Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «C»:
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Caput succedaneum
Caput succedaneum is swelling of the scalp in a newborn. It is most often brought on by pressure from the uterus or vaginal wall during a head-first (vertex) delivery.
Causes
A caput succedaneum is more likely to form during a prolonged or difficult delivery. This is especially true after the membr...
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Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are one of the main dietary components. This category of foods includes sugars, starches, and fiber.
Function
The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. An enzyme called amylase helps break down carbohydrates i...
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Carbuncle
A carbuncle is a skin infection that often involves a group of hair follicles. The infected material forms a lump, called mass, which occurs deep in the skin.
When you have more than one carbuncle, the condition is called carbunculosis.
See also: Skin lesion
Causes
Most carbuncles are caused by th...
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Carcinoid syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome is a group of symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors -- tumors of the small intestine, colon, appendix, and bronchial tubes in the lungs.
Causes
Carcinoid syndrome is the pattern of symptoms sometimes seen in people with carcinoid tumors. These tumors are rare, and often slow ...
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Cardiac ablation procedures
Ablate means "to destroy." Cardiac ablation is a procedure that is used to destroy areas in your heart that may be causing your heart rhythm problems. During the procedure, small wires called electrodes are placed inside your heart to measure your heart’s electrical activity. These electrodes...
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Cardiac amyloidosis
Cardiac amyloidosis is a disorder caused by deposits of an abnormal protein (amyloid) in the heart tissue, which make it hard for the heart to work properly.
Causes
Amyloidosis refers to a family of diseases in which there is a buildup of clumps of proteins called amyloids in body tissues and orga...
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Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization involves passing a thin flexible tube (catheter) into the right or left side of the heart, usually from the groin or the arm.
How the Test is Performed
You will be given a mild sedative before the test to help you relax. An intravenous (IV) line is inserted into one of the b...
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Cardiac catheterization - discharge
A catheter was inserted into an artery, and then it was carefully guided up to your heart. The catheter was inserted through an artery in your groin or your arm. Once it reached your heart, the catheter was placed into 2 different arteries that deliver blood to your heart. Then contrast dye was inje...
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Cardiac tamponade
Cardiac tamponade is compression of the heart that occurs when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the myocardium (heart muscle) and the pericardium (outer covering sac of the heart).
Causes
In this condition, blood or fluid collects in the pericardium. This prevents the ventricles from e...
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Cardiogenic shock
Cardiogenic shock is a state in which the heart has been damaged so much that it is unable to supply enough blood to the organs of the body.
Causes
Shock occurs whenever the heart is unable to pump as much blood as the body needs.
The most common causes are serious heart complications. Many of the...
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Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscle or a change in heart muscle structure. It is often associated with inadequate heart pumping or other heart function problems.
Causes
Common types of cardiomyopathy include:
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened ...
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Cardiovascular
The term cardiovascular refers to the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular). The cardiovascular system includes arteries, veins, arterioles, venules, and capillaries....
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Cardioversion
Cardioversion is a method to restore an abnormal heart rhythm back to normal.
Information
Cardioversion can be done using an energy shock (electric cardioversion) or medications (pharmacologic cardioversion).
ELECTRIC CARDIOVERSION
Electric cardioversion may use a device that can be placed inside (...
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Caring for muscle spasticity or spasms
Muscle spasticity, or spasms, causes your muscles to become stiff or rigid. It can also cause exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, like a knee-jerk reaction when your reflexes are checked.
Self-care
These things may make your spasticity worse:
Being too hot or too cold
The time of day
Stress
Tight c...
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Carotid artery disease
The carotid arteries provide the main blood supply to the brain. There carotid arteries are located on each side of your neck under the jawline.
Carotid artery disease is a condition in which these arteries become narrowed or blocked. When the arteries become narrowed, the condition is called caroti...
