Health A-Z Medical Reference
- What Does Immunocompromised Mean?
Immunocompromisation is when your immune system doesn’t work properly. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.
- What Is Hypochloremia?
Hypochloremia is when your chloride levels are low. Learn more about what causes it, what to expect, and more.
- What Is an Ear Saline Solution?
An ear saline solution is a cleansing product you can use to remove earwax. Learn about its uses and risk factors.
- What to Know About a Sickle Cell Test
Find out what you need to know about sickle cell tests, and discover the types, who should get them, and more.
- What to Know About Out-Toeing
Find out what you need to know about out-toeing, and discover the pros, cons, risks, and benefits, and how it may affect health.
- What to Know About the Epstein-Barr Virus Test
Find out what you need to know about the Epstein-Barr virus test, and discover the pros, cons, risks, and benefits, and how it may affect health.
- What Is Pancytopenia?
Pancytopenia is when you have low levels of blood cells. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.
- What Is Acanthocytosis?
Acanthocytosis is when you have abnormally shaped red blood cells called acanthocytes. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.
- What Is Hydronephrosis?
Find out what you need to know about hydronephrosis, and discover what causes it, how it's treated, and how it may affect health.
- Platelet Count
Why are platelet counts important? Discover what a platelet count can tell you about your health, what conditions it may show, and more.
- What Is an AFB Stain?
Learn what an acid-fast bacteria (AFB) Stain test includes, and why your doctor may use it.
- What Is Flail Chest?
Learn how flail chest happens, possible complications, and how doctors treat it.
- What Are YY Chromosomes?
Learn about the formation of YY chromosomes and what kinds of physical characteristics and symptoms are associated with XYY syndrome.
- What Is a Popped Rib?
Learn more about a popped rib, what causes it, and how to get treatment fast.
- Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: What to Know
Genetically modified mosquitoes are created in a lab to stop the spread of certain diseases. Learn more about how they’re made, what they’re used for, and whether they might pose health risks to humans.
- What Is Scapular Dyskinesis?
Find out how scapular dyskinesis disrupts normal shoulder motion. Learn about its common causes, signs, and treatment options to restore mobility.
- What Is Pneumaturia?
Learn about pneumaturia, what conditions cause gas to appear in the bladder and be passed in the urine, and how these conditions can be treated.
- What is a Nosocomial Infection?
Nosocomial infection is an infection you get in the hospital. Learn more about what causes it, symptoms of nosocomial infection, and more.
- Why Are Tears Salty?
Find out why tears are salty, what tears are made of, and what they do for us.
- What Is the Intertrochanteric Area?
The intertrochanteric area is where your hip and thigh meet. Learn more about the risk of fractures in this area, the symptoms of intertrochanteric fractures, treatment options, and more.
- What Are Sacral and Back Dimples?
Sacral dimples are singles, while back dimples come in pairs in the lower back area. Learn what they can be signs of, what causes them, and more.
- Health Benefits of a Morning Walk
Learn more about how walking in the morning can be good for your heart health, energy levels, mental health, and more.
- What to Know About Waddling Gait
Learn more about waddling gait, including the causes, risks, and how it may affect health.
- What Is a Stomach Binder?
A stomach binder is a fitted cloth belt that is most commonly used to help with recovery after surgery. Learn more about why it’s used, pros and cons, and more.
- Is It Safe to Reuse Plastic Water Bottles?
Learn about reusing plastic water bottles, including the concerns, alternatives, and best practices.
- What Is Refrigerant Poisoning?
Refrigerant poisoning happens when you ingest substances like freon. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.
- What Is the G6PD Test?
The G6PD test is a blood test that measures the amount of G6PD enzyme in your blood. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for G6PD deficiency today.
- What Is Extensor Tendonitis in the Foot?
Extensor tendonitis in the foot is when the extensor tendons of the feet have inflammation. Learn more about what causes it, symptoms of extensor tendonitis in the foot, and more.
- What Are Coagulation Studies?
Coagulation studies are used to test your blood's ability to form a clot. Learn more about how coagulation works and how these studies can help identify other potential health conditions.
- What Is Membranous Nephropathy?
Membranous nephropathy is a condition where your kidneys' filters don't do their job. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.
- What Is Hyperviscosity Syndrome?
Learn what hyperviscosity is, what causes it, its symptoms, and how to treat it.
- What Is Marasmus?
Marasmus is a type of malnutrition mainly seen in developing countries. Learn about the causes, symptoms, treatments, and more.
- What Is a Fibrinogen Blood Test?
Learn what a fibrinogen blood test is, when you need to take it, how the test is performed, and more.
- What Is a Retracted Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane Retraction)?
A retracted eardrum (tympanic membrane retraction) happens when the eardrum is pulled inward toward the middle ear, often due to pressure or dysfunction. Learn its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- What Is a T3 Test?
Learn what the T3 test is and what its results mean when it comes to the health of your thyroid gland.
- What Is the Periosteum?
The periosteum is the membrane that surrounds your bones and protects them from injury. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.
- Dehydration: Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
Learn the difference between hypernatremia and hyponatremia.
- Difference Between Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacillus
Find out the differences between gram-positive bacillus and gram-negative bacillus and how they may affect health.
- What is a Thallium Stress Test?
Learn more about a thallium stress test, what to expect, what it measures, and what the results mean for your heart health.
- The Differences Between Hospitals and Clinics
Learn more about the differences between hospitals and clinics, including the pros and cons of each.
- What’s the Difference Between Sex and Gender?
Find out the differences between sex and gender — it’s not as complex as you might think.
- What Is a Muscle Biopsy?
A muscle biopsy is a simple procedure that helps to diagnose certain muscle diseases. Learn more about the procedure, what happens, and possible risks.
- What Is Trichomycosis?
Trichomycosis is a skin infection that can appear anywhere hair grows. Learn more about trichomycosis and what you can do if you think you have it.
- What to Know About Pruney Fingers
Find out what you need to know about pruney fingers, and learn the causes, treatments, and what they mean for your health.
- What Is Claw Hand Deformity?
Learn how nerve damage can cause claw hand deformity and other medical conditions of the hand.
- What Is Claw Foot?
Find out what you need to know about claw feet and discover the causes, treatments, and how they may affect health.
- What to Know About Crepitus in Your Shoulders
Learn more about crepitus in your shoulders, including the causes, treatments, and how it may affect health.
- What Is a Broken Sternum?
A broken sternum is a break in your breastbone. Learn about the causes, signs, potential complications, and ways to help your body recover.
- Conditions With Flu-Like Symptoms
Is it the flu or something else? WebMD explores conditions that can look like this respiratory illness.
- Difference Between Disinfectants and Antiseptics
Find out the differences between disinfectants and antiseptics, and discover the pros, cons, risks, and benefits, and how they may affect health.