elephantiasis
Tropical parasitic disease
Elephantiasis is a condition causing extreme swelling and thickening of body tissues, especially in the legs and genitals, giving affected limbs a massive, rough appearance reminiscent of elephant skin.
The disease is usually caused by parasitic worms that block lymphatic drainage.
Elephantiasis was once common in tropical regions with poor sanitation.
Native to one area
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- mosquitoBlood-feeding flying pest
transmission · prevalence · humid · rainy season · stagnant water · Africa · Southeast Asia · India
Antiparasitic medication for worms
- diethylcarbamazineAntiparasitic for filarial worms
- antiparasiticAgent destroying parasites
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
Threadlike parasitic worm
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- vector-borneSpread by organism intermediaries
- mosquito-borneSpread via biting insects
- roundwormParasitic cylindrical worm
Swelling from obstructed drainage
- lymphaticOf fluid-draining vessels
- lymph nodesImmune system filters
- hydroceleFluid around testis causing swelling
- lymphatic vesselsChannels draining tissue fluid
Pathological tissue puffiness
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- enlargementIncrease in size
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- distensionEnlargement from pressure
engorgement · leg swelling · fibrosis · hardening · chronic swelling
Marred physical appearance
- deformityAbnormal body structure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
chronic condition · debilitating · incapacitating · social isolation · discrimination · economic burden · quality of life · psychological impact
Community-level disease prevention
- povertySevere lack of resources
- underservedInsufficiently provided for
- preventionStopping something before occurring
- eradicationTotal elimination of something
global health · morbidity · epidemiology · surveillance · community health · sanitation · awareness
endemic
Native to one area
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
mosquito · transmission · prevalence · humid · rainy season · stagnant water · Africa · Southeast Asia · India · Pacific Islands
ivermectin
Antiparasitic medication for worms
- diethylcarbamazineAntiparasitic for filarial worms
- antiparasiticAgent destroying parasites
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
nematode
Threadlike parasitic worm
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- vector-borneSpread by organism intermediaries
- mosquito-borneSpread via biting insects
lymphedema
Swelling from obstructed drainage
- lymphaticOf fluid-draining vessels
- lymph nodesImmune system filters
- hydroceleFluid around testis causing swelling
edema
Pathological tissue puffiness
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- enlargementIncrease in size
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
distension · engorgement · leg swelling · fibrosis · hardening · chronic swelling
disfigurement
Marred physical appearance
- deformityAbnormal body structure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
impairment · chronic condition · debilitating · incapacitating · social isolation · discrimination · economic burden · quality of life · psychological impact · long-term
public health
Community-level disease prevention
- povertySevere lack of resources
- underservedInsufficiently provided for
- preventionStopping something before occurring
eradication · global health · morbidity · epidemiology · surveillance · community health · sanitation · awareness
- infectious diseasescholera, anthrax, malaria, measles, flu
- tropical diseasesmalaria, dengue, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid
- Vector Diseasesmalaria, dengue, Zika, dengue fever, West Nile
- birth defectsbirth defect, birth defects, malformation, cleft lip, cleft palate
- lymphatic diseaseslymphoma, lymphedema, lymphadenitis, swollen lymph nodes, Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lymphedemalymphedema
elephantiasisatrophy
Wasting from disuse
wasting · cachexia · emaciation · muscle wasting · hypoplasia