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Browse our complete A-Z directory of healthcare terms and entities.
Showing 39 entries starting with "W" of type "Conditions"
Dr. W. Thomas London reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. London is an Emeritus Professor and former Director of the Liver Cancer Prevention Center at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is widely...
Waist circumference (distance around the waist) is a common measure used to check for fat held around the stomach. Having extra body fat around the stomach-more than 35 in. (88 cm) for women and more than 40 in. (102 cm) for men-increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes. How to measure waist circumference: Place...
Warfarin is a medicine that helps prevent blood clots. Coumadin is the common brand name for warfarin. Because it prevents clots, it also helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other problems caused by blood clots. It's important to know how to take warfarin safely.
Warmth may relieve pain, relax muscle spasms, increase circulation, and help heal a wound or other problems that affect the eye. For an eye problem, use either of the following methods: Dry warmth. Place a protective layer of fabric between a warm compress and the skin. Heating pads and hot water bottles can be used...
Thumb and finger opposition Begin by placing your hand on a table in front of you, with your palm up. Touch your thumb to each finger, one finger at a time. Repeat this cycle 20 times. Wrist circles Place your forearm on your thigh, palm up, with your hand in a very light fist. Make...
Take any mention of suicide seriously. If someone you know is threatening suicide, get help right away. Health professionals should try to find out whether the person: Has the means (weapons or medicines) available to do self-harm or to harm another person. Has set a time and place to attempt suicide. Thinks that there...
Suicide rates increase with age and are highest among white men age 65 and older. Divorced and widowed men in this age group have the highest suicide rates, and their most common method of suicide is firearms. The following warning signs may be present in older adults who have a high risk for suicide: Depression....
Water exercise uses water for resistance. It also may be called water therapy, pool therapy, aqua therapy, or aquatics. It's good exercise for many people who have osteoarthritis, back pain, or fibromyalgia. It's often used to help people in rehab after a joint replacement. Exercising in water can increase your...
Comforting techniques often will calm a crying child if the crying isn't caused by pain. These techniques may help comfort a baby with colic, because colic isn't caused by pain. But if the crying doesn't seem normal or your baby seems sick, call your doctor. First, check to be sure your baby isn't hungry. Very...
To prevent getting too cold, wear proper clothing and shoes, such as: A hat and face mask. Up to 80% of total body heat loss is from your head and neck areas. Layers of clothing to keep you warm and dry. Clothing made of wool, polypropylene, down, or Thinsulate. These are good insulators and will...
Congratulations, you've made it through your first trimester! You can now hear your baby's heartbeat with a Doppler heart monitor. That can be very exciting. Inside your uterus, an important organ called the placenta has formed. The placenta's main job is to give your baby oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical...
Discusses healthy weight and why it is important. Covers the main steps to reaching healthy weight. Discusses difficulties of losing weight. Covers nutrition, lifestyle changes, and physical activity. Offers tips for preparing for changes.
Discusses how to encourage yourself with accurate, rational thoughts so that you can raise your odds of staying at a healthy weight. Covers how it can also help you handle stress better. Provides steps to practice. Includes keeping a thought diary.
There is a strong association between being overweight and the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Being overweight increases your chances of having risk factors for CAD. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Losing weight and staying at a healthy weight can help lower your risk for CAD...
Learn how your thoughts can contribute to weight gain.
Hear what other people thought about as they decided whether to have weight-loss surgery.
Illustration copyright 2005. Adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus when they bite infected birds. And then they may transmit the virus to humans and animals when they bite to take blood.
Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence. Certain factors can increase your risk of being abused. Abusive situations you cannot control Your risk for abuse increases if your partner: Uses alcohol or drugs. Had a job loss or job change or had a change in the level of income. Has a history of extreme...
A1c is a test that shows the average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. People who have diabetes usually have this test to see whether their blood sugar levels have been staying within a target range. This test is also used to diagnose diabetes. This test may not be appropriate...
Learn what a stroke is and what problems it can cause.
Learn about transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and what the risks are when you have one.
Birth control methods have high rates of effectiveness if they are used consistently. Follow your health professional's instructions on what to do if you miss or skip your birth control pills. Some general guidelines are listed here. Combination (estrogen plus progestin) birth control pills Always read the pill label...
Wheezing is a whistling noise of varying pitch and loudness that occurs when the small airways of the lungs become narrower because of inflammation or a buildup of mucus and dead cells in the airway. As these small air passages become narrower, wheezing may be heard when the person breathes out. As the passages continue...
What is whiplash? Whiplash is pain and stiffness in the neck after an injury that has caused the neck to move suddenly or beyond its normal range. It occurs when the head is suddenly forced backward or forward and is then snapped in the other direction. This kind of motion most often happens to people...
White blood cells are made in the bone marrow and protect the body against infection. If an infection develops, white blood cells attack and destroy the bacteria, virus, or other organism causing it. White blood cells are bigger than red blood cells and normally are fewer in number. When a person has a bacterial...
Whiteheads are white bumps on the skin that are collections of oil and skin cells inside pores. Blackheads are pinhead-sized dark spots on the skin that are caused by small plugs in pores. Whiteheads and blackheads, both of which are symptoms of the skin condition acne, commonly appear on the face and shoulders, but...
Learn why antibiotics shouldn't be prescribed to children who have a cold or flu.
Learn how immunizations protect your child, your family, and your community.
Learn how immunizations protect your child, your family, and your community.
Dr. William Blahd reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Blahd is an Emergency Physician at the New York VA Hospital in New York, New York.
Dr. William M. Gilbert reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Gilbert is an obstetrician and gynecologist with additional training and certification in maternal-fetal medicine. He is the Regional Medical Director of Women's...
Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes a buildup of copper in the liver and other organs of the body, most often the brain, kidneys, and eyes. It most often occurs in teenagers and young adults. Wilson's disease can be treated with a diet low in copper and by taking medicine that removes...
Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars, located at the very back of the mouth. They usually come in (erupt) when a person is between 17 and 21 years old. They can cause problems if there is not enough room for them to grow in normally or be cleaned properly. Wisdom teeth are...
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon or your dentist can remove (extract) a wisdom tooth. The procedure often can be done in the dentist's or surgeon's office. You may have the surgery in the hospital, especially if you are having all your wisdom teeth pulled at one time or if you are at high risk for...
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart rhythm problem that causes a very fast heart rate. WPW is one type of supraventricular tachycardia called atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT). With WPW, an extra electrical pathway links the upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart...
Looks at forming a partnership with your doctor to manage your care. Suggests taking an active role by asking questions about treatment choices and costs, learning on your own, and prepping for office visits. Offers questions to ask when choosing a doctor.
In the past, opioids were used only for short periods for short-term pain or for cancer pain. Many experts now also use them for longer periods to treat chronic pain. You can take these drugs, which are sometimes called narcotics or opiates, to reduce pain and increase your functioning. Examples include fentanyl...
A wrist splint can be worn to support the wrist while holding it firm and still (immobilize it). A good wrist splint should: Be comfortable, washable, durable, and easy to remove. Keep the wrist in a neutral position. The wrist is generally in a neutral position when you are holding a glass of water, with...
A wrist splint is a brace that looks like a fingerless glove. It stabilizes your wrist in a straight and sometimes slightly bent-back position. Wearing a wrist splint minimizes pressure on the median nerve and allows you a period of "relative rest" from movements that make carpal tunnel syndrome worse. Think about these...