A dental abscess is a collection of pus that can form inside the teeth, in the gums or in the bone that holds the teeth in place. It’s caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria exist in plaque, a by-product of food, saliva, and bacteria in the mouth, which sticks to the teeth and damages them…
Heart Failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF) and congestive cardiac failure (CCF), is when the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body’s needs. Certain conditions, such as narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave the heart too weak or…
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying, shocking or dangerous event — either by experiencing it or witnessing it. PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as “shell shock” during the years of World War I and “combat fatigue” after World War II. …
Hyperpigmentation is a harmless condition but it can cause unevenness that is hard to camouflage with make-up. Better known as dark spots, hyperpigmentation may be apparent as melasma — brown patches on adult skin — or as sun spots due to too much exposure to the sun resulting in an excess production of melanin. These…
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of head and neck cancer. It starts in the upper part of the throat, behind the nose. This area is called the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is difficult to detect early, because the nasopharynx isn’t easy to examine and symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma mimic those of other, more-common conditions. Symptoms…
Traditional Chinese herbal remedies are part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and have been used in China for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese herbal remedies are a large part of TCM. They can be given as pills, teas, powders, liquid extracts or syrups. Hundreds of different types of herbs are used in TCM, and TCM…
Gastroenteritis is a very common condition that causes diarrhea and vomiting. It’s usually caused by a bacteria or viral tummy bug. It is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasites. Its cause is often a norovirus. It spread through contaminated food or water or by contact with…
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, the patient’s face may show little or no expression….
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder syndrome in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed positions. The movements may resemble tremor. Dystonia is often intensified or exacerbated by physical activity, and symptoms may progress into adjacent muscles. Types of Dystonia Focal Dystonia – affecting one part of…
Dermabrasion is an exfoliating technique that uses a rotating instrument to remove the outer layers of skin, usually on the face. Dermabrasion treatment is popular with people who want to enhance the appearance of their skin. Dermabrasion can treat conditions such as: Fine lines, wrinkles, especially those around the mouthSun-damaged skin, including age spotsScars caused…
Varicose and spider veins: varicose veins are enlarged veins that often twist and can bulge above the surface of the skin. They may be blue, red, or flesh-colored. Spider veins often look like webs. Having spider or varicose veins can affect more than the person’s appearance. These veins can cause serious discomfort. Some varicose veins…
Motor neuron disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It is a neurodegenerative disease that causes rapidly progressive muscle weakness. Specifically, the disease affects nerve cells (motor neurons) that control the muscles that enable a person to move, speak, breathe and swallow. MND is also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis…
Stretch marks are colored lines or streaks that appear on the skin from weight gain or growth. They’re essentially tears on the skin, but aren’t an indication of a health issue. Stretch marks often begin as red or purple marks, and slowly fade to white or silver over time. Early stretch marks may feel slightly…
Anemia Anemia is a condition in which a person lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. In a routine blood test, anemia is reported as a low hemoglobin or hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the main protein in the red blood cells. It carries oxygen throughout the body. It often…
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges through the large muscle separating the abdomen and chest (diaphragm). The diaphragm has a small opening (hiatus) through which the food tube (esophagus) passes before connecting to the stomach. In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes up through that opening and into the…
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that projects from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis causes pain in the lower right abdomen. However, in most people the pain begins around the navel and then moves. As inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes severe. …
Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. It is a symptom where a person feels as if they or the objects around them are moving when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. This may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties walking. Vertigo can be temporary or…
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. Fibromyalgia is the second most common condition affecting the bones and muscles. Yet it’s often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Its classic symptoms are widespread muscle and joint pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia can feel similar to osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinis….
Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of illness or injury. The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of the abdomen, next to the stomach and behind the left ribs. It is an important part of the immune system, but one can survive without…
Laryngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the larynx. The larynx is a part of the throat, between the base of the tongue and the trachea. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them. The sound echoes through…