Health glossary — Northguard

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Acne

Acne is a skin condition in which clogged hair follicles lead to pimples and other spots. It often affects the face, chest, shoulders, or back. Acne is common in younger people, but adults can have it too.

Aging & caregiver support

Caregiver support focuses on people helping someone with daily needs because of illness, disability, injury, or aging. That role can be rewarding and demanding. The caregiver's own physical health, emotions, and need for help matter too.

Allergies

An allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a substance that is harmless to many other people. Triggers can include pollen, dust, foods, medicines, and insect stings, with reactions that range in severity.

Anxiety

Anxiety can be a normal response to uncertainty. Anxiety disorders involve fear or worry that persists, may occur across different situations, and can interfere with work, relationships, or ordinary activities. There are several distinct types.

Asthma

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways carrying air into and out of the lungs. Airways can become inflamed and narrow, causing symptoms that vary over time and can worsen with triggers.

Back & joint pain

Back and joint pain describes discomfort around the spine or where bones meet. Injury, repeated strain, and conditions affecting joints or nearby tissues can all play a role. The location and pattern help guide evaluation.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder involves distinct episodes that change mood, energy, activity, and concentration. Episodes may include unusually elevated or irritable mood and periods of depression. These changes can substantially affect everyday responsibilities and relationships.

Birth control

Birth control, also called contraception, is a care topic about preventing pregnancy. Options include barrier methods, medicines, devices, and procedures. The right conversation depends on health history, preferences, and future pregnancy plans.

Boils

A boil is a skin infection involving a hair follicle and nearby tissue. It may begin as a tender, swollen bump and become painful as pus collects. Some people have one boil; others experience recurring episodes.

Cold & flu

Colds and flu are respiratory infections caused by different viruses. They can share symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and congestion. Flu may also bring fever and body aches, and symptoms can overlap with COVID-19.

Cold sores

Cold sores are painful blisters usually found on or near the lips. They are caused by herpes simplex virus, most often HSV-1. They can return after an earlier infection and are different from canker sores inside the mouth.

Cough

A cough is a reflex that helps clear the throat and airways. It may accompany a short respiratory illness or persist for other reasons, including asthma, allergies, irritation, reflux, or certain medicines.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It spreads through respiratory particles and can affect people differently. Its symptoms overlap with other respiratory illnesses, so the illness cannot be identified from symptoms alone.

Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that can affect emotions, thinking, and daily activities. It is more than a passing low mood and may change sleep, eating, work, or the ability to manage ordinary responsibilities.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a term for skin inflammation. Contact dermatitis develops after exposure to an irritating substance or an allergen. Other forms, including atopic dermatitis, have different contributing factors, so understanding the type is important.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea means loose, watery bowel movements that happen more often than usual. It can be brief or ongoing. Infections, medicines, food sensitivities, and conditions affecting digestion are among its possible causes.

Ear pain

Ear pain is discomfort in one or both ears. It can arise from an ear problem or be felt there because of pain in the jaw, teeth, or throat. An earache does not automatically mean an infection.

Eczema

Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause inflamed, often dry and itchy skin. Atopic dermatitis is a common form. Symptoms may improve and flare again, and the affected areas can vary between people.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, means difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. It can relate to blood vessels, nerves, other health conditions, or additional factors. A conversation about it can be part of a broader health review.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a feeling of low energy or weariness that can interfere with daily life. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis and may relate to sleep, activity, stress, medicines, or a health condition.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is inflammation around one or more hair follicles. It may follow irritation, damage, or blockage of the follicles and can involve an infection. Small itchy bumps or pus-filled spots may appear around hairs.

Fungal skin infections

Fungal skin infections happen when certain fungi grow on or in the skin. Athlete's foot and some yeast infections are familiar examples. The location, type of fungus, and a person's health can affect the condition.

Grief & loss

Grief is a natural response to a significant loss. After a death, the period of mourning is also called bereavement. Grief can affect emotions, thoughts, sleep, appetite, relationships, and the way everyday life feels.

Hair loss

Hair loss means more thinning or shedding than expected, sometimes in a particular pattern or area. Family history, aging, health conditions, medicines, stress, and nutrition can contribute, so understanding the cause matters.

Headache

A headache is pain involving the head. Tension headaches, migraine, and cluster headaches are different examples. The timing, location, associated symptoms, and changes from a person's usual pattern help a clinician understand it.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the force of blood against artery walls stays higher than it should. It often causes no noticeable symptoms, making measurement and a clinician's interpretation important.

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance the body needs, but too much of certain types in the blood can contribute to plaque in arteries. A cholesterol discussion considers test results alongside overall heart and blood-vessel risk.

Hives

Hives are raised, often itchy areas of swollen skin, also called urticaria. They may follow an allergic reaction, but infections, stress, or other triggers can also contribute. The appearance alone does not identify the cause.

Insect bites & stings

Insect bites and stings can cause discomfort where they occur. Some mainly itch, while others hurt. Reactions vary, and certain insects can transmit infections or trigger a serious allergic reaction in susceptible people.

Keratosis

Keratosis appears in the names of different skin growths or changes. Seborrheic keratoses are benign growths; actinic keratoses are precancerous changes. Some spots can look similar, so the full name and a professional examination matter.

LGBTQ+ support

LGBTQ+ support means space to discuss wellbeing with respect for sexual orientation, gender identity, and personal experience. Conversations may focus on connection, relationships, community, or finding welcoming resources. LGBTQ+ identity is not a diagnosis.

Life changes

Changes in work, relationships, health, or family responsibilities can bring stress and difficult emotions. Support around life changes focuses on understanding their effect, adjusting to new circumstances, and identifying useful sources of help.

Medication refills

A medication refill is an additional supply of a medicine already prescribed. It is a care and pharmacy topic, not a diagnosis. The prescriber and pharmacy may need to review the prescription and current information.

Moles & changing skin spots

Moles are skin growths formed by clusters of pigment-producing cells. Many are common, stable features of the skin. An unusual mole or a spot that changes in size, color, shape, or another way deserves professional attention.

Obesity

Obesity is a health condition involving excess body fat that can increase the risk of other health problems. Body weight is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, health conditions, medicines, and everyday circumstances.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves recurring, unwanted thoughts, repetitive behaviors, or both. These experiences can be difficult to control, take substantial time, and cause distress or interfere with daily life. OCD is more than liking order or cleanliness.

Panic disorder

Panic disorder involves recurring, unexpected panic attacks and ongoing worry or changes in behavior because of them. A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by strong physical sensations.

Parenting support

Parenting support helps caregivers think through everyday challenges, communication, and their relationship with a child. Each family is different. Understanding a child's needs and responding consistently can be part of building a stronger connection.

Phobias

A phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation that involves little or no actual danger. The fear can lead to avoidance and strong physical reactions when someone encounters what they fear.

Pink eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the thin lining over the eye and inside the eyelid. Infection, allergy, and irritation are different possible causes, so similar-looking eyes may need different evaluations.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes means blood sugar is above the usual range but below the range used to diagnose diabetes. It can increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and is a reason to discuss prevention and monitoring.

Rash

A rash is an area of skin that looks or feels irritated. It may itch, hurt, swell, or develop bumps or blisters. Rashes are signs of many different problems, including contact irritation and allergies.

Relationship support

Relationship support creates room to discuss communication, conflict, boundaries, and connection with partners, relatives, or other important people. Healthy relationships involve safety, respect, listening, and the ability to disagree without hurting or controlling one another.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a long-term condition that usually affects the face and can also affect the eyes. It may involve repeated flushing, visible small blood vessels, or acne-like bumps. The combination of features differs between people.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder is depression that follows a recurring seasonal pattern. It often appears during fall or winter, although a less common summer pattern also occurs. Symptoms can affect mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and everyday functioning.

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are infections passed through sexual contact. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Different infections need different tests and care, and some may not cause obvious symptoms.

Sinus problems

The sinuses are air-filled spaces around the nose. Sinusitis means their lining is inflamed. Swelling can interfere with mucus drainage and contribute to discomfort, with infections, allergies, and nasal problems among the possible contributors.

Skin cysts

A skin cyst is a closed sac beneath the skin. One common type, an epidermoid cyst, contains dead skin cells and often grows slowly. A lump may become tender, warm, or swollen if it becomes inflamed or infected.

Skin pigmentation changes

Pigmentation describes skin coloring, much of which comes from melanin. Changes in melanin production can make areas darker or lighter. Many conditions and exposures can affect pigmentation, and changes may involve small patches or larger areas.

Sleep issues

Sleep issues include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restorative sleep. Different sleep disorders can affect breathing, movement, timing, or wakefulness. Both the amount and quality of sleep matter for everyday functioning.

Sore throat

A sore throat is discomfort or irritation in the throat. Respiratory viruses are common causes, but allergies, smoke, and bacterial infections can also contribute. The cause helps determine what evaluation and care are appropriate.

Stress management

Stress management means understanding how demands or challenges affect you and finding ways to respond. Stress can involve both body and mind. The most useful approach depends on the causes, your routines, and the support available.

Substance use & addiction

Substance use concerns involve alcohol, drugs, or medicines used in ways that may cause harm. A substance use disorder can affect control over use and everyday life. Addiction is a health condition, not a character flaw.

Thyroid conditions

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that makes hormones affecting how the body uses energy. Thyroid conditions include too much or too little hormone production, inflammation, nodules, and other changes requiring evaluation.

Trauma & PTSD

People can have many reactions after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder may develop when ongoing symptoms interfere with everyday life. Trauma reactions can affect emotions, sleep, concentration, and a person's sense of safety.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar remains too high because the body does not use insulin well or cannot make enough. Ongoing care focuses on blood sugar and broader health risks.

Urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, affects part of the system that makes and carries urine. People of different ages and sexes can develop one. Symptoms and urine testing can help a clinician assess a suspected infection.

Warts

Warts are skin growths caused by certain human papillomaviruses, or HPV. Different types occur in different places, including fingers and the soles of the feet. A growth's location and appearance help guide its assessment.

Wellness screenings

Wellness screenings are checks for certain health problems before symptoms appear. They are a preventive-care topic rather than a diagnosis. Appropriate tests depend on factors such as age, health history, and individual risk.

Yeast infections

Yeast infections occur when a fungus such as Candida grows enough to cause a problem. They can affect different areas, including the mouth, skin, and vagina, with symptoms that depend on the affected site.

These pages offer general education, not medical advice or a list of confirmed Northguard services. A clinician determines what assessment or care is appropriate.

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