General

A condition of the bile ducts in which inflammation causes scars within the bile ducts is called primary sclerosing cholangitis. These ducts carry the digestive liquid (bile) from the liver to the small bowel. Scars that appear due to inflammation may narrow the ducts and make it difficult for bile to flow. Over time, this […]

An inherited blood disorder that causes the body to have decreased hemoglobin is called thalassemia. The chemical that helps red blood cells carry oxygen is called hemoglobin. People with thalassemia usually experience extreme tiredness (fatigue) and anemia (low red blood cell count). Those who have a mild form of thalassemia may not need treatment. In […]

A health condition in which the lower part of the aorta (the body’s main artery) becomes enlarged is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The primary artery of the body starts from the heart and moves through the center of the chest and the abdominal (belly) region. Moreover, it is the largest blood vessel in the […]

This is a condition in which brief and sudden lapses of consciousness happen. It is called an absence seizure and mostly occurs in children rather than adults. Children with this seizure type may stare blankly into space for several seconds. Thereafter, he/she returns quickly to be alert. Usually, this condition does not cause physical injuries, […]

A swallowing health condition that negatively affects the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach) is called achalasia. It often happens due to damage to the nerves that control the esophagus muscles. They help squeeze food and liquid into the stomach. In people with achalasia, food may begin to collect in the […]

A condition in which the back of the lower leg is injured is called Achilles tendon rupture. In most cases, this condition occurs in people who play recreational sports, but it may happen to anyone. This tendon is a strong fibrous cord that links the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel […]

A tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is called an ACL injury. This ligament is one of the strongest bands of tissue that links the thigh bone (also called femur) to the shinbone (tibia). In most cases, ACL injuries occur during sports that involve sudden and frequent starts, stops, direction changes, jumping, […]

Stress on the eardrum that happens when air pressure in the middle ear is out of balance compared to the environment is called airplane ear (also known as ear barotrauma). People usually get this condition when an airplane is climbing after takeoff or descending for landing. Sometimes, this condition is called barotitis media or aerotitis […]

A serious health condition (sometimes deadly) that happens due to heavy alcohol drinking in a short time is called alcohol poisoning. Those who drink large alcohol amounts in a short period may experience problems with breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and reflexes. Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous condition that sometimes may lead to coma and […]

A heart condition in which an irregular or fast heart rhythm occurs is called atrial fibrillation (AFib). However, irregular heart rhythm is another condition of the heart called arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation may lead to blood clots in the heart as well as other conditions. These include heart failure, stroke, and others. In people with AFib, […]