Choosing a doctor or other health care provider is very important. The relationship you have with your health care provider greatly influences the health decisions you make and, ultimately, your health. Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a specialist, it's important to find a doctor you can partner...

A bone scan is a test that can find damage to the bones, find cancer that has spread to the bones, and watch problems such as infection and trauma to the bones. A bone scan can often find a problem days to months earlier than a regular X-ray test. During a bone scan, a radioactive substance called a tracer is injected...

Covers screening tests, diagnostic tests, and medical exams used to find a disease or determine risk for certain health problems. Covers well-child visits. Includes links to info on routine tests for men, for women, and at various stages of life.

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...

If a person's HIV infection progresses, you may be called on to provide home care for that person. A home care course may give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide the care needed. Contact your local Red Cross chapter, Visiting Nurse Association, or AIDS service agency to find out about home care...

At-home genetic tests check the DNA of your cells. These tests can find changes in your genes that increase your risk for certain health problems. Some of these tests provide information about your health, paternity, or family health history.

Discusses problems with how a baby's heart forms. Also looks at problems found when a person is an adult. Includes info on patent ductus arteriosus, aortic valve stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta. Covers treatment with medicine and surgery.

Finding out that you have cancer changes your life. Making decisions about your care and facing cancer treatment may feel overwhelming. This is a time to become informed, find the support you need, and focus on what gives you hope. Find the information you'll need. Doctors and others may offer you lots of information...

When you have cancer, you may have a lot of different feelings, like anger, sadness, and fear. And your feelings can change from day to day, and even moment to moment. Most people who have cancer deal with feelings like this. Although it may be hard at first, look for things each day that help you find a new sense of...

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...

Briefly discusses sexual abuse and sexual assault and how to find help. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers steps to take to get help.

Eldercare mediation is the process of working with someone to help families manage the legal, health, and emotional issues that come with aging. It's based on the idea that, with a little help, family members can find the best solutions to family problems. Families often choose mediators to help them figure out things...

Explains what stress is, what causes it, and how it affects you. Covers how to measure your stress level. Explores ways to relieve, avoid, and manage stress. Includes tips on finding support for reducing stress.

What is alcohol use disorder? Alcohol use disorder means that a person drinks alcohol even though it causes harm to themselves or others. It can range from mild to severe. People with this disorder may find it hard to control their alcohol use. Over time, drinking too much alcohol may cause health problems, like liver...

Fluoroscopy is a test that uses a steady beam of X-ray to look at parts of the body and movement within the body, such as blood moving through a blood vessel. Fluoroscopy also can be used to help find a foreign object in the body, position a needle for a medical procedure, or realign a broken bone. A dye (contrast...

Blood normally doesn't have any bacteria or fungi in it. A blood culture is a test of a blood sample to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A bacterial infection in the blood, called bacteremia, can be serious. That's because the blood can spread the bacteria to any part of the body. A...