Swollen feet are a common symptom with many potential causes. Sometimes it’s as simple as standing too long or eating a salty meal; in other cases, swelling may signal an underlying health condition ...

The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fat. When something goes wrong—like gallstones or inflammation—eating certain foods can trigger cramping, nausea, or other ...

Gout is a chronic condition that occurs when elevated levels of uric acid cause arthritis pain in the joints. The attacks are very sudden and can be difficult to predict. Symptoms of flares include ...

Kidney stones develop when substances like calcium, oxalate, or uric acid accumulate in the urine and crystallize. While many stones are small enough to pass unnoticed, larger ones can cause painful ...

An enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly, isn’t a disease in itself—it’s a sign of something else going on in the body. An enlarged heart is often discovered during routine scans and occurs when the ...

Potassium is an essential mineral that helps regulate muscle function, nerve signals, and fluid balance. But too much of it—known as hyperkalemia—can be dangerous. This condition develops when the ...

Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes high blood sugar. It happens when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly. While there’s no cure, early detection can help prevent ...

In 1968, Dr. Richard Hornberger wrote a novel under the pseudonym Richard Hooker, using his experiences in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in the Korean War. Several years later, his novel served as ...

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 ...

Although their functions may appear simple, the ureters perform essential excretory work for the body. These two slender tubes transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The ureters use a ...

A wide range of psychological disorders can lead to feelings of dysphoria, a sensation often described as an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction with life in general. For those who experience it, it ...

Pneumonia occurs when bacteria enters your lungs, when food, stomach acid, or your saliva goes down or comes up the esophagus -- the wrong channel. This condition is called pulmonary aspiration, and ...