Medical Library

Plain language reference for 135 conditions, A to Z, with symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and common questions.

Conditions
135
Letters covered
26 / 26
Emergency warnings
757
Self care steps
896
Cross references
449 all linked

Browse by letter

All 135 conditions

Abdominal Pain

Stomach ache, Belly pain, Tummy pain

Pain anywhere between the chest and the groin, from many possible causes

Variable

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Acne

Acne vulgaris, Spots

Blocked inflamed hair follicles causing spots and cysts

Mild

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Allergic Rhinitis

Hay fever, Seasonal allergies

Allergic nasal inflammation causing sneezing and congestion

Mild

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Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimers, Alzheimer type dementia

Progressive brain disease causing memory loss and cognitive decline

Severe

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Anaphylaxis

Anaphylactic shock, Severe allergic reaction

Life threatening allergic reaction needing immediate adrenaline

Severe

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Anemia

Anaemia, Low haemoglobin

Reduced red blood cells or haemoglobin limiting oxygen delivery

Variable

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Angina

Angina pectoris

Chest discomfort from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle

Moderate

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Anxiety Disorders

Generalised anxiety disorder, GAD

Persistent excessive worry that interferes with daily life

Variable

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Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix causing worsening abdominal pain

Severe

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Arthritis

Joint inflammation

Inflammation of one or more joints causing pain and stiffness

Variable

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Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation causing reversible narrowing and wheeze

Variable

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Athlete Foot

Tinea pedis, Fungal foot infection

Itchy fungal infection of the skin between the toes

Mild

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Atrial Fibrillation

AF, AFib, Irregular heartbeat

Irregular rapid heart rhythm that raises stroke risk

Moderate

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Back Pain

Lower back pain, Lumbago

Pain in the back, most often without a serious underlying cause

Mild

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Bell Palsy

Facial nerve palsy, Idiopathic facial paralysis

Sudden weakness on one side of the face from facial nerve inflammation

Moderate

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

BPH, Enlarged prostate

Non cancerous prostate enlargement causing urinary symptoms

Moderate

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Bipolar Disorder

Manic depression

Mood disorder with episodes of mania or hypomania and depression

Severe

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Bronchitis

Chest cold

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes causing persistent cough

Mild

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Median nerve compression

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist causing hand numbness

Moderate

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Celiac Disease

Coeliac disease, Gluten sensitive enteropathy

Immune reaction to gluten that damages the small intestine

Moderate

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Cellulitis

Skin infection

Bacterial infection of the deeper layers of skin

Moderate

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Chickenpox

Varicella

Common childhood viral infection with an itchy blistering rash

Mild

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

ME, Myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME/CFS, Chronic Fatigue

Disabling fatigue worsened by exertion and not relieved by rest

Severe

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Chronic Kidney Disease

CKD, Chronic renal failure

Gradual permanent loss of kidney function over months or years

Severe

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Common Cold

Upper respiratory tract infection, Head cold

Mild viral infection of the nose and throat

Mild

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Conjunctivitis

Pink eye, Red eye

Inflammation of the membrane covering the eye and eyelid

Mild

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Constipation

Infrequent or difficult bowel movements with hard stool

Mild

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COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis

Progressive airflow obstruction usually caused by smoking

Severe

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COVID-19

Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 infection

Respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus

Variable

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Crohn Disease

Crohns, Inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic inflammation that can affect any part of the digestive tract

Severe

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Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT, Blood clot in the leg

Blood clot forming in a deep vein, usually of the leg

Severe

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Dehydration

Insufficient body fluid to support normal function

Variable

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Depression

Major depressive disorder, Clinical depression

Persistent low mood and loss of interest affecting daily function

Variable

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Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, Diabetes mellitus

Raised blood glucose from insulin resistance or deficiency

Severe

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Diverticulitis

Diverticular disease

Inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon wall

Moderate

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Eczema

Atopic dermatitis

Chronic itchy inflammatory skin condition with a damaged barrier

Variable

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Endometriosis

Tissue similar to the womb lining growing outside the uterus

Moderate

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Epilepsy

Seizure disorder

Tendency to recurrent unprovoked seizures from abnormal brain activity

Variable

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Erectile Dysfunction

ED, Impotence

Persistent difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection

Mild

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Fatty Liver Disease

MASLD, NAFLD, Hepatic steatosis

Fat accumulation in the liver linked to metabolic health

Variable

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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome, FMS

Widespread pain with fatigue and altered pain processing

Moderate

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Food Poisoning

Foodborne illness, Gastroenteritis

Illness from eating food contaminated with germs or toxins

Mild

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Gallstones

Cholelithiasis, Biliary colic

Hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can block bile flow

Moderate

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GERD

Gastro oesophageal reflux disease, Gastroesophageal reflux, Acid reflux, Reflux, Heartburn

Stomach acid flowing back into the oesophagus causing symptoms

Mild

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Glaucoma

Optic nerve damage that causes irreversible peripheral vision loss

Severe

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Gout

Gouty arthritis, Urate crystal arthritis

Sudden severe joint inflammation from uric acid crystals

Moderate

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Head Lice

Nits, Pediculosis capitis

Small insects living in the hair, spread by head to head contact

Mild

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Heart Attack

Myocardial infarction, MI

Blockage of blood flow to part of the heart muscle

Severe

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Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure, CHF

The heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body needs

Severe

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Hemorrhoids

Piles, Haemorrhoids

Swollen blood vessels in the anus and lower rectum

Mild

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Hepatitis B

HBV infection

Viral liver infection that can become chronic and cause cirrhosis

Severe

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High Cholesterol

Hyperlipidaemia, Hypercholesterolaemia

Raised blood fats that build up in artery walls

Moderate

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HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

Virus that damages immune cells, controllable with daily treatment

Severe

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Hypertension

High blood pressure

Persistently raised blood pressure that damages arteries over time

Moderate

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Hyperthyroidism

Overactive thyroid, Thyrotoxicosis

Excess thyroid hormone speeding up body processes

Moderate

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Hypothyroidism

Underactive thyroid

Insufficient thyroid hormone slowing many body processes

Moderate

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Impetigo

School sores

Contagious bacterial skin infection with golden crusts

Mild

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Indigestion

Dyspepsia, Upset stomach

Discomfort in the upper abdomen after eating

Mild

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Influenza

Flu, Seasonal influenza

Contagious viral respiratory illness with abrupt fever and aches

Moderate

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Insomnia

Sleeplessness, Chronic insomnia disorder

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep with daytime impact

Moderate

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Interstitial Cystitis

Bladder pain syndrome, IC/BPS

Chronic bladder pain with urgency and frequency without infection

Moderate

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Iron Deficiency Anemia

Low iron, Iron deficiency anaemia

Anemia caused by insufficient iron to make haemoglobin

Moderate

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS, Spastic colon

Chronic abdominal pain with altered bowel habit and no structural damage

Moderate

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Jaundice

Icterus, Yellowing of the skin

Yellowing of skin and eyes from raised bilirubin

Variable

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Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

JIA, Childhood arthritis

Persistent joint inflammation beginning before age 16

Moderate

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Kawasaki Disease

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome

Childhood vasculitis that can damage the coronary arteries

Severe

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Kidney Infection

Pyelonephritis, Upper urinary tract infection

Bacterial infection that has reached one or both kidneys

Severe

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Kidney Stones

Renal calculi, Nephrolithiasis

Hard mineral deposits forming in the kidneys causing severe pain

Moderate

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Lactose Intolerance

Lactase deficiency

Digestive symptoms after dairy due to reduced lactase enzyme

Mild

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Lung Cancer

Bronchogenic carcinoma

Malignant tumour arising in the lung tissue or airways

Severe

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Lupus

SLE, Systemic lupus erythematosus

Autoimmune disease that can affect skin, joints, kidneys and other organs

Severe

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Lyme Disease

Lyme borreliosis

Bacterial infection transmitted by infected tick bites

Moderate

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Measles

Rubeola

Highly contagious viral illness with fever and characteristic rash

Severe

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Melanoma

Malignant melanoma, Skin cancer

Aggressive skin cancer arising from pigment producing cells

Severe

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Meningitis

Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord

Severe

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Menopause

Climacteric, Change of life

Natural end of menstruation with falling oestrogen levels

Mild

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Migraine

Migraine headache, Migraine with aura

Recurrent moderate to severe headache with sensitivity to light and sound

Moderate

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Mouth Ulcers

Aphthous ulcers, Canker sores

Painful sores inside the mouth that usually heal on their own

Mild

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Multiple Sclerosis

MS

Immune mediated damage to the protective covering of nerve fibres

Severe

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Narcolepsy

Chronic neurological disorder of sleep wake regulation

Moderate

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Nephrotic Syndrome

Heavy protein loss in urine causing swelling and low blood protein

Severe

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Norovirus Infection

Winter vomiting bug, Viral gastroenteritis

Highly contagious virus causing sudden vomiting and diarrhoea

Mild

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Nosebleed

Epistaxis

Bleeding from the nose, usually from the front of the septum

Mild

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Obesity

Excess body fat that increases the risk of other diseases

Moderate

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OSA, Sleep apnoea

Repeated airway collapse during sleep causing breathing pauses

Moderate

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Osteoarthritis

Degenerative joint disease, OA

Joint pain and stiffness from progressive cartilage loss

Variable

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Osteoporosis

Brittle bone disease, Low bone density

Weakened bone structure that increases fracture risk

Moderate

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Otitis Media

Middle ear infection, Glue ear

Infection or fluid collection in the middle ear

Mild

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Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas causing severe abdominal pain

Severe

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Parkinson Disease

Parkinsons, PD

Progressive neurological disorder affecting movement control

Severe

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Peptic Ulcer Disease

Stomach ulcer, Duodenal ulcer

Breaks in the stomach or duodenal lining causing pain and bleeding

Moderate

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Pneumonia

Infection causing inflammation and fluid in the lung air sacs

Severe

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS

Hormonal disorder with irregular periods and raised androgens

Moderate

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Psoriasis

Immune driven skin disease with thick scaly plaques

Variable

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Pulmonary Embolism

PE, Blood clot on the lung

Blood clot blocking an artery in the lungs

Severe

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Q Fever

Query fever, Coxiella burnetii infection

Bacterial infection caught from livestock causing flu like illness

Moderate

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Restless Legs Syndrome

RLS, Willis Ekbom disease

Urge to move the legs with unpleasant sensations at rest

Moderate

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA

Autoimmune disease causing symmetrical joint inflammation and damage

Severe

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Ringworm

Tinea corporis, Fungal skin infection

Fungal skin infection forming a red ring shaped rash

Mild

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Rosacea

Chronic facial redness with flushing, bumps and visible vessels

Mild

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RSV Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus, Bronchiolitis

Common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in infants

Moderate

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Scabies

Intensely itchy rash caused by mites burrowing in the skin

Mild

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Scarlet Fever

Scarlatina

Streptococcal infection with a characteristic sandpaper rash

Moderate

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Sciatica

Lumbar radiculopathy

Nerve root pain radiating from the back down the leg

Moderate

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Sepsis

Blood poisoning, Septicaemia

Life threatening overreaction of the body to an infection

Severe

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Shingles

Herpes zoster

Painful blistering rash from reactivated chickenpox virus

Moderate

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Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell anaemia, SCD

Inherited disorder producing rigid crescent shaped red blood cells

Severe

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Sinusitis

Rhinosinusitis, Sinus infection

Inflammation of the sinus lining causing facial pain and congestion

Mild

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Sore Throat

Pharyngitis

Painful throat, usually viral and self limiting

Mild

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Strep Throat

Streptococcal pharyngitis, Group A strep

Bacterial throat infection causing sore throat and fever

Mild

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Stroke

Cerebrovascular accident, Brain attack

Sudden loss of brain function from interrupted blood supply

Severe

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Sunburn

Skin damage from ultraviolet radiation causing redness and pain

Mild

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Threadworms

Pinworms, Enterobiasis

Small worms causing itching around the anus, common in children

Mild

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Tinnitus

Ringing in the ears

Perception of sound without an external source

Mild

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Tonsillitis

Inflammation of the tonsils causing sore throat and difficulty swallowing

Mild

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Trigeminal Neuralgia

Tic douloureux

Sudden severe electric shock like facial pain

Severe

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Tuberculosis

TB, Consumption

Bacterial infection usually of the lungs spread through the air

Severe

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Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin dependent diabetes, T1D

Autoimmune destruction of insulin producing cells requiring insulin therapy

Severe

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Ulcerative Colitis

UC, Inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic inflammation and ulceration of the colon lining

Severe

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Urinary Tract Infection

UTI, Cystitis, Bladder infection

Bacterial infection of the bladder, urethra or kidneys

Mild

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Urticaria

Hives, Nettle rash

Itchy raised weals that come and go, sometimes with swelling

Mild

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Varicose Veins

Enlarged twisted veins from valve failure in the legs

Mild

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Vertigo

BPPV, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

False sensation of spinning or movement

Moderate

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Vitamin D Deficiency

Hypovitaminosis D, Rickets, Osteomalacia

Low vitamin D affecting bone health and muscle function

Mild

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Vitiligo

Loss of skin pigment producing well defined white patches

Mild

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Warts and Verrucas

Verruca, Viral warts

Rough skin growths caused by human papillomavirus

Mild

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West Nile Virus

WNV infection

Mosquito borne virus that can cause neurological illness

Variable

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Whooping Cough

Pertussis, 100 day cough

Highly contagious bacterial infection causing violent coughing fits

Severe

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Wilson Disease

Hepatolenticular degeneration

Inherited disorder causing toxic copper accumulation

Severe

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Xeroderma Pigmentosum

XP

Rare inherited inability to repair ultraviolet damage to DNA

Severe

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Xerostomia

Dry mouth

Reduced saliva causing dryness, dental decay and difficulty eating

Mild

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Yeast Infection

Candidiasis, Thrush, Vaginal candidiasis

Overgrowth of Candida yeast causing itching and discharge

Mild

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Yellow Fever

Mosquito borne viral illness that can cause liver failure

Severe

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Zika Virus Disease

Zika fever

Mosquito borne infection that can cause severe birth defects

Variable

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Zollinger Ellison Syndrome

Gastrinoma, ZES

Tumour driven acid oversecretion causing severe recurrent ulcers

Severe

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Medical Disclaimer: This library is general health information, not a diagnosis, and it does not replace clinical judgement. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment.