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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

Common Liver Tests What are some common liver tests? A series of blood tests can often find out if the liver is inflamed, injured, or working normally. The pattern of abnormalities can point to hepatitis (infection or inflammation of the liver) versus cholestasis (problems with

Screening Tests for Common Diseases What is a screening test? A screening test is done to find possible health problems or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms of disease. The goal is to find a problem early enough to lower the risk for the disease. Or to find it early

Tests to Diagnose a Stroke How is a stroke diagnosed? Your doctor will ask you about your health history. They will give you a physical exam. You may also have these tests to diagnose a stroke. Imaging tests of the brain CT scan. This test uses X-rays and a computer to make

Cardiomyopathy and Your Child What is cardiomyopathy? Cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle. It makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. There are different types of the disease. Any of them can cause the heart muscle to get larger, thicken, or become stiff. They keep

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

Common Discomforts During Pregnancy Symptoms of discomfort due to pregnancy vary from person to person. Below are some common discomforts. But each parent-to-be may have different symptoms or none at all: Nausea and vomiting. About half of all pregnant people have nausea and

The Digestive System: An Overview What is digestion? Food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients to be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout the body. Digestion is the process by which food and liquid are broken down into smaller parts

Skin Self-Exam Skin cancer can be treated with more success if it's found early. The way to do this is with regular skin exams. This means having a doctor check your skin. And it also means regularly checking your skin at home. Getting regular skin exams Skin exams are important

Complications of Pregnancy What are some of the more common complications of pregnancy? Many pregnancies are uneventful. But sometimes complications happen. Here are some of the more common pregnancy complications. Amniotic fluid complications Too much or too little amniotic