Diseases and Conditions

The kidneys control water quality and levels in the body and release an array of hormones and enzymes. Find out why diabetic kidneys start to lose their ability to be effective water-treatment plants.

By Timothy Gower

Diabetics are more likely to have a heart attack -- and their heart attacks are more likely to be fatal. Learn how diabetes increases your chances of developing conditions like hypertension and heart failure.

By Timothy Gower

Texas just mandated Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine, for all girls entering sixth grade. But many people elsewhere are finding it difficult to get their daughters vaccinated.

By Julia Layton

Most of us think of water as the healthiest drink in the world. But in abnormal amounts, it can actually cause death. How can a liquid you need to stay alive end up killing you?

By Julia Layton

Hanging, when carried out with modern techniques, can be one of the quickest and most painless ways to be executed. But not all hangings are designed that way.

By Julia Layton & Alia Hoyt

Many of us understand that we're most contagious before we start feeling sick. Find out when colds and the flu are most easily spread.

By Julia Layton

If you're a mother in tropical Africa, a biting mosquito is one of your worst fears, because it can transmit malaria. Learn about this serious, often fatal disease and find out why it's one of the world's most pressing public health concerns.

By Sherry Kahn

So who's at risk for breast cancer? And what does someone do once they receive their diagnosis? Here, we tackle these and other questions you'll want answered.

By Molly Edmonds

The aches of arthritis can make simple tasks seem like an insurmountable burden. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are steps you can take to project your joints. Learn how to prevent arthritis pain.

By Diana L. Anderson

Preventing back pain is much easier than treating it after an injury. Learn how to avoid the bad habits that can damage your back.

Maybe you lifted something heavy or swung a golf club too enthusiastically. Whatever the reason, now your back is out and you're wishing for something to end the agony. Learn how to relieve back pain.

Every room in your house is a potential host for the sources of allergies -- pet hair, dust and mold. But keeping an allergen-free house is not an impossibility. Learn more about allergy-proofing your home.

By Linnea Lundgren & Jeff Wald

Allergies are so commonplace that we often do not stop to think of how they occur. Those watery eyes and runny noses happen because your body rejects otherwise harmless substances.

By Linnea Lundgren & Jeff Wald

In order to maintain an allergen-free home, it is important to monitor your home climate systems. This means making sure your air conditioner, dehumidifier and heaters are not generating allergens.

By Linnea Lundgren

Why do some people suffer an allergic reaction to dog hair while others do not? The answer can be found in your genes. But there are other reasons why some people suffer allergic reactions.

By Linnea Lundgren

Allergies are the result of the immune system's mistaken response to a harmless substance like pollen, dust, or pet hair. The response can range from watery eyes to non-stop sneezing.

By Linnea Lundgren

Exercise provides a great opportunity for diabetics to maintain their health. It usually produces rewards in terms of blood glucose control. Learn how exercise helps keep diabetes in check.

By Dr. Allen Bennett King & Dr. Dana Armstrong

Your body is constantly dealing with microorganisms, its own and those introduced from the outside. Some microorganisms can cause what are called infectious diseases. Learn how the body deals with them.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Atrial fibrillation is serious heart disease, but it’s treatable if diagnosed early. Learn about EKGs, echocardiograms and other tests that detect AF symptoms.

Sometimes, too much of a good thing can hurt. And if you've aggravated your bursa -- a fluid-filled cavity that protects and lubricate your joints -- it's not something to be ignored.

By Kevin P. Allen

Chances are good that if you've experienced the pain and agony of acute sinusitis more than once. Take a look at the information in this article for signs, symptoms and cures for this kind of ailment.

By DiscoveryHealth.com writers

Learn how to prevent injuries when doing computer tasks by using ergonomics in this article.

Good posture and back support can help prevent back pain. Learn how to prevent injuries when doing computer tasks by using ergonomics in this article.

Can back pain be treated with a nerve block? Learn whether back pain can be treated with a nerve block.

By Scott Fishman, M.D.

Learn about the various symptoms and disorders related to fibromyalgia in this article.

By Scott Fishman, M.D.