DEFINITION The term “fetal macrosomia” is used to describe a newborn who’s significantly larger than average. A baby diagnosed with fetal macrosomia has a birth weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams), regardless of his or her…
DEFINITION Eyestrain occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, such as driving a car for extended periods, reading or working at a computer. Although eyestrain can be annoying, it usually isn’t serious and goes away once you rest…
DEFINITION Esophagitis (uh-sof-uh-JIE-tis) is inflammation that may damage tissues of the esophagus, the muscular tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach. Esophagitis can cause painful, difficult swallowing and chest pain. Causes of esophagitis include stomach acids backing…
DEFINITION Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color. Your eyes also have melanin-producing cells and can develop melanoma. Eye melanoma is also called ocular…
DEFINITION ecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. Also called bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of…
DEFINITION Exercised-induced asthma is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs that is triggered by strenuous exercise. It causes shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and other symptoms during or after exercise. The preferred term for this condition is exercise-induced…
DEFINITION Factitious disorder is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick, or by self-injury. Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild (slight exaggeration of symptoms) to severe (previously called Munchausen syndrome).…
DEFINITION Factor V Leiden (FAK-tur five LIDE-n) is a mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood called factor V. This mutation can increase your chance of developing abnormal blood clots (thrombophilia), usually in your veins. Most people…
DEFINITION Familial Mediterranean fever is an inflammatory disorder that causes recurrent fevers and painful inflammation of your abdomen, lungs and joints. Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited disorder that usually occurs in people of Mediterranean origin — including Sephardic Jews,…
DEFINITION Infertility means that couples have been trying to get pregnant with frequent intercourse for at least a year with no success. Female infertility, male infertility or a combination of the two affects millions of couples in the United States.…
DEFINITION External compression headaches can occur when anything worn on your head puts continuous pressure on your forehead or scalp. They’re most often experienced by athletes who use helmets, eye protection or both for sports. External compression headaches are also…
DEFINITION A febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child that may be caused by a spike in body temperature, often from an infection. Your child’s having a febrile seizure can be alarming, and the few minutes it lasts can…