Common Types of Hernias
Provides information on common hernias, including abdominal, incisional, and umbilical hernias. Briefly covers symptoms and treatment with surgery.
Communication in Cancer Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Health Professional Information [NCI]
This summary provides oncology clinicians with an overview of key topics in communication in cancer care. The goal is to facilitate more effective communication between cancer clinicians and the patients and families they care for. The summary explores the following topics: Discussion of the literature on the goals and...
Communication in Cancer Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI]
Good communication between people with cancer, their family, and the health care team is important in cancer care. Good communication with your family and the health care team can create a trusting relationship that positively affects many parts of your cancer journey. . The goals of good communication in cancer care...
Comorbidity
Comorbidity (say "koh-mor-BID-uh-tee") means that a person has two or more diseases at the same time. These are usually long-term (chronic) diseases that need treatment for a lifetime. Examples of comorbidities include having both high blood pressure and diabetes, or having high cholesterol, heart failure, and diabetes...
Comparing Artificial Sweeteners
What are artificial sweeteners? Artificial sweeteners can be used instead of sugar to sweeten foods and drinks. They are also found in many foods sold in grocery stores. These sweeteners, also called sugar substitutes, are made from chemicals and natural substances. The most common sugar substitutes are: Aspartame...
Comparing Nicotine Replacement Methods
Nicotine replacement therapies are helpful for people who quit smoking. They are available in several forms, such as patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers. All forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) work equally well. But talk with your doctor about what products might be best for you and what dosage...
Comparing Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are different types of arthritis. They share some similar characteristics, but each has different symptoms and requires different treatment. So an accurate diagnosis is important. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one-tenth as...
Comparing Stop-Smoking Medicines
Several medicines can help you quit using tobacco. You can take medicine to reduce your craving for nicotine. You also can use nicotine replacement products to reduce cravings and give you smaller and smaller amounts of nicotine. Your doctor can help you decide which medicine—or combination of medicines—may work better...
Comparing Symptoms of Normal Moodiness With Depression in Children
It is normal for your child to be moody or somewhat grouchy as they get older. But if your child is sad or grouchy for a long time or seems to take less pleasure in activities they used to enjoy, it could point to depression. Depression is not a normal part of growing up. Deciding whether your child's behavior is normal...
Compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that develops when swelling takes place within an enclosed area (compartment), in which muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones in the compartment have no room to expand. Pressure on arteries, veins, and nerves causes extreme pain, slows circulation to the muscles and...
Compensation
Compensation is a process in which the brain learns how to ignore false signals sent from the part of the inner ear that detects motion. The false signals, sent when the inner ear is injured or diseased, conflict with the signals from the other balance centers in the body. This results in the symptom called vertigo (a...
complement C1 esterase inhibitor
Complement C1 esterase inhibitor is a man-made form of a protein in blood that helps control swelling in the body. People with a condition called hereditary angioedema do not have enough of this protein. Hereditary angioedema can cause attacks of swelling and symptoms such as stomach problems or trouble breathing...
Complement Test
A complement test uses a blood sample to detect a group of proteins that help the body attack foreign substances. When there are a lot of foreign substances in the body, such as bacteria or viruses, a low level of complement means the body is trying to get rid of the foreign substances. If the body is attacking its own...
Complementary medicine
Complementary medicine is a nonstandard therapy that some people use in addition to their doctor's standard care. (The word "complementary" means "in addition to.") It includes mind and body practices like acupuncture, natural health products like dietary supplements, and alternative health approaches like traditional...
Complementary Medicine
Provides links on yoga, massage therapy, and dietary supplements. Also links to information on naturopathic medicine. Interactive links include stress management, muscle relaxation, and deciding whether to use complementary medicine.
Complementary Medicine
Describes complementary and alternative medicine, including how well it works and how to use it safely. Provides links to various therapies, including homeopathy, yoga, acupuncture, and chiropractic.
Complementary Medicine for Arthritis
A lot of people use some form of complementary medicine to treat osteoarthritis. These treatments are often used along with standard care to help relieve their arthritis symptoms. Some of these treatments may help you move more easily and deal with the stress and pain of arthritis. But in some cases, not much is known...
Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that gives important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your doctor evaluate symptoms (such as weakness, fatigue, or bruising) and diagnose conditions (such as anemia...
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) gives important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps your doctor check any symptoms that you may have, such as weakness, fatigue, or bruising. A CBC also helps him or her diagnose conditions...
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test: Understanding the Test
Learn what happens during a complete blood count test and why you would need one.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
What is complex regional pain syndrome? Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a term used to describe a group of painful conditions. Examples of earlier names for these conditions include reflex sympathetic dystrophy, causalgia, and Sudeck's atrophy. Pain is the main symptom of CRPS. Most people have severe pain in...
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that can occur after an injury or surgery. Ongoing pain in the area of the injury or surgery is the main symptom of CRPS. The pain is much worse and lasts longer than a person would expect for the type of injury they had. Some people don't have an injury or surgery...
Complicated Urinary Tract Infections
Several factors determine whether you have a complicated urinary tract infection. You have symptoms, such as: A high temperature, greater than 101 °F (38.3 °C). Ongoing nausea, vomiting, and chills. Your condition getting worse in spite of doctor-directed home treatment. You have other risks, such as: Diabetes...
Complications of Ear Infections
Complications from ear infections are rare. But some problems that can occur include: Trouble hearing. Hearing problems are usually temporary and mild to moderate. Long-lasting hearing loss is rare. But some children may have problems learning to talk and understand speech if they have repeat ear infections. Rupture of...
Complications of Enlarged Prostate
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rarely has complications. When it does, they are often due to severe obstruction of the urine flow. These complications include: Complete blockage of the urethra (acute urinary retention, or AUR). This results in a complete inability to urinate. It can cause kidney damage, which may be...
Complications of Grief
Health problems that can develop from grieving include depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and physical illness. If you or someone you know experiences any of the following problems, contact a doctor or mental health professional for counseling, medicine, or both. Depression Depression is the most common condition...
Complications of Lupus
People who have lupus may develop problems with different organs and systems of the body. These include problems with: The blood. There may be changes in the blood cells, anemia, and changes to organs related to circulation, such as the spleen or lymph nodes. Some people with lupus produce antibodies that attack certain...
Complications of Osteoarthritis
Most people find osteoarthritis to be a nuisance that eventually becomes significant enough to affect their daily activities. And sometimes there are more serious complications. Possible complications of osteoarthritis include: Rapid, complete breakdown of cartilage resulting in loose tissue material in the joint...
Complications of Paget's Disease
Paget's disease can cause complications such as: Osteoarthritis. Paget's disease can damage the bone around a joint. This can cause the cartilage in the joint to weaken and break down, which leads to arthritis. Many people feel bone or joint pain before they are diagnosed with Paget's disease and osteoarthritis. Broken...
Complications of Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer may cause problems such as: Bleeding. Peptic ulcers sometimes bleed. Sometimes an ulcer may involve just the surface lining of the digestive tract. The person may then have a slow but constant loss of blood into the digestive tract. Over time, this may cause anemia. If ulcers become larger and go deeper...