Molluscum contagiosum facts Pictures of molluscum contagiosum; SOURCE: CDC A viral infection of the skin causes molluscum contagiosum, a mild skin disease. Risk factors include direct and indirect contact with an infected person's skin. Symptoms and signs include painless pinkish raised nodules or bumps on the skin. A doctor's physical exam presumptively diagnoses most molluscum...
What are the causes of a sore throat? You may need to take antibiotics for a sore throat caused by a bacterial infection. Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (such as cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria. Sore throats are very commonly seen during winter or...
What is stomach pain or discomfort? Stomach pain and discomfort may be due to a variety of causes. Sometimes, you may have pain/discomfort in a particular part of your belly or all over the belly for a short or long period of time. You may also experience troubling symptoms such as bloating, belching and nausea...
When is stomach pain not an emergency? There are many causes of stomach pain and some are mild and some more serious. Most stomach pains are harmless. They may be caused by overeating, gas or indigestion. If your pain is short-term, goes away after passing gases or stools and with over-the-counter products (laxative and antacids)...
What facts should I know about caffeine? Caffeine is a stimulant obtained from over 60 different types of plants worldwide. The scientific name for caffeine is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. Caffeine is considered to be the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. Coffee, soda, and tea are the most common sources of caffeine in the American...
Facts you should know about cervical dysplasia Cervical dysplasia is precancerous change in the lining cells of the cervix of the uterus. Cervical dysplasia is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), but other factors also play a role. HPV infection is common in the general population. It is unclear why some women develop...
What are dermabrasion and microdermabrasion? Dermabrasion vs. microdermabrasion Dermabrasion produces substantial changes in the appearance of the skin by injuring it in a controlled manner using an abrasive. Dermabrasion is most often used to treat certain types of scarring and aged skin. Other options that produce similar results include laser surgery, moderate to deep skin peels,...
What is the stomach flu? Stomach flu is not a flu, but it is a virus. Stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a virus that infects your stomach. Although the term has flu in it, it is not a true flu. You may experience the following symptoms Watery diarrhea Abdominal cramps/pain...
Shingles result from the activation of the chickenpox virus already present, but inactive (dormant), in nerve tissues. The virus remains dormant in spinal nerves usually after the person has had chickenpox as a child. The varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles can spread to others causing chickenpox in patients who have not had it in the...
What is Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease in and of itself is not usually life-threatening, although it can cause serious or fatal complications, which include bowel obstruction, fistulas, anal fissures, and others. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes inflammation in the gut (the digestive tract) and belongs to a group of conditions known...