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Browse our complete A-Z directory of healthcare terms and entities.
Showing 156 entries starting with "H" of type "Conditions"
Dr. Michael O'Connor reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. O'Connor is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Queen's University in Ontario. He is a former chair of the Specialty Training Committee...
Discusses HIV, a virus that attacks white blood cells called CD4+ cells which are an important part of the immune system. Covers symptoms and stages of infection, including last stage called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Covers HIV treatment.
Rapid progressors are people with HIV who develop AIDS within a few years if they don't receive treatment. About 5% to 10% of people who are infected with HIV are rapid progressors. It isn't known why the infection progresses faster in these people. They may have already had another problem with their immune systems.
Viral load is a measurement of how much HIV is present in your blood. A sample of blood is drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Results are expressed as the number of copies of the virus per milliliter of blood. Each virus is called a "copy" because HIV reproduces by making copies of...
Feeling tired is common if you have HIV, especially if you have had the virus for many years. Being severely tired can affect your ability to work, take care of yourself, and enjoy your life. There can be many reasons why you are tired. It is important that you and your doctor try to find...
Weight loss in people with HIV has many possible causes. If you lose weight fast, it may be because you have another infection along with HIV. This type of illness is called an opportunistic infection. Gradual weight loss may be due to problems with nutrition. You may lose weight if you can't eat enough food...
A few people with HIV are described as nonprogressors. These people have HIV that does not progress to more severe symptoms or disease, but they can still spread HIV. Most nonprogressors: Have lived with the infection for 10 to 15 years and remained healthy. Do not have declining CD4+ cell counts. Have a very low...
Medicines and vaccines are used to prevent infections and certain diseases ( opportunistic infections ) that are more common in people with HIV. Primary prevention means preventing illness before it occurs. Immunizations (vaccines) are one kind of primary prevention. Medicines that kill or control the organisms that...
HIV is present in the blood, semen, and vaginal fluids of a person who is infected with HIV and is usually spread by: Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who is infected with HIV. Using condoms is the only way to prevent getting or spreading HIV during sexual contact. Other forms of...
Eating a nutritious, balanced diet is an important part of treating HIV. Good nutrition can help your immune system stay strong, which in turn may help your body fight HIV. Knowing the best way to nourish your body will help keep it strong and allow your HIV medicines to work effectively. It is important to...
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives. About 20 million Americans are currently infected, and about 6 million more get infected each year. HPV is usually...
Guides through decision to get the HPV vaccine. Explains the vaccination process. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Guides through decision to have your child get the HPV vaccine. Explains the vaccination process and includes tips on how to talk to your child about HPV. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
The bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia (infecting the lungs), epiglottitis (infecting the tissue at the back of the throat), and meningitis (infecting the tissues around the brain and spinal cord). The Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine has dramatically...
A hairy tongue is caused by an overgrowth of the hairlike rough surface of the tongue (papillae). The tongue will look like it is covered with hair. A person with a hairy tongue often has severe bad breath (halitosis). Soreness is not usually present. Causes of a hairy tongue include poor oral hygiene, decreased saliva...
Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are toes that bend into an odd position at one or more joints. This can be painful. They are most often caused by wearing tight shoes, which can cause the toe muscles to get out of balance. A hammer toe bends down toward the floor at the middle toe joint....
Guides through decision to have surgery for hammer, claw, or mallet toe. Includes symptoms of hammer, claw and mallet toe and describes nonsurgical treatment. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an infection in young children, usually caused by the Coxsackie virus. It is easily spread through contact with the infected person's saliva, mucus, or feces. Symptoms are usually mild and include a rash of small sores or blisters that usually appear on the hands and feet and in the mouth...
Hand-washing is a simple and effective way to help prevent diseases, such as colds, flu, and food poisoning. When to wash your hands Washing hands: Often, especially during cold and flu ( influenza ) season, can reduce your risk of catching or spreading a cold or the flu. Before, during, and after preparing food reduces...
A hangnail is a strip of skin that separates from the side of the cuticle. Trim the skin of the hangnail with a pair of clean scissors. Do not bite or pull at a hangnail, because the skin may tear. A torn hangnail may become tender and swollen, and infection may develop.
Looks at common causes of minor and serious head injuries. Discusses possible head injury emergencies. Offers tool to help you check symptoms and decide when to call a doctor. Offers home treatment and prevention tips.
Discusses causes, symptoms, medicines, home treatment, triggers, and prevention tips for children's migraine and tension headaches.
Learn some common headache triggers so you can plan to avoid the ones that affect you.
Guides you through identifying and avoiding tension headache triggers. Helps you reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Explains common triggers. Includes stress management, treatment for depression, and regular exercise and sleep.
Guides you through the decision to take drugs for migraines. Covers treatment with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Lists side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Guides through the decision to take prescription drugs for tension headaches. Covers treatment with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and antianxiety medicines. Lists side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Laugh your way to better health You're lying in bed with some kind of health problem, taking medicine and maybe getting some kind of treatment or therapy—and feeling pretty down. Or maybe you're taking care of someone who's ill, and it's wearing you out. Sometimes life can feel pretty overwhelming. This might seem like...
This topic suggests ways to help prevent illness and accidental injuries in young children. It does not cover every risk that a child faces, but it does cover many of the most common hazards and situations that can be dangerous to children ages 2 to 5 years. What can you expect from your child at...
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Covers how you can start eating healthier. Looks at making small changes toward healthier eating habits. Offers advice on dealing with barriers to healthy eating. Includes how healthy eating can help lower your risk for disease.
Having good nutrition is important at any age. But it is especially important for older adults. Eating a healthy diet can help keep your body strong and can help lower your risk for disease. But as you get older, it can be harder to eat in healthy ways. If you have health problems or can't...
For many people, eating out is a way to relax and socialize. But if you are watching your weight or just are concerned with healthy eating, dining out can be a challenge. The good news is that usually there are healthier options at every restaurant, even at fast-food places. By following some simple guidelines, you...
What are hearing aids? Hearing aids make sounds louder. There are many different styles of hearing aids. And you can add special features to your hearing aids. But almost all hearing aids have these parts: A microphone, to pick up sound. An amplifier, to make the sound louder. A speaker, to deliver the sound into...
Assess changes in your child's behavior that might mean a hearing loss. Compare past behavior with present behavior. Does your child: Listen when spoken to? Turn or look up when you call his or her name? Respond to requests like "come here" or "want more?" Recognize words for common items like cup, shoe, or juice?
Being exposed to loud noises can result in hearing loss . As the loudness of a sound increases, the amount of time you can safely listen to the sound decreases. One way to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protectors, which reduce the loudness of the sound. Hearing protectors are especially important for those...
Covers causes of heart attack (myocardial infarction) and unstable angina. Discusses symptoms like chest pain or pressure. Explains MI and angina differences. Offers prevention tips. Covers diagnostic tests and treatment with medicines and surgery.
A heart catheterization is a procedure used for both diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects. As a test, this procedure allows doctors to see how blood flows through the heart chambers and arteries. As a treatment, the doctor can use special tools to fix a heart defect during this procedure. How is it done...
Heart failure means that your heart muscle doesn't pump as much blood as your body needs. In time, this causes fluid to build up in your body, and you have symptoms like swelling in the legs and feeling out of breath and weak. Heart failure usually gets worse over time. But treatment can slow the...
Even if you are treating your heart failure successfully, you may develop a complication that can be serious and life-threatening. It is important to identify complications of heart failure as soon as possible, because some can be extremely serious conditions. You can discuss your complications with your doctor and...
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) occurs when the lower left chamber (left ventricle) is not able to fill properly with blood during the diastolic (filling) phase. The amount of blood pumped out to the body is less than normal. It is also called diastolic heart failure. What does preserved ejection...
If you have heart failure, it is important that you do as much as possible to avoid catching colds, the flu, and other respiratory infections. Although these may be relatively minor illnesses in healthy people, they are more dangerous if you have heart failure, and you are at higher risk for dangerous complications...
If you have heart failure, you need to be extra careful with medicines. Some can make your heart failure worse. Other medicines may not mix well with your heart failure drugs. This Actionset will help you learn which medicines you may need to avoid and what questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist. Each time...
Tells how to prevent sudden heart failure. Covers symptoms and lists triggers that lead to congestive heart failure: too much salt, too much exercise, and taking medicines wrong. Encourages staying with diet, medicine, and exercise plan.
Learn how exercise is good for your heart and how to be active and safe.
Learn tips for limiting fluids to prevent fluid buildup.
Learn which medicines could make your heart failure worse.
Guides you through decision to get an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Gives information about ICDs and asks questions to help you learn if an ICD is right for you. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you decide.
Learn how to take small steps toward long-term self-care for heart failure.
Learn about help you'll get to manage your heart failure at home.
Use this form to describe the severity of your heart failure symptoms and whether they get worse. Also, record any new symptoms that develop. Take this form with you when you visit your doctor. Symptoms Describe severity of symptoms and when they started Shortness of breath Swelling in your legs or ankles Sudden weight...
If you are under a doctor's care for heart failure, the following tips may help you deal with fluid buildup that causes difficulty with breathing. Note: If your symptoms are severe enough to require these measures and you have not been diagnosed with heart failure, call your doctor first. Also, call your doctor if these...
Learn how to be sure when changes in your symptoms mean you should get help.
Learn why you need a written plan to know when heart failure symptoms are an emergency.
Covers walking as one of the easiest ways to increase your physical activity and improve your health. Explains what you need to know before starting a walking program. Includes how to stay motivated.
A heart transplant is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a diseased heart and replaces it with a donor heart. During a heart transplant, a mechanical pump circulates blood through the body while the surgeon removes the diseased heart and replaces it with a healthy heart from a recently deceased donor. The surgeon...
What is heart valve disease? Heart valve disease is the term used for a number of conditions that affect the four valves of the heart. A heart valve disease happens when any of the heart's valves either cannot open well enough to let blood flow through (stenosis) or cannot close well enough to prevent backflow...
Your heart has four separate chambers that pump blood. The chambers are called the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. The right side of your heart receives oxygen-poor blood from your veins (the vena cava) and pumps it to your lungs (through the pulmonary artery), where the blood picks up...
The heat index provides information about how hot it feels outside in the shade. It is a measure of the air temperature in relation to the relative humidity for a particular day. The National Weather Service lists a heat index each day in the newspaper to alert people of the risk for a heat-related illness....
Acclimation helps you remain active in a hot environment with less risk of a heat-related illness. You can acclimate yourself to a hot environment by gradually increasing the amount of time you exercise in the heat each day. Do this over 8 to 14 days. Adults usually need daily exercise periods that last 1 to...
Why do people sweat? Sweating is your body's way of cooling down and getting rid of some chemicals. Sometimes heavy sweating is normal. You may sweat a lot when you exercise, when you are too hot, or when you are frightened. It's normal for teenagers to sweat more than they did when they were younger....
Heavy use of alcohol is defined as more than 2 drinks a day for men and more than 1 drink a day for women. One drink is 12 fl oz (355 mL) of beer, 5 fl oz (148 mL) of wine, or 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) of hard liquor. Heavy use of alcohol increases...
An injury to the Achilles tendon ( Achilles tendinopathy ) can cause pain and stiffness on and above the back of the heel. Achilles tendinopathy is common among athletes. But it also occurs in people of all ages, activity levels, and jobs. Bursitis can also cause pain and swelling at the back or bottom of...
The heel dig bridging exercise works your hamstrings and the muscles around your lower body and hips. Do 8 to 12 repetitions. Do not continue with this exercise if it causes pain. Lie on your back with both knees bent and your ankles bent so that only your heels are digging into the floor. At...
Heel slides help you regain your range of motion by stretching the muscles on top of your thigh. Do 2 to 4 repetitions several times during the day. Lie down on the floor or the bed with your leg flat. Slowly begin to slide your heel toward your buttocks, keeping your heel on the floor...
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that is a major cause of stomach (gastric) and upper small intestine (duodenal) ulcers . Infection with H. pylori may also increase the risk of stomach cancer. H. pylori bacteria can cause ulcers by growing in the lining of the stomach, producing inflammation and causing the...
Adolescent thinking tends to be focused on the present. But adolescents and teens are rapidly learning new skills related to complex reasoning, inductive and deductive reasoning, sensitivity toward others, flexibility, and problem solving. Remind yourself that it is normal for adolescents to have a sense of being...
The following strategies may help decrease your child's discomfort related to immunizations. Infant (newborn to 12 months) Your baby is less likely to be uncomfortable or upset after an immunization if he or she is not hungry or tired. See that your baby has a good nap 2 to 4 hours before the immunization is...
Like all children, those with disabilities need to be as active as possible. But children with disabilities are less likely to be physically active than other children. An inactive lifestyle for these children can lead to other problems, including: Reduced fitness. Bone loss. Poor circulation that leads to blood clots...
If someone you know has a panic attack, he or she may become very anxious and not think clearly. You can help the person by doing the following: Stay with the person and keep calm. Offer medicine if the person usually takes it during an attack. Move the person to a quiet place. Don't make...
Briefly describes seizures. Lists ways to help someone during and after a seizure. Covers things to watch for during a seizure as well as when to seek medical attention.
Discusses screening test for hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. Covers symptoms of hereditary hemochromatosis. Discusses who should be screened and offers reasons not to be screened.
The hemoglobin C trait is the presence of an abnormal type of the oxygen-carrying substance in red blood cells (hemoglobin) called hemoglobin C. People who have hemoglobin C trait also have some normal hemoglobin (hemoglobin A) so they rarely have problems from the condition, but they can pass on the trait to their...
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a blood vessel (artery) in the brain leaks or bursts (ruptures). This causes bleeding: Inside the brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage). Near the surface of the brain ( subarachnoid hemorrhage or subdural hemorrhage ). A common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the rupture of an...
Covers hemorrhoidectomy, surgery to remove hemorrhoids. Covers when and why it is done. Also covers how it is done, recovery, and home treatment after surgery. Includes info on common and rare risks.
The hepatitis A virus test is a blood test that shows whether you have a hepatitis A infection. The test looks for antibodies made by the body to fight the virus. They will be in your blood if you have a hepatitis A infection now or have had one in the past. Hepatitis A IgM...
Eating raw shellfish, especially oysters, may put you at risk for hepatitis A. Bivalves such as oysters and clams filter large amounts of water when feeding. If shellfish are living in water that has been contaminated with stool containing the hepatitis A virus, the shellfish may carry the virus. People then may get it...
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get it have it for a short time and then get better. But sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, this can lead to liver damage or liver cancer. The virus spreads through the blood of an...
Covers hepatitis B virus (HBV) tests that check for hepatitis B infection. Looks at most common HBV tests. Explains how tests are done and how to prepare for them. Looks at other tests that show how well the liver is working. Covers test results.
People who are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) virus may develop a chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis. The damage that results increases the risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). If you have chronic HBV infection: You may develop liver cancer even if you do not have...
The following tips can help you prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Inform the people you live with and/or have sex with about your illness as soon as possible. If you have long-term (chronic) HBV infection, you can infect others with the virus even if you have no symptoms of illness. Do...
Pityriasis rosea (say "pih-tih-RY-uh-sus ROH-zee-uh") is a common skin problem that causes a rash. The rash often begins with a herald patch-a single, round-to-oval, pink patch that is scaly with a raised border. The size of the patch ranges from 2 cm (0.8 in.) to 10 cm (3.9 in.).
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome, is a type of inherited cancer of the large intestine. People who have HNPCC are at increased risk for developing small growths of excess tissue (polyps) in the large intestine early in life, making it more likely the growths will become...
Heroin is an illegal drug. It is a white or brown powder or a black, sticky substance (black tar heroin). It can be sniffed, snorted, smoked, or injected into a muscle or vein. It is often mixed (cut) with other drugs or substances, such as sugar or powdered milk. It may also be cut with...
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually affects children under 5 years old. It can also affect adults with certain medical conditions. Your child can get Hib disease by being around other children or adults who may have the bacteria and not know it. The germs…
What are hiccups? Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic "hiccup" sound. What...
What is hidradenitis suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa (say "hih-drad-uh-NY-tus sup-yur-uh-TY-vuh") is a skin condition that causes lumps on the skin that look like pimples or boils. It can come and go for many years. Doctors don't know exactly how this skin problem starts. But they do know that something irritates...
What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of the arteries as it moves through the body. High blood pressure happens when the blood is pushing too hard. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. Blood pressure readings include two numbers. For...
Learn how using a home blood pressure monitor can give you better control of your health.
DASH diet The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet can help you lower your blood pressure. It includes eating fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or nonfat dairy foods. For more information on the DASH diet, see: High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet. DASH Diet Sample Menu. Follow these daily...
Covers importance of taking the right dose of the right high blood pressure medicines at the right time. Explains how medicines control high blood pressure. Includes working with your doctor to make a plan for taking your medicines.
Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood. Your body needs some cholesterol. But if you have too much, it can build up in your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. You can get high cholesterol by eating foods that have too much saturated fat or by having an...
Millions of people struggle to lose weight and improve their diets. Finding a diet that works for you and then staying with it can be a huge challenge. Registered dietitians are experts in diet and nutrition, particularly for promoting general health and treating conditions such as high cholesterol. A dietitian can...
High cholesterol is treated with heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medicine. These can lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. You and your doctor may decide to first try treating your high cholesterol without medicine. Changing some of your habits may be all you need to do to...
Vitamin C is a nutrient found in food and dietary supplements. It is an antioxidant and also plays a key role in making collagen (see Question 1). High-dose vitamin C may be taken by mouth or given by an intravenous (IV) infusion (through a vein into the bloodstream). When taken by IV infusion, vitamin C...
High-output heart failure happens when the body's need for blood is unusually high, so heart failure symptoms happen even though the heart is working well. This type of heart failure happens to a very small number of people with heart failure. What happens to the heart? High-output heart failure occurs when the normally...
Puncture wounds caused by the injection of a substance under high pressure into the skin are serious injuries. High-pressure equipment may be used for paint, paint thinner, grease, oil, fuel, or other liquid solvents. Most high-pressure injection injuries affect the hands and fingers. These injuries are at high risk for...
How does protein help with wound healing? Your body needs protein to help build and repair muscle, skin, and other body tissues. Protein also helps fight infection, balance body fluids, and carry oxygen through your body. When you have a wound that's healing, think of food as medicine. Eat a balanced diet with enough...
The hip is the largest ball-and-socket joint in the body. The thighbone (femur) fits tightly into a cup-shaped socket (acetabulum) in the pelvis. The hip joint is held together by a joint capsule, tendons, ligaments, and the muscles of the buttocks, groin, and spine.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a childhood condition caused by abnormal development of one or both hip joints. In DDH, the top of the thighbone (femur) does not fit securely into the hip socket (acetabulum). This allows the thighbone to either partially or completely slip out of the socket (dislocate).
A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thighbone (femur) where the thighbone joins the pelvis to form the hip joint. Most hip fractures occur in the area just below the ball of the femur (femoral neck region) and the area just below this (intertrochanteric region). A hip fracture almost always...
Learn about surgery to repair a broken or fractured hip and what to expect.
A hip injury and pain can make it hard to walk, go up and down stairs, squat, or sleep on the side that hurts. A clicking or snapping feeling or sound around your hip joint ( snapping hip) may bother you or cause you to worry. But if your hip is not painful, in many...
A hip problem can be hard to deal with, both for the child who has the problem and to the parent or caregiver. A child who has a hip problem may feel pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee. A child in pain may limp or be unable or unwilling to stand, walk, or...
Get tips on how to take care of yourself at home after hip repair surgery.
In Hirschsprung's disease, certain nerve cells (ganglion cells) in a portion of the colon are missing. Because the muscles in that area can't relax, the muscle contractions that normally push food and digestive waste through that part of the colon can't occur. The picture on the right shows a colon in which the rectum...
Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer that begins in the lymph system in white blood cells called lymphocytes. When these cells become abnormal, they grow without control and may form lumps of tissue called tumors. The most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma is called classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The cancerous tumors (lymphomas) in...
Find out what home health care is and what to expect from it.
A home lung function test uses a peak flow meter or a home spirometer to monitor and evaluate any breathing problems you may have on a day-to-day basis. A peak flow meter allows you to measure your peak expiratory flow. A home spirometer allows you to measure your forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1)....
If you have preeclampsia or chronic kidney disease, your health professional may instruct you to check the protein content in your urine at home. Increased protein is a sign that your kidneys are being damaged. To test your urine on a daily basis, use a simple test kit containing a urine testing strip that you...
Learn how home treatment of back and leg pain from a herniated disc can help you avoid surgery.
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer is also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Prostate cancer cannot grow or survive without androgens, which include testosterone and other male hormones. Hormone therapy decreases the amount of androgens in a man's body. Reducing androgens can slow the growth of the cancer...
Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual resources for people who are in the late stages of an incurable illness, such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. Hospice...
Hospice and palliative medicine specialists are medical doctors who help prevent and relieve suffering of patients who have a serious illness or who have only a short time left to live. They work with a team of other professionals to address the needs of both the patient and loved ones. These specialists can help with...
Discharge planning helps to make sure that you leave the hospital safely and smoothly and get the right care after that. Use this checklist to help you keep track of it all. Getting started and planning ahead You Caregiver 1. I know who my discharge planner is. I've talked to the discharge planner and know...
It is important to have breastfeeding support from your doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who care for you and your baby. Fortunately, most people involved in health care are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Before having your baby, research the breastfeeding policies at your hospital of choice. Look at...
A hot flash is a sudden sensation of intense body heat, often with profuse sweating and reddening of the head, neck, and chest. These symptoms can be accompanied by mild to severe heart palpitations, anxiety, irritability and, in rare cases, panic. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of a woman's changing estrogen...
Hot flashes and night sweats are common in cancer survivors, particularly women, but they can also occur in men. Pathophysiologic mechanisms are complex. Treatment options are broad-based, including hormonal agents, nonhormonal pharmacotherapies, and diverse integrative medicine modalities. Hot flashes occur in...
Asthma is the most common long-lasting (chronic) disease of childhood. It usually develops before age 5. 1 Many children who have allergies get asthma, but not all. And not every child with asthma has allergies. In most cases of persistent asthma, the first symptoms (such as wheezing ) start in the first years of life...
Hear how other people learned to do a better job managing their diabetes.
Naloxone can stop an opioid overdose. Here's how to give it—just in case.
Pimples form when dead skin cells mix with excess oil (sebum). This mixture plugs the pore, causing swelling. Bacteria can grow in the mix and lead to infection and pus.
To keep the eye clean: Wipe away the drainage from around the eye. Moisten a clean cotton ball or washcloth with warm (not hot) water, and gently wipe from the inner (near the nose) to the outer part of the eye. With each wipe, use a new or clean part of the cotton ball or...
Learn how to do curl-ups to strengthen your core.
Learn how to do glute sets to strengthen the muscles in your butt that help rotate and extend your legs.
Quad sets can strengthen your quad muscles—the muscles in the front of your thigh that help straighten your knee.
Strengthen your knee and increase its range of movement with this seated knee flexion exercise.
Learn how to do the pelvic tilt exercise to strengthen your core.
Strengthen your thigh muscles with short-arc quad exercises.
Single-leg balance exercises improve balance and strengthen the muscles that support the knees.
Learn an easy way to drain blood from a smashed fingernail or toenail.
If you have injuries, health problems, or other reasons that may make it easy for you to fall at home, it is a good idea to learn how to get up safely after a fall. Learning how to get up correctly can help you avoid making an injury worse. Also, knowing what to do if...
Learn how to give an intramuscular injection.
Learn what you can do to keep someone safe during a seizure and when you need to call emergency services.
Minor cuts on the head often bleed heavily because the face and scalp have many blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. Although this amount of bleeding may be alarming, many times the injury is not severe and the bleeding will stop with treatment you can do at home. But it is important...
Learn simple steps you can use to stop a nosebleed.
If the blister is in an area where pressure is applied, such as on the bottom of your foot, protect it with a doughnut-shaped moleskin pad. Leave the area over the blister open.
Wedge a small piece of wet cotton under the corner of the nail to cushion the nail. This will also help lift the nail slightly off of the skin.
Getting ready to walk Bend your elbows slightly. Press the padded top parts of the crutches against your sides, under your armpits. If you have been told not to put any weight on your injured leg, keep that leg bent and off the ground. Walking with crutches Put both crutches about 12 inches in front...
To do this type of breast exam, check the entire breast area by moving your fingers in circles around the breast. Start at the outer edge of the breast and make smaller and smaller circles around the breast until you reach the nipple. As you circle around the breast area, move your fingers in small,...
Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape, and gently slide it under the gum line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the plaque. Popping or snapping the floss in and out between the teeth without scraping will...
Cut a piece of dental floss 18 in. (46 cm) to 20 in. (51 cm) long. Wrap one end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle finger, until your hands are about 2 in. (5 cm) to 3 in. (8 cm) apart. Gently work the floss between the teeth...
A butterfly bandage can be used to hold the edges of a cut together while it heals. To make a butterfly bandage: Cut a strip from a roll of 1 in. (2.5 cm) adhesive tape and fold it in half lengthwise, sticky side out. Cut a notch not far from the fold in each long...
Set the meter to its lowest number: Step 1 Put the pointer on the gauge of the peak flow meter to 0 or the lowest number on the meter. In the photo, this is about 50. Attach the mouthpiece: Step 2 Attach the mouthpiece to the peak flow meter. Some meters don't have a separate...
Dr. Howard Schaff reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Schaff is a diagnostic radiologist with Intermountain Medical Imaging in Boise, Idaho.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is usually produced during pregnancy. But some types of cancer can also cause high levels of hCG. The amount of hCG may be measured in blood or urine to see if a woman is pregnant. The test also may be done as part of a screening test...
A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test detects HIV antibodies or antigens, or the genetic material ( DNA or RNA ) of HIV in the blood or another type of sample. This determines whether an HIV infection is present (HIV-positive). HIV infects white blood cells called CD4+ cells, which are part of the body's immune...
A humidifier is a device that blows cool to lukewarm mist (vapor) into the air to increase humidity (moisture) in a room. A vaporizer is a device that releases a cool to hot mist into the air to help increase humidity or to help with breathing. These devices tend to be used when a person...
Huntington disease is a rare condition that causes parts of the brain to break down, or degenerate. It is also called Huntington chorea. The disease causes rapid, jerky body movements and the loss of mental skills ( dementia ). Huntington disease can cause personality changes, behavior problems, and memory loss...
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 use of hydrazine sulfate as a treatment for people with cancer. The summary includes a brief history of hydrazine sulfate research, results of clinical...
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (say "hy-per-TROH-fik kar-dee-oh-my-AWP-uh-thee") happens when the heart muscle grows too thick, so the heart gets bigger and its chambers get smaller. Many people have no symptoms and live a normal life with few problems. But in some people with this...
Hypoglycemia (or hypoglycemic) unawareness is the inability to recognize early symptoms of low blood sugar until they become severe. When symptoms reach this stage, urgent treatment is needed to prevent further progression and life-threatening health problems, such as a seizure or stroke. Severe symptoms of low blood...
Epidemiology Cancer of the hypopharynx is uncommon; approximately 2,500 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. The peak incidence of this cancer occurs in males and females aged 50 to 60 years. Excessive alcohol and tobacco use are the primary risk factors for hypopharyngeal cancer. In...
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's uterus . A hysterectomy to remove endometrial cancer usually includes the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). Your doctor may also do a pelvic and para-aortic lymph node biopsy to find out the stage and grade of the cancer...
Discusses surgery to remove the uterus to treat ovarian cancer. Covers what is done and what to expect after surgery. Looks at emotional concerns. Covers risks.
Learn how to take care of yourself at home after a hysterectomy.