Health A-Z Medical Reference
- Vitamin A (Retinoid)
Vitamin A is key for good vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth. Learn about the active form of vitamin A -- retinoids -- that come from animals.
- Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been used traditionally as a topical antiseptic and antifungal treatment. WebMD explains the scientific evidence for its effectiveness against everything from athlete's foot to MRSA.
- Selenium
Selenium has antioxidant properties and may help protect cells from damage. Taking a supplement is recommended only for people with certain chronic illnesses, as taking too much may lead to serious health problems. WebMD explains.
- Typhoid Fever (Salmonella Typhi)
Learn more from WebMD about typhoid fever, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
- MRSA and Other Hospital-Acquired Infections: Reducing Your Risks
Hospital-acquired infections are common. WebMD provides tips for avoiding staph and other infections after surgery.
- The Risks of Anesthesia and How to Prevent Them
Anesthesia is fairly safe, but "going under" can pose risks. WebMD tells you how to minimize them.
- Reducing the Risk of Bleeding After Surgery
Reduce your risk of bleeding after surgery with these suggestions from WebMD.
- Getting Ready for an Organ Transplant
WebMD explains the physical, psychological, and financial preparations to consider as you prepare for an organ transplant.
- Benefits and Challenges After an Organ Transplant
You feel great after your organ transplant. WebMD tells you what you need to do to maintain your health.
- Organ Transplant: At the Hospital
Find out who is part of a typical transplant team, how long surgery might take, and how much time you could spend recovering in the hospital.
- What You Need to Know About Organ Transplants
If you've just been told you need an organ transplant, WebMD's overview of organ transplantation can help you make the decisions you need to make.
- Colles' Fracture
Learn more about a broken wrist -- also called a Colles' fracture or distal radius fracture -- from the experts at WebMD.
- Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia (bill-HAR-zi-a), is a disease caused by parasitic worms.
- Broken Nose
WebMD explains the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook for a broken nose.
- Boxer's Fracture
A boxer's fracture is defined as a break through the bones of the hand that form the knuckles.
- Broken Hand
WebMD explains hand fractures, including how they are diagnosed and treated.
- Skier's Thumb
Skier's thumb describes an injury of the soft tissue that connects the bones of your thumb together.
- Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that may result in death if not treated quickly. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea, or windpipe, during swallowing.
- Tic Douloureux
WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tic douloureux, a severe, stabbing pain to one side of the face.
- Myxedema Coma
If the thyroid gland becomes underactive and produces fewer amounts of its hormones, a person can fall into a myxedema Coma.
- Broken Toe
WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook for a broken toe.
- Broken Elbow
Elbow injuries are common in both adults and children. WebMD provides an overview of elbow injuries and how they are treated.
- Wilderness: Starfish, Crown of Thorns, and Sea Star Punctures
Starfish, crown of thorns, and sea stars are bottom dwellers that live in the subtropics and tropics; human injury occurs from the spine and the venom injected from the spine.
- Broken Arm
A broken or fractured arm means that one or more of the bones of the arm have been cracked.
- Abscess
Learn more from WebMD about different types of abscesses, including their symptoms and treatment.
- Shark Bite
WebMD explains shark bites and how they are treated.
- Wilderness: Bristleworm Sting
Bristleworms are elongated segmented worms with stinging bristles that can penetrate the skin causing inflammation, burning, swelling, numbness, redness, and pain.
- Dientamoeba Fragilis Infection
Dientamoeba fragilis is a parasite that lives in the large intestine of humans. WebMD explains why some people contract this common infection, how it is diagnosed, its symptoms, and its treatment.
- Adhesions, General and After Surgery
An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that binds 2 parts of your tissue together.
- What Is a Ganglion Cyst?
WebMD explains the symptoms and treatment of a ganglion cyst, a tumor or swelling on top of a joint, usually the wrist.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Poisoning
WebMD looks at the serious risk of taking too much acetaminophen, which is found in Tylenol and other common medications.
- Oral Herpes: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
WebMD provides a comprehensive look at oral herpes, or cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
- Broken Foot
WebMD explains broken bones in the foot and how such fractures are diagnosed and treated.
- Broken Finger
Because you use your hands a lot for a variety of things, they can get injured. Learn how to tell if you have a broken finger and how it’s treated.
- Definition of Histoplasmosis
WebMD explains histoplasmosis, a lung disease caused by a fungus found in the soil in the Central and Eastern portions of the U.S.
- Stress Fractures
How to prevent, identify, and get treatment for these common overuse injuries.
- What Is a Hip (Acetabular) Labral Tear?
WebMD explains an acetabular labral tear, damage to cartilage and tissue in the hip socket that affects up to 22% of athletes.
- Coxsackievirus
WebMD explains coxsackievirus, a member of a family of viruses called enteroviruses.
- Wilderness: Weeverfish Sting
Weeverfish can cause a serious wound from spines containing neurotoxin venom, which may even cause death.
- Ruptured Tendon Treatment
All ruptured tendons, regardless of site, follow standard RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) home therapy procedure as you seek medical attention.
- "Code Blue", "Code Black": What Does "Code" Mean?
Wondering what ''Code Blue'' and ''Code Red'' stand for? WebMD explains.
- Sleep Disorders: Behavioral Treatments for Bedwetting
There are a few different behavioral treatment options for child bedwetting.
- Metatarsalgia
WebMD takes a look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of metatarsalgia, a common sports injury that causes inflammation in the upper foot region.
- Tips for Taking Care of Hearing Aids
Learn more from WebMD about taking care of your hearing aids.
- What Is Amebiasis?
The basics of amebiasis, from causes to symptoms to treatments.
- Hammertoe
Learn more from WebMD about hammertoes, including causes, risk factors, and treatments.
- Understanding Hammertoes -- Prevention
Learn more from WebMD about caring for your feet and preventing hammertoes, a painful foot condition.
- Understanding Hammertoes -- Symptoms
Learn more from WebMD about the symptoms of hammertoes, a condition caused by friction on the toe joints.
- Understanding Hammertoes -- Diagnosis and Treatment
Learn more from WebMD about the diagnosis and treatment of hammertoes.
- Understanding Addison's Disease -- the Basics
WebMD provides an overview of Addison's disease, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.