Medical Conditions

MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is a severe pneumonia-like respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is different from SARS or COVID-19 because MERS is …

A person has metabolic syndrome when they have a combination of 3 or more certain health risks. These health risks include: high blood pressure high blood sugar …

Metal hypersensitivity is a disorder of the immune system. It is a common condition that affects 10% to 15% of the population. It can produce a variety of symptoms, …

In North America, more than 1 in 10 people have migraine headaches. Most migraine sufferers are women. Migraines usually appear between the ages of 10 and 40. …

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common condition that affects one of the heart's valves. It occurs in about 1 out of every 50 people and is slightly more …

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection that is caused by a virus. The infection causes small, dimpled, skin-coloured bumps called papules to develop on …

Monkeypox is a viral infection that is related to the virus that causes smallpox. It was first discovered in 1958 after a pox-like disease occurred in a colony of …

Many pregnant people (up to 85%) experience a period of nausea and vomiting. In the vast majority of cases, it's unpleasant but not dangerous.About 2% of …

Some people feel very sick while travelling in an airplane, boat, train, or car. They may feel queasy or nauseous or may vomit, and they may have a headache. …

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that occurs when a specialized white blood cell, a plasma cell, begins to grow and divide in an uncontrolled …

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system. This system includes the brain and spinal cord. It contains the nerves …

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands that run along the angle of the jaw in front of and below each ear. Children …

Muscular dystrophy is a term that refers to a group of muscle disorders in which the face, arm, leg, spine, or heart muscles gradually shrink and weaken over …

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that affects the contact point between nerves and muscles. For some unknown reason, the body's immune system, which …

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that is often under-recognized and underdiagnosed. About 1 in every 2,000 people in North America and Europe suffer from …

Vomiting is the act of forcefully expelling the stomach's contents out through the mouth. It's usually an involuntary action brought on by nausea, but can be …

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common symptoms of pregnancy. Nausea refers to a feeling of stomach discomfort or the urge to vomit.  Vomiting is the actual …

Nearsightedness, medically known as myopia, is the most common cause of poor eyesight, especially in younger adults. It refers to being able to see well at …

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. People affected by this condition develop non-cancerous tumours along their …

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves – nerves that carry information between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) …

The liver is responsible for many important functions. It converts sugars to glycogen and stores it until the body needs it. The liver also produces certain …

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and usually starts in lymphocytes (white blood cells) found in one or more lymph nodes. White blood …

Obesity is a leading cause of preventable illness and death in North America. It is defined by having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. In recent years, …

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, potentially disabling anxiety disorder. This condition is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts …

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth. It can occur in the lining of the mouth or in the deeper tissues such as the bone, muscle, and nerves. Cancer of the mouth …

Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth caused by uncontrolled growth of an organism called Candida albicans.Candida albicans is an organism that normally …

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that causes the cartilage to break down and bone to overgrow or form cysts. Cartilage is a smooth, shiny material that lines …

Bones need calcium and phosphorus to remain healthy and strong, but the body also needs vitamin D to be able to absorb these 2 minerals. Without this necessary …

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone marrow and surrounding bone due to an infection. When a bone gets infected, the bone marrow (the soft part inside …

Osteoporosis is a bone disease where parts of the bone become weak and prone to fracture. This condition is more common in seniors, but can affect men and …