Clear Answers for Common Questions

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the excessive flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, which can damage the esophagus and other parts of the body. Severe and/or frequent heartburn is the main symptom of this condition. GERD can create harmful complications in the body if left untreated. The esophagus ...

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a broad description of several different stomach ailments. Under the indigestion umbrella are conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn, bloating, and gastritis. Essentially, the condition is the result of consuming too many spicy, fibrous, or fatty foods too quickly. The stomach's acids become ...

Everyone knows how miserable it is to be sick or to suffer through an intense allergy season: your eyes may water and feel itchy or puffy, areas of your face may feel puffy or sore from pressurized sinuses… and then there is that constant drip in the back of your ...

Hypermobility is a medical condition which is characterized by extremely flexible joints. People with this condition can bend their joints much further than is normal, often being able to do things like bending their thumbs flat against the back of their hands, for example. You may hear someone who has ...

Dyspnoea may also be less fancifully termed as shortness of breath. In the medical sense, it tends to refer to shortness of breath deriving from a medical condition and not caused by excessive exertion. Numerous conditions list dyspnoea as a possible symptom. Some causes of dyspnoea are directly tied to ...

Hyperventilation is over-breathing, which usually means that a person is taking rapid, short breaths using mainly the lungs, rather than deep slow breaths using the diaphragm. The condition is often caused by panic attacks or anxiety disorder, but it can be caused by more severe conditions. Anyone who hyperventilates ...

Peptic ulcers are small sores which develop in the acidic regions of the digestive tract. While you most often hear the term “stomach ulcers” in reference to peptic ulcers, ulcers can also develop in the esophagus, duodenum, and the Meckel's Diverticulum. These open sores can be extremely painful, leading ...

Sun rash, more properly known as photodermatitis, is an allergic reaction to light which causes the skin to develop a rash. The rash is typically reddened, thickened, and blistered, and it can be extremely itchy. Although a sun rash looks very similar to a sunburn, the root cause is different ...

A granuloma is a medical condition characterized by a noncancerous inflammation in the tissue. Typically, it encompasses only a small part of the tissue, and a person with one usually does not experience any signs or symptoms. In fact, most are found through an x-ray that is performed for ...

Hyponatremia is a medical term which refers to a dangerously low level of sodium in the body. Sodium, along with other electrolytes, is a crucial mineral in human nutrition that helps to transport water through the body, and helps to regulate the nerves and major organs such as the heart ...

Osteophytes is the medical name for the overgrowth of bone tissue more commonly called "bone spurs." Despite the term "spurs," they are actually small round lumps of extra bone that grow around joints. Osteophytes are the body’s attempt to compensate for existing bone and ligament degeneration due to age ...

Lymphedema is a medical condition that is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the soft tissues of the body, most typically in the arms and legs. In addition to being painful and disfiguring, it can also greatly increase the risk of serious infection, and it requires medical treatment. Since ...

Vertigo, also called balance disorder, is the feeling of movement when no movement is occurring. This can be caused by a problem of the inner ear's balance mechanisms or by a problem in the brain. Although it usually is harmless, vertigo can be a sign of a serious condition ...

An arrhythmia is a disruption in the regularity of the heartbeat. Arrhythmias are actually quite common; many people are living with an arrhythmia and they are totally unaware of it. In some cases, an arrhythmia may be more serious, requiring medical intervention and treatment. Since the heart is such an ...

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating, with the body producing far more sweat than would be needed to regulate body temperature. The severity of this condition varies, as does the focal point of the sweating, and there are a number of treatments for hyperhidrosis, ranging from extremely ...

Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth. Although xerostomia is not itself a disease, it is associated with a variety of medical conditions, from cancer treatment to drug abuse, and it is a cause for concern if it is chronic. Many people experience dry mouth at some point in ...

Toxemia is a serious medical condition that usually affects women after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Also known as preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), toxemia is characterized by sudden elevated blood pressure and the presence of excess protein in the urine. If toxemia is left undiagnosed and untreated, the continuous ...

Frostbite is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure to the extreme cold. It typically occurs on the extremities. The hands, fingertips, nose, feet, ears, and toes are all common frostbite areas. Frostbite is actually the result of the body’s response to protect the organs from extreme cold. When ...

Avascular necrosis is a medical condition which is caused by a restriction of blood supply to the bones of the body. As a bone is deprived of blood, it starts to weaken and crack, and it will ultimately collapse, potentially causing serious problems. The condition strikes people in all ages ...

Bruxism is a medical condition in which the sufferer grinds or clenches his or her teeth unconsciously, often during sleep. It affects many children and adults and can be a serious condition. People with this condition suffer from a number of related dental and medical problems that can worsen over ...

Juvenile xanthogranulomas are nodules which can form on the skin and viscera. As a general rule, these formations are entirely benign, and they usually resolve themselves within a few years, disappearing naturally. In some cases, juvenile xanthogranulomas are associated with more serious medical conditions, and sometimes they can be confused ...

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of joint inflammation which impacts children under 16. The severity of this condition can vary widely; some children only experience minor pain and swelling, while others endure more severe bouts of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In all cases, there are an assortment of treatment options ...

Dysautonomia is a blanket term for a family of conditions which involve the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system handles things like swallowing, breathing, the heartbeat, and other important functions which keep the body running smoothly. In a patient with dysautonomia, the autonomic nervous system does not work right ...

A cholesterol embolism is a medical condition which occurs when a chunk of cholesterol breaks away from the lining of an artery and travels through the bloodstream, ultimately impeding the flow of blood. Because the chunk of cholesterol can potentially end up anywhere in the body, the symptoms and complications ...

Favism is a medical condition which is caused by an enzyme deficiency in the blood. People with this deficiency can experience anemia as a result of exposure to fava beans. The condition is most common in people who live around the Mediterranean, and it generally affects men, although women can ...

Hypomagnesemia is a condition marked by low blood levels of magnesium. The kidneys control magnesium blood levels, but poor kidney function may result in magnesium depletion. Multiple conditions can cause poor absorption of magnesium, and the result, hypomagnesemia, is frequently a serious medical condition. One of the greatest risk factors ...

Goose bumps are small bumps in the skin that are caused by tightening muscles, which pull body hair into an erect position. In humans, these bumps are a vestigial reflex, left over from a time when humans had more hair; a wide variety of animals demonstrate this interesting reflex in ...

When a patient has hypertension or high blood pressure, the force of blood against the artery walls is too strong. Hypertension is known as a silent killer because the symptoms do not appear until it is severely high. You may not be aware you have the condition, but it can ...

The term “wandering eye” has two distinctly different meanings that should not be confused. Fortunately, the meaning is usually clear from context, as in one sense, it refers to a medical condition, and in another it refers to a lack of fidelity. Both are usually treatable. In the sense of ...

Blepharospasm is a condition which causes someone to blink uncontrollably. Patients may experience irritation and dry eye, especially bright or stressful conditions, and in some cases patients feel like their eyelids are sealed shut, causing functional blindness. As a general rule, blepharospasm is not harmful, but many people choose to ...

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid. Both humans and animals can develop this swelling, and in animals, it usually presents with spasms of the eyelid, hair loss near the eyes and red, swollen eyes. There are many different causes of blepharitis. It is usually associated with conjunctivitis, also known as ...

Priapism is a medical emergency. In this condition, a man’s erection does not end after four hours. This can lead to significant pain and damage to the blood vessels and surrounding tissues of the penis. Priapism has received some attention since the advent of medications like Viagra® and Cialis ...

A baker’s cyst, is not named after people who bake, but instead derives its name from Dr. William Baker, a 19th century British physician who described the condition. You may also hear the alternate name popliteal cyst as opposed to baker’s cyst. The condition may be caused by ...

Bradykinesia is a medical condition that is characterized by a decreased mobility in persons who are diagnosed with the condition. The name of the condition is literally translated to mean “slow movement.” Bradykinesia is sometimes confused with hypokinesia, but is actually a different affliction. A person who is diagnosed with ...

Cellulitis is an infection in the deepest layers of the skin. It typically begins when an injury isn't cleaned well, allowing bacteria to get inside and multiply. The area usually becomes swollen and red. If not treated early, the infection can spread throughout the body with serious and even ...

Jock itch is an uncomfortable subject and an equally uncomfortable condition. Known by the medical field as tinea cruris, it is a persistent reddish, flaky, itchy rash in the groin and around the anus caused by a fungal imbalance on the skin. It is most common in men, though it ...

A pimple, also called a blemish or a "zit," is a small swelling in the skin caused by a blockage of a pore. Recurrent or multiple pimples are termed acne. Many people view blemishes as unsightly, and try to avoid getting them, if possible. There are a number of ways ...

Belt buckle rash is a condition where the skin reacts to the metals in a belt buckle, usually nickel but other metals may be indicated too. It’s a form of contact dermatitis, signifying allergies to certain forms of metal. People with belt buckle rash or belt buckle allergy often ...

Urethritis is a medical condition characterized by an inflammation of the urethra, which is a tube in the male body that passes urine and reproductive fluids from the inside to the outside of the body. It is also found in the female body, though it only serves to pass urine ...

Urethral stenosis is a medical condition characterized by a blockage in the urethra, the tube which drains fluid from the bladder to the outside of the body. There are a number of different causes for this condition, and an assortment of treatments are available, depending on the root cause. Usually ...

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by an imbalance in the vaginal fauna which allows bad bacteria to proliferate. Depending on the severity of the infection and the bacteria behind the infection, a woman may experience an assortment of symptoms, or she may be totally asymptomatic. Often, the condition ...

Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the eye and the orbit, the underlying structure in the eye socket which supports the eye. A closely related conditions, periorbital cellulitis, involves the tissue around the eye, including the eyelid. Both conditions are considered urgent emergencies which require prompt medical attention to avoid ...

Paresthesia is the condition commonly known as "pins and needles," where part of the body — typically a foot or hand — begins to tingle and becomes numb, or "falls asleep." This sensation can occur either on a temporary or on a chronic basis. In most cases, it is a ...

A chalazion is an inflammation of the glands which surround the eye. Typically a chalazion takes the form of a small lump in the upper or lower eyelid, often near the edge. While the lump is not usually painful, it is unsightly, and when it bursts, it can lead to ...

An overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces an overabundance of thyroid hormone. This overproduction can lead to a number of emotional and physical ailments that may masquerade as signs of other health issues. While many people think that an overactive thyroid ...

Myelopathy is the gradual loss of nerve function caused by disorders of the spine. It can be directly caused by spinal injury resulting in either reduced sensation or paralysis, although degenerative disease may also cause this condition, with varied degrees of loss in sensation and movement. Spinal cord injuries that ...

Spondylolisthesis is a back problem which is caused by the forward displacement of a vertebra, meaning that the vertebra slips forward in relationship to the vertebrae around it. This condition can be painful and potentially very problematic for the patient, causing difficulty walking and making it hard to work in ...

Spondylosis is a health condition that impacts the form and function of the spine. Essentially, spondylosis is spinal degeneration that involves the unnatural formation of one or more of the vertebrae in the spine. Generally, the condition is understood to be due to the onset of advancing age, although there ...

Diuresis is an increase in the production of urine by the kidneys, which typically results in a corresponding increase in urine expelled by the body. When it happens without an accompanying increase of urination can cause severe medical problems. It has a wide range of causes and an assortment of ...

Colitis is an inflammation of the lining of the colon. Some of the common symptoms of this condition include abdominal cramping, frequent loose stools or persistent diarrhea, loss of control of bowel function, fever, and weight loss. There are many potential causes of colon inflammation, and its treatment typically depends ...

Ulcerative colitis is a challenging disease with causes that are not fully known by the medical community. The condition may be caused by having formerly contracted a virus or bacterial infection, or it might be genetic, since people who have family with the ulcerative colitis are more likely to develop ...

Arachnoiditis is a condition that causes chronic pain. It is marked by an inflamed arachnoid, a membrane that protects the spinal cord nerves. Besides pain, arachnoiditis may also cause debilitating muscle spasms and cramping. It can also lead to problems with the bladder and bowel, as well as impaired sexual ...

Rheumatism is a medical term once frequently used to describe disorders associated with many different parts of the body. Most often, people associate the word with arthritis, or with rheumatic fever, a complication of strep throat that can result in damage to the heart. The term can be used to ...

A bunion is a painful bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. This is where the joint of the big toe, called the metatarsophalangeal joint, meets the foot. Over time, poor conditions can cause this joint to build into a sore, bony protrusion ...

Sun poisoning is something of a generic term that can refer to several different conditions. In some cases, long exposure to the sun can lead to not only sunburns but also blistering of the skin. Other symptoms like nausea, headache or dizziness may occur, and people may have electrolyte imbalance ...

Fainting is a generally brief and unexpected loss of consciousness that may be caused by a variety of factors. Sometimes loss of consciousness does not indicate severe problems, and other times it may suggest certain dangerous physiological factors. Often people describe initial fainting symptoms as feeling hot, possibly hearing a ...

Phlebitis or thrombophlebitis is swelling of a vein, usually with the presence of large or small blood clot(s) in the vein. There are essentially two types of this condition: superficial phlebitis, and deep vein phlebitis or thrombosis (DVT). Superficial phlebitis is less severe though it still requires medical treatment ...

A heel spur is a bony segment of calcium deposit that grows on the underside of a person's heel. Typically, a heel spur causes no pain and does not grow unless severe tension occurs on the plantar fascia ligament, which connects the muscles on the bottom of the foot ...

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss or baldness. While most associate hair loss with male or female pattern baldness, there are actually numerous causes for alopecia. Hair loss is further classified by type or cause. Androgenetic alopecia is also called pattern baldness. This form of hair loss usually ...

Chilblains, also called pernio, are red to purple bumps that appear on the skin of extremities, usually the hands and feet, after exposure to cold. They are more common among women, children, and the elderly and are the result of constriction of the blood vessels that supply the extremities. One ...

An actinic keratosis is a roughened patch on the skin caused by sun damage. Actinic keratoses are often precursors to more serious skin conditions including cancers, so it is important to receive medical attention for the condition. A dermatologist can usually identify an actinic keratosis and establish a treatment plan ...

Anosmia is a condition in which people have no sense of smell. It can be caused by a variety of factors, from temporary blockage of the nose by a sinus infection to head trauma. While this condition might seem irritating, but ultimately trivial, anosmia can actually have a profound effect ...

It is now estimated that nearly one out of every three Americans has high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the measurement of how much force the flow of blood puts on the arteries. Although blood pressure rises and falls during the day depending on activity levels, eating habits and other ...

Sunstroke occurs when the body becomes overheated through overexposure to the sun and the brain cannot control the cooling process of the body. It is different from and more dangerous than heat stroke. Both conditions cause confusion, light-headedness and fatigue, and shade and cool water on the skin helps ...

Muscle spasms, which can affect any part of the body, are an involuntary contraction in the muscle tissue. Depending on the muscle's size and location, it might be sharp and painful or nearly imperceptible. Technically, a cramp is a kind of muscle spasm that is brief and tends to ...

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the heart's valves or inner lining. The condition occurs when germs from the mouth, intestines or skin reach the bloodstream and infect regions of the heart. Fungi has also been recognized as a causative source of the heart infection. Although endocarditis is not common ...

Micropsia is a change in visual perception caused by swelling in the corneal areas of the eye. In general, those with micropsia perceive objects as much smaller than their actual size. The condition has also been called Alice In Wonderland Syndrome, and the effect is sometimes given the fanciful name ...

An unusually fast beating of the heart is called tachycardia. Medical professionals diagnosing a patient with this condition may say that the patient is "tachy." Normal heart rate for an adult is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If the heart rate climbs above 100 beats per minute, the ...

Gangrene is a term used to describe a number of conditions in which tissue becomes necrotic and decays. Most often, this occurs in the extremities of the body, such as the feet or hands, though on occasion, such necrosis may be found elsewhere. Once gangrene has passed a certain point ...

Fluorosis is a condition which is caused by an excessive intake of fluoride. This condition can manifest in the form of skeletal fluorosis, meaning that it attacks the bones of the body, or dental fluorosis, sometimes called enamel fluorosis. The damage caused by fluorosis is permanent, making prevention very important ...

Campbell de Morgan Spots are also called cherry angioma or hemangioma. They are small red spots that tend to occur in people over the age of 40. These spots can occur with greater frequency as individuals get older, sometimes leading people to call them senile angioma. They are normally found ...

Ascites is the build-up of additional fluid in the abdomen, otherwise called the peritoneal cavity. In mild cases, this extra fluid may not be easily observed, but in more serious cases, the abdomen protrudes greatly, thus providing an easy diagnosis. This condition is most often caused by cirrhosis of ...

Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of either just one or both of the joints that connect your lower spine to your pelvis. It is characterized by extreme pain and a severely restricted range of motion, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, skin conditions, and diarrhea. Most patients ...

The labyrinths, from a physiological standpoint, are canals in the inner ear that allow for the passage of fluid. When these function properly, they affect how we hear and also provide us with a sense of balance. Labyrinthitis is a relatively common condition in which the labyrinths of one or ...

Hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar, is a condition that occurs when the body’s blood sugar level drops too low to provide the energy the body needs. Normal blood sugar levels should range between 70 and 110. Levels below 70, which indicate hypoglycemia, can occur in patients managing diabetes ...

Dandruff, sometimes called scurf or Pityriasis capititis, is an itchy skin disorder of the scalp that can develop during the normal growing process of the scalp's skin cells. In a healthy scalp, the old skin cells die and are sloughed off approximately once a month and replacement cells are ...

Hay fever, more properly known as allergic rhinitis, is an irritation of the mucus membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract, leading to a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Numerous people suffer from hay fever, especially during seasons of heavy pollen, which is one of the leading causes of hay ...

Many of us experience contact dermatitis after encountering one of the unholy trinity of plants — poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. Oils from these plants make direct contact with the skin and cause a chemical irritation. Medical professionals call this Irritant Contact Dermatitis, or ICD. Other causes of ...

Halitosis is the medical term for offensive breath. Halitosis is usually caused by tooth decay, gum problems, smoking, or mild digestive upsets. It can also be a sign of uremia, cirrhosis of the liver, or lung or sinus infections. Someone who as minty acetone-like breath may be a sign ...