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Acute myeloid leukaemia
A type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow with excess immature white blood cells.
AML progresses rapidly, with myeloid cells interfering with the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Symptoms include fatigue, recurrent infections and bruising easily.
Treatments include chemotherapy, other drug therapy and stem-cell transplants.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
A type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer. It occurs when a bone marrow cell develops errors in its DNA.
Symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, bruising, fever, bone pain, bleeding from the gums and frequent infections.
Treatments may include chemotherapy or targeted drugs that specifically kill cancer cells.
Acute kidney injury
A condition in which the kidneys suddenly can't filter waste from the blood.
Acute renal failure develops rapidly over a few hours or days. It may be fatal. It's most common in those who are critically ill and already hospitalised.
Symptoms include decreased urinary output, swelling due to fluid retention, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath. Sometimes symptoms may be subtle or may not appear at all.
In addition to addressing the underlying cause, treatments include fluids, medication and dialysis.
Acute cholecystitis

Cholecystitis (ko-luh-sis-TIE-tis) is inflammation of the gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, beneath your liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid that's released into your small intestine (bile).

Cholecystitis is often caused by stones that block the tube leading from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
Severe pain in the upper-right belly and bloating are symptoms.
Treatment includes a hospital stay and surgical removal.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes. It is used in many NHS G...
Actinomycosis
Actinomycosis is a rare, infectious disease in which bacteria spread from one part of the body to another through body tissues. Over time, it can result in linked abscesses, pain, and inflammation. It can affect the skin or deeper areas within the body and sometimes the blood.
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When this happens, your bones increase in size, including those of your hands, feet and face. Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults