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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.

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Constipation - National Library of Medicine

Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements a week. The stool (poop) can be hard and ... everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not serious. There are ...

Cough - National Library of Medicine

Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal ... are the kind you most often get with a cold, flu, or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last ...

CT Scans - National Library of Medicine

Computed tomography (CT) is a type of imaging. It uses special x-ray equipment to make cross-sectional pictures of your body. Doctors use CT ... clots Signs of heart disease Internal bleeding During a CT scan, you lie still on a table. ...

Cushing's Syndrome - National Library of Medicine

Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder. The cause is long-term exposure to too much cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal gland makes. Sometimes, taking ... leads to Cushing's. Some kinds of tumors produce a hormone that can cause your body to make ...

Degenerative Nerve Diseases - National Library of Medicine

... diseases affect many of your body's activities, such as balance, movement, talking, breathing, and heart function. Many ... these diseases are genetic. Sometimes the cause is a medical condition such as alcoholism, a tumor, or ...

Dietary Fats - National Library of Medicine

Fat is a type of nutrient. You need some fat in your diet but not too much. Fats give you energy ... your body absorb vitamins. Dietary fat also plays a major role in your cholesterol levels. But not ...

Dietary Supplements - National Library of Medicine

... herbs, and many other products. They can come as pills, capsules, powders, drinks, and energy bars. Supplements ... certain birth defects in their babies. To take a supplement as safely as possible: Tell your health ...

Eczema - National Library of Medicine

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy ... or worse over time, but it is often a long-lasting disease. People who have it may ...

Electromagnetic Fields - National Library of Medicine

... EMF exposure and cancer. Some studies have found a link between EMF exposure and a higher risk of childhood leukemia, but other studies ... The phones do give off radiofrequency energy (RF), a form of electromagnetic radiation. So far, scientific evidence ...

Endoscopy - National Library of Medicine

Endoscopy is a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your body. It uses an instrument called an endoscope, or scope for short. Scopes have a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. ...

Family Issues - National Library of Medicine

... families. Some have two parents, while others have a single parent. Sometimes there is no parent and ... genes or the same address. They should be a source of love and support. This does not ...

Fetal Health and Development - National Library of Medicine

A normal pregnancy lasts nine months. Each three-month period of pregnancy is called a trimester. During each trimester, the fetus grows and ... of head first), you may need to have a Cesarean section to avoid complications. Besides getting medical ...

First Aid - National Library of Medicine

... on an ice cube or gets stung by a bee. It is important to know when to ... to apply pressure. It is important to have a first aid kit available. Keep one at home ...

Fistulas - National Library of Medicine

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two parts inside of the body. Fistulas may develop between different organs, such as between the esophagus and the windpipe or the ...

Genital Warts - National Library of Medicine

What are genital warts? Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many types of HPV. Some types of HPV can cause genital ...



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