Mental health
Adjustment disorder
Non-infectious · Acute
An emotional or behavioural reaction to a stressful life event that is stronger or lasts longer than expected and affects daily life.
GeoMed · Disease encyclopedia
Disease encyclopedia
Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment approaches and prevention for common conditions. Browse A–Z, by body system, or search.
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Disease encyclopedia
Mental health
Nervous system
Alcohol withdrawal
Non-infectious · Acute
Symptoms that occur when someone who is physically dependent on alcohol suddenly stops or cuts down, ranging from shakiness to life-threatening seizures and delirium.
Skin (integumentary system)
Alopecia (telogen effluvium)
Non-infectious · Acute
Temporary, widespread hair shedding that starts a few months after a stress to the body, such as illness, childbirth or crash dieting.
Digestive system
Amoebiasis
Infectious · Acute
An intestinal infection with the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, causing diarrhoea, dysentery and sometimes liver abscess.
Immune system
Anaphylaxis
Non-infectious · Acute
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that develops rapidly and needs immediate treatment with adrenaline.
Immune system
Angioedema
Non-infectious · Acute
Swelling deep under the skin, often around the eyes, lips, tongue or throat, caused by fluid leaking from small blood vessels.
Digestive system
Anisakiasis
Infectious · Acute
A parasitic infection caused by eating raw or undercooked fish or squid containing Anisakis worm larvae.
Musculoskeletal system
Ankle fracture
Non-infectious · Acute
A break in one or more of the bones that form the ankle joint, usually caused by twisting, a fall or a direct blow.
Musculoskeletal system
Ankle sprain
Non-infectious · Acute
A stretch or tear of the ligaments that support the ankle, usually from rolling or twisting the foot.
Musculoskeletal system
Anterior cruciate ligament tear
Non-infectious · Acute
A tear of one of the main ligaments inside the knee, usually from a sudden twist, pivot or landing during sport.
Respiratory system
Anthrax
Infectious · Acute
A serious bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis, caught mainly from infected animals or animal products.
Cardiovascular system
Aortic dissection
Non-infectious · Acute
A tear in the inner layer of the aorta that allows blood to split the layers of the artery wall, a life-threatening emergency.
Digestive system
Appendicitis
Non-infectious · Acute
Inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large bowel, which usually causes worsening pain in the lower right abdomen.
Digestive system
Ascariasis
Infectious · Acute
An infection with the large roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, caught by swallowing eggs from soil contaminated with human faeces.
Respiratory system
Asthma attack (acute severe asthma)
Non-infectious · Acute
A sudden worsening of asthma in which the airways narrow severely, causing breathlessness, wheeze and difficulty speaking; it can be life-threatening.
Respiratory system
Atelectasis
Non-infectious · Acute
Partial or complete collapse of part of the lung, often after surgery, a blockage in the airway or pressure on the lung.
Skin (integumentary system)
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
Infectious · Acute
A common fungal infection of the skin of the feet, causing itchy, scaly or cracked skin, often between the toes.
Blood (haematology)
Bacteraemia
Infectious · Acute
The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which can be harmless and brief or lead to serious infection and sepsis.