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What is Meningococcal Disease? Meningococcal disease is any type of infection that’s caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which is also called meningococcus. The bacteria can infect the meninges and the blood. These infections can be serious, even fatal. They’re called meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicemia. The word “meninges” means the …

What is Meralgia Paresthetica? Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes numbness, pain, or a burning feeling in your outer thigh. You might also hear it called Bernhardt-Roth syndrome. It happens when there’s too much pressure on or damage to one of the nerves in your leg, specifically the lateral …

Definition Myalgia is the fancy term for the muscle pains we are so familiar with when overexerting ourselves.  Some myalgia can be severe, and this can lead to the need for more in-depth treatment than merely resting a muscle.  Some myalgia is chronic, doesn’t have a well-defined cause, and seems …

What is melioidosis? Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, is an uncommon bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. The disease affects humans and animals. Individuals acquire the bacteria through direct contact with contaminated soil and surface waters. Transmission The bacterium that causes melioidosis usually enters the body via cuts and sores …

What is muscular dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of more than 30 inherited (genetic) diseases that cause muscle weakness. These conditions are a type of myopathy, a disease of the skeletal muscles. Over time, muscles shrink and become weaker, affecting your ability to walk and perform daily activities …

What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It leads to rash and flu-like symptoms. Like the better known virus that causes smallpox, it is a member of the family called orthopoxvirus. It was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred …

Definition Munchausen syndrome (also known as factitious disorder imposed on self) is a mental health disorder where you falsify, exaggerate, or induce physical, emotional or cognitive disorders. People with factitious disorders act this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or injured, not to achieve a …

Definition Mastitis is an infection and inflammation of the breast, usually the fatty tissue of the breast, that causes redness, pain and swelling. As this swelling pushes on the milk ducts, it causes pain. Mastitis is usually caused by an infection with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are normally …