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BURNS
> Caused by damage to the skin that causes the cells to die. Cause can be fire, overexposure to the sun, dry/wet heat, electricity, radiation, etc.
> Signs/symptoms range from mild inflammation to blistering and damage to the epidermis, or black charred edges, in severe cases. |
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IMPETIGO
> Bacterial (Staphylococcus or Streptococcus) infection of the skin.
> Signs/symptoms include distinctive diamond-shaped "scales" on the skin, usually on the lower legs. |
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BOILS
> Localized bacterial infections of the skin, usually caused by staphylococcus areus.
> Appear as painful, red, hot pustules on the skin either singly or interconnected in clusters called carbuncles. |
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DECUBITIS ULCER
> Also called bedsores, this is caused by impaired circulation to irreplaceable tissue death.
> Remain as open wounds that are highly vulnerable to infection. |
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FIBROMYALGIA
> Chronic pain syndrome involving sleep disorders and the development of a predictable pattern of tender points in muscles & other soft tissues.
> Diagnosed when other diseases have been ruled out, and wehn 11 active trigger points are found distributed among all quadrants of the body. |
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SPASM
> Involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle, considered low-grade and long-lasting.
> Painful and may cause inefficient movement, but may not have acute symptoms. |
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OSTEOPOROSIS
> Loss of bone mass & density brought about by endocrine imbalances & poor metabolism of calcium.
> Identified by x-ray & bone-density test. In later stages, compression or spontaneous fractures of the vertebrae, wrists, or hips may be present. |
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LYME DISEASE
> Bacterial infection spread by the bites of specific species of ticks.
> Signs/symptoms include "bull's eye" rash at the site of the tick bite; red, itchy, hot skin. May be accompanied by fever, fatigue & joint pain. |
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GOUT
> Inflammatory arthritis caused by deposits of sodium urate in and around joints, especially in the feet.
> Signs/symptoms include red, hot, swollen, shiny & extremely painful joints. |
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THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME
> Collection of signs & symptoms brought about by occlusion of nerve & blood supply to the arm.
> Signs/symptoms include shooting pains, weakness, numbness & parasthesia. |
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ALZHEIMER'S
> Degenerative disorder of the brain involving shrinkage & death of neural tissue.
> Signs/symptoms include progressive memory loss, deterioration of language & cognitive skills, disorientation & lack of ability to care for oneself. |
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STROKE
> Damage to the brain tissue caused either by a blockage in blood flow or by an internal hemorrhage.
> Signs/symptoms include paralysis, weakness, or numbness on one side; blurry or diminished vision, dizziness, confusion, difficulty in speaking or understanding sentences, sudden extreme headache & possible loss of consciousness. |
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PARKINSON'S
> Degenerative disease of the substantia nigra cells, which produce the neurotransmitter dopamine (for balance & coordination).
> Signs/symptoms include general stiffnes & fatigue; resting tremor of the hand, foot, or head; poor balance. |
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ENCEPHALYTIS
> Inflammation of the brain usually brought about by a viral infection.
> Signs/symptoms include fever, headache, confusion, and personality and memory changes. |
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BELL'S PALSY
> Flaccid paralysis of one side of the face caused by inflammation or damage to the the facial nerve.
> Signs/symptoms include droopoing of the facial muscles, difficulty drinking & eating, pain, headaches, hypersensitivity to sound, and drooling. |
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ANEMIA
> Symptom rather than disease in itself. Indicates shortage of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin.
> Signs/symptoms include pallor, shortness of breath, fatigue & poor resistance to cold. |
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LEUKEMIA
> Collection of blood disorders involving the production of nonfunctioning white blood cells in bone marrow.
> Signs/symptoms include anemia, easy bruising from lack of platelets & low resistance to infection. |
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EMBOLISM
> Blood clots that travel through the circulatory system.
> Signs/symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and blood-streaked sputum. |
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ANEURYSM
> Bulge or outpouching in a vein, artery or the heart.
> Signs/symptoms differ based on location (thoracic, abdominal, or cerebral). |
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ATHEROSCLEROSIS
> Condition in which the arteries become elastic and brittle because of plaque.
> Connected to several other types of circulatory problems, including hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease & peripheral vascular disease. |
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ULCERS
> Sores that for various reasons do not go through a normal healing process, but remain open & vulnerable to infection.
> Signs/symptoms include general burning or gnawing abdominal pain, bloating, burping, gas, or consisten vomitting after meals. |
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APPENDICITIS
> Inflammation of the vermiform appendix, usually resulting from a blockage of fecal matter or lymphatic inflammation.
> Signs/symptoms include general abdominal pain that gradually settles in the lower right quadrant. Also include fever, nausea, vomiting, food aversion, constipation & diarrhea. |
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GALLSTONES
> Crystallized formations of cholesterol or bile pigments in the gallbladder.
> Few symptoms appear, including pain lasting several hours either in the upper right side of the abdomen or in the back between the scapula & right shoulder. |
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PANCREATIC CANCER
> Growth of malignant cells in the pancreas.
> Signs/symptoms include abdominal discomfort, unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, jaundice, hepatomegaly or splenomegaly, ascites. |
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CROHN'S DISEASE
> Progressive inflammatory condition that may affect any part of the GI tract. Involves development of deep ulcers, blockages & the formation of abnormal passageways in the small & large intestines.
> Signs/symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea & pain in the anus. |
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ASTHMA
> Result of spasmodic constriction of bronchial smooth muscle tubes in combination with chronic local inflammation & excessive mucus production.
> Signs/symptoms include coughing, wheezing and difficulty with breathing, especially exhaling. |
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BRONCHITIS
> Infection & inflammation of the bronchial tree anywhere between the trachea & bronchioles.
> Signs/symptoms include persistent productive cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue and fever. |
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EMPHYSEMA
> Condition in which alveoli of the lungs become stretched out and inelastic.
> Signs/symptoms include shortness of breath with mild or no exertion, chronic dry cough, rales, cyanosis & susceptibility to secondary respiratory infection. |
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CYSTIC FIBROSIS
> Congenital disease of exocrine glands that causes their secretions to become abnormally thick & viscous.
> Signs/symptoms include chronic lung infections, shortness of breath, productive cough, along with digestive difficulties & failure to thrive in very young children. |
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ALLERGIC REACTION
> Immune system mistake in which an inflammatory immune system response becomes pontentially dangerous as it overreacts to a variety of triggers.
> Sign/symptoms include swelling around the face & throat that may obstruct airflow, decreased blood pressure, bronchospasm, hives/rashes. |
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MONONUCLEOSIS
> Infection, usually with Epstein Barr virus, in the salivary glands, throat, liver, spleen & lymph nodes.
> Signs/symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, profound fatigue, low stamina, and enlarged spleen & liver. |
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LYMPHOMA
> Any variety of cancer that grow in the lymph nodes.
> Signs/symptoms include painless swelling of the lymph nodes, anemia, fatigue, low-grade fever, night sweats, itchiness, abdominal pain & loss of appetite. |
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HIV/AIDS
> Attacks & disables the immune system, leaving a person vulnerable to a host of diseases that are typically not a threat.
> Signs/symptoms include flu-like symptoms, followed by an interval with none. Development of herpes simplex & zoster. |
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LUPUS
> Autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack various types of tissue throughout the body.
> Eleven specific criteria for diagnosis: arthritis in two or more joints, pleurisy, pericarditis, kidney & nervous system dysfunction. |
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