Category: A

Hypoxia due to insufficient oxygen content of inspired air at high altitudes.  

Hypothermia due to exposure to wet and cold conditions (e.g., in skiers, hunters, sailors, swimmers, climbers, the indigent, homeless persons in winter, and alcoholics) rather than diseases (e.g., sepsis or hypothyroidism).  

A decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or more within 2 hr of the start of a meal. This may cause syncope, falls, dizziness, weakness, angina pectoris, or stroke. This condition occurs most often in older adults and in persons with autonomic failure. Although postural changes may increase the severity of the…

A form of hypogammaglobulinemia that usually appears between 15 and 35 years of age. Patients have total immunoglobulin levels of less than 300 mg/dl, IgG levels of less than 250 mg/dl, a propensity to infection, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. The cause is unknown. Patients should not be vaccinated with live attenuated (weakened) vaccines because of the…

Enlargement of the pharyngeal tonsil. It occurs commonly in children and may be congenital or result from infection of Waldeyer’s ring.  

Hypertrophy in which an organ increases in size to meet increased functional demands, as the hypertrophy of the heart that accompanies valvular disorders.  

Overactivity of the thyroid gland, presenting as heart failure, arrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation), weight loss, or psychological withdrawal. This is more often a presentation of hyperthyroidism in older than in younger patients. Diagnosis is usually easier in the latter group because they present with the classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism.  

Significant increase in blood pressure, with some evidence of vascular damage on funduscopic examination of the retina. Prompt treatment is indicated to prevent organ damage.  

A serious (emergency) medical condition commonly seen in patients with injury to the upper spinal cord (above T6). It is caused by massive sympathetic discharge of stimuli from the autonomic nervous system. It may be triggered by distention of the bladder or colon, a skin lesion (pressure sore), catheterization or irrigation of the bladder, cystoscopy,…

Hyperopia caused by shortness of the eye’s anteroposterior axis.