Common cold: an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by

inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes and
by a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (such as a
rhinovirus or an adenovirus).
Cerebrovascular accident: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the medical term for a
stroke. A stroke is when blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either by a blockage
or the rupture of a blood vessel. There are important signs of a stroke that you should be
aware of and watch out for. Seek medical attention immediately if you think that you or
someone around you might be having a stroke. The more quickly you receive treatment, the
better the prognosis, as a stroke left untreated for too long can result in permanent brain
damage.
Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but it can also damage
other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air, when a person with pulmonary TB
coughs, sneezes or speaks. If you have been exposed you should consult a doctor to
undergo the exams. You are more likely to get TB if you have a weakened immune system.
Dengue: Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of females infected with
mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. There are four serotypes of dengue virus (DEN 1, DEN 2,
DEN 3 and DEN 4). Dengue occurs in tropical and subtropical climates throughout the
planet, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms appear 3-14 days (average of
4-7 days) after the infective bite. Dengue is a flu-like illness that affects infants, young
children and adults.
Gastritis: Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which is the layer of cells that
lines the stomach inside protecting it from the acidity of gastric juices. Although it is not
correct, it is common that the term gastritis is used as a synonym of dyspepsia (pain or
discomfort in the upper abdomen, as well as symptoms of burning, pressure or fullness
related many times, although not necessarily, with meals).
Allergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body
system of defense against foreign invaders, particularly pathogens (the agents of infection).
The allergic reaction is misguided in that these foreign substances are usually harmless. The
substances that trigger allergy are called allergen. Examples include pollens, dust mite,
molds, danders, and certain foods. People prone to allergies are said to be allergic or atopic.
Thyroid cáncer: Cancer of the gland in front of the neck that normally produces thyroid
hormone which is important to the normal regulation of the metabolism of the body. There
are 4 major types of thyroid cancer -- papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The
most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump, or nodule, that can be felt in the neck.
The only certain way to tell whether a thyroid lump is cancer is by examining the thyroid
tissue, obtained using a needle or surgery to obtain a biopsy.
Obesity: Obesity and overweight are defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of
fat that can be detrimental to health. A simple way to measure obesity is the body mass
index (BMI), this is the weight of a person in kilograms divided by the square of the height
in meters. A person with a BMI equal to or greater than 30 is considered an obese person
and with a BMI equal to or greater than 25 is considered overweight. Overweight and
obesity are risk factors for chronic diseases, between cardiovascular diseases and cáncer.
Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Bone marrow produces
blood cells. Leukemia can happen when there is a problem with the production of blood
cells. It usually affects the leukocytes, or white blood cells.
Stomach flu: Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea,
abdominal 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 ingesting 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.
Anemia: The condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or
quantity of hemoglobin. Anemia diminishes the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen.
Patients with anemia may feel tired, fatigue easily, appear pale, develop palpitations, and
become short of breath. Children with chronic anemia are prone to infections and learning
problems. The main causes of anemia are bleeding, hemolysis (excessive destruction of red
blood cells), underproduction of red blood cells (as in bone marrow diseases), and
underproduction of normal hemoglobin (as in sickle cell anemia and in iron deficiency
anemia). Women are more likely than men to have anemia because of menstrual blood loss.
In children, anemia is most commonly due to insufficient iron in the diet. Anemia is also
often due to gastrointestinal bleeding caused by medications, including such common drugs
as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Kidney cáncer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. The most common type of
kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. It forms in the lining of very small tubes in
the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products. Transitional cell cancer of the
renal pelvis is kidney cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects.
Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.