Abdominal ultrasound
Ultrasound technology allows doctors to "see" inside a patient without resorting to surgery. A transmitter sends high frequency sound waves into the body, where they bounce off the different tissues and organs to produce a distinctive pattern [... more]
Health A-Z |
Abdominal wall defects
Abdominal wall defects are birth (congenital) defects that allow the stomach or intestines to protrude. Many unexpected and fascinating events occur during the development of a fetus inside the womb. The stomach and intestines begin development ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Abortion, selective
Selective abortion, also known as selective reduction, refers to choosing to abort a fetus, typically in a multi-fetal pregnancy, to decrease the health risks to the mother in carrying and giving birth to more than one or two babies, and also to ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Abortion, therapeutic
Therapeutic abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently. Abortion has been a legal procedure in the United States since 1973. An abortion may be performed whenever there is some compelling reason ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Specific types of abscesses
An abscess is an enclosed collection of liquefied tissue, known as pus, somewhere in the body. It is the result of the body's defensive reaction to foreign material. There are two types of abscesses, septic and sterile. Most abscesses are septic, ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Abscess incision & drainage
An infected skin nodule that contains pus may need to be drained via a cut if it does not respond to antibiotics. This allows the pus to escape, and the infection to heal. An abscess is a pus-filled sore, usually caused by a bacterial infection. ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Encopresis
Abuse is defined as anything that is harmful, injurious, or offensive. Abuse also includes excessive and wrongful misuse of a substance. There are several major types of abuse: physical and sexual abuse of a child or an adult, substance abuse, ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a medicine used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Acetaminophen is used to relieve many kinds of minor aches and pains-headaches, muscle aches, backaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and the aches and pains that ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Esophageal manometry
Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus that prevents normal swallowing. Achalasia affects the esophagus, the tube that carries swallowed food from the back of the throat down into the stomach. A ring of muscle called the lower esophageal ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is the most common cause of dwarfism, or significantly abnormal short stature. Achondroplasia is one of a number of chondodystrophies, in which the development of cartilage, and therefore, bone is disturbed. The disorder appears in ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
Acid phosphatase test
Acid phosphatase is an enzyme found throughout the body, but primarily in the prostate gland. Like all enzymes, it is needed to trigger specific chemical reactions. Acid phosphatase testing is done to diagnose whether prostate cancer has spread ... [... more]
Health A-Z |
TOPICAL DRUGS
Acne is a common skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Acne vulgaris, the medical term for common acne, is the most common ... [... more]
Health A-Z |