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Browse our complete A-Z directory of healthcare terms and entities.
Showing 54 entries starting with "G" of type "Conditions"
Guides you through decision to use medicine or surgery to treat GERD. Covers medicines like antacids and esomeprazole (Nexium). Discusses laparoscopic surgery. Looks at pros and cons of each. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Explains test for galactosemia, a rare disease passed from parents to children. Covers blood or urine test that checks a newborn for enzymes needed to change galactose from milk into glucose, a sugar used for energy. Explains why and how the test is done.
A gallium scan is a nuclear medicine test that can check for problem areas in certain tissues in your body. A radioactive tracer (tracer) called gallium citrate is injected into a vein in your arm. It moves through your bloodstream and into certain tissues. These tissues include your bones, liver, and intestine, and...
Some infertile couples are affected by conditions that prevent the sperm and egg from traveling through a fallopian tube . (This is where fertilization and the first stage of cell division take place.) The following are assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures that are rarely used but may improve the chances of...
Incidence and Mortality Estimated new cases and deaths from gastric cancer in the United States in 2019: New cases: 27,510. Deaths: 11,140. Epidemiology Management of adenocarcinoma histology, which accounts for 90% to 95% of all gastric malignancies, is discussed in this summary. There are changing epidemiologic...
Looks at sleeve gastrectomy, a type of weight-loss surgery for obesity. Explains what it is and why it is done. Looks at how it is done and what to expect after surgery. Also covers risks.
A gastrin test measures the level of the hormone gastrin in the blood. Gastrin is produced by cells, called G cells, in the stomach lining. When food enters the stomach, G cells trigger the release of gastrin in the blood. As blood levels of gastrin rise, the stomach releases acid (gastric acid) that helps break...
What is gastritis? Gastritis is an upset stomach. It happens when something irritates the stomach lining. Normally, a layer of mucus protects the stomach lining. If gastritis occurs for a long time, part of this lining may wear away, causing sores called ulcers. Gastritis may come on suddenly and last for a short time...
Most pregnant women have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), especially heartburn, at some point. These symptoms may start at any time during a pregnancy. And they often get worse throughout the pregnancy. Heartburn is common when you are pregnant. That's because hormones cause the digestive system to...
Epidemiology The age-adjusted incidence of carcinoid tumors worldwide is approximately 2 per 100,000 persons. The average age at diagnosis is 61.4 years. Carcinoid tumors represent about 0.5% of all newly diagnosed malignancies. Anatomy Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing tumors that originate in...
Gaucher disease is an inherited disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. This enzyme deficiency leads to the buildup of a fatty substance (glucocerebroside) in cells in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow (Gaucher cells). The three types of Gaucher disease are described by the presence and...
What is gender dysphoria? Gender identity is your inner sense of being male, female, both, neither, or some other gender. For transgender people, their gender identity does not match the sex that they were assigned at birth. Sometimes gender identity is outside the two most common categories of male or female. People...
A gene is a section of the genetic material or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in a cell. Genes, alone or in combination, determine what features (genetic traits) a person inherits from his or her parents, such as blood type, hair color, eye color, and other characteristics, including risks for certain diseases. Many genes...
Anesthesia is a way to control pain using anesthetic medicine. General anesthesia, which can be injected into a vein or inhaled, affects the entire body and makes the person unconscious. A person under general anesthesia is completely unaware of what is going on and does not feel pain during the surgery or procedure...
General practitioners are medical doctors who diagnose and treat most types of health conditions or diseases and do not specialize in any particular area of medicine. They provide basic medical service for males and females of all age groups. General practitioners usually complete a 1- to 2-year residency following...
To do effective stretching exercises, hold each stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Don't bounce while you stretch. Just relax and breathe freely. Calf stretch Place your hands on a wall for balance. You can also do this with your hands on the back of a chair, a countertop, or a tree. Step...
Anesthesia is a way to control pain using anesthetic medicine. Anesthetics are used to numb a specific area of the body (local and regional anesthesia) or to cause a person to be unconscious and not have pain during a procedure such as surgery (general anesthesia). Local anesthesia numbs just a small area of tissue...
Genetic conditions are diseases that can be passed from parents to children. Some conditions may be inherited if only one parent has the changed gene, while others can be inherited only if both parents have the changed gene. If one or both parents have a gene change (mutation) or have a genetic condition, the risk...
Working as part of a team of doctors and other health professionals, genetic counselors provide education and support to families with members who have birth defects or genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, or hemophilia. They also look at test results and family histories to see how likely a...
What are genes? Genes are the part of a body cell that contain the biological information that parents pass to their children. Genes control the growth and development of cells. Genes are made of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a substance inside the center (nucleus) of cells that contains instructions for the development...
Discusses genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Covers symptoms and treatment, including care during pregnancy. Covers what increases your risk and offers prevention tips.
An injury to the genital area can cause severe pain. Usually the pain subsides over the course of a few minutes to an hour. Severe pain does not always mean that your injury is severe. After an injury to the genital area, it is important that you watch for urinary problems. Other injuries that can...
A genital self-exam is a simple examination you can give yourself to become familiar with what is normal for you and to see if you have any symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Men Look for any areas of redness, sores, bumps, warts, or blisters in your genital area. Look closely at and feel...
Genital warts are skin growths on or around the genitals or anus. They are caused by a virus that's spread by sexual contact. Genital warts may continue to grow and spread, or they may go away with or without treatment. They often come back after treatment.
NOTE: The information in this summary is no longer being updated and is provided for reference purposes only. This cancer information summary provides an overview of the Gerson therapy as a treatment for people with cancer. The summary includes a brief history of the development of the Gerson therapy; a review of...
Discusses gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy). Discusses symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Covers treatment with healthy food choices, exercise, medicine and insulin to control blood sugar levels.
Describes monitoring blood sugar levels when you have gestational diabetes. Covers list of supplies needed, including blood sugar meter, testing strips, and lancet. Gives step-by-step instructions. Offers slideshow on using a blood sugar meter.
Learn how to eat to keep your blood sugar at a level that's healthy for you and your baby.
Learn how keeping the healthy habits you used to manage gestational diabetes can protect your child in the future.
Exercise is about more than keeping in shape. It also can help with your emotional and mental health. Exercise can help you improve your self-esteem, keep your mind off problems, and give you a sense of control. In general, people who are fit have less anxiety, depression, and stress than people who are not active...
Most people get into a car by stooping to move sideways through the door. They put in one leg, sit down, and then bring in the other leg. But if you have problems with mobility or balance, getting into a car this way might be difficult or unsafe. It's easier and safer to sit down...
When your back hurts all or most of the time, it can affect more than just your body. There's an emotional side to chronic pain. You may need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to. You need support. Support groups—where you meet or talk to people who are dealing with the same...
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is inflammation of the blood vessels. It is also called temporal arteritis. It mostly affects the arteries that carry blood to the head, especially those that supply the eyes, temple, and jaw. The most common symptom is a new headache, often near the temple or around the eye. GCA is treated...
Giardiasis (also called giardia) is an illness caused by infection with the parasite Giardia lamblia, also known as Giardia intestinalis. Giardiasis is usually caused by drinking water that is contaminated with the parasite. In the United States, G. lamblia is most often found in untreated streams, rivers, and lakes...
Glandular cells are a type of cell found in the cervix and the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Glandular cells are involved in the menstrual cycle and in the production of cervical mucus. Glandular cells found on a Pap test may be normal, abnormal, or cancerous. Abnormal cells, called atypical glandular cells...
Discusses eye disease that damages the optic nerve. Covers open-angle, closed-angle, and congenital glaucoma. Covers importance of finding and treating early, to help prevent blindness. Looks at treatment with medicine and possibly with lasers or surgery.
Glossitis is redness and swelling (inflammation) of the tongue. Possible causes of glossitis include an allergy or infection, an injury to the tongue, and nutritional deficiencies. Although most cases of glossitis are minor and can be treated at home, symptoms can cause problems with chewing, swallowing, or speaking...
Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that causes the liver to release its stored sugar into the bloodstream. Glucagon is also available as a prescription medicine that comes in prefilled vials and syringes and works in the same way as the natural hormone. People with diabetes or hypoglycemia sometimes develop...
Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It can be caused by many things, including nodules, inflammation, and Graves' disease. Often goiter can be easily seen as a lump in the front of the neck, slightly to the left and/or right of center. It may move up and down when a person swallows.
Gonorrhea tests tell if a person has this disease. They look for the bacterium, or germ, that causes gonorrhea. Testing is done on body fluid or urine samples. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. That means it is spread through sexual contact. It does not always cause symptoms. Tests used to find a gonorrhea...
Gout is a form of arthritis marked by sudden attacks of painful, inflamed joints. If it is not controlled, gout can cause severe damage to joints, tendons, and other tissues. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. This used to be treated with a strict diet, but now there are medicines...
Some medical tests report results in grams (g) per deciliter (dL). A gram is equal to the weight of one milliliter or 16 drops of water. It is about 1/30 of an ounce. A deciliter measures fluid volume equal to 1/10 of a liter. A liter is a little bigger than a quart of fluid.
Graves' ophthalmopathy, also called thyroid eye disease, is a frequent complication of hyperthyroidism. People with Graves' ophthalmopathy may develop eye problems, including bulging, reddened eyes; sensitivity to light; and blurring or double vision. The amount of eye bulging is not related to the severity of the...
Grief is a normal reaction to a significant loss that may cause feelings such as sadness and preoccupation with the loss. Grieving is a process that typically progresses through stages, from becoming aware of the loss, to feeling and expressing grief, eventually ending with adjustment to the loss. Grieving can elicit...
Let others, including your health care team, support you so you can grieve in your own way, when you're ready.
Grief is a normal and healthy reaction that occurs when you lose someone or something important. Although it is possible to delay or postpone grieving, it is not possible to avoid grieving altogether. Grief will subside over time. However, the grieving process does not happen in a step-by-step or orderly fashion. Give...
Emotional development Consider your child's age and emotional development so that you can explain loss and death in a way that he or she will understand. Children younger than 2 years of age cannot express in words what is going on in their lives. You can reassure the child by holding and cuddling him or...
Discusses groin problems and injuries. Looks at acute injuries, hernias, rashes, and other groin problems in children. Covers signs and symptoms. Offers home treatment and prevention tips. Covers emergencies such as severe pain and signs of shock.
The growth plates are the areas near each end of the long bones in children and adolescents where bone growth occurs. Also known as the epiphyseal plate or physis, this developing tissue determines how long and wide the bone will be when fully grown. During late adolescence, when growth stops, the growth plates close...
What are growth and development milestones? Growth and development milestones help you see how your child is doing compared with other children the same age. The milestones tell you what you should expect from your child in five areas: Physical growth Thinking and reasoning (cognitive development) Emotional and social...
How do children grow and develop between ages 11 and 14? The ages 11 through 14 years are often referred to as early adolescence. These years are an exciting time of many varied and rapid changes. Your child grows taller and stronger and also starts to feel and think in more mature ways. You may...
How do teenagers grow and develop during ages 15 to 18? The ages from 15 to 18 are an exciting time of life. But these years can be challenging for teens and their parents. Emotions can change quickly as teens learn to deal with school, their friends, and adult expectations. Teen self-esteem is affected by...
What kinds of development occur in your baby's first month? Babies are called newborns during their first month of life. Although your newborn sleeps a lot, powerful changes are occurring in the five major areas of development. Physical development. Watching your baby grow in size is part of the fun of being a new...
What is guided imagery? Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to help you through this process. Guided imagery is based on the concept that your body and mind are connected. Using all of...