Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — is thin and gradually booms in a cone shape outwards. A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision, which may cause sensitivity to light which glare irritation. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, and usually first affects people between the ages of […]
What is intussusception? Intussusception is a condition that causes an intestinal obstruction (blockage) in one segment of the intestine ‘telescopes’ inside another. While intussusception can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, it typically occurs at small and large intestine junctions. The obstruction can cause swelling and inflammation which can result in bowel injury. The exact […]
Iritis (i-RYE-is) swells and irritates (inflammation) in the coloured ring around the pupil (iris) of your eye. Another name for the iritis is uveitis anterior. The uvea is the central layer of the eye between the retina and the eye’s white part. The iris is in the front (anterior) portion of the uvea. Iritis is […]
Overview Melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, grows in melanin-producing cells (melanocytes)—the pigment that gives the skin its colour. Melanoma can also grow within your eyes and, sometimes, within your body, including in your nose or neck. The exact cause of all melanomas is not clear, but the risk of developing melanoma is […]
Menopause Menopause is the time marking the conclusion of the menstrual cycles. It is treated after you have gone without a menstrual cycle for 12 months. Menopause can occur in your 40s or 50s but in the United States the average age is 51. Menopause is a hormonal process. But physical symptoms such as hot […]
Overview Mumps is a viral infection that affects mainly the saliva-producing (salivary) glands located between your mouth and near your ears. Mumps in one or both of those glands may cause swelling. Mumps was widespread in the U.S. before vaccination with the mumps became routine. The number of cases has shrunk significantly since then. Mumps […]
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a paragliding term for a variety of liver conditions that affect people who drink little to no alcohol. As the name suggests, NAFLD has too much fat contained in the liver cells as its key characteristic. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is also known as fatty liver. NAFLD is […]
Overview Fibrous tissue called scar tissue grows around the wound to heal and protect the injury when skin injure. The extra scar tissue develops in some cases, producing smooth, rough growths called keloids. Keloids can be considerably larger than the original cut. Most usually they are found on the chest, shoulders, earlobes and cheeks. Keloids, […]
Overview Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual cramps) are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women suffer from menstrual cramps just before and during menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, menstrual cramps may be serious enough to interfere with the daily activities every month for a few days. Menstrual cramps […]
Overview Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum, close to varicose veins, which are sometimes called piles. Hemorrhoids can grow within the rectum (inner hemorrhoids) or around the anus (external hemorrhoids) under the skin. Close to three out of four adults will occasionally have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids have multiple causes but the cause […]
