Search Medical Conditions
The medical conditions database is designed to help you and your loved ones learn about the cause, prevention, symptoms, and treatment of medical conditions to better understand various conditions.
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infection that was caused by the virus called variola virus. For thousands of years, smallpox created severe illness and caused the
Smoking Cessation
If you smoke, stopping smoking may be difficult, but it can be done, and there are many ways to make quitting easier. On average
Spider Bites
Most spiders don’t bite humans and only do so if they’re provoked. When spiders bite, the vast majority of bites only cause a mild
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a type of malformation that occurs during early fetal development. It’s known as a type of neural tube defect (NTD), in
Sports Injuries
Each year, participation in sports or exercise accounts for approximately 35% of injuries that occur in Canada. People who participate in sports are more
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, affects the stomach, which is found in the upper part of the abdomen and just below the
Strep Throat
Strep throat is the most common of bacterial infections that cause sore throat. It accounts for about 5% to 15% of all sore throats
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence is caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles or a weakened urethral sphincter leading to urine leaks whenever there is sudden physical
Stroke
Stroke is a sudden loss of brain function caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain, as a result of either an
Styes
Styes are minor, short-term bacterial infections affecting the edge of the eyelid or eye. A stye is also called a hordeolum. Glands around the
Substance Use Problems
A substance use problem is a medical condition. It is substance use that: interferes with a person’s relationships with family and friends, interferes with
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a sudden and unexpected death of a seemingly healthy infant, usually less than one year of age. In
Suicide
Note: This article is not intended as a replacement for suicide counselling. If you or someone you know may be at risk of committing
Sunburn
Sunburn is a kind of radiation damage done by the sun. While most people know that radiation is dangerous, they voluntarily expose themselves to
Swine Influenza
Swine influenza, also called “swine flu,” is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. Just like humans, pigs can get the flu. The swine
Syphilis
Syphilis is primarily a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. The disease has many clinical appearances that are often grouped into
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complicated joints in your body. You have one on each side of your face, just
Tendinitis
Tendons are cords of tissue that anchor muscles to bones. They slide back and forth as our muscles contract and our joints flex. To
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, is a very common injury that results from overuse, injury, or strain of the tendon that attaches the
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer found in men between the ages of 15 and 29 years old, and the incidence of this
Tetanus
Tetanus is a condition caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, a cousin of the bacteria that cause
The Common Cold
A cold – also called infectious rhinitis – is a very common viral infection of the nose and throat. Doctors call it a "self-limiting"
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot. The term comes from a combination of thrombus, meaning blood clot, and
Thyroid Diseases
The thyroid is a small gland located below the Adam’s apple in your neck. It releases hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which increase
Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch)
Tinea cruris, commonly referred to as jock itch, is a fungal infection in the groin area. It affects mostly adult men. It’s caused by
Tinnitus
Tinnitus (or “ringing in the ears”) is sound or noise that no one but the person with the condition can hear. The noise can
Toenail Fungus
Onychomycosis (OM) refers to a fungal infection of the nails that may affect one or several of the toenails or fingernails. OM affects about
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that causes inflammation. It’s most common in children aged 3 to 7, who have larger tonsils than
Tooth Decay and Toothache
Tooth decay (cavities) affects almost all of us to some degree at some point in our lives. It usually occurs in children and young
Torticollis
In order for your neck to move the way it should, all the neck muscles, tendons, and bones must be healthy and functioning properly.
Tourette’s Syndrome
Tourette syndrome (TS), named after the French neurologist who first described it, is a neurological disorder characterized by motor tics (brief, non-rhythmic, stereotyped movements)
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is caused by toxins released by certain strains of common bacteria. Although anyone can experience TSS, it occurs most often
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. On average, it is estimated that 20% to 40% of the population in North
Transient Ischemic Attack
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an ischemic stroke in which the blood flow is restored quickly and the symptoms disappear within 24 hours.
Travel Immunization
Immunizations are among the most important and effective ways to prevent travel-related infections. Immunizations for travel include: the routine childhood or adult immunizations that
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition of recurring pain on one side of the face due to a malfunction of one or more of the
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infections in the world. About 2 billion people are infected with TB and nearly 3 million
Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition of elevated blood sugars in which the body does not make enough insulin and/or the insulin being made cannot be
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly store and use fuel for energy. The body’s main fuel is a form of
Typhoid
Typhoid, also known as typhoid fever or enteric fever, is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. Across the world, millions of people
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and sores in the lining of the rectum and large intestine
Urinary Incontinence
When someone is unable to control the ability to urinate and there’s an involuntary loss of urine, this person is said to have urinary
Urinary Tract Infections
The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are far more common in women than men. Urinary tract
Uterine Cancer
Cancer of the uterus is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. It’s the fourth most common cancer among women overall, behind
Uterine Fibroid
Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas, are benign (non-cancerous) growths of muscle cells in the uterine (womb) wall. This is a condition that
Vaginitis
The vagina has its own chemical balance, which can be easily disturbed. If the lining of the vagina becomes inflamed, a condition known as
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are visible, protruding veins that appear just under the skin. The word "varicose" comes from the Latin root varix for "twisted." The
Vertigo
Vertigo is a condition in which you feel off-balance and dizzy, as if you or your surroundings are moving, spinning, or swaying. It can
Vitiligo
Vitiligo (pronounced "vit-il-eye-go") is a skin condition in which a loss of pigment causes the skin to appear white (depigmentation). Irregular white patches may
Warts
Warts are small growths on the skin caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are extremely common: it is estimated that
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