Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that can present as issues with muscle tone, posture and/or a movement disorder. It’s the result of damage to your brain during fetal development or another developmental disability that affects the way your brain develops. The signs and symptoms of CP appear early in childhood and can vary widely from person to person. The main effect …

Swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) is a temporary, non-contagious itchy rash that appears on your skin and is caused by a certain parasite found in fresh water (lake or pond water) or salt water (ocean water). If you swim in water that’s infested with the parasite, it can burrow (dig) into your skin. Your body has an allergic reaction to it, causing a …

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a form of sleep apnea, which causes you to experience pauses between breaths as you sleep. Typically, central sleep apnea is a complication of other medical issues or medication/drug use. For example, people with heart disease may develop CSA. Healthcare providers focus on treating the underlying condition. Types of central sleep apnea There are a few …

Central nervous system vascular malformations are rare issues with the blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord and their coverings, called membranes. There are several types of central nervous system vascular malformations, including: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). These are unusual tangles of blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. AVM can be anywhere in the body. Most often they occur in or near …

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissues beneath your skin. It most commonly affects the lower part of your body, including your legs, feet and toes. However, it can occur in any part of your body. It also commonly appears on your face, arms, hands and fingers. Who does cellulitis affect? Anyone can get cellulitis. However, …

Cellulite is the name for collections of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath your skin. It often appears on your thighs, stomach and butt (buttocks). Cellulite makes the surface of your skin look lumpy and puckered, or appear dimpled. What is the difference between cellulite and lipedema? Lipedema is a medical condition that causes excess fat to accumulate in …

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a condition in which the median arcuate ligament presses too tightly on the celiac artery (a major branch of the aorta that delivers blood to the stomach, liver, and other organs) and the nerves in the area (celiac plexus). Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect one bone or cartilage to another. The median arcuate …

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a birth defect that occurs during fetal development. It means that the diaphragm — the muscle barrier that separates a fetus’s abdominal cavity from its chest cavity — is not fully formed or strong enough to keep the two cavities separate. That means organs can pass between them. When an organ passes through a muscle barrier, it’s called …

Cavities are areas in the hard surface of your teeth that are damaged. These areas of tooth decay become tiny openings or holes that can lead to a serious toothache, infection and tooth loss. There are several causes of cavities, including bacteria in your mouth, snacking a lot, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well. Cavities and tooth …

A cavernous malformation is an abnormal cluster of tightly packed capillaries (small blood vessels). It’s usually located in your brain, brainstem and spinal cord (cerebral cavernous malformation). The cavernous hemangioma (lesion) looks like a raspberry. It can range in size from a fraction of an inch to dime-sized or larger. It has blood-filled spaces with connective tissues between them. They don’t have a lot of …