Health A-Z Medical Reference
- Kidney Donor Screening and Selection
Interested in donating a kidney? Learn about the screening process.
- Preparing for Kidney Donor Surgery
Find out how to get your body -- and mind -- ready for kidney donor surgery.
- Kidney Donation Surgery: What Happens
Ready to donate a kidney? Here’s what to expect from the surgery.
- What Is ORIF Surgery?
ORIF surgery is performed to repair broken bones. Learn more about when you might need it, what to expect, and more.
- What Is Ligamentous Laxity?
Ligamentous laxity is when you have loose joints. Learn more about what causes it, what to expect, and more.
- Mycoplasma Infections
They can cause everything from "walking pneumonia" to problems during your pregnancy. Find out how you can prevent and treat them.
- Zika Virus: What You Should Know
The mosquito-borne Zika virus has caused panic in Brazil since it first appeared there in May 2015. Officials believe it’s likely to spread to the U.S.
- Baking Soda Dos and Don’ts
What can baking soda do for you? Learn when to use this household product and when to leave it on the shelf.
- How to Manage Your Medications While You Travel
Going on vacation? Get tips on how to manage your meds while traveling.
- How to Manage Your Medicine at Work
Get tips on how to take medicines you need during your busy day at work.
- Why Take an Epsom Salts Bath?
Epsom salts have been used for hundreds of years to ease all kinds of aches and pains. A simple soak with it in the tub may help you feel better.
- Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIg)
Learn about IVIG therapy for autoimmune diseases and people who get transplants. Get info on why immunoglobulin therapy is used, how it's given, and possible side effects.
- Why Am I Always Thirsty?
If you find yourself constantly reaching for more water, it could be a sign of a health problem.
- What Is Hitchhiker’s Thumb?
Hitchhiker’s thumb is when your thumb is very flexible and can bend backward, sometimes up to 90 degrees. Learn more about what causes it, what conditions are associated with it, and more.
- What Are CRE 'Superbug' Infections?
CRE are dangerous germs that are hard to treat. These antibiotic-resistant superbugs can become deadly when they move out of your gut.
- Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of thrombocytopenia, a condition that leads you to have low levels of platelets, the cells that help your blood clot.
- What Is Chagas Disease?
Chagas disease, spread by “kissing bugs,” is now affecting a part of the U.S.
- Severe Hearing Loss
WebMD explains hearing loss and congenital deafness, including causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- Sjogren's Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack healthy cells instead of invading bacteria or viruses.
- What Is Metabolic Acidosis?
Metabolic acidosis happens when a problem in your cells throws off the chemical balance in your blood, making it more acidic. Your treatment depends on what's causing it.
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Infection: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Learn about the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of an infection with Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes mononucleosis.
- Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
The causes, symptoms, and treatment of thrombocytopenia and ITP, conditions that cause you to have an abnormally low number of platelets in your blood.
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Symptoms, causes, and treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a rare blood disease.
- What to Know About 24-Hour Urine Protein Tests
Find out what you need to know about 24-hour urine protein tests and discover what it’s for and how it may affect health.
- Pompe Disease
Details about this rare inherited disorder.
- Acromegaly
The causes, symptoms, and treatment of acromegaly, a rare disease that causes your hands, feet, face, and other parts of your body to swell and grow too much.
- What Causes Cushing’s Syndrome?
WebMD looks at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Cushing's syndrome, a condition in which your body produces too much of the hormone cortisol.
- Ebola Virus Infection
Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that attacks the immune system and organs. Learn more about symptoms, treatment options, and how to prevent it.
- What Is Aplastic Anemia?
WebMD explains aplastic anemia, a serious but treatable blood condition.
- Why It's Important to Treat Hearing Loss
Nearly 1 in 10 Americans has hearing problems, but only half have had their hearing checked. WebMD explains why it's important to treat hearing loss.
- Why Am I Cold?
Do you find yourself shivering when no one else is? WebMD explains possible causes for the condition.
- What Is Factor X?
Factor X is a protein that helps your blood clot. Learn about factor X deficiency, what causes it, what to expect, and more.
- What Are Immune Deficiency Disorders?
Your immune system can be weakened by disease, medications or genetics. Learn more about these disorders.
- Living With Tinnitus
WebMD explains self-treatment strategies for tinnitus.
- Glomerulosclerosis
WebMD describes the causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of glomerulosclerosis, the scarring of blood vessels in the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure if untreated.
- Porphyria
If your doctor tells you that you have porphyria, it means you have one of a group of disorders that can cause nerve or skin problems. Find out what can trigger the symptoms and how you can get treated.
- How to Find a Clinical Trial
WebMD explains how to find a clinical trial and the questions you may want to ask before agreeing to participate.
- Managing Your Health After an Organ Transplant
WebMD explains what to expect after an organ transplant, including tips for managing medication, monitoring your progress during recovery at home, and guidelines for diet and exercise.
- Treatments for Hearing Loss
Learn about different types of hearing loss and the solutions and treatments that are best suited for each type.
- 8 Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss
Get tips for preventing noise-induced hearing loss and slowing the progression of age-related hearing loss.
- Fine Needle Aspiration
WebMD explains what to expect during a fine needle aspiration – a type of biopsy that can help diagnose or rule out cancer.
- Urethritis
WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra that is commonly due to infection by bacteria.
- What Is Brucellosis?
WebMD explains the symptoms and treatment of brucellosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread from animals to humans.
- Neutropenia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
WebMD discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of neutropenia, an immune system condition that may lead to infections.
- Proteinuria (Protein in Urine)
WebMD explains possible causes of protein in urine (proteinuria) as well as symptoms and treatment.
- Foot Drop
Learn the causes and treatment of foot drop -- a weakness or paralysis of muscles that prevents people from lifting the front part of the foot.
- Manuka Honey
Manuka honey from New Zealand is touted as having antibacterial properties. We discuss the possible medicinal uses of manuka honey.
- Amputation Overview
WebMD provides an overview of amputation, including reasons why a limb may need to be amputated and recovery from surgery.
- Paragonimiasis
WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of paragonimiasis, an infection with parasitic worms.
- What Does Potassium Do in Your Body?
Potassium affects your body in ways you might not know about. Learn why the right amount of potassium is essential for muscles, the brain and beyond..