Clear Answers for Common Questions

Hiccups are caused by uncontrollable muscle spasms in the diaphragm. The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm, and is directly responsible for these spasms, which force a quick intake of breath, resulting in a hiccuping sound. While generally not dangerous, long-lasting episodes can be related to some serious health conditions ...

Blood blisters are a type of blister filled with blood rather than the clear fluid commonly associated with blisters. They are caused by a rupture of the blood vessels underneath the skin’s surface, usually cause by some form of trauma, such as pinching. Like all forms of blisters, blood ...

Usually people associate leg cramps with the term "charley-horse," which are painful sensations of tightness and tension in the muscles of the leg. There are three primary areas where uncomfortable cramping may occur. These are the calf, the foot, and the thigh. Nocturnal leg cramps are muscle pains that ...

There are many things that may cause numbness in an individual’s left hand. It could be caused by a repetitive-stress motion disorder, like carpal tunnel syndrome, or from nerve damage or disease. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common repetitive-stress motion disorder. It is caused by nerve compression ...

Hemiplegia refers to paralysis or abnormal movements on one side of a person, either the right or left. The affected side, or hemisphere, can be completely paralyzed or weakened, or it may move in rigid, stiff movements. The condition may be characterized by many other problems. For example, the use ...

Sweaty palms, more properly known as palmar hyperhidrosis, is a condition that affects about 1% of the US population. Although the exact cause of sweaty palms is still debated, many experts believe it is caused by a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, causing the sweat glands in the hands to produce ...

The most frequent cause of water blisters is repeated friction. Water blisters most commonly occur on the heel or the foot when someone is breaking in new shoes. When the blisters burst, they can be painful, and those with diabetes need to be particularly careful to bandage blisters to prevent ...

There are a number of potential causes for ridges on fingernails. Vertical ridges which run the length of the nail are actually quite common, especially among older people, although they can be a cause for concern, especially when paired with color changes in the nail. Horizontal ridges are often an ...

If you develop an abscessed tooth, then a small hole or pocket will have formed next to the tooth. This hole will be full of pus, and if it does not naturally drain away, then an abscess will appear. The most common causes of an abscessed tooth are gum disease ...

Lymphocytosis is a medical condition characterized by elevated amounts of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the body. There are three main types of lymphocytes: natural killer cells, T cells, and B cells. Each is important when it comes to defending the body from illness and disease. Lymphocytosis ...

A ganglion is a non-cancerous, small cyst that forms on the body, usually on the wrists and hands, but sometimes on the ankles, feet, shoulders or knees. The cyst looks like a bump under the skin and is filled with a clear fluid. This fluid usually consists of materials ...

Osteitis is a disease of the bones. The condition is long term and causes irregularities in bone growth. Osteitis also causes the bones to become deformed, weak and more likely to break. The cause of osteitis is unknown. With osteitis, there is a disruption in the regular growth of bone ...

Dysuria is the medical term used to describe pain felt during urination. It is a common complaint in women, and almost 25% of women suffer from dysuria each year. It can also affect men, but to a lesser extent. Infection is the most common cause of dysuria. The most common ...

Axillary infections are infections of the skin or lymph nodes located in the armpits. The most frequent cause of these infections is shaving the hair of the armpits which can result in small irritated bumps or cut skin. These bumps or cuts may then be subject to bacterial invasion, causing ...

Senility, which is now more commonly referred to as dementia, is characterized by a decrease in cognitive abilities. This may include the person’s ability to concentrate, to recall information, and to properly judge a situation. In addition, the personality of someone with dementia may change, and in the advanced ...

Ischemia is a condition in which enough oxygen is not delivered by the blood to a major organ, and most often affects the heart or the brain. It occurs when the flow of blood is blocked or when the blood flowing to the organ has an extremely low oxygen content ...

Eye infections can be quite painful or quite irritating, and should be immediately addressed by a doctor. This is especially the case if one has suffered trauma to the eye and suspects a foreign body might be trapped in the eye. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, or ...

There are many myths surrounding those mysterious white spots on fingernails that occasionally show up, but the simple truth is that the majority of white spots on fingernails are caused by a previous injury to the nail bed. They can be loosely compared to bruises on the skin. If you ...

Styes are caused by Staphylococcal bacteria. This type of bacteria can usually be found in the nasal passages and is easily passed to the eye. Staphylococcal is passed by rubbing the nose and then touching the eye area. The gland situated at the end of eyelid may then become infected ...

Back aches are a frequent complaint in adults and can result from numerous causes. They can be pain felt in any part of the back, though the cause tends to localize the pain to certain areas, like the lower or upper back or the neck. Certain conditions can predispose one ...

Morning sickness is the standard term applied to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Though it’s called morning sickness and many women find the nausea and vomiting are worse in the morning, it can occur at any time of the day. Morning sickness usually disappears at the end of the ...

Stuttering is an interruption in the fluency of verbal expression. It is a complaint that has been known for centuries and occurs in all cultures and ethnic groups. Stuttering is symptom, not a disease, but the word stuttering is usually used for both the symptom and the disorder which causes ...

Fetal death, or stillbirth, is an extremely sensitive subject and can be devastating for couples who experience it. In America, almost 26,000 women experience this every year. In about every 200 pregnancies, one fetal death will occur. The medical definition of stillbirth is a baby that is born after ...

Pott's disease, which is also known as Pott’s caries, David's disease, and Pott's curvature, is a medical condition of the spine. Individuals suffering from this condition typically experience back pain, night sweats, fever, weight loss, and anorexia. They may also develop a spinal mass, which results ...

Uremia is a medical disorder characterized by excessive waste products and urea, which is a waste product of urine, in the blood. Symptoms include weakness, sore mouth, headache, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, loss of energy, and mental confusion. There are a number of causes of uremia. Typically, urea builds ...

Ringing in the ears is commonly associated with a condition called tinnitus. Although the two terms are often used synonymously, tinnitus can refer to a variety of persistent noises that a person might hear inside the ears as opposed to coming from outside. Other sounds that are common are buzzing ...

Keratitis refers to inflammations, infections or deterioration of the corneas. It has numerous causes. No matter what the cause, early treatment is essential to preserve sight and prevent permanent or further damage to the corneas. Viruses cause some forms of keratitis. Some viruses indicated in keratitis are Herpes Simplex 1 ...

Strokes are a type of brain injury in which the blood supply is interrupted to part of the brain, resulting in a loss of neurological function. They are also sometimes known as cerebrovascular accidents, because they are related to the blood or vascular supply of the brain. This type of ...

Color blindness is most often a genetic visual deficiency that limits the colors that an individual can detect. Most people with this condition don't only see in black and white. The colors affected are usually limited to green and red, which often appear as shades of tan or brown ...

An allergy to peanuts is one of the most serious allergies, and is estimated to be involved in as many as 80% of fatal or near fatal allergic reactions every year. In the United States alone, 1.5 million people have a peanut allergy, and this rate is climbing, as ...

Detached retinas are caused when the retina becomes separated from the other layers of the eyeball. Since these areas of the eyeball are responsible for providing the retina with nourishment and support, this condition can lead to blindness if not treated. The disorder is relatively uncommon in the United States ...

Being a teenager may have been a fun time, but few adults miss certain “teen” conditions like persistent acne. Unfortunately, both women and men may suffer from adult acne long after they’ve bid goodbye to their teen years. The condition known as adult acne is recognized by the persistence ...

Bloating is a term that describes abdominal swelling or the feeling of swelling, and there are a variety of causes for this condition. It is frequently referred to as distention. Intermittent distention means it occurs at irregular intervals while continuous distention clearly means it is an incessant problem. Continuous distention ...

Sneezing or sternutation, that quick blast of air out the nose and mouth, has many causes, but generally, it's the body's attempt to get rid of some material in the nasal passages. Often, people know what the source is: they may have runny noses from colds or flus ...

Asphyxia, or suffocation, is caused by a severe lack of oxygen to the body. If the lack of oxygen is prolonged or if no medical action is taken to combat the deficiency, then unconsciousness and death will occur. It has many different causes, most of which are accidental. One of ...

Psychosomatic illnesses are caused by mental and emotional stresses that manifest as physical diseases without biological causes. This includes things like irritable bowel syndrome, upset stomach, muscle aches, tension headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, hyperventilation or panic attacks, colitis and ulcers, and even infertility. The skill with which a person handles ...

Infertility can occur in both men and women. It can be caused by either the male or female reproductive system. Infertility can be a devastating problem for couples, and medical treatment may never resolve the problem. There are a number of causes of infertility in both men and women. The ...

Despite years of research, the actual mechanism behind most headaches is still a bit of a mystery. Originally, they were thought to be caused by either the restriction of blood vessels or the tightening of facial and scalp muscles. Modern studies suggest that headaches may be triggered by a low ...

Biogerontologists have been investigating aging scientifically for over a century, and in that time, they've identified seven primary causes of aging. The last cause was discovered in 1981, and no other causes have been found since, leading many to think that these may be the only ones. In the ...

Chapped lips are the result of diminished moisture in the skin on and around the lips. In most cases, they are caused by the elements, although other factors, such as frequent licking of the lips or an allergic reaction, may be the cause. Chapped lips is a common condition and ...

There are two medical conditions that are commonly referred to as lockjaw, and they have different causes. Trismus prevents the sufferer from opening his or her mouth normally, and its most common causes include inflammation of the muscles or tissues in the jaw area, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or ...

Enteritis refers to swelling and irritation of the small intestine. This part of the intestine connects the colon or large intestine to the stomach and is split into three sections, called the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Irritation may occur in any or all of the sections and is most frequently ...

People of all ages and genders can experience an ear infection. While a middle ear infection is the most common type, it is also possible to develop an inner ear infection as well. In all cases, there are a few simple causes for ear infections. If addressed in their early ...

Hardened arteries, also called atherosclerosis, are caused by the build up of plaques in the arterial walls. Such plaques can consist of varied substances, including cholesterol. Typically, the condition develops over a period of many years. Over this time, the affected arteries become thickened and irregular, resulting in the narrowing ...

Lymphangitis is an infection of the lymphatic vessels, an important component of the immune system's filtration process, that is caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, lymphangitis can spread quickly throughout the bloodstream and is potentially fatal. Lymphangitis is identified by painful, red streaks that appear beneath the ...

Hand dominance is the phenomenon that occurs when one hand is preferred over the other for fine motor skills task. It has been estimated that 85 to 90% of the world’s population is right handed. A select few individuals are known to be ambidextrous, which means they have the ...

Pharyngitis is a medical condition characterized by an inflamed pharynx, which is the part of the throat and neck located immediately behind the mouth cavity. Individuals afflicted with this condition experience a sore throat, which may be accompanied by a headache, fever, or swollen lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include ...

Dysentery is an infection that usually causes diarrhea. The infection is often passed on through improper hygiene, and one of its most common causes is not washing the hands after using public toilets. It is spread from person to person, and it's very common for one individual to pass ...

Elephantiasis is a syndrome most often caused by an obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, which results in extreme swelling of the skin and tissues, typically in the lower trunk and body. It primarily affects the legs and genitals, resulting in baggy, thickened and ulcerated skin, along with fever and chills ...

Phantom pain is a medical condition that occurs after a person has lost a limb. In some cases, a person who has lost an eye, a breast, or another body part may also experience phantom pain. After the limb is gone, a person with phantom pain still feels as if ...

Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion, is a medical condition affecting the intestines. Using the two terms interchangeably is not always accurate, as dyspepsia tends to be longer lasting. It typically affects the stomach and the small intestine first. Common symptoms include belching, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, and a feeling ...

After numerous years of speculation on the causes of dandruff, in 2004, scientists finally determined the specific cause, at least of some types. Most of the itchiness and skin flaking, when other skin conditions like eczema are not present, is directly related to the presence of fungi or yeast, to ...

Tunnel vision is a medical condition that results in a loss of peripheral vision. As a result, the patient can only see objects from within a circular field. This condition has many possible causes, including problems in the brain, some eye diseases, hallucinogenic drugs, and certain extreme activities. Blood loss ...

Many different illnesses and mental health conditions can cause fatigue and drowsiness, also known as lethargy. Medications, extreme physical exertion, and sleep disruptions are also common causes, as are lifestyle factors, such as a poor diet. While most causes of lethargy are not dangerous, it can sometimes indicate a severe ...

Scientists do not know for sure what causes muscle cramps, but they have several theories. These include overuse of the muscle, poor electrolyte levels, dehydration and medical conditions. Studies have produced puzzling results, leaving the issue up for continued speculation. Medical professionals still make recommendations based on the theories, however ...

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a serious infection caused by bacterial toxins which enter the bloodstream. Low-level infections can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, and rashes, while a serious infection can result in systemic shock, which can be deadly. Many people are familiar with the link between toxic shock ...

Acne, arguably one of the most annoying aspects of teenagerdom, and even occurring in people in their twenties and older, has several primary causes. All begin with understanding the structure of what are called sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are each connected to follicles, which contain tiny, usually very fine hair ...

One minute you're enjoying your favorite frozen beverage or ice cream cone, and the next minute you're experiencing an excruciating headache which seems to originate from the middle of your skull. This is the dreaded phenomenon known as brain freeze, or ice cream headache. Some experts suggest that ...

Amnesia is a term that most people recognize as meaning a loss of memory. Memory loss is a big factor with this condition, and there are various reasons as to why it occurs. The common link in all amnesia cases is a loss of brain cells. Amnesia frequently occurs due ...

The emergence of drug resistance in several major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria, bacterial infections, and diarrheal diseases, began to be recognized as a global threat in the 1990s. At the end of the 1990s, drug resistance in a variety of infectious diseases also began to make front ...

The term hemorrhagic fever is used to describe several severe and life-threatening viruses, usually spread from either insects or mammals to humans. Some examples of hemorrhagic fever include the Ebola virus, yellow fever, and the Marburg virus. Most viruses resulting in hemorrhagic fever are localized to a specific area ...

There are many different conditions that can cause the mouth to shed skin, ranging from the fairly harmless to the very dangerous. If you are experiencing this problem as a result of burns or irritation, it can usually be easily identified and reversed. Damage to the mouth lining due to ...

Mastitis is a medical condition characterized by an inflammation of the breast. It can occur in women who are lactating, as well as in women who are not lactating, and even in men. In lactating women, mastitis is generally caused when the milk ducts become blocked. This can cause the ...

Inflammations are caused when the body’s immune system becomes irritated or infected. A variety of conditions can cause inflammations, including bacterial conjunctivitis, blepharitis, chlamydial conjunctivitis, and corneal ulcers in the eyes. Inflammations can also occur in the reproductive system in the form of vaginitis, vulvitis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory ...

Food cravings are intense yearnings for a certain type of food. Sweet or salty foods are common cravings as are protein foods such as meat or cheese. Most are thought to be caused by hormones, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, emotional and psychological reasons or sometimes by nutritional deficiencies. Hormones ...

An itchy scalp is one of the most common, and most annoying, problems that a person can encounter when dealing with scalp-related issues. There are a number of things that can cause the head to itch, including dermatitis, parasites, and drys skin, and sometimes the best way to approach ...

Many assume that grief is associated only with the loss of a loved one. Psychology shows us that this is very often not the case, but those suffering grief from things other than the death of someone are often told to “snap out of it.” Grief is, quite simply put ...

Anorexia, or anorexia nervosa, is the medical term for an eating disorder. Anorexics limit their intake of food, sometimes to a life-threatening degree. The causes of anorexia are not fully known. They are thought to be caused by either physical or emotional problems. A person who suffers from anorexia ...

Rh incompatibility is a very rare, yet severe condition. It is completely preventable, given the ease at which a mother’s blood can be tested. Essentially, the Rh factor is a specific protein that exists on blood cells of people who have positive blood. If one lacks this protein, a ...

Tendinitis is a condition that is created by some type of irritation or inflammation of the tendon. Since tendons are the connecting tissue that adheres muscles to the skeletal structure of the body, this inflammation can be extremely painful. Tendinitis can come about as the result of certain types of ...

While unpleasant a topic of conversation if ever there were one, the color of stool is a common concern for many people, especially mothers of infants and young children. The color and consistency of a bowel movement can be dependent on a number of factors. While red and black stool ...

A dry scalp is characterized by itching, flaking and sometimes by an increased rate of hair loss. While the ultimate reason behind this condition has to do with a decrease in the proper amount of oils in the hair and the surface of the scalp, there are several reasons why ...

Motion sickness is often attributed to lack of synchronicity between what the eyes see and what the ears hear. So for example, if you’re in a car reading a book, the bumps along the road that you hear confuse the brain. You’re stationary in your seat, but your ...

Although hair loss in men may be more frequently noted, hair loss in women does occur, and has many causes. These can range from things that temporarily affect growth or resting state of hair shafts to conditions that can permanently create hair loss. Women can expect to lose about 100 ...

Heel pain is an extremely common complaint among adults. Its causes can usually be pinpointed to excessive stress on or pounding of the foot, although other causes may be more serious. An accurate diagnosis is needed to a successful treatment plan and recovery. Perhaps the most common cause of heel ...

Foot cramps are something that many people experience from time to time. There are many different reasons why foot cramps may develop. Some have to do with nutrition, while other bouts are due to excess strain on the feet themselves. One of the more common reasons for foot cramps is ...