In this section you will find information on different health conditions listed from A to Z. We are using the word “health conditions” to refer to different diseases, disorders, and other conditions.
You will find information about the symptoms, causes, and preventions for each health condition. There will also be sections discussing diagnosis and medical treatments of each health condition, including complementary and alternative treatments (CAM) that are not part of standard care.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Coronary Artery Disease
Flu & Pneumonia
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Kidney Disease (Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD))
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Precordial Catch Syndrome
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Septicemia (Blood poisoning)
Health Conditions in the U.S.
Over 30% of the American adults are obese, according to National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES). Unfortunately, obesity often lead to other health disorders, such as heart diseases, cancer and stroke. Over 50% of all deaths are caused by these diseases. Almost 50% of all Americans suffered from at least one chronic health condition in 2005, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The unhealthy lifestyle in the United States. is causing this snowball effect and the statistics are not improving…yet. But now is our chance to make a change towards healthier eating and exercising habits.
An increasing number of Americans suffer from sleeping disorders, anxiety and depression that are caused by stress. Our body needs physical activity to release stress and a nutrition rich diet with a reduced intake of caffeine, sugar and alcohol. The common cold can also arise from stress, which is by the way the most widespread disease among Americans. If ignored, this mild condition can lead to fever, throat infections and sinus disorders. Being more relaxed and keeping a healthier lifestyle could ease stress levels, which in turn would boost our immune system.
Obesity can also arise from stress, which is by the way a health condition that is a huge problem in the United States. Stress can cause overeating, which can lead to obesity. More than 30% of Americans over the age of 20 are obese, according to Health and Human Services (HHS). Obesity is a serious problem that can lead to even more health related disorders. Obese people are at greater risk for other disorders, such as: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancers.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an index that can measure if a person is overweight or not. A person with a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. A change in lifestyle, with a healthy diet, and exercise will reduce the risk of many conditions and disorders.
Classifications of Health Conditions
A way to improve awareness of a specific health condition is by using a standardized classification system.It promotes comparability in the processing and presenting of statistics. A classification system also facilitates a systematic diagnostic approach. Furthermore, it’s important for people who may be diagnosed to understand the classifications. Examples of classification systems are:
- Classification of diseases: In order to code and classify morbidity data from patient records and physician offices, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is used. Also, most surveys by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) use this system. This standardized classification system by the World Health Organization (WHO) makes it possible to compare statistics with countries all over the world.
- Classification of physical health conditions: A complementary classification system to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) are the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), by the World Health Organization (WHO). The ICF consists of two parts: functioning and disability, and contextual factors where environmental and personal factors also are considered. The purpose of the ICF include: collection of statistical data, social policy use, clinical research and clinical use.
- Classification of sleep disorders: The International Classification of Sleep Disorders 2nd edition (ICSD-2), was published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, in 2005. This classification facilitates a systematic diagnostic approach and also improves the awareness of sleep disorders. For example, a sleep disorder that is related to movement will be treated differently than if it’s caused by breathing disorders.
- Classification of mental disorders: There are two established classification systems for mental disorders. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is widely known and produced by the World Health Organization (WHO). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has produced a classification for mental disorders that is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).
- Classification of eating disorders: According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the currently defined eating disorder (ED) categories need to be updated since they have limited validity. For example, eating disorders can be classified as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Many patients demonstrate a mixture of both anorexia and bulimia. The goal with the new classification system (DSM-V) is to be more valid and useful.
- Classification of physical status: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) adopted a physical status classification in 1963. This classification system is used to establish the fitness of a patient before treating a health condition with surgery. For example, it will establish whether the surgery is an emergency or not, by its specific class definition.