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 04/12/2010
Bloating; Meteorism Considerations: Common Causes: Common causes include: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Constipation Gastroesophageal reflux Irritable bowel syndrome Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances Overeating Small bowel bacterial overgrowth Weight gain The diabetes medication acarbose, as well as any medicine containing lactulose or sorbitol, may cause bloating.
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 10/07/2009
Stomach pain; Pain - abdomen; Belly ache; Abdominal cramps Considerations: Almost everyone experiences pain in the abdomen at one time or another. Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical problem. 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, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas The aorta -- a large blood vessel that runs straight down the inside of the abdomen The appendix -- an organ in the lower right abdomen that no longer serves much function The kidneys -- two bean-shaped organs that lie deep within the abdominal cavity The spleen -- an organ involved in blood maintenance and infection control However, the pain may start from somewhere else -- like your chest or pelvic area.
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 02/28/2010
Restlessness Considerations: 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. When agitation lasts for hours and there is a change in alertness (altered consciousness), doctors call this delirium .
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.
