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Health Problems

Articles concerning everything from illnesses, background knowledge, recommendations to prevention.

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Abscesses

An abscess is an encapsulated inflammation in healthy tissue. It is red, painful, and filled with pus. The cause is a bacterial infection from a wound or a scratch in the skin.

An overproduction of sebum which plugs the pores of the skin. An accompanying bacterial infection stimulates inflammation. The disease can be worsened by hormonal factors, but a poor diet and hereditary factors also play a role.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Generic disorder for people, especially children, who have trouble being attentive, concentrating, and sitting quietly. Lowered development of motor function, speeking disabilities, and reduced learning ability can occur.

Aging

Coming soon

AIDS

See "HIV infection and AIDS".

Alcoholism

Chronic alcoholism is in most cases a hereditary metabolic disease related to hypoglycaemia and diabetes. Alcohol dependency is always worsened by malnutrition.

Allergy

Various kinds of allergic reactions following contact with usually harmless substances in the surroundings. The apparent cause of allergic reactions is a wrongly encoded immune system leading to so-called hypersensitivity.

ALS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Progressive destruction of nerves in the spinal cord and brain which leads to paralysation, quivering of the muscles, and progressive muscular atrophy. Speech disorders and difficulties in swallowing may occur. The muscles of respiration may be affected.

Aluminium poisoning

It has been claimed that aluminium is hardly at all absorbed by the human body. Nevertheless, several cases of aluminum poisoning have been reported.

Alzheimer's disease

Chronic disease with progressive decay of brain cells leading to memory loss, decreased sense of locality and ability to coordinate, and loss of language and cognitive abilities. Also depression, delusions, and reduced physical abilities.

Amalgam poisoning ( See Mercury poisoning)

Sources of mercury poisoning (besides amalgam fillings which contain at least 50% mercury): Smoke from coal power stations and crematoriums, waste incineration, and fatty fish (the selenium content of which, however, has a protective effect).

Amalgam removal - Mercury removal

Replacing amalgam fillings in the teeth with plastic or another material requires some preparation and insight, since the removal can release harmful quantities of mercury into the body. Here is some advice.

AMS - Acute Mountain Sickness

Exposure to heights with lower oxygen concentrations may cause headache, fatigue, faintness, insomnia, increased heart rhythm and reduced sense of reality. Symptoms are worsened with increasing height. Brain- and lung oedema with risk of death may occur.

Anaemia

The primary cause of anaemia is often iron deficiency, but other factors may contribute to disease development. The symptoms include tiredness, paleness, low blood pressure, cramps, and scotoma (black spots dancing in front of the eyes).

Angina

1. Intense chest pains following exercise, or in cold weather, caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. 2. Choking or suffocative pain: often used for the disease or condition producing such pain.

Angina pectoris

Intense thoracic pain with a feeling of suffocation. Pain may radiate from the chest to the left arm, the jaw and/or upper abdomen. The symptoms are caused by reduced blood supply to the heart (ischemia) usually caused by coronary atherosclerosis.

Anorexia

A potentially dangerous eating disorder. Bulimia (binge eating followed by self-provoked vomiting) is related to this condition.

Anthrax

Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacteria bacillus anthracis. It has different presentations and primarily attacks cattle and herbivores, but it is also contageous to man.

Anxiety attacks

Periods of emotional uneasiness of varying intensity. Anxiety may be rooted in rational fear or caused by biochemical imbalances in the body. Overwhelming anxiety may develop into panic. Also see "Nervousness".

Apoplexy

See "Cardiovascular diseases".

Appetite, loss of

Of shorter or longer duration. May be caused by physical ilness, stress, or psycological unbalance, alcoholism, or drug abuse. Prolonged loss of appetite is potentially dangerous, and requires treatment.

Arp

See "Cradle cap".

Arthritis and rheumatic diseases in general

Arthritis/rheumatic diseases are generic terms for a group of diseases of the joints, connective tissues, muscles, and tendons. The most common are mentioned here. Also see "Rheumatoid arthritis", "Gout", and "Osteoarthritis".

Asthma

Chronic disease characterized by sudden attacks of severe breathing difficulties (dyspnoea) and cough. Cough may be productive (followed by expectoration) or dry. Attacks are often followed by anxiety.

Asthma eczema

Coming

Atherosclerosis

Progressive stricture and possible closure of arteries followed by tissue death. The cause is free radicals causing cholesterol, e.g., to clog up inside the vessel wall and reduce its diametre. Also see "Cardiovascular diseases".

Atopic eczema

Also known as atopic dermatitis. Chronic allergic skin disease with itching exanthema. Related to other allergic conditions, especially asthma and hay fever. A common illness for children below 18 months.

Autism

Congenital developmental disturbances caused by a disturbed development in the nervous system. People with autism avoid social contact and lack the ability to control language. A less severe variation is called Asperger's syndrome.

Autoimmune disorders in general

Auto-immune disorder is a common term for a number of illnesses in which the immune system attacks the cells of its own body.