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What is (are) Anal Cancer ?
The anus is where stool leaves your body when you go to the bathroom. It is made up of your outer layers of skin and the end of your large intestine. Anal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the anus. Anal cancer is rare. It is more common in smokers and people over 50. You are also at h...
Anal Cancer
What is (are) Pregnancy and Substance Abuse ?
When you are pregnant, you are not just "eating for two." You also breathe and drink for two, so it is important to carefully consider what you give to your baby. If you smoke, use alcohol or take illegal drugs, so does your unborn baby. First, don't smoke. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing...
Pregnancy and Substance Abuse
Do you have information about Radiation Therapy
Summary : Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment. It uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. About half of all cancer patients receive it. The radiation may be external, from special machines, or internal, from radioactive substances that a doctor places inside your body. The ty...
Radiation Therapy
Do you have information about Rehabilitation
Summary : After a serious injury, illness or surgery, you may recover slowly. You may need to regain your strength, relearn skills or find new ways of doing things you did before. This process is rehabilitation. Rehabilitation often focuses on - Physical therapy to help your strength, mobility and fitness ...
Rehabilitation
Do you have information about Iron
Summary : Iron is a mineral that our bodies need for many functions. For example, iron is part of hemoglobin, a protein which carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. It helps our muscles store and use oxygen. Iron is also part of many other proteins and enzymes. Your body needs the right amount of iron....
Iron
Do you have information about Pregnancy and Nutrition
Summary : When you're pregnant, eating healthy foods is more important than ever. You need more protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid than you did before pregnancy. You also need more calories. But "eating for two" doesn't mean eating twice as much. It means that the foods you eat are the main source of nutrients for ...
Pregnancy and Nutrition
What is (are) Interstitial Lung Diseases ?
Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis. Breathing in dust or other particles in the air is responsible for some types of interstitial lung diseases. ...
Interstitial Lung Diseases
Do you have information about Volcanoes
Summary : A volcano is a vent in the Earth's crust. Hot rock, steam, poisonous gases, and ash reach the Earth's surface when a volcano erupts. An eruption can also cause earthquakes, mudflows and flash floods, rock falls and landslides, acid rain, fires, and even tsunamis. Volcanic gas and ash can damage the lungs o...
Volcanoes
What is (are) Hiccups ?
A hiccup is an unintentional movement of the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs. It's followed by quick closing of the vocal cords, which produces the "hic" sound you make. There are a large number of causes, including large meals, alcohol, or hot and spicy foods. Hiccups may also start and stop for no obvi...
Hiccups
What is (are) Premenstrual Syndrome ?
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that start one to two weeks before your period. Most women have at least some symptoms of PMS, and the symptoms go away after their periods start. For some women, the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with their lives. They have a type of PMS called premenstru...
Premenstrual Syndrome
What is (are) Dizziness and Vertigo ?
When you're dizzy, you may feel lightheaded or lose your balance. If you feel that the room is spinning, you have vertigo. A sudden drop in blood pressure or being dehydrated can make you dizzy. Many people feel lightheaded if they get up too quickly from sitting or lying down. Dizziness usually gets better by it...
Dizziness and Vertigo
What is (are) Oxygen Therapy ?
Oxygen therapy is a treatment that provides you with extra oxygen. Oxygen is a gas that your body needs to function. Normally, your lungs absorb oxygen from the air you breathe. But some conditions can prevent you from getting enough oxygen. You may need oxygen if you have - COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary...
Oxygen Therapy
What is (are) Huntington's Disease ?
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited disease that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to waste away. People are born with the defective gene, but symptoms usually don't appear until middle age. Early symptoms of HD may include uncontrolled movements, clumsiness, and balance problems. Later, HD can take away th...
Huntington's Disease
Do you have information about Premature Babies
Summary : Almost 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States are premature, or preemies. A premature birth is when a baby is born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. Important growth and development happen throughout pregnancy - especially in the final months and weeks. Bec...
Premature Babies
What is (are) Mouth Disorders ?
Your mouth is one of the most important parts of your body. Any problem that affects your mouth can make it hard to eat, drink or even smile. Some common mouth problems include - Cold sores - painful sores on the lips and around the mouth, caused by a virus - Canker sores - painful sores in the mouth, caus...
Mouth Disorders
What is (are) Vision Impairment and Blindness ?
If you have low vision, eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery may not help. Activities like reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV may be hard to do. The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases: macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma. Ot...
Vision Impairment and Blindness
What is (are) Tremor ?
Tremors are unintentional trembling or shaking movements in one or more parts of your body. Most tremors occur in the hands. You can also have arm, head, face, vocal cord, trunk, and leg tremors. Tremors are most common in middle-aged and older people, but anyone can have them. The cause of tremors is a problem in t...
Tremor
What is (are) Nose Injuries and Disorders ?
Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell. When there is a problem with your nose, your wh...
Nose Injuries and Disorders
What is (are) Diphtheria ?
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected by coming in contact with an object, such as a toy, that has bacteria on it. Diphtheria usually affects the nose and throat. Symptoms include - Sore throat - Swo...
Diphtheria
What is (are) Esophageal Cancer ?
The esophagus is a hollow tube that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause symptoms. Later, you may have symptoms such as - Painful or difficult swallowing - Weight loss - A hoarse voice or cough that doesn't go away You're at greater ...
Esophageal Cancer
Do you have information about HIV/AIDS Medicines
Summary : In the early 1980s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic began, patients rarely lived longer than a few years. But today, there are many effective medicines to fight the infection, and people with HIV have longer, healthier lives. There are five major types of medicines: - Reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors...
HIV/AIDS Medicines
Do you have information about Rural Health Concerns
Summary : People in rural areas face some different health issues than people who live in towns and cities. Getting health care can be a problem when you live in a remote area. You might not be able to get to a hospital quickly in an emergency. You also might not want to travel long distances to get routine checkups an...
Rural Health Concerns
What is (are) Skin Conditions ?
Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers and protects your body. Your skin - Holds body fluids in, preventing dehydration - Keeps harmful microbes out, preventing infections - Helps you feel things like heat, cold, and pain - Keeps your body temperature even - Makes vitamin D when the sun shi...
Skin Conditions
What is (are) Penis Disorders ?
Problems with the penis can cause pain and affect a man's sexual function and fertility. Penis disorders include - Erectile dysfunction - inability to get or keep an erection - Priapism - a painful erection that does not go away - Peyronie's disease - bending of the penis during an erection due to a ha...
Penis Disorders
What is (are) Mumps ?
Mumps is an illness caused by the mumps virus. It starts with - Fever - Headache - Muscle aches - Tiredness - Loss of appetite After that, the salivary glands under the ears or jaw become swollen and tender. The swelling can be on one or both sides of the face. Symptoms last 7 to 10 days. Seriou...
Mumps
What is (are) Syphilis ?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus of both men and women. You usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy. The early stage of syphilis usually causes a single, sma...
Syphilis
Do you have information about Club Drugs
Summary : Club drugs are group of psychoactive drugs. They act on the central nervous system and can cause changes in mood, awareness, and how you act. These drugs are often abused by young adults at all-night dance parties, dance clubs, and bars. They include - Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as...
Club Drugs
Do you have information about Newborn Screening
Summary : Your newborn infant has screening tests before leaving the hospital. There may be different tests depending on the state where you live. They include - Tests on a few drops of blood from pricking the baby's heel. The tests look for inherited disorders. All states test for at least 30 of these conditions...
Newborn Screening
What is (are) Emphysema ?
Emphysema is a type of COPD involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have trouble breathing during exercise. The most common cause is cigarette smoking. If you ...
Emphysema
Do you have information about Surgery
Summary : There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries are done to find a problem. For example, a surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of tissue to examine under a microscop...
Surgery
What is (are) Ulcerative Colitis ?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. UC can happen at any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It tends to run in families. The most commo...
Ulcerative Colitis
What is (are) Gallstones ?
Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine. Your gallbla...
Gallstones
What is (are) Childbirth Problems ?
While childbirth usually goes well, complications can happen. They can cause a risk to the mother, baby, or both. Possible complications include - Preterm (premature) labor, when labor starts before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy - Problems with the umbilical cord - Problems with the position of the baby, ...
Childbirth Problems
Do you have information about Palliative Care
Summary : Palliative care is treatment of the discomfort, symptoms, and stress of serious illness. It provides relief from distressing symptoms including - Pain - Shortness of breath - Fatigue - Constipation - Nausea - Loss of appetite - Problems with sleep It can also help you deal with t...
Palliative Care
Do you have information about Financial Assistance
Summary : Health care can be costly. If you have health insurance, it usually pays at least part of your medical costs. If you don't have insurance or need help with costs that aren't covered, financial assistance might be available. Certain government programs and nonprofit organizations can help. You can also discuss...
Financial Assistance
What is (are) Amyloidosis ?
Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal proteins called amyloids build up and form deposits. The deposits can collect in organs such as the kidney and heart. This can cause the organs to become stiff and unable to work the way they should. There are three main types of amyloidosis: - Primary - with no known cause ...
Amyloidosis
Do you have information about Tubal Ligation
Summary : Tubal ligation (getting your "tubes tied") is a type of surgery. It prevents a woman from getting pregnant. It is a permanent form of birth control. The surgery closes the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. It usually takes about 30 minutes. Almost all women go home the same day. Wom...
Tubal Ligation
Do you have information about Medicines and Children
Summary : When it comes to taking medicines, kids aren't just small adults. For prescription medicines, there is a "Pediatric" section of the label. It says whether the medication has been studied for its effects on children. It also tells you what ages have been studied. Aside from drugs for fever or pain, most over-t...
Medicines and Children
What is (are) Fungal Infections ?
If you have ever had athlete's foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is a primitive organism. Mushrooms, mold and mildew are examples. Fungi live in air, in soil, on plants and in water. Some live in the human body. Only about half of all types of fungi are harmful. Some fungi reproduce through...
Fungal Infections
What is (are) Rashes ?
A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Many rashes are itchy, red, painful, and irritated. Some rashes can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. Rashes are a symptom of many different medical problems. Other causes include irritating substances and allergies. Certain genes can make people more likely t...
Rashes
What is (are) Endocarditis ?
Endocarditis, also called infective endocarditis (IE), is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs enter your heart. These germs come through your bloodstream from another part of your body, often your mouth. Bacterial endocarditis can damage your...
Endocarditis
Do you have information about Ultrasound
Summary : Ultrasound is a type of imaging. It uses high-frequency sound waves to look at organs and structures inside the body. Health care professionals use it to view the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and other organs. During pregnancy, doctors use ultrasound to view the fetus. Unlike x-rays, ultrasound does ...
Ultrasound
What is (are) Bedwetting ?
Many children wet the bed until they are 5 or even older. A child's bladder might be too small. Or the amount of urine produced overnight can be more than the bladder can hold. Some children sleep too deeply or take longer to learn bladder control. Stress can also be a factor. Children should not be punished for wettin...
Bedwetting
What is (are) Hip Injuries and Disorders ?
Your hip is the joint where your thigh bone meets your pelvis bone. Hips are called ball-and-socket joints because the ball-like top of your thigh bone moves within a cup-like space in your pelvis. Your hips are very stable. When they are healthy, it takes great force to hurt them. However, playing sports, running, ove...
Hip Injuries and Disorders
Do you have information about Nutrition
Summary : Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Healthy eating is not hard. The key is to - Eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products - Eat lean meats, poultry, fi...
Nutrition
What is (are) Hodgkin Disease ?
Hodgkin disease is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymph system. The first sign of Hodgkin disease is often an enlarged lymph node. The disease can spread to nearby lymph nodes. Later it may spread to the lungs, liver, or bone marrow. The exact cause is unknown. Ho...
Hodgkin Disease
What is (are) Pemphigus ?
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder. If you have it, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your skin and mouth, causing blisters and sores. No one knows the cause. Pemphigus does not spread from person to person. It does not appear to be inherited. But some people's genes put them more at risk for pemphigus. P...
Pemphigus
What is (are) Endometriosis ?
Endometriosis is a problem affecting a woman's uterus - the place where a baby grows when she's pregnant. Endometriosis is when the kind of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else. It can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus or on the bowels or bladder. Rarely, it grows in other parts of the body. ...
Endometriosis
What is (are) Fatigue ?
Everyone feels tired now and then. Sometimes you may just want to stay in bed. But, after a good night's sleep, most people feel refreshed and ready to face a new day. If you continue to feel tired for weeks, it's time to see your doctor. He or she may be able to help you find out what's causing your fatigue and recomm...
Fatigue
What is (are) Speech and Communication Disorders ?
Many disorders can affect our ability to speak and communicate. They range from saying sounds incorrectly to being completely unable to speak or understand speech. Causes include - Hearing disorders and deafness - Voice problems, such as dysphonia or those caused by cleft lip or palate - Speech problems li...
Speech and Communication Disorders
What is (are) Frostbite ?
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. Signs of frostbite include - A white or grayish-yellow skin area - Skin that feels unusuall...
Frostbite
Do you have information about Heroin
Summary : Heroin is a white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo. It's made from morphine, a natural substance in the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. It can be mixed with water and injected with a needle. Heroin can also be smoked or snorted up the nose. All of these ways of taking heroin send it to the brain very ...
Heroin
Do you have information about International Health
Summary : The spread of a disease doesn't stop at a country's borders. With more people traveling to other countries and living in crowded cities, it's easier for germs to spread. Infectious diseases that start in one part of the world can quickly reach another. Drug resistance is on the rise, making it harder to treat...
International Health
What is (are) Heart Valve Diseases ?
Your heart has four valves. Normally, these valves open to let blood flow through or out of your heart, and then shut to keep it from flowing backward. But sometimes they don't work properly. If they don't, you could have - Regurgitation - when blood leaks back through the valve in the wrong direction - Mitral...
Heart Valve Diseases
What is (are) Diabetic Nerve Problems ?
If you have diabetes, your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Over time, this can damage the covering on your nerves or the blood vessels that bring oxygen to your nerves. Damaged nerves may stop sending messages, or may send messages slowly or at the wrong times. This damage is called diabetic neu...
Diabetic Nerve Problems
Do you have information about Blood Count Tests
Summary : Your blood contains red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. Blood count tests measure the number and types of cells in your blood. This helps doctors check on your overall health. The tests can also help to diagnose diseases and conditions such as anemia, infections, clotting problems, ...
Blood Count Tests
What is (are) Lung Cancer ?
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, ...
Lung Cancer
What is (are) Von Hippel-Lindau Disease ?
Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is a rare, genetic disease that causes tumors and cysts to grow in your body. The tumors can be either cancerous or benign. They can grow in your brain and spinal cord, kidneys, pancreas and, in men, their genital tract. Symptoms of VHL vary and depend on the size and location of the tum...
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease
Do you have information about Organ Donation
Summary : Organ donation takes healthy organs and tissues from one person for transplantation into another. Experts say that the organs from one donor can save or help as many as 50 people. Organs you can donate include - Internal organs: Kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs - Skin - Bone an...
Organ Donation
What is (are) Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency ?
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) is an inherited condition that raises your risk for lung and liver disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that protects the lungs. The liver makes it. If the AAT proteins aren't the right shape, they get stuck in the liver cells and can't reach the lungs. Symp...
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
What is (are) Pneumonia ?
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. You can also get pneumonia by inhaling a liquid or chemical. People most at risk are older than 65 or younger than 2 years of age, or already have health problems. Symptoms of pneumonia vary ...
Pneumonia
What is (are) Hepatitis B ?
Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. One type, hepatitis B, is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid. An i...
Hepatitis B
Do you have information about Noise
Summary : Noise is all around you, from televisions and radios to lawn mowers and washing machines. Normally, you hear these sounds at safe levels that don't affect hearing. But sounds that are too loud or loud sounds over a long time are harmful. They can damage sensitive structures of the inner ear and cause noise-in...
Noise
What is (are) Hiatal Hernia ?
A hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. When you have a hiatal hernia, it's easier for the acid to come u...
Hiatal Hernia
What is (are) Sprains and Strains ?
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happen...
Sprains and Strains
Do you have information about Bowel Movement
Summary : A bowel movement is the last stop in the movement of food through your digestive tract. Your stool passes out of your body through the rectum and anus. Another name for stool is feces. It is made of what is left after your digestive system (stomach, small intestine, and colon) absorbs nutrients and fluids fro...
Bowel Movement
What is (are) Coma ?
A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness. An individual in a coma is alive but unable to move or respond to his or her environment. Coma may occur as a complication of an underlying illness, or as a result of injuries, such as brain injury. A coma rarely lasts more than 2 to 4 weeks. The outcome for coma depends on...
Coma
What is (are) Osteoarthritis ?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine. Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones...
Osteoarthritis
What is (are) Choking ?
Food or small objects can cause choking if they get caught in your throat and block your airway. This keeps oxygen from getting to your lungs and brain. If your brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, you could have brain damage or die. Young children are at an especially high risk of choking. They can...
Choking
What is (are) Dwarfism ?
A dwarf is a person of short stature - under 4' 10" as an adult. More than 200 different conditions can cause dwarfism. A single type, called achondroplasia, causes about 70 percent of all dwarfism. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 40,000 people. It makes your arms and legs s...
Dwarfism
What is (are) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, sexual assault, physical abuse, or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you. PT...
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Do you have information about Sodium
Summary : Table salt is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine - the technical name for salt is sodium chloride. Your body needs some sodium to work properly. It helps with the function of nerves and muscles. It also helps to keep the right balance of fluids in your body. Your kidneys control how much sodium is in...
Sodium
What is (are) Lactose Intolerance ?
Lactose intolerance means that you cannot digest foods with lactose in them. Lactose is the sugar found in milk and foods made with milk. After eating foods with lactose in them, you may feel sick to your stomach. You may also have - Gas - Diarrhea - Swelling in your stomach Your doctor may do a...
Lactose Intolerance
What is (are) Vitiligo ?
Vitiligo causes white patches on your skin. It can also affect your eyes, mouth, and nose. It occurs when the cells that give your skin its color are destroyed. No one knows what destroys them. It is more common in people with autoimmune diseases, and it might run in families. It usually starts before age 40. The w...
Vitiligo
Do you have information about Methamphetamine
Summary : Methamphetamine - meth for short - is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a crystal). The powder can be eaten or snorted up the nose. It can also be mixed with liquid and injected into your body with a needle. Crystal meth is smoked in a small g...
Methamphetamine
Do you have information about Native American Health
Summary : Every racial or ethnic group has specific health concerns. Differences in the health of groups can result from: - Genetics - Environmental factors - Access to care - Cultural factors On this page, you'll find links to health issues that affect Native Americans.
Native American Health
What is (are) Prescription Drug Abuse ?
If you take a medicine in a way that is different from what the doctor prescribed, it is called prescription drug abuse. It could be - Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else - Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to - Taking the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. Thi...
Prescription Drug Abuse
Do you have information about Cold and Cough Medicines
Summary : Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing -- everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. In the course of a year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds. What can you do for your cold or cough symptoms? Besides drinking plenty of fluids and gett...
Cold and Cough Medicines
What is (are) Canker Sores ?
Canker sores are small, round sores in your mouth. They can be on the inside of your cheek, under your tongue, or in the back of your throat. They usually have a red edge and a gray center. They can be quite painful. They are not the same as cold sores, which are caused by herpes simplex. Canker sores aren't contagi...
Canker Sores
What is (are) Measles ?
Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily from person to person. It causes a blotchy red rash. The rash often starts on the head and moves down the body. Other symptoms include - Fever - Cough - Runny nose - Conjunctivitis (pink eye) - Feeling achy and run down - Tiny wh...
Measles
What is (are) Stillbirth ?
If a woman loses a pregnancy after she's past her 20th week, it's called a stillbirth. Stillbirths are due to natural causes. They can happen before delivery or during delivery. Causes include: - Problems with the placenta, the organ that transports oxygen and nutrients to the fetus - Genetic problems with the...
Stillbirth
Do you have information about Cocaine
Summary : Cocaine is a white powder. It can be snorted up the nose or mixed with water and injected with a needle. Cocaine can also be made into small white rocks, called crack. Crack is smoked in a small glass pipe. Cocaine speeds up your whole body. You may feel full of energy, happy, and excited. But then your mo...
Cocaine
What is (are) Metabolic Syndrome ?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that put you at risk for heart disease and diabetes. These conditions are - High blood pressure - High blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels - High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood - Low levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, in your bl...
Metabolic Syndrome
What is (are) Hemophilia ?
Hemophilia is a rare disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. It is usually inherited. Hemophilia usually occurs in males. If you have hemophilia, you have little or no clotting factor. Clotting factor is a protein needed for normal blood clotting. Without it, you may bleed for a long time after an injury...
Hemophilia
What is (are) Bursitis ?
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and other moving parts, such as muscles, tendons, or skin. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. People get bursitis by overusing a joint. It can also be caused by an injury. It usually occurs at the knee or elbow. Kneeling or leaning y...
Bursitis
What is (are) Cerebellar Disorders ?
When you play the piano or hit a tennis ball you are activating the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance. Problems with the cerebellum include - Cancer - Genetic disorders - Ataxias - failure of muscle control in the arms and legs that result in movement...
Cerebellar Disorders
Do you have information about Water Pollution
Summary : We all need clean water. People need it to grow crops and to operate factories, and for drinking and recreation. Fish and wildlife depend on it to survive. Many different pollutants can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. The three most common are soil, nutrients, and bacteria. Rain washes soil i...
Water Pollution
What is (are) Bacterial Infections ?
Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent of the different types make people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to dig...
Bacterial Infections
What is (are) Clostridium Difficile Infections ?
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. Symptoms include - Watery diarrhea (at least three bowel movements per day for two or more days) - Fever - Loss of appetite - Nausea - Abdominal pain or tenderness ...
Clostridium Difficile Infections
Do you have information about Ozone
Summary : Ozone is a gas. It can be good or bad, depending on where it is. "Good" ozone occurs naturally about 10 to 30 miles above the Earth's surface. It shields us from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Part of the good ozone layer is gone. Man-made chemicals have destroyed it. Without enough good ozone, people may get to...
Ozone
What is (are) Erectile Dysfunction ?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common type of male sexual dysfunction. It is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. ED becomes more common as you get older. But it's not a natural part of aging. Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors about sex. But if you have ED, you should tell your d...
Erectile Dysfunction
What is (are) Chemical Emergencies ?
When a hazardous chemical has been released, it may harm people's health. Chemical releases can be unintentional, as in the case of an industrial accident. They could also be planned, as in the case of a terrorist attack with a chemical weapon. Some hazardous chemicals have been developed by military organizations f...
Chemical Emergencies
What is (are) Tendinitis ?
Tendons are flexible bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. They help your muscles move your bones. Tendinitis is the severe swelling of a tendon. Tendinitis usually happens after repeated injury to an area such as the wrist or ankle. It causes pain and soreness around a joint. Some common forms of tendiniti...
Tendinitis
What is (are) Cat Scratch Disease ?
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an illness caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. Almost half of all cats carry the infection at some point. The infection does not make cats sick. However, the scratch or bite of an infected cat can cause symptoms in people, including - Swollen lymph nodes, especially around t...
Cat Scratch Disease
Do you have information about Weight Control
Summary : Keeping a healthy weight is crucial. If you are underweight, overweight, or obese, you may have a higher risk of certain health problems. About two thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Achieving a healthy weight can help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. It migh...
Weight Control
What is (are) Bell's Palsy ?
Bell's palsy is the most common cause of facial paralysis. It usually affects just one side of the face. Symptoms appear suddenly and are at their worst about 48 hours after they start. They can range from mild to severe and include - Twitching - Weakness - Paralysis - Drooping eyelid or corner of mouth ...
Bell's Palsy
What is (are) Jaundice ?
Jaundice causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow. Too much bilirubin causes jaundice. Bilirubin is a yellow chemical in hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in your red blood cells. As red blood cells break down, your body builds new cells to replace them. The old ones are processed by the ...
Jaundice
What is (are) Aneurysms ?
An aneurysm is a bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. If an aneurysm grows large, it can burst and cause dangerous bleeding or even death. Most aneurysms occur in the aorta, the main artery that runs from t...
Aneurysms
Do you have information about MRI Scans
Summary : Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures inside your body. Health care professionals use MRI scans to diagnose a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors. MRIs are very useful for examining the brain and spinal cord. During the scan,...
MRI Scans
What is (are) Lead Poisoning ?
Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities such as mining and manufacturing. Lead used to be in paint; older houses may still have lead paint. You could be exposed to lead by - Eating food or drinking water ...
Lead Poisoning