Puberty

Puberty is the time of life when people develop physically and sexually so that they can have children. It is the time when male and female sex characteristics appear and when changes in the sexual organs occur. Puberty is the entire process of changes affecting the body and its hormones that accompany sexual...

Puberty Issues

Puberty is the time of life when people develop physically and sexually so that they can have children. It is the time when male and female sex characteristics appear and when changes in the sexual organs occur. Puberty is the entire process of changes affecting the body and its hormones that accompany sexual...

Pubic Lice

Learn the basics about pubic lice, including how they're treated and how to avoid spreading them.

Pubic lice

Pubic lice ("louse" for just one) are usually found on or near the genitals but may also be found in facial hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, armpits, chest hair, and even on the scalp. They are spread mainly through sexual contact. But they can also be spread through clothing or towels.

Pubis

The pubis is the area where the two pubic bones meet in the front and are joined by cartilage (symphysis pubis). One part of the pubic bone merges upward with an upper hipbone (ilium), while another part merges below with a lower hipbone (ischium).

Pudendal Neuralgia

Pudendal neuralgia is a rare problem with the pudendal nerve that can affect any adult. This nerve runs through your pelvic region. This includes your genitals, urethra, anus, and the area between your anus and genitals (perineum). The condition is also known as pudendal neuropathy or pudendal nerve entrapment. Pudendal...

Pulling your belly in

You can do this exercise anywhere, in any position. Try it while you work at your desk, drive, or stand waiting for your turn at the drugstore. Pull in your belly and imagine pulling your belly button back toward your spine. (Remember to keep your neutral spine while you do this-don't let your back bend forward. Neutral...

Pulmonary (Lung) Nodules

What are pulmonary (lung) nodules? Pulmonary (lung) nodules are growths or "spots" in the lungs. You may have just one nodule (called a solitary pulmonary nodule) or more than one (called multiple nodules). What causes them? Lung nodules may be caused by: A lung cancer. A cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the...

Pulmonary atresia

Pulmonary atresia is a type of congenital heart disease in which the opening between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle is blocked. This can result in an enlarged heart, reduced blood vessel function in the lungs, and problems with the right ventricle. Pulmonary atresia is usually linked with heart...

Pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema is the buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually resulting from the heart's inability to pump blood through the body effectively. It can be caused by such things as heart or kidney failure, poisoning, or nonfatal drowning. Symptoms of pulmonary edema include difficulty breathing, restlessness, shortness of...

Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism happens when an artery in the lung is suddenly blocked. It's usually caused by a blood clot in a leg vein that breaks loose, travels to a lung (pulmonary) artery, and blocks blood flow. This is very serious and can be deadly.

Pulmonary Embolism

Discusses primary cause (blood clot in the lungs) and symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Looks at treatment with thrombolytic medicines, blood thinners (anticoagulants), or surgery. Links to info on complications like pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary Embolism Risk Factors and Warning Signs

If you have pain when you are breathing, you may be at immediate risk for a pulmonary embolism if you also have: Pain deep in one leg for no clear reason. This can be a sign of a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) that could travel to the lungs. A history of problems with blood clots, such as deep vein...

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include: Sudden shortness of breath. Sudden, sharp chest pain that may get worse when you breathe deeply or cough. A cough. The cough may bring up blood or pink, foamy mucus. Fast heart rate. Wheezing. Fainting.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

This article describes pulmonary fibrosis, including its symptoms and treatment. Includes info about self-care.

Pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which scarring occurs in the lungs. It can be caused by an infection (such as tuberculosis or pneumonia) or injury or by breathing certain materials, such as asbestos. But sometimes no cause can be found for pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis makes the lungs less elastic and can...

Pulmonary Hypertension

What is pulmonary hypertension? Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. This may also be called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs, where the blood picks up oxygen. The walls of the arteries may get thick, which narrows the...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

What is pulmonary rehabilitation? Pulmonary rehabilitation—"rehab" for short— is a program that uses education, exercise, and support to help people with breathing problems. The programs are designed based on your health needs and your goals. You'll work with a care team that includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, and...

Pulmonary valve stenosis

Pulmonary valve stenosis is a narrowing of the valve between the lower right heart chamber and the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs. It is a structural problem that develops before a baby is born (congenital heart disease). Because the valve is narrow, the heart pumps harder to try to...

Pulmonic Valve

The pulmonic valve is between the right lower chamber (right ventricle) of the heart and the artery that takes blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery).

Pulmonologist

Pulmonologists are medical doctors who further specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia. Pulmonologists perform tests to check how well a person is breathing. And they may use procedures such as bronchoscopy to diagnose a breathing problem. Pulmonologists can be...

Pulp (dental)

The pulp is the center (core) of a tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels and helps fight infection in the tooth. The pulp feeds the tooth by sending nutrients into the middle layer of the tooth (dentin). It can also create new, healthy dentin.

Pulse (Heart Rate)

Pulse is the regular expansion of the arteries caused by the surge of blood that occurs each time the heart beats (contracts). It can be felt by gently pressing the fingers on certain blood vessels that are close to the skin's surface. Pulse is also called heart rate, which is the number of times the heart beats per...

Pulse Measurement

Your pulse is the rate at which your heart beats. Your pulse is usually called your heart rate, which is the number of times your heart beats each minute (bpm). But the rhythm and strength of the heartbeat can also be noted, as well as whether the blood vessel feels hard or soft. Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, a...

Pulse oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a device that checks to see how much oxygen your blood is carrying. Usually a small clip is put on the end of your finger. (Sometimes it's put on your toe or earlobe.) The device shines a light beam through the skin. It estimates your oxygen level by measuring the percentage of your blood that's...

Pumpkin

Botanical names: Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita pepo How It Works Pumpkin seeds contain several major groups of active constituents: essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols (e.g. beta-sitosterol) minerals, and vitamins. Other major constituents include mucilaginous carbohydrates and minerals. . Pumpkin seed oil...

Punch biopsy

A punch biopsy is done to remove a skin growth (lesion). A sharp tool called a skin punch is used. The tool works like a tiny cookie cutter. The doctor gives a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then the tool is placed over the growth, pushed down, and slowly rotated to remove a circular core of skin. The biopsy area is...

Puncture Wound

A puncture wound is a forceful injury caused by a sharp, pointed object that penetrates the skin. A puncture wound is usually narrower and deeper than a cut or scrape.

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