Health A-Z Medical Reference

Urine specific gravity measures the electrolytes and osmolality of your urine. Learn about what causes it, symptoms, and treatment options today.

WebMD explains the different types of side effects of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and the role of the FDA in approving and regulating them.

Participating in a cancer treatment trial can benefit you and other people with the same condition. Find out more to see whether it might be right for you.

What should you expect when you go for an annual physical exam? WebMD explains the routine tests men and women can expect.

Before filling a new prescription, there are questions you should ask your doctor and pharmacist.

The hormone DHEA is made by the body but declines as we age. Does that mean we should take supplements? Find out more.

WebMD explains the uses and side effects of flaxseed oil, which may help with symptoms of menopause and lower cholesterol.

Many people throughout the world use valerian to treat insomnia and anxiety. However, it's important to use this herb with caution. WebMD explains.

Vitamin A is key for good vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth. Learn about the active form of vitamin A -- retinoids -- that come from animals.

Selenium is a trace mineral essential for thyroid and immune health. Learn the benefits, food sources, deficiency, recommended intake, and risks of too much selenium.

Tea tree oil has been used traditionally as a topical antiseptic and antifungal treatment. WebMD explains the scientific evidence for its effectiveness against everything from athlete's foot to MRSA.

Learn more from WebMD about typhoid fever, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Reduce your risk of bleeding after surgery with these suggestions from WebMD.

Hospital-acquired infections are common. WebMD provides tips for avoiding staph and other infections after surgery.

Anesthesia is fairly safe, but "going under" can pose risks. WebMD tells you how to minimize them.

If you've just been told you need an organ transplant, WebMD's overview of organ transplantation can help you make the decisions you need to make.

You feel great after your organ transplant. WebMD tells you what you need to do to maintain your health.

WebMD explains the physical, psychological, and financial preparations to consider as you prepare for an organ transplant.

Find out who is part of a typical transplant team, how long surgery might take, and how much time you could spend recovering in the hospital.

Learn more about a broken wrist -- also called a Colles' fracture or distal radius fracture -- from the experts at WebMD.

WebMD looks at the serious risk of taking too much acetaminophen, which is found in Tylenol and other common medications.

A boxer's fracture is defined as a break through the bones of the hand that form the knuckles.

WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tic douloureux, a severe, stabbing pain to one side of the face.

An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that binds 2 parts of your tissue together.

If the thyroid gland becomes underactive and produces fewer amounts of its hormones, a person can fall into a myxedema Coma.

WebMD explains the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook for a broken nose.

Learn more from WebMD about different types of abscesses, including their symptoms and treatment.

WebMD provides a comprehensive look at oral herpes, or cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus.

WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook for a broken toe.

A broken or fractured arm means that one or more of the bones of the arm have been cracked.

WebMD explains shark bites and how they are treated.

Elbow injuries are common in both adults and children. WebMD provides an overview of elbow injuries and how they are treated.

Bristleworms are elongated segmented worms with stinging bristles that can penetrate the skin causing inflammation, burning, swelling, numbness, redness, and pain.

WebMD explains the symptoms and treatment of a ganglion cyst, a tumor or swelling on top of a joint, usually the wrist.

WebMD explains broken bones in the foot and how such fractures are diagnosed and treated.

Skier's thumb describes an injury of the soft tissue that connects the bones of your thumb together.

Dientamoeba fragilis is a parasite that lives in the large intestine of humans. WebMD explains why some people contract this common infection, how it is diagnosed, its symptoms, and its treatment.

WebMD explains histoplasmosis, a lung disease caused by a fungus found in the soil in the Central and Eastern portions of the U.S.

WebMD explains hand fractures, including how they are diagnosed and treated.

Barotrauma refers to medical problems that arise from the effects of water pressure when a scuba diver is beneath the surface.

Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that may result in death if not treated quickly. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea, or windpipe, during swallowing.

Starfish, crown of thorns, and sea stars are bottom dwellers that live in the subtropics and tropics; human injury occurs from the spine and the venom injected from the spine.

Because you use your hands a lot for a variety of things, they can get injured. Learn how to tell if you have a broken finger and how it’s treated.

How to prevent, identify, and get treatment for these common overuse injuries.

WebMD explains an acetabular labral tear, damage to cartilage and tissue in the hip socket that affects up to 22% of athletes.

WebMD explains coxsackievirus, a member of a family of viruses called enteroviruses.

Weeverfish can cause a serious wound from spines containing neurotoxin venom, which may even cause death.

All ruptured tendons, regardless of site, follow standard RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) home therapy procedure as you seek medical attention.

Wondering what ''Code Blue'' and ''Code Red'' stand for? WebMD explains.

There are a few different behavioral treatment options for child bedwetting.