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.

Read about osteoporosis treatments, 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.

Hyponatremia or low sodium levels in the blood can result in signs and symptoms like headache, confusion, seizures, weakness, restlessness, and muscle spasms. Kidney or congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, medications, or strenuous exercise without electrolyte replacement can cause hyponatremia. Treatment for hyponatremia are diet changes and electrolyte replacement with an IV.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 have 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.

Learn about parathyroidectomy, the removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands, a surgical procedure used to treat hyperparathyroidism. Discover parathyroidectomy complications, such as prolonged pain, impaired healing, permanent numbness of the neck skin, and scar formation.

Read about blood electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate) and the effects of electrolyte imbalances like kidney failure, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Treatment for high blood pressure includes lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs, and medications. Learn about alternative treatment, prevention, risks, and complications.

Learn the essential elements of a healthy diet and proper nutrition for disease prevention.

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.

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.

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.

Learn about the DASH diet for high blood pressure. The DASH diet includes eliminating high salt, fat, and sugary foods and drinks from the diet (for example, meat dishes, pizza, soups, prepackaged foods), and replacing them with healthier options.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Learn about the electron beam (Ultrafast) CT (EBCT) test used to detects calcium deposits, and help to evaluate future risk of heart disease.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A broken bone is a fracture. There are different types of fractures and symptoms include pain, swelling, and discoloration of the skin around the injured area. Generally the recovery time for a broken bone is 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the circumstances of the injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Angina pectoris, or heart pain, is a symptom of another problem(s) with the heart. Heart disease is the most common type of angina. Angina is caused by insufficient oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscle. The pain from angina feels like a squeezing or pressure in the chest or heartburn.

What are the early signs of congestive heart failure? Congestive heart failure is a heart condition that causes symptoms of shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, and swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet. There are four stages of the disease. Treatment options include diet, medication, exercise, and weight loss.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease (CAD) screening tests can be used to potentially prevent a heart attack or cardiac event in a person without heart disease symptoms, and can assist in diagnosing heart disease in individuals with heart disease symptoms. Coronary heart disease tests can include electrocardiogram (ECC, EKG), exercise stress test, radionuclide stress test, stress echocardiography, pharmacologic stress test, CT coronary angiogram, and coronary angiogram.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an abnormal heart rhythm that causes an irregular and rapid heartbeat. Medications to treat AFib include beta-blockers, blood thinners, and heart rhythm drugs. AFib medications can cause side effects.

Read about calcific bursitis, calcification of the bursa from chronic inflammation. Learn about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment (cortisone injection, ice).

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.

Read about sarcoidosis, a chronic lung disease. Learn causes, symptoms (cough, erythema nodosum, eye inflammation, fibrosis, granulomas), diagnosis, and treatment.

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.

Read about cancer risk factors and causes, such as age, family history, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, radiation, chemicals, viruses, and bacteria.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get information about polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) causes, symptoms, prognosis, medications, and treatment, plus, learn if it's hereditary.

Pseudogout is joint inflammation caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Learn about causes, symptoms (swelling), diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Achalasia makes it difficult to swallow, can cause chest pain, and may lead to regurgitation. Learn about achalasia causes, symptoms, surgery, and treatment.

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 the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention tips for acne.

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.

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.

Constipation is something that everyone has once in awhile. Medications, bowel habits, foods you eat, and laxatives all can cause occasional constipation. Home remedies and over-the-counter products generally treat occasional constipation. If you have constipation on a frequent basis, contact your doctor.

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.

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.

Many common eye disorders resolve without treatment and some may be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist is the problem involves the eyeball itself or the condition hasn't improved after 72 hours of use of an OTC eye care product.

Narcolepsy is a neurological order with symptoms like cataplexy (a debilitating condition in which a person collapses after strong emotions) and hallucinations. Treatment depends upon the severity of the symptoms of narcolepsy, but usually it is treated with drugs. The causes of narcolepsy are not clearly understood.

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.

Consumer information about hereditary spherocytosis, a condition in which a person's red blood cells are spherical rather than 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.

Learn how to lower high cholesterol and manage it for optimal health. Understand what HDL, LDL, and triglycerides are, what test results and ratios mean, and where normal levels range. Read about food and dietary strategies, exercise, and medication treatments to balance cholesterol levels.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anal fissure (fissures) is a very painful condition caused by trauma to the anus and anal canal, which then cuts or tears the anus and anal canal tissue. These tears can be caused by straining to have a bowel movement, hard stools, and chronic episodes of diarrhea. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, anal itching, and painful bowel movements. Treatment includes cream, medicine, surgery, and diet.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get information on bone density scan for osteoporosis and osteopenia risk. Learn about bone mineral density, how the screening is done, and get an explanation of test results.

Diuretics: FAQs - Information on diuretic drugs and the diseases and conditions they are prescribed for; high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, osteoporosis, kidney failure, cirrhosis, and glaucoma. Including uses, types, side effect, and drug interaction.

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

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

Learn about 10 types of high blood pressure (hypertension) medication, the selection of best HBP medications, drug list, side effects, drug interactions, and more.

Learn about sleep disorder drugs (hypnotics/sedatives) side effects and their uses for insomnia, anxiety, narcolepsy, prevention of seizures, muscle spasms, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder. Learn about 7 types, side effects, uses, and drug interactions.

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