DEFINITION A growth plate fracture affects the layer of growing tissue near the ends of a child’s long bones. Growth plates are the softest and weakest sections of the skeleton — sometimes even weaker than surrounding ligaments and tendons. An…
DEFINITION Autoimmune hepatitis is inflammation in your liver that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your liver. Although the cause of autoimmune hepatitis isn’t entirely clear, some diseases, toxins and drugs may trigger autoimmune hepatitis in susceptible people, especially…
DEFINITION H. pylori infection occurs when a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects your stomach. This usually happens during childhood. A common cause of peptic ulcers, H. pylori infection may be present in more than half the…
DEFINITION A hamstring injury occurs when you strain or pull one of your hamstring muscles — the group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh. You may be more likely to get a hamstring injury if…
DEFINITION Gynecomastia is swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. Newborns, boys going through puberty and older men may…
DEFINITION Baby acne is acne that develops on a newborn’s skin. Baby acne can occur anywhere on the face, but usually appears on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Baby acne is common — and temporary. There’s little you can do…
DEFINITION Back pain is a common complaint. Most people in the United States will experience low back pain at least once during their lives. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss…
DEFINITION Bags under eyes — mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes — are common as you age. With aging, the tissues around your eyes, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids, weaken. Normal fat that helps support the…
DEFINITION The Bartholin’s (BAHR-toe-linz) glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina. Sometimes the openings of these glands become obstructed, causing fluid to back up into…
DEFINITION Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown parasitic insects that bite the exposed skin of sleeping humans and animals to feed on their blood. Although bedbugs aren’t known to spread disease, they can cause other public health and economic issues. …
DEFINITION In Barrett’s esophagus, tissue in the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus) is replaced by tissue similar to the intestinal lining. Barrett’s esophagus is most often diagnosed in people who have long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease…
DEFINITION Balance problems include a wide range of symptoms, from dizziness to light-headedness. Your muscles, bones and joints (musculoskeletal system), visual senses, hearing, central nervous system, and blood and heart vessels (cardiovascular system) must work normally for you to have…