Abortion 09/29/2008
This topic is about ending a pregnancy. If you have had unprotected sex in the last 5 days and don't want to become pregnant, see the topic Emergency Contraception . What is an abortion? Abortion is the early ending of a pregnancy. Sometimes abortion happens on its own. This is called miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. But women can also choose to end a pregnancy by getting surgery or taking medicine.
Actinic Keratosis 10/14/2008
Actinic keratosis, also called solar or senile keratosis, is a precancerous skin condition that develops in sun-exposed skin, especially on the face, hands, forearms, and the neck. It is seen most often in pale-skinned, fair-haired, light-eyed people, beginning at age 30 or 40 and becoming more common with age. What are the symptoms? Actinic keratoses are small and noticeable red, brown, or skin-colored patches that don't go away.
Acupuncture 06/27/2007
Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that has been used for centuries. It is based on the theory that there is energy, called chi or qi, flowing through your body. Chi is thought to flow along energy pathways called meridians. Acupuncturists believe a blocking or imbalance of the flow of chi at any point on a pathway may result in illness. Chinese medicine practitioners believe acupuncture unblocks and rebalances the flow of chi to restore health. People often use acupuncture to relieve pain.
Acute Coronary Syndrome 06/22/2007
Acute coronary syndrome is chest pain and other symptoms that happen because the heart does not get enough blood. It includes unstable angina and heart attack . The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. If these arteries are narrowed or blocked, the heart does not get enough oxygen. This can cause angina or a heart attack. Unstable angina is chest pain from lack of blood flow, but there is no damage to the heart muscle. It often happens when you are at rest.
Alan's Story: Coping With Change After a Heart Attack 05/19/2008
After the heart attack, Alan quit smoking immediately. He didn't have much choice. At that time, treatment for a heart attack was total bed rest for 3 weeks. 'That's how they thought the heart would heal in those days-with complete rest, no excitement. Now we know that if you can get up, get up. You have to move around at least a little.' During those weeks in the hospital and the months of recovery that followed, Alan taught himself a lot about heart disease.
Alcohol Abuse and Dependence 02/15/2008
This topic is about alcohol abuse and dependence in adults. For information about alcohol problems in teens or children, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse . For information about drug abuse in adults, see the topic Drug Abuse and Dependence . What are alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence? Alcohol abuse means having unhealthy or dangerous drinking habits, such as drinking every day or drinking too much at a time.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse in PTSD 01/21/2009
Not everyone with PTSD has a problem with drinking or using drugs, but having PTSD makes it more likely that a problem will develop. 1 You may not know if drinking or drug use is a problem for you. It may happen very slowly so that you don't notice it, or it may be part of another activity and isn't obvious. For example, you may spend Saturdays watching football and drinking with your friends. You may not see that alcohol is more important to you than the football.
Alcohol Effects on a Fetus 04/02/2007
A woman who drinks alcohol while she is pregnant may harm her unborn baby (fetus). Alcohol can pass from the mother's blood into the baby's blood. It can damage and affect the growth of the baby's cells. Brain and spinal cord cells are most likely to have damage. The term 'fetal alcohol spectrum disorder' (FASD) describes the range of alcohol effects on an unborn child. The problems range from mild to severe.
Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy 11/12/2008
Substance Possible effect on mother Possible effect on fetus, newborn, and child Alcohol Lack of certain vitamins Miscarriage Stillbirth Low birth weight Mental retardation Heart problems Learning and behavior problems Fetal alcohol syndrome Cocaine Seizures Hallucinations Fluid in the lungs ( pulmonary edema ) Breathing problems Heart problems Placenta abruptio Miscarriage Stillbirth Low Apgar score Stroke Deformed reproductive or urinary organs Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Ecstasy Effe
Allergic Rhinitis 08/08/2007
Allergic rhinitis, often called allergies or hay fever, occurs when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe-you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles in your body, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. The particles are called allergens , which simply means they can cause an allergic reaction . People with allergies usually have symptoms for many years. You may have symptoms often during the year, or just at certain times.
