused by airbor...

Fabry disease is caused by the lack of or faulty enzyme needed to metabolize lipids, fat-like substances that include oils, waxes, and fatty acids. The enzyme is known as ceramide trihexosidase, also called alpha-galactosidase-A. A mutation in the...

Your feet bear weight when you’re standing and when you walk to where you need to go. Because of this, foot pain is common. Foot pain refers to any pain or discomfort in one or more parts of the foot, such as the following: to...

Formaldehyde is a transitional molecule that participates in a wide range of biological activities. It can be found in a variety of everyday items, including meals. It's also used in medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Formalin is a 40 percen...

Schindler disease is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by the deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alpha-NAGA or alpha-galactosidase B). The enzyme defect leads to the abnormal accumulation of...

Genital herpes, also known as herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), is a sexually transmitted infection that causes painful sores and blisters on the genital area. It is a chronic condition that can flare up periodically, causing symptoms such as i...

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV causes genital herpes by entering the skin or mucous membranes through microscopic breaks in the skin and mucous membranes. Genital...

Genital warts (HPV) facts Genital warts are caused by infection with a subgroup of the human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Another subgroup of the HPVs that infect the anogenital tract can lead to precancerous changes in the ut...

Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder of fat (lipid) metabolism characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (previously known as ceramide trihexosidase). The disorder belongs to a group of diseases known as lysosomal stora...

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted during sexual activity. Gonorrhea is not transmitted from toilet seats. Women infected with gonorrhea may not have any symptoms. Gonorrhea is treated with an...

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation, usually in one joint, that begins suddenly. Gouty arthritis is caused by the deposition of crystals of uric acid in a joint. Gout can cause symptoms and signs such as ...

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation, usually in one joint, that begins suddenly. Gouty arthritis is caused by the deposition of crystals of uric acid in a joint. Gout can cause symptoms and signs such as ...

Herniated disc facts The discs are pads that serve as "cushions" between the vertebral bodies, which minimize the impact of movement on the spinal column. Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central softer comp...

Intertrigo is a dermatitis that only affects skin folds. Intertrigo is caused when skin is irritated by friction, which is enhanced by moisture and heat. Risk factors for intertrigo include obesity, heat, and humidity....

Jock itch, also known as tinea cruris, is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the groin area. It is caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytes, which thrive in warm, moist environments. Jock itch is characterized by red, itchy, and so...

Kohler disease is a rare bone disorder of the foot in children that may be the result of stress-related compression at a critical time during the period of growth. It is characterized by limping caused by pain and swelling in the foot. It most oft...

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that primarily affects the feet and, less commonly, the hands (extremities). It is characterized by intense, burning pain of affected extremities, severe redness (erythema), and increased skin temperature that m...

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term that denotes a disorder of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system consists of all the motor and sensory nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the...

Mucha-Habermann disease, also known as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta or PLEVA, is a rare skin disorder. The lesions most often appear on the trunk and the arms and legs. Lesions tend to develop in small groups. Mucha-Habermann dise...

Neuropathic pain is a pain condition that’s usually chronic. It’s usually caused by chronic, progressive nerve disease, and it can also occur as the result of injury or infection. If you have chronic neuropathic pain, it can fl...

Ocular rosacea is a type of rosacea that affects the eyes. It is characterized by redness, burning, stinging, and itching of the eyes, as well as dryness, sensitivity to light, and the formation of small cysts on the eyelids. In some cases, ocular...

Neuromyelitis optica, also known as Devic disease (DD), is a chronic disorder of nerve tissue characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) and inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis). There appear to be two forms of this di...

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), also known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system that is characterized by chronic, severe pain. The sympathetic nervous system is that part of the auto...

Why does reflux laryngitis occur? Reflux is caused by weakness in the muscle at the junction of the esophagus with the stomach. Normally, this muscular valve, or sphincter, functions to keep food and stomach acid from moving upward from th...

What is the rotator cuff? The rotator cuff is the group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. The tendons hook up to the four muscles that move the shoulder in various directions. There are four muscles whose tendons f...

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin that is estimated to affect about 2.2% of the adult population. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to psoriasis. The genes affected seem to be involved with control of the immune system. ...

Shingles is a medical condition that is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox-causing virus in the body. Shingles are extremely painful but it isn’t life-threatening.  Shingles is a painful rash that occurs anywher...

Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is characterized by a painful rash that usually appears on one side of the body, typically in a band-like p...

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve cells and can reactivate later in li...

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), also known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system that is characterized by chronic, severe pain. The sympathetic nervous system is that part of the auto...

Tennis elbow facts Tennis elbow is tendinitis of the outer elbow. Strain of an elbow tendon causes tennis elbow. Risks of tennis elbow include activities that can strain the elbow. Tennis elbow symptoms...

Central pain syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the central nervous system (CNS). Common symptoms include pain and loss of sensation, usually in the face, arms and/or legs. Pain is often constant and can be mild, moderate, or ...

Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the bo...

Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the bo...

General DiscussionBuerger's disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, is a rare disorder that, in most cases, affects young or middle-aged male cigarette smokers. It is characterized by narrowing or blockage (occlusion) of the ve...

What are yeast infections? What are commonly known as "yeast" infections are caused by various species of a yeast-like fungus called Candida, particularly the species Candida albicans. Yeast organisms are part of the germs (including bacte...

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination. Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symp...

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It is one of the most common STIs worldwide and can affect both men and women. Symptoms of trichomoniasis can include genital itching, burn...

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination. Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symp...

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a disorder of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) characterized by attacks of intense, stabbing pain affecting the mouth, cheek, nose, and/or other areas on one side of the face. The ex...

Vaginal pain and vulvodynia facts Vulvodynia refers to pain in the area of the vulva and vaginal opening for which no cause can be identified. Vulvodynia is not related to sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). Th...

Familial eosinophilic cellulitis is a rare skin disorder. It is characterized by raised, red, swollen, and warm areas of skin, in a flame-shaped pattern with associated pain. The exact cause of the disease is unknown. However, bites of spiders, be...

Yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. It can occur in various parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, skin, and genital area. Symptoms of yeast infection may includ...