-itis
The commonest ending in the whole vocabulary, and the one most often misread as proof that an infection is present.
Read definitionSearch the glossary
What would you like to understand?
Results for “itis”
152 matchesacute bacterial prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland that begins suddenly and gets worse quickly.
Read definitionappendicitis
An obstructed appendix becomes a closed space under rising pressure, which is what makes the illness progress rather than settle.
Read definitionarthritis
A disease that causes inflammation and pain in the joints.
Read definitionasymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland where the only symptom is the presence of white blood cells in the prostate fluid.
Read definitionautoimmune thyroiditis
An autoimmune condition of the thyroid gland (a gland located beneath the larynx).
Read definitionbronchiolitis obliterans
Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare, irreversible lung condition in which scarring narrows or blocks the smallest airways, sometimes following transplant or toxic exposure.
Read definitionbronchitis
One word covers a self limiting cough after a virus and a lasting change in the airways caused by years of irritation.
Read definitionbursitis
Pain that worsens with joint movement, along with local swelling and warmth, are hallmark features of bursitis, inflammation of a fluid-filled cushioning sac.
Read definitioncarcinomatous meningitis
A serious problem that may occur in cancer in which cancer cells spread from the original (primary) tumor to the meninges (thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord).
Read definitioncellulitis
Redness appearing on both legs at once is rarely cellulitis, since the infection almost always settles on one side only.
Read definitionchronic bacterial prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland that is caused by a bacterial infection and that continues or gets worse over a long period of time.
Read definitioncolitis
The word describes what the lining of the colon looks like, leaving the cause behind it to be worked out separately.
Read definitionconjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, inflames the membrane covering the white of the eye and inner eyelids, producing redness that can stem from infection, allergy, or irritation.
Read definitiondermatitis
Where a rash sits is often the strongest clue to its cause, since contact reactions trace the outline of whatever touched the skin.
Read definitiondiverticulitis
Inflammation of one or more pouches or sacs that bulge out from the wall of a hollow organ, such as the colon.
Read definitionduodenitis
Duodenitis is inflammation of the first segment of the small intestine, often sharing the same causes and symptoms as gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
Read definitionendocarditis
Endocarditis is inflammation of the heart's inner lining and valves, most often from bacterial infection reaching the bloodstream and heart tissue.
Read definitionesophagitis
Inflammation of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).
Read definitionfolliculitis
The giveaway is the pattern: every bump sits on a hair, which separates it from skin infections that spread without regard to follicles.
Read definition