Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «P»:
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Paget’s disease of the bone
Paget's disease is a disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth, which results in deformity.
Causes
The cause of Paget's disease is unknown, although it might have to do with genes or a viral infection early in life.
The disease occurs worldwide, but is more common in Europe, Aus...
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Pain medications
Pain medicines are also called analgesics. Every type of pain medicine has benefits and risks. Specific types of pain may respond better to one kind of medication than to another kind. What takes away your pain might not work for someone else.
OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN MEDICINES
Over-the-counter (OTC) m...
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Painful menstrual periods
Painful menstrual periods are periods in which a woman experiences crampy lower abdominal pain, sharp pain that comes and goes, aching pain, or possibly back pain.
Considerations
Painful menstruation affects many women. For a small number of women, the discomfort makes it difficult to perform norma...
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Painful swallowing
Swallowing pain refers to pain while swallowing, which may be felt high in the neck or lower down behind the breastbone. It is most often a strong feeling of uncomfortable squeezing and burning, and may be a symptom of a serious disorder.
See also: Swallowing difficulty
Considerations
Swallowing i...
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Paints - lacquer and varnish remover - poisoning
This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing or breathing in (sniffing) products to remove paint, lacquer, or varnish.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency...
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Palatal myoclonus
Palatal myoclonus is a rapid contraction (spasm) of the muscles in the roof of the mouth.
Causes
It is usually due to lesions on brain nerve pathways, including multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms
Clicking in the ear
Popping in the ear
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Paleness
Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.
Considerations
Unless pale skin is accompanied by pale lips, tongue, palms of the hands, inside of the mouth, and lining of the eyes, it is probably not a serious condition, and does not require treatment.
General paleness ...
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Palpation
Palpation is a method of feeling with the hands during a physical examination. The health care provider touches and feels the patient's body to examine the size, consistency, texture, location, and tenderness of an organ or body part....
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Palpebral slant - eye
The palpebral slant is the direction of the slant of a line drawn from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.
Considerations
The palpebra are the upper and lower eyelids which, viewed together, make up the shape of the eye. A line drawn from the inner corner to the outer corner determines...
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PAM
PAM is an abbreviation for "potential acuity meter." It is an instrument used to examine the eyes.
Information
This instrument can help doctors predict how well you may see after surgery.
Alternative Names
Potential acuity meter
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Pancreas divisum
Pancreas divisum is a birth defect in which parts of the pancreas fail to join together. The pancreas is a long flat organ located between the stomach and spine that is involved in food digestion.
Causes
Pancreas divisum is the most common birth defect of the pancreas. In many cases this defect goe...
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Pancreas transplant
A pancreas transplant is surgery to implant a healthy pancreas from a donor into a patient with diabetes. Pancreas transplants give the patient a chance to become independent of insulin injections.
Description
The healthy pancreas is obtained from a donor who has suffered brain-death, but remains o...
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Pancreatic abscess
A pancreatic abscess is a cavity of pus within the pancreas.
Causes
Pancreatic abscesses develop in patients with pancreatic pseudocysts that become infected.
Symptoms
Abdominal mass
Abdominal pain
Chills
Fever
Inability to eat
Nausea and vomiting
Exams and Tests
Patients with pancreati...
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Pancreatic carcinoma
Pancreatic carcinoma is cancer of the pancreas.
Causes
The pancreas is a large organ that is found behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes that help the body absorb foods, especially fats. Hormones called insulin and glucagon are also made in the pancreas. These hormones help your body co...
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Pancreatic islet cell tumor
A pancreatic islet cell tumor is a rare tumor of the pancreas that starts from a type of cell called the islet cell.
Causes
In the normal pancreas, cells called islet cells produce hormones that regulate a variety of bodily functions, such as blood sugar level and the production of stomach acid.
Tu...
