Chronic kidney disease affects more than 1 in 7 American adults, yet as many as 9 in 10 don’t know they have it. While this long-term condition slowly damages the kidneys and has no cure, you can take steps to protect your kidneys and live a full life.

Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus is a distressing condition that affects up to 70% of people on dialysis and many others with advanced kidney disease. This persistent itching, often described as “an itch you just can’t get to,” can severely impact sleep, mood, and quality of life, yet it remains frequently overlooked and undertreated.

Chronic left ventricular failure is a long-term condition where the left side of your heart cannot pump blood effectively enough to meet your body’s needs, causing blood and fluid to back up in your lungs and other parts of your body.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that develops slowly, often without symptoms for months or years. While currently there is no cure, modern treatments can control the disease and help people live for many years with a good quality of life.

When chronic lymphocytic leukaemia returns after treatment, it is called a relapse. While the condition is not usually curable, treatment can control it, and many people experience long periods of remission before the disease comes back again.

When chronic lymphocytic leukaemia stops responding to treatment or returns after therapy, patients face a challenging situation. However, significant advances in targeted treatments over the past two decades have transformed the outlook, offering new hope and multiple options for controlling this relapsing disease.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that develops slowly in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Thanks to modern treatments, many people with this condition can now live normal lifespans, as therapy has transformed it from a potentially life-threatening illness into a manageable chronic condition.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia can now be controlled so effectively that many patients can achieve deep remission and, in some cases, even stop their treatment while maintaining that remission with careful monitoring.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) is a rare blood cancer where the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells called monocytes. This slow-growing condition affects mainly older adults and can cause fatigue, infections, and other complications as abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, is a serious lung condition that makes it progressively harder to breathe. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, people with COPD can manage their symptoms and maintain a better quality of life.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a long-lasting inflammatory condition where soft, noncancerous growths develop in the nose and sinuses, causing symptoms like nasal congestion, loss of smell, facial pressure, and postnasal drip that can significantly impact daily life and sleep quality.

Chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps is a long-lasting inflammation of the sinuses that affects millions of people worldwide, causing persistent congestion, facial pressure, and drainage that can significantly impact daily life and quality of health.

Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting inflammation of the sinuses that persists for 12 weeks or longer, affecting millions of people worldwide and significantly impacting quality of life through persistent facial pain, nasal congestion, and thick mucus drainage.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria is a frustrating skin condition that causes itchy hives to appear repeatedly for weeks, months, or even years—often without any clear reason or trigger.

Your body has a natural clock that tells you when to sleep and wake, but when this clock falls out of sync with the world around you, it can affect your daily life in serious ways.

Circulatory collapse is a life-threatening condition where the body’s blood circulation system fails to deliver enough oxygen to tissues and organs. While some cases involve a brief, harmless blackout, others can lead to serious complications requiring immediate medical attention.

Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of liver damage caused by long-term heavy drinking. While the scarring that defines this condition cannot be reversed, stopping alcohol use can prevent further damage and significantly extend life expectancy.

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma is a distinct type of kidney cancer that was recognized as separate from other kidney cancers in 2006, and is now considered to have a less aggressive nature than many other forms of the disease.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, affecting the cells that filter waste from your blood. While often discovered by chance during unrelated medical scans, this condition requires prompt attention and expert care to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects, affecting around one in every 700 babies worldwide. These conditions occur when parts of the baby’s face don’t join together properly during development in the womb, but with proper treatment and care, children born with clefts can lead healthy, normal lives.

Clinically isolated syndrome is a first episode of neurological symptoms that may or may not lead to multiple sclerosis. Understanding this condition and the risk factors that predict future disease development is crucial for making informed decisions about early treatment and monitoring.

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the large intestine caused by bacteria that produce harmful toxins, often occurring after taking antibiotics. This common healthcare infection can range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening complications.

Clostridioides difficile is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and serious inflammation of the colon, particularly affecting people who have recently taken antibiotics or are in healthcare settings.

Cluster headache is one of the most painful conditions a person can experience, causing intense attacks of severe, one-sided head pain that can strike multiple times a day for weeks or months at a time.

Coagulopathy is a condition where your body has problems making blood clots properly. This can lead to excessive bleeding or, in some cases, too much clotting. While some people inherit these conditions from their parents, others develop them later in life due to illness, injury, or medication.

Coeliac disease is a chronic condition where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, damaging the small intestine and preventing proper nutrient absorption. While there is no cure, the condition can be successfully managed through a lifelong gluten-free diet.

Cognitive disorders affect how the brain processes information, impacting memory, thinking, language, and judgment. While these changes can be concerning, understanding what causes them and how they can be managed is an important first step toward maintaining quality of life.

Cold type haemolytic anaemia is a rare blood disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys red blood cells when exposed to cold temperatures, causing symptoms that range from mild fatigue to serious complications.

Cold urticaria is a rare condition where exposure to cold temperatures triggers an allergic-like reaction on the skin, causing red, itchy hives or welts that can appear within minutes and may sometimes lead to serious complications.

Colitis is inflammation in your colon that can make your bowel movements urgent, painful, and sometimes bloody. While some types clear up quickly with treatment, others become chronic conditions requiring ongoing care and lifestyle changes.

Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition that causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine, affecting around 600,000 to 900,000 people in the United States and making it the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease.

Colon cancer is a growth of cells that begins in a part of the large intestine called the colon, and while it typically affects older adults, it can happen at any age. Thanks to screening tests that detect and remove precancerous polyps, early treatment, and new kinds of treatment, fewer people are dying from this disease.

Metastatic colon cancer, also known as stage 4 colon cancer, occurs when cancer that starts in the colon spreads to other parts of the body. While this advanced form of cancer presents serious challenges, new treatments and approaches are giving patients more options to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.

Stage II colon cancer means the cancer has grown into or through the outer layers of the colon wall but has not yet spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Understanding your diagnosis and treatment options can help you make informed decisions about your care.

Stage III colon cancer has spread beyond the wall of the colon to nearby lymph nodes, but it has not reached distant organs. While this stage is more advanced than earlier stages, it remains curable for many people through a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

Stage 4 colon cancer occurs when cancer that starts in the colon spreads to other parts of the body. While this advanced stage presents significant challenges, modern treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy are helping more people live longer with better quality of life.

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that can save your life by finding and removing growths before they turn into cancer, and it remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer that develops in the large intestine, affecting the colon and rectum. While it often begins without noticeable signs, regular screening and early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates.

Colorectal adenomas are abnormal growths that form in the lining of the colon or rectum. While most are harmless, they are considered precancerous because they have the potential to develop into colorectal cancer over time. About 50% of people develop these growths, but fewer than 10% of them become cancerous. Early detection through screening can prevent cancer by allowing doctors to remove adenomas before they turn dangerous.

Colorectal cancer is a disease that starts in the colon or rectum, parts of your digestive system. While it’s the third most common cancer, regular screening and early detection can prevent it from developing or find it when treatment works best.

Metastatic colorectal cancer occurs when cancer that starts in the colon or rectum spreads to other parts of the body, most commonly the liver and lungs. While this advanced stage presents serious challenges, new treatments and approaches are helping patients live longer and with better quality of life.

Stage II colorectal cancer has spread into the outer layers of the colon or rectum but has not yet reached the lymph nodes or other organs, making it one of the better prognosis cancers when treated appropriately.

Stage III colorectal cancer has spread into nearby lymph nodes, but has not reached other areas of the body. With treatment involving surgery and often chemotherapy, many patients can be cured.

Stage 4 colorectal cancer represents the most advanced form of the disease, where cancer has spread beyond the colon or rectum to distant organs. Despite the serious nature of this diagnosis, advances in treatment now offer more options and improved survival rates compared to previous decades.

Colour blindness, more accurately called color vision deficiency, is a condition where you see colors differently than most people. While many think it means seeing no color at all, most people with this condition simply have trouble distinguishing between certain colors, especially reds and greens.

Coma is a state of prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened or respond to their surroundings. It requires immediate medical attention and can result from various causes, including head injuries, stroke, infections, or complications from conditions like diabetes.

Combined immunodeficiencies are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect both major types of infection-fighting white blood cells, making it difficult for the body to defend itself against infections.

Complex regional pain syndrome is a challenging neurological condition that causes severe, long-lasting pain—usually in an arm, leg, hand, or foot—that is far worse than expected from the original injury. While this condition can significantly impact daily life, early recognition and treatment offer the best chance for improvement and recovery.

Complicated appendicitis is a severe form of appendix inflammation where the organ has progressed to gangrene, perforation, or abscess formation, requiring urgent medical attention and specialized treatment approaches.

Heart transplantation is a life-saving treatment for people with end-stage heart failure, but it comes with special challenges that require lifelong care and monitoring. While medical teams have years of experience in recognizing and treating these complications, patients play a critical role in managing their health after receiving a new heart.

After receiving a kidney transplant, patients face various complications ranging from organ rejection to infections and surgical problems. Understanding these challenges and maintaining careful follow-up care is essential for long-term transplant success.

Compulsive sexual behaviour is an intense focus on sexual fantasies, urges or behaviours that can’t be controlled, causing distress and problems in relationships, work, health and other areas of life. While debate continues about how to classify it, treatment and self-help approaches can help people manage these behaviours and regain control.

Congenital absence of bile ducts is a rare liver condition affecting newborn babies, where the tubes that carry bile from the liver are blocked, damaged, or missing. Without proper treatment, this condition can quickly lead to serious liver damage and requires urgent medical attention.

Congenital aplastic anaemia is a rare inherited disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells from birth or early childhood, requiring careful diagnosis and specialized treatment.

Congenital arterial malformation is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels present at birth, where arteries connect directly to veins without the normal capillaries in between. This rare condition can occur anywhere in the body and may cause serious complications including bleeding, tissue damage, and strain on the heart.

Congenital cystic kidney disease is a group of birth defects affecting the kidneys and urinary system, where fluid-filled sacs develop in place of normal kidney tissue, potentially blocking the flow of urine and leading to serious complications.

Congenital ectodermal dysplasia is a group of rare genetic disorders present from birth that affect the development of skin, hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands. With over 180 different types identified, each person experiences a unique combination of symptoms—from mild changes to more significant challenges in daily life.

Congenital generalised lipodystrophy is a rare inherited condition where a child is born with almost no body fat. This severe lack of fat tissue causes the body to store fat in places it shouldn’t, leading to serious health problems including diabetes, liver disease, and heart complications.

Congenital hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia is a rare genetic condition where the pancreas produces too much insulin, causing dangerously low blood sugar levels that can lead to serious brain damage if not treated promptly.

Congenital hypotransferrinaemia is an extremely rare blood disorder that creates a puzzling medical paradox: patients suffer from severe anemia while simultaneously accumulating dangerous amounts of iron in their organs.