Inflammation of the liver, which can be cause by various conditions, including alcohol excess, viral infections such as hepatitis A, B and C, and as a side effect of drug therapy or because of an overdose of Paracetamol. Hepatitis may range from extremely serious, even life-threatening, to mild.

Hepatitis Symptoms

• Fatigue, tiredness, weakness and lethargy
• May be jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Reduced desire for alcohol and even cigarettes
• May be extreme itchiness
• May be dark urine – brown, dark yellow or orange – after a few days
• May be pale faeces
• Liver may swollen and tender to the touch
• Fever, possibly intermittent in nature, and sweating
• Abdominal pain on the right side
• Breath may smell sweet or of faeces
• Drowsiness and confusion

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Anxiety is both a medical condition and a state of nerves and tension. Most individuals will experience the latter as part of usual life, and such feelings can be exacerbated by smoking, drinking coffee, missing meals and drinking, but it is possible that this becomes a chronic and debilitating condition. This will usually be caused by psychological or psychiatric problems beyond the control of the individual, rather than by physical illness, and is often associated with Depression. Anxiety, however, may be an indication of a serious physical condition.

Possible Conditions

• Alcohol or Narcotics
• Caffeine
• Dementia
• Cluster Headache
• Depression and Manic Depression
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperventilation
• Low Blood Sugar
• Post-Viral Syndrome
• Shock
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Despite common belief to the contrary, allergy to iodine, allergy to radiocontrast material (used in some lab procedures), and allergy to fish or shellfish are not related. A child with an allergy to fish or shellfish should not worry about cross-reactions with radiocontrast dyes or iodine.

Soy Soybeans have become a major part of processed food products in the United States, and it can be hard to avoid products made with soybeans. While soybeans alone are not a major food in the typical American diet, because they are contained in so many products, eliminating all those foods can result in an unbalanced diet. A dietitian should be consulted to help plan for proper nutrition. Soybeans and soy products are found in baked goods, canned tuna, cereals, crackers, infant formulas, sauces, and soups. At east one brand of peanut butter lists soy on the label.

Studies show that soy lecithin and soybean oil can be tolerated by most soy-allergic individuals. Wheat It may not be obvious in what products wheat can be hidden, so labels should be read carefully. Wheat is contained in some brands of hot dogs, ice cream, and imitation crabmeat. Wheat flour is sometimes flavored and shaped to look like beef, pork, and shrimp, especially in Asian dishes.

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Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon condition caused by infection with Staphylococcus bacteria, characterized by a distinctive skin rash resembling sunburn on the palms and soles of the feet. The condition, first recognized in the 1970s, is associated with the use of certain brands of highly absorbent tampons (now taken off the market). About 70 percent of cases occur in girls and women who were using tampons when symptoms begin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that one out of every 100,000 menstruating girls and women develops toxic shock syndrome (TSS) each year.

About three percent of TSS cases are fatal. Since 1984 there have been 69 reports of death related to tampon use; all but three were caused by TSS. However, the risk of death from TSS is higher in cases not related to menstruation.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Symptoms
When related to menstruation, TSS symptoms may not begin until the first few days after a girl’s period and tend to appear quickly. In addition to the skin rash, symptoms include sudden high fever, vomiting and diarrhea, headache, muscular aches and pains, dizziness, and disorientation. Blood pressure may drop rapidly and shock may develop. The sunburn-like rash may not develop until the patient is very ill, or it may go completely unnoticed if it appears in a small area. The skin on palms and feet may flake and peel. Once a person has had TSS, she is more likely to get it again. Death usually occurs as a result of a prolonged drop in blood pressure or lung problems.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an emotional condition that often occurs after direct or indirect exposure to a terrifying event in which a child witnessed or actually experienced physical harm. Traumatic events that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include violent assaults, physical or sexual abuse, shootings, natural disasters, or car accidents. One out of 13 Americans will develop PTSD during their lifetime, which is especially common among girls and women, who are about twice as likely as boys or men to develop PTSD.

This may be due to the fact that girls and women tend to experience domestic violence, rape, or abuse more often. Most children with PTSD try to avoid any reminders or thoughts of the trauma, but despite this, they often reexperience the ordeal in intense flashbacks, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts. Feelings of guilt from surviving an event in which friends or family died is also often a common feature of PTSD.

Any traumatic event can cause this disorder. Children under age 10 and teenagers through age 21 are more susceptible, beginning either as a sudden response to an event or a gradual development that can become chronic or persistent. Studies indicate that people who live with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of key hormones involved in the stress response.

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A permanent purple-red birthmark that is present at birth and is usually found on the face. The birthmarks are usually sharply outlined and flat, although the surface may sometimes have a pebbly feel. They can range in size from a few millimeters to half the body’s surface. They increase in size proportionately as the child grows, becoming darker over time. Port-wine stains may appear alone or as part of a multi-system disorder such as STURGE-WEBER SYNDROME, which also features seizures and eye abnormalities.

Causes of Port-wine Stains
Recent research suggests that the blood vessels in port-wine stains have an abnormal nerve supply, which may account for their enlargement over time.

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Diabetes Insipidus, which is not due to insulin problems and is caused by problems with the pituitary gland in the skull, may be congenital or caused by a head trauma, infection or tumours, arising within or above the pituitary.

Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus

• Thirst and excessive drinking
• Excessive urination
• Needs to get up overnight for urination
• May be signs and symptoms of lack of thyroid hormone, steroid hormone testosterone or oestrogen (leading to lack of periods for women)
• May be symptoms of hormone excess including thyroid hormone, Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly

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Acanthamoeba infection is caused by acanthamoeba which are microscopic amoeba commonly found in the environment. They can cause a serious infection in the brain, the lungs, or the eyes. The amoeba can enter a child’s skin through a cut or wound, or through the child’s nostrils. Once inside the body, the amoeba can travel to the lungs and other parts of the body, especially the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), through the bloodstream. Through improper storage, handling, and disinfection of contact lenses, the amoeba can enter the eye and cause a serious infection.

The species of Acanthamoeba that infect humans include: A. culbertsoni, A. polyphaga, A. castellanii, A. healyi, A. astronyxis, A. hatchetti, and A. rhysodes. Acanthamoeba species (spp.) are found worldwide in the soil and dust, in freshwater sources such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs, and in hot tubs, or in brackish water and seawater. Amoeba can also be found in heating, venting, and air conditioner units, humidifiers, dialysis units, and contact lens equipment. The microbes have been found in the nose and throat of healthy people as well as those with compromised immune systems.

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