Conditions are grouped into body systems to help narrow your search.
A human body is a group of connected parts or systems that together carry out particular functions such as breathing and digestion. Each separate system is dependent on the others for physical and biochemical support. The human body can maintain health and survive only if all systems work together as an efficiently functioning co-operative.
Select a a body system from the list below to find information about conditions affecting it.
The cardiovascular system's basic function is to pump blood around the body; a pause of more than a few seconds in this life-supporting circulation results in loss of consciousness. The system takes oxygenated blood to all body organs and tissues and can adapt swiftly to changes in demand. Blood circulation also removes waste products from the body.
Disorders of the heart and circulatory system are among the leading causes of ill-health in the developed world. Common heart diseases include structural defects; damage due to restricted blood supply caused by narrowed arteries; disorders of the heart muscle; and viral infections. Blood circulation may be hindered by obstructions such as blood clots or fatty deposits, or by weakened arteries or malfunctioning valves. More details ...
Problems with the digestive organs occur frequently and can affect people at any age. Some common disorders of the stomach and intestines are related to diet and may be aggravated by anxiety. Liver disease can be caused by viral infection and is also a common result of long-term alcohol abuse. Cancers can develop in any part of the digestive system.
If the digestive process is disrupted by intestinal diseases, there may be symptoms such as pain and diarrhoea. More details ...
The endocrine system is a collection of hormone-producing glands and cells located in various parts of the body, such as the pancreas and the ovaries. Hormones are complex chemical substances that are secreted into the bloodstream and regulate body functions such as metabolism, growth, and sexual reproduction. More details ...
The human body is constantly infected by organisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. The immune system produces antibodies that fight these infections and sometimes help to prevent reinfection. There are two types of immune system disorders. In allergies and autoimmune diseases, the immune system overreacts; in immunodeficiency diseases, the defense systems are too weak to cope with threats to health. More details ...
The musculoskeletal system consists of the bones and the skeletal muscles, tendons and ligaments that interact with them to produce your body's movement. This system's parts are more likely to be affected by injury than by disease because they are subjected to constant wear and tear. Bone strength and structure can be weakened by hormonal and other disorders,
particularly in older people; some inflammatory joint disorders can occur at any age. More details ...
Disruption of electrical impulses in the brain and spinal cord, or the nerves leading to and from them, may impair both physical and mental functions. The nervous system can be affected by infections, injury, tumours and degenerative conditions. One of the most common nervous system disorders is stroke, caused by blockage or leakage of blood vessels supplying the brain and sometimes resulting in permanent disability. More details ...
There are many disorders that can affect the male and female reproductive tracts. These include sexually transmitted infections and cancers and non-malignant growths of the uterus, ovaries, and testes. In both sexes, certain disorders can result in infertility. In women, hormonal changes are a common cause of minor breast disorders. More details ...
During an intake of breath, micro-organisms such as viruses and bacteria are inhaled. These may cause mild illnesses affecting only the upper airways, like the common cold, or more serious diseases of the lungs, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Other types of disorder sometimes affecting the lungs include inflammation of the tissues due to allergies, damage resulting from inhalation of irritant dust particles and cancers.
The most common diseases of the respiratory tract, especially of the upper air passages, are caused by infections. More details ...
The skin may be affected by a wide range of disorders. It is susceptible to physical injury and to infection by bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms such as funghi. Over-exposure to sunlight can cause cancers in which skin cells grow abnormally. Rashes may be caused by allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases or infections.
The skin is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. Diseases of the skin may be localized, affecting only a small site, or widespread over the body. More details ...
Infections can spread easily through the urinary tract, sometimes resulting in persistent, debilitating disorders. Serious illness can occur if the kidneys are damaged by disease and are unable to carry out their function of filtering wastes from the blood. One of the most common urinary disorders is incontinence, which is especially likely to occur in the elderly.
Symptoms such as pain in the back or lower abdomen and a change in frequency of urination may indicate a urinary disorder. More details ...
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