General

A type of anxiety disorders that cause fear and avoidance of places or situations that cause panic or feelings of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed is called agoraphobia. People with this anxiety disorder usually experience fear due to an actual or upcoming event or situation. For example, some people experience fear when using public transport, […]

Small and dark areas on the skin are called age spots (also known as liver spots). These spots usually vary in size and mostly appear in areas that are continuously exposed to the sun. For example, the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. Sometimes, age spots are called sunspots or solar lentigines. These spots are very […]

A condition that causes excessive reactions to stress is called adjustment disorder. It involves strong emotions, negative thoughts, and behavioral changes. In other words, a stressful situation causes much more intense reactions than expected. Therefore, it causes multiple problems in getting along with others at work or school. In general, stress can be caused by […]

A mental health condition that includes multiple persistent problems (such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior) is called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When this mental disorder occurs in adults, it may cause relationship problems, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems. Commonly, ADHD begins during childhood and continues into adulthood. In […]

A lung swelling caused by a fluid buildup in the small air sacs (also known as alveoli) is called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Moreover, lung swelling damages the protective layer of the alveoli. Thereafter, fluid begins to leak into these tiny air sacs, which prevents the lungs from getting enough air. As a result, […]

A condition in which the kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste from the blood is called acute kidney injury. In people with this condition, harmful substances in the blood begin to build up, which makes the blood’s chemical makeup get out of balance. Sometimes, this condition is called acute kidney failure. It often happens […]

A benign (noncancerous) tumor that appears on the nerve that goes from the inner ear to the brain is called an acoustic neuroma. The nerve is called the vestibular nerve, and it affects balance and hearing. When a person develops an acoustic neuroma, he/she may experience deafness (loss of hearing), ringing in the ear (also […]

The medical term that describes multiple conditions that cause decreased blood flow to the heart is acute coronary syndrome. These include myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and others. While a heart attack (myocardial infarction) happens when the death of the cells causes damage to the heart tissue, unstable angina often occurs when blood flow to the […]

Pain that occurs below the belly button and between the hips and lasts for more than half a year is called chronic pelvic pain. Usually, this condition appears due to multiple factors, or it can be a symptom of other health problems. Usually, to treat chronic pelvic pain caused by another disease, it is enough […]

A complicated condition that causes extreme fatigue for at least 6 months is called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The symptoms usually worsen with mental or physical activity and do not improve completely with rest. Healthcare providers do not know the exact cause of CFS but believe multiple factors are involved. Furthermore, […]