A-Z Health Index

Your quick reference for common health conditions and diseases.

• Acid Reflux (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease / Heartburn)

  Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid (and sometimes food and liquid) backs up into your esophagus, the muscular tube that connects your throat and stomach.

• Adult Acne

  Even if you sail through your teens with clear skin, you may develop acne when you’re an adult. Don’t despair. An ever-widening variety of treatment options for Adult Acne are available, from powerful medications to surgical techniques to reduce scarring.

• Allergies

  For millions of people, allergies—sneezing and wheezing, runny noses and itchy eyes—are the natural consequences of opening a window, working in the yard, or petting the cat. Take heart: Relief is at hand, whether you need it when pollen flies or all year round.

• Alzheimer's Disease

  Few ailments are as heartbreaking as Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, the body remains vigorous, while the mind slowly and inexorably wastes away. Then mild disorientation and memory lapses give way to agitation, confusion, and helplessness. Eventually, what we know as the “self” disappears altogether.

• Anaemia (Iron-Deficiency)

  Iron-deficiency anaemia is the most common form of the disorder. It is caused by a shortage of iron in the blood.

• Anorexia Nervosa

  People with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of putting on weight. The condition can develop when a person focuses on controlling food intake and body shape as a way of coping with painful feelings.

• Anxiety Disorders

  We all need to be anxious sometimes. It’s a normal, useful response to life’s challenges and dangers. But for some of us, occasional bouts of anxiety last weeks and even months. Then it’s considered generalized anxiety disorder.

• Arthritis

  Experts still aren’t sure why cartilage, the shock-absorbing tissue that normally coats the ends of bones, sometimes breaks down. When it does, it causes those typical arthritis symptoms: stiffness and pain.

• Asthma

  Asthma attacks can make people feel as if they are suffocating. As they struggle to draw breath through narrowed airways in their lungs, they inhale in short gasps and exhale in long, noisy wheezes. The lower ribcage may contract sharply on inhaled breaths, and the pulse races; in a severe asthma attack, the sufferer’s lips may turn blue from loss of oxygen.

• Back Pain

  Back pain is the nemesis. And it’s no wonder, given that the spine is a complex structure of vertebrae, discs, nerves and numerous muscles and ligaments. Pain can occur at any point on the spine and sometimes for no apparent reason. The most common site of back pain is the lower back because it bears most of your weight.

• Bipolar Disorder

  Bipolar Disorder is a severe mental illness in which periods of deep depression alternate with periods of overactive, excited behaviour, or mania and is also referred to as manic depression.

• Breast Cancer

  If you’re among the hundreds of thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer this year, you have a good chance of beating this disease—much better than just a decade ago. The tough part may be sorting through all the options now available.

• Bunions

  Feet hurting in those shoes? Bunions can be a killer.

• Cancer

  Cancer is a disease that occurs when body cells grow out of control. Many of the 200 different types of cancer can be successfully treated, but medical research continues to seek absolute cures.

• Cataracts

  Cataracts are permanent once established. But the opaque contents of the lens capsule can be removed to restore vision.

• Cervical Cancer

  Cervical cancer is potentially preventable, because it has a precancerous stage.

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  The overwhelming symptom in chronic fatigue syndrome is long-standing physical and mental exhaustion with no clear cause.

• Cold

  There‘s a good reason this ailment is often called the common cold: North Americans catch more a stunning 1 billion colds each year. With the right remedies, however, you can get faster relief and maybe even shorten your cold‘s stay.

• Colon Cancer (Colorectal Cancer)

  Few things are as scary as learning you have cancer. But, more and more people are surviving this disease, including colon cancer, many with complete recovery and cure.

• Congestive Heart Failure

  An increasing number of people now live with congestive heart failure. This serious condition requires long-term treatment. Medical research is now keeping pace with a steady supply of new treatment breakthroughs.

• Constipation

  Constipation is a condition in which you can’t move your bowels on a regular schedule, resulting in dry, hard stool that is difficult to pass.

• Depression

  Everyone gets sad sometimes. It’s all part of being human. But if you have true depression, you know the difference. Today, promising treatments are revolutionizing the course of this potentially devastating illness.

• Diabetes (Type 1)

  Refinements in the care of this serious, lifelong disease have improved—from the development of new forms of medication to pumps that continuously deliver insulin to the blood. Although it is a complex condition, managing diabetes is easier now than ever before.

• Diabetes (Type 2)

  Approximately 2 million Canadians have diabetes, a group of diseases characterized by high blood-glucose levels. When you eat, your body metabolizes carbohydrates into glucose, which is then ushered out of the blood and into the body’s cells by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. If you have an insulin disorder, glucose remains in the blood and is unavailable to fuel the cells’ activities. The result is elevated blood-sugar levels.

• Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the small intestine. It can also be caused by certain medications (such as antibiotics, blood pressure drugs, and magnesium-containing antacids), certain medical conditions, and food poisoning.

• Digestive Disorders

  Damage to the liver, pancreas, or intestinal lining can cause painful disruptions of digestion and, ultimately, nutritional problems.

• Diverticulitis

  This painful intestinal condition is widely believed to be the unhappy result of too little fibre in your diet. Most cases of diverticulitis can be treated with medication and rest, and future incidences prevented by making healthier lifestyle choices.

• Emphysema

  Every day the average person takes about 17,000 breaths. Emphysema can make each one a real struggle. If you have emphysema, there are a number of positive steps you can take to breathe more easily and greatly improve your quality of life.

• Endometriosis

  With endometriosis, fragments of the uterine lining (endometrium) are deposited elsewhere in the body – typically in or on the Fallopian tubes, on the ovaries, behind the uterus, or on the bowel, bladder or pelvic wall, but sometimes in abdominal scars or even the lungs.

• Epilepsy

  Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures that occur suddenly for no apparent reason.

• Fatigue

  Short-term fatigue, that weary feeling you get after a stressful day or a long trip, is normal. But long-term, constant fatigue—the kind you feel every day, no matter what you’ve been doing—is not.

• Fibroids

  If your doctor says you have a fibroid, it’s not the end of the world. These common uterine growths are often problem-free. When you do need treatment, you have a number of uterus-preserving options beyond a traditional hysterectomy.

• Fibromyalgia

  So many doctors are unfamiliar with the painful and confusing condition called fibromyalgia that just getting a diagnosis may be something of a relief. You can now begin an effective treatment program and quickly get on the road to recovery.

• Gallstones

  If you have gallstones, there's good news: Newer, less-invasive surgical techniques will help you banish gallstone pain and be back on your feet faster than ever before.

• Glaucoma

  Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in Canada.

• Gum Disease

  Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, occurs when plaque—a sticky substance composed of bacteria and other matter—collects in the gaps between your teeth and gums.

• Hearing Loss

  At first, you have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds, then later, lower-pitched sounds.

• Heart Disease

  Heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, is the number-one killer of Canadians.

• Hepatitis

  While some types of hepatitis bring on a flu-like illness and disappear, others cause chronic liver disease that can lead to life-threatening complications. New therapies are proving effective for such stubborn infections, even offering a cure for some.

• High Blood Pressure and Hypertension

  High Blood Pressure is a virtually symptomless—but potentially dangerous—condition. Fortunately, it is easy to treat with the right lifestyle choices and drugs.

• High Cholesterol

  Even if you’re lean and healthy, high cholesterol could put you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Don’t worry: There’s plenty you can do to improve your outlook by lowering your cholesterol levels—safely and effectively.

• Hysterectomy

  A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the womb (uterus). It can be a psychological as well as a physical trauma, as it means that a woman is no longer fertile and may feel unattractive and less feminine. For these reasons counselling is usually offered before and after the operation.

• Incontinence

  When you’ve “gotta go” too often, or you just can’t hold it in, inconvenience and embarrassment often follow. Take heart: There are numerous solutions—from exercises to medications—for the all-too-common curse of incontinence.

• Infertility

  Millions of North American couples struggle with infertility. Although you can’t do much to turn back the biological clock, technological innovations are making it possible for many more people to ultimately bring a child into the world.

• Influenza (Flu)

  We’ve known about the flu forever: Hippocrates first described this illness in 412 B.C. Only recently has science finally started to unlock the mysteries of influenza and develop medications that can get us back on our feet faster.

• Insomnia

  Insomnia is a general term that refers to difficulty falling or staying asleep. It’s not really a disorder, but a symptom with many causes.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  The intestinal distress associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is responsible for more than 3 million doctor visits annually. Even though there’s no sure cure, IBS is definitely treatable—often with just diet and exercise.

• Kidney Stones

  It seems amazing that something so tiny can cause so much suffering. But while a small minority of people are genetically destined to develop a kidney stone, some simple lifestyle changes may greatly reduce your odds of getting one.

• Low Blood Pressure

  The lower the better when it comes to blood pressure, but only as long as you feel good.

• Lung Cancer

  It’s probably no surprise to learn that smoking causes about 90% of all primary lung cancers—meaning those that originate in the lungs. But lung cancer can also result from exposure to air pollution or industrial toxins such as asbestos or radon.

• Lupus

  As little as 50 years ago, only half the people diagnosed with lupus were alive four years later. Today, you can live with this chronic disease in relative comfort for many years, thanks to medical progress and numerous treatment options.

• Macular Degeneration

  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss among older people. Although the disease is not yet curable, promising new therapies in the research pipeline may be available soon.

• Menopause

  Menopause is your body’s adjustment to a downshift in hormones. Because of recent concerns about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), now may be the time to consider natural options such as soy foods, herbs, and exercise.

• Menstrual Disorders

  Menstruation depends on the complex interaction of hormones that govern the menstrual cycle. Anything that disrupts this, such as disease, diet or weight changes, emotion or faulty development of the reproductive organs, can cause menstrual problems.

• Migraine

  Millions of North Americans suffer from migraine headaches, but only about half of them seek the medical treatment that could bring relief. There’s no reason to suffer in silence.

• Multiple Sclerosis

  Hearing that you have multiple sclerosis can be frightening and bewildering, but this nerve disorder often progresses very slowly—or not at all. Now even the more aggressive forms of MS can be treated to delay the disease’s progress.

• Obesity

  After smoking, obesity is one of the most preventable causes of death in North America. It’s heartening to realize that losing as little as 5% to 10% of your total body weight can make you much healthier. The secret weapon is commitment.

• Osteoporosis

  Called the “silent disease” because it steals strength from your skeleton, osteoporosis has few warning signs—until suddenly you break a bone. Now, thanks to new targeted medications, you can slow bone erosion and even reverse your losses.

• Ovarian Cancer

  Ovarian cancer is hard to detect because there are no early symptoms, and later ones are vague and can mimic common disorders.

• Parkinson's Disease

  Symptoms of Parkinson's disease are so subtle and develop so slowly that it usually takes 5 to 10 years before you know there’s a problem. Even then, this disease can almost always be managed, often for decades, with specialized medications and good self-care.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a complex condition that causes both ovaries to become enlarged by fluid-filled cysts.

• Pregnancy

  Pregnancy is a time of joy, but it places great physical and emotional demands on a prospective mother. It can also be an anxious time – especially as the due day draws near.

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

  If misery loves company, PMS sufferers are an empathetic crowd. But by taking a proactive approach to this recurring condition—starting with diet and exercise—you may be able to eliminate the physical and emotional toll it takes.

• Psoriasis

  If you thought you’d never wear shorts again because of your blotchy, flaking skin, take heart. You will be glad to hear that treatment options for unsightly psoriasis have doubled in recent years.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

  Painful, tender joints can make even the simplest activities difficult for those with this inflammatory disease. Recently, pharmaceutical breakthroughs have revolutionized rheumatoid arthritis treatment, enabling many to again lead active and productive lives.

• Schizophrenia

  Schizophrenia is probably the most misunderstood of all mental illnesses.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

  Seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD, is a type of depression that affects people in the winter months.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

  Sexually transmitted diseases – commonly known as STDs – are infections caused by micro-organisms passed on from person to person during intimate sexual contact.

• Shingles

  Perhaps you thought that you were off the hook when your chicken pox cleared up way back when. But the very same virus can come back—with a vengeance—as shingles. Today, antiviral drugs and good home care can ease the pain and discomfort.

• Sinusitis

  Good news, sinusitis sufferers! Easy-to-follow at-home treatments can produce welcome relief, and plenty of symptom-specific medications can really help.

• Skin Cancer

  The skin is composed of many different types of cells—basal cells, squamous cells, melanocytes, others—that naturally grow and slough off over time. A diagnosis of skin cancer means some of these cells have become abnormal (or mutated) and are starting to reproduce out of control.

• Sleep Apnea

  Nights are hardly restful if you have sleep apnea, a chronic and sometimes dangerous condition in which your breathing literally—and repeatedly—stops during sleep. A few lifestyle changes, and a simple machine, may be all you need to control it.

• Stress

  Brief episodes of stress can raise our energy levels and improve performance. But high levels of stress on a regular basis can damage our physical and mental health and lead to life-threatening diseases.

• Stroke

  Many promising new drugs, devices, and therapies are being developed to boost survival rates and improve the quality of life for those who experience a stroke.

• Substance Abuse

  Drug misuse is the taking of drugs that can harm health, make it hard to function socially, or are simply illegal. Substance abuse can lead to physical or psychological dependency on the drug, and may be a sign of other behavioural problems.

• Thyroid Disorders

  Thyroid disorders affect the body’s metabolism. When hormones produced by the thyroid gland get out of whack, a range of problems—from sluggishness to sleeplessness—can result.

• Ulcers (Peptic)

  Much of what we used to believe about peptic ulcers turns out to be wrong. In place of yesterday‘s bland diets (including plenty of milk), antibiotics and acid-reducing drugs are now the first line of attack against this common digestive ailment.

• Urinary Tract Infection

  If this is your first urinary tract infection (UTI), you can take solace in the fact that you’re not alone: One in five women suffers from a UTI at least once a year. Treatment may now be only a phone call away, and you could feel better in a single day.

• Uterine Cancer

  Cancer of the uterus is a disease that tends to affect women after menopause.

• Varicose Veins

  You may think varicose veins are simply an unsightly fact of life that come with the onset of middle age. The happy news is that less-invasive, state-of-the-art techniques now reduce scarring and give you legs you’ll gladly show off again.

• Yeast Infection

  Most women will experience the itching and burning of a yeast infection, which is an overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus that normally lives in the vagina. Anything that upsets the balance of vaginal organisms—taking antibiotics or steroid medications, pregnancy, a weakened immune system, fatigue or stress, or poor hygiene—can trigger a yeast infection.