Southern Cross Medical Library

A long-term autoimmune disease that damages healthy skin, muscles and joints.

Solid material forming in the kidney that can cause severe pain.

A non-invasive alternative to surgery for kidney stones.

A kidney disorder characterised by swelling of body tissue, leading to kidney failure.

Infections causing a painful, burning sensation when passing urine.

Inflammation of the appendix causing pain to the lower right side of the abdomen.

A condition caused by gluten intolerance that damages the small intestine.

Gallstones can cause infection and inflammation to parts of the digestive system.

When abdominal contents protrude through a weakened area of abdominal muscle.

A disease which causes swelling, ulceration and loss of function of the colon.

A developmental disorder characterised by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.

A common and highly infectious viral disease.

The surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Atopic Dermatitis causes skin to become itchy, red, swollen and painful.

An infectious illness characterised by fluid-filled blisters on hands, feet and inside the mouth.

Intoeing (pigeon toes) refers to feet that point inwards.

A common and usually mild viral illness.

A common childhood viral infection with a characteristic red facial rash.

A male newborn disorder where one or both testicles don’t descend to the scrotum.

Urine flows back from the bladder to the kidneys, potentially causing infection and damage.

A highly infectious, bacterial respiratory disease.

An abnormal bulging of the body’s largest artery which, if ruptured, is potentially fatal.

The formation of blood clots in major veins which can dislodge causing serious complications.

A disorder characterised by elevated blood glucose which contributes to long term complications.

Artery inflammation that can cause headaches and blurred vision.

A disorder involving the excessive absorption and inappropriate storage of iron.

High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Raised blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Lack of iron affects the blood’s ability to transport oxygen causing fatigue and other problems.

Affects blood circulation in fingers and toes when exposed to cold, temperature change or stress.

Damage to brain cells as a result of disruption of blood / oxygen supply.

Veins that appear as bluish-green lines, which may bulge or appear twisted and contorted.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for red blood cell production and maintaining nerve cell health.

Tendon fibres tear (partially or completely) causing pain and loss of function.

An overuse injury where the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling.

A form of arthritis characterised by long-term pain and stiffness in the back.

The enlargement of the big toe joint causing inflammation and pain and leading to arthritis.

Inflammation of fluid-filled bursae that cushion movement around the joints.

A common disorder causing pain and limiting use of the hand and wrist.

The degeneration of discs and vertebrae at the top of the spinal column.

Cartilage inflammation where ribs attach to the breastbone causing chest pain.

Tissue in the palm of the hand becomes tight and shortened, contracting the fingers inwards.

Long-term muscle pain and fatigue most commonly diagnosed in women aged 30 to 45 years.

A common and painful form of arthritis, most often affecting the big toe.

Spinal disks rupture and bulge, putting pressure on nerves causing pain.

Muscle, joint, tendon or nerve pain/discomfort related to repetitive activities.

The most common form or arthritis, causing cartilage breakdown in the joints.

A disease that weakens the bones, increasing the risk of fracture.

Inflammation of tough fibrous tissue running along the sole of the foot, leading to heel pain.

An arthritic condition characterised by severe pain and stiffness in various muscles.

A rare inflammatory muscle disease that causes weakness and pain in various parts of the body.

A condition that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints.

Pain associated with the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower spine to the lower legs.

A condition caused by repetitive activities that place strain on the forearm muscles.

Replacement of the hip joint with an artificial joint following arthritis or fracture.

Replacing a knee joint impaired by arthritis or wear-and-tear with an artificial joint.

The most common form of dementia, characterised by loss of intellectual capacity and function.

The sudden onset of facial nerve paralysis causing muscle weakness on one side of the face.

A term for disorders caused by brain damage which affects the ability to control movement.

A disorder of the nervous system, typically causing burning pain and other symptoms.

The involuntary shaking of parts of the body, sometimes mistaken for Parkinson's.

A disorder that may cause muscle weakness or paralysis of limbs, face and respiratory system.

The progressive and fatal degeneration of specialised nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

A disease of the central nervous system that affects movement, sensation and body functions.

Development of tumours on nerves or skin which can affect the way the body functions.

A progressive brain disorder characterised by tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement.

A condition of the central nervous system that affects 25% of polio survivors.

Damage to brain cells as a result of disruption of blood / oxygen supply.

Clouding of the lens which, if left untreated, will eventually lead to blindness.

Laser eye surgery for correcting short and long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

A benign growth in the eye that can obscure vision and may require surgery.

Procedure to widen coronary arteries narrowed by coronary heart disease.

A condition reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, pain, rhythm disturbances or heart attack.

Simple changes to what you eat can reduce your risk of heart attack.

A bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue.

A common and highly infectious viral disease.

A common viral illness related to the chickenpox and glandular fever viruses.

A viral infection carried by mosquitoes in tropical areas like the Pacific Islands and South East Asia.

A viral infection with flu-like symptoms that can persist for several weeks.

An infectious illness characterised by fluid-filled blisters on hands, feet and inside the mouth.

A virus spread through infected blood or body fluids that can cause liver inflammation.

A virus spread through infected blood that can cause liver inflammation and chronic liver disease.

A condition causing swelling around the brain, potentially leading to death or serious disability.

A rare and often fatal infectious condition caused by a fungus-like bacterium found in the soil.

Pneumonia is a serious and potentially fatal bacterial or viral infection of the lungs.

A common and usually mild viral illness.

A viral infection that causes a painful skin rash.

A common childhood viral infection with a characteristic red facial rash.

A highly infectious, bacterial respiratory disease.

A long-term disease that causes the airways to become inflamed making it hard to breathe.

A lung condition characterised by coughing up mucus.

A rare and often fatal infectious condition caused by a fungus-like bacterium found in the soil.

Pneumonia is a serious and potentially fatal bacterial or viral infection of the lungs.

The risk of heart disease – the biggest killer of smokers in NZ - falls after you quit.

A highly infectious, bacterial respiratory disease.

The surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.

As men age their prostate gland enlarges which can cause urination, bladder and kidney problems.

Lower risk of heart attacks and strokes, weight loss and enhanced general health and wellbeing.

Simple changes to what you eat can reduce your risk of heart attack.

High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Raised blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

The collection of fluid in the membranes surrounding the testicles, causing scrotum swelling.

A treatment option for prostate cancer, implanting radioactive seeds in the prostate gland.

The most commonly diagnosed cancer among NZ men.

A male newborn disorder where one or both testicles don’t descend to the scrotum.

An abnormal enlargement of veins around the testicles, similar to varicose veins in the legs.

A sterilisation procedure for men.

From mild pain and swelling to more serious anaphylactic reactions.

A condition characterised by long-term debilitating fatigue that may affect up to 20,000 NZers.

Characterised by feeling "down" along with other signs or symptoms. 

A disorder characterised by elevated blood glucose which contributes to long term complications.

Reaction to common allergens in the environment such as pollen, dust mites, mould or animals.

The insufficient production of hormones that regulate growth, development and metabolism.

A rare sleep disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of excessive sleep and altered behaviour.

Uncontrollable and sudden daytime sleep attacks.

A condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep.

The inflammation of the lining of one or more of the nasal sinuses, most often caused by infection.

The sound made by the throat or nose vibrating when air passes through narrowed airways.

The physical or emotional response to pressures which can have health impacts.

The most common yet least dangerous type of skin cancer.

A bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue.

Atopic Dermatitis causes skin to become itchy, red, swollen and painful.

A skin condition characterised by numerous small, rough bumps on the skin.

A serious form of skin cancer that kills 250 New Zealanders each year.

A skin condition commonly characterised by a red facial rash.

The abnormal development of breast cells, forming malignant (cancerous) tumours.

A procedure to reduce the size and/or reshape the breasts.

The development of cancerous tumours from abnormal cell growth in a woman's cervix.

A minor surgical procedure used to diagnose and/or treat conditions which affect the uterus.

A procedure to remove the endometrium from the uterus to treat abnormal uterine bleeding.

A common condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Lower risk of heart attacks and strokes, weight loss and enhanced general health and wellbeing.

Simple changes to what you eat can reduce your risk of heart attack.

High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Raised blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Therapy to bolster declining oestrogen and/or progesterone hormone levels during early menopause.

The surgical removal of the uterus.

The years when a woman's ovaries produce fewer eggs and less female hormones.

Abnormal development of tissue around a fertilised egg causing miscarriage. 

The development of cysts in the ovaries, causing a range of hormonal and metabolic effects

The risk of heart disease – the biggest killer of smokers in NZ - falls after you quit.

A form of contraception where the fallopian tubes are permanently blocked or cut.