Allergic granulomatosis also known as Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, formerly Churg-Strauss Syndro...

The appendix is a small, worm-like appendage attached to the colon. Appendicitis occurs when bacteria invade and infect the wall of the appendix. The most common complications of appendicitis are rupture, abscess, and peritonitis....

Like many people with chronic ailments, sufferers of chronic arthritis are potentially vulnerable to proponents of heavily marketed "cure-all" treatments. These "quick fix" treatments are promoted as having great benefits, but in reality have no r...

Bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, is when unusual cells grow out of control inside your bile ducts. Those are thin tubes about 4 to 5 inches long that move a fluid called bile from your liver to your gallbladder and small intestine...

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by deficiency of certain enzymes (branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex) required to breakdown (metabolize) specific amino acids in the body. Because these am...

Chickenpox (varicella) is a viral infection that causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who haven't had the disease or been vaccinated against it. Before routine chickenpox vaccination, vi...

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (also called acute lymphocytic leukemia or A...

Cyclospora infection (cyclosporiasis) facts Cyclospora is a small parasitic organism that is passed to humans when they ingest food contaminated with feces from an infected person. It is most common in tropical countries, ...

Autosomal dominant interstitial kidney disease describes a group of diseases affecting solely the proper function of the kidney and having the following characteristics: They are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner; kidney disease develops, ...

Autosomal dominant interstitial kidney disease describes a group of diseases affecting solely the proper function of the kidney and having the following characteristics: They are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner; kidney disease develops, ...

General DiscussionCongenital rubella is a syndrome that occurs when a fetus has been infected with the rubella virus while in the uterus. It is primarily characterized by abnormalities of the heart and nervous system, the eyes and the ear...

Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Unfortunately, the term "gastritis" has been misused to include many different upper abdominal problems, but true gastritis refers to the stomach lining (gastric mucosa) that is inflamed. All...

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) facts Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation in the stomach and is a common cause of ulcers worldwide H. pylori causes chronic inflammation (gastriti...

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is typically spread through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with an infected person. Symptoms of hepatitis A can include fever, fatigue, lo...

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through contact with infected blood, most commonly through sharing needles or other equipment used to...

Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays before and after birth (prenatal and postnatal growth retardation), short stature, a varying degree of mental deficiency, and dist...

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects the salivary glands, causing swelling and pain in the cheeks and jaw. It is spread through respiratory droplets, such as coughing or sneezing, and can also be transmitted through close p...

Leigh syndrome is a rare genetic neurometabolic disorder. It is characterized by the degeneration of the central nervous system (i.e., brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve). The symptoms of Leigh syndrome usually begin between the ages of three mon...

Renal cell carcinoma is a form of kidney cancer. Some patients with renal cell carcinoma do not have symptoms (asymptomatic). When symptoms are present, they may include blood in the urine; urine that is brown or rusty-colored; abdominal pain; wei...

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a rare inflammatory disease of the small blood vessels (capillaries) and is usually a self-limited disease. It is the most common form of childhood vascular inflammation (vasculitis) and results in inflammatory changes ...

Familial hypophosphatemia is a rare inherited disorder characterized by impaired transport of phosphate and often altered vitamin-D metabolism in the kidneys. In addition, phosphate may not be well-absorbed in the intestines. The hypophosphatemia ...

Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis facts Polymyalgia rheumatica causes pain and stiffness in muscles and joints. Polymyalgia rheumatica is diagnosed by characteristic symptoms associated with abnormal blood te...

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare disorder characterized by overproduction (proliferation) of white blood cells called lymphocytes (lymphoproliferative disorder). The abnormal cells infiltrate and accumulate (form lesions or nodules) within ti...

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, sometimes life-threatening unless properly treated, immunological disorder of the skin. It is characterized by blisters that meld into one another to cover a substantial portion of the body (30% and more...

Leigh syndrome is a rare genetic neurometabolic disorder. It is characterized by the degeneration of the central nervous system (i.e., brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve). The symptoms of Leigh syndrome usually begin between the ages of three mon...

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. It is a serious illness that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Symptoms of typhoid fever include high fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, and loss of a...