for family physicians and you
General Illness Information Medical Term: FROSTBITE Common Name: Frostnip Description: Frostbite is a cold injury in which freezing of tissues occurs to one or more parts of the body causing permanent damage. Skin and muscle are more prone to freezing damage than tendons and bones, and that a person with severe frostbite can still sometimes move his fingers and toes. Exposed hands, feet, earlobes and the nose are most vulnerable…
General Illness Information Medical Term: GALLSTONES (Cholelithiasis) Common Name: Gallstones Description: Gallstones are a collection of one or more stones in the gallbladder, which is the hollow organ under the liver, that stores bile. When the gallstones are in the gallbladder, the condition is called cholelithiasis; when they are in the bile ducts the condition is called choledocolithiasis. Most gallstones in North America are composed primarily of cholesterol (75%). 25%…
General Illness Information Medical Term: GANGRENE Common Name: None Specified Description: Gangrene is a dead or necrotic tissue and it is usually followed by infection. Gangrene develops when the blood supply to an affected part is cut off because of various factors including infection, vascular disease or trauma. It can involve any body part, but the commonest sites are the extremities. Can be most dangerous when gangrene affects the intestines…
General Illness Information Common Name: Hiatus hernia, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, GERD Medical Term: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Description: Reflux of stomach and duodenal contents into the esophagus, with or without esophageal inflammation. This is a common condition. 65% of adults have suffered heartburn; 24% have had symptoms for > 10 years. All ages are affected. Males and females suffer equally. Causes: Inappropriate relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter; Familial clustering of GERD…
General Illness Information Medical Term: GASTRITIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The lining of the stomach is remarkably resistant to injury from the acid and the digestive enzymes. Nevertheless, the stomach lining can sometimes become irritated and inflamed. Causes: There are numerous causes for gastritis and these are listed below: Medications like ASA and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and steroids-…
General Illness Information Medical Term: FIBROSITIS Common Name: Fibromyalgia (Fibromyositis) Description: Fibrositis (fibromyalgia syndromes, myofascial pain syndromes) are a group of disorders characterized by chronic widespread aches and pains in the muscles, muscle sheath and connective tissues of tendons, muscles, bones and joints, with associated tenderness. The pain and stiffness (fibromyalgia) may affect the whole body or may be restricted to certain parts of the body, as in myofascial pain…
General Illness Information Medical Term: FOOD POISONING Common Name: None Specified Description: Abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms caused by contaminated food ,consumed within the preceding 48 hours. The illness may be caused by bacterial infection itself or by the chemical toxins produced by the bacteria, that contaminated the food. Can affect people who consumed the food (e.g. in restaurant, day care etc.). Symptoms due to bacteria toxins will present in 1-12…
General Illness Information Common Name: ANEMIA, FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY Medical Term: None Specified Description: Folic acid anemia is a megaloblastic anemia caused by lack of folic acid. In this type of anemia, bone marrow produces large, abnormal red blood cells (megaloblasts). It is often accompanied by iron-deficiency anemia. Folic acid is a vitamin found in raw vegetables, fresh fruit and meats and is destroyed by cooking. It is stored in…
General Illness Information Medical Term: FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE Common Name: Benign breast disease Description: Fibrocystic breast disease is a generalized term for non- malignant lumps in breasts, causing pain. Although it is called a disease, it is not really a disease. Therefore the term benign breast disease or fibrocystic condition would be more appropriate. The benign lumps are usually smooth, regular and mobile. At least 50% of women have benign…
General Illness Information Medical Term: FIBROID TUMORS OF THE UTERUS Common Name: None Specified Description: A fibroid is a benign growth of cells in the muscular wall of the uterus. Cells are composed of mainly muscle cells, but with varying amounts of fibrous connective tissue. They may be present as solitary or multiple tumors. The size of the tumor may range from size of a pea to as large as…