Health A-Z Medical Reference
- Sprained Finger
If you hurt your hand in a sports game or fall, you may be noticing pain or swelling in one of your fingers. But is the injury a sprain? Learn how to spot the signs of a finger sprain and treat your symptoms.
- Do I have a Broken Rib?
You may break a rib if you’re hit hard in the chest. Learn how your doctor may treat a broken rib and what problems may arise from such a break.
- General Anesthesia
You might need general anesthesia if you have surgery. It makes you go into a deep sleep, and you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Find out how it works and what the possible risks are.
- Lymphedema: What to Know
Lymphedema is swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid under your skin. It affects your arms or legs. Find out why it happens and what the treatment is.
- Ankle Sprain vs. Broken Ankle
You may not be able to tell the difference between an ankle sprain and an ankle fracture by their symptoms alone. To get the right treatment, it’s important to know which injury you have.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): An Overview
Your blood holds secrets about your health. Find out about what a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) blood test can reveal.
- What is Acute Chest Syndrome?
Acute chest syndrome is one of the most serious problems that people with sickle cell disease (SCD) can have. If it happens to you, you’ll need medical attention right away, before it becomes life-threatening.
- What Is Cortisol?
Cortisol -- your “fight-or-flight” hormone -- is designed to let you know when you’re danger. But too much or too of it can throw your whole body out of whack. Learn why.
- Everything You Should Know About Cortisol Tests
Blood, saliva, and urine tests for cortisol: WebMD tells you what they do.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test
Your doctor will probably order a complete blood count (CBC) as part of your yearly physical exam. Learn what this common test is and what your results mean.
- Plasma
Your blood is made up of different components, and plasma is an important one. Learn what plasma is, what it does, and how donating it can help people who need it.
- Is There an Age Cutoff for Kidney Donors?
Can you be too young or too old to donate a kidney?
- What Is a Blood Culture Test?
If your doctor thinks you have the symptoms of a serious infection, they may order a blood culture test. Learn why you might need this test and what to expect.
- How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Watch your blood pressure, manage your diabetes, don't smoke, and follow this other advice to take good care of your kidneys.
- What if a Kidney Donor Needs a Transplant Later?
What happens if your remaining kidney fails after you become a kidney donor?
- Why a Loved One Needs a Kidney Transplant
If you have a loved one with chronic kidney disease, the doctor may suggest a kidney transplant. Learn who can get one, why they’re preferred over dialysis, and what the risks are.
- Chronic Kidney Disease
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), choosing the right foods can slow it down and help you stay healthy as possible. Learn which foods to choose and which you may want to avoid.
- What Is a Collapsed Nostril?
Find out what a collapsed nostril or nasal valve collapse is and how it's treated.
- Altitude Sickness: What to Know
Traveling to a place at a higher elevation than you're used to can make you sick. Learn the symptoms of altitude sickness and what to do if you get it.
- Adrenal Fatigue: Myths, Symptoms, Disorders, and Treatment
Is adrenal fatigue a real condition or not? We look at the pros and cons.
- Common Causes of Arm Pain
Arm pain could be caused by a strain, sprain, or something more serious. Learn about common health conditions that could help explain why your arm hurts.
- When Do I Need Dialysis?
If your kidneys stop working like they should, dialysis can help save your life. Learn how it works and what you can expect during your treatment.
- Acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure happens when your kidneys suddenly stop working. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments for this serious medical condition.
- Kidney Transplant Surgery: What to Expect
Are you a good fit for a kidney transplant? Here’s how to tell.
- Kidney Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn about the causes and symptoms of kidney disease from the experts at WebMD.
- What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease?
WebMD explains the symptoms of kidney disease.
- How Do I Know If I Have Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease is managed best when it’s caught early. These warning signs will give you a heads up.
- Why Do I Need a Calcium Blood Test?
Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your body. Learn why your doctor might order a test to check your blood calcium levels.
- What Should I Know Before I Donate a Kidney?
There’s a lot involved in donating a kidney. Are you ready to start this process?
- Can You Prevent Kidney Disease?
Learn about kidney disease prevention from the experts at WebMD.
- Nuclear Bone Scan
Need a nuclear bone scan? Find out how to prepare and what to expect.
- What Is a Chloride Test?
Maintaining chloride levels in your blood is critical to health. Learn more about how chloride levels in your blood are determined and what the results mean.
- What Is a Calcium Urine Test?
Do you have a chance of getting kidney stones or parathyroid disease? A calcium urine test can help your doctor diagnose the problem.
- How Should I Take Care of My Indwelling Urinary Catheter?
Proper cleaning and care of your indwelling urinary catheter helps keep it working and lowers your risk for infection. Learn how to take care of your catheter and drain bags, along with useful tips you can use every day.
- What Is an Aldosterone Test?
An aldosterone test measures the levels of a hormone that is important in keeping your blood pressure in check. Learn about how this blood test works.
- What Are Calcium Deposits on Tendons?
Calcium deposits can form in several parts of your body, like your shoulders, wrists, or ankles. Learn what they are, their symptoms, and what treatments are available.
- What Are Facial Fractures?
Broken bones in the nose, cheeks, jaw, forehead, or around the eyes are called facial fractures. Learn more about symptoms, treatment, and when to seek medical attention.
- What Is a Blood Urea Nitrogen Test?
Your doctor may order a blood urea nitrogen test, also known as BUN test, to see how well your kidneys are working.
- Broken Nose
When you’ve been hit in the nose and it’s painful, bleeding and crooked, you may have a broken nose. Learn how to care for it at home and when to see a doctor.
- What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome?
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare but serious infection that can become life-threatening if it isn’t treated. It’s spread to people from rodents.
- Clubfoot: Symptoms and Treatment
Babies who are born with a foot that’s twisted inward and downward have a birth defect called clubfoot. Find out what may cause it and how doctors fix it before babies learn to walk.
- Donating Blood
If you’ve decided to donate blood, you’ll want to know how to prepare and what to expect. Learn the facts about blood donation.
- Blood Types
Every person has a specific blood type. Learn what determines your blood type and why it’s important to know what it is.
- What is Hemoglobin Electrophoresis?
What is hemoglobin electrophoresis? Learn about this blood test and what it can reveal about your health.
- How Can I Prevent Urinary Tract Infections?
WebMD's guide to preventing urinary tract infections.
- Hyponatremia: Low Sodium Levels in the Blood
If your blood sodium levels get too low, you might develop a condition called hyponatremia. Learn why it happens, how to spot the symptoms, and how to get the right treatment.
- What Are Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)?
WebMD's overview of urinary tract infections, including causes and risk factors.
- How Do Doctors Diagnose and Treat UTIs?
Get information about the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections from the experts at WebMD.
- Are Cranberries Good for UTI Prevention?
Do cranberries prevent urinary tract infections? WebMD looks at the research.
- Ear Barotrauma
You may not have heard of ear barotrauma, but you've probably had it. It's that stuffed-up feeling you get when flying or scuba diving. Here's why it happens and how to prevent it.