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Aarskog syndrome 05/17/2010
Facial-digital-genital syndrome Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Aarskog syndrome is a genetic disorder that is linked to the X chromosome. It affects mainly males, but females may have a milder form. The condition is caused by changes (mutations) in a gene called "faciogenital dysplasia" ( FGDY1 ).
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Aase syndrome 08/11/2009
Aase-Smith syndrome; Hypoplastic anemia/Triphalangeal thumb syndrome Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Most cases of Aase syndrome occur without a known reason and are not passed down through families (inherited). However, some cases have been shown to be inherited. The anemia in Aase syndrome is caused by poor development of the bone marrow, which is where blood cells are formed.
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Abdomen - swollen 10/30/2010
Swollen belly; Swelling in the abdomen; Abdominal distention; Distended abdomen Common Causes: Abdominal swelling, or distention, is more often caused by overeating than by a serious illness. This problem can be caused by: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem) Gas in the intestines from eating foods that are high in fiber (such as fruits and vegetables) Irritable bowel syndrome Lactose intolerance Ovarian cyst Partial bowel blockage Pregnancy Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Uterine fibroids Weight gain Home Care: A swollen abdomen that is caused by eating a heavy meal will go away when you digest the food.
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm 08/21/2009
Aneurysm - aortic; AAA Causes, incidence, and risk factors: The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include: Smoking High blood pressure High cholesterol Male gender Emphysema Genetic factors Obesity An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males over 60 who have one or more risk factors.
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair - open 03/05/2009
AAA - open; Repair - aortic aneurysm - open Description: The surgery will take place in an operating room.
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Abdominal bloating 04/12/2010
Bloating; Meteorism Considerations: Common Causes: Common causes include: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Constipation Gastroesophageal reflux Irritable bowel syndrome Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances Overeating Small bowel bacterial overgrowth Weight gain The diabetes medication acarbose, as well as any medicine containing lactulose or sorbitol, may cause bloating.
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Abdominal CT scan 02/23/2009
CT of the abdomen How the test is performed: You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Usually, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above the head. The health care provider may inject a dye into one of your veins.
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Abdominal exploration 05/17/2010
Laparotomy; Exploratory laparotomy Description: An abdominal exploration (laparotomy) is done while you are under general anesthesia , which means you are asleep and feel no pain during the procedure. The surgeon makes a cut into the abdomen and examines the abdominal organs.
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Abdominal film 02/22/2009
Abdominal x-ray; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB How the test is performed: The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures.
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Abdominal girth 10/26/2009
Review Date: 10/26/2009 Reviewed By: David C.
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Abdominal mass 10/30/2010
Mass in the abdomen Considerations: An abdominal mass is usually found during a routine physical examination . Most of the time the mass develops slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass. Finding where the pain occurs helps the doctor make a diagnosis. For example, the abdomen is usually divided into four areas: Right-upper quadrant Left-upper quadrant Right-lower quadrant Left-lower quadrant Other terms used to find the location of abdominal pain or masses include: Epigastric -- center of the abdomen just below the rib cage Periumbilical -- area around the bellybutton The location of the mass and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues to its cause.
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Abdominal MRI scan 02/23/2009
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the abdomen is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the inside of the belly area. Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic ( CT ) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The MRI scanner contains the magnet. The magnetic field produced by an MRI is about 10 thousand times greater than the earth's. The magnetic field forces hydrogen atoms in the body to line up in a certain way (similar to how the needle on a compass moves when you hold it near a magnet).
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Abdominal pain 10/07/2009
Stomach pain; Pain - abdomen; Belly ache; Abdominal cramps Considerations: Almost everyone experiences pain in the abdomen at one time or another. Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical problem. There are many organs in the abdomen. Pain in the abdomen can originate from any one of them, including: Organs related to digestion -- the end of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas The aorta -- a large blood vessel that runs straight down the inside of the abdomen The appendix -- an organ in the lower right abdomen that no longer serves much function The kidneys -- two bean-shaped organs that lie deep within the abdominal cavity The spleen -- an organ involved in blood maintenance and infection control However, the pain may start from somewhere else -- like your chest or pelvic area.
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Abdominal rigidity 10/30/2010
Rigidity of the abdomen Considerations: When there is a sore area inside the belly or abdomen, the pain will get worse when a hand presses against muscles of the abdomen. Your fear or nervousness about being touched (palpated) may cause this symptom, but there should be no pain. If you have pain when you are touched and you tighten the muscles to "guard" against more pain, it is more likely caused by a physical condition inside your body.
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Abdominal sounds 10/30/2010
Bowel sounds Considerations: Abdominal sounds (bowel sounds) are made by the movement of the intestines as they push food through. Since the intestines are hollow, bowel sounds can echo through the abdomen much like the sounds heard from water pipes. Most bowel sounds are harmless and simply mean that the gastrointestinal tract is working. A doctor can check abdominal sounds by listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope ( auscultation ).
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Abdominal tap 07/07/2010
Peritoneal tap; Paracentesis How the test is performed: This test may be done in an office setting, treatment room, or hospital. The puncture site will be cleaned and shaved, if necessary. You then receive a local numbing medicine. The tap needle is inserted 1 - 2 inches into the abdomen. Sometimes a small cut is made to help insert the needle.
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Abdominal ultrasound 10/29/2008
Ultrasound - abdomen; Abdominal sonogram How the test is performed: An ultrasound machine creates images that allow various organs in the body to be examined. The machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which reflect off body structures to create a picture.
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Abdominal wall fat pad biopsy 02/23/2009
Abdominal wall biopsy; Biopsy - abdominal wall fat pad How the test is performed: Needle aspiration is the most common method of obtaining an abdominal wall fat pad biopsy . The skin of the abdomen is cleansed, and a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area.
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Abdominal wall surgery 02/07/2009
Cosmetic surgery of the abdomen; Tummy tuck; Abdominoplasty Description: Your surgery will be done in an operating room in a hospital.
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Abnormal posturing 03/26/2009
Pathologic posturing; Evaluating a person in a coma Considerations: Abnormal posturing present with little or only mild stimulation is a sign of serious central nervous system damage.
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ABO incompatibility 05/13/2008
ABO incompatibility is a reaction of the immune system that occurs if two different and not compatible blood types are mixed together. Causes, incidence, and risk factors: A, B, and O are the three major blood types. The types are based on small substances (molecules) on the surface of the blood cells. In people who have different blood types, these molecules act as immune system triggers (antigens). Each person has a combination of two of these surface molecules.
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Abortion - medical 02/09/2009
Therapeutic medical abortion; Elective medical abortion; Induced abortion Description: A medical, or nonsurgical, abortion can be done within 7 weeks from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period.
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Abortion - surgical 02/19/2009
Suction curettage; Surgical abortion; Elective abortion - surgical; Therapeutic abortion - surgical Description: A surgical abortion uses a vacuum to remove the fetus and related material from a woman's uterus (womb).
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Abscess 08/14/2010
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body that, in most cases, causes swelling and inflammation around it. Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body's immune system tries to fight it. White blood cells move through the walls of the blood vessels into the area of the infection and collect within the damaged tissue. During this process, pus forms. Pus is the buildup of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign substances.
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Abscess scan - radioactive 10/28/2008
Radioactive abscess scan; Abscess scan How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
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