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Browse our complete A-Z directory of healthcare terms and entities.
Showing 47 entries starting with "N" of type "Conditions"
Guides you through decision to take medicine for nail fungal infection. Explains fungal infections and why treatment might be needed. Lists other treatments. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
What is naloxone? Opioids are strong pain medicines. Examples include hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Heroin is an example of an illegal opioid. Taking too much of an opioid can cause death. An overdose is an emergency. Naloxone is a medicine used to treat an opioid overdose. If you take it or if someone...
Some medical tests report results in nanograms (ng) per liter (L). A nanogram is one-billionth of a gram. A gram is about 1/30 of an ounce. A liter is a measure of fluid volume. A liter is a little bigger than a quart of fluid.
Some medical tests report results in nanograms per milliliter per hour. A nanogram is one-billionth of a gram. A gram is about 1/30 of an ounce. A milliliter measures fluid volume equal to 1/1000 liter. A liter is a little bigger than a quart. An hour is the time period that the amount of nanograms...
Anatomy The nasopharynx has a cuboidal shape. The lateral walls are formed by the eustachian tube and the fossa of Rosenmuller. The roof, sloping downward from anterior to posterior, is bordered by the pharyngeal hypophysis, pharyngeal tonsil, and pharyngeal bursa with the base of the skull above. Anteriorly, the...
Consequences result from our actions. Natural consequences are the experiences that naturally follow a choice or behavior. For example, going out in cold weather without a coat naturally leads to feeling cold. Logical consequences are consequences chosen to follow behaviors that violate the acceptable behavior within a...
Naturopathic doctors often combine different complementary therapies—such as massage, herbal medicine, or diet—to help the body heal itself and stay well. They may refer people to a medical doctor or specialist when needed. In some states, naturopathic doctors have a limited ability to prescribe medicines. A licensed...
Discusses a break in the navicular (scaphoid) bone, one of the bones in the wrist. Covers causes and symptoms, such as pain, tenderness, and swelling. Discusses diagnosis using X-rays. Covers treatment with arm cast, splint, or surgery.
A nebulizer is a device used to deliver liquid medicine in the form of a fine mist (aerosol). Medicine may be given through a nebulizer to treat respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pneumonia. The nebulizer allows the medicine to go directly to a person's airways and...
© Healthwise, Incorporated A nebulizer uses a compressor to turn medicine into a fine mist (aerosol). In this picture, the man is using a mouthpiece to breathe in the medicine.
A nebulizer is a device used to deliver liquid medicine in the form of a fine mist (aerosol). It is sometimes used for asthma because: The medicine can be given over a longer period of time. It may be easier to use for small children or for people who have serious difficulty breathing or have...
Discusses rare flesh-eating bacterial infection. Includes info on Fournier gangrene. Covers symptoms and how it is diagnosed. Looks at treatment with medicine, surgery, and oxygen therapy. Covers treatment for complications caused by the infection.
Needle aponeurotomy (say "ap-uh-noo-RAH-tuh-mee") is a procedure used to straighten bent fingers ( contracture ) caused by Dupuytren's disease. This procedure may also be called percutaneous needle fasciotomy. The procedure can be done in your doctor's office. It usually takes about 30 minutes. The affected hand will be...
Dr. Neil R. Powe reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Powe is Chief of Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital and a Constance B. Wofsy Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco in San...
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage the nerve at the back of the eye (optic nerve), resulting in loss of eyesight, especially peripheral (side) vision. Neovascular glaucoma is a type of severe glaucoma in which blood vessels in the iris block the normal drainage of fluid out of the eye, causing increased...
Discusses nephrotic syndrome, a sign kidneys aren't working right. Includes high levels of protein in urine, low levels of protein in blood, and high cholesterol. Discusses swelling (edema) and kidney failure. Covers causes like diabetes. Covers treatment.
The nerves that carry messages to and from your legs come from your low back. By checking your muscle strength, your reflexes, and your sensation (feeling), your doctor can tell whether there is pressure on a nerve root coming from your spinal column. He or she can often also tell which nerve root is involved....
Three main nerves run past the elbow and wrist to the hand. Median nerve. This nerve passes down the inside of the arm and crosses the front of the elbow. At the wrist it goes through a "tunnel"-called the carpal tunnel-made up of the wrist bones and a tough band of connective tissue (ligament). The...
The main nerves of the hand are the radial nerve, the median nerve, and the ulnar nerve. Each nerve gives movement and feeling to different areas of the hand.
The nervous system includes the brain, the spinal cord, and all the nerves in the body. Nerves carry information through the spinal cord to the brain about what is happening inside and outside of the body, and the brain processes the information and sends messages back through the nerves that control how muscles and...
Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Neuroblastoma Treatment and Levels of Evidence for Cancer Screening and Prevention Studies are also available. Intervention Screening, usually at age 6 months, for urine vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid, which are metabolites of the hormones norepinephrine and dopamine...
Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread. Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more...
Neuroblastoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in neuroblasts (immature nerve tissue) in the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal cord. Neuroblastoma often begins in the nerve tissue of the adrenal glands. There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney in the back of the upper abdomen. The...
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction that may occur as a result of taking certain antipsychotic medicines. The exact cause of this syndrome is not known. But it may occur when the medicine causes a malfunction in the system that regulates the body's temperature. The first signs of neuroleptic...
Neurological surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgery of the brain, spinal column, and nervous system. A person may see a neurological surgeon for a problem such as a pinched nerve in the back or neck, a brain tumor, or damage to the brain or spine from an injury. A neurological surgeon may specialize...
A nicotine inhaler looks like a cigarette. It has a cartridge that contains nicotine. You inhale, and nicotine vapor is absorbed into your mouth and throat area. You don't absorb the nicotine into your lungs like you do with a cigarette. As a result, you don't get the same "hit" of nicotine as with smoking....
When people use tobacco products on a regular basis, their bodies develop a need for nicotine. If they don't get nicotine, they start having nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings for nicotine vary from person to person. They often depend on how much nicotine a person is used to getting. The more...
Learn why nicotine makes it hard to quit smoking and how it can be overcome.
Why is sleep important to your child? A good night's sleep helps your child to grow, to form memories, and to learn. Sleep helps your child stay alert and focused at school and play. Children who don't get enough sleep over time can have behavior problems and trouble learning. They may become moody, sad, or...
When you are not breastfeeding, fluid leaking from one or both nipples is called nipple discharge. It may or may not be a sign of a medical problem. Nonspontaneous discharge that occurs only when you press on your nipple is usually normal and occurs in the majority of women at one time or another. The...
Hearing loss caused by noise can occur in people of any age. It may develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the source and intensity of the noise. Noise can affect hearing in several ways. When a sudden, extremely loud sound, such as an explosion, a gunshot, or a firecracker close to the ear, damages any...
Discusses nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is part of a group of diseases called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Covers cirrhosis. Discusses lifestyle changes, including controlling diabetes and high cholesterol and losing weight.
What is nonallergic rhinitis? Rhinitis is inflammation and swelling in the nose. It is often triggered by an allergy. Nonallergic rhinitis is the term used for rhinitis that has no known cause. It may also be called vasomotor rhinitis. What causes rhinitis? Triggers that can cause inflammation and swelling in the nose...
Noninvasive medical procedures are tests or treatments that do not require a doctor to insert any device through a person's skin (such as giving an injection) or into any body opening (such as putting a tube down the throat).
Most nonmelanoma skin cancer can be cured if it is found and treated early. The goal of treatment is to completely remove the cancer. But the method of removal will differ depending on the experience of your doctor and the type of cancer you have. Advantages and disadvantages of common treatments for nonmelanoma skin...
Milk, yogurt, and cheese provide a lot of calcium. But there are other foods that have calcium, such as kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage. You can also get calcium by eating the soft bones of canned sardines and canned salmon. And calcium is sometimes added to tofu, soy and rice drinks, fruit juice, and cereal....
Many people take nonprescription antacids for mild or occasional heartburn. Antacids are substances that neutralize some of the stomach acid. Some antacids have a foaming agent (alginate) that floats on top of the stomach's contents. This may reduce the amount of acid that comes in contact with your esophagus. Examples...
A nonstress test is used in pregnant women to evaluate the heart rate of a developing baby (fetus). Normally, a developing baby's heart rate ranges from 100 to 160 beats per minute, and it usually speeds up after the baby moves. If the heart rate is faster or slower than this range or does not...
Nonsurgical (chemical) nail removal is a painless procedure for a fungal nail infection. This technique removes only the diseased and damaged nail, not the healthy part of the nail. It is done in a clinic or your doctor's office. Either the entire nail (avulsion) or part of the nail (debridement) can be removed. This...
The first trimester lasts from week 1 through week 12.
Vocal cords, also called vocal folds, are ligaments that stretch across the larynx and are covered by mucous membranes. The larynx is in the throat just above the windpipe. When air passes over closed vocal cords, they vibrate and make sounds.
What are noroviruses? Noroviruses are also called Norwalk-like viruses and caliciviruses. Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, food infection, food poisoning, and acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis. What causes infection with noroviruses? Noroviruses typically spread through contaminated water and foods, although they can...
Nuclear medicine scans use a special camera (gamma) to take pictures of tissues and organs in the body after a radioactive tracer (radionuclide or radioisotope) is put in a vein in the arm and is absorbed by the tissues and organs. The radioactive tracer shows the activity and function of the tissues or organs. Each...
Nutrients are substances in food that provide energy or are needed to support normal body functions. Nutrients are used to build and repair body tissues, including muscles, bones, and internal organs. Nutrients include: Carbohydrate. Fat. Protein. Vitamins. Minerals. Water.
A balanced, nutritious diet during pregnancy is important to maintain your health and nourish your fetus. In general, pregnant women need to increase their daily caloric intake by 340 calories in the second trimester and 450 calories in the third trimester. 1 Most women who are pregnant need 2,200 to 2,900 calories a...
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), http://www.fda.gov. You will find this label on most foods. The Nutrition Facts label allows you to compare similar foods or to check whether the food is a good source of a nutrient. The % Daily Value section can tell you whether a food is high or low in...
Good nutrition is important for cancer patients. Nutrition is a process in which food is taken in and used by the body for growth, to keep the body healthy, and to replace tissue. Good nutrition is important for good health. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after cancer treatment can help the...