Health A to Z

Ichthyosis

Inherited very dry, scaly skin. Lifelong, manageable, and the daily treatment burden is far heavier than most people realise.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Also called IPF, Pulmonary fibrosis, Interstitial lung disease

Scarring of the lungs with no known cause. Velcro-like crackles and finger clubbing are the clues, and it is usually diagnosed as something else first.

Impetigo

A contagious bacterial skin infection. Minor in itself, and it spreads through a class or a care home fast.

Indigestion

Also called Dyspepsia, Heartburn

Very common and usually harmless. This entry is about the small number of times it is not.

Infections in pregnancy

Also called Toxoplasmosis, Listeriosis, Cytomegalovirus, CMV

A handful of infections harm a developing baby. Most of the prevention is about food, cat litter and handwashing after toddlers.

Infertility

Also called Fertility problems, Subfertility

Affects around one couple in seven, and in roughly half of cases the male factor is involved. Access to NHS treatment depends on where you live.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Also called Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, IBD

The immune system attacking the gut. Not IBS, not a food intolerance, and not something anybody caused.

Insect bites and stings

Also called Wasp sting, Bee sting, Tick bite, Bedbug bites

Almost always trivial. Two things are not: anaphylaxis within minutes, and a spreading bullseye rash weeks after a tick bite.

Insomnia

Difficulty sleeping despite the opportunity to. Treatable, and sleeping tablets are rarely the answer.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Also called IBS, Spastic colon

A gut that is oversensitive and badly co-ordinated. Real, common, and not a diagnosis of exclusion by default.