Overview Scleroderma (sklair-oh-DUR-muh) is a group of rare diseases, including skin and connective tissue hardening and tightening. Scleroderma affects women more often than men and occurs most often between 30 and 50 years of age. While scleroderma is not healed, a number of treatments can reduce the symptoms and improve quality of life. There are […]

Overview: Anthrax is a rare, but severe illness caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium. Anthrax mainly affects wild game and livestock. Human beings can become infected through direct or indirect contact with diseased animals. There is no proof that anthrax is spread from person to person, but lesions of the anthrax skin can likely […]

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder which causes the cells of the brain to waste away and die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most usual cause of dementia — a gradual deterioration in cognitive, behavioral, and social abilities that interferes with a person’s ability to work independently. The disease’s early symptoms may be to forget recent […]

Overview Psoriasis is a skin disease which causes red, itchy scaly spots, most often on the knees, elbows, scalp and trunk. Psoriasis is a severe, chronic disease which has no cure. It appears to go through periods, flaring for a couple of weeks or months, then subsidizing or going into remission for a period. There […]

Measles is an illness caused by a virus from a childhood. Once very popular, a vaccine nowadays will almost always prevent measles. Measles, also known as rubeola, can be debilitating and even fatal for small children. Although mortality rates have fallen worldwide as more children seek the measles vaccine, the disease still kills more than […]

Overview Scabies is an itchy skin condition which is caused by a tiny burrowing mite known as Sarcoptes scabies. Intense scratching takes place at the location where the mite burrows. Especially at night, the urge to scratch can be intense. Scabies is infectious and may spread quickly by close physical contact in family, child care […]

Overview Peptic ulcers are open sores which form in your stomach’s inner lining and the upper portion of your small intestine. Stomach pain is the commonest symptom of a peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers include: Gastric ulcers which occur inside the stomach Duodenal ulcers inside the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum) Infection with the […]

Overview Gout is a growing and complex arthritis type which can affect anyone. It’s marked by sudden, extreme attacks in the joints pain, swelling, redness and tenderness, often the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can happen all of a sudden, sometimes waking you up in the middle of the […]

Overview Hirschsprung’s disease (HIRSH-sproongz) is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes difficulties in passing the stool. The disease occurs at birth (congenital) as a result of losing nerve cells in the baby’s colon muscles. In the days after birth, a newborn who has Hirschsprung’s disease usually cannot have a bowel movement. […]

Overview Celiac disease also referred to as celiac sprue, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is an immune response to eating gluten, protein which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Eating gluten can cause an immune response in your small intestine when you have celiac disease. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine’s lining and prevents […]