Blood (haematology)
Bacteraemia
Infectious · Acute
The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which can be harmless and brief or lead to serious infection and sepsis.
GeoMed · Disease encyclopedia
Disease encyclopedia
Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment approaches and prevention for common conditions. Browse A–Z, by body system, or search.
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Disease encyclopedia
Musculoskeletal system
Baker's cyst
Non-infectious · Chronic
A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee, usually linked to arthritis or a cartilage tear inside the knee joint.
Reproductive system
Balanitis
Infectious · Acute
Inflammation of the head of the penis, often caused by infection, irritation or poor hygiene, most common in uncircumcised males.
Digestive system
Barrett's oesophagus
Non-infectious · Chronic
A change in the lining of the lower food pipe caused by long-term acid reflux, which slightly increases the risk of oesophageal cancer.
Reproductive system
Bartholin's cyst
Non-infectious · Acute
A fluid-filled swelling at the entrance to the vagina caused by a blocked Bartholin's gland, which can become infected and form an abscess.
Skin (integumentary system)
Basal cell carcinoma
Non-infectious · Chronic
The most common type of skin cancer, which grows slowly on sun-exposed skin and rarely spreads.
Immune system
Behçet's disease
Non-infectious · Chronic
A rare, long-term inflammatory condition causing blood vessel inflammation, with mouth and genital ulcers, eye inflammation and skin problems.
Nervous system
Bell's palsy
Non-infectious · Acute
Sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, caused by inflammation of the facial nerve.
Nervous system
Benign essential blepharospasm
Non-infectious · Chronic
A neurological condition causing involuntary, repeated blinking and forceful closing of the eyelids.
Nervous system
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Non-infectious · Acute or chronic
Brief spells of spinning dizziness triggered by changes in head position, caused by loose crystals in the inner ear.
Urinary system
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Non-infectious · Chronic
Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in older men, which can cause problems passing urine.
Cardiovascular system
Beriberi
Non-infectious · Acute or chronic
A condition caused by severe lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine), affecting the heart, nerves or brain.
Cardiovascular system
Bicuspid aortic valve
Non-infectious · Chronic
A heart valve present from birth with two leaflets instead of three, which can become narrowed or leaky and is linked to aortic enlargement.
Digestive system
Bile acid diarrhoea
Non-infectious · Chronic
Chronic watery diarrhoea caused by too much bile acid reaching the large bowel.
Digestive system
Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
Non-infectious · Chronic
A rare cancer of the bile ducts, the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the bowel, often found late.
Digestive system
Biliary atresia
Non-infectious · Chronic
A rare condition in newborns in which the bile ducts are blocked or missing, causing jaundice and liver damage.
Mental health
Binge eating disorder
Non-infectious · Chronic
An eating disorder involving regular episodes of eating large amounts of food while feeling out of control, followed by distress.
Mental health
Bipolar disorder
Non-infectious · Chronic
A long-term mental health condition causing episodes of depression and episodes of mania or hypomania.