Labyrinthitis (dizziness and vertigo) Description A disorder of the inner ear caused by irritation and swelling that results in dizziness, room spinning (vert…
Laceration (skin cut) Description Cuts to the skin. Lacerations can be simple involving only the skin, or complex with injury to tendons, nerv…
Lactose intolerance Description Caused by a deficiency of an enzyme called lactase. The enzyme normally is made in the small intestine. It h…
Lacunar stroke Description A sudden stoppage of blood flow to one of the small arteries of a deep area of the brain causing injury. The…
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (Histiocytosis X) Description Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder caused by the abnormal growth of a certain type of white bl…
Large cell lung cancer Description Large cell lung cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lung. These abnormal cells increase in number and produce a tumor. Large cell lung cancers tend…
Laryngeal carcinoma (throat cancer) Description A collection of cancerous cells in the larynx that can obstruct the airway, prevent swallowing, or damage vi…
Laryngitis (voice box inflammation) Description Inflammation of the larynx that leads to temporary dysfunction and voice hoarseness. The larynx is the porti…
Latex allergy Description A latex allergy is the abnormal reaction of the immune system to the plant proteins that make up latex or th…
Laxative abuse Description A disorder in which a person takes excessive amounts of laxatives. Laxatives are medications that help a per…
Lazy eye (amblyopia) Description Lazy eye (amblyopia) is a problem with vision in young growing children. In this condition, one eye does not…
Lead overdose (lead poisoning) Description Lead poisoning most commonly occurs over time. The ingested amount of lead is not cleared from the body and …
Lead poisoning (toxicity) Description Lead poisoning or toxicity most commonly occurs over time. The ingested amount of lead is not cleared from t…
Leg laceration (skin cut) Description A cut on the leg. Lacerations of the leg can be simple involving only the skin or complex with injury to ten…
Leg swelling (leg edema) Description Some of the most common causes of leg swelling include: trauma, skin or joint inflammation, infection, an al…
Legg Calve Perthes disease (childhood hip condition) Description A gradual weakening of the head of the femur. The femur is the long bone of the upper leg that connects the …
Legionellosis (Legionnaires' disease) Description A serious lung infection (pneumonia) caused by the bacteria, Legionella pneumophila. The bacteria may involv…
Leishmaniasis (parasitic infection, kala azar) Description A disease caused by the parasite, Leishmania. Infection is transmitted to humans through the bite of a sand …
Lemierre's syndrome Description Lemierre's syndrome is a form of blood vessel inflammation (thrombophlebitis) caused, most commonly, by …
Leptospirosis (bacterial infection) Description Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria called Leptos…
