Medical Conditions and Their Treatments

Flashcards covering key medical conditions, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Cirrhosis of the liver

Healthy liver tissue gets replaced with scarred tissue due to inflammation.

This scarring impairs liver function and can ultimately lead to liver failure.

Common causes include chronic alcohol use, viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and infectious diseases, medications

Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications for Hep. B/C, and in severe cases, a liver transplant.

Eclampsia

Seizures that occur in a person with preeclampsia due to abnormal placenta causing reduced blood flow.

• Kidneys retain more salt = hypertension, oliguria, reduced blood flow, formation of thrombi, edema (swelling) 

• Happens after 20 weeks’ gestation or 6 weeks after delivery 

• Can cause organ damage to brain, liver, kidney, & eyes  

  Preeclampsia: New onset hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy.

Acromegaly & Gigantism

Excess bone growth disorder caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone after epiphyseal plates close.

Acromegaly occurs in adults, while gigantism occurs in children before the plates close.

Can affect organ & muscle size 

Treatment: remove tumor from pituitary gland through surgery, radiation therapy 

Liver Cancer

When liver cells undergo mutations that grow uncontrollably into a tumor 

Primary- starts in the liver

Secondary- starts another part of body then spreads to liver 

Symptoms: weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain/swelling, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools 

Treatment: surgery, liver transplant, localized treatment (ablation, embolization therapy, radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy   

Obesity

Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation presenting health risks; defined as BMI over 30.

• Eating more calories than they burn 

Causes: family history, metabolism, hypothyroidism, medications like antipsychotics 

Leads to: Type 2 diabetes and heart disease 

Treatments: healthy diet, physical activity, limit alcohol, improve sleep, limit stress 

Post-Partum Depression

A mood disorder occurring after childbirth, characterized by feelings of helplessness, anxiety, symptoms last up to a year, inability to do everyday activity.

Severe cases is Post-Partum psychosis (want to cause harm to self or child)

Affected Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, prolactin, cortisol  increase after birth 

Treatment: therapy, anti-depressants/psychotics, support system 

Kidney Stones

Solid pieces of material that develop in the kidneys due to high mineral concentrations in urine.

3 types of stone 

• Calcium oscillate 

• Uric acid- high protein

• Cystine 

  Symptoms: severe pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, burning urine, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills. 

  Causes: dehydration, family history, medications/supplements, excessive salt or protein in diet, 

  Treatments: drinking 2-3 liter of water, medication, shock waves to break stones, laser, surgery in severe cases, less salt 

Bone Marrow Transplant

Transplant of red blood cells and healthy blood-forming stem cells to replace dysfunctional bone marrow.

• Needed for conditions like leukemia, sickle cell anemia, immune disorders   

Two types of bone marrow red & yellow 

Red bone marrow contains red blood stem cells that become RBC, WBS, and Platelets

Yellow bone Maroow: contains fat cells that become fat, cartilage, or bone cell 

Donor and recipient are matched based on Human leukocyte antigen tissue 

Graft-versus-Host Disease: when donor stem cells are seen as foreign by the body  

Hypertension & Hypotension

High blood pressure defined as 130-139/80-89 (Stage 1) and 140+/90+ (Stage 2).

• Symptoms: headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, chest pain, dizziness 

• Causes: excessive sodium in blood, drugs, stress, plaque build-up, heart defects 

Low blood pressure is defined as below 90/60

• Symptoms: blurred vision, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, upset stomach  

• Causes: dehydration, medication, pregnancy, other medical conditions 

• Treatment: hydration, healthy diet, exercise, medication  

Anaphylaxis

A serious, life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by excessive chemical release in response to allergens.

Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and tongue, rapid heartbeat, hives, and gastrointestinal distress. Immediate treatment typically involves administering epinephrine.

Autoimmunity

A condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells and tissues. (Types over 100+)

Causes: genetics, viruses, exposed chemicals and toxins, hormonal influence 

Effects women more 80%

Treatments: medication, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, lifestyle changes, no cure for chronic diseases 

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Open sores in the digestive tract caused by damage to the mucous lining.  (lower esophagus, stomach, duodenum) 

Causes: H, pylori overgrowth infection, NSAIDs, excess stomach acid, smoking, alcohol, stress,

Symptoms: indigest, burning in stomach (Gnawing), nausea, vomiting 

Treatments: antibiotics, avoid NSAIDs, cytoprotective agents, proton pump inhibitors, lifestyle changes

Teratogens

Substances that cause birth defects or problems in a developing embryo. (early as 10-14 days after conception)

Can be exposed by ingesting them and  through environment 

Types: Caffeine (200 m/day+), Alcohol, Medications/drugs, infectious viruses (rubella, chickenpox, varicella, syphilis), radiation, extreme heat, health conditions (diabetes, thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases) 

Lead to: Fetal Alcohol syndrome, neonatal abstinence syndrome

Pernicious Anemia

A deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin due to an inability to absorb vitamin B-12.

Hemoglobin binds and transports oxygen through the blood stream 

Symptoms: tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, cold hands/feet, headaches 

Treatments: intramuscular vitamin B-12 shots typically once a month  

Anemia

Low RBC count and low Hemoglobin levels,  

Common types: iron deficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, Folate deficiency, hemolytic anemia, Aplastic anemia, Thalassemia, sickle cell anemia 

1.6 billion people have anemia globally 

Severe cases can lead to organ damage and heart failure

Wlison’s Disease

An accumulation of excessive amount of copper in the body due a mutation in the protein gene (APT7B) which transports copper into blood 

Autosomal recessive mutation (both parents have gene) 

Symptoms starts from 5-35 years, but diseases is since birth 

Symptoms: fatigue, vomiting, nausea, poor appetite, dark urine, pale stool, jaundice, speech, physical coordination, tremors, uncountable movements, mood changes 

Lead to: liver problems, hemolytic anemia, arthritis/osteoporosis, cardiomyopathy, renal tubular acidosis, kidney stone

Treatment: no cure, medications, zinc acetate, liver transports, avoids food with copper 

Hemophilia

A hereditary bleeding disorder due to deficiencies in blood clotting factors. (blood not clotting)

Men have higher chances due to x-linked inheritance pattern 

Hemo. A: caused by factor VIII (8) gene 

Hemo. B: caused by factor IX (9) gene 

Hemo. C: caused by factor XI (11) gene 

Symptoms: nosebleeds, excessive bleeding, cuts/bruises, pain, swelling in joints, blood in urine or stool 

Treatments: gene therapy, replacement therapy, supportive care, regular doctor visits