Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «C»:
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Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Chediak-Higashi syndrome is rare, inherited disease of the immune and nervous systems characterized by pale-colored hair, eyes, and skin.
Causes
Chediak-Higashi is inherited, which means it is passed down through families. It is an autosomal recessive disease. This means that both parents must cont...
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Chemical burn or reaction
Chemicals that touch skin can lead to a reaction on the skin, throughout the body, or both.
Considerations
Chemical exposure is not always obvious. You should suspect chemical exposure if an otherwise healthy person becomes ill for no apparent reason, particularly if an empty chemical container is ...
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Chemical pneumonitis
Chemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs or breathing difficulty due to inhaling chemical fumes, or aspirating (breathing in and choking on) gastric acid from the stomach, mineral oil, gasoline, or other damaging chemicals.
Causes
Many household and industrial chemicals are capable of prod...
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Chemosis
Chemosis is swelling of the tissue that lines the eyelids and surface of the eye (conjunctiva).
Considerations
In general, chemosis is a nonspecific sign of eye irritation. The outer surface covering appears to have fluid in it. Often, the eye area swells so much that you can't close your eyes prop...
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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to cancer-killing drugs. This article focuses on cancer chemotherapy.
Information
Chemotherapy drugs can be given by mouth or injection. Because the medicines travel through...
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Chemotherapy - what to ask your doctor
You are having chemotherapy, drugs used to kill cancer cells. You may receive chemotherapy drugs by mouth or through a needle (injection). Your doctor or nurse may need to follow you closely while you are having chemotherapy. You will also need to learn how to care for yourself during this time.
Qu...
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Cherry angioma
A cherry angioma is a noncancerous (benign) skin growth.
Causes
Cherry angiomas fairly common skin growths that vary in size. They can occur almost anywhere on the body but usually develop on the trunk.
They are most common after age 30. The cause is unknown.
Symptoms
Skin lesion or growth:
Brigh...
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Chest MRI
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the chest is a noninvasive imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the chest (thoracic) area.
Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic (CT) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves....
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Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
Considerations
Many people with chest pain fear a heart attack. However, there are many possible causes of chest pain. Some causes are not dangerous to your health, while other ...
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Chest radiation - discharge
When you have radiation treatment for cancer, your body goes through some changes.
About 2 weeks after your first treatment:
It may be hard to swallow, or swallowing may hurt.
Your throat may feel dry or scratchy.
You may develop a cough.
Your skin over the treated area may turn red, start to peel,...
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Chest tomogram
A chest tomogram is a picture of the chest area created by moving the x-ray machine in one direction while moving the recording film the other way. This method blurs structures in front of and behind the area of the chest being studied. This allows for a more detailed view of a specific level within...
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Chest tube insertion
A chest tube insertion involves the surgical placement of a hollow, flexible drainage tube into the chest.
Description
Chest tubes are inserted to drain blood, fluid, or air and to allow the lungs to fully expand. The tube is placed between the ribs and into the space between the inner lining and t...
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Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
How the Test is Performed
The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. Two views are usually taken: one in which the x-rays pass thr...
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Chicken soup and sickness
Chicken soup, a popular home remedy for the common cold since at least the 12th century, may really help. The steam from chicken soup may open up congested noses and throats. Soup also provides fluid, which is important for fighting infection. Some researchers suggest that substances in chicken soup...
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox is one of the classic childhood diseases. A child or adult with chickenpox may develop hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts. Chickenpox is caused by a virus.
The virus that causes chickenpox is varicella-zoster, a member of the herpesvirus family. The same v...
