Health A-Z Medical Reference

An Allen test is a simple way to check how well blood flows through your hands. Find out why you may need the test, how it’s done, and what the results mean.

Your genetic blueprint can help solve crimes or cure disease. It is created using a method called DNA fingerprinting. Learn more about this procedure and how it's used.

Measuring carbon dioxide in your blood with a bicarbonate test can give doctors a clue to what ails you. Learn more about the purpose, procedure, risks, and results of this medical procedure.

Bubonic plague isn’t history – it’s still around and still dangerous. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of the "black death."

Heavy metals like lead and mercury can make you sick. Learn about the symptoms and treatment.

Uremia, or uremic syndrome, happens if your kidneys don't filter your blood the way they should. Read about its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

This is a measure of how well your kidneys are working. An estimated GFR test (eGFR) can give your doctor some important information about those organs.

A simple blood test can show if you've had rubella (German measles) recently or if you're immune to it. Find out more about this test and their results.

The Coombs test checks your blood for antibodies that attack red blood cells. It can help prevent and diagnose problems. Find out how it's used and what it means.

Trying to make sense of your lab test results? Learn more about what they mean -- and what you need to do next.

Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition. It's the result of a rapid loss of blood or body fluids. Find out what can cause it and what you can do about it.

Find out what you need to know about iontophoresis for hyperhidrosis, and discover the pros, cons, risks, and benefits, and how it may affect health.

What causes fibular fractures? Because of the possibility of broken bones, fibular fractures may require emergency medical care and treatment.

Postoperative fever is when you run a fever after surgery. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.

Staying hydrated involves more than just drinking enough water. Find out about ways to prevent dehydration in people of all ages.

You can become dehydrated for many different reasons. Find out what you can do at home and when to see a doctor if you become dehydrated.

People of all ages can get dehydrated, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Find out more about the signs and causes and who’s more likely to need help.

A teratoma is a type of tumor. Learn more about what causes it, what to expect, and more.

Find out what medical journals are, who reads them, who publishes them, and how they are used by the scientific and medical fields.

Learn about stage 3 kidney disease mortality, how to prevent further kidney damage, and much more.

Find out what you need to know about rumbling in your ear, and discover how it may affect health.

The Hypogastric Artery is the artery that delivers blood and oxygen to your pelvis. Learn about how it works and how it impacts your health.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. Learn more about lymphocytes and what a normal lymphocyte count is.

If you’ve got a sprained ankle, follow these treatments to help you get back on your feet again.

A medical study is a trial to test out new medicines, types of surgery, and medical devices. The aim is to find out if these treatments are safe, and if they work.

The extensor carpi radialis longus is a muscle in the forearm that helps control wrist movements. Learn more about this muscle, how it works, and how to improve its function.

Low levels of vitamin B12 can cause problems with your nervous system and blood cell production. A simple blood test can tell you whether your levels are low.

A PET scan is a type of imaging that can show what’s happening in your body. Learn why you might need one, what makes it different from other types of imaging, how to get ready, and what to expect.

The ELISA test is a medical test that measures your blood’s antibodies. Learn about how it can help you get better medical treatment, what to expect, and more.

Brachydactyly is when someone is born with fingers significantly shorter than they should be. Learn more about what causes it, symptoms of brachydactyly, and more.

Jewish people from Central or Eastern Europe are at higher risk of some diseases. This blood test can show if you’ll pass one on to your children.

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria carried by animals and found in soil and water. Here’s what you need to know about this disease.

Many people have dyslexia but don’t know it until they're adults. Learn the symptoms of dyslexia in adults and how you can manage it.

High or low testosterone can affect your health. Learn how testing works, what results mean, and when to talk to your doctor. Explore the full guide here.

How can a C-reactive protein test help you find out if you have heart disease?

Bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy are two procedures that often are done together. The whole process is pretty simple, takes about 30 minutes, and will give your doctor valuable information about your health.

Dercum's is a rare disease that causes painful, fatty growths to appear under the skin, sometimes all over the body. Obese, middle-aged women may be most at risk.

You may have urinalysis as part of a routine check, and it may find some diseases in their earlier stages. Learn more about what your health care professionals can find out by testing your pee.

When it’s cold outside, people may huddle together to stay warm. But when your red blood cells huddle, or clump, together when your temperature drops, that could mean you need to have a cold agglutinins test.

Sometimes called “rabbit fever,” tularemia is an infectious disease that you can get from a certain kind of bacteria. Learn how to prevent and treat the illness.

A lack of iron isn’t the only cause of anemia. If you’re feeling rundown and short of breath, you may have pernicious anemia, which means you aren't getting enough vitamin B12.

Many adults with Down syndrome live nearly on their own, and they have jobs, relationships, and fulfilling lives. Learn about options for work and living arrangements, as well as health issues to keep an eye on as adults with Down syndrome get older.

Rapp-Hodgkin syndrome is a rare genetic disease that doctors now call AEC syndrome. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome is a very rare genetic disease that prevents your body from using insulin like it normally does. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Eisenmenger syndrome is a life-changing diagnosis. Learn more about this condition and how to live with its challenges.

Keeping a premature baby breathing can have its own complications. Learn more about bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a condition that can develop if your newborn needs help breathing.

It can be hard to know for sure that you have chikungunya virus because it can look like other viruses spread by mosquitoes. Learn more about this rare disease.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) can take a toll on your body and mind. Try these five tips to help you feel your best from day to day.

Nocardiosis is a disease caused by bacteria found in soil or standing water. Learn more about the signs and treatments of this potentially serious condition.

Iodine is a basic nutrient our bodies need. In its radioactive form, it can treat thyroid ailments as well as prostate cancer, cervical cancer and certain types of eye cancer.