Chondrocalcinosis is a painful form of arthritis caused by calcium crystals building up in the joints, leading to sudden episodes of intense pain and swelling that can significantly affect daily life.

Chondropathy is a condition where the cartilage in your joints becomes damaged or worn down, causing pain and limiting your ability to move freely. This smooth, elastic tissue that normally cushions your bones can deteriorate due to injury, overuse, or gradual wear and tear, affecting your quality of life and daily activities.

Chondroplasty is a surgical procedure that helps repair damaged cartilage in your joints, offering relief from pain and improved movement for people with mild to moderate cartilage wear.

Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that begins in cartilage, the connective tissue protecting joints and bones. It grows slowly in most cases, but certain types can be aggressive and difficult to treat. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options is essential for anyone affected by this condition.

Chondrosarcoma with metastatic disease represents a serious form of bone cancer where the tumor has spread beyond its original location to other parts of the body, most commonly the lungs and other bones, presenting significant challenges for treatment and survival.

Chordoma is a rare type of bone cancer that grows slowly but can be very difficult to treat because it develops in delicate areas near the spine and skull, close to critical structures like the brain, spinal cord, and major blood vessels.

Chorea is a movement disorder that causes your body to make involuntary, dance-like movements you cannot control. These jerky, unpredictable movements can range from mild fidgeting to severe, disabling motions that interfere with everyday activities like eating, walking, and speaking.

Choreoathetosis is a movement disorder that combines involuntary, dance-like jerking movements with slow, writhing motions, creating a pattern of uncontrollable body movements that can affect daily activities and quality of life.

Chorioretinitis is inflammation of the back part of your eye that can threaten your vision and even lead to blindness if not treated promptly.

Choroid melanoma is the most common cancer that develops inside the adult eye, yet it remains a rare condition that often goes unnoticed until detected during a routine eye examination.

Choroidal dystrophies are a group of inherited eye disorders that affect a critical layer of blood vessels in the eye, potentially leading to progressive vision loss. While these conditions primarily affect males starting in childhood, understanding their nature and available support can help those affected maintain their quality of life.

Choroidal neovascularisation is a serious eye condition where abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina, potentially leading to vision loss if left untreated.

Chronic coronary syndrome describes a range of ongoing heart conditions caused by narrowed or blocked arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. While it develops slowly over many years and can remain silent for a long time, this progressive disease may suddenly worsen and requires careful diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications like heart attacks.

Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a form of autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin, causing persistent rashes and lesions that may lead to permanent scarring and changes in skin color. Unlike lupus that affects the whole body, this condition focuses on the skin, though it can sometimes be an early warning sign of more widespread disease.

Chronic diseases affect six out of ten American adults and are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, yet many of these conditions can be prevented or effectively managed through healthy lifestyle choices and proper medical care.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a serious long-term illness that causes severe exhaustion and many other symptoms that don’t improve with rest. It affects up to 3.3 million people in the United States, yet more than 9 in 10 people with the condition have not been diagnosed.

Chronic graft versus host disease is a serious complication that can occur after a stem cell transplant, when the donated immune cells begin attacking the recipient’s own organs and tissues, creating a condition that may require years of treatment and significantly impact daily life.

Chronic graft versus host disease affecting the intestine is a serious complication that can develop after a stem cell transplant using donor cells, causing digestive symptoms that may significantly impact daily life and nutrition.

Chronic graft versus host disease affecting the liver is a serious complication that can develop months or even years after an allogeneic stem cell transplant, occurring when donor immune cells attack the recipient’s liver tissue.

Chronic graft versus host disease affecting the skin is a serious complication that can occur after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, when the donated cells attack the recipient’s body. The skin is the most commonly affected organ, with symptoms appearing in approximately 70 percent of patients who develop this condition.

Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare genetic condition that weakens the immune system’s ability to fight certain infections, leaving people vulnerable to serious bacterial and fungal infections throughout their lives.

Chronic hepatic failure is the final stage of long-term liver damage, where the liver can no longer perform its essential life-sustaining functions. This condition develops gradually over months or years and, without a liver transplant, is eventually fatal.

Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term liver infection that can last for years or even a lifetime, raising the risk of serious liver damage, liver cancer, and death. While many people feel healthy and show no symptoms, the virus may still be active and causing harm that goes unnoticed for decades.

Chronic hepatitis C is a long-lasting liver infection caused by a virus that can damage your liver over many years, but modern medicines can cure more than 95% of people with the condition.

Chronic idiopathic pain syndrome is a common and disabling condition that can significantly affect daily life, often involving both physical and psychological factors, with treatment focused on managing symptoms rather than curing the pain.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy is a rare autoimmune condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and sensory changes. While the symptoms develop gradually over weeks and months, early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent permanent nerve damage and improve quality of life.

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.