What is Cercarial Dermatitis? Cercarial dermatitis, also known as swimmer’s itch, is an itchy rash caused by a tiny parasitic worm. It’s contracted by swimming or wading in infested fresh water lakes or ponds. The parasite’s usual hosts are waterfowl and rodents. After the parasite is excreted from the waterfowl …
Read More »Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Description and Prevention
Description Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in your bloodstream. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, …
Read More »Catatonia – Classification, Symptoms and Treatment
Definition Catatonia is a syndrome characterized by psychomotor abnormalities, often presenting as a state of apparent unresponsiveness to external stimuli or inability to move normally in a person who is awake. Classically associated with schizophrenia, but may also present in bipolar, PTSD, autism, encephalitis, and other neurologic disorders. If left …
Read More »Cyanosis – Types, Pathophysiology, Symptoms and Causes
Definition Cyanosis is the medical term for a bluish color of the skin and the mucous membranes due to an insufficient level of oxygen in the blood. For example, the lips and fingernails may show cyanosis. Cyanosis can be evident at birth due to the presence of a heart malformation …
Read More »Coma – Description, Types, Complications, and Prognosis
Description Coma, sometimes also called a persistent vegetative state, is a profound or deep state of unconsciousness. A persistent vegetative state is not brain death. An individual in a state of coma is alive but unable to move or respond to his or her environment. Coma may occur as a …
Read More »Cyanotic heart disease (CHD) – Types, Causes, and Treatment
What is Cyanotic heart disease? Cyanotic heart disease (CHD) involves heart defects that reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the rest of your body. It’s sometimes called critical congenital heart disease. When a baby is born with CCHD, their skin has a bluish tint, called cyanosis. CHD is often …
Read More »Congenital Heart Defects – Types, Causes and Treatment
Definition Congenital heart defects (also called CHDs) are heart conditions that a baby is born with. These conditions can affect the heart’s shape or how it works or both. CHDs can be mild or serious. CHDs are the most common types of birth defects. Birth defects are structural changes present …
Read More »Cyclosporiasis – Treatment, Prevention, and Diagnosis.
What is Cyclosporiasis? Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection in the intestines that can cause symptoms such as watery diarrhea and stomach pain. Cyclosporiasis is most common in tropical or subtropical areas and regions of poor sanitation. The most commonly involved areas for United States citizens are Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala. …
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