breast cancer

Facts you should know about necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria) Picture of necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) in the lower leg Necrotizing fasciitis refers to a rapidly spreading infection, usually located in fascial planes of connective tissue that results in tissue death (necrosis). Different types of bacterial infection can cause necrotizing fasciitis. The majority of cases begin …

Facts you should know about early pregnancy symptoms and signs Readers Comments 16 Share Your Story Nausea may be an early sign that you are pregnant. Not all moms-to-be experience the same symptoms when pregnant, and symptoms vary in severity. A woman will not necessarily experience the same symptoms in the same way in subsequent pregnancies as with her first …

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) symptoms often resemble a cold. Learn how to recognize signs of RSV in your baby Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), also called human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human orthopneumovirus, causes infections of the respiratory tract.  Almost all babies get RSV at some point before they reach 2 years old. For most healthy babies, symptoms are similar …

Facts you should know about a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) Picture of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) A pneumothorax is a collection of free air in the chest cavity (thoracic cavity) that causes the lung to collapse. Pneumothorax may occur on its own in the absence of underlying disease; this is termed spontaneous pneumothorax. Pneumothorax may also occur because of an injury or …

Facts you should know about smallpox Smallpox was the first disease to be eliminated from the world through public health efforts and vaccination. Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by the variola virus. Smallpox was the first disease to be eliminated from the world through public health efforts and vaccination. Smallpox still poses a threat because people could use existing …

Facts you should know about pityriasis rosea Picture of pityriasis rosea on the torso; photo courtesy of Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Pityriasis rosea is a skin condition that begins as a single, large pink oval-shaped patch found on the trunk of the body called the "herald patch." The herald patch is followed one to two weeks later with a …

Understand the five symptoms of an asthma attack to better get the treatment you need during an episode. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by episodic swelling and narrowing of the airways. While it often starts in childhood, adult-onset asthma is also possible. Asthma attack symptoms arise due to inflammation in the airways, stress or seasonal changes. These symptoms …

Facts you should know about suicide Suicide is the act of purposely ending one's own life. How societies view suicide varies by culture, religion, ethnic norms, and the circumstances under which it occurs. More than 800,000 people worldwide commit suicide each year — nearly 45,000 as recently as in 2016 in the United States. Self-mutilation is the act of deliberately …

A woman seeks treatment for ringworm from a doctor.Source: MedicineNet Facts you should know about ringworm Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection and is not due to a worm. The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The skin disease is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs. Some types of ringworm infection include tinea …

A middle-aged woman sits with her chin on her hand.Source: iStock Facts you should know about menopause Menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. It is the time in a woman's life when the function of the ovaries ceases. The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process. This so-called …