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.
Preparing for a disaster can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that disasters cause. A disaster can be a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, flood or ...
What is diverticulosis? Diverticula are small pouches, or sacs, that bulge outward through weak spots in your colon. They mostly form in the lower part ...
When you're dizzy, you may feel lightheaded, woozy, or disoriented. If you feel like you or the room are spinning, you have vertigo. These feelings may make ...
Most of the time, medicines make our lives better. They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. ...
What are drugs? Drugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. They include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, ...
What is drug use? Drug use, or misuse, includes: Using illegal substances, such as
Anabolic steroids Club drugs Cocaine Heroin Inhalants Marijuana Methamphetamines
...
Your elbow joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the elbow joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or ...
What are the basics of exercise and physical fitness? Exercise is anything that gets your body moving. Regular exercise is one of the best things you ...
Why does eye care matter? Eye care is about keeping your eyes healthy through good daily habits, regular checkups, and treatment when needed. Your eyes ...
Eyewear protects or corrects your vision. Examples are: Sunglasses Safety goggles Glasses (also called eyeglasses) Contact lenses If you need corrective lenses, ...
Face injuries and disorders can cause pain and affect how you look. In severe cases, they can affect sight, speech, breathing and your ability to swallow. ...
A normal pregnancy lasts nine months. Each three-month period of pregnancy is called a trimester. During each trimester, the fetus grows and develops. ...
You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, ...
Each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. No wonder a lot of things can go wrong. Here are a few common ...
What are genes? Genes are sections of DNA in your cells that are passed down (inherited) from your parents. You inherit two copies of each gene, one from ...
No matter how old you are or what you do for a living, you are always using your hands.
When there is something wrong with them, you may not be able to ...
What is head and neck cancer? Head and neck cancer is the name for cancers that develop in the mouth, nose and sinuses, salivary glands, and throat and ...
It's frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They ...
Heel problems are common and can be painful. Often, they result from too much stress on your heel bone and the tissues that surround it. That stress can come ...
What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in the body. The liver makes cholesterol, and it is also ...
