Stories Collection

  1. Definition: Autistic behavior describes behavioral patterns similar to those seen in ...
  2. Definition: Babinski's reflex occurs when the great toe flexes toward the top of the ...
  3. Definition: Pain felt in your lower back may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or...
  4. Definition: Unusual or strange behavior involves actions that are not typical of that...
  5. Definition: Belching is the act of bringing up air from the stomach with a typical so...
  6. Definition: Binge eating is an eating disorder characterized by eating more than need...
  7. Definition: Blackheads are small, dark spots (about the size of a pinhead) caused by ...
  8. Definition: Bleeding from the gums is mainly due to inadequate plaque removal from th...
  9. Definition: Aside from the common bruise, bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes ...
  10. Definition: Blindness is the lack of vision, or a? loss of vision that cannot be corr...
  11. Definition: Poor circulation and blockage of blood in the leg arteries produces an ac...
  12. Definition: Blood in the semen, called hematospermia, may be undetectable (microscopi...
  13. Definition: Low blood pressure is an abnormal condition where a person's blood pressu...
  14. Definition: Bloody stools often indicate an injury or disorder in the digestive tract...
  15. Definition: Bone pain or tenderness involves aching or other discomfort in one or mor...
  16. Definition: Bowel incontinence is the loss of bowel control, resulting in involuntary...
  17. Definition: Premenstrual swelling and tenderness of both breasts occurs during the se...
  18. Definition: A breast lump is a swelling, protuberance, or lump in the breast. Alter...
  19. Definition: Breast pain involves any discomfort or pain in the breast, such as preme...
  20. Definition: Breath odor is unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive. Alternative Names: ...
  21. Definition: Breath sounds are the sounds produced by the structures of the lungs duri...
  22. Definition: Apnea means absence of spontaneous breathing from any cause. Apnea can be...
  23. Definition: Breathing difficulties involve a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable ...
  24. Definition: Breathing difficulty while lying down is an abnormal condition in which a...
  25. Definition: Stridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a...
  26. Definition: Broad nasal bridge is a relative widening of the bridge of the nose compa...
  27. Definition: Bullae are large blisters -- thin-walled sacs greater than 10 millimeters...
  28. Definition: Chemosis is a condition in which the membranes that line the eyelids and ...
  29. Definition: Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front o...
  30. Definition: Chills are a sensation of cold from exposure to a cold environment or an ...
  31. Definition: Claw foot is a deformity of the toes in which the toe joint nearest the f...
  32. Definition: Claw hand is a condition characterized by curved or bent fingers, which m...
  33. Definition: A cloudy cornea is a loss of transparency of the cornea. Alternative Name...
  34. Definition: Clubbing is a broadening and thickening of the fingers or toes with incre...
  35. Definition: Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to a cold environment or cold...
  36. Definition: Coloboma of the iris is a congenital (present since birth) defect of the ...
  37. Definition: Comedones are small, flesh-colored, white, or dark bumps that give skin a...
  38. Definition: Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity. Whe...
  39. Definition: Decreased consciousness refers to diminished alertness or awareness. Alte...
  40. Definition: Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing s...
  41. Definition: A contracture is a fixed tightening of muscle, tendons, ligaments, or ski...
  42. Definition: Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. Howev...
  43. Definition: Coughing up blood is the expectoration or spitting up of blood or bloody ...
  44. Alternative Names: Excessive crying (infants 0-6 months) Considerati...
  45. Definition: A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, ...
  46. Definition: Decerebrate posture is an abnormal body posture indicated by rigid extens...
  47. Definition: Decorticate posture is an abnormal posturing indicated by rigidity, flexi...
  48. Definition: Delayed growth involves poor or abnormally slow gain in weight, height, o...
  49. Definition: Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or ...
  50. Definition: Diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stools. Diarrhea is considered ch...
  51. Definition: Dizziness may be experienced as lightheadedness, feeling like you might f...
  52. Definition: Saliva flowing outside the mouth. Alternative Names: Salivation Considera...
  53. Definition: Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day -- often wi...
  54. Definition: Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears. Tears are necessary for the norma...
  55. Alternative Names: Hair - dry Considerations: Dry hair is a relative symptom. Dry hai...
  56. Definition: Dry skin is most common in your lower legs, arms, flanks (sides of the ab...
  57. Definition: An ear discharge is drainage of blood, ear wax, pus, or fluid from the ea...
  58. Definition: Tinnitus is the medical term for "hearing" noises in your ears when there...
  59. Definition: An earache can be sharp, dull, or burning pain. The pain may be temporary...
  60. Definition: Earlobe creases are superficial lines in the otherwise smooth earlobe of ...
  61. Definition: This article describes aching or other discomfort in the elbow that is n...
  62. Definition: An epicanthal fold is skin of the upper eyelid -- from the nose to the in...
  63. Definition: An erection problem is the inability to get or maintain an erection that ...
  64. Definition: Erosion is a breakdown of the outer layer of the skin, usually because of...
  65. Definition: The normal amount of body hair varies widely among women. When coarse, da...
  66. Definition: 17-OH progesterone is a blood test that measures the amount of 17-OH prog...
  67. Definition: The 17-hydroxycorticosteroids test measures the amount of 17-OHCS in urin...
  68. Definition: The 17-ketosteroids test measures the amount of 17-ketosteroids in urine....
  69. Definition: 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate test measures the amount of al...
  70. Definition: This is a test to measure the amount of copper in urine. Alternative Name...
  71. Definition: 24-hour urine protein measures the amount of protein excreted in urine ov...
  72. Definition: The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test measures the amount of 25-hydroxy vitamin D...
  73. Definition: This is a blood test that measures the amount of 5-N'Tase. Alternative Na...
  74. Definition: This is a test that measures the amount of 5-HIAA in urine. Alternative N...
  75. Definition: This is a blood test that measures the amount of angiotensin-converting e...
  76. Definition: An ACTH test measures ACTH, a hormone secreted from the anterior pituitar...
  77. Definition: ACTH (Cortrosyn) stimulation test measures the ability of the adrenal cor...
  78. Definition: ADH is a test that measures the amount of ADH in serum. ADH is a hormone ...
  79. Definition: This is a blood test that measures the amount of the enzyme ALP (alkaline...
  80. Definition: A blood test to measure the amounts of different forms of alkaline phosph...
  81. Definition: A test that measures the amount of ALT in serum. Alternative Names: ...
  82. Definition: The APGAR score is a quick test performed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth ...
  83. Definition: ASO titer is a blood test to measure anti-streptolysin O (ASO) antibodies...
  84. Definition: This is a blood test to measure the amount of the enzyme AST. Alternative...
  85. Definition: An abdominal CT scan involves X-ray images of the abdomen from many angle...
  86. Definition: Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive procedure tha...
  87. Definition: Abdominal films are x-ray images of the abdomen. Alternative Names: Abdom...
  88. Definition: An abdominal tap is a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the...
  89. Definition: Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging procedure used to examine the internal...
  90. Definition: Abdominal wall fat pad biopsy procedure involves removing a small portion...
  91. Definition: Radioactive abscess scan uses white blood cells tagged with radioactive i...
  92. Definition: Acetylcholine receptor antibody is an antibody found in the blood of peop...
  93. Definition: This is a test to measure the ability of the renal (kidney) tubules to ac...
  94. Definition: Acid mucopolysaccharides is a test that measures the amount of mucopolysa...
  95. Definition: The acid-fast stain is a test used to examine a specimen for the presence...
  96. Definition: Adrenalectomy involves removal of one or more adrenal glands. The adrenal...
  97. Definition: Aerobic bacteria are bacteria that can grow and live in the presence of o...
  98. Definition: This test measures the amount of albumin in serum, the clear fluid portio...
  99. Definition: This is a blood test to measure the amount of the enzyme aldolase. How th...
  100. Definition: An aldosterone test measures the amount of aldosterone in serum (blood). ...
  101. Definition: Allergy tests are any of several tests used to determine the substances t...
  102. Definition: This is a blood test that measures the amount of alpha fetoprotein (AFP)....
  103. Definition: Alpha-1 antitrypsin measures the amount of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in ...
  104. Definition: The aminoaciduria? test screens for increased levels of amino acid excret...
  105. Definition: Ammonium ion test measures the amount of ammonium ions in a blood sample....
  106. Definition: Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure performed by inserting a hollow n...
  107. Definition: This is a test that measures the amount of amylase in urine. An increased...
  108. Definition: This is a test to measure the amount of amylase in serum (blood). How the...
  109. Definition: Anaerobic bacteria are bacteria that do not live or grow in the presence ...
  110. Definition: An anoscopy is a procedure that enables a physician to view the anus, ana...
  111. Definition: This is a blood test used to detect antibodies against antideoxyribonucle...
  112. Definition: This is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to glomerula...
  113. Definition: Anti-insulin antibody test measures the presence of antibodies against in...
  114. Definition: This is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies against smoo...
  115. Definition: A test to measures the presence and amount of antibodies in blood against...
  116. Definition: This is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies against mito...
  117. Definition: This is a blood test to measure the presence of antinuclear antibody. Alt...
  118. Definition: This is a test to measure the presence of antibodies against the parietal...
  119. Definition: This is a blood test that measures the amount of antithrombin III (AT III...
  120. Definition: Antithyroglobulin antibody is a test to measure antithyroglobulin antibod...
  121. Definition: This is a test to measure antithyroid microsomal antibodies in the blood....
  122. Definition: Aortic angiography is a study of the aorta, the body's largest artery, us...
  123. Definition: Apolipoprotein B100 measures the amount of apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) ...
  124. Definition: Lipoproteins are large complexes of molecules that transport lipids (prim...
  125. Definition: An arterial stick is collection of blood from an artery for laboratory te...
  126. Definition: Arteriography is a procedure in which a contrast material that can be see...
  127. Definition: Arthroscopy is a method of viewing a joint, and, if needed, to perform su...
  128. Definition: Aspergillosis precipitin is a laboratory test to detect antibodies in the...
  129. Definition: Aspergillus is a mold. An antigen is a substance that stimulates the immu...
  130. Definition: An audiology exam tests your ability to hear sounds. Sounds vary accordin...
  131. Definition: An autoimmune liver disease panel is a series of tests performed when aut...
  132. Definition: A test that makes a quantitative measurement of T and B lymphocytes in th...
  133. Definition: B-cell leukemia/lymphoma panel is a test that looks for characteristic ma...
  134. Definition: The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test measures responses in ...
  135. Definition: BUN (blood urea nitrogen) is a test that measures the amount of urea nitr...
  136. Definition: A barium enema is given in order to perform an x-ray examination of the l...
  137. Definition: This test measures the presence of Bence-Jones proteins (free immunoglobu...
  138. Definition: The Bernstein test attempts to reproduce symptoms of heartburn. It is usu...
  139. Definition: This is a test that measures the amount of beta-carotene in blood (see al...
  140. Definition: Bile culture is a test to detect infection in the biliary (liver secretio...
  141. Definition: Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin. Total and direct bilirubi...
  142. Definition: This is? test measures the amount of bilirubin? in the urine. Bilirubin i...
  143. Definition: A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examin...
  144. Definition: This is a procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue or material f...
  145. Definition: A polyp biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that removes polyps (abnormal gr...
  146. Alternative Names: Resources - AIDS Information: The following organ...
  147. Alternative Names: Resources - ALS Information: The following organi...
  148. Definition: Abdominal distress is any pain or discomfort in the abdomen. The abdomina...
  149. Definition: Abdominal girth is the measurement of the distance around the abdomen at ...
  150. Definition: There are clues to diagnosing the cause and severity of abdominal pain. S...
  151. Alternative Names: Pain relief by acupuncture; Hypnosis and pain; Alternativ...
  152. Definition: Acute means sudden or severe. Symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly....
  153. Definition: The development of children ages 12 through 18 years old is expected to i...
  154. Definition: Proper preparations for a test or procedure can reduce an adolescent's an...
  155. Definition: Adrenal glands are triangular-shaped glands located on top of the kidneys...
  156. Definition: Advanced care directives are specific instructions, prepared in advance, ...
  157. Definition: Requiring oxygen to survive, grow, or function properly. The opposite of ...
  158. Information: Many people are concerned with changes in their body shape as they age. ...
  159. Information: Hair color change is probably one of the most obvious signs of aging. Ha...
  160. Information: The endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce hormo...
  161. Information: BACKGROUND Aging is not synonymous with illness. However, getting older...
  162. Information: All vital organs begin to lose some function as you age. Aging changes h...
  163. Definition: Aging changes in the skin are a group of common conditions and developmen...
  164. Information: Sleep occurs in multiple stages. The sleep cycle includes dreamless peri...
  165. Alternative Names: Osteoporosis and aging; Muscle weakness associated with aging I...
  166. Information: With aging, a woman's breasts lose tissue and subcutaneous fat, reducing...
  167. Information: As in the rest of the body, the typical appearance of the face and neck ...
  168. Information: For women, menopause, or the cessation of menses, is an obvious sign of ...
  169. Alternative Names: Heart disease - aging; Atherosclerosis - aging Information: Som...
  170. Information: BACKGROUND The kidneys filter the blood. Wastes are removed and excess ...
  171. Information: The lungs have two primary functions: to acquire oxygen from the air, wh...
  172. Definition: Aging changes in the male reproductive system may include changes in test...
  173. Information: Although normal changes occur with age in the brain and nervous system, ...
  174. Definition: Aging changes in the senses are perceptual changes related to growing old...
  175. Alternative Names: Blood pressure - aging changes; Breathing rate - aging ch...
  176. Information: Age spots (liver spots) are very common and are usually nothing to worry...
  177. Definition: Alcohol is produced by fermenting the starch or sugar in fruits and grain...
  178. Alternative Names: Resources - alcoholism The following organizatio...
  179. Definition: An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Allergens...
  180. Alternative Names: Inherited allergies; Genetics and allergies Infor...
  181. Alternative Names: Resources - Alzheimer's The following organizati...
  182. Information: Ten years ago, 58-year-old Charles Rios was diagnosed with Alzheimer's d...
  183. Information: Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. When pr...
  184. Definition: This fluid is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unbor...
  185. Definition: Anaerobic means "without oxygen." Anaerobic bacteria are able to survive ...
  186. Definition: An anastomosis is a surgical connection between? 2 structures. It usually...
  187. Definition: Anterior means "in front of" or "the front surface of." The term commonly...
  188. Definition: Antibodies are a type of protein. They are produced by the immune system ...
  189. Definition: An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce ant...
  190. Definition: Aplastic means: Failed to grow or develop normallyCeased to fully matureB...
  191. Definition: Appropriate for gestational age, or AGA, describes a fetus or newborn inf...
  192. Alternative Names: Resources - arthritis The following organization...
  193. Definition: Aspartic acid, also called asparaginic acid, is one of the nonessential a...
  194. Definition: Aspiration means to draw in or out using suction. The medical term has tw...
  195. Alternative Names: Resources - asthma and allergy Information: The f...
  196. Definition: Asymptomatic means there are no symptoms. A person is said to be asymptom...
  197. Information: Auscultation is a method used to "listen" to the sounds of the body duri...
  198. Alternative Names: Resources - autism Information: The following org...
  199. Definition: Autoinoculation is a treatment procedure where cells are removed from a p...