Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a key symptom of both minor ailments and serious diseases. Indigestion is the most common cause of abdominal pain in both adults and children. Additional common causes include inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestinal tract, constipation, and menstrual cramps.

Serious causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis; gallbladder or kidney stones; ulcers of the stomach and small intestine; diverticulitis (inflammation of pouchlike tissue in the large intestine); hepatitis; inflammation of a kidney, a fallopian tube, the bladder, or the pancreas; an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy; an ovarian cyst; an aortic aneurysm (abnormal widening of the aorta caused by weakness in the vessel wall); and cancer. With these conditions, pain often comes in waves, accompanied by vomiting, sweating, and tenderness of the abdomen when touched.

Bone Marrow Diseases

Diseases of the bone marrow can be life threatening because they disrupt blood cell production, which is essential for survival. Inadequate production of blood cells results in aplastic anemia. The causes of this relatively rare disease are often unknown, although some cases result from exposure to toxic chemicals, such as lead, benzene, or arsenic. Radiation from nuclear explosions or X rays can also damage the marrow because the radioactive elements involved have a strong affinity for bone marrow.

Leukemias are cancers that affect bone marrow (as well as other tissues). A cell can become cancerous at any state during the series of divisions that produce red or white blood cells. If a progenitor cell becomes cancerous at the beginning of a series of cell divisions, the leukemia is termed acute. Chronic leukemia results when cells in later stages of division become cancerous.

Fungus Infections

Fungus Infections, diseases caused by the growth of fungi in or on the body. In most healthy people fungal infections are mild, involving only the skin, hair, nails, or other superficial sites, and they clear up spontaneously. They include the familiar ringworm and athlete's foot. In someone with an impaired immune system, however, such infections, called dermatophytoses, can persist for long periods. The organisms causing dermatophytoses belong to the genera Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton.

Fungi can also invade internal organs of the body, especially the lungs, where the infections resemble pneumonia or pulmonary tuberculosis. These infections usually occur in people whose immune system has been suppressed by diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), by anticancer drugs, or by radiation; patients being treated with steroid hormones (see Hydrocortisone); people with diabetes; and those being treated with antibiotic drugs for a long time. Two fungi often found in such cases are Cryptococcus and Aspergillus, which are called opportunistic pathogens.

Fungi belonging to the genus Candida, especially Candida albicans, can infect both internal organs and mucous membranes of the mouth (see Thrush), throat, and genital tract. In people with impaired immunity, this organism can cause a chronic infection.

Many drugs are available for treating fungal infections. These include both intravenous and oral drugs, and many agents are available for topical (local) application. Persons chronically infected with Candida, Histoplasma, or Cryptococcus may require long-term therapy with an oral or an intravenous drug.

Fainting

Fainting, sudden dizziness or weakness accompanied by brief loss of consciousness, associated with insufficient oxygen in the brain. The cause is usually a disturbance in blood circulation due to fatigue, pain, shock, abnormal blood pressure, arterial blockage, or heart failure. The person fainting should be placed in a position that will quickly bring blood to the brain, and other aid to blood circulation should be instituted. The cause of fainting should be quickly determined so that further appropriate action can be taken. See First Aid.

Erythromycin

Erythromycin, antibiotic drug used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. These infections include respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, ear and skin infections, gonorrhea, syphilis, rheumatic fever, whooping cough, and diphtheria. The drug is also used in a form applied directly to the skin to treat acne. It works by interfering with the formation of essential proteins in the invading bacteria, preventing their multiplication and growth.

Erythromycin is available by prescription in capsules, tablets, ointment, gel, and various liquids. Dependingon the site of the infection, the drug is taken orally or applied directly to the infected area. Dosages range from 250 to 1000 mg taken every six hours. Children may take most forms of this drug, with dosages determined by body weight. Some forms of this drug should be taken on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after a meal). Erythromycin’s effectiveness is usually apparent after three to five days. However, the entire prescribed course of treatment should be completed to avoid recurrence of infection.

Patients with liver disease should not take this drug. It should be used with caution by patients with a history of allergies, impaired kidney function, or abnormal heart rhythm. It is generally safe for use during pregnancy (except in the form known as erythromycin estolate); however, breast-feeding mothers should be aware that this drug appears in breast milk.

Possible side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea. Also seen are skin rash, hives, eye irritation, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or temporary hearing loss.

Erythromycin can react adversely with a variety of drugs. These include other antibiotics (including penicillin), blood-thinners, carbamazepine, digoxin, lovastatin, phenytoin, and theophylline. Erythromycin should never be combined with astemizole.

Brand Names: Erythrocin, Ilosone, Emgel, Benzamycin, Theramycin Z, Erygel, Erymax, Pediazole