Skin tags are small flaps or folds of skin on your body. Although they are not harmful to your health, they can be embarrassing, especially if they are in a spot you cannot cover with clothing. Skin ...

Kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), occurs when the kidneys can no longer filter waste effectively. At this stage, kidney function drops below 10% of normal, leading to dangerous toxin ...

Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches form along the lining of the colon. While the condition itself often causes no symptoms, certain food and lifestyle choices can increase pressure in the ...

An electrocardiogram, called an EKG or ECG, measures the electrical activity of the heart and collects data about heart's health. Typically, a doctor or technician places electrodes connected to a ...

Peripheral neuropathy is a broad term for any condition that damages the peripheral nerves that transfer sensory information and carry signals from the central nervous system in the brain and spinal ...

Many disorders can affect the digestive system. Some are physiological, while others are physical conditions with a strong psychological component. Rumination syndrome is one of the latter. People ...

Prions are pathologic agents that produce abnormal folding in the brain. These changes cause rapidly progressive neurological diseases that are difficult to treat and always fatal. Prions can be ...

A tracheostomy is a surgical hole made at the front of the neck into the trachea or windpipe. A surgeon will create this hole when the airway is blocked or damaged, preventing air from reaching the ...

Bilirubin is a natural byproduct created when your body breaks down old blood cells. Normally, your liver processes this yellow pigment and removes it through bile, which aids digestion. But when the ...

Glomeruli are clusters of small blood vessels in the kidney that allow waste to pass from the blood and into the urine. Glomerulonephritis occurs when the glomeruli swell, damaging the kidneys and ...

Bulbar palsy is a motor neuron disease that targets the lower motor neurons in the brain stem. The nerves affected include the glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal. This progressive ...

Freckles are small areas of skin with extra pigment. These tiny spots are usually tan or light brown and lie flat. They often develop during childhood, though people can continue to get them ...