Communicable diseases are caused by germs passed from one person to another. Viruses or bacteria are the most common germs causing communicable diseases. The common cold, strep throat, gastroenteritis and herpes infections are among the most common communicable diseases.
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It might seem like a simple task to list the most common diseases -- but it's not, for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, there is no national or global tracking system for enumerating the occurrence of most diseases.
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A burning sensation accompanied by chest pain can be a symptom of many diseases or conditions. Some may be related to the heart, and others may be caused by the digestive system or neurological responses within the chest cavity.
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Saliva is a necessary part of the digestive process. It begins when enzymes are produced to initiate the breakdown of foods during chewing. The continual production of saliva keeps the mouth moist.
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A joint is the connection between two bones. The skeletal system is made of different types of joints, including fibrous, cartilagenous and synovial. A ligament holds fibrous joints together. Cartilage joints are bones held together with a connection of cartilage. A synovial capsule surrounds the synovial joints.
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More than 37,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year, mostly those over the age of 55, reports Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Typically, there are no early symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which makes it difficult to diagnose and treat successfully.
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Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac where muscles or tendons must glide over bony surfaces. The most familiar locations include the knee, shoulder, hip and elbow. Excessive use of the joint can cause an acute attack, which manifests as extreme pain and limited range of motion.
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Diseases and illnesses target all body systems, such as the circulatory, digestive, reproductive, endocrine, neurological, skeletal and muscular systems. Sources of diseases include genetics, bacteria, poor nutrition, viruses, parasites and fungi.
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Intestinal or stomach noise can be a normal part of digestion. Your brain sends a signal to your intestines that triggers the release of digestive fluids as a series of muscle contractions called peristalsis begins. This growling or rumbling lets you know it is time to eat.
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Initial symptoms of most food poisoning substances include gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Onset of symptoms varies with the source, but most often begin within a few hours to up to a couple of days.
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Acute diseases are those diseases that come on abruptly and run a short, severe course, while chronic diseases last for a prolonged time and may come and go. An acute disease requires immediate medical attention due to life-threatening possibilities.
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A bulging disc, also known as a herniated, ruptured or slipped disc, occurs when the disc, which acts as a cushion between each vertebrae in the spine, is compressed and puts pressure on the surrounding nerves.
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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are disease processes that are not contagious or transferable from one human to another. Random genetic abnormalities, heredity, lifestyle or environment can cause non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, hypertension and osteoporosis.
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Elevated liver enzymes are the result of inflamed or injured liver cells, which may indicate a temporary condition or a chronic disorder. The most common liver enzymes on blood tests are ALT, or alanine transaminase, and AST, or aspartate transaminase.
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Cholesterol is made by the liver in adequate amounts to supply all your body needs to protect nerves, produce specific hormones and make cell tissues. A source of additional cholesterol is the food you eat. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, and HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, are the two types of cholesterol.
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Two types of cancer may affect the lungs: primary lung cancer, which is cancer that begins in the lungs, and metastatic lung cancer, which is cancer from other locations in the body that spreads to the lungs. The two main types of lymphoma are cancers of the lymphatic system; these are Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's.
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Genetic diseases occur when there is a variation or alteration in a gene. Causes of genetic abnormalities include environmental, congenital and gene mutation within the cell that can occur at random.
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Swelling occurs because of excess fluid that collects in the tissues of the body. The most common places for swelling are the hands, feet, arms, legs and ankles, as reported by MayoClinic.com. Many medical conditions, medications and lifestyle activities cause swelling in the extremities.
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Fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion and weariness that does not go away with rest. Fatigue is not drowsiness that responds to a good night's sleep. Nausea is the feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that produces the urge to vomit.
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The most common contagious diseases are categorized as bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoan. Bacteria are tiny organisms that are pathogenic (cause infectious diseases) or beneficial (aid in digestion).
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