Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis refers to a group of conditions in which proteins (amyloids) accumulate in the body's organs and tissues in abnormal amounts, disrupting normal functions. Amyloidosis may be caused by a bone marrow cell disorder or an inherited protein variation. Or it may be associated with other conditions, including...

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a gradual wasting away of nerve cells (motor neurons) in the brain and spinal cord. These nerve cells control the muscles that allow movement. As ALS gets worse, it often becomes harder to walk, speak, eat, swallow, and breathe. But some...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive wasting away of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal column that control the muscles that allow movement. Over a period of months or years, ALS causes increasing muscle weakness, inability to control movement, and problems with...

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male hormone testosterone. Doctors prescribe them to treat problems such as delayed puberty and other medical problems that cause the body to make very low amounts of testosterone. Steroids may help increase growth, build muscle tissue, and make bones stronger...

Anabolic Steroids

What are anabolic steroids? Anabolic steroids are substances that are like the hormone testosterone. They are made in a lab. Doctors prescribe them to treat problems such as delayed puberty and problems that cause the body to make very low amounts of testosterone. They can cause puberty to start and can help some boys...

anagrelide

Anagrelide is used to treat a blood cell disorder called thrombocythemia (also called thrombocytosis), which occurs when your body produces too many platelet cells. . Anagrelide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Anagrelide Oral Capsule (ANAGRELIDE - ORAL)

This medicine may be taken with or without food. Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not keep in the bathroom. Tell your doctor if you have severe or persistent sweating, diarrhea or vomiting. These can increase your risk of a serious side effect. It is important that you keep taking each...

anakinra

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized emergency use of anakinra for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adults who tested positive for COVID-19 with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen, who are at risk of having severe respiratory failure, and are likely to have an increased risk of...

Anal Cancer

What is anal cancer? Anal cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the anus, which is the opening at the end of the rectum. Anal cancer is not common and is often curable. But like other cancers, it can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. What causes it? Some problems can lead to anal cancer, such as HPV...

Anal Cancer Prevention (PDQ®): Prevention - Patient Information [NCI]

Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. By preventing cancer, the number of new cases of cancer in a group or population is lowered. Hopefully, this will lower the number of deaths caused by cancer. To prevent new cancers from starting, scientists look at risk factors and protective...

Anal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Health Professional Information [NCI]

Incidence and Mortality. Estimated new cases and deaths from anal, anal canal, and anorectal cancer in the United States in 2024:[ 1] New cases: 10,540. Deaths: 2,190. Prognosis and Survival. The two major prognostic factors for anal cancer are tumor size and nodal status. Primary tumors smaller than 2 cm have a better...

Anal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI]

Anal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the anus. . The anus is the end of the large intestine, below the rectum, through which stool (solid waste) leaves the body. The anus is formed partly from the outer skin layers of the body and partly from the intestine. Two ring-like...

Anal Fissure

This article covers basic information about anal fissures, including diagnosis, treatment, and self-care.

Anal fissure

An anal fissure is a narrow tear that extends from the muscles that control the anus (anal sphincter) up into the anal canal. These tears usually develop when anal tissue is damaged during a hard bowel movement or when higher-than-normal tension develops in the anal sphincters. Symptoms of an anal fissure include a...

Anal Fissure and Fistula

An anal fissure is a narrow tear that extends from the muscles that control the anus (sphincters) up into the anal canal. These tears usually develop when anal tissue is damaged during a hard bowel movement or when higher-than-normal tension develops in the anal sphincters. An anal fistula is a tubelike passage (tract)...

Anal Fistulas and Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease may cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the intestine and into the surrounding tissue, often around the anus and rectum. These abnormal tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication of Crohn's disease. They may get infected. Crohn's disease can also cause anal fissures. These are narrow...

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis (say "ann-uh-fuh-LAK-suss") is a severe allergic reaction that affects the entire body (systemic). It can occur within a few seconds or minutes after a person is exposed to a substance (allergen or antigen). Symptoms and signs of a severe allergic reaction may include: Itching. Raised, red bumps on the skin...

Anastrozole

Provides a summary of interactions with vitamins, herbs, and food

anastrozole

Anastrozole lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow in the body. Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex...

Anatomy of a healthy joint

The synovial membrane lines the joint and produces synovial fluid to cushion the movement of the joint.

Anatomy of the aorta

The aorta stems from the heart, arches upward (the aortic arch), and then extends down behind the heart and through the chest (the thoracic aorta) and the abdomen areas (the abdominal aorta). The aorta then branches out and becomes the iliac arteries, which provide blood to the pelvis and legs.

Anatomy of the female breast

The lobes, milk ducts, areola, nipple, and fatty and fibrous tissue are the main parts of the female breast. Fat and fibrous tissue make up most of the breast. The lobes and ducts are spread throughout this tissue. Some women have "dense" breasts. This means there is more fibrous tissue than fat. At childbirth, the...

Anatomy of the mouth

The mouth is the opening in the body through which food passes into the body. It's surrounded by the lips and contains the teeth, gums, tongue, soft and hard palates, uvula, and tonsils. It leads to the throat.

Anatomy of the prostate

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped organ that produces most of the fluid in semen. It lies just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine through the penis and out of the body.

Anatomy of the skin

The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer. The skin contains sweat glands, nerves, hair follicles, and blood vessels.

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