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Peripheral neuropathy is a condition involving the nerves of the peripheral portion of the nervous system. Neurobiologists describe the peripheral nervous system as any part of that system found in the arms or legs. The nerves that traverse the ar...
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Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord. This can produce pain, loss of sensation, and an inability to control muscles. "Peripheral" means nerves further out from the center o...
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The term peripheral neuropathy encompasses a wide range of disorders in which the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord—peripheral nerves—have been damaged. Peripheral neuropathy may also be referred to as peripheral neuritis, or if many ner...
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Similar to electrical wiring in a house, the body has a highly complex network of nerves made up of bundles of neurons, axons, and dendrites. This network originates in the brain and extends down through the spinal cord. These nerves branch off at...
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Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition in which cold temperatures or strong emotions cause blood vessel spasms that block blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
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Raynaud disease refers to a disorder in which the fingers or toes (digits) suddenly experience decreased blood circulation. It is characterized by repeated episodes of color changes of the skin of digits during cold exposure or emotional stress.
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Sepsis refers to a bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissues. This is a very broad term covering the presence of many types of microscopic diseasecausing organisms.
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Sepsis is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria.
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Infection is characterized by an inflammatory response to the presence of microorganisms in the body. This response may include fever , chills, redness, swelling, pus formation and other responses. The most common cause of illness and death in pat...
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Disorientation, the lack of being able to correctly identify oneself, one's location, or the date and time, is a sign of an altered mental status. An alteration in mental status is often an indication of a serious medical problem, requiring prompt medical attention.
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A seizure is a sudden change in behavior characterized by changes in sensory perception (sense of feeling) or motor activity (movement) due to an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizu...
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A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. See also: Generalized tonic clonic seizure; Partial (focal) seizure; Petit mal (absence) seizure; Epilepsy; Fever (...
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A seizure is a sudden change in behavior characterized by changes in sensory perception (sense of feeling) or motor activity (movement) due to an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain . Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seiz...
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A temporary series of uncontrollable muscle spasms brought on by unusual electrical activity in the brain. Also known as convulsion, clonic seizure, or tonic-clonic seizure. A seizure is characterized by a sudden episode of un- controllable brain ...
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Exfoliative dermatitis is widespread scaling of the skin, often with itching (pruritus), skin redness (erythroderma), and hair loss. It may occur in severe cases of many common skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and allergic reactions. ...
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Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by low blood sugar, or abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood.
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Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) is too low.
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The condition called hypoglycemia is literally translated as low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar (or blood glucose) concentrations fall below a level necessary to properly support the body's need for energy and stability througho...
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Hypoglycemia, or abnormally low blood sugar, is caused by the impaired response (or failure) of the liver to release glucose as blood sugar levels decrease. The imbalance in the rate of glucose released from the liver and its use by other body tis...
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Abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, is brought on by abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood. The condition is common among individuals with diabetes mellitus who are administering their own insulin...
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Imprecise term, primarily used by laypeople, to refer to mental conditions. This term is widely used, but has no precise definition. In fact, many mental health professionals feel the implied distinction between mental and physical disorders overs...
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Positive symptoms are thoughts, behaviors, or sensory perceptions present in a person with a mental disorder, but not present in people in the normal population.
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Negative symptoms are thoughts, feelings, or behaviors normally present that are absent or diminished in a person with a mental disorder.
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Alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) consumption has a social aspect to it, but it is often abused. The effect of alcohol consumption on the body depends on how often it is consumed, how much, and the alcohol content of the drinks. Frequent alcohol ...
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Alcohol use involves drinking alcohol, which is produced by fermenting the starch or sugar in fruits and grains. See also: Alcohol and diet; Alcoholism; Alcohol withdrawal state.
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Homelessness is a global problem. According to a 1996 United Nations report, 500 million people worldwide were homeless or residing in low-quality housing and unsanitary conditions in 1995. The number of homeless continues to rise, however, and qu...
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In the United States, definitions of homelessness help determine who is able to receive shelter and assistance from certain health and social service providers. The Stewart McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 defines a homeless person as any ...
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One of the most characteristic and consistent human behaviors over thousands of years is that humans build shelters. Homes offer protection from the elements and from a variety of health hazards and provide basic amenities such as a secure place t...
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Lack of oxygen to the brain. When the cells of the brain receive little or no oxygen, irreversible damage is often the result. Hypoxia is the term applied to oxygen starvation of the brain; when the lack of oxygen is more generalized in the whole ...
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Hypoxia generally refers to a lack of oxygen in any part of the body. In a neurological context, it refers to a reduction of oxygen to the brain despite adequate amounts of blood.
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Named for the Greek word psora meaning "itch," psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious disease characterized by inflamed lesions covered with silvery-white scabs of dead skin.
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Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most persons with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales. See also: Guttate psoriasis
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The following organization is a good resource for information on psoriasis: National Psoriasis Foundation - www.psoriasis.org.
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Named for the Greek word psora meaning itch, psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious disease characterized by inflamed lesions covered with silvery-white scabs of dead skin.
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Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious disease characterized by inflamed hyperproliferative lesions covered with silvery-white scabs of dead skin.
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Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.
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Nutritional deficiencies occur when a person's nutrient intake consistently falls below the recommended requirement. Nutritional deficiencies can lead Children between 10–19 years of age face serious nutritional deficiencies worldwide, according t...
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Malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the proper amount of protein, energy (calories), vitamins , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.
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Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins , minerals , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.
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The nutritional requirements of the human body reflect the nutritional intake necessary to maintain optimal body function and to meet the body's daily energy needs. Malnutrition (literally, "bad nutrition ") is defined as "inadequate nutrition," a...
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Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes. Infants and children are mo...
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Dehydration is the loss of water and salts that are essential for normal body function.
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Dehydration is the loss of water and salts essential for normal body function.
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Dehydration is the excessive loss of water from body tissues accompanied by an imbalance in essential electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride.
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Dehydration is the excessive loss of water from the body. Water can be lost through urine, sweat, feces, respiration, and through the skin. Symptoms of dehydration in order of severity are: thirst, nausea , chills, clammy skin, increased heart rat...
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