Medical Conditions

Cigarettes contain nicotine, a psychoactive drug that is highly addictive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine dependency is as difficult to overcome as heroin,...

Veterans these days face mounting pressure---medical bills are skyrocketing, and the price of insurance is costly. Economic hardship, layoffs or disability may hamper the veteran's ability to pay...

According the Mayo Clinic, the liver of an average adult is comparable in size to a small football. An enlarged liver, or hepatomegaly as it is referred to in the medical community, is not a...

On the surface, it would seem that seizures and fainting may be similar, in that they both involve some sort of interruption of normal consciousness. They are very different things, however, which...

Your adrenal gland's basic function is to ready your body's defenses when in a "fight or flight" situation. They do this by increasing the output of adrenaline and cortisol. Sometimes the stress...

It is important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis if you are suffering from arm pain. Arm pain can be caused by many conditions such as arthritis, overuse, herniated or compressed disc,...

Frequent urination can be an indication of several medical conditions such as a urinary tract infection or problems in the kidney, prostate and bladder. It could also be a sign of metabolic...

Advances in medical technology have been able to improve health care treatment as well as save lives, worldwide. Medical technology has worked alongside scientific technology for years. Each and...

Finger and toe nails are composed of layers of keratin. The oils and natural moisture in the skin around the nails hold these layers together. A number of factors can interrupt the distribution of...

The term "degenerative" is commonly used as an adjective in the medical field. It is applied to a certain group of diseases or medical conditions.

According to MedTerms, a side effect is anything a medication does that is not its prescribed purpose. Knowing side effects of all the medications you take will help you stay alert in the event...

Spondylolisthesis, a spinal disorder, can result in back pain, nerve damage and even disfigurement. However, it is a medical condition that can often be treated holistically, without the need for...

Face, chest, leg, and arm numbness is a common symptom of a variety of medical conditions. If you experience this symptom, consult your physician immediately, since it may be a sign of a serious...

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, or ESBL, is an enzyme that is produced in some forms of bacteria. The most common forms of bacteria to produce this enzyme are those associated with E. coli and...

Swollen feet is a condition experienced by adults of all ages. The lower body is most influenced by swelling due to the gravity effect, and swelling is typically in the ankles and legs. Painless...

Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin and available in injection form. Vitamin B12 is important in the production of red blood cells and central nervous system...

Ringing in the ears is a medical condition called tinnitus. Some people experience the condition only temporarily or just every once in a while, but many people experience ringing in their ears 24...

Swollen ankles are a sign of water retention. Usually the surrounding tissue is holding fluid, causing the ankles to swell. Swelling in any part of the body can be alarming. It's often a symptom...

An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, occurs when the nail curves down into the skin, causing redness, pain, inflammation and, in some cases, infection. The condition typically...

You may at some time need to get a copy of your medical records. This will help save your health care dollars since a new doctor or specialist you may be referred to will not need to repeat...

Plasma is one of several components of blood. It is 90 percent water, and the white and red blood cells are suspended in it. Plasma is the largest component of human blood, accounting for 55...

Aralen is a prescription medication used for the management of various kinds of malaria, which is a parasitic infection. It is intended for those who plan on traveling to parts of the world that...

Compression Stockings are a medical aid that helps keep blood from pooling in your legs. These medical stockings are used to treat a number of medical conditions, including varicose veins and...

A fever is a sign that your body is trying to overcome an illness or underlying infection. Viruses and bacterial infections are notorious for causing fevers, but there are other medical problems...

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus that often result from straining during bowel movements. Constipation can cause hemorrhoids, and many women also develop hemorrhoids...

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, occurs when the flow of blood through the arteries loses pressure. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 while a low blood pressure reading would...

Vertigo is the medical name for the dizziness experienced by some individuals. It affects balance, perception and the force of gravity. In most cases, vertigo is a symptom of an underlying medical...

Meningitis is a serious, contagious medical condition, and is usually caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections. Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid...

Swelling, or edema, of the body, especially of the limbs, feet or hands, can be due to a number of causes. The most obvious cause is an injury. Other reasons for swelling could be an underlying...

Hemoptysis, or the coughing up of blood, is a medical condition that is either indicative of a more serious underlying disease or disorder, or it is the result of certain medical tests that have...

Vital statistics refer to the data collected concerning the progression of human life, from birth through death. This data is often used to calculate population related data for municipalities,...

Sweating is our body's way of regulating its temperature when exercise or warm weather conditions cause our internal thermometers to rise. People with hyperhidrosis sweat volumes more than the...

A punctured lung, or pneumothorax in medical terms, is a condition in which the lung or part of it collapses. This can occur as a result on a buildup of air or gas in the chest cavity or as the...

Swelling in your legs and feet can be painful and make it difficult for you to get your shoes on, move around or stay in one position for any length of time. If swelling in your leg or foot is...

In medical usage, the term benign means non-cancerous, and this is often a concern for people who have lesions or tumors. Discover how tumors are easier to fix when they are discovered early with...

Medical alert bracelets are used to help other people in the medical field to understand what is going on if a person is found unconscious or unable to communicate. Find out how medical alert...

Are you looking to save a trip to the doctor’s office? Did you know that you can have your medical questions answered by a licensed health care professional online at no cost to you? It definitely...

The MRI, also known as magnetic resonance imaging, scan has become a popular diagnostic tool for many medical professionals. It offers greater flexibility and contrasts as compared to an X-ray....

Medical diagnoses are usually based on looking at a combination of the symptoms and basic diagnostic tests. With an understanding of basic medical science and/or through diagnostic tests, these...

Since the development of the Internet, many have resorted to asking for medical advice online. Many people do this for lack of insurance. Others do it to help their doctor in finding the reasons...

Water pills, also called diuretics, help your body get rid of salt and water from the blood and are used to treat chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, glaucoma and edema. The...

A seizure is the effect of an electrical abnormality in the brain. The end result can range from uncontrollable twitching of the muscles to loss of consciousness. A seizure can also cause loss of...

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a medical condition that is difficult to diagnose and has no known cause. Symptoms center largely around pain throughout the body, fatigue and cognitive impairments....

Doctors and patients alike use medical symptoms to figure out what is wrong with them, and to determine what treatments are appropriate. Without a doctor on call 24 hours a day, how do you know if...

If you ever need to know if someone has a medical condition or is allergic to something specific, here are a few things you can check.

Diarrhea is characterized as frequent bowel movements expelling loose and watery stool. Prolonged or frequent diarrhea can be a serious medical condition resulting in sickness or death. This is...

Tingling fingers is a symptom that can be caused by several different medical conditions. Also known as Paresthesias, tingling fingers can often be described as a prickling feeling or numbing or...

Approximately 10 percent of women experience excess facial hair. The condition is known as hirsutism. The cause may be genetic, but sometimes a medical problem exists that should be investigated....

Bad breath is an actual medical condition called halitosis. It is defined as any odor that in not pleasant that comes from the air a person breathes out. Bad breath is embarrassing and not...

Medical trials appeal to some people who want to further medical research. Others find these trials desirable because they provide medical options for health conditions unsuccessfully treated by...