The clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye is referred to as a cataract. Looking through a cloudy lens is similar to trying to see through a frosty or fogged-up window. It may become more difficult to see the expression on a friend's face, drive a car – especially at night – or read, because of clouded vision. Cataracts cause problems with glare and affect distance vision in general; however, they usually don't ... more
One of the common, potentially serious bacterial skin infections is called cellulitis, which may spread rapidly; it appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender.
Though cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body or face, skin on lower legs are most commonly affected. In children and older adults, infections on the face are more common. Cellulitis may affect the tissue underlying the skin and can spread to ... more
When the valve between the heart's upper left chamber (left atrium) and the lower left chamber (left ventricle) doesn't close properly, mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs. The valve's flaps bulge (prolapse) upward or back into the atrium when the left ventricle contracts. In a condition called mitral valve regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium.
Mitral valve ... more
The rare autoimmune disorder that causes signs and symptoms of several other connective tissue diseases is called mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Features of three other diseases; scleroderma, polymyositis and lupus, are experienced by people with mixed connective tissue disease. That's why sometimes they refer to mixed connective tissue disease as an overlap disease.
The signs and symptoms of these three other diseases ... more
One of the common illnesses of early childhood is the otitis media (middle ear infection).
Usually, children stop having ear infections by the age of 4 or 5. Most ear infections clear up on their own within a few days, despite the fact that they make children uncomfortable and worry the parents.
Adults usually don’t get middle ear infections, and the treatments for adult ear infections are similar to ... more
Itchy skin is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation making one want to scratch. It seems simple; when one itches, they scratch. But itchy skin (pruritus) can have hundreds of possible reasons for its occurrence. It may be the outcome of a rash or another condition, like dermatitis or psoriasis. Itchy skin may be a symptom of an internal disease, like kidney failure or liver disease. The skin may look normal, even though it’s itching. ... more
