Electrolysis is a common method of removing unwanted hair. A small needle or thin metal probe is inserted into the opening of the skin where hair grows (small sacs beneath the skin called hair follicles). Next, a low-level electrical current passes through the needle or probe into your skin and destroys the hair...

Everyone has some stress. But stress can be bad for your heart. If you have heart disease, stress can lead to angina symptoms and maybe a heart attack. Taking steps to manage stress can improve your health and life. Try different ways to reduce stress, such as exercise, deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Try to change...

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from an ovary during the menstrual cycle. Ovulation dates vary widely from woman to woman and from month to month. Many women need to use one or more methods to pinpoint their ovulation day. This can be done by checking for several days of stringy cervical mucus, charting basal...

Positive consequences reinforce and strengthen a behavior, while negative consequences help reduce or eliminate a behavior. Learning through experiencing consequences is much more powerful than through a lecture or punishment. Using consequences for misbehavior is an effective teaching method for dealing with behavior...

Body fat testing checks how much body fat you have. It may be done to find out if you have too much or too little body fat. The test is one of the ways to measure healthy weight. People who are trying to become more fit and lose weight sometimes use the test to check for changes in their body fat levels.

Body temperature is a measure of how well your body can make and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. When you are too hot, the blood vessels in your skin widen to carry the excess heat to your skin's surface. You may...

It's a good idea to keep copies of your medical records. You'll need them if you change doctors, move, get sick when you're away from home, or end up in an emergency room. If any of these things happen and you have your records, you may get treatment more quickly, and it will be safer. Here are some steps to get your...

A viral test is done to find infection-causing viruses. Viruses grow only in living cells. Viruses cause disease by destroying or damaging the cells they infect, damaging the body's immune system, changing the genetic material ( DNA) of the cells they infect, or causing inflammation that can damage an organ. Viruses...

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses electrical pulses to stimulate an area of the brain. This can change the activity in that area of the brain. You may need two surgeries to implant the devices that stimulate the brain. Most often, DBS is used to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease when they can't be controlled by...

Fertility awareness is a type of natural family planning based on a woman's physical signs of ovulation, such as changes in cervical mucus consistency and basal (resting) body temperature. Keeping track of these symptoms may be helpful if a couple is trying to become pregnant or trying to avoid pregnancy. If a woman is...

Retinal imaging uses special cameras and scanners to make magnified images, or pictures, of the back of your eye. This includes the retina. It's the part of the eye that's most responsible for your vision. Common imaging methods include: Color and black-and-white photography. A camera magnifies the back of your eye and...

You can most accurately pinpoint your ovulation day by monitoring your cervical mucus, your basal body temperature (BBT), and your luteinizing hormone (LH) changes. During the 5 to 6 days before and on the day of ovulation, the cervix produces a type of mucus that is stretchy, slippery, thin, and clear. This quickly...

Scleral buckling surgery is a common way to treat retinal detachment. It is a method of closing breaks and flattening the retina. A scleral buckle is a piece of silicone sponge, rubber, or semi-hard plastic that your eye doctor ( ophthalmologist) places on the outside of the eye (the sclera, or the white of the eye)...

What is child care? Child care is short-term care by someone other than a parent. There are two basic types of child care: individual and group. Individual providers. These providers care for only your child or children. The provider may be a family member or friend, a nanny, an au pair, or a babysitter. Group...

Offers links to information on health screenings and on reducing risk factors for injury and disease.

Briefly discusses causes of female genital problems and injuries, including pelvic pain, vulvar problems, rashes, and infections. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Provides links to how-to information on special health concerns of seniors. Includes healthy aging, sexuality, hearing loss, osteoporosis, and walking for fitness. Also covers writing an advance directive.

A good quit-tobacco program can help you quit by providing support and encouragement. Programs are available for you to attend in person, by telephone, or online. Most state health departments can recommend a program in your area. Quit-tobacco programs are also called tobacco cessation programs. When looking for a...

What are learning disabilities? Learning disabilities make it hard for your child to learn in certain areas. Your child may have trouble with listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or doing math. One example of a learning disability is dyslexia. A child with dyslexia has a hard time reading, writing, and...

Discusses autism, an autism spectrum disorder (once known as a pervasive developmental disorder). Looks at signs of autism, including problems talking or repetitive behaviors. Covers behavioral and physical exams used to diagnose autism. Covers treatment options.

A Doppler ultrasound test uses reflected sound waves to see how blood flows through a blood vessel. It helps doctors assess the blood flow through major arteries and veins, such as those of the arms, legs, and neck. It can show blocked or reduced...

Learn how IUDs are inserted and what to expect after the procedure.