Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare disorder that affects the rectum and is characterized by a sore or ulcer in the rectal lining. Despite its name, more than one ulcer may sometimes be present, or the rectal lining may appear inflamed without a clear ulcer. The condition is often related to abnormal bowel habits and problems with the muscles …

Peptic ulcer is a condition in which open sores develop on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. These sores occur when the protective lining of the digestive tract is damaged, allowing stomach acid to irritate the underlying tissues. Peptic ulcers mainly include gastric ulcers, which occur in the stomach, and duodenal ulcers, …

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, a protein essential for blood clotting. This protein helps platelets stick to damaged blood vessel walls and carries clotting factor VIII, which is necessary for forming stable blood clots. VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder and can range from …

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes tumors to grow along nerves throughout the body. It is one of the most common inherited neurological conditions and usually becomes apparent during childhood. The disorder can affect the skin, bones, eyes, and nervous system, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is …

Vocal cord paralysis is a condition in which one or both vocal cords cannot move properly. The vocal cords may remain immobile in a fixed position or move only partially, affecting the ability to speak, swallow, and breathe normally. This condition can occur suddenly or gradually and may result from nerve damage, injury, infection, or certain medical procedures. While some …

Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition in which patches of skin lose their normal pigmentation, resulting in white or light-colored areas. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment (melanin). Vitiligo can affect any part of the body, including the face, hands, arms, and genitals. The condition is not contagious, but …

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a condition in which urine flows backward from the bladder into the ureters and sometimes up to the kidneys. Normally, urine flows in one direction—from the kidneys to the bladder—but in VUR, the one-way valve between the ureters and bladder is weakened or malformed, allowing backflow. VUR is most commonly diagnosed in children and can increase …

A vertebral tumor is an abnormal growth that develops in the bones of the spine (vertebrae). These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and may arise from the vertebrae themselves or spread from other parts of the body (metastatic tumors). Vertebral tumors can affect spinal stability, compress nerves, and impact the spinal cord, potentially causing pain, neurological deficits, …

Vasovagal syncope is a common and usually harmless cause of fainting that happens when the body has an exaggerated response to certain triggers. This response leads to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing a brief loss of consciousness. Recovery is typically quick and complete. It can affect people of …

Nonallergic rhinitis is a condition characterized by chronic nasal symptoms that resemble allergies but are not caused by an allergic reaction. It occurs when the nasal passages become irritated or inflamed in response to nonallergic triggers. The condition can affect people of all ages and often persists throughout the year rather than occurring seasonally. Unlike allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis does …