Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «A»:
-
Aarskog syndrome
Aarskog syndrome is an inherited disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance of the face. Inherited means that it is passed down through families.
Causes
Aarskog syndrome is a genetic disorder that is linked to the X chromosome. It affects mainly males, but f...
-
Aase syndrome
Aase syndrome is a rare disorder that involves anemia and certain joint and skeletal deformities.
Causes
Most cases of Aase syndrome occur without a known reason and are not passed down through families (inherited). However, some cases have been shown to be inherited.
The anemia in Aase syndrome is...
-
Abdomen - swollen
A swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.
See also: Abdominal girth
Considerations
Abdominal swelling, or distention, is a common condition, which usually results from over-eating, rather than from a serious illness. Simple weight gain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pregnancy,...
-
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include:
Smoking
High blood pressure
High cholester...
-
Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair - open
Open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is surgery to fix a widened part (or aneurysm) in your aorta, the large artery that carries blood to your belly (abdomen), pelvis, and legs.
An aortic aneurysm is when part of this artery becomes too large or balloons outward.
Your surgeon opens up your belly a...
-
Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair - open - discharge
You had open aortic aneurysm repair to repair an aneurysm (a widened part) in your aorta, the large artery that carries blood to your belly (abdomen), pelvis, and legs.
You have a 5- to 6-inch cut either in the middle of your belly or on the left side of your belly. Your surgeon repaired your aorta ...
-
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen (belly) feels full and tight. The abdomen may be visibly swollen (distended).
Causes
Common causes include:
Air swallowing (a nervous habit)
Constipation
Gastroesophageal reflux
Irritable bowel syndrome
Lactose intolerance and other food ...
-
Abdominal CT scan
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography.
See also: CT scan
How the Test is Performed
You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Usually, you wil...
-
Abdominal exploration
Abdominal exploration is surgery to examine the contents of the abdomen. Surgery that opens the abdomen is called a laparotomy. Laparotomy may also be done to treat certain health problems and conditions.
Description
An abdominal exploration (laparotomy) is done while you are under general anesthes...
-
Abdominal film
Abdominal films are x-ray images of the abdomen.
How the Test is Performed
The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist.
You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. Yo...
-
Abdominal girth
Abdominal girth is the measurement of the distance around the abdomen at a specific point, usually at the level of the belly button (navel). Measuring abdominal girth is used to diagnose and monitor the following:
Buildup of fluid in the abdomen, most often caused by liver failure or heart failure
...
-
Abdominal mass
An abdominal mass is swelling in one specific part of the belly area (abdomen).
Considerations
An abdominal mass is usually detected on routine physical examination. Most of the time they develop slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass.
Where the pain occurs helps the doctor make a diagnosis. ...
-
Abdominal MRI scan
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the abdomen is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the inside of the belly area.
Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic (CT) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The MRI scanner contains the magnet. The magn...
-
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
Considerations
Almost everyone experiences pain in the abdomen at one time or another. Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical problem.
There are man...
-
Abdominal radiation - discharge
When you have radiation treatment for cancer, your body goes through some changes.
Two weeks after radiation treatment starts, you might have changes in your skin. Your skin and mouth may turn red. Your skin might start to peel or get dark. Your skin may itch.
Most of these symptoms will go away aft...
