Anemias, Anesthesia, local, Aneurysmectomy, Angina, Angiography, Angioplasty, Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Anemias:

 Anemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin (the component of red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues throughout the body).
Anesthesia, general: General anesthesia is the induction of a state of unconsciousness with the absence of pain sensation over the entire body, through the administration of anesthetic drugs. It is used during certain medical and surgical procedures.

Anesthesia, local: 

Local or regional anesthesia involves the injection or application of an anesthetic drug to a specific area of the body, as opposed to the entire body and brain as occurs during general anesthesia.

Aneurysmectomy: 

Aneurysmectomy is a surgical procedure performed to repair a weak area in the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the bcdy and the main blood vessel leading away from the heart.

Angina: 

Angina is pain, “discomfort,” or pressure localized in the chest that is caused by an insufficient supply of blood (isch¬emia) to the heart muscle. It is also sometimes characterized by a feeling of choking, suffocation, or crushing heaviness. This condition is also called angina pectoris. Often described as a muscle spasm and choking sensation, the term “angina” is used primarily to describe chest (thoracic) pain originating from insufficient oxygen to the heart muscle. An episode of angina is not an actual heart attack, but rather pain that results from the heart muscle temporarily receiving too little blood. This temporary condition may be the result of demanding activi¬ties such as exercise and does not necessarily indicate that the heart muscle is experiencing permanent damage. In fact, episodes of angina seldom cause permanent damage to heart muscle. Angina can be subdivided further into two categories: angina of effort and variant angina..

Angiography: 

Angiography is the x-ray study of the blood ves¬sels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or dye, to make the blood vessels visible under x-ray. Arteriography is a type of angiography that involves the study of the arteries.

Angioplasty: 

Angioplasty is a term describing a procedure used to widen vessels narrowed by stenoses or occlusions. There are various types of these procedures and their names are associated with the type of vessel entry and equipment used. For example, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) describes entry through the skin (percutaneous) and navigates to the area of the vessel of interest through the same vessel or one that communicates with it (transluminal). In the case of a procedure involving the coronary arteries, the point of entry could be the femoral artery in the groin and the cath- eter/guidewire system is passed through the aorta to the heart and the origin of the coronary arteries at the base of the aorta just outside the aortic valve.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: 

Angiotensin-convert-ing enzyme inhibitors (also called ACE inhibitors) are medicines that block the conversion of the chemical angiotensin I to a sub¬stance that increases salt and water retention in the body.

Anal atresia, Anal cancer, Anal warts, Analgesics, Anaphylaxis

Anal atresia:

 The anus is either not present or it is in the wrong place. There are basically two kinds of anal atresia. In boys with high anal atresia, there may be a channel (fistula) con¬necting the large intestine to either the urethra (which delivers urine from the bladder) or the bladder itself. In girls, the chan¬nel may connect with the vagina. Sixty percent of children with high anal atresia have other defects, including problems with the esophagus, urinary tract, and bones. In low anal atresia, the chann el may open in front of the circular mass of muscles that constrict to close the anal opening (anal sphincter) or, in boys, below the scrotum. Occasionally, the intestine ends just under the skin. It is estimated that overall abnormalities of the anus and rectum occur in about one in every 5,000 births and are slightly more common among boys. A mother who has one child with these kind of conditions has a 1% chance of having another child who suffers from this ailment.

Anal cancer:

 Anal cancer is an uncommon form of cancer affect¬ing the anus. The anus is the inch-and-a-half-long end portion of the large intestine, which opens to allow solid wastes to exit the body. Other parts of the large intestine include the colon and the rectum.

Anal warts: 

Anal warts, also known as condyloma acuminata, are small warts that can occur in the rectum. Initially appear as tiny blemishes that can be as small as the head of a pin or grow into larger cauliflowerlike protuberances. They can be yellow, pink, or light brown in color, and only rarely are painful or uncomfortable. In fact, infected individuals often are unaware that they exist. Most cases are caused by sexual transmission. Most individuals have between one to 10 genital warts that range in size from roughly 0.5-1.9 cm2. Some will complain of painless bumps or itching, but often, these warts can remain completely unnoticed.

Analgesics: 

Analgesics are medicines that relieve pain.

Analgesics, opioid: 

Opioid analgesics, also known as narcotic analgesics, are pain relievers that act on the central nervous system. Like all narcotics, they may become habit-forming if used over long periods.

Anaphylaxis: 

Anaphylaxis is a rapidly progressing, life-threat¬ening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a type of allergic reaction, in which the immune system responds to otherwise harmless substances from the environment. Unlike other al¬lergic reactions, however, anaphylaxis can kill. Reaction may begin within minutes or even seconds of exposure, and rapidly progress to cause airway constriction, skin and intestinal ir¬ritation, and altered heart rhythms. In severe cases, it can result in complete airway obstruction, shock, and death.

kr-y-tc dosis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Anaerobic infections

kr-y-tc dosis: 

Amyloidosis is a progressive, incurable, metabolic
disease characterized by abnormal deposits of protein in one or more organs or body systems. Amyloid proteins are manu¬factured by malfunctioning bone marrow. Amyloidosis, which occurs when accumulated amyloid deposits impair normal body function, can cause organ failure or death. It is a rare disease, occurring in about eight of every 1,000,000 people. It affects males and females equally and usually develops after the age of 40. At least 15 types of amyloidosis have been identified. Each one is associated with deposits of a different kind of protein.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that breaks down tissues in the nervous system (a neurodegenerative disease) of unknown cause that affects the nerves responsible for movement. It is also known as motor neuron disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the baseball player whose career it ended. ALS is a disease of the motor neurons, those nerve cells reaching from the brain to the spinal cord (upper motor neurons) and the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves (lower motor neurons) that control muscle movement. In ALS, for unknown reasons, these neurons die, leading to a progressive loss of the ability to move virtually any of the muscles in the body. ALS affects “voluntary” muscles, those controlled by conscious thought, such as the arm, leg, and trunk muscles. ALS, in and of itself, does not affect sensation, thought processes, the heart muscle, or the “smooth” muscle of the digestive system, bladder, and other internal organs. Most people with ALS retain function of their eye muscles as well. However, various forms of ALS maybe associated with a loss of intellectual function (dementia) or sensory symptoms. “Amyotrophic” refers to the loss of muscle bulk, a cardinal sign of ALS. “Lateral” indicates one of the regions of the spinal cord affected, and “sclerosis” describes the hardened tissue that develops in place of healthy nerves. ALS affects approximately 30,000 people in the United States, with about 5,000 new cases each year. It usually begins between the ages of 40 and 70, although younger onset is possible. Men are slightly more likely to develop ALS than women. ALS progresses rapidly in most cases. It is fatal within three years for 50% of all people affected, and within five years for 80%. Ten percent of people with ALS live beyond eight years.

Anaerobic infections: 

An anaerobic infection is an infection caused by bacteria (called anaerobes) which cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria can infect deep wounds, deep tissues, and internal organs where there is little oxygen. These infections are characterized by abscess formation, foul-smelling pus, and tissue destruction. Anaerobic means “life without air.” Anaerobic bacteria grow in places which completely, or almost completely, lack oxygen. They are normally found in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina, and on the skin. Commonly known diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria include gas gangrene, tetanus, and botulism. Nearly all dental infections are caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria can cause an infection when a normal barrier (such as skin, gums, or intestinal wall) is dam¬aged due to surgery, injury, or disease. Usually, the immune system kills any invading bacteria, but sometimes the bacteria are able to grow and cause an infection. Body sites that have tissue destruction (necrosis) or a poor blood supply are low in oxygen and favor the growth of anaerobic bacteria. The low oxygen condition can result from blood vessel disease, shock, injury, and surgery. Anaerobic bacteria can cause infection — practically anywhere in the body. For example:
• Mouth, head, and neck. Infections can occur in the root canals, gums (gingivitis), jaw, tonsils, throat, sinuses, and ears.
• Lung. Anaerobic bacteria can cause pneumonia, lung abscesses, infecton of the lining of the lung (empyema), and dilated lung bronchi (bronchiectasis).
• Intraabdominal. Anaerobic infections within the abdomen include abscess formation, peritonitis, and appendicitis.
• Female genital tract. Anaerobic bacteria can cause pelvic abscesses, pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammation of the uterine lining (endometritis), and pelvic infections following abortion, childbirth, and surgery.
• Skin and soft tissue. Anaerobic bacteria are common causes -- of diabetic skin ulcers, gangrene, destructive infection of the
deep skin and tissues (necrotizing fascitis), and bite wound infections.
• Central nervous system. Anaerobic bacteria can cause brain and spinal cord abscesses.
• Bloodstream. Anaerobic bacteria can be found in the blood¬stream of ill patients (a condition called bacteremia).

Amino acid disorders screening, Aminoglycosides, Amnesia, Vnntocentesis, Amcutation, Arrytase tests

Amino acid disorders screening:

 Amino acid disorder screening checks for inherited disorders in amino acid metabolism. Tests are most commonly done on newborns. Two tests are available, one using a blood sample and the other a urine sample.

Aminoglycosides: 

Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiot¬ics that are used to treat certain bacterial infections. This group of antibiotics includes at least eight drugs: amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and tobramycin. All of these drugs have the same basic chemical structure.

Amnesia:

 Amnesia refers to the loss of memory. Memory loss may result from two-sided (bilateral) damage to parts of the train vital for memory storage, processing, or recall (the limbic srstem, including the hippocampus in the medial temporal lobe) . Amnesia can be a symptom of several neurodegenerative mseases; however, people whose primary symptom is memory loss (amnesiacs), typically remain lucid and retain their sense of self. They may even be aware that they suffer from a memory disorder. People who experience amnesia have been instru¬mental in helping brain researchers determine how the brain processes memory. Until the early 1970s, researchers viewed memory as a single entity. Memory of new experiences, motor skills, past events, and previous conditioning were grouped : gather in one system that relied on a specific area of the train. If all memory were stored in the same way, it would be reasonable to deduce that damage to the specific brain area would cause complete memory loss. However, studies of amnesiacs counter that theory. Such research demonstrates ahaa the brain has multiple systems for processing, storing, and drawing on memory.

Vnntocentesis:

 Amniocentesis is a procedure used to diagnose fe¬tal defects in the early second trimester of pregnancy. A sample of the amniotic fluid, which surrounds a fetus in the womb, is -xlected through a pregnant woman’s abdomen using a needle and syringe. Tests performed on fetal cells found in the sample an reveal the presence of i nany types of genetic disorders, thus A doctors and prospective parents to make important decisions about early treatment and intervention.

Amcutation: 

Amputation is the intentional surgical removal of a limb or body part. It is performed to remove diseased tissue or relieve pain.

Arrytase tests: 

Amylase is a digestive enzyme made primarily by the pancreas and salivary glands. Enzymes are substances m s ie and used by the body to trigger specific chemical reac¬ts : .is. The primary function of the enzyme amylase is to break down starches in food so that they can be used by the body. Astyiase testing is usually done to determine the cause of sudden abdominal pain.

Alport syndrome, Altitude sickness, Alzheimer's disease, Amenorrhea

Alport syndrome: 

A hereditary disease of the kidneys that pri¬marily affects men, causing blood in the urine, hearing loss and eye problems. Eventually, kidney dialysis or transplant maybe necessary. Alport syndrome affects about one in 5,000 Americans, striking men more often and severely than women. There are several varieties of the syndrome, some occurring in childhood and others not causing symptoms until men reach their 20s or 30s. All varieties of the syndrome are characterized by kidney disease that usually progresses to chronic kidney failure and by uremia (the presence of excessive amounts of urea and other waste products in the blood).

Altitude sickness: 

Altitude sickness is a general term encom¬passing a spectrum of disorders that occur at higher altitudes. Since the severity of symptoms varies with altitude, it is im¬portant to understand the range of the different altitudes that may be involved. High altitude is defined as height greater than 8,000 feet (2,438 m); medium altitude is defined as height between 5,000 and 8,000 feet (1,524-2,438 m); and extreme altitude is defined as height greater than 19,000 feet (5,791 m). The majority of healthy individuals suffer from altitude s.ckness when they reach very high altitudes. In addition, about 20% of people ascending above 9,000 (2,743 m) feet in one day will develop altitude sickness. Children under six years and women in the premenstrual part of their cycles may be more vulnerable. Individuals with preexisting medicalconditions—even a minor respiratory infection—may become sick at more moderate altitudes.

Alzheimer's disease: 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most com¬mon form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. AD usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a decline in cognitive functions such as remembering, reasoning, and planning.
Amblyopia: Amblyopia is an uncorrectable decrease in vision in one or both eyes with no apparent structural abnormality seen to explain it. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that when a decrease in vision is detected, other causes must be ruled out. Once no other cause is found, amblyopia is the diagnosis. Generally, a difference of two lines or more (on an eye-chart test of visual acuity) between the two eyes ora best corrected vision of 20/30 or worse would be defined as amblyopia. For example, if someone has 20/20 vision with the right eye and only 20/40 with the left, and the left eye cannot achieve better vision with corrective lenses, the left eye is said to be amblyopic. Amebiasis: Amebiasis is an infectious disease caused by a para¬sitic one-celled microorganism (protozoan) called Entamoeba histolytica. Persons with amebiasis may experience a wide range of symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, and cramps. The disease may also affect the intestines, liver, or other parts of the body.

Amenorrhea: 

The absence of menstrual periods is called amen¬orrhea. Primary amenorrhea is the failure to start having a period by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea is more com¬mon and refers to either the temporary or permanent ending of periods in a woman who has menstruated normally in the past. Many women miss a period occasionally. Amenorrhea occurs if a woman misses three or more periods in a row. The absence of menstrual periods is a symptom, not a disease. While the average age that menstruation begins is 12, the range varies. The incidence of primary amenorrhea in the United States is just 2.5%. Some female athletes who participate in rowing, long distance running, and cycling, may notice a few' missed periods. Women athletes at a particular risk for developing amenorrhea include ballerinas and gymnasts, who typically exercise strenuously and eat poorly.