What is blepharitis? Blepharitis (say "bleh-fuh-RY-tus") is a skin problem that affects the eyelids and lashes. It may be caused by bacteria or by other skin conditions such as dandruff, skin allergies, or eczema. If you have blepharitis, you're also more likely to get styes. What are the symptoms? If you have...
Botanical names: Cnicus benedictus How It Works The sesquiterpene lactones, such as cnicin, provide the main beneficial effects of blessed thistle in the treatment of indigestion. The bitterness of these compounds stimulates digestive activity, including the flow of saliva and secretion of gastric juice, which leads to...
Blinatumomab is used to treat a certain type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults and children. This medicine is given after other cancer treatments have been tried without success. Blinatumomab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, some...
For treating cancer. Brand Name(s): Blincyto. Generic Name: Blinatumomab.
Learn how to care for your blister so it will heal and won't get infected.
Most blisters heal on their own. Home treatment may help decrease pain, prevent infection, and help heal large or broken blisters. Bandage small blisters. A small, unbroken blister about the size of a pea, even a blood blister, will usually heal on its own. Use a loose bandage to protect it. Avoid the activity that...
Blisters are fluid-filled bumps that look like bubbles on the skin. You may develop a blister on your foot when you wear shoes that rub against your skin. Home treatment is often all that is needed for this type of blister.
Briefly discusses causes of blisters, including injury and infection. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
What are blocked eustachian tubes? The eustachian (say "you-STAY-shee-un") tubes connect the middle ears to the back of the throat. The tubes help the ears drain fluid. They also keep air pressure in the ears at the right level. When you swallow or yawn, the tubes open briefly to let air in to make the pressure in the...
Milk ducts in the breast may become blocked during breastfeeding when the breasts are full and not emptied regularly or thoroughly. Blocked milk ducts cause a lump that is sometimes tender and can become infected (mastitis). Blocked milk ducts may be treated by: Breastfeeding more often and in different positions, which...
Learn the basics about blocked tears duct, including the treatment and self-care.
A blood alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol (ethanol) in your body. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink. The amount of alcohol in the blood reaches its highest level about an hour after drinking. But food in the stomach may increase the...
What are blood and body fluid precautions? Blood and body fluid precautions are used to prevent transmission of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis. These precautions are used by health care workers and people who provide first aid when they may be in contact with blood or body fluids. Precautions may include protective...
Blood and body fluid precautions (universal precautions) are a set of recommendations designed to prevent the transmission of diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other diseases while administering first aid or other health care. These precautions consider all blood and body...
Has links on complete blood count, sedimentation rate tests, and anemia. Also includes links to lymph topics such as swollen glands/other lumps under the skin and lymphedema.
A blood clot (a clump of blood) that forms in a vein and causes inflammation is called thrombophlebitis. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, warmth, and redness along the length of a vein. A clot may form either in a vein just under the surface of the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) or in a deep vein (deep vein...
Find out what a blood clot is.
Blood clots can happen in veins. A blood clot in a vein close to the skin isn't likely to cause problems. But having blood clots in deep veins is called deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis happens most often in the legs. This problem can lead to a blood clot in the lung ( pulmonary embolism). The deep veins of...
Blood normally doesn't have any bacteria or fungi in it. A blood culture is a test of a blood sample to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A bacterial infection in the blood, called bacteremia, can be serious. That's because the blood can spread the bacteria to any part of the body. A...
A blood culture is a test on a sample of blood to check for bacteria, a fungus, or sometimes viruses in the bloodstream. The test may be done if a doctor suspects a blood infection. A blood culture may help determine the specific organism causing an infection and select the appropriate antibiotic to treat it. Usually a...
Discusses blood glucose tests used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes. Covers types of tests, including fasting blood sugar, 2-hour postprandial blood sugar, random blood sugar, and oral glucose tolerance. Discusses how to prepare and what results mean.
Blood in the stool can come from anywhere in the digestive tract, such as the stomach or intestines. Depending on where the blood is coming from and how fast it is moving, it may be bright red, reddish brown, or black like tar. A little bit of bright red blood on the stool or on the toilet paper is often caused by mild...
Blood pressure is the force of blood inside an artery. A blood pressure reading measures the force of blood against the walls of an artery. Blood pressure is measured by temporarily stopping the flow of blood in an artery, using a cuff placed around the upper arm. Air is added to the cuff until blood flow stops. As the...
It is important that the blood pressure cuff is the right size for your arm: not too large and not too small. If you will be monitoring your blood pressure at home, ask your doctor or nurse to check to make sure the cuff fits correctly. The inflatable part of the cuff needs to be at least as long as the widest...
If the blood pressure cuff does not fit correctly, the results may not be accurate. This cuff is too large for the user's arm. There is too much overlap.
If the blood pressure cuff does not fit correctly, the results may not be accurate. This cuff is too small. The inflatable part of the cuff needs to be at least as long as the widest measurement around your upper arm.
What do your blood pressure numbers mean? Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure readings include two numbers. The first number is the systolic pressure (top number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls as your heart pumps. The second number is the...
Your care provider uses a blood pressure monitor to screen for high blood pressure. A blood pressure cuff is wrapped around your bare upper arm. The cuff is then pumped up. The cuff is slowly deflated, and the monitor shows your blood pressure numbers. Either an automatic or manual monitor can be used. After measuring...
Blood serum is the sticky, watery liquid left after the solid parts of the blood (the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) have clumped (coagulated).
If you have diabetes, talk with your health professional (if you haven't already) about how often you need to test your blood sugar level. Use this form to record the times that you should test and when to call your health professional for blood sugar problems. Post the completed form in a convenient place to remind...
