Fat oxidation disorders are genetic diseases that prevent the body from properly obtaining energy from fat. There are several types, including MCAD, VLCAD, and TFP deficiency, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Symptoms can occur in infancy or early childhood and include fatigue, loss of appetite, and seizures. Treatment and early […]
Esophageal disorders include narrowing, webs, spasms, pockets, inflammation, reduced movement, tears, ruptures, and perforations. These can cause difficulty swallowing, pain, and other serious health problems. Treatment varies depending on the disorder. Esophageal disorders include esophageal ring, esophageal web, spasm, diverticula, erosive esophagitis, achalasia, esophageal laceration, ruptures, and perforations. The esophagus is a hollow tube that […]
Respiratory system disorders affect breathing and can be chronic or acute. Asbestos disease, bronchitis, smoking-related conditions, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and asthma are common respiratory disorders. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and excessive mucus production. Treatment often involves antibiotics and inhalers. Smoking cessation can improve lung function. ARDS is a serious disorder that can […]
Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and delusional and paranoid disorders, can cause delusional beliefs, hallucinations, irrational thoughts and actions, paranoia, and violent behavior. They can be triggered by drug use, brain tumors, head injuries, or traumatic events. Treatment varies depending on the extent of the psychosis. Psychotic disorders that afflict a person’s mind can disrupt […]
Personality disorders are lifelong conditions that affect daily functioning. Diagnosis involves a thorough psychiatric history and meeting specific criteria in the DSM-IV. Personality disorders are listed on Axis II and are divided into three clusters. Treatment often involves psychotherapy and addressing comorbid disorders. Personality disorders are psychiatric conditions characterized by lifelong impairment in everyday situations […]
Respiratory disorders affect the lungs and can interfere with breathing, with asthma being a common condition caused by inflammation of the lungs. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mucus production and can cause serious infections. Occupational diseases, such as asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis, can also lead to respiratory ailments. Smoking is a major […]
Mood disorders in children have symptoms that depend on the type of disorder. Depression is the most common type, while bipolar disorder exhibits symptoms of both depressive and manic mood disorders. Treatment involves medication and psychological therapy. The symptoms of mood disorders in children depend largely on the type of disorder suffered. Depressive disorders, the […]
Psychotic mood disorders, including schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic depression, and substance-induced psychosis, affect a person’s interpretation of reality and can cause hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. These disorders negatively impact social relationships and can lead to changes in behavior and emotional responses. Delusional behavior can be classified into several subcategories, including grandiose delusions, somatic […]
Metabolic disorders, which result in obesity and unwanted weight gain, often lead to diabetes. Both conditions are treated with similar methods such as diet, exercise, and insulin therapy. Excess fat prevents cells from responding to insulin, causing glucose to be stored as fat. Proper diet and exercise can reduce stored fat and increase insulin sensitivity. […]
Nail disorders can cause embarrassment, but some changes in appearance can suggest serious medical problems. Fungal infections are the most common cause, while bacterial nail disease, psoriasis, and onycholysis can also occur. Severe or sudden changes should be checked by a doctor, as they could be a sign of autoimmune disease, cancer, or other serious […]
The nervous system is responsible for essential bodily processes such as breathing and digestion. Disorders include seizure disorders, neuropathy, neuroimmunological disorders, and fainting, which can indicate more serious ailments. Seizures vary and require different treatments. Neuropathy can be life-threatening and its causes are unknown. Neuroimmunological disorders are caused by inflammation of the nervous system, such […]
Developmental disorders impair a child’s physical, social, and psychological development before the age of 18. Treatment depends on the severity and manifestation of the impairment. Pervasive and specific developmental disorders affect multiple or single areas of development and are treated with medication and therapy. Developmental disorders are conditions that impair a child’s physical, social and […]
Smell disorders can be divided into two groups: dysosmia, where the sense of smell is distorted, and hyposmia/anosmia, where the sense of smell is decreased or lost. Dysosmia can be caused by several factors, including head injuries and diseases like Parkinson’s. Smell disorders can result from problems at different points in the pathway along which […]
Anxiety disorders are irrational fears of situations or objects that cause intense physical or mental responses. They often coexist with other disorders and are maladaptive. The American Psychological Association recognizes seven types, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia. Each type has its own symptoms […]
Skeletal system disorders can be caused by disease or injury and may appear years later. Different disorders require different treatments, such as immobilization for fractures and anti-inflammatory drugs for bursitis. Osteoporosis and arthritis are also common disorders. Skeletal system disorders are caused by various factors, including disease and injury. In some cases, the disorder appears […]
Autism disorders are developmental disorders that affect social interaction and behavior. The autism spectrum accommodates cases of different severity and symptoms, with no fixed definition for terms like “high functioning autism.” The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual recognizes several autism disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, Rett disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and “atypical” pervasive developmental disorder. […]
Impulsive and compulsive disorders involve repetitive behaviors, but the reasoning behind them is different. Compulsive behaviors are performed to soothe anxiety, while impulsive behaviors provide a pleasant feeling to cope with stress. OCD is a well-known compulsive disorder, while impulsive disorders are often related to harmful actions such as addiction or violent behavior. While they […]
Psychological disorders can be caused by prenatal drug or alcohol exposure, stress, low birth weight, traumatic events, family history, medical conditions, and neglect. Treatment includes therapy, medication, and exercise. Early treatment is important for a better quality of life. Success depends on the relationship with the doctor and compliance with the treatment plan. While the […]
40 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders and 20 million have short-term sleep problems. The elderly are most affected. Common disorders include insomnia and sleep apnea, costing $16 billion in medical costs annually. Sleep deprivation can lead to falling asleep while driving and weight gain. We spend two hours dreaming each night. An estimated 40 […]
Blood disorders, caused by genetics or nutritional deficiencies, include anemia, high blood pressure, blood cholesterol, sepsis, leukemia, and hemophilia. Anemia is caused by a shortage of red blood cells, hypertension is often symptomless and can lead to heart disease, blood cholesterol is treatable but can lead to heart attack, sepsis is a life-threatening bacterial infection, […]
