Aug 12th, 2019 - If you shudder at the thought of having a colonoscopy to check for hidden colon cancer, chances are it's the "prep" that's stoking your apprehension. It's certainly a major inconvenience: getting ready for the procedure takes much longer — an average of 16 hours, according to one study — than the three hours or so you'll spend at a medical center the day of your colonoscopy. But what's most off...

The need for healthcare providers to effectively engage with patients with SLE is ongoing and the stakes are high. Even when patients have no complaints and no visual signs of disease, organ damage can be occurring. We've developed these tools to help both you and your patients communicate and be vigilant.

Nov 19th, 2019 - Overview Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. Nearly all sexually active people will become infected with at least one type of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts, at some point during their lives. Genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They can look like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflow...

Nov 19th, 2019 - Diagnosis Genital warts are often diagnosed by appearance. Sometimes a biopsy might be necessary. Pap tests Pap test Pap test In a Pap test, your doctor uses a vaginal speculum to hold your vaginal walls apart and to see the cervix. Next, a sample of cells from your cervix is collected using a small cone-shaped brush and a tiny plastic spatula (1 and 2). Your doctor then rinses the brush and sp...

Nov 4th, 2019 - Diagnosis Early detection in boys can help prevent problems from delayed puberty. Early diagnosis and treatment in men offer better protection against osteoporosis and other related conditions. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and note whether your sexual development, such as your pubic hair, muscle mass and size of your testes, is consistent with your age. Your doctor will test your bl...

Oct 31st, 2019 - Migraine care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team The doctors trained in nervous system disorders (neurologists) include internationally recognized researchers in the treatment and prevention of migraines. Teams of doctors work together to bring you the best possible treatment for your migraines. Your care team of experts collaborates to provide you with the benefit of each specialist's k...

Oct 31st, 2019 - Diagnosis If you have migraines or a family history of migraines, a doctor trained in treating headaches (neurologist) will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination. If your condition is unusual, complex or suddenly becomes severe, tests to rule out other causes for your pain might include: MRI. An MRI scan uses a powerful ma...

Oct 30th, 2019 - Diagnosis There's no specific test available to diagnose Kawasaki disease. Diagnosis involves ruling out other diseases that cause similar signs and symptoms, including: Scarlet fever, which is caused by streptococcal bacteria and results in fever, rash, chills and sore throat Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a disorder of the mucous membranes Toxic shock syndrome Measles...

Oct 28th, 2019 - Diagnosis Tests If your sexual history and current signs and symptoms suggest that you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), laboratory tests can identify the cause and detect coinfections you might also have. Blood tests. Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of HIV or later stages of syphilis. Urine samples. Some STIs can be confirmed with a urin...

Oct 24th, 2019 - Overview Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child duri...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Diagnosis Endoscopy Endoscopy Endoscopy An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your doctor examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine (duodenum). A hiatal hernia is often discovered during a test or procedure to determine the cause of heart...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Overview Hives on light skin Hives on light skin Hives may be accompanied by angioedema, which causes red, swollen welts. Hives on dark skin Hives on dark skin Hives, also known as urticaria, are reddened, itchy welts that may be triggered by exposure to certain foods, medications or other substances. Hives (urticaria) are red, itchy welts that result from a skin reaction. The welts vary in siz...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - GERD care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Mayo Clinic's GERD care team includes doctors trained in digestive diseases (gastroenterologists) and chest (thoracic) surgeons who work together to provide exactly the care you need. Having all of this subspecialized expertise in a single place, focused on you, means that you're not just getting one opinion — care is discussed among the team,...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Overview How heartburn and GERD occur How heartburn and GERD occur Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus. This can cause heartburn and other signs and symptoms. Frequent or constant reflux can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (G...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Diagnosis A complete medical history and physical examination can help determine whether other conditions, such as celiac disease, may be contributing to your diarrhea. Your doctor will also ask about any medications you are taking — particularly aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), proton pump inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — ...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Overview Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which one or more tumors form in your pancreas or the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). These tumors, called gastrinomas, secrete large amounts of the hormone gastrin, which causes your stomach to produce too much acid. The excess acid then leads to peptic ulcers, as well as to diarrhea and other symptoms. Zollinger-Ellison...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Diagnosis Endoscopy Endoscopy Endoscopy An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your doctor examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine (duodenum). Your doctor might be able to diagnose GERD based on a physical examination and history of your...

Oct 22nd, 2019 - Overview Colon and rectum Colon and rectum The colon, also called the large intestine, is a long, tubelike organ in your abdomen. The colon carries waste to be expelled from the body. Microscopic colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine (colon) that causes persistent watery diarrhea. The disorder gets its name from the fact that it's necessary to examine colon tissue under a microscope...

Oct 21st, 2019 - Overview Primary ovarian insufficiency — also called premature ovarian failure — occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40. When this happens, your ovaries don't produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. This condition often leads to infertility. Primary ovarian insufficiency is sometimes confused with premature menopause, but these conditio...

Oct 17th, 2019 - Diagnosis To diagnose iron deficiency anemia, your doctor may run tests to look for: Red blood cell size and color. With iron deficiency anemia, red blood cells are smaller and paler in color than normal. Hematocrit. This is the percentage of your blood volume made up by red blood cells. Normal levels are generally between 35.5 and 44.9 percent for adult women and 38.3 to 48.6 percent for adult...