Common Diseases and Disorders: Definitions and Symptoms

Neurological and Mental Health Disorders

• Alzheimer's Disease

  Destruction of neurons in the cerebral cortex, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, disorientation, and behavioral changes.

• Parkinson's Disease

  Characterized by involuntary trembling (especially in the hands) and loss of muscle strength.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  An immune system-related disorder where the myelin sheaths and neurons destroy each other, affecting the entire body.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

  A neuromuscular disorder involving the loss of function and death of motor neurons, resulting in slow paralysis and eventual death.

• Schizophrenia

  A lack of coordination between thoughts, feelings, and actions, often resulting in the person living an isolated life.

• Neurosis

  Chronic disorders resulting from intense internal conflict due to an inability to adapt to reality.

• Eating Disorders

  Mental disorders related to eating behavior, including Bulimia and Anorexia.

• Epilepsy

  Characterized by seizures and loss of consciousness. Causes include genetics, tumors, and head injuries.

• Narcolepsy

  An autoimmune disease that may be genetic, causing uncontrollable sleepiness and hallucinations.

Infectious Neurological Diseases

• Meningitis

  Swelling of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain.

• Poliomyelitis

  Swelling of motor neurons in the nervous system, leading to atrophy and paralysis.

Endocrine System Disorders

• Diabetes Mellitus

  A chronic disease where the pancreas does not produce or properly use insulin, causing increased blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This condition can harm the heart, kidneys, and retina.

  Types of Diabetes Mellitus

  • Type 1 Diabetes: Juvenile or insulin-dependent. Cannot be prevented.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Non-insulin dependent; the most frequent type.

• Hypothyroidism

  The thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine, reducing metabolic activity. Often linked to insufficient iodine.

• Hyperthyroidism

  Excess production of thyroxine, increasing metabolic activity. Symptoms include swollen and warm skin, bulging eyes, nervousness, and tachycardia.

Sensory Organ and Skin Conditions

• Vision Disorders

  • Astigmatism

    Curvature of the lens that produces a deformed image of objects on the retina.

  • Myopia (Nearsightedness)

    The eyeball is too long. The focus of distant objects is formed in front of the retina, creating a blurry image.

  • Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

    The eyeball is too short. The image of nearby objects is formed behind the retina, resulting in a blurred image.

  • Presbyopia

    Gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus and produce a clear image of nearby objects on the retina.

  • Color Blindness (Daltonism)

    Congenital disease characterized by an inability to distinguish certain colors.

  • Conjunctivitis

    Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye as a result of an infection or allergy.

  • Cataracts

    The lens becomes opaque, blocking the passage of light.

• Hearing and Skin Conditions

  • Otitis (Ear Inflammation)

    Inflammation of the ear. External Otitis (Swimmer's Ear) can be caused by bacteria developing in the ear canal. Inflammation can also occur in the middle ear.

  • Psoriasis

    Chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin disease characterized by the appearance of scaly lesions that become thickened and inflamed.