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Diseases and Conditions Encyclopedia

Tap into this interactive encyclopedia for instant access to information on more than 835 diseases and conditions.

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C

A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people.
the likelihood of chemotherapy or radiation treatment causing a second cancer is rare. Nevertheless, cancer can occur in some instances, so it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved before undergoing these cancer treatments.
The good news is that being screened for cancer doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for anyone.
Learning how to take care of your physical and mental health after a cancer diagnosis is the key to living your life to the fullest.
Here are tips to help you get the most out of your workouts when you use cardio equipment.
More than 22 million Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. If you're part of this group, whether you call yourself a caregiver, or simply a good daughter or son, you know that caring for an aging parent or friend has its rewards and its trials.
If your child suddenly develops a fever and grows weak, tired and nauseated, the youngster probably has the flu or some other virus. But the symptoms could also be warning signs of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.
Caring for anyone is difficult, even in the best of circumstances. Here are tips to help make the task easier.
Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends or neighbors, who help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding and clothing.
Make sure your baby's developing teeth are not at risk from nursing or bottle tooth decay.
You should always call a doctor if you have any doubts or questions about how to take care of your sick child at home.
Do you spend your days using a computer, sorting mail or assembling small parts? If your workplace duties put stress on your wrists, you may be at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Celiac disease, or celiac sprue, is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
Certain ceramics may cause lead poisoning, and some may leach cadmium into food and drink.
Many women who have had cesarean births can attempt to deliver vaginally if no risk factors are present.
Did you know you can purchase your own blood pressure monitor and check the reading yourself at home?
A safe cheerleading program will include direct adult supervision, proper conditioning, skills training and warm-up exercises.
Feeling a cold coming on? Serve up chicken soup, with some noodles. Feeling well? Try a robust soup, with lots of colorful vegetables, chunks of chicken and big noodles.
A good guideline to follow is that a medical emergency is any time your child has an injury or illness you believe threatens his or her health or may cause permanent harm.
Some safety hazards apply to all children. But many problems are especially dangerous for children at a particular age or stage of development. Keep these precautions in mind as your children grow.
If you are the parent of a young child, you may be confused about the safety of immunizations.
If you, your parents or your parents' siblings had a heart attack before age 55, you should have your child's cholesterol tested.
From the farm to the store, meat and poultry products must be chilled -- and kept chilled, packaged and handled properly so it will be safe for consumers to buy. Several government agencies have the responsibility to assure the food's safety. In the home, food caretakers must do their part to store, handle and cook meat and poultry right so it's safe to eat.
Foods shouldn't stay frozen indefinitely. In fact, some foods -- like bacon -- shouldn't be kept in the freezer for much more than a month.
Many of us used the old Food Pyramid for years to help make sure we were following a balanced diet. Its replacement, Choose My Plate, was introduced in 2011.
It is important to control the portion size of even nutrient-rich foods to avoid consuming too many calories. Most people need fewer calories as they grow older and their activity level decreases.
You don't have time to choose a hospital if you have a health emergency. But if you’re facing surgery or treatment for a particular health condition, taking time to find a hospital that meets your needs is well worth the effort.
The not-so-secret secret to weight loss is to burn more calories than you eat. This can be done safely and effectively by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
There's a world of greens available that offers you more nutrients than iceberg lettuce. In fact, more than 300 kinds of greens are available in the United States in a variety of flavors.
The best group fitness instructors make exercise fun and help you improve your conditioning by appropriately challenging you according to your fitness level.
Picture being able to accomplish only half as much each day as you used to—with nothing obvious to account for your exhaustion. That's life for people suffering from CFS.
Being involved in a clinical trial has risks and benefits. Being informed and asking lots of questions can help you make a decision.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines intimate partner violence as actual or threatened physical or sexual violence, or psychological and emotional abuse, directed at a spouse, former spouse, current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, or dating partner.
Most people who get cold sores were infected with HSV1 before age 20, usually by kissing someone with the virus.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, but because of this flexibility, it is not very stable and is easily injured.
Although concussions range from mild to severe, they're all serious injuries that can harm the way the brain works.
Invest some time at the gym to get your muscles in peak condition.
If you wear contact lenses, it's important to follow your eye care provider's instructions on wearing and disinfecting them.
Mental health care can be expensive even for people with health insurance. Here are ideas on ways to save.
A healthy lifestyle will help you attain and maintain a healthy weight, manage your blood glucose level, lower blood pressure if you have high blood pressure, reduce stress and improve your mood.
Many teenagers still think smoking is cool. Here are some tools to help parents stay diligent in keeping their kids from smoking.
COPD develops slowly, and people are often not diagnosed with it until their 50s, when the disease has greatly affected their lung function.
You take an average of 16 breaths every minute. It's a reflex—you don't pay attention unless there's a problem. But a rising number of us literally can't catch our breath.
Effective pain treatments are available. You can also take steps yourself to ease ongoing discomfort.
Dry mouth is a common complaint during some types of cancer treatments.
Although many people believe they have a food allergy, true food allergies are not that common.
Some people experience food cravings only now and then, while others have them daily or weekly.
Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, the drugs used to attack the cancer cells in your body. Hair loss can be difficult emotionally because of the way it alters your appearance.
A pregnancy ended by miscarriage can be a traumatic loss. Unfortunately, it’s one that many women experience. Knowing how to deal with your feelings and find support can help you cope during this difficult time.
A common ingredient in many cough and cold remedies has become a popular substance to abuse by teenagers searching for a cheap, easy high.
If you need to change your eating habits for the sake of your health, have you considered talking with a registered dietitian (RD)?
A "tummy ache" is a common complaint in children. Usually, it's nothing serious.
If you are obese, surgery to lose weight may be safer than carrying around those extra pounds. But is losing weight worth the risks associated with surgery? Take a look at the latest research.
Before assuming your child is taking drugs, find out if something else may be causing him or her to behave unusually.
When counting calories, don’t forget the ones you drink. For many people, these so-called liquid calories can make or break an effort to lose pounds successfully.
If you know CRP, you could make the difference between life and death for a stranger or someone in your family.
For many people, a home gym works better than an actual gym because they don't have to travel to it.
Does something about your body bug you? Maybe you believe you'd be happier if only you were thinner, taller, shorter, more muscular -- whatever.
As the parent of an adopted biracial/bicultural child, it's important to acknowledge that your child is different. The goal is to help your child feel a sense of pride about his or her culture and race so it becomes a positive part of his or her identity.
Antibiotics are not necessary for the majority of infections seen in the pediatrician's office.
When you think of dancing, you probably don't think about how good it is for your heart, your lungs, your joints, your muscles and your stress level -- because it's just fun.
People with a strong genetic predisposition to high cholesterol need medication to control cholesterol. But a lot of us don't.
Fatty liver disease—the accumulation of fat in the liver—is more common in people with diabetes. This can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and heart disease.
To better control your calorie intake you need to know how much you eat. But if you're like most Americans, proper serving sizes are a mystery, thanks to mega-burgers, biggie fries and saucer-sized bagels.
Many biking accidents could be prevented if riders protected themselves with the right equipment and maintained their bikes with safety in mind.
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