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DefinitionDerived from two Greek words meaning "fish" and "disease," ichthyosis is a congenital (meaning present at birth) dermatological (skin) disease that is represented by thick, scaly skin.DescriptionThe ichthyoses are a group of skin diseases caused ... |
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DefinitionThe term idiopathic means "cause unknown." The idiopathic infiltrative lung diseases, also known as interstitial lung diseases, are a group of more than a hundred disorders seen in both adults and (less often) in children, whose cause is unknown ... |
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DefinitionThis syndrome includes a group of disorders characterized by blood and protein in the urine and by damage to the kidney glomeruli (filtering structures) that may lead to kidney failure.DescriptionThis syndrome, also known as Berger's disease or I... |
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DefinitionIdiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP, is a bleeding disorder caused by an abnormally low level of platelets in the patient's blood. Platelets are small plate-shaped bodies in the blood that combine to form a plug when a blood vessel is inj... |
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DefinitionIleus is a partial or complete non-mechanical blockage of the small and/or large intestine.DescriptionThere are two types of intestinal obstructions, mechanical and non-mechanical. Mechanical obstructions occur because the bowel is physically blo... |
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IMIGRAN - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
DRUG NAME: Sumatriptan succinate
USE: Migraine/ headache relief
This medicine belongs to a group of... |
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DefinitionImmobilization refers to the process of holding a joint or bone in place with a splint, cast, or brace. This is done to prevent an injured area from moving while it heals.PurposeSplints, casts, and braces support and protect broken bones, disloca... |
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DefinitionThese tests evaluate the immune system, whose function is to defend the body against such invaders as bacteria and viruses. The immune system also plays a role in the control of cancer, and is responsible for the phenomena of allergy, hypersensit... |
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DefinitionImmunodeficiency disorders are a group of disorders in which part of the immune system is missing or defective. Therefore, the body's ability to fight infections is impaired. As a result, the person with an immunodeficiency disorder will have fre... |
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DefinitionImmunoelectrophoresis, also called gamma globulin electrophoresis, or immunoglobulin electrophoresis, is a method of determining the blood levels of three major immunoglobulins: immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin A... |
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DefinitionImmunoglobulin deficiency syndromes are a group of immunodeficiency disorders in which the patient has a reduced number of or lack of antibodies.DescriptionImmunoglobulins (Ig) are antibodies. There are five major classes of antibodies: IgG, IgM,... |
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DefinitionImmunologic therapy is the treatment of disease using medicines that boost the body's natural immune response.PurposeImmunologic therapy is used to improve the immune system's natural ability to fight such diseases as cancer, hepatitis and AIDS. ... |
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DefinitionImmunosuppressant drugs, also called anti-rejection drugs, are used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.PurposeWhen an organ, such as a liver, a heart or a kidney, is transplanted from one person (the donor) into another (the ... |
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DefinitionAn impacted tooth is any tooth that is prevented from reaching its normal position in the mouth by tissue, bone, or another tooth.DescriptionThe teeth that most commonly become impacted are the third molars, also called wisdom teeth. These large ... |
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DefinitionImpedance phlebography is a noninvasive test that uses electrical monitoring to measure blood flow in veins of the leg. Information from this test helps a doctor to detect deep vein thrombosis (blood clots or thrombophlebitis).PurposeImpedance ph... |
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IMPETIGO - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection which causes blistering
and sores
... |
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DefinitionImpetigo refers to a very localized bacterial infection of the skin. There are two types, bullous and epidemic.DescriptionImpetigo is a skin infection that tends primarily to afflict children. Impetigo caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureu... |
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DefinitionThe implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is an electronic device to treat life-threatening heartbeat irregularities. It is surgically implanted.PurposeThe implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is used to detect and stop serious ventricular arr... |
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ERECTION DIFFICULTIES - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Erection difficulties is an inability to achieve satisfactory erections.
It is a ... |
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DefinitionImpulse control disorders are characterized by an inability to resist the impulse to perform an action that is harmful to one's self or others. This is a relatively new class of personality disorders, and the most common of these are intermittent... |
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DefinitionIn vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure in which eggs (ova) from a woman's ovary are removed. They are fertilized with sperm in a laboratory procedure, and then the fertilized egg (embryo) is returned to the woman's uterus.PurposeIVF is one o... |
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DefinitionInclusion conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the white part, or sclera, of the eyeball) by Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted organism.DescriptionInclusion ... |
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DefinitionA cervix (the structure at the bottom of the uterus) that is incompetent is abnormally weak, and therefore it can gradually widen during pregnancy. Left untreated, this can result in repeated pregnancy losses or premature delivery.DescriptionInco... |
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URINARY INCONTINENCE - a patient's guide
Dr Geoff Green - Physician
What is it?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine
from th... |
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DefinitionIndigestion, which is sometimes called dyspepsia, is a general term covering a group of nonspecific symptoms in the digestive tract. It is often described as a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea, heartburn, or gassy discomfort in the chest or ... |
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DefinitionA scanning procedure in which a patient's white blood cells are first labeled with the radioactive substance indium, and then the patient's body is scanned as a way of tracking the white blood cells at the site of possible infection.PurposeThe pr... |
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DefinitionInduction of labor involves using artificial means to assist the mother in delivering her baby.PurposeLabor is brought on, or induced, when the pregnancy has extended significantly beyond the expected delivery date and the mother shows no signs o... |
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INFANT COLIC - a parent's guide
Dr Peter Nobbs - Paediatrician
What is colic?
Colic is frequently used in the sense of being a diagnosis
but ... |
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INFANT
FORMULAS - a parent's guide
Vicki Martin - Dietitian
It's your choice
Every woman must make her own personal decision on how
to... |
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INFANT AND CHILD NUTRITION - an overview for parents
Vicki Martin - Dietitian
Healthy eating habits start early!
Compared to adults, children... |
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DefinitionInfection control refers to policies and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading infections, especially in hospitals and human or animal health care facilities.PurposeThe purpose of infection control is to reduce the occurrence of infec... |
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DefinitionInfectious arthritis, which is sometimes called septic arthritis or pyogenic arthritis, is a serious infection of the joints characterized by pain, fever, occasional chills, inflammation and swelling in one or more joints, and loss of function in... |
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DefinitionInfectious mononucleosis is a contagious illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that can affect the liver, lymph nodes, and oral cavity. While mononucleosis is not usually a serious disease, its primary symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy ca... |
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INFERTILITY - an overview for patients
Dr Freddie Graham - Fertility Associates
What is infertility?
A typical fertile couple in their mid-to-late 20's, having
... |
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DefinitionInfertility is the failure of a couple to conceive a pregnancy after trying to do so for at least one full year. In primary infertility, pregnancy has never occurred. In secondary infertility, one or both members of the couple have previously con... |
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DefinitionInfertility drugs are medicines that help bring about pregnancy.PurposeInfertility is the inability of a man and woman to achieve pregnancy after at least a year of having regular sexual intercourse without any type of birth control. There are ma... |
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DefinitionInfertility is the inability of a man and a woman to conceive a child through sexual intercourse. There are many possible reasons for the problem, which can involve the man, the woman, or both partners. Various treatments are available that enabl... |
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INFLUENZA - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Influenza makes you feel much worse than a cold
It is highly contagious and spread by c... |
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DefinitionInhalation therapies are a group of respiratory, or breathing, treatments designed to help restore or improve breathing function in patients with a variety of diseases, conditions, or injuries. The treatments range from at-home oxygen therapy for... |
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INHALED BRONCHODILATORS - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
TYPE:
Short-acting: Salbutamol, Airomir‚ Ventolin‚ Respolin‚
Terbutaline, Bricany... |
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INHALED CORTICOSTERIODS - a patient's guide
Natalie Gauld - Pharmacy Educator
Contains Beclomethasone, Budesonide or Fluticasone.
These medicines are all corticoster... |
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DefinitionInsecticide poisoning is exposure to a group of chemicals designed to eradicate insects that cause affected persons to develop clinical signs that can progress to death.DescriptionInsecticides belong to a group of chemicals called organophosphate... |
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INSOMNIA - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Insomnia affects up to 95 percent of the population at
some time in their lives
... |
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DefinitionInsomnia is the inability to obtain an adequate amount or quality of sleep. The difficulty can be in falling asleep, remaining asleep, or both. People with insomnia do not feel refreshed when they wake up. Insomnia is a common symptom affecting m... |
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Definition
Insomnia means you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or you wake too early. You wake feeling un-refreshed and you feel tired during the day.
For some people, insomnia lasts a night or two. For others, it tortures them for months o... |
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INSULIN - a patient's guide
Natalie Gauld and Dale Griffiths - Pharmacy Educators
Very fast acting:
Contains Insulin Lispro. Starts acting in 15 minutes.
Lasts 2 to... |
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DefinitionIntermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a mental disturbance that is characterized by specific episodes of violent and aggressive behavior that may involve harm to others or destruction of property. Usually, these episodes follow minor incidents... |
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DefinitionIntersex states are conditions where a newborn's sex organs (genitals) look unusual, making it impossible to identify the sex of the baby from its outward appearance.DescriptionAll developing babies start out with external sex organs that look fe... |
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DefinitionIntestinal obstruction is the partial or complete mechanical or nonmechanical blockage of the small or large intestine.DescriptionThere are two types of intestinal obstructions--mechanical and nonmechanical. Mechanical obstructions occur because ... |
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DefinitionThe word polyp refers to any overgrowth of tissue from the surface of mucous membranes. Intestinal polyps grow out of the lining of the small and large bowels. Polyps come in a variety of shapes--round, droplet, and irregular being the most commo... |
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DefinitionIntrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) occurs when the unborn baby is at or below the 10th weight percentile for his or her age (in weeks).DescriptionThere are standards or averages in weight for unborn babies according their age in weeks. When t... |
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DefinitionSterile water solutions containing small amounts of salt or sugar, are injected into the body through a tube attached to a needle which is inserted into a vein.PurposeFever, vomiting, and diarrhea can cause a person to become dehydrated fairly qu... |
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DefinitionIntravenous urography is a test which x rays the urinary system using intravenous dye for diagnostic purposes.Of the many ways to obtain images of the urinary system, the intravenous injection of a contrast agent has been traditionally considered... |
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DefinitionIntussusception is the enfolding of one segment of the intestine within another. It is characterized and initially presents with recurring attacks of cramping abdominal pain that gradually become more painful.DescriptionIntussusception occurs whe... |
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IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA - a patient's
guide
Editorial Team
Overview
Iron deficiency is the most common dietary deficienc... |
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IRON SUPPLEMENTS - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
TYPE/ BRAND NAME:
Ferrous sulphate: Ferro-Gradumet
Ferrous gluconate: Fergon elixer
... |
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DefinitionAnemia can be caused by iron deficiency, folate deficiency, vitamin B12deficiency, and other causes. The term iron deficiency anemia means anemia that is due to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by the production of small r... |
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DefinitionIron tests are a group of blood tests that are done to evaluate the iron level in blood serum, the body's capacity to absorb iron, and the amount of iron actually stored in the body. Iron is an essential trace element; it is necessary for the for... |
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IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME - a patient's guide
Dr Ishy Maharaj - Gastroenterologist
What is it?
The irritable bowel syndrome is the most common gastrointestinal
... |
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Definition
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder that causes crampy abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. IBS has the same symptoms as some more serious conditions, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or some g... |
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DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal condition characterized by abdominal pain and cramps; changes in bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation, or both); gassiness; bloating; nausea; and other symptoms. There is no cure for IBS. M... |
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DefinitionIschemia is an insufficient supply of blood to an organ, usually due to a blocked artery.DescriptionMyocardial ischemia is an intermediate condition in coronary artery disease during which the heart tissue is slowly or suddenly starved of oxygen ... |
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DefinitionIsolation refers to the precautions that are taken in the hospital to prevent the spread of an infectious agent from an infected or colonized patient to susceptible persons.PurposeIsolation practices are designed to minimize the transmission of i... |
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ISOTRETINOIN (ROACCUTANE) - a patient's guide
Natalie Gauld - Pharmacy Educator
Brands:
Roaccutane
Oratane
Use: Severe ... |
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DefinitionItching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin's surface, or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is "pruritus."DescriptionItching instinctively leads most people to scrat... |
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IUD - a patient's guide
Dr Susan Zussman - Family Doctor
Overview
An IUCD is a contraceptive which sits in the womb
It... |
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DefinitionAn IUD is an intrauterine device made of plastic and/or copper that is inserted into the womb (uterus) by way of the vaginal canal. One type releases a hormone (progesterone), and is replaced each year. The second type is made of copper and can b... |
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IVF (IN VITRO FERTILISATION) AND GIFT (GAMETE INTRA
FALLOPIAN TRANSFER)
Fertility Associates
What is IVF (in vitro fertilisation)?
Approxima... |
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