Acromioclavicular joint

The acromioclavicular joint is the gliding joint that forms the connection between the acromion of the shoulder blade and the collarbone. It is part of the mechanism that allows the shoulder to rise and fall (shrug).

Actinic Keratosis

Discusses actinic keratosis (solar keratosis), a type of skin growth caused by sun exposure. Describes how skin will look and feel. Covers treatment options. Explains risk for squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer). Offers prevention tips.

Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis, is a skin growth that develops in sun-exposed skin, especially on the face, hands, forearms, and neck. It occurs most often in people with lighter skin. Actinic keratoses are persistent, noticeable, small red, brown, or skin-colored patches that may become scaly, scabbed...

activated charcoal

Common charcoal is made from wood, coconut shell, peat, coal, or petroleum. "Activated charcoal" is a processed form of common charcoal that contains pores that can trap other chemicals and prevent them from being absorbed by the body. Activated charcoal is used to treat certain types of chemical poisonings...

Active ingredient

An active ingredient is a substance in a product that has an effect on the body. It can affect one part of the body (such as the skin) or the entire body. A product can have more than one active ingredient. The active ingredient of a product is listed on its box or packaging. Also, the amount of active ingredient is...

Active Listening

Active listening is a process that includes: Paying attention to what another person is saying. Thinking about what the person has just said. Responding in a way that lets the person know that you understood what he or she was trying to say. Hearing is not the same as listening. Hearing is a physical process. A person...

Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

Active surveillance is an option for some people who have slow-growing cancer that hasn't spread outside the prostate (localized). With active surveillance, you'll have regular checkups and tests. You won't have treatment unless tests show the cancer is growing. Some people will never need treatment. It may seem odd to...

Active surveillance or observation for prostate cancer

Active surveillance and observation are wait-and-see approaches to treatment for prostate cancer. They let you avoid or postpone treatments like surgery and radiation that can cause serious side effects. Active surveillance. This means that you'll have regular checkups and tests but you won't have treatment unless the...

Acupressure for Morning Sickness

Acupressure may help relieve or shorten the duration of your morning sickness symptoms. Acupressure is based on Eastern medicine practices used to open up blocked energy pathways in the body. Instead of using acupuncture needles, you or a practitioner presses on a small area of the body to treat a given ailment...

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese acupuncture usually is done by putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body to produce energy flow along the body's meridians; other types of acupuncture may use heat, pressure, or mild electrical current to...

Acupuncture

Discusses a traditional Chinese therapy that uses very thin needles placed in the skin to influence energy flow (called chi or qi). Explains its complementary medicine use for pain and conditions such as headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. Covers safety issues.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of illnesses for more than 2,000 years. Acupuncture is a component of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system of medicine. As such, a diagnosis based on TCM is generally made prior to the administration of acupuncture needles. This TCM diagnosis, which is much different...

Acupuncturist

An acupuncturist is a health professional who applies theories of traditional Chinese medicine in the form of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a procedure in which thin needles are inserted into specific parts of the body. Acupuncturists may have many different credentials, including L.Ac., Lic.Ac., C.A., Dipl.Ac., M.Ac., or...

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs (bronchial tubes). When these tubes are inflamed, they swell and produce mucus. Acute bronchitis usually develops rapidly and lasts 2 to 3 weeks in otherwise healthy people.

Acute Bronchitis

Describes acute bronchitis, which is short-term inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs. Explains difference between bronchitis and pneumonia. Includes causes and symptoms like cough. Covers treatment options.

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an event that occurs when part of the heart muscle is not getting enough blood and oxygen. ACS includes unstable angina and a heart attack. In a heart attack, the heart muscle is injured or starts to die. ACS is an emergency. ACS is most often caused by a narrowed or blocked coronary...

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Covers angina and symptoms that happen when the heart does not get enough blood. Covers unstable angina and heart attack. Discusses treatment with medicines, angioplasty, or bypass surgery. Offers prevention tips.

Acute Flaccid Myelitis

What is acute flaccid myelitis? Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare condition that affects the spinal cord. It causes certain muscles and reflexes in the body to stop working normally. What causes it? Experts are still doing research to find the exact cause of AFM. It may be linked to certain viruses. This includes...

Acute Kidney Injury

Discusses acute kidney injury (which used to be called acute renal failure). It means your kidneys suddenly stop working normally. Includes prerenal acute kidney injury. Covers causes like kidney or liver disease. Includes symptoms like little urine (oliguria) when you urinate. Covers dialysis.

Acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury, also called acute renal failure, is the sudden loss of kidney function. When acute kidney injury occurs, the kidneys are unable to remove waste products and excess fluids, which then build up in the body and upset the body's normal chemical balance. The most common causes of acute kidney injury are...

Acute Kidney Injury Versus Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney problems can develop suddenly (acute) or over the long term (chronic). Many conditions, diseases, and medicines can create situations that lead to acute and chronic kidney problems. Acute kidney injury, which used to be called acute renal failure, is more commonly reversible than chronic kidney failure. Acute...

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that causes the body to make too many white blood cells (lymphocytes). But these lymphocytes, called leukemia cells, cannot fight infection very well. When leukemia cells build up in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy blood cells. This can...

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)? Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia. It's a type of leukemia that causes the body to make too many lymphoblasts. Lymphoblasts are a type of young white blood cell. They usually become mature infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes...

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that causes the body to make a large number of young white blood cells (myeloblasts). But these myeloblasts, called leukemia cells, cannot fight infection very well. When leukemia cells build up in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy blood cells...

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

What is acute myeloid leukemia (AML)? Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is also called acute myelogenous leukemia. It's a type of leukemia that causes the body to make too many myeloblasts. Myeloblasts are a type of young white blood cell. They usually become mature, infection-fighting cells. But if those young cells don't...

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