Depression, thyroid problems, osteoporosis, allergies, and certain cancers have been tied to vitamin D deficiency. Read about vitamin D deficiency treatment, causes, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, and daily limits chart.

Taking vitamins and calcium supplements can help you to meet your nutritional needs. Learn about vitamin deficiencies, drug interactions, food sources, health benefits and overdose and absorption information.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also called acid reflux, can cause symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and nausea. Learn about causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Pernicious anemia is a type of blood disorder caused when the body does not make enough red blood cells due to lack of vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia causes a variety of symptoms and signs, for example, feelings of weakness, numbness, tingling, and personality changes. Treatment of pernicious anemia is an injection of vitamin B12 for life. Untreated pernicious anemia can be permanent and cause death.

Heartburn is a symptom of a disease or condition, like acid reflux (GERD). Heartburn feels like a discomfort in the chest, or like a burning pain, around the heart area. Acid reflux symptoms include heartburn symptoms, in addition to a sore throat, upset stomach, problems swallowing, and nausea.

The buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint causes gout. Symptoms and signs include joint swelling (particularly the big toe), pain, redness, and heat. Read about gout diet, food to avoid, medication, treatment, diagnosis, and remedies.

Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Get additional facts about symptoms and signs, treatment, causes, history, diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention.

Read about osteoporosis treatment options, medication, causes, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, prevention (diet, weight-bearing exercise), risk factors (family history), and research. Osteoporosis is a condition marked by decreased bone density and strength, resulting in fragile bones.

Esophageal pH monitoring is used to measure the reflux (regurgitation or backwash) of acid from the stomach into the esophagus and to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Side effects of the procedure are few but may include mild discomfort in the back of the throat while the catheter is placed, and swallowing.

Barrett's esophagus is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Learn more about Barrett's estophagus, including symptoms, causes, treatment, cancer risk, related dysplasia, and survival rate.

GERD (acid reflux) and GER in infants and children common symptoms that include frequent or recurring vomiting, cough, crying with feeding, heartburn, gas, abdominal pain, colic, feeding problems, and recurrent pneumonia.

Fundoplication is a surgery used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by strengthening the barrier to acid reflux when the sphincter does not function normally.

Reflux laryngitis is a condition caused by GERD or acid backing up into the esophagus and vocal cords. The most common symptom of reflux laryngitis is heartburn. This type of laryngitis causes inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, which causes chronic hoarseness, cough, and throat clearing, difficulty swallowing, asthma, and sinusitis. Diet, home remedies, lifestyle changes, and OTC and prescription medication treat most cases of reflux laryngitis. Rarely, surgery is necessary.

Folic acid, B vitamins, homocysteine, antioxidants, and exercise can lower your risk factors for a heart attack. Exercise and vitamins play a key role in heart attack prevention, too.

A healthy diet helps to prevent diseases. It can also help control celiac disease, control diabetes, control high blood pressure, prevent loss of bone mass, prevent loss of muscle strength, and prevent vitamin deficiencies. Healthy diets also help with weight loss and obesity prevention.

Melasma is a patchy brown discoloration of the skin on the face. When it occurs in pregnancy, it's called chloasma. Read about causes, signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) form in the islet cells of the pancreas. Signs and symptoms vary depending upon the type of pancreatic NET. Read about prognosis, treatment, and staging.

Deficiency in iron can cause anemia and other diseases or conditions. Symptoms of iron deficiency include anemia, fatigue, and more. Learn more about this crucial mineral in food and supplement for children and during pregnancy.

Heartburn during pregnancy is common due to high levels of hormones. Certain foods can aggravate heartburn, such as chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, and chocolate. There are natural, home remedies like avoiding tight clothing, bending and moving correctly, and even chewing gum!

Hiatal hernia is caused by obesity, being pregnant, age, or thinning of the phrenoesophageal membrane. There are generally no symptoms of hiatal hernia, and it is incidentally discovered when a person is having tests for other conditions such as GERD.

Esophagitis symptoms include difficult and painful swallowing, heartburn, mouth sores feeling something stuck in the throat, nausea, and vomiting. Learn how to recognize esophagitis symptoms, warning signs, and treatment.

What is spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect? Causes of spina bifida may be genetic, nutritional (folic acid), or environmental. Prenatal vitamins during pregnancy may be a key factor in preventing spina bifida. Read about treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and more.

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body and also is in your blood. When the levels get too high, it increases your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Causes can be genetic (homocystinuria) or alcoholism. Treatments are individualized to each individual.

Alcohol has a big nutritional impact. Therefore, it is important to understand how alcohol is processed by your body in order to appreciate how it affects blood alcohol concentration and blood sugar, impacts weight, and contributes to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Cancer prevention strategies exist for reducing the number of both new cases of cancer and deaths caused by cancer. Read about cancer prevention lifestyle, diet, exercise, viatmins, and more.

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the throat from acid reflux. Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat, and difficulty swallowing. Causes of heartburn include lifestyle habits or medical causes. Treatments for heartburn include OTC and prescription medication and lifestyle changes.

Indigestion (dyspepsia, upset stomach) can be caused by problems related to, or not related to the gastrointestinal tract. Signs and symptoms are upper abdominal pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and abdominal distention. Treatment depends upon the cause.

There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.

Dysphagia (swallowing problems) causes vary from physical obstructions, diseases of other organs or tissues, reduced saliva, and Alzheimer's disease. Dysphagia symptoms can be swallowing related and non-swallowing related.

Osteopenia is a bone condition characterized by bone loss that is not as severe as in osteoporosis. Read about treatment, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, medications, and prevention information.

Peptic or stomach ulcers are ulcers in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Learn about symptoms, causes, diet, and treatment.

Consumer information about the types of type 2 diabetes medications. Read about the side effects of Precose, Diabinese, Amaryl, Glucophage, Actos, Avandia, Starlix, Prandin, and more. Drug interactions, dosing, storage, and breastfeeding and pregnancy safety information is provided.

Find out how to get the vitamins and minerals you need through the nutrients in food and nutritional supplements.

Get the facts on the different types of vegetarian and vegan diets, the benefits and disadvantages of each diet, and see the vegan and vegetarian food pyramid guides. Learn about vitamins and supplements and recipe resources.

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily contracted muscle that won't relax. Get information on muscle cramps (charley horses), including leg cramps, causes (vitamin deficiency, drugs, lactic acid, dehydration, low calcium, potassium or magnesium), treatment, home remedies, and prevention.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) treatment includes medications (for example, UDCA, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and drugs to treat PBC symptoms) and sometimes surgery.

Learn about healthy eating during pregnancy, what foods to avoid, staying on a vegetarian diet, dealing with lactose intolerance, pregnancy food cravings, and foods to eat when you are not feeling well during pregnancy.

Read about causes of common warts (viral), types (flat, seed, hand, mosaic, filiform, plantar), removal, home remedies, and treatment (salicylic acid). Warts are considered to be contagious.

Read a comparison of formula feeding and breastfeeding benefits, and learn about homemade formulas and how to choose the healthiest infant formula for your baby.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is considered "good" cholesterol because it actually works to keep the LDL or "bad" cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Foods like extra lean meats, skim milk, and vegetable-based "butter-like" substitutes may help decrease LDL levels in the bloodstream.

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a skin condition in which white bumps appear on the upper arms, thighs, face and cheeks. Read about KP treatment, causes, diagnosis, home remedies, and prognosis.

Carcinoid tumors in the lungs or gut often have no symptoms, however, they may cause carcinoid syndrome. Signs and symptoms of carcinoid syndrome may include facial flushing, diarrhea, heart disease, and "carcinoid crisis." The prognosis and survival rate of a person with carcinoid tumors or syndrome depends upon the patient's medical condition.

Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest and absorb the sugar in dairy products. Signs and symptoms are gas, diarrhea, and bloating. Foods that contain lactose include breads, processed foods, margarine, cereals, and lunch meats. There are several tests to diagnose lactose intolerance.

Get the facts on treatment of the common cold, influenza, and allergy symptoms (headache, fever, sneezing, cough, sore throat) with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Sore throat natural and home remedies such as frozen foods, chicken soup, Throat Coat tea, raw garlic, and essential oils can help soothe sore throat pain.

Learn about colposcopy, a procedure used to determine and examine the cervical and vaginal area for cervical cancer and other conditions. We discuss colposcopy biopsy, side effects, results, and treatments that may result, including hysterectomy.

Learn about usher syndrome, the most genetic common condition that affects hearing and vision. Symptoms include hearing loss, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Heartburn is a symptom of a disease or medical problem such as GERD or diet (alcohol, fatty or spicy foods, coffee, and other acidic juices). Heart attack is caused by a blood clot completely blocking an artery, which causes lack of blood supply to that portion of the heart. Both conditions can cause symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or pain radiating down an arm or down the back.

SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is a condition in which bacteria that lives in the large colon moves into the small colon causing symptoms of gas; and abdominal pain, bloating, and distention. SIBO is associated with diseases like IBS, Crohn's, liver disease, alcohol abuse, and fatty liver.

Wrinkles typically appear on the forehead and around the eyes, which are areas of the body that get a lot of sun exposure. Smoking, light skin type, hairstyle, the way you dress, your occupational and recreational habits, and heredity can cause wrinkles. Treatments for wrinkles include antioxidants, moisturizers, alpha-hydroxy acids, vitamin A acid, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, glycolic acid peels, laser resurfacing, Botox, and fillers.

Chest pain can be caused by many diseases and conditions. Learn about 12 different causes, locations, symptoms, treatments, and diagnoses. If you have pain in the chest, see your doctor or other healthcare professional.

Get the facts on skin cancer symptoms, signs, treatment, and types (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma). Learn how to tell the difference between a benign mole and a potential skin cancer. Read about skin cancer prevention and screening.

A chemical peel is a procedure that damages the skin in a controlled manner. Discover the benefits, risks, side effects, and dangers of the various types of chemical peels.

Are over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, or vitamin supplements safe while you are pregnant? Find out what medications may put you or your baby at risk.

Planning to become pregnant can involve eating healthier foods, avoiding alcohol and certain medications, getting vaccinated against certain infections to prevent birth defects, taking prenatal vitamins, and knowing how soon you can conceive after stopping birth control.

Corns and calluses (hyperkeratosis) are painful areas of thickened skin that appear on the hands, between the toes, and on the soles of the feet. Read about causes, treatment, home remedies, symptoms, signs, and removal, and see pictures.

Consumer information about hereditary spherocytosis, a condition in which a person's red blood cells are spherical in shape rather the normal concave disk shape of red blood cells. Symptoms of hereditary spherocytosis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), enlarged spleen, gallbladder problems, and anemia.

Menopause, by definition, is the absence of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. The age of onset varies for each woman. Menopause symptoms and signs include hot flashes, night sweats, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal itching, dryness, and pain, urinary symptoms, weight gain, acne, skin texture changes, and mood changes.

Learn about the inherited disease cystinuria, an excess of cystine/cystine kidney stones in the urine. Learn how you get kidney stones through inheritance, passing kidney stones, what causes kidney stones, symptoms of kidney stones, kidney stone pain, and kidney stone treatment.

Drug-induced liver disease comes in many types, and has many potential causes. Find out about drug-induced liver disease treatment, signs, and symptoms like itching, easy bruising, and jaundice, and learn how certain drugs can cause liver disease.

Get the facts on tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor) causes, signs, symptoms, and skin fungus treatment. Over-the-counter treatments include Selsun Blue and ketoconazole shampoo.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NASH, is a disease due to an abnormal accumulation of fat within the liver. Eventually, NASH scars the liver, and it ultimately leads to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Usually, NASH causes no symptoms, but later in the progression of the disease, it may cause jaundice, blood clots, and coma. Treatment for fatty liver includes diet, exercise, medication, and surgery.

Causes of hair loss in men or in women include thyroid disease, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and tinea capitis. Hair loss prevention and treatment may involve minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia). Learn about 2 types of hair loss and how to prevent it.

Learn about hypercalcemia, or elevated levels of calcium in the blood. Conditions associated with hypercalcemia include hyperparathyroidism, lung and breast cancer, kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, and excess vitamin D or calcium.

Perimenopause is a part of a woman's transition into menopause. Symptoms can begin as early as age 44 and may include pain during sex or low sex drive, nausea, weight gain, mood changes, hot flashes, and elevated cholesterol levels. Some herbal supplements may help ease symptoms. Medications may be necessary to treat some women's symptoms.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammation of the esophagus. Symptoms include heartburn, difficulty swallowing food, abdominal pain, and food getting stuck in the throat. Eosinophilic esophagitis treatment usually involves medications such as proton pump inhibitors and swallowed fluticasone propionate or budesonide.

Colon cancer is preventable and curable if it is detected early. Get information about risk factors, available screening procedures and tests, and genetic testing information for colon cancer.

Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne and is characterized by painful nodules on the face, back, chest, and neck. Read about treatment, medications, home remedies, and causes.

Hot flashes are a common symptom in women during menopause. They also in women can cause a lot of discomfort. Especially at night, hot flashes are a common problem during and after menopause. Learn the causes of hot flashes and how to stop hot flashes with natural remedies and other treatments.

Get the facts on neuroblastoma symptoms, signs, diagnosis, stages, treatment, types, research, prognosis and statistics. This form of adrenal cancer strikes children under 5 years of age.

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are contagious infections caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses such as influenza (the flu), strep, rhinoviruses, whooping cough, and diphtheria. Bacterial causes of URIs can be treated and cure with antibiotics but viral infections cannot.

Psoriasis is an incurable, chronic autoimmune disorder of the skin that causes patches of thick, flaky, scaly skin, mostly around the scalp, knees, and elbows, though any skin surface may be involved. Some people experience only small patches while others have red, inflamed skin and thick scaly patches all over the body. The exact cause of psoriasis is not clear, but it isn’t contagious.

Learn about diabetic home care and monitoring to keep your diabetes under control. Information includes: diet, exercise, medication therapy, blood glucose strips, glucose meters, urine glucose tests, and tests for urinary ketones.

Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. Read about kidney stone (mephrolithiasis) pain, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, causes, types, diet, and more.

Lower triglycerides naturally with diet, remedies (fish oil, niacin, fiber, alpha-lipoic acid), exercise, weight loss, reducing alcohol and more. Lowering triglycerides helps reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, and other conditions.

Anemia (lack of blood) symptoms and signs can vary depending on the cause. Symptoms and signs may include fatigue, pale skin, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. There are several anemia types. Anemia treatment depends upon the type.

Common warts are growths on the top of the epidermis (skin) and caused by the HPV virus. Home remedies to cure common warts like duct tape, hipnosis, or garlic haven't proven to be effective. Over-the-counter (OTC) products to freeze the wart (cryotherapy) and salicylic acid to chemically burn the wart off. Both of these products should be used carefully as not to burn the skin, face, or around the eyes. Dermatologists treat common and plantar warts.

Colon polyps are fleshy growths inside the colon lining that may become cancerous. Symptoms include rectal bleeding. Learn about causes, signs, treatment, and how to prevent colon cancer.

How can you stop a cough naturally? Learn about 19 tips to stop nighttime and persistent cough. Causes of excessive coughing include prescription medications, allergies, cigarette smoke, heart disease, and infections. Home remedies include natural herbs and supplements like ginger, honey, turmeric, and mint.

Natural or home remedies for headaches include drinking coconut water, caffeine, essential oils like lavender, herbs, vitamins, and avoiding certain foods that trigger headaches, like foods high in salt, alcohol, shellfish, preserved foods, and foods rich in tyramine-rich nutrients.

This itchy, contagious skin rash may be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection (dermatophytes). Learn about creams, sprays, and lotions that treat jock itch or tinea cruris. Read about jock itch treatment, symptoms, and medication.

Learn about the causes of anal and vaginal itching, like pinworms, diarrhea, psoriasis, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, skin tags, yeast infection, diabetes, and HIV. Plus, read about treatment options, causes, diagnosis, and home remedies.

Achalasia is a disease of the esophagus that mainly affects young adults. Achalasia makes it difficult to swallow, can cause chest pain, and may lead to regurgitation. Here we discuss achalasia symptoms, surgery, treatment, and causes. Learn the definition of achalasia and what you can do to treat the disease.

Everyone gets acne at some time, the right time to treat it is when it becomes bothersome or when the potential for scarring develops. Learn what causes, symptoms and what prevents pimples. What is cystic acne and blackhead looks like?

Chronic rhinitis (non allergic rhinitis) causes runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching and congestion. Post-nasal drip is drainage of mucus from the sinuses into the throat. Treatment includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Fibrocystic breast condition is characterized by pain, tenderness, and/or discomfort in one or both breasts, often caused by changes in hormones (menstruation, menopause). Learn about causes and treatment.

Fibromyalgia symptoms include sleep disturbances, tender points, and fatigue. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes body-wide muscle pain.

Learn about leprosy (Hansen's disease), a disfiguring disease caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. Read about symptoms and signs (skin lesions), history, treatment, medications, and transmission of this contagious disease. Plus, see pictures.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of essential fatty acids. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include certain types of fish, walnuts, and canola oil. Researchers believe that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce the risk of having a heart attack.

Cold sores (labial herpes) are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. Read about treatment causes, symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis of oral herpes.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease. There are many types of psoriasis: guttate, plaque, inverse, erythrodermic, and pustular. Red dry flakes, silvery-white skin scales, and plaques of raised skin are common symptoms and signs. Read how diet impacts psoriasis, and learn if it's contagious.

Read about pregnancy power foods or superfoods, which are healthy foods that provide nutrients for you and your growing baby. Learn why each food is healthy for you and your baby, and find out how to enjoy these power foods.

Learn about alkaptonuria, an inherited condition that causes urine to turn black when exposed to air. Conditions associated with alkaptonuria are arthritis, kidney and prostate stones, and heart problems.

Canker sores are small painful sores on the inside of the mouth. Causes include spicy foods, vitamin deficiencies, stress, autoimmune disorders, and hormone deficiencies. Learn about 14 home remedies, medications to treat canker sores, and doctor's perspectives.

Read about cholesterol management including what cholesterol test results, ratios, and different levels mean. Learn about cholesterol medications, goals for treatment, and foods and dietary strategies to balance cholesterol levels.

Discover the differences and similarities between dandruff (seborrhea) and dry scalp. Dandruff is a scalp condition that produces white flakes of skin. Dry scalp is dry skin on one's head. Dry scalp is not a common problem, while dandruff is very common.

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when peripheral nerves become damaged. Peripheral neuropathy causes include diabetes, cancer, shingles, alcohol, medication, and vitamin deficiency. Peripheral neuropathy treatment and prognosis depend on the cause.

Learn about home allergy treatment and managing your environment to reduce allergies. Read about remedies and products to reduce allergens, including dust covers, carpet care items, and cleaning agents to reduce allergens.

Learn how to protect your teeth by avoiding these 19 bad dental habits. Grinding teeth, chewing on ice, and playing sports without a mouth guard are just a few things to avoid to keep your smile intact.

Read about causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of dental cavities (caries, or tooth decay) in babies, toddlers, children, and adults, including in pregnant women.

Learn hernia symptoms, types, surgery and nonsurgical treatments, and causes (can you get a hernia from coughing). Discover which surgeons repair the most common abdominal hernias: inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, umbilical hernia.

Get information about the function of the liver, the largest gland in the body. Liver diseases include hepatitis, cancer of the liver, infections, medications, genetic conditions, and blood flow problems. Read about liver disease symptoms and signs like fatigue, yellowing of the skin, nausea, and more.

Read about menstrual cramps and PMS (premenstrual syndrome) over-the-counter and prescription medications to relieve menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms.

Learn the symptoms, treatment, and diet for rosacea (adult acne), a skin condition that causes facial redness, dilated blood vessels, and ocular rosacea (in advanced cases). Rosacea dietary triggers include alcohol and chocolate.

Learn how to help your children build healthy bones by adopting healthy nutritional and lifestyle habits that will prevent fractures and osteoporosis later in life.

Phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited disorder in which signs and symptoms vary from mild to severe such as seizures, developmental delay, behavioral problems, and psychiatric disorders. PKU is an inherited disorder.

Read about prostate cancer symptoms, survival rates, stages, treatment options, causes, prevention, screening, and diagnosis. Learn lifestyle strategies to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Drug photosensitivity is caused by a phototoxic or photoallergic reaction to certain medications and sunlight. Symptoms include burning, itching, stinging, redness, blisters, and swelling of the affected areas. See pictures and sun-sensitive drugs list.

Arginine is a chemical building block called "an amino acid." Learn about side effects, drug interactions, dosages, warnings, and more.

Information about antacids used to treat heartburn, gastritis, esophagitis, duodenitis, ulcers, calcium deficiencies, hyperphosphatemia, low phosphate levels, postmenopausal osteoporosis. Including side effects, types, uses, and interaction.

Read about heartburn causes like alcohol, caffeine, medications, drinks (juice), food (fruits), smoking, pregnancy, obesity, and medical conditions. Treatment and prevention information is included in the information.

Learn about seizure medications, their side effects, a list of common antiseizure medications and their uses.