What is mitral valve stenosis? Mitral valve stenosis is a heart problem in which the mitral valve becomes stiff and doesn't open as wide as it should. This forces your heart to work harder to pump blood through the valve, which can weaken the heart and cause other problems. What causes it? Nearly all cases of mitral...

Briefly discusses the types of marine stings and scrapes and the reactions that can occur. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Briefly discusses causes of blisters, including injury and infection. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Briefly discusses nonpoisonous and poisonous snake and lizard bites and the reactions that can occur. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Briefly discusses tick bites and some of the diseases they can transmit. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Tobacco products that you don't inhale are called smokeless tobacco. These products come in many forms, such as snuff and chewing tobacco. Snuff is finely cut or ground tobacco. It may be moist or dry. Moist snuff and snus may be sold loose in cans or portioned in packets that look like small tea bags. It's placed...

Briefly discusses common problems from body piercings, including infection, problems with jewelry, torn skin, and scarring. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Helping or caring for a loved one with a long-term (chronic) condition, such as COPD or heart failure, can feel like a lot to take on. Sometimes it can be hard for people to accept help. Or they may choose not to accept help. So you may have to adjust the way you think, ask, listen, and respond. These tips might help...

Briefly discusses common causes of finger, hand, or wrist injuries from sports, hobbies, or work-related issues, including sudden injuries and those caused by overuse. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Briefly discusses common problems from tattoos, including infection, skin reactions, and scarring. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

What is cerebral palsy (CP)? Cerebral palsy (CP) is a problem that makes it hard for a child to control movement. It's caused by injury to the brain. Usually this injury happens before birth. The brain injury that causes CP doesn't get worse over time, but symptoms may start, change, or become more severe as a child...

What is aortic valve stenosis? Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve. The aortic valve allows blood to flow from the heart's lower left chamber (ventricle) into the aorta and to the body. Stenosis prevents the valve from opening properly, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the...

Learn what hemophilia is, what can cause it, and what treatment is needed.

These are the tests you may need and how often you should have them. The tests may vary depending on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A1c blood test. This test shows the average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. It helps...

Taking care of someone who has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia can be a difficult, stressful, and tiring job. It affects the caregiver's health and ability to rest and can be a source of stress and conflict for the entire household. The...

What is Sjögren's syndrome? Sjögren's syndrome (say "SHOH-grins") is a disease in which the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture for the body, such as tears and saliva. The damage keeps the glands from working the way they should and makes your eyes and mouth dry. The disease may also cause other...

Briefly discusses how fishhook injuries happen. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

What is cleft palate? Cleft palate is a treatable birth defect. It happens when the roof of the baby's mouth (palate) doesn't develop normally during pregnancy, leaving an opening (cleft) in the palate that may go through to the nasal cavity. A cleft can form on any part of the palate, including the front part of the...

What is von Willebrand disease? Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder. When you have this problem, it takes longer for your blood to form clots, so you bleed for a longer time than other people. Normally when a person starts to bleed, small blood cells called platelets go to the site of the bleeding. These cells...

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you get nervous in tight spaces. You may get a medicine to help you relax. If you think you'll get this medicine, be sure you have someone to take you home.

Choosing a dentist A visit to the dentist can be a scary thing for children. The odors, the tools, the sounds, and the big person with the mask can all upset a child. When choosing a dentist for your child, think about the following to make the visit as pleasant as possible. Pediatric dentists specialize in the care of...

Caring for an older adult with diabetes may feel like a lot to take on. Caregiving can be challenging at times because what seems best for that person may not be what they want. You may worry about invading their privacy or free will. There's also...

Swelling of the fingers or toes is common after an injury to the hand, arm, foot, or leg. If you did not remove a ring before swelling began, try one of the following methods. These methods can be used for rings on fingers or toes. If these methods fail, see your doctor to have the ring removed. First method Don't try...

What is cleft lip? Cleft lip is a treatable birth defect. It happens when the tissues of the upper jaw and nose don't join as expected during fetal development. This causes a split (cleft) in the lip. A cleft lip may be complete or incomplete. With either type, it may involve one or both sides of the upper lip and...

Guides you through the decision to use hormone therapy (HT) for menopause symptoms. Explains what menopause is and what to expect. Lists risks and benefits of HT and other treatments to try. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.