What should I know about dry skin? Picture of dry skin in the hand by MedicineNet.com Dry skin is a very common condition that causes small fine flakes, cracking, and dry patches. Itching is one of the most common symptoms of dry skin. Scratching may be hard to resist. Dry skin is more common in...
Gynecomastia definition and facts Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Picture of male on the left with no gynecomastia and the male on the right with gynecomastia Gynecomastia is enlargement of the glandular tissue of the male breast. The condition may occur during infancy and puberty in normally developing boys. Gynecomastia results from an imbalance...
What does an insect bite look like? You may be bitten by an insect and get a small, painful, itchy, red bump on the skin. Some insect bites may be serious and you can see the marks at the site of bite. There may be oozing from the marks in the case of a black...
What is erythema nodosum? Readers Comments 76 Share Your Story Erythema nodosum is a type of skin inflammation that is located in a certain portion of the fatty layer of skin. Erythema nodosum (also called EN) results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs. The tender lumps, or...
Who should get genetic for breast cancer genes? Ms. G. is a 40-year-old woman with two small children. Like most women, she is concerned about her chances of developing breast cancer. She asks her doctor about her risks. Although breast cancer is a worry for most women, Ms. G. is especially worried because of a...
What is pancreas divisum? Pancreas divisum is a common congenital anomaly (an anomaly that is present at birth) of the pancreatic duct(s). The pancreas is a deep-seated organ located behind the stomach. One of its functions is to produce enzymes that are important for the digestion of food in the intestine. The digestive enzymes, in...
What is diverticulosis and diverticulitis? Diverticulosis is asymptomatic, however, diverticulitis causes symptoms Diverticulosis: Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that form in the lining of the large gut in some individuals. The presence of diverticula is known as diverticulosis. They are usually seen in people over the age of 40 years and are mostly harmless. Diverticulitis:...
There are more than 30 joints in the ankle and feet. There are more than 30 joints in the ankle and feet. Arthritis can affect one or multiple joints in the feet. Excess weight, hereditary tendencies, old injuries, and poor footwear are a few predisposing factors of arthritis. There are over a hundred different types of...
Facts you should know about disease prevention in women Screening tests are a basic part of preventative medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your primary care physician. Some specialized tests may be available only through specialists. Take an active role and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. The following examinations represent...
What is a sedimentation rate? Readers Comments 16 Share Your Story A sedimentation rate blood test (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR, or sed rate) measures how quickly red blood cells collect at the bottom of a container, revealing information about general inflammation levels in the body. It's non-specific and is part of screening for a variety...