Physician written descriptions of 3000 most common medical conditions would be available on HealthAri in the coming months. Here is a sample:

1. Allergy

Overview: An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system that occurs in response to generally harmless substances such as pollen, dust, certain foods, mold, animal dander, which are referred to as triggering factors or “allergens”. In a person with allergies, the oversensitive immune response fights off the allergens and in the process releases chemicals such as histamine which can cause symptoms that can vary anywhere from itchy and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes and itchy palate, cough, skin rash and hives to airway obstruction or anaphylaxis needing emergent treatment.

Some of the common types of conditions caused by allergies include hay fever, asthma, eczema, contact dermatitis (skin reactions), conjunctivitis (pink eye), sinusitis and occasionally a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. The timing of the symptoms is usually related to the presence of triggering factors in a particular season or location. Symptoms appear seasonally if allergies are due to pollen or weeds and are nocturnal if the triggering factors are dust mites. (continue to short description or detailed description)

2. Asthma

Overview: Asthma is a medical condition that affects the respiratory system and causes difficulty in breathing. Certain factors cause inflammation or swelling of the mucosal lining of the tubes resulting in excessive and thicker mucus secretions narrowing the airways. When people with the hyper responsive airways are exposed to triggering factors, the muscles around the breathing tubes tighten further narrowing the air passages. This results in less air flowing in and out of the lungs, causing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing which is usually referred to as an asthma attack. It may be mild and go away on its own or after self treatment with an asthma medicine. Other times, symptoms continue to get worse and may need immediate medical attention.

Asthma most often starts in childhood but can affect persons of all age groups. Frequent asthma attacks can be debilitating and frightening and at times life threatening when a severe attack is not promptly treated. When not properly controlled, it can interfere with work and activities of daily living. The condition can be kept under check by avoiding the triggering factors, whenever possible, and taking medicines best suited for your problem, as prescribed by a physician. (continue to short description or detailed description)

3. Kidney Stones

Overview: Kidney stones are small, hard crystalline particles that form in the kidney or urinary tract (excretory system), which removes extra fluids and waste products from the body in the form of urine. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back, one on each side of the spine.

Kidney stones also known as renal calculi are made up of various combinations of chemicals. The most common type of stone contains calcium, sometimes in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Chemicals like uric acid and amino acid cystine can also form stones in the urinary tract. These chemicals are a part of a person’s normal diet and constitute important parts of the body, such as bones and muscles. When these stones are small, they pass through urine unnoticed. However, if they are larger, they can result in sudden severe pain in the back, abdomen, or groin area sometimes associated with nausea and vomiting. Some larger stones can even block the flow of urine. Discoloration of urine or flank blood in urine is also common symptom. Most patients with kidney stones are treated medically while surgical treatment is used to remove larger stones. (continue to short description or detailed description)