Visible genital warts on the penis or vagina or around the anus can be removed by excision. This means cutting off the warts with a surgical knife (scalpel). Warts on the cervix may be removed by laser or loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP). The procedure is usually done in a doctor's office or clinic or an outpatient...

Some mood disorders are characterized by manic episodes, periods of abnormally high energy. Behavior may be diagnosed as a manic episode if: An abnormal and continuously elevated (happy or energetic) mood or an irritable mood occurs and lasts at least a week. During this elevated or irritable mood, at least three of the...

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental testing for children at ages 9-, 18-, and 30-months. Specific checks for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are done at ages 18 months and 24 months. The doctor will use developmental tests (questionnaires) and then review your child's results. The doctor will...

A perimetry test (visual field test) measures all areas of your eyesight, including your side, or peripheral, vision. To do the test, you sit and look inside a bowl-shaped instrument called a perimeter. While you stare at the center of the bowl, lights flash. You press a button each time you see a flash. A computer...

Explains what dental X-rays are and why they are done. Covers commonly used types of dental X-rays, including bitewing and panoramic X-rays. Includes info on risks. Also covers what results mean.

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu). Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and...

An abdominal X-ray is a picture of structures and organs in the belly (abdomen). This includes the stomach, liver, spleen, and large and small intestines. It also includes the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and belly areas.

Discectomy is surgery to remove lumbar (low back) herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root. It's often done as microdiscectomy, which uses a special microscope to view the disc and nerves. This larger view allows the surgeon to use a smaller cut (incision). And this causes less damage to surrounding...

Insulin can become damaged and ineffective if it is not stored properly. Unopened insulin that is packaged in small glass bottles (vials) should be stored in the refrigerator. Liquid insulin that is packaged in small cartridges (containing several doses) is more stable. These cartridges are used in pen-shaped devices...

A slipped capital femoral epiphysis occurs when the upper end of the thighbone (femur) slips at the area where the bone is growing (growth plate or physis) and does not fit in the hip socket correctly. The condition is most common in teenagers. Rapid growth and a hormone imbalance during adolescence may cause the femur...

Guides you through decision about which surgery to have for early-stage breast cancer. Lists benefits and risks of both mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

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...

Some other conditions can cause symptoms that look like depression. Before your child or teen can be diagnosed with depression, a doctor may need to rule out these other conditions. They include: Bipolar disorder. This condition has symptoms that...

Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in the spine. Some curves in the spine are normal. But sometimes a spine makes a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and...

Guides you through the decision to have angioplasty when you have stable angina. Lists benefits and risks of angioplasty and medical therapy. Explains why lifestyle changes are still important. Includes interactive tool to help you with your decision.

During in vitro fertilization (IVF), eggs and sperm are brought together in a lab to allow the sperm to fertilize an egg. With IVF, you can use any combination of your own eggs and sperm and donor eggs and sperm. After IVF, one or more fertilized eggs are placed in the uterus. Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. To...

Strollers Taking your child out of the house allows your child to have new experiences and interactions. You may start using a stroller as soon as your baby is born and can keep using one well into early childhood. Take some general precautions to avoid injuring your child. Never leave your child unattended in a...

Ebola vaccine can prevent Ebola virus disease (Zaire ebolavirus). Ebola virus disease is a rare disease that most commonly affects people and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and ...

Failed back surgery syndrome (also called "failed back syndrome") is a term some doctors use to mean that a person still has pain or other symptoms after they have recovered from back surgery. There is no surgery that works 100 percent of the time, and surgery on the back is no different. Sometimes the pain is not all...

A fetus with the feet, buttocks, or legs pointing down toward the cervix is said to be in breech position. Before birth, most breech fetuses change position so that the head points downward, but some breech fetuses stay in breech position late into the third trimester (the last part of pregnancy). The frank breech...

Guides through decision to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Describes what options are available for breast reconstruction and how it is done. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

If someone you care about has been diagnosed with depression, you may feel helpless. Maybe you're watching a once-vibrant person become inactive or seeing a good friend lose interest in things they used to enjoy. Most people with depression need...

It is normal for your child to be moody or somewhat grouchy as they get older. But if your child is sad or grouchy for a long time or seems to take less pleasure in activities they used to enjoy, it could point to depression. Depression is not a...

Learn how to take antiretroviral medicines safely.

Learn ways to help your child who has a mental health condition.