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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Enroll your child in organized sports groups or clubs that demonstrate a commitment to injury prevention. Coaches should be trained in first aid and insist on proper use of safety equipment.
Tai chi is called a mind-body type of exercise because it combines meditation, focused breathing, and physical movement. Because it’s also a low-impact exercise, it may be particularly well suited for older adults, but it’s a beneficial exercise for people of all ages.
Grandchildren really do like learning about how life used to be, even if they don't directly say so.
Kids who drink soda tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables, and get less calcium, protein and vitamins A and D, because they are drinking less milk. They also take in more calories.
Even if you live in the city, you can still get out for a walk together to a city park or to the store.
In indoor cycling workouts (also known as spinning classes), participants ride stationary bicycles specially designed to mimic outdoor bikes.
Even if you already have atherosclerosis or have had a heart attack, there’s a lot you can do to prevent future heart problems.
Children and older adults are two groups at higher risk for injury as pedestrians. Here are some ideas on how to help keep them safe when they are on the street.
A medicated nasal decongestant spray may offer fast relief when your nose is congested and running. It can reduce swelling and clear mucus from your nasal passages quickly.
Mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance -- they can ruin your outdoor plans and threaten your health. So it’s a good idea to protect yourself and your family as the weather heats up.
Obesity has become a public health crisis in the United States, in part, because Americans are consuming more calories than they did 30 years ago. A large part of that increase in consumption can be pinned on a greater use of foods prepared away from home -- those ready-to-eat items available at restaurants, grocery store food counters and fast-food eateries.
Have you taken bisphosphonates to prevent or treat osteoporosis for several years? Depending on your fracture risk, you may be able to take a drug holiday.
For a parent who needs to take an infant's or child's temperature, there are now three digital options.
If they’re not treated, flares can eventually lead to lack of mobility and debilitating pain.
Cuts and scrapes are everyday occurrences, and most can be safely treated at home. Knowing how to clean and care for a cut yourself and when to seek a doctor’s care can help reduce infection and speed healing.
The most common causes of head injuries are auto and motorcycle accidents, falls and violent assaults.
You clear your throat because your larynx -- that upper part of the respiratory tract that contains the vocal cords -- becomes irritated.
Your body continues to change after delivery. Coping with these changes while you adjust to caring for a new baby can present a challenge.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that most often targets the skin, joints, brain, and heart, although any part of the body can be affected.
Often, people with vision problems wait far longer than necessary or sensible before getting an eye examination. Everyone should have a regular exam every year or two.
At first glance, visiting the pain-reliever section of your drugstore might just give you a headache -- if you don't already have one. After all, there are more than 150 products on the market to choose from.
Athlete's foot usually develops between your toes and on the bottoms of your feet.
In recent years, scientists have conducted tests on tea to better understand what its health benefits may be.
Medicines can be an important part of treatment for serious infections. They can help relieve pain and lift depression.
Here are suggestions that can help you work with your doctor if you choose to use alternative therapies.
Does the mere idea of visiting a dentist send chills down your spine? If so, you've got company.
When you don't drink enough water, your body can't work at its best. As dehydration sets in, you'll feel lethargic and you may have trouble thinking clearly.
By knowing your heart rate, you can gauge how fit you are and whether you're working out at a moderate pace.
An adolescent athlete can never stretch too much, experts say. Stretching to stay flexible is vital -- particularly when a child reaches puberty and goes through a growth spurt.
Here are some ideas: Adopt a family in need for the holidays. Encourage your child to pass on toys he or she has outgrown.
You want to keep your children safe, yet not make them virtual prisoners in their own home.
Good sportsmanship is one of the life lessons that children can learn from sports. Its hallmarks include being able to win without gloating, respecting one’s opponents, and being able to lose gracefully.
It's hard enough to get grownups to wash up. Only two-thirds of adults wash their hands after they use the restroom, studies show.
You may have learned to ride a bike with your mom or dad running alongside to keep you from falling. That method still works, but there's an alterative that separates learning to balance from the other skills needed to ride.
Pharmacists do much more than count tablets and pour liquids. Their main job is to focus on the medications you take and the effect they have.
Preventing a tantrum is much easier than stopping one. Here are ideas on how to do that.
More than 70 percent of teens who attempt or commit suicide do so in a state of crisis, responding to some acute conflict with peers, parents, or other authorities.
Many young people take prescription drugs because they believe they are safer than street drugs, but they can be just as dangerous if taken improperly.
At the parent-teen communication gap, a simple parent-child conversation just isn't simple anymore. That's because when kids get to be teenagers they think differently than children.
Research shows that adolescents who grow up with high self-esteem are far less likely to abuse drugs or drink, compared with children who grow up without much sense of self-worth.
Doing sit-ups or crunches can strengthen your abdominal muscles. But you have to do them correctly to achieve good results.
Studies show the nutrients and fiber in apples have health benefits that range from better digestion to lower cholesterol.
From a health standpoint, beans are every bit as magical as the beans Jack of "Jack and the Beanstalk" fame exchanged for a cow -- and much less expensive.
Laughter can do more than just put you in a good mood. It may buffer you against depression, reduce your stress, and improve your quality of life.
If you are what you eat, that's particularly true for your teeth and gums. When you drink and munch starchy foods, you're not only feeding yourself, you're feeding the plaque that can cause havoc in your mouth.
Although aerobic workouts like walking or running are important, they can’t take the place of strength training when it comes to building and preserving muscle.
Tendonitis is your body's way of telling you, "Enough! You're putting too much stress on this muscle and joint."
The bridge is often performed as part of a yoga or Pilates class. It strengthens the abdominal core, buttocks, and hamstrings.
Cluster headaches -- called "cluster" because of their pattern of striking in groups or clusters -- hit at the same time of day for a period of weeks or months, then vanish as suddenly and as mysteriously as they appeared.
Too many young people are participating in a dangerous practice called binge drinking, or drinking to intoxication. It's defined as having five or more drinks in a row for men; for women, it’s four-plus drinks in a row.
Before an English country doctor named Edward Jenner stepped forward to attack it, smallpox killed people by the thousands.
There are some simple rules for using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for children. The first and most important: NEVER give any OTC medicine to children 2 years and under without a doctor's advice, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Eggs are a great protein source. If you're on a diet, protein helps satisfy your hunger.
Fibroid tumors may sound like a serious condition, but for many women who have them, they're just a fact of life.
News reports on the role fat should play in your diet can be confusing. Some new studies suggest the type of fat you consume is more important to your health than the amount of fat eaten. Other recent reports contradict these findings.
Most stomachaches are nothing more than indigestion or gas. But stomach pain also could be appendicitis, gallstones, or a tubal pregnancy.
The right amount of calcium in your diet helps maintain your bone strength, reducing your risk for osteoporosis.
When people consider the cost of smoking, they usually focus on the cost of the cigarettes alone. But that's only the first step.
Eating together as a family has many benefits not only for you, but also for your children. This lifestyle habit may actually help to fend off childhood obesity.
Want to go out and play? Here are some ideas.
If you have high blood pressure, you need to know, so you can control it. If you don't, you increase your risk for serious illness.
Doctors often consider chronically low blood pressure too low only if it drops suddenly or causes noticeable symptoms.
Anxiety and stress are the most common causes of insomnia. But sleeplessness can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions, medications and environmental factors.
Methamphetamine is related to the legal stimulant amphetamine, but has stronger effects.
Doctors think teens who have the metabolic syndrome face a high risk for the early onset of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Taking small steps each week in the right direction in terms of what you buy and cook can improve your family's eating habits.
Pelvic pain, disabling cramps, extreme fatigue, painful sex, or infertility—all can warn of endometriosis.
Many myths are associated with donating and receiving blood, including the threat of catching HIV, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases.
Not only do baby boomers expect to live into their 80s or 90s, but they are expecting to be independent, one expert says.
Got half an hour? Then you have time to boost your heart health and manage your weight.
Apples are a convenient, wash-and-go fruit to eat. They are low in calories, nutritious, filling and they taste great. There's an apple variety for almost every taste.
Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and fiber, and they are low in calories.
The pituitary gland is one of the body’s endocrine glands. It is sometimes called the “master gland,” because it controls the functions of other endocrine glands.
Keeping a food diary is critical for weight-loss success because it helps you understand and face up to your eating habits.
Meditation allows you to become more awake and more deliberate about your actions. It teaches you how to respond rather than react to situations in your life.
When tragedy strikes with the death of a loved one, a serious illness or a job loss, some people fall apart, while others adapt to such life-changing events more easily. Being resilient is what makes the difference.
The experts say most of us can have whiter teeth. What's more, many of us can do it ourselves with an over-the-counter (OTC) tooth-whitening product.
Pushing and pulling objects can affect your back, as well as your arms and legs. Follow these tips to help protect your back.
Are you taking a chance by combining too many prescription drugs, OTC medicines and supplements?
At the beginning of your baby’s life, milk was the only thing she needed to grow. Now she’s grown by leaps and bounds and even has teeth! You may be wondering how to introduce her to solid foods. Here’s a guide to how and when to introduce her to new foods.
On paper, losing weight is simple math. One pound of fat equals about 3,500 calories. In real life, however, it’s more complex.
Stuck in a food rut? You don't have to go far to find some overlooked food choices that are easy to prepare, pack a nutritional wallop and avoid unhealthy fats.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
The side stretch exercise stretches and strengthens the intercostal muscles, which help support the ribs.
When food producers cut the fat out of foods, they often replace it with extra sugar or other carbohydrates, which add calories.
The skin is your body's largest organ. It protects you against bacteria, viruses, dirt, wind, heat and cold. And it serves as a "window" to the body, alerting doctors when something is wrong.
Children who inherit the family trait of cavities don’t have “soft teeth,” as many people suspect. Instead, a mother’s dental history may be to blame. But with the right habits, you can help prevent cavities in your little one.
Walking the aisles, you can talk about making wholesome food choices, show how ads drive purchases, and expose your child to new fruits and vegetables.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that greatly raises your risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Bullying comes in different forms. It is commonly thought of as an actual or threatened act of physical violence. But name calling, spreading rumors, unrelenting teasing, and deliberately excluding a child from an activity can be other forms of bullying. Racial slurs, mocking cultural traditions, and unwanted physical contact are bullying.
Ecstasy, GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine are some of the so-called club drugs used by teens and young adults at nightclubs and raves -- all-night dances.
If the truth be told, most of us lie to some degree, especially when faced with an alternative like hurting someone's feelings. Some of us, however, lie so often that we stop realizing it.
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. Most of your body's fat is stored as triglycerides.
If your provider suggests non-emergency surgery or a major medical test, it can be worthwhile to get a second opinion
Kidney disease is a stealth illness. It may often be silent for many years -- until it has reached an advanced stage.
Talk therapy helps people gain insight into and resolve their problems through verbal exchanges with the therapist.
In your quest to reduce your cancer risk, don't overlook the obvious: Improving your diet can play a substantial role in preventing the disease.
Sciatica is often painful but rarely causes serious or permanent damage.
Feeling parched is usually the first reason we reach for a glass. Women need at least three quarts of water a day and men need about four quarts a day to replenish water used for vital functions.
Before you buy a treadmill or any piece of equipment, stop to figure out what kind of exercise you enjoy.
The average adult has 10 to 12 gallons of water in his or her body, accounting for 60 percent of body weight. That water plays a critical role in nearly every bodily process. And being a quart or two low can affect how you feel.
In 1616, when William Harvey announced that the heart propels blood and that blood circulates throughout the body, his findings were revolutionary.
When there's just a bit of a bite in the air, it's time to get outdoors and have some fun. Here are some ideas for fall activities that will get your family moving.
Breakfast gives you energy, keeps your mind sharp and may help you to lose weight.
Over the long term, your quality of life is tied to how severe your heart attack was and how it was treated. Beyond that, any change will depend largely on you.
What causes thyroid disorders, and why do they strike women five to eight times more often than men? The answers aren't clear.
Excess childhood weight is placing "an unprecedented burden" on children's health. It's triggering a host of dangerous health problems once seen only in adults.
Do you want to cut fat out of your diet, but not give up breakfast at your favorite restaurant? Try healthy alternatives such as Canadian bacon on your egg sandwich instead of cheese and sausage, or a bran muffin instead of hash browns.
A person's ability to drive isn't based on age alone. Age-related changes in vision, physical fitness and reflexes, however, may be reasons to reevaluate your abilities behind the wheel.
The ACL is most often stretched or torn (or both) by a sudden twisting motion -- when, for example, your feet are planted one way and your knees are turned another.
When carrying the load, keep it close to your body. Don’t twist your back—keep your shoulders and hips in line with each other.
Most of us may not think much about our health and safety on the job, but we probably should.
Eating healthier food to improve your health or reduce your waistline isn't as difficult as you may think.
Home tests can reduce doctor visits and medical costs, but you need to ask: Are they right for you?
Before your child’s fourth birthday, create a safe environment by avoiding certain foods and keeping small objects out of reach.
Being exhausted or stressed causes us to overeat. Inattentiveness is also to blame. Who counts the french fries eaten while driving or the doughnut downed at the computer?
Fruit juice contains a lot of natural sugar, so drinking too much can cause obesity, stunted growth, digestive problems and tooth decay.
Walkers can cause children to roll down stairs, causing head injuries and even death. This is the most common way children get hurt in walkers.
Trampolines are popular. Thousands of children are rocketing skyward, and trampoline injuries are also on the rise.
The demands of work and family don’t always allow us to control when or where we have to travel. And with the increasing number of U.S. cases of the 2009 H1N1 flu, busy travelers have another reason to feel stressed.
Here are some workout ideas to keep your treadmill workout creative.
Working out on a treadmill can be a fun and effective way to stay in shape. And because it's not dependent on weather conditions, it offers you the flexibility of exercising at any time. Some tips on getting the most out of your workout.
Making yourself available to your grandchildren builds strong bonds that are long remembered.
Over-the-counter drugs can help ease a child's aches and pains, but you should know a few things before you pop open a bottle.
Did you know that home cooking causes more food-borne illness than restaurant food?
Youngsters' most common head pain is a tension headache—a dull ache that feels like pressure around the head.
If the pain occurs because of an accident or injury, or fever is present, you should see your health care provider immediately. Pain not accompanied by fever or not associated with an accident or injury may not need immediate treatment.
After upper respiratory infections, pain is the next most common problem seen by primary care providers, one expert says.
Scrapes and sprains are a fact of life for most children, so it’s good to know what to do when they come home with a minor injury.
Just about every teen will find at least one blackhead or whitehead on his or her skin by age 17, and some teens will develop more severe acne, which can leave scarring if not treated.
Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that typically develops in men ages 20 to 35. It can be treated and is usually curable.
Are you one of those people who don't floss because you find it awkward to maneuver the floss between your teeth? If so, a number of products can help you get the job done.
Many people find exercise more rewarding when they can share the experience with others.
It's difficult to be satisfied with grilled squash if you've grown up eating fried chicken. Fortunately, there are ways to eat a healthy diet and still enjoy your favorite foods, nutrition experts say. The secret? Prepare the foods differently.
Having prediabetes means that you are likely to develop full-blown diabetes within 10 years. But lifestyle changes can prevent that from happening.
New studies show that a sedentary child will likely become a sedentary adult, and a sedentary life leads to a host of health problems, from obesity to heart disease.
Heart disease is a killer, but you can do plenty to reduce your risk and prolong your life. Research shows that making lifestyle changes can decrease your risk of cardiovascular heart disease and help you control it if you already have it.
If you’re pregnant with twins, you’ll want to carefully consider this advice. It can help increase your chances for a full-term pregnancy.
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