DEFINITION Chest pain comes in many varieties, ranging from a sharp stab to a dull ache. Some chest pain is described as crushing or burning. In certain cases, the pain travels up the neck, into the jaw, and then radiates…
DEFINITION Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction. Though chemo brain…
DEFINITION Charcot (shahr-KOH)-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of hereditary disorders that damage the nerves in your arms and legs (peripheral nerves). Charcot-Marie-Tooth is also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. The main signs and symptoms of…
DEFINITION Chiari malformation (kee-AH-ree mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue extends into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. …
DEFINITION Chickenpox (varicella) is a viral infection that causes an itchy, blister-like rash. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who haven’t had the disease nor been vaccinated against it. Before routine chickenpox vaccination, virtually all people had been infected by…
DEFINITION Chilblains (CHILL-blayns) are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to sudden warming from cold temperatures. Also known as pernio, chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on extremities, such…
DEFINITION Central nervous system vascular malformations are rare abnormalities of blood vessels in your brain or spinal cord and their membranes. Types types of central nervous system vascular malformations include: Arteriovenous malformations. A brain (intracranial)…
DEFINITION Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer also has the ability to spread…
DEFINITION Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums. Unlike cold sores, canker sores don’t occur on the surface of your lips…
DEFINITION Calciphylaxis (kal-sih-fuh-LACK-sis) is a serious, uncommon disease in which calcium accumulates in small blood vessels of the fat and skin tissues. People who have this condition usually have kidney failure and are on dialysis or recently had a kidney…
DEFINITION Cavernous malformations are abnormally formed blood vessels that have the appearance of a small mulberry in the brain or spinal cord. These malformations may be hereditary or they may occur on their own. These malformations may…
DEFINITION Cancer of the ureter begins in the cells that line the inside of the tubes (ureters) that connect your kidneys to your bladder. Ureters are part of the urinary tract, and they carry urine produced by the kidneys to…