Abdomen - swollen 11/16/2008
Swollen belly; Swelling in the abdomen; Abdominal distention; Distended abdomen
Considerations: Abdominal swelling, or distention, is a common condition, which usually results from over-eating, rather than from a serious illness. Simple weight gain , premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , pregnancy, or the unconscious swallowing of air can lead to this problem.
Abdominal bloating 03/08/2008
Bloating; Meteorism
Considerations:
Common Causes: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Constipation Excess gas in the bowel Irritable bowel syndrome Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances Overeating Partial bowel obstruction Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
Important but uncommon causes of abdominal bloating include ascites and tumors, such as those arising from ovarian cancer .
Abdominal mass 11/16/2008
Mass in the abdomen
Considerations: An abdominal mass is usually detected on routine physical examination . Most of the time they develop slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass. Where the pain occurs helps the doctor make a diagnosis. For example, the abdomen is usually divided into four areas: Right-upper quadrant Left-upper quadrant Right-lower quadrant Left-lower quadrant Other terms used to specify the location of abdominal pain or masses include: Epigastric -- center of the abdomen just below the ribcage Periumbilical -- the area around the bellybutton The location of the mass, and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues as to the cause of an abdominal mass.
Abdominal pain 04/25/2008
Stomach pain; Pain - abdomen; Belly ache; Abdominal cramps
Considerations: There are many organs in the abdomen. Pain in the abdomen can originate from any one of them, including: Organs related to digestion -- the end of the esophagus, the stomach, the small and large intestines, the liver, the gallbladder, and the pancreas.
Abdominal rigidity 11/16/2008
Rigidity of the abdomen
Considerations: When there is a sore area in the abdomen, the pain becomes more intense as the hand presses against it and overcomes the muscular resistance. A patient's fear or nervousness about being touched (palpated) in the abdominal area is referred to as voluntary rigidity. It usually occurs on both sides of the abdomen.
Abdominal sounds 11/16/2008
Bowel sounds
Considerations: Abdominal sounds (bowel sounds) are made by the movement of the intestines as they push food through. Since the intestines are hollow, bowel sounds can echo throughout the abdomen much like the sounds heard from water-pipes. The majority of bowel sounds are harmless and simply indicate that the gastrointestinal tract is working. A doctor can evaluate abdominal sounds by listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope ( auscultation ).
Abnormal posturing 03/26/2009
Pathologic posturing; Evaluating a person in a coma
Considerations: Abnormal posturing present with little or only mild stimulation is a sign of serious central nervous system damage.
Agitation 05/26/2008
Restlessness
Considerations: Extreme agitation can lead to: Confusion Hostility Hyperactivity Agitation can come on suddenly or over time. It can last for just a few minutes, or for weeks and even months. Pain, stress, and fever can all increase agitation. Agitation by itself may not be a sign of a health problem. However, if other symptoms occur, it can be a sign of disease.
Ambiguous genitalia 05/12/2009
Genitals - ambiguous
Considerations: The genetic sex of a child is determined at conception. The mother's egg cell (ovum) contains an X chromosome , while the father's sperm cell contains either an X or a Y chromosome. These X and Y chromosomes determine the child's genetic sex. Normally, an infant inherits one pair of sex chromosomes -- one X from the mother and one X or one Y from the father.
Anisocoria 06/24/2009
Enlargement of one pupil; Pupils of different size; Eyes/pupils different size
Considerations: It is normal for a person's two pupils to be up to 1 mm (.05 inch) different in size. Babies born with different sized pupils may not have any underlying disorder. If other family members also similar pupils, then the pupil size difference is possibly genetic and nothing to worry about.
