Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «C»:
-
Caloric stimulation
Caloric stimulation is a test which uses differences in temperature to diagnose ear nerve damage.
How the Test is Performed
This test stimulates the inner ear and nearby nerves by delivering cold and warm water to the ear canal at different times. Rarely, the test is done using air instead of water...
-
Campylobacter enteritis
Campylobacter enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with Campylobacter jejuni bacteria.
Causes
Campylobacter enteritis is a common cause of intestinal infection. These bacteria also cause one of the many types of traveler's diarrhea.
People usually get infected by eating or drinking cont...
-
Campylobacter serology test
Campylobacter serology test is a blood test to look for antibodies to a bacteria called campylobacter.
How the Test is Performed
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care pro...
-
Canavan disease
Canavan disease is an inherited condition that affects the breakdown and use (metabolism) of aspartic acid.
Causes
Canavan disease is passed down (inherited) through families. It is more common among Ashkenazi Jews than in the general population.
The lack of the enzyme, aspartoacylase, leads to a b...
-
Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
Causes
Cells are the building blocks of living things.
Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need t...
-
Cancer - penis
Cancer of the penis is cancer that starts in the penis, an organ that makes up part of the male reproductive system.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown.
Smegma, a cheese-like, foul-smelling substance found under the foreskin of the penis may increase the risk of penis cancer.
Uncircumcised men who...
-
Cancer - renal pelvis or ureter
Cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter is cancer that forms in the kidney's pelvis or the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Causes
Cancer can grow in the urine collection system, but is uncommon. As a group, renal pelvis and ureter cancers account for no more than 5% of all canc...
-
Cancer - throat or larynx
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.
Causes
People who smoke or otherwise use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk f...
-
Cancer - vulva
Vulvar cancer is cancer that starts in the vulva. Vulvar cancer most often affects the labia, the folds of skin outside the vagina. In some cases, vulvar cancer may start on the clitoris or in glands on the sides of the vagina opening.
Causes
Most vulvar cancers begin in skin cells called squamous...
-
Candida esophagitis
Candida esophagitis is a yeast infection of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
See also:
Candida-associated diaper dermatitis
Candidiasis - oral
Vaginal candidiasis
Causes
Candida esophagitis is caused by the yeast Candida. It occurs when the yeast spre...
-
Canker sore treatment
Question:
How can you treat painful canker sores in your mouth?
Answer:
The easiest home remedy is to apply hydrogen peroxide with a cotton swab on the canker sore (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 1 part water). Then dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on the canker sore 3-4 times a day. This is not ...
-
Canker sores
A canker sore is a painful, open sore in the mouth. Canker sores are white or yellow and surrounded by a bright red area. They are benign (not cancer).
See also: Herpes, Fever blisters and Canker sores
Causes
Canker sores are a common form of mouth ulcer. They occur in women more often than men. T...
-
Capillary nail refill test
The capillary nail refill test is a quick test performed on the nail beds to monitor dehydration and the amount of blood flow to tissue.
How the Test is Performed
Pressure is applied to the nail bed until it turns white, indicating that the blood has been forced from the tissue. This is called blan...
-
Capillary sample
A capillary sample is a blood sample collected by pricking the skin. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin.
How the Test is Performed
Some blood tests are performed on blood obtained by pricking the skin of the finger, heel, or other areas and collecting a drop (or a few d...
-
Caplan syndrome
Caplan syndrome is swelling (inflammation) and scarring of the lungs in people with rheumatoid arthritis who have been exposed to mining dust, such as coal, silica, or asbestos.
Causes
Caplan syndrome is caused by breathing in mining dust, which causes inflammation and can lead to the development o...
