Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Adult-onset vitelliform foveomacular dystrophy (AVMD) is an eye disorder that can cause progressive vision loss. AVMD damages the macula of the retina, an area that is responsible for sharp central vision. Symptoms of AVMD usually begin after age 40, but some affected people do not develop symptoms at all. When symptoms occur, they include the slow development of…

A rare type of inflammatory arthritis. Although Still disease was first described in children, it is known to begin in adults (rarely). Of all patients with Still disease, 100% have high intermittent fever; 100% have joint inflammation and pain, muscle pain with fevers, and develop persistent chronic arthritis. Ninety-five percent (95%) have the faint salmon-colored skin rash. Eighty-five percent (85%)…

Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which cells cannot use blood sugar (glucose) efficiently for energy. This happens when the cells become insensitive to insulin and the blood sugar gradually gets too high. There are two types of diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2. In type 2, the pancreas still makes insulin, but the cells cannot use it…

Abbreviated ATL. A malignancy of mature T lymphocytes (T cells) with its onset in adulthood caused by infection with the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and characterized by circulating malignant T-lymphocytes, skin lesions, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen), hypercalcemia (high blood calcium), lytic (“punched out”) bone lesions, and a tendency to infection. There are four categories of ATL, based…

Abbreviated ATL. A malignancy of mature T lymphocytes (T cells) with its onset in adulthood caused by infection with the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and characterized by circulating malignant T-lymphocytes, skin lesions, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen), hypercalcemia (high blood calcium), lytic (“punched out”) bone lesions, and a tendency to infection. There are four categories of ATL, based…

Abbreviated ATL. A malignancy of mature T lymphocytes (T cells) with its onset in adulthood caused by infection with the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and characterized by circulating malignant T-lymphocytes, skin lesions, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen), hypercalcemia (high blood calcium), lytic (“punched out”) bone lesions, and a tendency to infection. There are four categories of ATL, based…

A tumor in which the cancer starts during adulthood in cells in the liver. Also called hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma. Primary liver cancer is different from cancer that has metastasized (spread) from another place in the body to the liver. The signs and symptoms may include a hard lump just below the rib cage on the right side (from swelling of the liver), discomfort in the…

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as found in the adult population. ADHD is a well-known childhood disorder that is characterized by varying degrees of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention that lead to difficulty in academic, emotional, and social functioning. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD may continue to exhibit symptoms that persist into adulthood. In the 1970s, the condition began to be diagnosed in adults…

Accessory dwelling unit. (ADU) A separate housing arrangement within a single-family home. The ADU is defined by Medicare as a complete living unit and includes a private kitchen and bath.

A rare genetic (inherited) disorder characterized by the breakdown or loss of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells in the brain and progressive dysfunction of the adrenal gland. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is one of a group of genetic disorders called the leukodystrophies that cause damage to the myelin sheath of the nerve fibers in the brain.…