Medical Conditions

Tamoxifen is a drug that helps reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. This drug is one of the oldest breast cancer prevention medicines on the market. However, before taking any medicine, it...

Colazal is the brand name for the generic drug, balsalazide disodium. Colazal is used in treating ulcerative colitis, the medical term for chronic inflammation of the lower intestine. Drugs.com...

In many cases, knee pain can be a sign of damage, arthritis or wear and tear on the joint. However, leg pain can be a sign of a blood clot, which is often shrugged off as simple leg pain.

Unwanted weight gain is a problem for an ever-increasing number of individuals throughout the world. While a combination of diet and exercise will work to divert the tide of obesity for many,...

Peyronie's disease is a condition in which plaque or scar tissue build up in the penis. The buildup of plaque and scar tissue forces the penis to bend during erection. Peyronie's disease is treatable.

Toenail infections, usually caused by constant overexposure to a warm, moist environment, might seem on the surface to be a trivial problem. But, left untreated, toenail infections can spread...

Scalp itch is an irritating problem whose root cause varies. Finding the cause of the itching may help resolve the problem. Scalp itch can range from a simple case of dandruff to more serious...

Although many people with varicose veins do not experience any physical symptoms of the condition, many others do. One of the most common symptoms associated with varicose veins is surface itching...

Erectile dysfunction occurs when you are unable to get or keep an erection that is hard enough for sexual intercourse. You either cannot get an erection, or you lose it in the middle of...

According to the website MedlinePlus, jaundice is a condition characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes. Jaundice is normally a symptom of an underlying disease affecting the...

Screening for a liver transplant involves a number of assessments. It will require a number of specialists as part of the transplant team and will last a number of weeks. Throughout the...

Adenocarcinoma is cancer occurring in the cell tissue that lines glandular types of internal organs, including lungs, breasts, prostate, stomach, liver, pancreas and cervix. All cancers are...

Gall stones are stones that can develop in the gall bladder. They can cause significant discomfort or pain. In some cases, they can block the bile duct, which can be quite serious. The typical...

Diabetes occurs when your body makes too little insulin or resists insulin's effects. Heart disease describes conditions affecting your heart and blood vessels. Alzheimer's disease occurs when...

Lupus and RA, the common abbreviation for rheumatoid arthritis, are both chronic inflammatory conditions. The difference is that while lupus can affect just about any body part, RA primarily...

Double vision and ringing ears (tinnitus) are usually symptomatic of balance disorders--disturbances in the body's normal ability to accurately interpret its movements and orientation in space....

Though never simple or easy, alcohol withdrawal for a long-time heavy drinker with a system full of chemicals and toxins from prolonged alcohol consumption, presents risks. You will need...

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that causes loss of motor function and problems with balance, movement, swallowing, walking and other daily activities. Unfortunately, Parkinson's...

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. Treatment is only required if the tumors grow big enough to cause pain. Recovery time is dependent on what form of surgery is...

Head lice can infect anybody from preschool- or elementary-aged children to adult family members. An infestation of head lice is easily transmitted; therefore, the key to eliminating lice is early...

According to information from the medical website Medline Plus, uremia (otherwise known as prerenal azotemia) is characterized by the presence of high levels of nitrogen waste products within the...

As a part of physical examinations, doctors often order blood tests that measure various levels of chemicals. This "blood chemistry" often includes a lipid panel that measures cholesterol levels...

Symptoms of pain in the left flank area can cause discomfort and frustration, and often result from a kidney problem. Fortunately, these symptoms are often preventable and can easily be treated by...

Bronchial secretions can develop as a result of numerous conditions. In addition to phlegm that is produced in the chest as a result of the common cold, bronchial secretions can be a symptom of...

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature, has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a person seek medical...

Quercetin Bromelain is a natural medication that helps in the body's healing process and aids in reducing inflammation after injury or a surgical procedure. The medication works by inhibiting the...

Central lines provide direct access into the blood stream. Specific conditions may require placement of these lines, and they can remain in place for long-term use. Care must be taken with the...

Pseudoseizures, more commonly referred to as psychogenic seizures, are a nonepileptic seizure. A nonepileptic seizure refers to a seizure that is not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the...

Reflux; also known as acid reflux disease, heartburn, or more scientifically, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a painful condition in which the acid in the stomach backs up into the...

Crohn's disease affects people from all walks of life, but people who have a Jewish family background are at a greater risk of developing the disease. Weight loss is the most common symptom...

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body as it helps with digestion, helps remove toxins from the body and synthesizes proteins. There are many disorders that stop the liver from...

The chronic condition known as adrenal fatigue causes your adrenal glands to produce insufficient hormones. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, most physicians don't list adrenal fatigue as an...

According to American Family Physician, cerebral palsy is an ailment that afflicts about 15 million people throughout the world. It encompasses a broad range of neurological disorders that make...

Oral thrush (also called candidiasis)---one of the most common fungal infections occurring in the mouth---appears as white specks along the mouth's lining. In advanced cases, the fungus may create...

The adrenal glands are located at the top of each kidney and are responsible for secreting hormones such as adrenaline and corticosteroids. They also help stimulate the production of testosterone...

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by scaly, dry, itchy skin. Psoriasis blotches most often occur on the knees, elbows, scalp, forehead and crotch. To treat this condition,...

Back pain is a condition that affects many people for many different reasons. Some people have a bad back from an injury due to an accident or fall. Others have spinal pain due to a congenital...

Jobst stockings are worn by people with tired, achy legs, as well as those with swelling, varicose veins, venous insufficiency, venous ulcers, lymphedema and deep vein thrombosis. They apply...

Hand edema is an abnormal amount of fluid in the hand which causes swelling and pain. Left untreated, hand edema can result in loss of function of the hand. Controlling hand edema is important to...

Lymphedema refers to swelling that occurs most often in your arms or legs when a blockage in your lymphatic system prevents the lymph fluid in your arm or leg from draining adequately. As the...

Insulin resistance is a characterized by your body's inability to properly use insulin, a substance created and released from your pancreas to enable your body's cells to utilize glucose. It is...

According to information from the medical website Medline Plus, uterine fibroids are a condition characterized by the development of benign tumors in a woman's womb, ranging in size from...

According to the American Liver Foundation, about 17,000 people are on the waiting list for a new liver. For a transplant, the patient's entire liver is removed, and the patient receives either a...

PCOS, or polycystic ovary disease or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a condition characterized by the development of cysts within a woman's ovaries. If left untreated, this condition can...

Vertigo is a form of dizziness in which a person feels that they or their surroundings are moving or spinning. This condition can affect your balance, requiring the use of a cane for support. A...

Broken veins (thread veins) are tiny veins found in the legs, face and ankles. They are approximately 2 mm in diameter, appear just under the skin and have a reddish-blue appearance. Women and men...

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of conditions caused by damaged blood cells inside bone marrow. It causes a low blood cell count. In the early stages of myelodysplastic syndromes you...

The adrenal gland is a part of the human endocrine system. It produces vital hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that people need to respond to stress and everyday living. Without the two...

According to the medical health website Medline Plus, menopause is the time of life when a woman's fertility is at its end. This typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and brings with it a...

Adrenal gland dysfunction occurs when adrenal glands do not make enough of the hormones cortisol, aldosterone or adrenocortioctropin (ACTH). It is the result of damage to the adrenal cortex which...