A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of the foot move out of place. This causes the tip of the big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint…
Ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg. Normally, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. Oftentimes ectopic pregnancy occurs in…
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. Until recently, experts talked about different types of autism, such as autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified…
Ankylosing spondylitis or AS, is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched-forward posture. If ribs are affected,…
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body’s organs. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure isn’t possible. …
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body. Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys. Neuroblastoma can also develop in other areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and…
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…