Harvard Health Topics
These authoritative articles, sourced from Harvard Health Publications, provide comprehensive information about medical conditions, diseases, procedures, and devices. Each topic includes detailed definitions, descriptions, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, prognosis, and additional resources.
For more information on diseases and conditions, see: Micromedex CareNotes.
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A
- Abdominal adhesions
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Abdominal CT scan (computed tomography scan)
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Abortion (Termination Of Pregnancy)
- Absence Seizures (Petit Mal Seizures)
- Achalasia
- ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injuries
- Acne
- Acoustic neuroma
- Acupuncture
- Acute bronchitis
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in Adults
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in Children
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute Prostatitis
- Acute sinusitis
- Adenocarcinoma of the lung
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma
- Age spots (solar lentigo, liver spots)
- Aging
- Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Allergy
- Allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy)
- Alopecia areata
- Altitude sickness
- Alzheimer's disease
- Amenorrhea
- Amniocentesis
- Amyloidosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Anal Cancer
- Anal disorders
- Anal itch (pruritus ani)
- Anaphylaxis
- Anemia
- Angina
- Angioplasty
- Ankle fracture
- Ankle sprain
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Anorexia nervosa
- Anoscopy
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Aplastic anemia
- Appendicitis
- Arm fracture
- Arterial Blood Flow Studies of the Legs (Segmental Doppler Pressures)
- Arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Asthma
- Astigmatism
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria
- Atherosclerosis
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
- Atrial fibrillation
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
B
- Back pain
- Back x-rays (spine x-rays)
- Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella vaginitis)
- Balanitis
- Barium enema
- Barium swallow (upper gastrointestinal series or upper GI series)
- Barotrauma
- Bartholin's gland cyst
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Bedsores (decubitus ulcers)
- Bedwetting (Enuresis)
- Behcet's disease
- Bell's Palsy
- Bile duct diseases
- Biliary colic
- Biofeedback
- Biopsy
- Biopsy of the prostate and transrectal ultrasound
- Bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness or manic depression)
- Black Eye
- Bladder cancer
- Bladder infection (cystitis)
- Blepharitis
- Blisters
- Blood testing
- Body lice
- Boils and carbuncles
- Bone density test
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Bone marrow transplant
- Bone scan
- Borderline personality disorder
- Botulism
- Bowel obstruction
- Bradycardia
- Brain Abscess
- Brain tumor
- Breast cancer
- Breast Ultrasound
- Broken jaw
- Broken nose (nasal fracture)
- Bronchoscopy
- Bulimia
- Bunion
- Bursitis
C
- Caesarean Section
- Campylobacteriosis
- Cancer
- Candidiasis
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Carcinoid Tumors of the Lung
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiomyopathy
- Carotid ultrasound (carotid Doppler)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cataracts
- Celiac disease (non-tropical sprue)
- Cellulitis
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical polyps
- Cervicitis
- Chemical Injury to the Eye
- Chemotherapy
- Chest x-ray
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Chlamydia
- Cholecystectomy
- Cholecystitis
- Chondromalacia patella
- Chondrosarcoma
- Chorionic Villus Sampling
- Choroidal Melanoma
- Chronic hepatitis
- Chronic laryngitis
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma, and mastoiditis
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Chronic prostatitis
- Chronic sinusitis (in adults)
- Cirrhosis
- Cluster headache
- Cogan's syndrome
- Collarbone (Clavicle) Fracture
- Colon polyps
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal cancer
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy and cervical biopsy
- Coma and Persistent Vegetative State
- Common cold (viral rhinitis)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Computed tomography (CT scan) for back problems
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Concussion
- Constipation and impaction
- Contact Dermatitis
- Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal Transplant
- Corns and calluses
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Coronary artery disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
- Crohn's disease
- Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)
- Croup
- Curvature of the Penis (Peyronie's Disease)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cystoscopy
- Cystourethrogram
- Cysts
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
D
- Dandruff
- Decompression sickness
- Delusional disorder
- Dementia
- Depression
- Dermatofibroma
- Detached retina
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip
- Deviated septum
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Diabetic neuropathies
- Diarrhea
- Digital rectal exam
- Dislocated lens
- Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Down Syndrome
- Drooping Eyelid (Ptosis)
- Dry eye syndrome
- Dry skin
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Dyslexia
- Dysuria
E
- Earache
- Echocardiogram
- Eczema
- Edema
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG)
- Electrophysiological testing of the heart
- Emphysema
- Encephalitis
- Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) in Children
- End-Stage Renal Disease
- Endocarditis
- Endometrial biopsy
- Endometriosis
- Endophthalmitis
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopy
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
- Epidemic Pleurodynia
- Epidermoid cyst
- Epididymitis and orchitis
- Epiglottitis
- Epilepsy
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal rings and webs
- Esophageal varices
- Esophagitis
- Essential tremor
- Ewing's Sarcoma
- Excisional Biopsy of the Breast
- Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors
- Eye socket fracture (fracture of the orbit)
F
- Fallen arch
- Fallopian Tube Cancer
- Familial Dysautonomia
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Febrile seizures
- Fecal incontinence
- Fecal occult blood test
- Felon
- Female Infertility
- Fetal ultrasound
- Fever
- Fibroids
- Fibromyalgia
- Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)
- Finger dislocation
- Flu (influenza)
- Fluorescein angiography (test for diabetic retinopathy)
- Food Allergy
- Food poisoning
- Foot sprain
- Foot ulcers
- Foot X-Ray
- Foreign body In eye
- Foreign objects in the ear
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Friction blisters
- Friedreich's ataxia
- Frostbite
G
- Gallbladder and bile duct cancer
- Gallstones
- Gas (flatulence)
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis in adults
- Gastroenteritis In Children
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gastrointestinal amebiasis
- Gaucher Disease
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Generalized seizures (grand mal seizures)
- Genital herpes
- Genital warts
- Gestational diabetes
- Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)
- Giardiasis
- Glaucoma
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- Glomerulonephritis
- Gonorrhea
- Gout
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- Graves' disease
- Graves' eye disease (Graves' ophthalmopathy)
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
H
- Hair loss
- Hammertoe
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Head injury In adults
- Head Injury In Children
- Head lice
- Headache
- Hearing Loss in Adults
- Hearing Loss in Children
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heart failure
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Transplant
- Heart valve problems
- Heart valve replacement
- Heart-Lung Transplant
- Heat stroke (hyperthermia)
- Heel pain
- Hematuria
- Hemochromatosis
- Hemophilia
- Hemorrhagic stroke
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hereditary-patterned baldness
- Hernia
- Hernia repair
- Herniated disc
- Hiatal hernia
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
- Hip Fracture
- Hirsutism
- HIV/AIDS
- Hives (urticaria)
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Holter Monitor and Event Monitor
- Hot flashes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Huntington's disease (chorea)
- Hydrocephalus
- Hyperkeratosis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Hysterectomy
- Hysterosalpingogram
- Hysteroscopy
I
- Ichthyosis
- Illness Anxiety Disorder
- Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
- Immunotherapy
- Impetigo
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction)
- Infectious arthritis
- Infectious Mononucleosis
- Ingrown Toenail
- Inguinal hernia
- Insomnia
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Intracranial aneurysms
- Iron deficiency
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
J
K
- Kaposi's Sarcoma
- Kawasaki Syndrome
- Keloids
- Keratitis
- Kidney Cancer
- Kidney failure
- Kidney stones
- Kidney Transplant
- Knee sprain
L
- Lactose intolerance
- Lacunar stroke
- Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis (Histiocytosis X)
- Large Core Needle Biopsy of the Breast
- Laryngitis
- LASIK
- Latex Allergy
- Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
- Lead Poisoning
- Leg fracture
- Leg strain
- Leukemia
- Liver biopsy
- Liver Cancer
- Long QT syndrome
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Lung cancer
- Lung Transplant
- Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Lyme disease
- Lymphedema
- Lymphoma
M
- Ménière's disease
- Macular degeneration
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Major depression
- Malaria
- Male Infertility
- Malignant hyperthermia
- Mammography
- Marfan syndrome
- Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY)
- Measles (rubeola)
- Meckel's diverticulum
- Mediastinoscopy
- Medication allergy
- Melanoma
- Melasma (chloasma)
- Meningitis
- Menopause and perimenopause
- Mesothelioma
- Metastatic brain tumors
- Mid-menstrual cycle pain (mittelschmerz)
- Middle-ear infection (otitis media)
- Migraine
- Miscarriage
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Molar Pregnancy
- Moles (nevi)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Morton's neuroma
- MRSA skin infection
- Multiple Myeloma
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Mumps
- Muscle strain
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes
- Myelography (Myelogram)
- Myocarditis
- Myositis
N
- Nabothian cysts
- Nail trauma
- Narcolepsy
- Nasal polyps
- Nausea
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Nephrectomy
- Neuroblastoma
- Neurofibromatosis
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Nosebleed (epistaxis)
O
- Obesity
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Onycholysis
- Optic nerve swelling (papilledema)
- Oral Cancer
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Osteosarcoma
- Ovarian Cancer
- Oxygen saturation test
P
- Pacemaker
- Paget's Disease of Bone
- Pain
- Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Panic disorders
- Pap test (Papanicolaou smear)
- Parathyroid Cancer
- Parkinson's Disease
- Paronychia
- Partial Seizures (Focal Seizures)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Pelvic Ultrasound and Transvaginal Ultrasound
- Peptic Ulcer
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTCA)
- Perforated eardrum
- Pericarditis
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Peritonsillar Abscess
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Phimosis and paraphimosis
- Phobia
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Pituitary tumors
- Pityriasis rosea
- Plague (Yersinia Pestis)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Pleural fluid sampling (or thoracentesis)
- Pleurisy And Pleural Effusion
- Pneumoconiosis
- Pneumonectomy
- Pneumonia
- Pneumothorax
- Polio
- Polyarteritis nodosa
- Polychondritis
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Positron emission tomography (PET scan)
- Post-polio syndrome
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries
- Postpartum depression
- Pre-Diabetes
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia
- Premature ejaculation
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Presbyopia
- Priapism
- Prostate Cancer
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Blood Test (PSA Test)
- Pseudogout (CPPD)
- Psoriasis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Pubic lice or crab lice
- Pulmonary function testing
- Pyelonephritis
R
- Radiation therapy
- Radionuclide Scanning
- Rapid Strep Test
- Rash
- Raynaud's phenomenon
- Reactive arthritis
- Rectocele
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Restless legs syndrome
- Retinal vessel occlusion
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Retinoblastoma
- Retinopathy
- Retrobulbar Neuritis
- Retrograde Ejaculation
- Reye syndrome
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ringworm (tinea)
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Rosacea
- Rotator cuff injury
S
- Salivary gland disorders
- Sarcoidosis
- Scabies
- Scarlet fever
- Schizophrenia
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Sciatica
- Scleritis
- Scleroderma
- Scoliosis
- Scratch Test for Allergies
- Screening for Birth Defects in Early Pregnancy (Combined Test, Integrated Test, and Quadruple Test)
- Sebaceous cysts
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Secondary hypertension
- Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Drug Use Disorder
- Seizure
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Shigellosis
- Shin splints
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder sprain
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Sjogren's syndrome
- Skin Biopsy
- Skin tags (acrochordon)
- Sleep apnea
- Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Smallpox
- Snellen Test for Visual Acuity
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- Somatic Symptom Disorder
- Sore throat (pharyngitis)
- Spider veins
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Trauma
- Spinal cord tumors
- Sprain
- Sputum evaluation (and sputum induction)
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
- Stereotactic Biopsy of the Breast
- Stomach Cancer
- Stroke
- Stuttering
- Styes and chalazions
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Subdural hematoma
- Sun allergy (photosensitivity)
- Sun-damaged skin
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- Sutures
- Swallowed object
- Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)
- Syphilis
T
- Tachycardia
- Takayasu's arteritis
- Tay-Sachs Disease
- TB (tuberculosis) skin test
- Tear duct infection (dacryocystitis)
- Telogen effluvium
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Tension headache
- Testicular Cancer
- Testicular torsion
- Testing for Vaginitis (Yeast, Trichomonas, and Bacterial Vaginosis)
- Tetanus
- Throat cancer (larynx and pharynx)
- Throat culture
- Thrombocytopenia
- Thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism)
- Thrombotic Stroke
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid Nuclear Medicine Tests (Thyroid Scan and Uptake)
- Thyroidectomy
- Tick bites
- Tics
- Tinea versicolor
- Tinnitus
- Toenail fungus (onychomycosis)
- Tonometry
- Torn Meniscus
- Torsional deformity
- Tourette Syndrome
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Toxoplasmosis
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Traumatic dislocation of the hip
- Traveler's diarrhea
- Trichomoniasis
- Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureux)
- Tropical sprue
- Tuberculosis
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
U
- Ulcerative colitis
- Ultrasound
- Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)
- Upper endoscopy (eophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD)
- Urethritis
- Urinalysis
- Urinary catheterization
- Urinary health
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary tract infection in men
- Urinary tract infection in women
- Uterine and bladder prolapse
- Uterine Cancer
- Uveitis
V
- Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis)
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Vaginitis
- Varicose veins
- Vascular birthmarks
- Vasculitis
- Vasectomy
- Ventilation-perfusion scan or VQ scan
- Vertigo
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Vitiligo
- Vocal Cord Disorders
- Vulvar Cancer
W
- Waldenström Macroglobulinemia
- Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
- Warts
- Wax blockage of the ear canal
- Wilms' Tumor
- Wire localization biopsy of the breast
- Wrist sprain
X
Y
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