Health A-Z Medical Reference
- What is a Cosmetic Dermatologist?
Cosmetic Dermatologists are Learn more about their specialty, when to see one, and what to expect.
- What Is an Audiologist?
Audiologists are health care professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders. Learn more about the conditions audiologists treat and when you might need to see one.
- Complications of High Potassium Levels
High potassium levels can lead to irregular heartbeat and kidney damage, among other problems. Learn what can go wrong and ho to prevent it.
- How to Diagnose High Potassium Levels
Too much potassium can cause health problems. The doctor will check your symptoms and give you a blood test to diagnose it.
- What Is a Cardiac Surgeon?
Cardiac surgeons are doctors who specialize in performing cardiac surgery. Learn more about the conditions they treat and why you might want to see a cardiac surgeon.
- What Does a Functional Medicine Doctor Do?
Functional medicine doctors specialize in finding the root causes of disease. Learn more about the conditions they treat and when you might need to see one.
- What is a Civil Surgeon?
Civil surgeons are doctors who perform exams on immigration candidates. Learn more about the work they do and why you might need to see a civil surgeon.
- What is an Allergist?
Allergists are doctors who specialize in treating allergies and immune reactions. Learn more about the conditions allergists treat and when you might need to see one.
- Who's on Your Fabry Disease Care Team?
It takes a group effort to manage Fabry disease. A whole team of doctors and other health care professionals will keep you healthy and help you avoid health problems.
- How to Ease Symptoms of a Fabry Disease Crisis
If you have Fabry disease, you may get an episode of intense body pain called a Fabry crisis. There are a number of ways to manage this problem, including medications and lifestyle changes.
- How to Manage Fatigue From Fabry Disease
Fabry disease can leave you feeling drained, but treatment and lifestyle changes can boost your energy.
- Eating Tips for Fabry Disease
If you have Fabry disease, changing what you eat may help you manage some of your symptoms. Good nutrition will also benefit your heart and kidneys.
- Learn if Fabry Disease Is in Your Family Tree
Find out about genetic tests that can help you learn if Fabry disease runs in your family.
- What Is Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis?
Find out what causes a type of blood clot called mesenteric venous thrombosis, and how you get it treated.
- Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is when something -- usually a cancerous tumor -- blocks or pinches the superior vena cava, a major vein that carries blood from your chest, neck, and head to your heart.
- Hepatic Veins
Your hepatic veins transport low-oxygen blood from your digestive tract to your heart and ultimately to your lungs. A blockage in your hepatic veins could lead to serious problems with your liver.
- What Causes Bumps on the Top of Your Foot?
If you have bumps on your toes, you’re probably wondering what’s to blame. Learn about causes, from bunions to calluses to corns.
- Kidney Pain: Symptoms and Treatment
How do you know if pain in your back or side is a kidney problem? Know how to tell if you have kidney pain and what it may mean.
- Healthy Eating With ADPKD
Find out what healthy choices you can make if you have ADPKD. Can too much salt and protein can make your kidney disease worse?
- How Does ADPKD Progress?
Do you know ADPKD causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in your kidneys? Learn the five stages of kidney disease based on your eGFR levels and what they mean. Find out what you can expect in each stage.
- Pregnancy and ADPKD
Find out what are the risks of pregnancy and having autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)? How will your baby be affected by it? Could you lose your kidney function?
- Take Care of Yourself With ADPKD
What you can do to take care of yourself when you have ADPKD. Tips to keep you healthy and hydrated.
- What Causes Hypercalcemia?
If your doctor tells you that you have hypercalcemia, it means you have too much calcium in your blood. Learn about the conditions or medications that can lead to this problem.
- What Is Reactive Hypoglycemia?
Reactive hypoglycemia usually happens within 4 hours of eating. It can happen to people with and without diabetes.
- What Is a Nephrologist?
Learn more about nephrologists, doctors who take care of your kidneys.
- What Is an Implantable Port?
What is an implantable port, and when would you need to get one in a vein? If you’re having chemotherapy for cancer, it’s easier and less painful to get your treatments through one of these gadgets, which you might hear called a port or port-a-cath. Find out how it’s implanted and how to care for it.
- Bentonite Clay
Have you ever wondered what bentonite clay is and what it does? Learn more about this ancient material.
- What Causes Clubbed Fingers and Thumbs?
If you have a condition called "clubbed fingers," it might be because you have another condition along with it, like lung disease or heart disease. Find out about the diseases linked to clubbed fingers and how to treat them.
- What Does a Radiographer Do?
A radiographer is the person who uses medical technology like X-rays, CT scans, and sonograms to make images of the inside of your body. Learn more about what they do and how to get ready for your imaging appointment.
- What Are MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) Levels?
You might hear your doctor talk about MCH levels when they explain the results of certain blood tests. Learn what these measurements mean and how they help in diagnosing ailments.
- What Is Aura?
Flashing lights, dizziness, ringing in your ears: They could all be part of aura, an early warning sign of migraine, a seizure, or a stroke. Here’s what to look out for and how to manage the symptoms.
- Stem Cell Transplant for Beta Thalassemia
Learn about who might benefit from a stem cell transplant for a blood disorder called beta thalassemia, and find out what complications might happen.
- Beta Thalassemia and Pregnancy
Find out what kind of care you need if you're pregnant and have beta thalassemia.
- Blood Transfusions for Beta Thalassemia
Blood transfusions are part of the treatment routine for some people with a blood disorder called beta thalassemia. Learn when you might need a transfusion and what to expect.
- Complications of Beta Thalassemia
Beta thalassemia can affect many of your organs, from your heart to your liver. Learn the most common complications and how to avoid them.
- Types of Beta Thalassemia
Find out more about the symptoms and treatments of the three types of the blood condition beta thalassemia.
- Treatment for Beta Thalassemia
Find out the treatment options if you or child has a blood condition called beta thalassemia.
- What Is a Hematologist? Roles, Conditions, and Treatments
Hematologists are doctors who specialize in dealing with blood-related conditions and disease. Find out why you might need to see one.
- Why Does My Armpit Hurt?
There are many causes of armpit pain, from a mild muscle strain to more serious conditions like breast cancer.
- What Causes Leukocytes in Urine?
These white blood cells could be a sign of infection. Learn what else causes leukocytes in urine and how to treat the problem.
- Hookworms
Hookworms are parasites that can live in your intestines or under your skin. Get the facts on the symptoms, treatment, and prevention in people.
- What Does It Mean to Be Cisgender?
Find out what the term cisgender means and how it differs from transgender.
- Why Do I Feel Malaise?
Malaise is when you feel a sense of unease or a lack of well-being. From viral infections to heart disease, many disorders can lead to it. Find out what may be causing your malaise and what you can do at home to feel better.
- What Is Oliguria?
Peeing less than usual can sometimes be a sign something’s wrong, but most of the time, it’s nothing serious.
- Melanin
Melanin is a natural skin pigment that plays a role in the color of your hair, skin, and eyes. Learn what else it does in the body.
- Ascariasis
This kind of roundworm infection affects about 1 billion people around the world. Find out more about its symptoms and how it's treated.
- Physiology: The Science of Life
Physiology is the study of how the human body functions. Learn what it can tell us about health and how it applies to medicine.
- What Is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is when someone uses a needle to take blood from your vein. It’s also called a blood draw or venipuncture. WebMD explains the process, risks, and side effects.
- What Is Borax?
Best known as a household cleaner, borax can cause several health issues if you swallow it by itself or breathe it.
- Hot Tubs: How Safe Are They?
A dip in the hot tub can help you relax and soothe sore muscles, but there are risks. Learn what steps to take before you soak.