Kyphoplasty (say "KY-foh-plas-tee") is a procedure for your back. It is done to relieve pain from compression fractures of the spine. It can return your vertebrae to a more normal shape. Your doctor may numb the area, or you may get medicine to...

A ketone test checks for ketones in your blood or urine. Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy. Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrate in your diet. But stored fat is broken down and ketones are made if your diet does not contain enough carbohydrates to...

Most adolescents make the adjustment to middle school or junior high in a matter of weeks. But others may take longer to adjust. They may feel sick, refuse to leave the house, or have nightmares and unreasonable fears. You can help your child deal with this adjustment and anticipate other situations that may come up...

Glomerular filtration is the process by which the kidneys filter the blood, removing excess wastes and fluids. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a calculation that determines how well the blood is filtered by the kidneys. This is...

You may want to consider adoption as an alternative to treatment for infertility. Learning more about the tests, exams, success rates, and costs of infertility treatment may help you decide. Adoption gives people a chance to raise and nurture a child. When deciding whether to adopt, think about: Why you want a child...

Hemophilia can be treated by replacing missing blood clotting factors. This is called clotting factor replacement therapy. Clotting factors are replaced by injecting (infusing) a clotting factor concentrate into a vein. Infusions of clotting factors help blood to clot normally. Clotting factor replacement therapy can...

Medical bills can be confusing and stressful. But with some basic know-how and organization, you can manage them and avoid overpaying for your health care. After you receive a health care service, you get: A medical bill from your provider. If you have no health insurance, this is the amount that you pay. If you're...

Vertebroplasty (say "VER-tuh-broh-plas-tee") is done to relieve pain from compression fractures of the spine. The doctor will make a small cut in your back and insert a hollow needle or tube. When the needle is in place, the doctor injects a type...

Learn tips for how to support a friend who is going through a tough time.

Learn strategies to help yourself manage the impact of news and social media use in your everyday life.

If you have diabetes, your kidneys could become damaged over time. Diabetic kidney disease is sometimes called diabetic nephropathy. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure. Diabetic kidney disease usually has no symptoms in the early stages.

Carotid artery stenting is a procedure to open a narrowed carotid artery. There is a carotid artery on each side of the neck. They supply blood to the brain. Fatty buildup can narrow these arteries. This buildup is called plaque. When one or both of your carotid arteries are narrowed, it can make it hard for blood to...

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nutrition experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services update their food guide every 5 years. It is for both children and adults. And it's meant to help people control portion sizes and make the healthiest choices...

Discusses carotid endarterectomy surgery to remove plaque buildup in the carotid arteries to prevent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Includes info on how surgery can help prevent future strokes. Looks at long-term aspirin treatment.

Paracentesis is a procedure to take out fluid that has collected in the belly ( peritoneal fluid) outside the intestines. This fluid buildup is called ascites. Ascites may be caused by infection, inflammation, an injury, or other conditions, such as cirrhosis or cancer. The fluid is taken out using a thin needle put...

Kidney problems can develop suddenly (acute) or over the long term (chronic). Many conditions, diseases, and medicines can create situations that lead to acute and chronic kidney problems. Acute kidney injury, which used to be called acute renal failure, is more commonly reversible than chronic kidney failure. Acute...

There are two types of surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon: In open surgery, the surgeon makes a single large incision in the back of the leg. In percutaneous surgery, the surgeon makes several small incisions rather than one large one. In both types of surgery, the surgeon sews the tendon back together through...

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