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What is Intussusception? Intussusception is a condition in which one segment of intestine “telescopes” inside of another, causing an intestinal obstruction (blockage). Although intussusception can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, it usually occurs at the junction of the small and large intestines. The obstruction can cause swelling and inflammation …

Definition Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is when there is inflammation, or swelling, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a lifelong immune response. The disease causes the body and immune system to think that food, bacteria and other needed things in the intestine are not supposed to be there. With …

What is Irritable Hip? All the freely movable joints of the body have a lubricating lining called the synovial membrane. Irritable hip occurs when the membrane becomes inflamed for a short period of time (otherwise known as ‘transient synovitis’). The inflammation causes pain. The synovial membrane produces more than its …

Definition Illness anxiety disorder or Hypochondria is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by a persistent fear of having or developing a serious medical condition. In general, individuals with illness anxiety disorder display a dysfunctional degree of concern regarding their health, which is also known as health anxiety. This fear usually …

What is intestinal metaplasia? Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a condition in which epithelial cells (the cells that line the stomach and esophagus) become altered or replaced by other cells, called goblet cells. Goblet cells are large, round, hollow cells that are normally found in the intestines; they should not reside …

What is impetigo? Impetigo is an infection of the outer layer of the skin. Its most often caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Impetigo is much more common in children, but adults can get it too. It’s more common in the summer months. Normally, your skin is …

What is Ingrown Toenail? An ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis) is caused by the pressure from the ingrowth of the nail edge into the skin of the toe. Once the edge of the nail breaks through the skin, it produces inflammation. Initially presenting as a minor discomfort, it may progress into an …

Overview – Infant Jaundice Infant jaundice or Newborn Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of a newborn baby’s skin and eyes. Infant jaundice occurs because the baby’s blood contains an excess of bilirubin (bil-ih-ROO-bin), a yellow pigment of red blood cells. Infant jaundice is a common condition, particularly in babies born …