Use the A-Z list to browse more than 6,000 health-related topics in our library. Clicking on a term opens the definition and, in most cases, links to more information.
A device that monitors and, if needed, corrects an abnormal heart rhythm by sending electrical charges to the heart. Unlike an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), this device is worn outside the body, over the chest and around the waist. More Information on Wearable Cardioverter: Arrhythmia
Also Known As: "Wearable Defibrillator, WCD, Wearable Cardioverter"
A device that monitors and, if needed, corrects an abnormal heart rhythm by sending electrical charges to the heart. Unlike an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), this device is worn outside the body, over the chest and around the waist. More Information on Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator: Arrhythmia
A device that monitors and, if needed, corrects an abnormal heart rhythm by sending electrical charges to the heart. Unlike an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), this device is worn outside the body, over the chest and around the waist. More Information on Wearable Defibrillator: Arrhythmia
"Weariness" is more commonly referred to as "Fatigue" in the medical community. Fatigue
Also Known As: "Exhaustion, Tiredness"
A feeling of debilitating tiredness or total lack of energy that can last for days, weeks or months. It is often associated with pain-related conditions. More Information on Fatigue: Energy & Fatigue
Also Known As: "Marshall-Weaver Syndrome, MSS, Weaver-Smith Syndrome, Marshall Syndrome, Marshall-Smith-Weaver Syndrome, WSS, Marshall-Smith Syndrome"
A multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome that can include heart complications including cardiomyopathy and mitral valve prolapse or congenital heart defects such as patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect. More Information on Weaver Syndrome: Pediatric Heart
Also Known As: "Marshall-Weaver Syndrome, MSS, Marshall Syndrome, Marshall-Smith-Weaver Syndrome, WSS, Marshall-Smith Syndrome"
A multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome that can include heart complications including cardiomyopathy and mitral valve prolapse or congenital heart defects such as patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect. More Information on Weaver-Smith Syndrome: Pediatric Heart
"Weber Cockayne Disease" is more commonly referred to as "Epidermolysis Bullosa" in the medical community. Epidermolysis Bullosa
Also Known As: "Epidermolysis Bullosa Letalis, Epidermolysis Bullosa Hereditaria, Herlitz Disease"
An inherited, autoimmune condition that causes red blisters that break open, ooze, form scabs and scar. A genetic defect causes the filaments that anchor the epidermis to the dermis to be either absent or improperly functioning. More Information on Epidermolysis Bullosa: Psoriasis & Autoimmune Skin
A rare form of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) primarily found in males. It mainly affects the respiratory system; however, it can lead to damage of other organs due to a reduction of blood flow. Symptoms are similar to colds or allergies. More Information on Wegener Granulomatosis: Vascular Disease
A rare form of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) primarily found in males. It mainly affects the respiratory system; however, it can lead to damage of other organs due to a reduction of blood flow. Symptoms are similar to colds or allergies. More Information on Wegener Syndrome: Vascular Disease
Also Known As: "Unexplained Weight Loss, Unexplained Weight Gain"
Significant weight changes that are not explainable by lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise) or temporary illness (e.g., stomach flu) should be reported to a physician. Such gains or losses may be a sign of a number of diseases, including cancer. More Information on Weight Changes (Unexplained): Weight & Obesity Basics
Lasting weight management requires a long-term approach and a life-long commitment to healthy living and healthy eating. It should not be thought of as a series of temporary fixes or short-term diets. More Information on Weight Control Basics: Weight & Obesity Basics
Weight loss is not a practice to be taken lightly. Many steps can be taken on one's own, such as reducing portions or changing the types of foods eaten. However, individuals should be wary of 'fad' diets, 'miracle cures' or 'wonder supplements.' More Information on Weight Loss: Weight & Obesity Basics
"Weight Loss Procedures" is more commonly referred to as "Bariatric Surgery" in the medical community. Bariatric Surgery
Also Known As: "Restrictive Bariatric Procedures, Weight Loss Surgery, Malabsorptive Bariatric Procedures"
Surgery on the digestive organs (e.g., stomach, intestines) for the purpose of weight loss. Restrictive procedures decrease food intake and promote fullness while malabsorptive procedures reduce the calories and nutrients the body absorbs. More Information on Bariatric Surgery: Bariatric Surgery
"Weight Loss Surgery" is more commonly referred to as "Bariatric Surgery" in the medical community. Bariatric Surgery
Also Known As: "Restrictive Bariatric Procedures, Malabsorptive Bariatric Procedures, Weight Loss Procedures"
Surgery on the digestive organs (e.g., stomach, intestines) for the purpose of weight loss. Restrictive procedures decrease food intake and promote fullness while malabsorptive procedures reduce the calories and nutrients the body absorbs. More Information on Bariatric Surgery: Bariatric Surgery
Lasting weight management requires a long-term approach and a life-long commitment to healthy living and healthy eating. It should not be thought of as a series of temporary fixes or short-term diets. More Information on Weight Management Basics: Weight & Obesity Basics
"Weight Problem" is more commonly referred to as "Overweight" in the medical community. Overweight
An excess of body mass, as reflected in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and less than 30. BMI is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (Wt/Ht2). More Information on Overweight: Weight & Obesity Basics
"Weil Disease" is more commonly referred to as "Leptospirosis" in the medical community. Leptospirosis
Also Known As: "Leptospira Infection"
Infection with Leptospira bacteria. It is caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The first phase involves mild or no symptoms. The second phase (Weil disease) does not always occur, but is much more serious. More Information on Leptospirosis: Infectious Disease Basics
"Welfare Reform Act" is more commonly referred to as "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act" in the medical community. Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
The name of the 1996 federal legislation that dramatically overhauled the nation's welfare system. Welfare now requires work in exchange for time-limited assistance
A medical evaluation of a child who is not sick. These visits monitor the child's growth and development and screen for any childhood conditions that may not be noticeable yet. More Information on Well Child Visits: Pediatric Health Basics
"Well Differentiated Thyroid Cancers" is more commonly referred to as "Thyroid Cancers" in the medical community. Thyroid Cancers
Also Known As: "Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, Papillary Thyroid Cancers, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancers, Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, Follicular Thyroid Cancers"
Cancerous tumor or growth within the thyroid gland. It is the most common type of endocrine cancer. More Information on Thyroid Cancers: Endocrine System Cancer
Water collected with a mechanical pump by drilling or boring a hole into the ground and tapping into an underground aquifer. More Information on Well Water: Water & Hydration
Also Known As: "Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type I SMA"
A type of spinal muscular atrophy that is usually detected within 3 to 6 months of age. Children affected are unable to lift their heads or accomplish other early childhood movement milestones. Difficulty swallowing and feeding may also occur. More Information on Werdnig Hoffman Disease: Pediatric Brain & Nerve
"Wermer's Syndrome" is more commonly referred to as "Multiple Endocrine Adenomatosis" in the medical community. Multiple Endocrine Adenomatosis
Also Known As: "Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Syndrome, MEN1 Syndrome"
A rare and inherited disorder that lead to tumors in the endocrine system, including the pituitary gland, pancreas and parathyroid gland. While usually benign (non-cancerous), tumors in the pancreas can become cancerous. More Information on Multiple Endocrine Adenomatosis: Endocrine System Cancer
"Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome" is more commonly referred to as "Dry Beriberi" in the medical community. Dry Beriberi
Also Known As: "Korsakoff Amnesic Syndrome, Cerebral Beriberi"
A form of chronic thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency characterized by damage to the nervous and muscular systems. It may be further categorized as cerebral beriberi when the central nervous system is affected. More Information on Dry Beriberi: Vitamins
"West African Sleeping Sickness" is more commonly referred to as "African Sleeping Sickness" in the medical community. African Sleeping Sickness
Also Known As: "Gambian Sleeping Sickness, East African Trypanosomiasis, African Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense, Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense, East African Sleeping Sickness, West African Trypanosomiasis"
An illness caused by two parasites that trigger different diseases. East African is acute, while West African (Gambian) is chronic. Both are fatal if left untreated. The American form is called Chagas disease. More Information on African Sleeping Sickness: Parasitic Disease
"West African Trypanosomiasis" is more commonly referred to as "African Sleeping Sickness" in the medical community. African Sleeping Sickness
Also Known As: "Gambian Sleeping Sickness, East African Trypanosomiasis, African Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense, Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense, East African Sleeping Sickness, West African Sleeping Sickness"
An illness caused by two parasites that trigger different diseases. East African is acute, while West African (Gambian) is chronic. Both are fatal if left untreated. The American form is called Chagas disease. More Information on African Sleeping Sickness: Parasitic Disease
Also Known As: "West Nile Encephalitis, West Nile Virus Infection"
A mosquito-borne virus that may cause West Nile fever or West Nile encephalitis. More Information on West Nile Viral Encephalitis: Brain Related Infections
Also Known As: "West Nile Viral Encephalitis, West Nile Encephalitis"
A mosquito-borne virus that may cause West Nile fever or West Nile encephalitis. More Information on West Nile Virus Infection: Brain Related Infections
An age-related type of epilepsy that usually occurs during the first year of life. It consists of seizures, or infantile spasms, as well as impaired physical and mental development. More Information on West Syndrome: Epilepsy & Seizure
A disease that affects the central nervous system and is spread to horses and humans by infected mosquitoes. Complications may be severe and even fatal. The virus is a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. More Information on Western Equine Encephalitis: Brain Related Infections
Also Known As: "Shoshin Beriberi, Acute Fulminant Cardiovascular Beriberi"
A form of chronic thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency characterized by damage to the circulatory system. Shoshin beriberi or acute fulminant cardiovascular beriberi is a rapidly progressing form of this disease. More Information on Wet Beriberi: Vitamins
"Wet Gangrene" is more commonly referred to as "Gangrene" in the medical community. Gangrene
Also Known As: "Dry Gangrene, Gas Gangrene, Moist Gangrene, Internal Gangrene"
Tissue death (necrosis) that occurs due to an interruption in blood supply to a body part. There are four types: dry, moist, gas and internal. When it affects the limbs, it can lead to amputation. More Information on Gangrene: Diabetes Foot & Leg
"Wetting Agents" is more commonly referred to as "Stool Softeners" in the medical community. Stool Softeners
Also Known As: "Detergent Laxatives"
Laxatives that reduce the consistency of stool, softening the feces to make it easier to pass. More Information on Stool Softeners: Digestive Medications
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