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What are the symptoms of Heart Murmur ?
People who have innocent (harmless) heart murmurs don't have any signs or symptoms other than the murmur itself. This is because innocent heart murmurs aren't caused by heart problems. People who have abnormal heart murmurs may have signs or symptoms of the heart problems causing the murmurs. These sig...
Heart Murmur
How to diagnose Heart Murmur ?
Doctors use a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds and hear heart murmurs. They may detect heart murmurs during routine checkups or while checking for another condition. If a congenital heart defect causes a murmur, it's often heard at birth or during infancy. Abnormal heart murmurs caused by other he...
Heart Murmur
What are the treatments for Heart Murmur ?
A heart murmur isn't a disease. It's an extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat. Thus, murmurs themselves don't require treatment. However, if an underlying condition is causing a heart murmur, your doctor may recommend treatment for that condition. Innocent (Harmless) Heart Murmurs ...
Heart Murmur
What is (are) Marfan Syndrome ?
Marfan syndrome is a condition in which your body's connective tissue is abnormal. Connective tissue helps support all parts of your body. It also helps control how your body grows and develops. Marfan syndrome most often affects the connective tissue of the heart and blood vessels, eyes, bones, lungs,...
Marfan Syndrome
What causes Marfan Syndrome ?
Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder. A mutation, or change, in the gene that controls how the body makes fibrillin causes Marfan syndrome. Fibrillin is a protein that plays a major role in your body's connective tissue. Most people who have Marfan syndrome inherit it from their parents. If you have t...
Marfan Syndrome
Who is at risk for Marfan Syndrome? ?
People at highest risk for Marfan syndrome are those who have a family history of the condition. If you have Marfan syndrome, you have a 50 percent chance of passing the altered gene to each of your children. Marfan syndrome affects about 1 out of every 5,000 people in the United States. Men, women, an...
Marfan Syndrome
What are the symptoms of Marfan Syndrome ?
Marfan syndrome can affect many parts of the body. As a result, the signs and symptoms of the disorder vary from person to person, even in the same family. Marfan complications also vary, depending on how the condition affects your body. Marfan syndrome most often affects the connective tissue of the h...
Marfan Syndrome
How to diagnose Marfan Syndrome ?
Your doctor will diagnose Marfan syndrome based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and test results. He or she also will consult a set of guidelines called Ghent criteria, which are used to diagnose Marfan syndrome. Marfan syndrome can be hard to diagnose. This is because its signs,...
Marfan Syndrome
What are the treatments for Marfan Syndrome ?
Marfan syndrome has no cure. However, treatments can help delay or prevent complications, especially when started early. Marfan syndrome can affect many parts of your body, including your heart, bones and joints, eyes, nervous system, and lungs. The type of treatment you receive will depend on your sig...
Marfan Syndrome
What is (are) Heart Palpitations ?
Palpitations (pal-pi-TA-shuns) are feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or too fast. You may have these feelings in your chest, throat, or neck. They can occur during activity or even when you're sitting still or lying down. Overview Many things ...
Heart Palpitations
What causes Heart Palpitations ?
Many things can cause palpitations. You may have these feelings even when your heart is beating normally or somewhat faster than normal. Most palpitations are harmless and often go away on their own. However, some palpitations are signs of a heart problem. Sometimes the cause of palpitations can't be f...
Heart Palpitations
Who is at risk for Heart Palpitations? ?
Some people may be more likely than others to have palpitations. People at increased risk include those who: Have anxiety or panic attacks, or people who are highly stressed Take certain medicines or stimulants Have certain medical conditions that aren't related to hea...
Heart Palpitations
What are the symptoms of Heart Palpitations ?
Symptoms of palpitations include feelings that your heart is: Skipping a beat Fluttering Beating too hard or too fast You may have these feelings in your chest, throat, or neck. They can occur during activity or even when you're sitting still or lying ...
Heart Palpitations
How to diagnose Heart Palpitations ?
First, your doctor will want to find out whether your palpitations are harmless or related to a heart problem. He or she will ask about your symptoms and medical history, do a physical exam, and recommend several basic tests. This information may point to a heart problem as the cause of your palpitatio...
Heart Palpitations
What are the treatments for Heart Palpitations ?
Treatment for palpitations depends on their cause. Most palpitations are harmless and often go away on their own. In these cases, no treatment is needed. Avoiding Triggers Your palpitations may be harmless but bothersome. If so, your doctor may suggest avoiding things that trigger them...
Heart Palpitations
How to prevent Heart Palpitations ?
You can take steps to prevent palpitations. Try to avoid things that trigger them. For example: Reduce anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress (including panic attacks) are a common cause of harmless palpitations. Relaxation exercises, yoga or tai chi, biofeedback or guided imagery, or aromatherapy may ...
Heart Palpitations
What is (are) Thalassemias ?
Thalassemias (thal-a-SE-me-ahs) are inherited blood disorders. "Inherited" means that the disorder is passed from parents to children through genes. Thalassemias cause the body to make fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin) than normal. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein i...
Thalassemias
What causes Thalassemias ?
Your body makes three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets). Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. Hemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide (a waste gas) from your body to your lungs, where it'...
Thalassemias
Who is at risk for Thalassemias? ?
Family history and ancestry are the two risk factors for thalassemias. Family History Thalassemias are inheritedthat is, the genes for the disorders are passed from parents to their children. If your parents have missing or altered hemoglobin-making genes, you may have thalassemia. ...
Thalassemias
What are the symptoms of Thalassemias ?
A lack of oxygen in the bloodstream causes the signs and symptoms of thalassemias. The lack of oxygen occurs because the body doesn't make enough healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin. The severity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disorder. No Symptoms Alpha thalassemia sile...
Thalassemias
How to diagnose Thalassemias ?
Doctors diagnose thalassemias using blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and special hemoglobin tests. A CBC measures the amount of hemoglobin and the different kinds of blood cells, such as red blood cells, in a sample of blood. People who have thalassemias have fewer healthy red blood ...
Thalassemias
What are the treatments for Thalassemias ?
Treatments for thalassemias depend on the type and severity of the disorder. People who are carriers or who have alpha or beta thalassemia trait have mild or no symptoms. Theyll likely need little or no treatment. Doctors use three standard treatments for moderate and severe forms of thalassemia. These...
Thalassemias
How to prevent Thalassemias ?
You cant prevent thalassemias because theyre inherited (passed from parents to children through genes). However, prenatal tests can detect these blood disorders before birth. Family genetic studies may help find out whether people have missing or altered hemoglobin genes that cause thalassemias. (For m...
Thalassemias
What is (are) Hemochromatosis ?
Hemochromatosis (HE-mo-kro-ma-TO-sis) is a disease in which too much iron builds up in your body (iron overload). Iron is a mineral found in many foods. Too much iron is toxic to your body. It can poison your organs and cause organ failure. In hemochromatosis, iron can build up in most of your body's o...
Hemochromatosis
What causes Hemochromatosis ?
The two types of hemochromatosis are primary and secondary. Each type has a different cause. Primary Hemochromatosis Primary hemochromatosis is caused by a defect in the genes that control how much iron you absorb from food. This form of the disease sometimes is called hereditary or cl...
Hemochromatosis
Who is at risk for Hemochromatosis? ?
Hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic diseases in the United States. It's most common in Caucasians of Northern European descent. The disease is less common in African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians. Primary hemochromatosis is more common in men than in women. Also, olde...
Hemochromatosis
What are the symptoms of Hemochromatosis ?
Hemochromatosis can affect many parts of the body and cause various signs and symptoms. Many of the signs and symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis usually don't occur until middle age. Women are more likely to have general symptoms first, such as fatigu...
Hemochromatosis
How to diagnose Hemochromatosis ?
Your doctor will diagnose hemochromatosis based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and the results from tests and procedures. The disease sometimes is detected while checking for other diseases or conditions, such as arthritis, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, or erectile dys...
Hemochromatosis
What are the treatments for Hemochromatosis ?
Treatments for hemochromatosis include therapeutic phlebotomy (fleh-BOT-o-me), iron chelation (ke-LAY-shun) therapy, dietary changes, and treatment for complications. The goals of treating hemochromatosis include: Reducing the amount of iron in your body to normal levels ...
Hemochromatosis
How to prevent Hemochromatosis ?
You can't prevent primary, or inherited, hemochromatosis. However, not everyone who inherits hemochromatosis genes develops symptoms or complications of the disease. In those who do, treatments can keep the disease from getting worse. Treatments include therapeutic phlebotomy, iron chelation therapy, d...
Hemochromatosis
What is (are) Hemolytic Anemia ?
Hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ick uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over. Red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. These cells carry oxygen to your body. They a...
Hemolytic Anemia
What causes Hemolytic Anemia ?
The immediate cause of hemolytic anemia is the early destruction of red blood cells. This means that red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over. Many diseases, conditions, and factors can cause the body to destroy its red blood cells. These cause...
Hemolytic Anemia
Who is at risk for Hemolytic Anemia? ?
Hemolytic anemia can affect people of all ages and races and both sexes. Some types of hemolytic anemia are more likely to occur in certain populations than others. For example, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency mostly affects males of African or Mediterranean descent. In the United S...
Hemolytic Anemia
What are the symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia ?
The signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia will depend on the type and severity of the disease. People who have mild hemolytic anemia often have no signs or symptoms. More severe hemolytic anemia may cause many signs and symptoms, and they may be serious. Many of the signs and symptoms...
Hemolytic Anemia
How to diagnose Hemolytic Anemia ?
Your doctor will diagnose hemolytic anemia based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and test results. Specialists Involved Primary care doctors, such as a family doctor or pediatrician, may help diagnose and treat hemolytic anemia. Your primary care doctor also may ...
Hemolytic Anemia
What are the treatments for Hemolytic Anemia ?
Treatments for hemolytic anemia include blood transfusions, medicines, plasmapheresis (PLAZ-meh-feh-RE-sis), surgery, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and lifestyle changes. People who have mild hemolytic anemia may not need treatment, as long as the condition doesn't worsen. People who have sev...
Hemolytic Anemia
How to prevent Hemolytic Anemia ?
You can't prevent inherited types of hemolytic anemia. One exception is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. If you're born with G6PD deficiency, you can avoid substances that may trigger the condition. For example, avoid fava beans, naphthalene (a substance found in some moth balls), a...
Hemolytic Anemia
What is (are) Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ?
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (noo-mo-NI-tis), or HP, is a disease in which the lungs become inflamed from breathing in foreign substances, such as molds, dusts, and chemicals. These substances also are known as antigens (AN-tih-jens). People are exposed to antigens at home, while at work, and in other ...
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
What causes Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ?
Repeatedly breathing in foreign substances can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Examples of these substances include molds, dusts, and chemicals. (Mold often is the cause of HP.) These substances also are known as antigens. Over time, your lungs can become sensitive to antigens. If this happens...
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Who is at risk for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis? ?
People who repeatedly breathe in foreign substances are at risk for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). These substances, which also are known as antigens, include molds, dusts, and chemicals. However, most people who breathe in these substances don't develop HP. People at increased risk include: ...
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
What are the symptoms of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ?
Signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) depend on whether the disease is acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). Acute Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis With acute HP, symptoms usually occur within 29 hours of exposure to an antigen you're sensitive to. (An antigen is a sub...
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
How to diagnose Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ?
To diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), your doctor must pinpoint the antigen that's causing the disease and its source. (An antigen is a substance that your body reacts against, such as molds, dusts, and chemicals.) Your doctor will ask you detailed questions about: Your curren...
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
What are the treatments for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ?
The best way to treat hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is to avoid the antigen that caused it. (An antigen is a substance that your body reacts against, such as molds, dusts, and chemicals.) In acute (short-term) HP, symptoms usually go away once you're no longer in contact with the antigen. In chroni...
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
What is (are) Cardiogenic Shock ?
Cardiogenic (kar-dee-oh-JE-nik) shock is a condition in which a suddenly weakened heart isn't able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. The condition is a medical emergency and is fatal if not treated right away. The most common cause of cardiogenic shock is damage to the heart muscle from a ...
Cardiogenic Shock
What causes Cardiogenic Shock ?
Immediate Causes Cardiogenic shock occurs if the heart suddenly can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. The most common cause of cardiogenic shock is damage to the heart muscle from a severe heart attack. This damage prevents the hearts main pumping chamber, the left ventricle...
Cardiogenic Shock
Who is at risk for Cardiogenic Shock? ?
The most common risk factor for cardiogenic shock is having a heart attack. If you've had a heart attack, the following factors can further increase your risk for cardiogenic shock: Older age A history of heart attacks or heart failure Coronary heart disease that affec...
Cardiogenic Shock
What are the symptoms of Cardiogenic Shock ?
A lack of oxygen-rich blood reaching the brain, kidneys, skin, and other parts of the body causes the signs and symptoms of cardiogenic shock. Some of the typical signs and symptoms of shock usually include at least two or more of the following: Confusion or lack of alertness ...
Cardiogenic Shock
How to diagnose Cardiogenic Shock ?
The first step in diagnosing cardiogenic shock is to identify that a person is in shock. At that point, emergency treatment should begin. Once emergency treatment starts, doctors can look for the specific cause of the shock. If the reason for the shock is that the heart isn't pumping strongly enough, t...
Cardiogenic Shock
What are the treatments for Cardiogenic Shock ?
Cardiogenic shock is life threatening and requires emergency medical treatment. The condition usually is diagnosed after a person has been admitted to a hospital for a heart attack. If the person isn't already in a hospital, emergency treatment can start as soon as medical personnel arrive. The first g...
Cardiogenic Shock
How to prevent Cardiogenic Shock ?
The best way to prevent cardiogenic shock is to lower your risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart attack. (For more information, go to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's "Your Guide to a Healthy Heart.") If you already have CHD, its important to get ongoing treatment from a doctor...
Cardiogenic Shock
What is (are) Aneurysm ?
An aneurysm (AN-u-rism) is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your body. Arteries have thick walls to withstand normal blood pressure. However, certain medical problems, genetic conditions, and trauma can damage or injure artery walls. The forc...
Aneurysm
What causes Aneurysm ?
The force of blood pushing against the walls of an artery combined with damage or injury to the arterys walls can cause an aneurysm. Many conditions and factors can damage and weaken the walls of the aorta and cause aortic aneurysms. Examples include aging, smoking, high blood pressure, and atheroscler...
Aneurysm
Who is at risk for Aneurysm? ?
Certain factors put you at higher risk for an aortic aneurysm. These factors include: Male gender. Men are more likely than women to have aortic aneurysms. Age. The risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms increases as you get older. These aneurysms are more likely to occur in people who ar...
Aneurysm
What are the symptoms of Aneurysm ?
The signs and symptoms of an aortic aneurysm depend on the type and location of the aneurysm. Signs and symptoms also depend on whether the aneurysm has ruptured (burst) or is affecting other parts of the body. Aneurysms can develop and grow for years without causing any signs or symptoms. They often d...
Aneurysm
How to diagnose Aneurysm ?
If you have an aortic aneurysm but no symptoms, your doctor may find it by chance during a routine physical exam. More often, doctors find aneurysms during tests done for other reasons, such as chest or abdominal pain. If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), your doctor may feel a throbbing mas...
Aneurysm
What are the treatments for Aneurysm ?
Aortic aneurysms are treated with medicines and surgery. Small aneurysms that are found early and arent causing symptoms may not need treatment. Other aneurysms need to be treated. The goals of treatment may include: Preventing the aneurysm from growing Preventing or r...
Aneurysm
How to prevent Aneurysm ?
The best way to prevent an aortic aneurysm is to avoid the factors that put you at higher risk for one. You cant control all aortic aneurysm risk factors, but lifestyle changes can help you lower some risks. For example, if you smoke, try to quit. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that ...
Aneurysm
What is (are) Insomnia ?
Espaol Insomnia (in-SOM-ne-ah) is a common sleep disorder. People who have insomnia have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. As a result, they may get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep. They may not feel refreshed when they wake up. Overview Inso...
Insomnia
What causes Insomnia ?
Secondary Insomnia Secondary insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem. This type of insomnia often is a symptom of an emotional, neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder. Emotional disorders that can cause insomnia include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic...
Insomnia
Who is at risk for Insomnia? ?
Insomnia is a common disorder. It affects women more often than men. The disorder can occur at any age. However, older adults are more likely to have insomnia than younger people. People who might be at increased risk for insomnia include those who: Have a lot of stress. ...
Insomnia
What are the symptoms of Insomnia ?
The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep. If you have insomnia, you may: Lie awake for a long time before you fall asleep Sleep for only short periods Be awake for much of the night Feel as if you ...
Insomnia
How to diagnose Insomnia ?
Your doctor will likely diagnose insomnia based on your medical and sleep histories and a physical exam. He or she also may recommend a sleep study. For example, you may have a sleep study if the cause of your insomnia is unclear. Medical History To find out what's causing your insomni...
Insomnia
What are the treatments for Insomnia ?
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia. These changes might make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing) insomnia. Anxiety tends to prolong insomnia. ...
Insomnia
What is (are) Von Willebrand Disease ?
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder. It affects your blood's ability to clot. If your blood doesn't clot, you can have heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding after an injury. The bleeding can damage your internal organs. Rarely, the bleeding may even cause death. In VWD, you either have low level...
Von Willebrand Disease
What causes Von Willebrand Disease ?
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is almost always inherited. "Inherited" means that the disorder is passed from parents to children though genes. You can inherit type 1 or type 2 VWD if only one of your parents passes the gene on to you. You usually inherit type 3 VWD only if both of your parents pass the...
Von Willebrand Disease
What are the symptoms of Von Willebrand Disease ?
The signs and symptoms of von Willebrand disease (VWD) depend on which type of the disorder you have. They also depend on how serious the disorder is. Many people have such mild symptoms that they don't know they have VWD. If you have type 1 or type 2 VWD, you may have the following mild-to-moderate bl...
Von Willebrand Disease
How to diagnose Von Willebrand Disease ?
Early diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is important to make sure that you're treated and can live a normal, active life. Sometimes VWD is hard to diagnose. People who have type 1 or type 2 VWD may not have major bleeding problems. Thus, they may not be diagnosed unless they have heavy bleeding...
Von Willebrand Disease
What are the treatments for Von Willebrand Disease ?
Treatment for von Willebrand disease (VWD) is based on the type of VWD you have and how severe it is. Most cases of VWD are mild, and you may need treatment only if you have surgery, tooth extraction, or an accident. Medicines are used to: Increase the amount of von Willebrand factor a...
Von Willebrand Disease
What is (are) Rh Incompatibility ?
Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood. "Rh-negative" and "Rh-positive" refer to whether your blood has Rh factor. Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells. If you have Rh factor, you're Rh-positive. If you don...
Rh Incompatibility
What causes Rh Incompatibility ?
A difference in blood type between a pregnant woman and her baby causes Rh incompatibility. The condition occurs if a woman is Rh-negative and her baby is Rh-positive. When you're pregnant, blood from your baby can cross into your bloodstream, especially during delivery. If you're Rh-negative and your ...
Rh Incompatibility
Who is at risk for Rh Incompatibility? ?
An Rh-negative woman who conceives a child with an Rh-positive man is at risk for Rhincompatibility. Rh factor is inherited (passed from parents to children through the genes). If you're Rh-negative and the father of your baby is Rh-positive, the baby has a 50 percent or more chance of having Rh-positi...
Rh Incompatibility
What are the symptoms of Rh Incompatibility ?
Rh incompatibility doesn't cause signs or symptoms in a pregnant woman. In a baby, the condition can lead to hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin), an iron-ric...
Rh Incompatibility
How to diagnose Rh Incompatibility ?
Rh incompatibility is diagnosed with blood tests. To find out whether a baby is developing hemolytic anemia and how serious it is, doctors may use more advanced tests, such as ultrasound. Specialists Involved An obstetrician will screen for Rh incompatibility. This is a doctor who spec...
Rh Incompatibility
What are the treatments for Rh Incompatibility ?
Rh incompatibility is treated with a medicine called Rh immune globulin. Treatment for a baby who has hemolytic anemia will vary based on the severity of the condition. Goals of Treatment The goals of treating Rh incompatibility are to ensure that your baby is healthy and to lower your...
Rh Incompatibility
How to prevent Rh Incompatibility ?
Rh incompatibility can be prevented with Rh immune globulin, as long as the medicine is given at the correct times. Once you have formed Rh antibodies, the medicine will no longer help. Thus, a woman who has Rh-negative blood must be treated with Rh immune globulin during and after each pregnancy or af...
Rh Incompatibility
What is (are) Sarcoidosis ?
Espaol Sarcoidosis (sar-koy-DO-sis) is a disease of unknown cause that leads to inflammation. This disease affects your bodys organs. Normally, your immune system defends your body against foreign or harmful substances. For example, it sends special cells to protect organs that are in ...
Sarcoidosis
What causes Sarcoidosis ?
The cause of sarcoidosis isn't known. More than one factor may play a role in causing the disease. Some researchers think that sarcoidosis develops if your immune system responds to a trigger, such as bacteria, viruses, dust, or chemicals. Normally, your immune system defends your body...
Sarcoidosis
Who is at risk for Sarcoidosis? ?
Sarcoidosis affects people of all ages and races. However, it's more common among African Americans and Northern Europeans. In the United States, the disease affects African Americans somewhat more often and more severely than Whites. Studies have shown that sarcoidosis tends to vary amongst ethnic gro...
Sarcoidosis
What are the symptoms of Sarcoidosis ?
Many people who have sarcoidosis have no signs or symptoms or mild ones. Often, the disease is found when a chest x ray is done for another reason (for example, to diagnose pneumonia). The signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on which organs are affected. Signs and symptoms also may vary de...
Sarcoidosis
How to diagnose Sarcoidosis ?
Your doctor will diagnose sarcoidosis based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results. He or she will look for granulomas (inflamed lumps) in your organs. Your doctor also will try to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. Medical History Your doctor may ask ...
Sarcoidosis
What are the treatments for Sarcoidosis ?
Not everyone who has sarcoidosis needs treatment. Sometimes the disease goes away on its own. Whether you need treatment and what type of treatment you need depend on your signs and symptoms, which organs are affected, and whether those organs are working well. If the disease affects certain organssuch...
Sarcoidosis
What is (are) Respiratory Distress Syndrome ?
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a breathing disorder that affects newborns. RDS rarely occurs in full-term infants. The disorder is more common in premature infants born about 6 weeks or more before their due dates. RDS is more common in premature infants because their lungs aren't able to make ...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
What causes Respiratory Distress Syndrome ?
The main cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a lack of surfactant in the lungs. Surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs. A fetus's lungs start making surfactant during the third trimester of pregnancy (weeks 26 through labor and delivery). The substance coats the insides o...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Who is at risk for Respiratory Distress Syndrome? ?
Certain factors may increase the risk that your infant will have respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). These factors include: Premature delivery. The earlier your baby is born, the greater his or her risk for RDS. Most cases of RDS occur in babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy. Stre...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
What are the symptoms of Respiratory Distress Syndrome ?
Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) usually occur at birth or within the first few hours that follow. They include: Rapid, shallow breathing Sharp pulling in of the chest below and between the ribs with each breath Grunting sounds ...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
How to diagnose Respiratory Distress Syndrome ?
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is common in premature infants. Thus, doctors usually recognize and begin treating the disorder as soon as babies are born. Doctors also do several tests to rule out other conditions that could be causing an infant's breathing problems. The tests also can confirm tha...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
What are the treatments for Respiratory Distress Syndrome ?
Treatment for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) usually begins as soon as an infant is born, sometimes in the delivery room. Most infants who show signs of RDS are quickly moved to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There they receive around-the-clock treatment from health care professionals who ...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
How to prevent Respiratory Distress Syndrome ?
Taking steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy might prevent your infant from being born before his or her lungs have fully developed. These steps include: Seeing your doctor regularly during your pregnancy Following a healthy diet Avoiding tobacco smoke, alcohol, and ille...
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
What is (are) Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ?
Obesity hypoventilation (HI-po-ven-tih-LA-shun) syndrome (OHS) is a breathing disorder that affects some obese people. In OHS, poor breathing results in too much carbon dioxide (hypoventilation) and too little oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia). OHS sometimes is called Pickwickian syndrome. ...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
What causes Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ?
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a breathing disorder that affects some obese people. Why these people develop OHS isn't fully known. Researchers think that several factors may work together to cause OHS. These factors include: A respiratory (RES-pih-rah-tor-e) system that has to work harder t...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Who is at risk for Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome? ?
People who are obese are at risk for obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). "Obesity" refers to having too much body fat. People who are obese have body weight that's greater than what is considered healthy for a certain height. The most useful measure of obesity is body mass index (BMI). BMI is calcu...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
What are the symptoms of Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ?
Many of the signs and symptoms of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) are the same as those of obstructive sleep apnea. This is because many people who have OHS also have obstructive sleep apnea. One of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea is loud and chronic (ongoing) snoring. Pauses ma...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
How to diagnose Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ?
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is diagnosed based on your medical history, signs and symptoms, and test results. Specialists Involved A critical care specialist, pulmonologist (lung specialist), and/or sleep specialist may diagnose and treat your condition. A s...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
What are the treatments for Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ?
Treatments for obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) include breathing support, weight loss, and medicines. The goals of treating OHS may include: Supporting and aiding your breathing Achieving major weight loss Treating underlying and related conditi...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
How to prevent Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ?
You can prevent obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) by maintaining a healthy weight. However, not everyone who is obese develops OHS. Researchers don't fully know why only some people who are obese develop the condition. Adopting healthy habits can help you maintain a healthy weight. Many lifestyle ...
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
What is (are) Cardiomyopathy ?
Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have many causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments. In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue. As cardiomyopat...
Cardiomyopathy
What causes Cardiomyopathy ?
Cardiomyopathy can be acquired or inherited. Acquired means you arent born with the disease, but you develop it due to another disease, condition, or factor. Inherited means your parents passed the gene for the disease on to you. Researchers continue to look for the genetic links to cardiomyopathy and ...
Cardiomyopathy
Who is at risk for Cardiomyopathy? ?
People of all ages and races can have cardiomyopathy. However, certain types of the disease are more common in certain groups. Dilated cardiomyopathy is more common in African Americans than Whites. This type of the disease also is more common in men than women. Teens and young adults ...
Cardiomyopathy
What are the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy ?
Some people who have cardiomyopathy never have signs or symptoms. Others don't have signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As cardiomyopathy worsens and the heart weakens, signs and symptoms of heart failure usually occur. These signs and symptoms include: Shortness of b...
Cardiomyopathy
How to diagnose Cardiomyopathy ?
Your doctor will diagnose cardiomyopathy based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and the results from tests and procedures. Specialists Involved Often, a cardiologist or pediatric cardiologist diagnoses and treats cardiomyopathy. A cardiologist specializes in diagn...
Cardiomyopathy