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DefinitionGalactorrhea is the secretion of breast milk in men, or in women who are not breastfeeding an infant.DescriptionLactation, or the production of breast milk, is a normal condition occurring in women after delivery of a baby. Many women who have ha... |
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DefinitionGalactosemia is an inherited disease in which the transformation of galactose to glucose is blocked, allowing galactose to increase to toxic levels in the body. If galactosemia is untreated, high levels of galactose cause vomiting, diarrhea, leth... |
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DefinitionCancer of the gallbladder is cancer of the pear-shaped organ that lies on the undersurface of the liver.DescriptionBile from the liver is funneled into the gallbladder by way of the cystic duct. Between meals, the gallbladder stores a large amoun... |
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DefinitionA nuclear medicine scan of the gallbladder is used to produce a set of images that look like x rays. The procedure uses a small amount of radioactive dye which is injected into the body. The dye accumulates in the organ, in this case, the gallbla... |
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DefinitionThis is an x-ray exam of the gallbladder (GB), a sac-like organ that stores bile that is located under the liver. The study involves taking tablets containing dye (contrast) which outline any abnormalities when x rays are taken the following day.... |
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DefinitionA gallium scan of the body is a nuclear medicine test that is conducted using a camera that detects gallium, a form of radionuclide, or radioactive chemical substance.PurposeMost gallium scans are ordered to detect cancerous tumors, infections, o... |
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DefinitionAlso known as cholelithotomy, gallstone removal is the medical procedure that rids the gallbladder of calculus buildup.PurposeThe gallbladder is not a vital organ. Its function is to store bile, concentrate it, and release it during digestion. Bi... |
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DefinitionA gallstone is a solid crystal deposit that forms in the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ that stores bile salts until they are needed to help digest fatty foods. Gallstones can migrate to other parts of the digestive tract and cause sev... |
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GAMBLING ADDICTION - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
It is estimated that six percent of the population will
have a gambling probl... |
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DefinitionA ganglion is a small, usually hard bump above a tendon or in the capsule that encloses a joint. A ganglion is also called a synovial hernia or synovial cyst.DescriptionA ganglion is a non-cancerous cyst filled with a thick, jelly-like fluid. Gan... |
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DefinitionGangrene is the term used to describe the decay or death of an organ or tissue caused by a lack of blood supply. It is a complication resulting from infectious or inflammatory processes, injury, or degenerative changes associated with chronic dis... |
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BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (GARDNERELLA) - a patient's
guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Bacterial vaginosis is an imbalance of the normal organisms
... |
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DefinitionGas embolism, also called air embolism, is the presence of gas bubbles in the bloodstream that obstruct circulation.DescriptionGas embolism may occur with decompression from increased pressure; it typically occurs in ascending divers who have bee... |
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DefinitionGastrectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach.PurposeGastrectomy is performed for several reasons, most commonly to remove a malignant tumor or to cure a perforated or bleeding stomach ulcer.DescriptionGastrectomy for cancerRe... |
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WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Weight-loss (weight-reduction) surgery, known as bariatric surgery, changes
the anatomy of your digestive system to limit the amount of food you can
eat and digest. As a result, surgery can provide long-term, ... |
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SURGERY FOR GASTRIC REFLUX - a patient's guide
Dr Ross Roberts - Surgeon, The Oxford Clinic
Overview
Gastroesophageal reflux is a very common condition that
... |
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DefinitionGastric acid determination, also known as stomach acid determination, gastric analysis, or basal gastric secretion, is a procedure to evaluate gastric (stomach) function. The test specifically determines the presence of gastric acid, as well as t... |
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DefinitionA gastric emptying scan (GES) is an x-ray exam using special radioactive material that allows physicians to identify abnormalities related to emptying of the stomach. Diseases that involve changes in the way the stomach contracts (motility disord... |
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DefinitionGastrinomas are tumors associated with a rare gastroenterological disorder known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). They occur primarily in the pancreas and duodenum (beginning of the small intestine) and secrete large quantities of the hormone... |
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DefinitionGastritis commonly refers to inflammation of the lining of the stomach, but the term is often used to cover a variety of symptoms resulting from stomach lining inflammation and symptoms of burning or discomfort. True gastritis comes in several fo... |
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DefinitionGastroenteritis is a catchall term for infection or irritation of the digestive tract, particularly the stomach and intestine. It is frequently referred to as the stomach or intestinal flu, although the influenza virus is not associated with this... |
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GASTROSCOPY - a patient's guide
Dr Ross Roberts - Surgeon, The Oxford Clinic
What is it?
Gastroscopy is a procedure developed for investigating
... |
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DefinitionGastrostomy is a surgical procedure for inserting a tube through the abdomen wall and into the stomach. The tube is used for feeding or drainage.PurposeGastrostomy is performed because a patient temporarily or permanently needs to be fed directly... |
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DefinitionGaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder that results in accumulation of fatty molecules called cerebrosides. It can have serious effects on numerous body organs including the liver, spleen, bones and central nervous system. Treatments based on... |
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DefinitionLesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are as diverse as the general population in terms of race, ethnicity, age, religion, education, income, and family history. A number of health concerns are unique to or shared by the LGBT... |
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DefinitionThe psychological diagnosis gender identity disorder (GID) is used to describe a male or female that feels a strong identification with the opposite sex and experiences considerable distress because of their actual sex.DescriptionGender identity ... |
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DefinitionGeneral adaptation syndrome describes the body's short-term and long-term reaction to stress.DescriptionOriginally described by Hans De Solye in the 1920s, the general adaptation syndrome describes a three stage reaction to stress. Stressors in h... |
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DefinitionGeneral surgery is the treatment of injury, deformity, and disease using operative procedures.PurposeGeneral surgery is frequently performed to alleviate suffering when a cure is unlikely through medication alone. It can be used for routine proce... |
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DefinitionGeneralized anxiety disorder is a condition characterized by "free floating" anxiety or apprehension not linked to a specific cause or situation.DescriptionSome degree of fear and anxiety is perfectly normal. In the face of real danger, fear make... |
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DefinitionGenetic counseling aims to facilitate the exchange of information regarding a person's genetic legacy. It attempts to:accurately diagnose a disorderassess the risk of recurrence in the concerned family members and their relativesprovide alternati... |
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DefinitionA genetic test examines the genetic information contained inside a person's cells, called DNA, to determine if that person has or will develop a certain disease or could pass a disease to his or her offspring. Genetic tests also determine whether... |
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AN OVERVIEW OF GENETICS
Dr Gideon Louw Biologist
Historical Overview
Should you ever visit the attractive university town of
Cambridge, make ... |
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GENITAL HERPES - a patient's guide
Ms Claire Hurst - New Zealand Herpes Foundation
Overview
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease
I... |
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GENITAL WARTS (HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS) - a patient's
guide
Dr Dion Martley - Family Doctor
Overview
Genital warts are caused by the human papi... |
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DefinitionGenital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a herpes virus. The disease is characterized by the formation of fluid-filled, painful blisters in the genital area.DescriptionGenital herpes (herpes genitalis, herpes progenitalis) is ch... |
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DefinitionGenital warts, which are also called condylomata acuminata or venereal warts, are growths in the genital area caused by a sexually transmitted papillomavirus. A papillomavirus is a virus that produces papillomas, or benign growths on the skin and... |
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DefinitionGestalt therapy is a humanistic therapy technique that focuses on gaining an awareness of emotions and behaviors in the present rather than in the past. The therapist does not interpret experiences for the patient. Instead, the therapist and pati... |
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DefinitionGestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet. Gestational diabetes, however, has a numbe... |
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Definition
Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar brought on by pregnancy. The condition affects 4 percent of all pregnancies in the United States each year, according to the American Diabetes Association.
The condition... |
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DefinitionGI bleeding studies uses radioactive materials in the investigation of bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These studies go under various names such as "GI bleeding scans" or "Tagged red blood cell scans." They are performed and interp... |
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GIARDIA - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Giardia is caused by a parasite
You mainly get it from drinking water contaminated with
... |
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DefinitionGiardiasis is a common intestinal infection spread by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or through direct contact with the organism that causes the disease, Giardia lamblia. Giardiasis is found throughout the world and is a c... |
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GILBERT'S SYNDROME - a patient's guide
Dr Philip Wong - Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
Gilbert's Syndrome
Gilbert's syndrome is a common inherited disorder that... |
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GLANDS - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
What is a gland?
A gland is an organised collection of cells that functions
as a secretory or excr... |
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GLANDULAR FEVER - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus
It is spread by coughing, sne... |
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GLASSES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Dr Justin Mora - Eye Surgeon, Auckland Eye
Why are glasses prescribed for children?
Glasses are prescribed for children to improve v... |
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GLAUCOMA TREATMENTS - a patient's guide
Natalie Gauld - Pharmacy Educator
Introduction
Glaucoma is a major cause of loss of vision. Open-angle
... |
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GLAUCOMA - a patient's guide
Dr Peter Ring - Eye Surgeon
Overview
Glaucoma is a pressure build up in the eye which damages
the optic nerve
... |
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DefinitionGlaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve usually due to excessively high intraocular pressure (IOP).This increased pressure within the eye, if untreated can lead to optic nerve damage resulting in progressive... |
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Definition
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the back of the eye (the retina) to the brain.
Clear fluid flows throughout a space in front of the eye called the anterior chamber. This fluid ... |
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DefinitionAcute glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory disease of both kidneys predominantly affecting children from ages two to 12. Chronic glomerulonephritis can develop over a period of 10-20 years and is most often associated with other systemic disease... |
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GLUCOPHAGE - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
DRUG NAME: metformin
USE: Oral antidiabetic agent
This medicine is known as a biguanide which i... |
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DefinitionGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is an inherited condition caused by a defect or defects in the gene that codes for the enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). It can cause hemolytic anemia, varying in severity from life-lon... |
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GLUE EAR AND OTITIS MEDIA - a patient's guide
Dr Colin Brown - ENT Surgeon, Starship Hospital
What is it?
"Otitis media" means there is fluid behind the eardrum
... |
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DefinitionGlycogen serves as the primary fuel reserve for the body's energy needs. Glycogen storage diseases, also known as glycogenoses, are genetically linked metabolic disorders that involve the enzymes regulating glycogen metabolism. Symptoms vary by t... |
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DefinitionGlycosylated hemoglobin is a test that indicates how much sugar has been in a person's blood during the past two to four months. It is used to monitor the effectiveness of diabetes treatment.PurposeDiabetes is a disease in which a person cannot e... |
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DefinitionGoiter refers to any visible enlargement of the thyroid gland.DescriptionThe thyroid gland sits astride the trachea (windpipe) and is shaped like a butterfly. It makes thyroxin, a hormone that regulates the metabolic activity of the body, rather ... |
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DefinitionGonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The mucous membranes of the genital region may become inflamed without the development of any other symptoms. When symptoms do oc... |
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GONORRHOEA - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Gonorrhoea is a bacteria which grows in the vagina throat
and rectum
... |
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GOUT - a patient's guide
Dr Logan Mclennan - Family Doctor
Overview
Gout is a painful inflammation of a joint, which comes
on suddenly. It us... |
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DefinitionGout drugs are medicines that prevent or relieve the symptoms of gout, a disease that affects the joints and kidneys.PurposeGout is a disease in which uric acid, a waste product that normally passes out of the body in urine, collects and forms cr... |
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DefinitionGraft-vs.-host disease is an immune attack on the recipient by cells from a donor.DescriptionThe main problem with transplanting organs and tissues is that the recipient host does not recognize the new tissue as its own. Instead, it attacks it as... |
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DefinitionGranuloma inguinale is a sexually transmitted infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes of the anal and genital areas. Its name is derived from granuloma, a medical term for a mass or growth of granulation tissue, and inguinale, a Lati... |
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DefinitionGroup therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment where a small group of patients meet regularly to talk, interact, and discuss problems with each other and the group leader (therapist).PurposeGroup therapy attempts to give individuals a safe and... |
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DefinitionGrowth hormone (hGH), or somatotropin, is a hormone responsible for normal body growth and development by stimulating protein production in muscle cells and energy release from the breakdown of fats. Tests for growth hormone include Somatotropin ... |
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DefinitionGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis (the complete inability to use a particular muscle or muscle group), which develops over days or up to four weeks, and lasts several weeks or even months.Descri... |
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DefinitionInfection occurs when the parasitic guinea worm resides within the body. Infection is not apparent until a pregnant female worm prepares to expel embryos. The infection is rarely fatal, but the latter stage is painful. The infection is also refer... |
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DefinitionGulf War syndrome describes a wide spectrum of illnesses and symptoms ranging from asthma to sexual dysfunction that have been reported by U.S. and U.S. allied soldiers who served in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991.DescriptionBetween 1994 and 1... |
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DefinitionGyne refers to female, and mastia refers to the breast. Gynecomastia is strictly a male disease and is any growth of the adipose (fatty) and glandular tissue in a male breast. Not all breast growth in men is considered abnormal, just excess growt... |
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