breast cancer

What are white blood cells? White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, make up one of the four components of blood. They can rise for several reasons including stress, smoking, allergies, bacterial or viral infections, as well as certain drugs. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are one of the four components that make up …

What is a strained neck muscle? Treatment for a strained neck muscle usually involves the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), followed up with physical therapy. For serious strained neck muscle, immobilizing the muscle with a cast can be treatment. The muscles in your neck allow you to hold up your head and look around. There are many neck muscles …

Facts you should know about psoriasis Psoriasis may cause plaques of red skin, flakes of dry skin, and skin scales. Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune skin disease. Inherited genetic defects that adversely affect the immune system cause psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. Obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are more common in people with psoriasis. …

What are pimples? You can make pimples go away fast by using medications and home care. Medications for pimples include antibiotics, birth control pills, and topical products containing benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or salicylic acid. Home care for pimples includes cleaning your skin, avoiding oil-based cosmetics, avoiding rubbing alcohol and toners, and shampooing oily hair. A pimple is a small swelling …

What Is a UTI? Consistent hydration helps prevent infection by flushing bacteria out of your urinary tract. There are other home remedies that may help resolve and prevent UTIs. A UTI is an infection that affects the structures through which urine passes as it is being eliminated. These structures include the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.  Symptoms of a UTI …

What is high blood pressure? If your blood pressure is elevated and you want to see an immediate change, lie down and take deep breaths. This is how you lower your blood pressure within minutes, helping to slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading is taken to measure how forcefully your blood flows through …

What are hives? For mild cases of hives, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be used to alleviate itching and discomfort. Chronic hives require more intense treatments. Hives are an uncomfortable skin reaction that causes itchiness and swelling. Hives are quickly and easily treated. Hives (or urticaria) are characterized by itchy welts on the skin in response to many triggers. While uncomfortable, …

Alkaptonuria is a type of metabolic disorder. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are usually broken down in the body in a series of chemical reactions. In alkaptonuria, however, a substance called homogentisic acid is produced that cannot be broken down any further. This happens because the enzyme that normally breaks it down does not work properly. The …

What is a bronchoscopy? A bronchoscopy is a procedure used to diagnose upper respiratory conditions. As you breathe, air travels down your throat and into your airway and lungs for oxygen to be extracted and absorbed into your blood. If you have a condition that keeps your respiratory system from functioning correctly, you might have a respiratory disease or another …

Shigella is a germ that causes a highly contagious disease called shigellosis (bacillary dysentery). Shigella is a germ that causes a highly contagious disease called shigellosis (bacillary dysentery). It is an acid-resistant, salt-tolerant bacteria. It has been increasingly involved in foodborne outbreaks. In 2002, Shigella was the third most reported foodborne bacterial pathogen, according to the Centers for Disease Control …