Health and Fitness

Overview Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened (hypertrophied). The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few, if any, symptoms. However, in a small number of people with HCM, the thickened heart muscle can cause shortness of breath, chest pain or changes in the heart's electrical system, resulting in life-threatening irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or sudden death. Signs, Symptoms and Risks Some people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy don’t have symptoms while others may only feel symptoms with exercise or exertion. Some people may not have signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease but may develop them over time.  Knowing the signs and symptoms of HCM is important. It can help with getting an early diagnosis when treatment may be most effective. Signs and symptoms of HCM include: Chest pa...

OVERVIEW Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a complication of varicella-zoster virus infections, including chickenpox or shingles (herpes zoster). Other names for the condition include herpes zoster oticus and Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2. It got its name when an American army officer and neurologist named James Ramsay Hunt first described the disorder in 1907. If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus that caused it (varicella-zoster virus) can remain inactive (dormant) in your nerves for years. Shingles occurs when the previously dormant varicella-zoster virus reactivates. The reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in your facial nerve is called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt syndrome causes facial nerve paralysis (facial palsy) and intense ear pain. In addition, it may cause a painful rash on your ear, face or mouth. Ramsay Hunt syndrome can affect anyone who’s had chickenpox or shingles. Most cases occur in people age 60 and older. The condition rarely affects children but has been di...

Overview Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems Symptoms of Pneumonia Your symptoms can vary depending on what’s causing your pneumonia, your age, and your overall health. They usually develop over several days. Common pneumonia symptoms include: Chest pain when you breathe or cough Cough that produces phlegm or mucus Fatigue and loss of appetite Fever, sweating, and chills Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Shortness of breath Along with these symptoms, older adults and people with weak immune systems might be confused or have changes in m...

Overview Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separate — autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term "Asperger's syndrome," which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems functioning in society — socially, in school and at work, for example. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to devel...

Overview Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. If you're otherwise healthy, you'll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly. There's no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. Avoid food and water that may be contaminated and wash your hands thoroughly and often. Symptoms of Gastroenteritis With gastroenteritis, the main symptoms you probably have are watery diarrhea and vomiting. You might also have stomach pain, cramping, fever, nausea, and a headache. Because of diarrhea and vomiting, you also can become dehydrated. Watch for signs of dehydration, ...

What Is Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis? You may know that white blood cells are your body’s infection fighters. But if your body makes too much of a type of immune cell called histiocytes, they can cause tumors, lesions, and other tissue damage. One of these rare disorders -- which resembles some types of cancer -- is called Langerhans cell histiocytosis, or LCH. It most commonly appears in toddlers and very young children, but you can have it as an adult, too. Symptoms LCH can show up on many places on your body, but most often on your skin and bones. It can affect any organ, including your lungs, liver, brain, spleen, or lymph nodes. In about 8 out of 10 people, LCH leads to tumors called granulomas in the skull and in other bones. That can cause pain and swelling, and sometimes it can fracture your arms or legs. LCH symptoms can range from mild to more serious. Some people are born with it, and the disease eventually goes away on its own. But others have a severe and long-lasting typ...

What is a volvulus? A volvulus occurs when part of the colon or intestine twists. The twisting causes bowel obstructions that may cut off the blood supply to areas of the bowels. A volvulus is a medical emergency that needs surgical treatment. If left untreated, the parts of the bowels that are not receiving enough blood will start to die. Volvulus of the small intestine usually occurs in infants and children. In adults, volvulus of the small intestine is rare. In adults, volvulus tends to occur in the colon and is known as a sigmoid volvulus. Causes In infants, volvulus of the small intestine often occurs due to malrotation. Malrotation occurs when a problem with the way the intestines form causes them to settle in the wrong place in the abdomen. This can cause the intestines to twist or become blocked. In adults, causes of a sigmoid volvulus include: an enlarged colon abdominal adhesions that develop after surgery, injury, or infection diseases of the large intestine, such as Hirschs...