Disease and Conditions

Cholesterol is a natural substance made by the body. Most of the cholesterol in our bloodstream (75%) is produced by the liver, and the remaining 25% comes from the foods we eat. We all know that elevated blood cholesterol levels are not good for your health, but the right levels of cholesterol actually play...

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others. After childbirth, the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in a woman’s body quickly...

Technically, the term "swine flu" refers to influenza in pigs. Occasionally, pigs transmit influenza viruses to people, mainly to hog farmers and veterinarians. Less often, someone infected with swine flu passes the infection to others. The human respiratory infection caused by a particular influenza virus H1N1 strain — popularly known as swine flu — was...

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the backward flow of urine from the bladder into the kidneys. Normally, urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder. The muscles of the bladder and ureters, along with the pressure of urine in the bladder, prevent urine from flowing backward through the ureters. VUR allows bacteria, which...

Ultrasound examinations are often done as part of prenatal care. This test allows the doctor to examine babies before they are born. With ultrasound, the doctor can see the baby's internal organs, including the kidneys and urinary bladder. Occasionally, an abnormality is detected in the developing urinary tract. A doctor can then determine whether...