This collection presents 38 Diseases that start with M, spanning from “Age-related macular degeneration” to “Transverse myelitis”. They include common, infectious, neurological, and chronic conditions used for quick reference and initial study.
Diseases that start with M are medical conditions whose accepted names begin with the letter M. Measles is a notable example, whose control shaped modern vaccination programs worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments.
Name: Shows the disease name so you can scan entries and quickly locate specific conditions or alphabetical groups.
Symptoms: Lists 2–4 common signs so you can recognize typical presentations and compare conditions at a glance.
Causes: Summarizes primary causes and top risk factors so you understand why the disease occurs and who is most at risk.
Treatments: Notes first-line treatments, typical management steps, and when you should consider specialist referral for further care.
Diseases that start with M
| Name | ICD-10/ICD-11 Code | Typical Age/Population & Prevalence | Key Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria | B50-B54 | all ages; endemic areas; 300 per 100,000 | fever; chills; sweats; anemia |
| Malignant melanoma | C43 | adults; fair-skinned; 20 per 100,000 | changing mole; irregular pigment; bleeding |
| Meniere disease | H81.0 | adults; 190 per 100,000 | episodic vertigo; tinnitus; hearing loss |
| Multiple sclerosis | G35 | young adults; 150 per 100,000 | vision loss; weakness; sensory loss; fatigue |
| Myocardial infarction | I21 | adults; common; ~200 per 100,000/year | chest pain; shortness of breath; sweating |
| Myocarditis | I40 | all ages; rare; 1–10 per 100,000 | chest pain; breathlessness; palpitations |
| Mitral valve prolapse | I34.1 | adults; ~2% adults | palpitations; chest discomfort; murmur |
| Migraine | G43 | adults; 12% global | throbbing unilateral headache; nausea; light sensitivity |
| Meningitis | G00-G03 | all ages; 5 per 100,000 | fever; neck stiffness; severe headache |
| Metabolic syndrome | E88.81 | adults; 25% adults | central obesity; hypertension; high glucose |
| Muscular dystrophy | G71.0 | children (some forms); Duchenne ~20 per 100,000 males | progressive muscle weakness; gait difficulties; calf pseudohypertrophy |
| Myasthenia gravis | G70.0 | adults; 15 per 100,000 | muscle fatigability; ptosis; double vision |
| Measles | B05 | children; <1 per 100,000 in vaccinated areas | fever; rash; cough; Koplik spots |
| Mumps | B26 | children; <1 per 100,000 in vaccinated areas | parotid swelling; fever; ear pain |
| Multiple myeloma | C90.0 | older adults; 7 per 100,000 | bone pain; anemia; kidney dysfunction |
| Transverse myelitis | G37.3 | all ages; 2 per 100,000 | acute limb weakness; sensory loss; bladder dysfunction |
| Mastitis | N61 | postpartum women; 10% breastfeeding women | breast pain; redness; fever |
| Age-related macular degeneration | H35.3 | elderly; 8% over 60 | central vision loss; distortion; blurred vision |
| Myelodysplastic syndromes | D46 | elderly; 5 per 100,000 | fatigue; infections; bleeding |
| Moyamoya disease | I67.5 | children/young adults; 0.5 per 100,000 | recurrent strokes; headaches; seizures |
| Myositis | M33 | adults/children; 1 per 100,000 | proximal muscle weakness; fatigue; muscle pain |
| Marfan syndrome | Q87.4 | children/adults; 20 per 100,000 | tall habitus; aortic dilation; lens dislocation |
| Motor neuron disease | G12.2 | adults; 2 per 100,000 | progressive weakness; muscle wasting; dysphagia |
| Mucormycosis | B46 | immunocompromised; rare; 0.1 per 100,000 | facial pain; necrotic lesions; sinus congestion |
| Methemoglobinemia | D75.1 | all ages; rare; 0.5 per 100,000 | cyanosis; shortness of breath; fatigue |
| Molluscum contagiosum | B08.1 | children; ~5% children | small umbilicated papules; itching; clusters |
| Myelofibrosis | D47.4 | adults; 2 per 100,000 | fatigue; splenomegaly; anemia |
| Melioidosis | A24 | endemic adults; varies up to 4 per 100,000 | fever; pneumonia; abscesses |
| Major depressive disorder | F32-F33 | adults; 5% global | low mood; anhedonia; sleep/appetite change |
| Mania (manic episode) | F30 | adults; ~1% lifetime (bipolar) | elevated mood; decreased need for sleep; impulsivity |
| Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole) | O01 | women of reproductive age; 0.1% of pregnancies | vaginal bleeding; high hCG; uterine enlargement |
| Meconium aspiration syndrome | P24.0 | newborns; ~1% of deliveries | respiratory distress; cyanosis; coarse breath sounds |
| Meningococcal disease | A39 | all ages; 0.5 per 100,000 in many regions | fever; petechial rash; neck stiffness; shock |
| Mycosis fungoides | C84.0 | adults; rare; 0.5 per 100,000 | patchy scaly rash; plaques; itching |
| Megaloblastic anemia | D53 | adults; more common elderly; ~2% elderly | fatigue; pallor; glossitis; neuropathy |
| Minimal change disease | N/A | children; most common nephrotic in kids | edema; proteinuria; hypoalbuminemia |
| Membranous nephropathy | N/A | adults; common cause nephrotic syndrome; 10–30 per 100,000 | proteinuria; edema; hyperlipidemia |
| Molar pregnancy (repeated entry removed) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Descriptions
Malaria
Parasitic infection transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes; risk factors: travel, lack of prevention. Treated with antimalarial drugs (artemisinin-based regimens); severe cases hospitalize, supportive care. Refer to infectious disease for complicated cases.
Malignant melanoma
Aggressive skin cancer from melanocytes; risk: UV exposure, fair skin. First-line: surgical excision, staging; advanced disease: immunotherapy/targeted therapy. Refer to dermatologist/oncologist.
Meniere disease
Inner ear disorder with endolymphatic imbalance; causes unclear, risk factors include viral/reactive. Managed with low-salt diet, diuretics, vestibular rehab; severe cases: intratympanic steroids or surgery. Refer to ENT.
Multiple sclerosis
Immune-mediated demyelinating CNS disease; risk: genetics, smoking, low vitamin D. First-line: acute steroids; disease-modifying therapies to reduce relapses. Refer to neurologist.
Myocardial infarction
Heart muscle injury from coronary artery occlusion; risk factors: age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes. Emergency reperfusion (PCI/thrombolysis), antiplatelets, statins, rehab. Refer to cardiology.
Myocarditis
Inflammation of heart muscle, often viral or autoimmune; risk: recent infection, immunologic disease. Managed with supportive care, heart failure therapy; immunosuppression in selected cases. Refer to cardiology.
Mitral valve prolapse
Abnormal mitral valve leaflet motion causing regurgitation risk; often benign. Management: monitoring, beta-blockers for symptoms; severe regurgitation may need repair. Refer to cardiology/cardiac surgery.
Migraine
Neurological primary headache disorder; triggers include stress, hormones. Acute: analgesics, triptans; prevention: beta-blockers, antiepileptics, CGRP inhibitors. Refer to neurology for refractory cases.
Meningitis
Inflammation of meninges from bacteria, viruses or other causes; rapid recognition essential. Bacterial: emergency IV antibiotics; viral: supportive care. Refer to emergency/neurology/infectious disease.
Metabolic syndrome
Cluster of risk factors (obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia) increasing heart disease risk. Managed with lifestyle change, weight loss, blood pressure and lipid control. Primary care/endocrinology referral as needed.
Muscular dystrophy
Group of genetic disorders causing progressive muscle loss; risk: inherited mutations. Management: steroids, physiotherapy, cardiac/respiratory monitoring; genetic counseling. Refer to neurology.
Myasthenia gravis
Autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder; risk: thymic disease. Treat with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppression, thymectomy in selected patients. Refer to neurology/thoracic surgery.
Measles
Highly contagious viral illness; risk: unvaccinated populations. Supportive care, vitamin A for children; prevented by MMR vaccine. Public health/primary care management.
Mumps
Viral infection causing salivary gland swelling; risk: unvaccinated. Supportive care, pain control, hydration; MMR vaccine prevents disease.
Multiple myeloma
Malignant plasma cell disorder; risk: age, family history. Treated with chemotherapy, steroids, immunomodulators, stem cell transplant. Refer to hematology/oncology.
Transverse myelitis
Inflammatory spinal cord syndrome, often post-infectious or autoimmune. Acute high-dose steroids, plasma exchange; rehab for recovery. Refer to neurology.
Mastitis
Breast inflammation, often infectious in lactating women. Treated with antibiotics, continued breastfeeding/pumping, analgesia. Primary care or breast clinic follow-up.
Age-related macular degeneration
Degenerative retinal disease (dry and wet forms); risk: age, smoking, genetics. Wet AMD: anti-VEGF injections; dry: lifestyle, low-vision support. Refer to ophthalmology.
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Bone marrow disorders causing ineffective blood cell production; risk: age, prior chemo. Managed with supportive transfusions, growth factors, hypomethylating agents; stem cell transplant possible. Refer hematology.
Moyamoya disease
Progressive narrowing of cerebral arteries causing stroke risk; causes often idiopathic. Managed with surgical revascularization and stroke prevention. Refer neurology/neurosurgery.
Myositis
Autoimmune inflammatory muscle disease (polymyositis/dermatomyositis); risk: autoimmunity. Treat with steroids, immunosuppressants, physical therapy. Refer rheumatology/neurology.
Marfan syndrome
Inherited connective tissue disorder due to fibrillin mutation; risk: family history. Management: beta-blockers/ARBs, monitoring, aortic surgery when needed. Refer cardiology/genetics.
Motor neuron disease
Progressive degeneration of motor neurons (including ALS); risk: mostly sporadic. Supportive care, riluzole/palliative measures, multidisciplinary teams. Refer neurology/palliative care.
Mucormycosis
Aggressive fungal infection in immunosuppressed/diabetic patients. Urgent surgical debridement and antifungal therapy (amphotericin); high mortality. Refer infectious disease/ENT.
Methemoglobinemia
Blood disorder where hemoglobin can’t carry oxygen, due to drugs or congenital enzyme defects. Treated with methylene blue if symptomatic; oxygen and supportive care. Refer hematology/toxicology.
Molluscum contagiosum
Common viral skin infection (poxvirus); spread by contact. Often self-limited; topical or procedural treatments for persistent lesions. Primary care/dermatology as needed.
Myelofibrosis
Chronic bone marrow disorder with fibrosis, often JAK2 mutation. Managed with symptom control, JAK inhibitors, transfusions; stem cell transplant in selected patients. Refer hematology.
Melioidosis
Bacterial infection found in tropical areas (soil/water exposure). Treated with prolonged antibiotics (ceftazidime, meropenem then oral eradication). Refer infectious disease.
Major depressive disorder
Common mood disorder from genetic, psychosocial, biological factors. First-line: psychotherapy, antidepressants; combined treatment for moderate-severe cases. Refer mental health services if needed.
Mania (manic episode)
Acute mood episode of bipolar disorder with elevated energy and risky behavior. Treated with mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, psychotherapy. Refer psychiatry.
Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole)
Abnormal trophoblastic proliferation from conception; risk: extremes of maternal age. Managed with uterine evacuation and hCG monitoring; oncology referral if persistent.
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Newborn lung injury from inhaled meconium. Supportive respiratory care, oxygen, mechanical ventilation as needed. Neonatology management.
Meningococcal disease
Invasive infection by Neisseria meningitidis causing meningitis/sepsis. Urgent IV antibiotics, supportive ICU care; prevent with vaccines and chemoprophylaxis. Refer infectious disease/ICU.
Mycosis fungoides
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma presenting with skin lesions. Managed with skin-directed therapy (topical steroids, phototherapy) and systemic treatments for advanced disease. Refer dermatology/oncology.
Megaloblastic anemia
Anemia from B12 or folate deficiency causing impaired DNA synthesis. Treated with vitamin B12 injections or oral folate and address cause. Primary care/hematology follow-up.
Minimal change disease
Kidney disease causing sudden-onset nephrotic syndrome, often steroid-responsive. First-line: high-dose steroids; immunosuppressants for relapses. Refer nephrology.
Membranous nephropathy
Autoimmune glomerular disease causing protein loss; may be primary or secondary. Management: ACE inhibitors, immunosuppression when progressive. Refer nephrology.
Molar pregnancy (repeated entry removed)
N/A