MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was built as an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.
MedlinePlus presents high-quality, easy to understand, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted.
... other head injuries can be more severe, such as a skull fracture, concussion, or traumatic brain injury. Head ...
... outpatient care centers, and specialized care centers, such as birthing centers and psychiatric care centers. When you choose a health facility, you might want to consider: How ...
... with your daily activities. If other treatments such as physical therapy, pain medicines, and exercise haven't ... surgery might be an option for you. During a hip replacement operation, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage ...
... virus. It harms your immune system by destroying a type of white blood cell that helps your ... By having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a person who has HIV. "Unprotected" means not using ...
Home care is care that allows a person with special needs to stay in their home. It might be for people who are getting older (aging in place). It ... who are chronically ill, recovering from surgery, orhave a disability. Home care services include: Personal care, such ...
... allergic reactions to insect bites and stings (such as anaphylaxis), carry an emergency epinephrine kit
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some people with ...
... Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives.What causes itching? Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Some common causes ...
... inside your kidneys. Kidney cancer becomes more likely as you age. Risk factors include smoking, having certain genetic conditions, and misusing pain medicines for a long time. You may have no symptoms at ...
Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities such as mining and manufacturing. Lead used to be in ...
What is a mastectomy? A mastectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the breast. It's usually done to treat breast cancer by removing ...
A medical device is any product used to diagnose, cure, or treat a condition, or to prevent disease. They range from ...
... issues relating to
: End of life care: Should a patient receive nutrition? What about advance directives and ... does life begin? Is it ethical to terminate a pregnancy with a birth defect? Genetic and prenatal ...
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear. It can cause severe dizziness, a roaring sound in your ears called tinnitus, hearing ...
Methamphetamine - meth for short - is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a ...
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder in which bones fracture (break) easily. Sometimes the fractures happen for no known reason. OI can also cause weak muscles, brittle teeth, a curved spine, and hearing loss. OI is caused ...
The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and in front of your spine. It produces the juices that help break down food ... the hormones that help control blood sugar levels. A pancreas transplant is surgery to place a healthy ...
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. ...
What is radiation therapy? Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment. It uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. It may also be used for ...
The retina is a layer of tissue in the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. It ... needed for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. A retinal detachment lifts or pulls the retina from ...
