Acute bronchitis refers to inflammation of the central airways that usually clears up within four to eight weeks. Viral infections are the most common cause. This video explores other possible causes, available treatments, and preventive steps you can take.

Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by excessive and chronic alcohol use and can progress to fatty liver and cirrhosis if the alcohol abuse continues. This video explores who is at risk for this disease and how your health care provider makes the diagnosis.

Angioedema is a skin condition very similar to hives. In hives, raised, red, itchy, irregular bumps appear on the skin; in angioedema, the same thing happens beneath the skin. Instead of being itchy, angioedema is tender or painful. This video offers additional details about this condition and how it develops.

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries. It occurs when your foot turns in on itself, stretching and weakening the ligaments that bridge the ankle and foot bones. This video explains the possible causes, recommended treatment, and what you can do to prevent a sprain.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation of the airways. This inflammation, which can be triggered by a variety of substances, makes the airways much narrower and interferes with breathing. This video discusses who is at risk for this condition and how it can be managed.

Fibrillation is a type of abnormal muscle contraction. A fibrillating heart muscle looks as if it is wiggling rather than squeezing and does not move blood the way a normal contraction does. This video discusses what happens when the fibrillation is in the atrium, one of the upper chambers of the heart.

Bacterial food poisoning occurs after eating contaminated food. A variety of bacteria can cause foodborne illness, and most cases clear up in a few days. This video examines the culprits that cause this illness, typical symptoms, and preventive steps you can take.

Pneumonia is a term that refers to inflammation of the lung. Bacterial pneumonia means that the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection. This video takes a look at the possible causes and recommended treatments.

Broken or cracked bones are called fractures. Sprains are tears or stretching injuries to ligaments, the fibrous bands that hold your bones together. Both types of injuries can be painful and are often treated in the same way. This video offers detailed information on these injuries.

Bursitis is an inflammation of a closed sac of fluid located near the joints called a bursa. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it causes joint pain and swelling. Learn about the causes and treatment of bursitis, as well as what you can do to help prevent its recurrence.

A burst fracture is a traumatic fracture of the bones of the spine often caused by a fall when a person lands on his or her feet. The fractured bones spread out and may damage the spinal cord. The video discusses the seriousness of this injury, which can lead to paralysis and other health problems.

The vertebrae in your spine are cushioned by soft disks. When one of the disks in your neck the cervical area of your spine ruptures, the result can be neck pain. Watch this video to find out the possible causes and recommended treatment.

Cholelithiasis is another name for gallstones. The gallbladder is a small organ attached to your liver that stores the bile your liver makes. Under the right conditions and over time, gallstones can form in the gallbladder. This video explains how gallstones develop and what treatments are available.

Cluster headaches are uncommon, but when they occur, they bring on severe head pain. The pain is constant, focused in and around one eye. This video discusses the possible causes of this type of headache and recommended treatments.

A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head, or by striking the head on another object. It may result in loss of consciousness or confusion, but the effects usually resolve in a few hours or days. This video explains what happens during a concussion, how it should be treated, and what preventive steps to take.

The cornea functions as a "clear window" on the front of the eye. A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the cornea. This video discusses how a corneal abrasion occurs, available treatments, and preventive steps you can take.

The ribs are connected to the breastbone by cartilage. This connection is called the "costochondral junction." Costochondritis is chest pain and tenderness in this region of the chest. In this video, you'll find out the different types of this condition and the treatments available.

If you have an injury or temporary disability that requires crutches, it's important to have them fitted by a health care professional. You will also need training and practice in using the crutches before going home. In this video, you'll learn about using crutches.

We all feel sad or "down" at different times of life, but for most of us, this mood eases within a few days. If you have clinical depression, the sad feelings linger, interfering with daily life. This video takes a closer look at this mental health disorder and what treatments are available.

Everyone feels sad or "down" at one time or another, but this mood passes within a few days. If you have clinical depression, those feelings linger, interfering with daily life. This video discusses how a doctor or mental health professional screens patients for depression.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that can lead to coma and even death if untreated. It is more common in people with type 1 diabetes. This video explains how this condition develops and why it can be lifethreatening.

Dysmenorrhea is severe uterine cramping and pain during a menstrual period. Women with this condition have a chemical imbalance in particular, a high level of prostaglandin, which controls uterine contractions. In this video, you'll learn how this condition develops and what you can do to minimize the effects.

A fever is only a symptom, not an illness. Many minor illnesses in children such as ear infections, colds, the flu, and urinary infections may cause fever. This video offers information on how to take a child's temperature and when a fever is a cause for concern.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It can have a number of causes, but most are lifestyle excesses smoking, too much alcohol, too much caffeine, and overeating. This video explores the many causes of gastritis, recommended treatments, and preventive steps.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more commonly known as acid indigestion or heartburn. It is a burning feeling behind the breastbone. This video takes a look at the possible causes of GERD, typical symptoms, and when treatment is warranted.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection that starts in the throat. It affects children up to age 3 and usually resolves in four to five days without treatment. This video examines how this illness spreads and describes the typical symptoms.

Millions of Americans suffer heart attacks every year. Half of these are fatal, and some of the rest cause severe damage to heart's function. This video explains what happens during a heart attack and what can be done to minimize the damage.

Heart failure is a condition in which your heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet your body�s needs. This video explains the different types of heart failure, and the treatments that can help you manage your condition and live a healthy life.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis A virus is one of five that cause this disease. This video takes a closer look at hepatitis A how it is spread and what you can do to prevent its transmission.

Hepatitis B is one of five virus types that cause hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is considered a sexually transmitted disease. This video takes an indepth look at hepatitis B how common it is, how it is spread, and what you can do to prevent its transmission.

The hepatitis C virus is another type of hepatitis virus that causes an inflammation of the liver. HCV is transmitted though exposure to infected blood or blood products. In this video, you'll find out more about how it's transmitted, what treatments are available, and what you can do to protect yourself from this disease.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is an uncomfortable and often very painful outbreak of skin blisters and sores. The condition is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. This video explains how shingles develop, what treatment is available, and preventive steps to take, including vaccination.

Hypoglycemia, also called �low blood sugar� or an �insulin reaction,� occurs when the amount of sugar in your blood drops. This can happen if you skip a meal or take too much insulin. This video explores other reasons for hypoglycemia and what you can do to prevent it.

Kidney stones are a common problem, affecting about 12 percent of men and 5 percent of women. Stones are typically caused by an imbalance in the urinary system: too little water, too much oxalate, or too much calcium. In this video, you'll find out how the stones develop and what you can do to prevent them.

Labyrinthitis describes an upset in the balance mechanism of the inner ear. It may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but most episodes have no known cause. In this video, you'll learn the possible causes of this condition and what you can do about it.

Cuts in the skin are called �lacerations.� Treatment for your laceration depends upon where it is, how big it is, and how it happened. This video explains how cuts are treated and what you should do for follow up care.

Acute low back pain usually results from an injury or an accident and lasts less than a week. Chronic low back pain may last for more than three months. This video looks at how to manage back pain.

A low back or lumbar sprain is one of the most common causes of pain in the lower back. It occurs when the back muscles in that area are stretched abnormally or torn. This video discusses the possible causes and what you can do to prevent it.

The vertebrae in your spine are cushioned by soft disks. When one of the disks in your lower back or lumbar area ruptures, the result can be pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. In this video, you'll learn the possible causes and recommended treatment.

An MDI is the most commonly used inhaler in treating lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. Unfortunately, many people who need an inhaler do not use it correctly, so they don't receive the full benefit of the medication. Watch this video to learn the best way to use your inhaler.

Migraine headaches are intense, recurrent headaches that may occur at any age but usually begin between the ages of 10 and 30 years. The precise cause is unknown, but it is hereditary in up to 80 percent of cases. This video gives additional details about migraines, including their symptoms and effective treatments.

A person with obsessive compulsive disorder has obsessions thoughts or impulses that occur on their own, often over and over again, and compulsions rituals the person performs to try to make the obsessions go away. This video explores the range of this disorder and how it is treated.

Otitis media is an infection involving the middle ear, the area between the eardrum and the eustachian tube. Although the infection can occur at any age, it is most common in infants and children. This video discusses possible causes and recommended treatment.

Panic attacks are sudden attacks of intense anxiety that set your heart pounding, make you short of breath, and trigger thoughts like "I�m having a heart attack." This video looks at what can trigger panic attacks and what you can do to prevent them or ease their impact.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a bacterial infection of the pelvic organs. It may affect only the fallopian tubes, or it may include all the pelvic organs, the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. This video explains how this common disease occurs and what steps you can take to prevent it.

Peptic ulcers are erosions in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers if in the duodenum. This video explains the possible causes of this disease, including the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

As the name suggests, premature ventricular contractions are contractions in the lower chambers of the heart that occur too early in the rhythm sequence. These contractions, also called Paces, are common, particularly in older adults. This video discusses what effect these contractions can have on your health.

Pseudomembranous colitis is an inflammatory disorder of the colon associated with antibiotic use. Bacteria such as Clostridium difficile, which are usually present in the colon, can flourish when antibiotics are taken. This video explains how this disorder develops and what treatment is recommended.

Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney. It usually starts as a urinary tract infection that spreads from the urinary tract to the bladder to the kidney. This video takes a closer look at this serious illness, which can lead to kidney scarring.

A seizure is caused by abnormal signals in the brain. One type of generalized seizure is the grand mal seizure. A person have this type of seizure may lose consciousness, as well as bowel and bladder control. This video explains what occurs during a grand mal seizure and what treatments are available.

A seizure is caused by abnormal signals in the brain. One type of generalized seizure is the petit mal or absence seizure. A person having this type of seizure has only brief breaks of consciousness that may not be noticed. This video explains how a petit mal seizure occurs and what treatments are available.

Febrile seizures, or seizures that occur during a fever, are one of the most common neurologic disorders of childhood. They typically appear between 6 months and 3 years of age. This video looks at the possible causes, typical symptoms, and what you should do as a parent.

Social anxiety ranges from minor discomfort at making "small talk" at a party to severe social phobia that prevents a person from leaving the house. In this video, you'll learn more about anxiety disorders and what treatments are available.

A spinal tap, also called lumbar puncture, is used to take a sample of the fluid from the spinal column to look for infection or bleeding. The most common reasons people need this procedure include severe headache, fever with a stiff neck or vomiting, or confusion. Watch this video to learn what happens during this procedure.

Tension headaches are usually dull, aching, or throbbing headaches often associated with sensations of fullness, tightness, or pressure. The pain involves both sides of the head and neck. In this video, you'll find out more about symptoms, possible causes, and recommended treatments.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke stroke, causes symptoms similar to those of a stroke. The difference is that TIAs don't cause permanent brain damage. This video explains what happens during a TIA, what you should do if you have symptoms, and what treatment is available.

Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, trauma, or as a reaction to bath oils and bubble baths. In this video, you'll find out what to do if you develop urethritis and how you can prevent its occurrence.

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that can affect the bladder and spread to the kidneys. The most common cause is the bacterium Escherichia coli, which is found in the gastrointestinal tract. This video offers information on typical symptoms, available treatments, and preventive measures.

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that can affect the bladder, the kidneys, or both. The most common cause is the bacterium Escherichia coli, which is found in the gastrointestinal tract. In this video, you'll learn about the symptoms and treatment, as well as how to prevent an infection.