Health Article description.Covers surgery to replace the ends of bones in a damaged joint. Includes slideshow on knee replacement. Looks at why surgery is done, risks, and how well it works. Discusses what to expect after surgery and living with a knee replacement.

Health Article description.Cystometry is a test that measures the pressure inside of the bladder to see how well the bladder is working. Cystometry is done when a muscle or nerve problem may be causing problems with how well the bladder holds or releases urine. Urination is...

Health Article description.Discusses procedure (also called EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy) used to check the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine for problems. Covers why it is done, how it is done, and how it feels. Discusses what results could mean. Looks at risks.

Health Article description.Social workers are health professionals who use counseling to help people function in their environment, improve their relationships with others, and solve personal and family problems. They also help people locate and access appropriate resources for their particular needs. A social worker may work in a hospital...

Health Article description.When you have diabetes, you'll need to check your feet every day. Look at all areas of your feet, including between your toes. Use a handheld mirror or a magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet. If...

Health Article description.A test for calcium in the blood checks the calcium level in the body that is not stored in the bones. Calcium is the most common mineral in the body and one of the most important. The body needs it to build and fix bones and teeth, help nerves work, make muscles squeeze together, help blood clot, and help the heart to...

Health Article description.Covers procedure to destroy (ablate) tiny areas of heart muscle causing fast heart rate. Includes radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation. Covers use for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, and ventricular tachycardia.

Health Article description.A bilirubin test measures the amount of bilirubin in a blood sample. Bilirubin is a brownish yellow substance found in bile. It is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. Bilirubin is then removed from the body through the stool (feces) and gives stool its normal color. Bilirubin circulates in the...

Health Article description.You're more likely to have coronary artery disease if you have one or more close relatives who had early coronary artery disease. For men, this means being diagnosed before age 55. For women, it means being diagnosed before 65. Things that increase your risk include: Inherited risk factors. A tendency to develop some...

Health Article description.A testosterone test checks the level of this male hormone (androgen) in the blood. Testosterone affects sexual features and development. In men, it is made in large amounts by the testicles. In both men and women, testosterone is made in small...

Health Article description.A chloride test measures the level of chloride in your blood or urine. Chloride is one of the most important electrolytes in the blood. It helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and pH of your body fluids. Tests for sodium...

Health Article description.A sodium test checks how much sodium is in the blood. Sodium is both an electrolyte and mineral. It helps keep the water (the amount of fluid inside and outside the body's cells) and electrolyte balance of the body. Sodium is also important in how...

Health Article description.This test for Tay-Sachs disease measures the amount of an enzyme called hexosaminidase A (Hex A) in the blood. Hex A breaks down compounds called gangliosides in the brain and nerves. Tay-Sachs is an inherited disease in which the body can't break...

Health Article description.Explains what immunotherapy is and why it is done. Lists specific allergies treated by immunotherapy. Covers how it is done, how well it works, and what to expect after treatment. Covers things that increase risk.

Health Article description.Older adults and adults with physical disabilities or mental or emotional conditions are more vulnerable than other adults. This is because they may not be able to defend themselves, protect themselves, or get help for themselves when injured or abused. Vulnerable adults have a higher risk of being abused by others...

Health Article description.What is tuberculosis (TB)? Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease caused by a type of bacteria that is spread through the air. TB is easily spread from person to person through coughs or sneezes. TB usually occurs in the lungs. But it can spread to other parts of the body. TB is either active or latent. Active TB means...

Health Article description.Allergies occur when your body's defense system (immune system) overreacts to certain substances (allergens). The immune system treats a harmless substance as if it were a harmful invader. Many things can cause this to happen. Your allergies are...

Health Article description.Allergy shots are a type of immunotherapy treatment. Small doses of substances to which you are allergic (allergens) are injected under your skin. Over time, your body may become less responsive to the allergens. This means that you may have fewer...

Health Article description.Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gaseous waste product from metabolism. The blood carries carbon dioxide to your lungs, where it is exhaled. More than 90% of it in your blood exists in the form of bicarbonate (HCO3). The rest of it is either dissolved carbon dioxide gas (CO2) or carbonic acid (H2CO3). Your kidneys and lungs...

Health Article description.A prostate biopsy is a test to remove small samples of prostate tissue to be looked at under a microscope. The tissue samples taken are looked at for cancer cells. For a transrectal prostate biopsy, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum. Guided by ultrasound, a spring-loaded needle is used to take samples from...

Health Article description.Covers surgery to replace ends of both bones in a damaged joint to create new joint surfaces. Includes slideshow on hip replacement. Looks at why it is done and how well it works. Discusses what to expect after surgery and living with a hip replacement.

Health Article description.Discusses blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test. Covers why and how it is done. Includes how to prepare for the test. Covers risks. Explains results of the test. Covers what affects results.

Health Article description.A luteinizing hormone test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in a sample of blood or urine. LH is produced by the pituitary gland. LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and egg production ( ovulation). LH levels normally change with the phase of the menstrual cycle. This hormone goes up fast just before...

Health Article description.Discusses stool analysis, a test used to look for bacteria, parasites, or blood in the digestive tract. Covers why and how it is done. Looks at risks. Covers normal and abnormal results.

Health Article description.Discusses prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to measure amount of PSA in the blood. Explains that test is often used for cancer screening or follow-up. Covers how test is done and how to prepare for it. Discusses what results mean.