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Browse our complete A-Z directory of healthcare terms and entities.
Showing 135 entries starting with "B" of type "Conditions"
A BCG vaccine is given to prevent tuberculosis (TB) infection. The vaccine contains bacteria called BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) that is closely related to the bacteria that cause TB. The BCG vaccine is often given to people in countries where TB is common, such as South America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and...
Learn how a high BMI and waist size affect your health.
Babies Babies, especially newborns, are more likely to suffer injury from cold temperature exposure. They have a large body surface area compared with their weight. Their body heat is lost more rapidly when exposed to cold weather conditions. Their ability to regulate body temperatures is not well-developed. They are...
Do not put your infant to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or other product that contains sugar. Sugar and acids in these liquids can cause tooth decay (bottle mouth).
To help establish and maintain a predictable daily schedule, respond to your baby's needs and try to reinforce your baby's natural habits. Eating From birth, babies follow their internal hunger and fullness cues. They eat when they're hungry and stop eating when they're full. Experts agree that newborns should be fed on...
Most women develop back pain at some point during pregnancy. As the size and weight of your growing belly place more strain on your back, you may notice your posture changing. To protect your back from poor posture, unnecessary strain, and painful injury, follow these guidelines: Avoid standing with your belly pushed...
Learn how being active builds a strong core and keeps your back healthy.
This exercise strengthens your trunk and thighs, helping you maintain a healthy lower back posture during your pregnancy. Place your feet 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) from the wall. Rest your back flat against the wall and slide down the wall until your knees are slightly bent. Press your lower back against...
This exercise stretches and strengthens your back, thigh, and pelvic muscles. Kneel on hands and knees with your knees 8 in. (20 cm) to 10 in. (25 cm) apart, hands directly under your shoulders, and arms and back straight. Keeping your arms straight, slowly lower your buttocks toward your heels and tuck your head toward...
A bacterial infection is an infection caused by bacteria. Bacterial infections can often be treated successfully with antibiotics. An infection may begin as a bacterial infection. Or a bacterial infection may follow a viral infection that does not get better. When a viral infection doesn't get better for 10 days or...
Bacterial infections of the spine are rare but can include infection of: The discs (discitis). The spinal cord (usually an infection of the tissue covering the spinal cord, called an epidural abscess). One or more vertebrae (osteomyelitis). The facet joints, which may be the site of infectious arthritis. Bacteria that...
When is bad breath most likely to occur? Everybody has bad breath from time to time, especially first thing in the morning. You also may have bad breath when you are hungry, when you are dieting, or after eating foods with a strong odor, such as garlic, onions, or pastrami. What causes bad breath? Many...
Discusses Baker's cyst (also called popliteal cyst), a pocket of fluid that forms a lump behind the knee. Covers causes such as swelling from arthritis and knee injury. Discusses symptoms. Covers treatment, including things to do at home and surgery.
Talk with your doctor or physical therapist if you have questions about how to do these or any other exercises for ankle sprains. Do not try these exercises if you could not do them before you injured your ankle. Exercises: Stand on just your injured foot while holding your arms out to your sides with...
Discusses barium enema, a procedure used to help diagnose problems in the large intestine (colon and rectum). Covers why it's done, how it's done, and how to prepare. Looks at risks. Covers possible results.
If your child has a barking cough: Hold your child in a calming manner. Keep your child quiet, if possible. Crying can make breathing more difficult. Try rocking or distracting your child with a book or game. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Don't use a hot vaporizer. Use only water in...
On each side of the opening to the vagina, there is a Bartholin gland. These two glands produce fluid to lubricate the opening to the vagina.
The basal body temperature (BBT) is a person's at-rest temperature. Natural cyclic changes in female hormones usually cause a woman's basal body temperature to go down slightly just before an egg is released (ovulation) and then go up sharply 24 hours after ovulation. By carefully measuring BBT every morning before...
These pictures are examples of what skin cancer might look like. Basal cell carcinoma usually affects the head, neck, back, chest, or shoulders. The nose is the most common site. Signs of basal cell carcinoma can include skin changes such as a: Firm, pearly bump with tiny blood vessels that look spidery...
Provides info on basic dental care like brushing and flossing regularly, seeing your dentist or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating mouth-healthy foods. Offers info on dental care for children.
Learn how to replace the urge to smoke with a healthier substitute.
Bed-wetting is accidental urination during sleep. Accidental wetting (day or night) that develops or continues after a child is normally expected to have bladder control is called enuresis. Accidental wetting of clothes or bedding is common in young children, because they develop bladder control at different rates. Most...
Guides through decision of when to do something about your child's bed-wetting. Includes common reasons and home treatment options for bed-wetting. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Bedbugs are flat, wingless insects that feed on blood from animals or people. The bugs are about 0.25 in. (0.6 cm) long and range in color from almost white to brown. They turn rusty red after feeding. The bugs like to hide in bedding and mattresses. They are found most often in hotels, motels, hostels,...
What are bedbugs? Bedbugs are flat, wingless insects about 0.25 in. (0.6 cm) long. They range in color from almost white to brown. They turn rusty red after feeding. Like mosquitoes, bedbugs feed on blood from animals or people. Bedbugs have that name because they like to hide in bedding and mattresses. Bedbugs usually...
Several types of behavioral methods are used for treating urinary incontinence : bladder training, habit training, biofeedback, and pelvic muscle exercises. People who have incontinence due to physical or mental limitations ( functional incontinence ) can try timed voiding and prompted voiding. Bladder training Bladder...
When you are living with health problems, regular exercise and activity are important. They keep you healthier, give you energy, make you stronger, and help your mood. Exercise and activity can help many health problems. An active body is less likely to give in to diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, arthritis...
What is Bell's palsy? Bell's palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. Damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face causes that side of your face to droop . The nerve damage may also affect your sense of taste and how...
Belly-breathing fills your lungs fully, slows your breathing rate, and helps you relax. Place one hand on your belly just below the ribs and the other hand on your chest. You can do this while standing, but it may be more comfortable while you are lying on the floor with your knees bent. Take a...
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. Breast cysts usually do not contain cancer cells (are benign). Some women who have lumpy breasts also have benign breast cysts that are surrounded by fibrous tissue. Some cysts cause lumps that can be seen or felt (palpable). A cyst that can be felt may move about under the...
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate gland. It happens to almost all men as they age. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As the prostate gets bigger, it may squeeze or partly block the urethra. This often causes problems with...
Looks at beta-blockers to lower blood pressure. Includes info on their use in people who have angina, aortic aneurysms, migraine headaches, or anxiety disorders. Covers side effects.
Learn why you need to take your beta-blocker and how to make it easier to take.
Discusses use of dietary supplement beta-sitosterol to lower cholesterol levels, reduce risk of colon cancer, and relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Looks at safety of beta-sitosterol. Includes possible side effects.
Bev isn't letting the pain of arthritis in her hands and back keep her from doing her favorite activity—gardening. Nor does she let it keep her from doing anything else in her life. She has found ways to help reduce the pain that allow her to still enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like seeing...
Bifocal contact lenses have been developed for people who have both nearsightedness and presbyopia. Bifocal lenses provide correction for both near and distance vision on each lens. A number of designs are available in hard and soft lenses. There are two main types of bifocal contact lenses: Segmented (also called...
Learn about some of the negative effects of induced labor, including effects on your baby and to your body.
Learn how vaginal tears can happen with any size baby. Tears can be treated, and they heal quickly.
Cancer of the bile duct (also called cholangiocarcinoma) is extremely rare. The true incidence of bile duct cancer is unknown, however, because establishing an accurate diagnosis is difficult. Traditionally, bile duct tumors located within the liver have been classified with hepatocellular carcinoma as primary liver...
Bilirubin is a substance produced by the breakdown of old red blood cells and hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Bilirubin is removed from the body through the digestive system as part of the bile from the liver. Normally, the body is...
Binge eating disorder happens when a person often eats large amounts of food in a short time. People who have it feel out of control and may eat until they are painfully full. Unlike people with bulimia, they don't vomit or try other ways to get rid of calories after a binge. Some people who...
Discusses biophysical profile (BPP) or fetal biophysical profile (FBP), tests that measure a baby's health during pregnancy. Covers nonstress test with electronic fetal heart rate monitoring and fetal ultrasound. Discusses what results mean.
Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings, from very high energy (mania) to depression. Your mood may return to normal between these swings. Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive disorder. It often begins in the teen or early adult years, and it may run in families. This illness can cause behavior so...
Discusses symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens. Covers frequent and extreme mood swings ranging from being overly energetic to depression. Covers treatment with counseling and medicines.
You may feel frustrated around a person with bipolar disorder who is having a manic episode. The high energy level can be tiring or even frightening. The person may also actually enjoy the mania and may not take medicines, which can prolong the episode. Also, the person may say and do unusual or hurtful things....
Some mood disorders are characterized by manic episodes, periods of abnormally high energy. Behavior may be diagnosed as a manic episode if: An abnormal and continuously elevated (happy or energetic) mood or an irritable mood occurs and lasts at least 5 days. During this elevated or irritable mood, at least three of the...
The more you know about bipolar disorder, the better you will be able to cope with this lifelong illness. There are many steps that you can take—or help a loved one take—to recognize and better manage manic episodes. Learn the warning signs of a manic episode, and get early treatment to avoid disruption in your...
Top of the pageBirth ControlBirth control is any method used to prevent pregnancy. Another word for birth control is contraception (say "kon-truh-SEP-shun"). The only sure way to prevent pregnancy is to not have sex. But finding a good method of birth control can help you avoid an unplanned pregnancy.Current as of: May 29, 2019Author: Healthwise...
What is the ring? The ring is used to prevent pregnancy. It's a soft plastic ring that you put into your vagina. It's also called the vaginal ring. The ring releases a regular dose of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy in three ways. They thicken the mucus in the cervix. This...
The skin (transdermal) patch is a highly effective method of birth control when it is used exactly as directed. The patch failure rate is the same as that of birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about what day to start using the patch. It is usually recommended that the first patch be placed on...
What are birth defects tests? Birth defects tests are done during pregnancy to look for possible problems with the baby (fetus). Birth defects develop when something is wrong with genes or chromosomes, an organ, or body chemistry. A birth defect may have only a mild impact on a child's life, or it can have a...
Some insect and spider bites or stings can cause flu-like symptoms to develop within hours of a bite or sting. Or symptoms may be delayed up to 3 weeks. Flu-like symptoms include: Fever. Shaking chills. Muscle or joint aches. Headache. Swollen glands. A vague feeling of illness (malaise). Flu-like symptoms may not be...
Source: U.S. National Park Service. Available online: http://www.nps.gov Black widow spiders ( Latrodectus mactans ) are found throughout the United States. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow hourglass shape on their underside. Female black widows are usually...
A blackout means not being able to remember what happened when you were drinking or using drugs. Blackouts are not the same as passing out. Passing out occurs when you lose consciousness. You don't pass out when you have a drug or alcohol blackout. In a blackout, you lose short-term memories. A blackout is a...
Discusses the causes and symptoms of bladder cancer. Covers how it is diagnosed and treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Offers home treatment suggestions to manage side effects like nausea and trouble sleeping.
Bladder infection (cystitis) is the most common infection of the lower urinary tract. Bladder infection is usually caused by bacteria that get into the bladder by traveling up the urethra. Bladder infections are more common in girls and women than in boys and men. Symptoms of a bladder infection can range from mild to...
Bladder stones are hard pieces of mineral that form in the bladder. The stones may form because of a urinary tract infection or enlarged prostate. Bladder stones are created when urine is concentrated and minerals crystallize and clump together. Bladder stones may block the tube that carries urine from the bladder to...
Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Bladder Cancer Treatment and Levels of Evidence for Cancer Screening and Prevention Studies are also available. Benefits There is inadequate evidence to determine whether screening for bladder and other urothelial cancers has an impact on mortality. Description of the Evidence Study...
Bleeding disorders prevent blood from clotting normally when a person is cut or injured. When the blood does not clot normally, even minor injuries can cause significant bleeding, which can lead to excessive blood loss or can damage muscles or joints. Bleeding disorders occur when there is a problem with various...
Discusses causes of blisters, including injury and infection. Offers symptom checklist to help you decide when to call a doctor. Offers home treatment and prevention tips.
What are the eustachian tubes, and how do they get blocked? The eustachian (say "you-STAY-shee-un") tubes connect the middle ears to the back of the throat. The tubes help the ears drain fluid. They also keep air pressure in the ears at the right level. When you swallow or yawn, the tubes open briefly to...
A blocked tear duct occurs when the opening (duct) that normally allows tears to drain from the eyes to the nose is obstructed or fails to open properly. If a tear duct remains partially or completely blocked, the tear duct sac fills with fluid, becomes swollen and inflamed, and sometimes gets infected. Most babies with...
Guides through decision to have a probing procedure done for your baby's blocked tear ducts. Discusses why a doctor may recommend a probing procedure for your baby. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Blood clots can happen in veins. A blood clot in a vein close to the skin isn't likely to cause problems. But having blood clots in deep veins is called deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis happens most often in the legs. This problem can lead to a blood clot in the lung ( pulmonary...
The blood does not normally have any bacteria or fungi in it. A blood culture is a test of a blood sample to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A bacterial infection in the blood, called bacteremia, can be serious because the blood can spread the bacteria to...
If the blood pressure cuff does not fit correctly, the results may not be accurate. This cuff is too large for the user's arm. There is too much overlap.
If the blood pressure cuff does not fit correctly, the results may not be accurate. This cuff is too small. The inflatable part of the cuff needs to be at least as long as the widest measurement around your upper arm.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for adults 18 and older for high blood pressure. 1 Tests and programs for high blood pressure vary widely in reliability. Results from automated blood pressure testing, such as you might do at a grocery store or pharmacy, may not be accurate. Any high...
Blood transfusion is a medical treatment to replace blood or portions of the blood lost through injury, surgery, or disease. During a transfusion, people normally receive only the parts of blood needed to treat their conditions. Whole blood is now rarely given as a transfusion. Blood for transfusions may come from...
Human blood is typed according to whether certain markers, called antigens, are present on the surface of red blood cells. The ABO system classifies blood as type A, B, AB, or O based on the presence or absence of the A and B antigens; the Rh system classifies blood as negative or positive based on...
A few major arteries supply blood to the brain. These include the cerebral arteries in the brain. They get blood from the carotid and vertebral arteries on each side of the head and neck. These arteries get blood from the aorta, the large blood vessel at the top of the heart.
Bloom syndrome is an inherited genetic disease that causes small size at birth, short stature after birth, redness of the skin, and an increased number of respiratory tract and ear infections. Symptoms may be mild in some people and quite severe in others. Diabetes and problems with fertility are more common in people...
Diabetes can affect a number of areas in the body. The eyes, arteries, kidneys, nervous system and blood vessels can all be affected.
Your body mass index (BMI) and waist size affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. The following table shows the risk. Body mass index (BMI) and the risk for diseases 1 Classification BMI Waist size and relative risk Men: less than 40 in. (102 cm) Women...
Appropriate jewelry for body piercing sites Is removable. If you have your mouth pierced and you use oral jewelry, make sure it can be removed. For example, you should be able to unscrew the ball on one end of a barbell-shaped device to make the device easy to insert and take out. Allows for full...
When you give a bed bath, wash from the cleanest parts of the body to the parts that are less clean. You start with the face and work down the body. And you end with the groin and anal areas.
Discusses complementary medicine of bodywork and manual therapy used for relaxation and pain relief. Includes massage, Alexander technique, Feldenkrais method, Trager approach, Rolfing, deep tissue massage, and dance. Covers safety.
Bone is a hard substance that makes up the skeleton, which supports the body and provides protection for the organs. Bone is composed of minerals, mainly calcium and phosphate, which it stores and provides to the body as they are needed. Bone consists of three layers: the outside covering of the bone (periosteum); the...
Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho. Figure 1 shows a bone density test of a healthy older woman. The X-ray shows a healthy spine. The bone density is determined by the X-ray. The graph shows the bone density number in the green zone (normal). Figure 2 shows a bone density test of an older...
For an open bone biopsy, the doctor makes a cut (incision) through the skin to expose an area of the bone. Then the doctor takes a small sample of bone. The bone sample can be looked at under a microscope to see if there is cancer, infection, or another problem. This biopsy usually is done...
You have many bones and joints in your foot to allow the foot to adjust to your movements and to the ground. This allows you to balance, stand, walk, and run.
Top of the pageBones of the lower legCurrent as ofJune 26, 2019Author: Healthwise StaffWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency MedicineAdam Husney, MD - Family MedicineCurrent as of: June 26, 2019Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review:William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family MedicineThis information does not replace the...
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition that causes emotional instability, relationship problems, a low sense of self-worth, and fear of abandonment. Other common symptoms include problems managing anger and recurring self-harming or suicidal behaviors. The negative or destructive...
Many of the tips for weaning babies from bottle-feeding can be used for toddlers (ages 1 to 2). Here are some suggestions unique to toddlers: Do not allow a toddler to carry the bottle around. This can help prevent injuries if your toddler falls and also can help keep the bottle from being a comfort...
Some babies grow attached to the bottle and do not want to give it up. Here are some common behaviors and suggestions on how to deal with them. Your baby always wants to have a bottle in his or her mouth. Do not let your baby crawl, walk around, or go to bed with a...
How often do newborns have bowel movements? You may be surprised at the number of diapers your newborn goes through every day. Many newborns have at least 1 or 2 bowel movements a day. By the end of the first week, your baby may have as many as 5 to 10 a day. Your baby...
Resection is another name for any operation that removes tissue or part of an organ. Bowel resection for colorectal cancer, also called partial colectomy, removes the tumor. To make sure that only healthy tissue is left, the doctor removes a small amount of colon or rectum tissue on both sides of the tumor. The goal...
A bowel transit time test measures how long it takes for food to travel through the digestive tract . After you chew and swallow your food, it moves into your stomach, where it is mixed with acid and digestive enzymes. After your food leaves your stomach, it is squeezed through your small intestine, where nutrients...
Anatomy of the colon and rectum The colon and rectum are the last parts of the bowel (intestine). The bowel extends from the opening where food leaves the stomach to the opening where feces leave the body (anus). The bowel helps to process food, absorb nutrients and water, and get rid of waste. Colon cancer...
Briefly discusses brain aneurysm (also called cerebral aneurysm). Covers possible causes, including hardening of the arteries, hypertension, and smoking. Lists symptoms. Discusses treatment with surgery. Links to info on strokes.
Gives info on test for BNP hormone to tell how well the heart works. Tells how BNP checks for heart failure. Tells how to get ready for test. Includes what results mean. Also discusses things that affect test results, such as some health problems and medicines.
The brand name (or trade name) of a medicine is the name given to the medicine by the manufacturing company. A medicine may have more than one brand name if it is made by more than one company.
To do the Brandt-Daroff exercise: Start in an upright, seated position. Move into the lying position on one side with your nose pointed up at about a 45-degree angle. Remain in this position for about 30 seconds (or until the vertigo subsides, whichever is longer), then move back to the seated position. Repeat steps 2...
Discusses BRCA gene test to check chances of breast cancer if your family or personal history shows a high chance for this cancer. Covers a woman's risk of breast or ovarian cancer if she has BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene changes. Discusses possible test results.
Besides female sex, advancing age is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer. Reproductive factors that increase exposure to endogenous estrogen, such as early menarche and late menopause, increase risk, as does the use of combination estrogen-progesterone hormones after menopause. Nulliparity and alcohol consumption...
The type and frequency of breast cancer screening that is best for you changes as you age. Ages 20 to 39: Some experts recommend that women have a clinical breast exam every 3 years, starting at age 20. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have a breast exam. If you have a...
Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Breast Cancer Prevention, Breast Cancer Treatment, Male Breast Cancer Treatment, and Breast Cancer Treatment During Pregnancy are also available. Mammography is the most widely used screening modality for the detection of breast cancer. There is evidence that it decreases breast cancer...
Guides through decision to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Describes what options are available for breast reconstruction and how it is done. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Guides you through decision to use chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. Lists reasons for and against chemotherapy. Covers side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
What do I need to know about breast pain? Many women have breast tenderness and pain, also called mastalgia. It may come and go with monthly periods (cyclic) or may not follow any pattern (noncyclic). Cyclic pain is the most common type of breast pain. It may be caused by the normal monthly changes in...
Hear what other women thought about as they decided whether to have breast reconstruction.
In breast enlargement surgery, the doctor makes the breasts larger by putting an implant under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. An implant is a soft silicone shell filled with silicone gel or a saline (saltwater) solution. Your doctor makes a cut (incision) in the bottom crease of the breast, the armpit, or...
Breast reduction surgery removes some of the tissue and skin from the breasts. This reshapes and lifts the breasts and reduces their size. It can also make the areola (the colored area around the nipple) smaller. To remove tissue and skin from the breast, the surgeon first makes one or more cuts in the breast....
Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) is the surgical removal of a breast lump and some of the tissue around it. The lump (and sometimes some of the lymph nodes under the arm) is removed and sent to the lab for examination. Breast-conserving surgery can be used in early-stage breast cancer and when the breast lump is...
Breastfeeding in the proper position will help your baby latch on and breastfeed correctly and make your experience more enjoyable. Also, when you are in a comfortable and relaxed position, let-down occurs more easily. You are more likely to drain all areas of your breast by changing breastfeeding positions frequently...
Even though you have diabetes, you can have the same success with breastfeeding as any other woman. Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical specialist organizations, because it benefits the mother and the infant. Make sure your diabetes care team and other members of the...
If your baby has signs of a minor illness (such as cold symptoms or mild diarrhea), it is best to continue your breastfeeding routine. Breast milk provides your baby with the best possible nutrition. If your baby is too ill to breastfeed, try cup-feeding. With this technique, you feed your baby collected breast milk...
A number of things influence how much milk you produce (your milk supply). The two most important things are how often you breastfeed and how well your breast is emptied. The hormone that regulates milk production ( prolactin ) is stimulated by breastfeeding. So the more frequently you feed your baby and empty your...
In the cradle hold (traditional), you sit up with your back supported. One arm supports your baby, with his or her head in the bend of your elbow and your open hand supporting the baby's bottom or back. Your baby's abdomen lies against yours. Use your other hand to support your breast and guide it...
Learn how to get your baby to latch on and what to do if you're having pain or problems.
Using a breast pump is a good way to provide the benefits of breastfeeding when you have to be away from your baby. Pumping will help keep up your milk supply and prevent discomfort and breast engorgement. You can also use a breast pump to slowly reduce your milk supply if you have to stop...
The foundation for breastfeeding is established in the first few weeks after delivery. Planning ahead for breastfeeding can help you build a good breastfeeding routine. Minor problems may occur during breastfeeding. But with proper planning, knowledge, and support, you can overcome these challenges and continue...
Guides through decision to breastfeed. Discusses common concerns and issues related to breastfeeding. Links to personal stories. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Sometimes a mother wants to stop breastfeeding, but her baby shows signs of wanting to continue. If possible, continue breastfeeding a while longer. If this is not possible, the following suggestions may help you: Offer breast milk pumped from your breast, formula, or cow's milk (if your baby is more than 12 months old)...
Breath-holding spells are brief periods—usually lasting no longer than a minute—when a young child stops breathing. These spells usually result from anger, fear, pain, or frustration and are not a deliberate behavior on the child's part. The two main types of breath-holding spells are cyanotic, caused by the change in...
Before taking your child to a doctor for breath-holding spells, write down what typically happens. These descriptions will help you to give your child's doctor accurate information to make an initial diagnosis. Try to observe and record what happens before, during, and after the breath-holding spell. Keep the following...
As your due date draws nearer, learn and practice controlled breathing techniques for pain management during childbirth. Concentrating on your breathing can help distract you from pain, relax both your muscles and your mind, and keep your oxygen supply up. If you haven't learned specific breathing techniques (such as...
Dr. Brent T. Shoji reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Shoji is a specialist in abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery. He has been an Associate Surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston since 1987. Dr. Shoji was an...
What is the collarbone? The collarbone (clavicle) is one of the main bones of the shoulder joint . It holds the shoulder up and, along with the shoulder blade (scapula) and acromioclavicular (AC) joint, provides stability and strength to the shoulder. The collarbone also protects nerves and blood vessels from the neck...
If a tooth or dental appliance breaks, take the following steps: Remove loose dentures and the parts of broken dentures. Find any pieces of tooth or the broken dental appliance and take them with you when you go to see your dentist. Your dentist will want to check for missing pieces of tooth or dental...
Guides through decision to take antibiotics for acute bronchitis. Explains when antibiotics are helpful. Covers risks of antibiotics. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
What is a brown recluse spider? Brown recluse, violin, or fiddleback ( Loxosceles ) spiders are about 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long with a dark violin-shaped mark on the combined head and midsection (cephalothorax). They are found most often in the south-central part of the United States and live in hot, dry, abandoned areas...
A bruit is the sound of blood flowing through a narrowed portion of an artery. The sound means that the blood flow may be partially blocked; artery blockage is most often due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). A doctor can hear the sound by listening with a stethoscope placed over an artery, such as...
Dr. Bryan Tompson reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Tompson is an Associate Professor and Discipline Head of Orthodontics on the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His published...
Home care after breaking a toe includes applying ice, elevating the foot, and rest. Medical treatment for a broken toe depends on which toe is broken, where in the toe the break is, and how severe the break is. If you do not have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, your injured toe can be "buddy-taped"...
A buffalo hump is a bulge of extra fat around the neck and upper part of the back. It is a symptom of Cushing's syndrome.
What is bulimia nervosa? Bulimia (say "boo-LEE-mee-uh") is a type of eating disorder. People with bulimia will eat a larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation, in a short period of time (binge). Then, in order to prevent weight gain, they will do something to get rid of the food...
A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. This results in a bump on the outside edge of this toe. The skin may be red or irritated, and there may be swelling at the base of the big toe. The big toe may point...
A bunionette, or tailor's bunion, develops at the base of the little toe. When the long bone that connects to the toe (metatarsal) bends away from the foot, the little toe bends inward and the joint swells or enlarges. This results in a bump on the outside edge of the base of the little toe.
Explains what bunions are and how they develop. Lists symptoms. Covers behaviors that increase risk of developing bunions. Looks at treatment options, including medicines and surgery. Offers home treatment and prevention tips.
Most substances you get in your eyes that make your eyes burn will not cause serious eye problems. The only treatment needed for items such as soaps, shampoos, and perfumes that get in the eyes is to immediately flush the eyes with water. After flushing, the eyes may be slightly painful and irritated, but these...
Burow's solution (5% aluminum subacetate) is a liquid made with water and aluminum acetate. This solution relieves the itching and stinging of irritated, inflamed skin and helps stop the growth of bacteria and fungus. Burow's solution is available without a prescription in many drugstores and supermarkets.
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions and lubricates areas of the body where friction is likely to occur, such as the area between two bones, a tendon or ligament and a bone, or bone and skin.
Bursitis of the hip is inflammation of one or both of the bursae (plural of bursa) found between the hip bone and the muscles on the outside of the hip. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions and lubricates areas of the body where friction is likely to occur. Examples of such areas include...
Learn what bypass surgery does for your heart and what will happen during surgery.