Overview and Facts Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — the loss of intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with
Overview and Facts Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. There are over 100 different
Overview and Facts What is ALS? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” is a progressive and invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease. ALS attacks
Overview and Facts Asthma occurs when the airways in your lungs (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and constricted. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and
Overview and Facts Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer: Ductal carcinoma starts
Overview and Facts Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it increasingly difficult for you
Overview and Facts Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), means your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Over
Overview and Facts Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. It is
Overview and Facts Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed
Overview and Facts Epilepsy is a disorder that results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing recurring seizures. Seizure symptoms vary. Some
Symptoms and Types Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. There are four major types of glaucoma: Angle-closure (acute)
Overview and Facts Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. Most people infected with the
Overview and Facts Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure. Blood pressure measurements are the result of the force of the blood produced
Overview and Facts Lymphedema means swelling of the lymph passages. Lymphedema, also called Lymphatic obstruction, is a chronic disease involving blockage of the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes vessels
Overview and Facts Menopause is the transition period in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and
Overview and Facts Definition- What is Mesothelioma? Malignant mesothelioma (me-zoe-thee-lee-O-muh) is a rare but aggressive cancer affecting the thin layer of tissue that covers the
Overview and Facts Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially debilitating disease in which your body’s immune system eats away at the protective sheath that covers
Overview and Facts Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited muscle diseases in which muscle fibers are unusually susceptible to damage. Muscles, primarily voluntary
Overview and Facts Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given
What is Osteoporosis? How much do you know about Osteoporosis? Take our Quiz! Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bone
Overview and Facts Parkinson’s disease develops gradually, often starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while tremor may be the most
Overview and Facts Post-Polio Syndrome or PPS is a condition that affects polio survivors sometimes many years after having polio. Other common names for the
Overview and Facts Sleep apnea, a disruption of breathing while asleep, is a deceiving sleep disorder – 90% of people who have sleep apnea don’t
What is Spinal Cord Injury? A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The
Overview and Facts Spina Bifida is broader term for a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. Spina bifida includes any
Overview and Facts Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result
