Health.amReference entries for diseases and conditions.
8,781 articles
Definition Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which the cells of the lung tissues grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Description Lung cancer is divided into two main types: small cell and non-small cell. Small…
20 November 2005
What Is It? Diabetes mellitus, commonly called just diabetes, is a common disorder that affects the way the body processes and uses carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Each of these nutrients is a source of glucose…
18 August 2005
Alternative names Fat - obese; Obesity Definition Obesity is also defined as a BMI (body mass index) over 30 kg/m2. Patients with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight, but not obese. See also diet and…
18 August 2005
Alternative names Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; Diabetes - Type 2 Definition Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, life-long disease that results when the body's insulin does not work effectively. Insulin is a hormone…
18 August 2005
Alternate Names : Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, IDDM, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors Type 1 diabetes mellitus, more commonly known as type 1 diabetes, is a disease in which the pancreas…
18 August 2005
Alternative names Laparotomy; Exploratory laparotomy Definition Abdominal exploration is a type of surgery where the abdomen is opened (laparotomy) and explored (exploratory laparotomy) for examination and treatment of…
17 August 2005
What Is It? Yaws is an infectious disease that affects the skin and bones. It's a tropical illness that was once common in West Africa, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Haiti, Dominica, Peru, Colombia,…
17 August 2005
Definition The acid-fast stain is a test used to examine a specimen for the presence of microorganisms, specifically mycobacteria which include the bacteria that cause Tuberculosis . How the test is performed Specimens…
17 August 2005
Definition An Abdominal CT scan involves X-ray images of the abdomen from many angles. The X-ray beams are detected by the scanner and analyzed by a computer. The computer reconstructs the data into a picture of the…
17 August 2005