Medical Conditions

The heart is divided into four chambers: two atria on top and two ventricles underneath. The role of the atria is to fill the ventricles with blood, which is then …

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that is characterized by a pattern of inattention (inability to concentrate), and …

Imagine living in a world that doesn't completely reach you, and to which you can't always respond. For many people who have autism, this great divide exists …

Avian influenza, more commonly called "bird flu," is a type of influenza or "flu" that occurs in all species of birds. The virus that causes …

The spine is made up of bone segments called vertebrae. Vertebrae have two parts: 1) the cylinder-shaped vertebral bodies to the front; and 2) the boney …

Bedsores are also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers. They form when your bone squeezes your skin and tissue against an outside surface, usually …

Bedwetting is common for children, affecting more boys than girls. The condition occurs in approximately 15% of children at the age of 5 years, 7% of children at …

Bell's palsy is a sudden facial paralysis that usually strikes all or part of one side of the face. Men or women of any age can suffer Bell's palsy. Your risk …

The prostate gland is a small, round lump of tissue located between the penis and the bladder. Its function is to add fluid to the semen, the liquid that …

Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder where a person has recurrent episodes of binge eating. During these episodes, the individual eats a large amount …

We all experience a variety of moods such as happiness, sadness, and anger. Unpleasant moods and changes in mood are normal reactions in everyday life, and we can …

Blood clots are a collection of sticky blood cells that form when a blood vessel is damaged. The body creates blood clots as a normal response to blood vessel …

Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and organs and removes waste products. It is made up of several main components, including red blood cells, …

Most people know that botulism is dangerous, but many are confused about whether it's an infection or a case of poisoning. In fact, it can be …

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease," is a fatal disease that strikes the nervous system of cattle.BSE is part of a …

Brain cancer is a tumour or cancerous growth in the brain. A tumour, whether in your brain or elsewhere, is a mass of cells that reproduce themselves in an …

A woman's breast is made up of milk glands and milk ducts, surrounded by fatty tissue and connective supports. Uncontrolled growth of cells in any of these breast …

Bronchiectasis isn't one single disease. Rather, it is a condition that results from injury to the bronchi and bronchial tubes. These are the networks of airways in …

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways between the windpipe and the lungs (bronchial tubes). The lining of these tubes produces large amounts of mucus, …

A bunion is a bony enlargement of the joint and surrounding soft tissues at the base of the big toe. The enlargement makes the big toe joint stick out further …

Burns are injuries primarily to the skin and underlying tissue. The skin is the largest organ in the body and it regulates the body's temperature. It also …

Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac located near the bones around the joints and between muscle attachments at a joint. They …

There are over 100 different types of cancer. It can affect almost any organ in the body. The most common forms of cancer in North America are lung cancer, …

In cancer of the bladder, certain harmful cells invade the bladder and destroy healthy cells, which cause the bladder not to function properly. The bladder is a …

Cervical cancer affects the cervix, which is a part of the female reproductive system. The cervix is the lowest portion of the uterus (womb) and is located at the …

The esophagus is a muscular tube between the mouth and stomach. It's about 25 cm to 35 cm (10 to 14 inches) long in an average adult and about …

The larynx, also called the voice box or Adam's apple, is the part of the body that allows humans to produce sounds and speech. The larynx …

People with cancer often feel severe or constant pain. The pain they experience depends on the type of cancer they have, the stage the disease is at, and the …

Candidiasis, also called thrush or moniliasis, is a yeast infection. Candida albicans is an organism that normally makes a quiet home for itself on your skin and …

Canker sores are small sores that appear on the inside of the mouth, especially the cheeks, the inside of the lips, and the tongue. They're also called aphthous …