Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «L»:
-
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an ear disorder that involves irritation and swelling of the inner ear.
See also: Meniere's disease
Causes
The are likely many causes of labyrinthitis. It commonly occurs after an ear infection ( otitis media ) or an upper respiratory infection. It may also occur after an allergy,...
-
Lack of intrinsic factor
Intrinsic factor is a natural substance normally found in the stomach. You need this substance to absorb vitamin B12 from foods.
A lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause anemia and brain and nervous system (neurological) problems.
Causes
Babi...
-
Lactate dehydrogenase test
The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test measures the amount of LDH in the blood.
See also: LDH isoenzymes
How the Test is Performed
The health care provider will take blood from a vein or from your heel, finger, toe, or earlobe.
The blood sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is placed in a machin...
-
Lactic acid test
Lactic acid is mainly produced in muscle cells and red blood cells. It forms when the body breaks down carbohydrates to use for energy during times of low oxygen levels. Your body's oxygen level might drop during intense exercise or if you have an infection or disease.
A test can be done to measure ...
-
Lactic acidosis
Lactic acidosis is when lactic acid builds ups in the blood stream faster than it can be removed. Lactic acid is produced when oxygen levels in the body drop.
Causes
The most common cause is intense exercise. However, it can also be caused by certain diseases, such as sepsis, respiratory failure, A...
-
Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose (a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products).
Causes
Lactose intolerance happens when the small intestine does not make enough of the enzyme lactase. Babies' bodies make this enzyme so they can digest milk, including breast milk. Be...
-
Lactose tolerance tests
Lactose tolerance tests measure the ability of your intestines to break down lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
See also: Lactose intolerance
How the Test is Performed
Two common methods include:
Lactose tolerance blood test
Hydrogen breath test
The hydrogen breath ...
-
Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a disorder in which faulty communication between nerves and muscles leads to muscle weakness .
Causes
Lambert-Eaton syndrome occurs when nerves cells do not release enough of a chemical called acetylcholine, which transmits impulses between nerves and muscles.
The result i...
-
Lamellar ichthyosis
Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare skin condition that affects newborns.
Causes
Lamellar ichthyosis is passed down through families (inherited).
Symptoms
The baby's skin appears scaly, and layers of skin fall off (are shed).
Treatment
Moisturizers containing urea and ammonium lactate may help. Also, ret...
-
Laminectomy
Laminectomy is surgery to remove the lamina, two small bones that make up a vertebra, or bone spurs in your back. The procedure can take pressure off your spinal nerves or spinal column.
Description
Laminectomy opens up your spinal canal so your spinal nerves have more room. It is usually done alon...
-
Language disorder - children
Language disorder in children refers to problems with either:
Getting their meaning or message across to others (expressive language disorder), or
Understanding the message coming from others (receptive language disorder)
Some children only have an expressive language disorder. Others have a mixed...
-
Laparoscopic gastric banding
Laparoscopic gastric banding is surgery to help with weight loss. The surgeon places a band around the upper part of your stomach to create a small pouch to hold food. The band limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.
After surgery, your docto...
-
Laparoscopic gastric banding - discharge
You had laparoscopic gastric banding surgery to help with weight loss. Your surgeon placed a band around the upper part of your stomach to separate it from the lower part. The upper part of your stomach is now a small pouch with a narrow opening that goes into the larger, lower part of your stomach....
-
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy describes a group of operations performed with the aid of a camera placed in the abdomen or pelvis.
The laparoscope allows doctors to perform both minor and complex surgeries with a few small cuts in the abdomen. This technique is known as laparoscopic-assisted surgery.
Laparoscopy may a...
-
Large bowel resection
Large bowel resection is surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel. This surgery is also called colectomy. Removal of the entire colon and rectum is called a proctocolectomy. The large bowel is also called the large intestine or colon.
The large bowel connects the small intestine to the anus...
