Health Article description.Covers symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, which include muscle pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Covers how this condition is treated.

Health Article description.Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical information with your personal information to make a wise health decision. Click on a link below to learn more about surgeries for your condition: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy? ACL Injury: Should I Have...

Health Article description.Discusses screening test for hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. Covers symptoms of hereditary hemochromatosis. Discusses who should be screened and offers reasons not to be screened.

Health Article description.What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis happens when too much iron builds up in the body. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, the part of your blood that carries oxygen to all of your cells. But when there is too much iron, it can damage the liver and heart and lead to other diseases, such as diabetes and...

Health Article description.Discusses blood test used to check for thyroid gland problems. Explains how TSH causes thyroid gland to make hormones that help control metabolism. Covers how it is done and test results.

Health Article description.Folate deficiency anemia is a blood problem that occurs when there is not enough of this vitamin in the body. Folate (or folic acid) is one of the B vitamins. It helps your body make new cells, including red blood cells. Your body needs red blood cells to carry oxygen. If you don't have enough red blood cells, you have...

Health Article description.John, 54 Read more about John and how he became more active. "My mantra is 'Find a way to exercise.' It has made all the difference in my life." For inspiration to exercise, John hasn't had to look far. His father rides his bike daily to prevent...

Health Article description.Discusses chronic pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas that causes abdominal pain. Discusses most common causes, which include gallstones and alcohol misuse. Covers symptoms and treatment with medicines or surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Health Article description.Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited disorder in which the body cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine, which is a part of protein. If treatment is not started soon after birth, phenylalanine levels rise and can cause lasting brain and nervous system damage, such as intellectual disability. Symptoms of...

Health Article description.What is malabsorption syndrome? Malabsorption syndrome is the inability to absorb nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream. What causes it? Causes of malabsorption syndrome may include: Diseases affecting the intestine itself, such as celiac disease. Absence or low levels of...

Health Article description.A tapeworm is a parasite that attaches to the walls of the intestine after it enters a person's digestive tract. A person may become infected with tapeworms after eating raw or undercooked meat or fish that contains the worms. A tapeworm infection may not cause any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may include...

Health Article description.Learn how and what to track to help meet your goals.

Health Article description.Gout is a form of arthritis. It's caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. It causes sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness. Gout usually occurs in one joint, especially the big toe. Medicines can help stop a gout...

Health Article description.Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is a surgical treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The surgery involves making small holes in the ovaries to lower the amount of testosterone that the ovaries make. This can help with ovulation and improve...

Health Article description.A lymph node biopsy removes lymph node tissue to be looked at under a microscope for signs of infection or a disease, such as cancer. Other tests may also be used to check the lymph tissue sample, including a culture, genetic tests, or tests to...

Health Article description.What is a Medicare yearly wellness visit? The Medicare yearly wellness visit is your time to talk and plan with your doctor about your health. It's about preventing health problems and disability. And it's about making sure you get the medical care you need. Together, you and your doctor create a health care strategy...

Health Article description.What is end-stage renal disease? End-stage renal disease means that your kidneys may no longer be able to keep you alive. When your kidneys get to the point where they can no longer remove waste, you may need dialysis or a new kidney. When you understand your options, you can make the choice that's best for you...

Health Article description.What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)? Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia. It's a type of leukemia that causes the body to make too many lymphoblasts. Lymphoblasts are a type of young white blood cell. They usually become mature infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes...

Health Article description.The D-xylose absorption test measures the level of D-xylose, a type of sugar, in a blood or urine sample. This test is done to help diagnose problems that prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients in food. D-xylose is normally easily...

Health Article description.What is acute myeloid leukemia (AML)? Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is also called acute myelogenous leukemia. It's a type of leukemia that causes the body to make too many myeloblasts. Myeloblasts are a type of young white blood cell. They usually become mature, infection-fighting cells. But if those young cells don't...

Health Article description.Malrotation is a birth defect caused by the incorrect positioning of a fetus's intestines in the abdomen while the fetus is still in the uterus. Malrotation can cause sudden twisting of the intestines. Most infants with malrotation develop symptoms during the first month of life. Symptoms include: Vomiting of blood or...

Health Article description.Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because it grows so quickly. When it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body, it's called metastatic melanoma. It usually spreads first into nearby lymph nodes before going to the liver, lungs, bone, or brain, or to skin in another part of the body. When...

Health Article description.Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. TETANUS (T) causes painful stiffening of the muscles. Tetanus can lead to serious health problems, including being unable to open the mouth...