Vitamin Information Center

Ailment
Synonyms
Disease; Illness
Definition
Disease represents impairment of the normal state or
functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its
parts. Some diseases are acute, producing symptoms
that last short period of time, for example, flu, pneumonia.
There are also chronic disorders, such as, arthritis,
hypertension, etc. that last for a long time. Diseases
are usually classified according to cause. External
factors that produce disease are infectious agents,
including bacteria, viruses, fungi, but also disease may
occur as a consequence of different chemical and physical
agents such as drugs, poisons, radiation. Some diseases
are inherited and some of them acquired due to
environmental, infectious and various lifestyle factors.
Also, many diseases are attributed to emotional disturbances.
Most diseases occur as a result of an interaction
between the body and the environment. In ancient
times disease was ascribed to supernatural, spiritual,
and humoral factors.

AIDS-Defining Symptoms
Synonyms
AIDS-defining diseases; AIDS-defining illnesses; Opportunistic
infections in AIDS
Definition
The term “AIDS-defining diseases” are the so-called
opportunistic infections, which do not appear in immunocompetent
individuals, and particular tumors. The
tumors are Kaposi’s sarcoma, a tumor of the connective
tissue, and non-Hodgkin’s malignant lymphoma.
Opportunistic infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria,
fungi or parasites. Typical AIDS-associated viral
infections are cytomegalovirus and herpes infections.
The bacterial infection, which most frequently occurs
in connection with HIV-infection, is tuberculosis (S.
tuberculosis and other mycobacterioses). Fungal diseases,
which have to be mentioned, are Candida-infections
and cryptococcoses.A parasitic disease typical for
AIDS is pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii. In
1980 the so-called “wasting-syndrome” was identified;
it is characterized by a loss of body weight of more than
10%, tiredness, persisting diarrhea and fever.
Cross-References
 HIV-Infection and AIDS

Though many people have not even heard of Lupus, it is common - more common than some well-known diseases such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and leukemia. But because not much is known about the disease, treatment of lupus is made more difficult. What is lupus, exactly?

Diagnosis and treatment of lupus is made more complicated by the fact that currently, there is no one single test that can positively identify the disease. In fact, lupus is often mistaken for other diseases with some similar symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis. In fact, lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the body essentially “turns” on itself. When this happens the body creates antibodies that attack the body rather than protect it.
Continue Reading…

Though many people have not even heard of Lupus, it is common - more common than some well-known diseases such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and leukemia. But because not much is known about the disease, treatment of lupus is made more difficult. What is lupus, exactly?

Diagnosis and treatment of lupus is made more complicated by the fact that currently, there is no one single test that can positively identify the disease. In fact, lupus is often mistaken for other diseases with some similar symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis. In fact, lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the body essentially “turns” on itself. When this happens the body creates antibodies that attack the body rather than protect it.
Continue Reading…