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Shingles What is shingles? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a common infection of the nerves. It is caused by a virus. Shingles set off a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, but it typically appears on only one side of the face or

Actinic Keratosis What is actinic keratosis? Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough, scaly spot or bump on sun-exposed skin. Most people with AK have more than one spot. AK is the most common precancer of the skin. Over time, it can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Most

Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence means you can’t get an erection. It can also mean you aren't happy with the size or hardness of your erections, or how long your erections last. In the past, ED was thought to be

Cancer Overview What is cancer? Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. The whole body is made of cells that act and grow in controlled ways as the body needs them. Cells are controlled by genes. The genes in any cell in the body can be damaged. Then the cell can grow out of

Metabolic Syndrome What is metabolic syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is when you have 3 or more health problems that put you at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It is also known as insulin resistance syndrome. It’s also called syndrome X. If you have metabolic

First Aid for a Choking Baby Choking happens when an object or liquid gets stuck in the throat or airway. This can block the flow of air and cut off oxygen to the brain. A baby may have a weak cough and trouble breathing. Or they may not be breathing. If your baby is choking

Car Seat Safety and Distracted Driving How important are seat belts and car seats? According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Thousands of children are at risk because they are not buckled up. Car seats and seat belts must

Viral Hepatitis Overview What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. The liver is located in the upper right part of the belly (abdomen). Hepatitis can be caused by a virus that leads to damage of liver cells. Hepatitis has 2 types: Acute hepatitis. This type

Achalasia in Children What is achalasia in a child? Achalasia is a rare disease that makes it hard to swallow foods and liquids. In achalasia, there is a problem with the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus). The muscles that make the esophagus

High Blood Pressure in Children and Teens What is high blood pressure in children? Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure: Systolic pressure. This is the higher number. It refers to the