Mar 13th, 2023 - Overview The gallbladder's location deep within your body and under your liver makes it harder to detect cancer cells growing there. What is gallbladder cancer? Gallbladder cancer occurs when malignant (cancer) cells grow in your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ in the upper right of your abdomen, just under your liver. It stores and delivers bile, a fluid your liver secrete...

Mar 10th, 2023 - Overview Congestive heart failure makes fluid accumulate in your body because your heart can’t pump well. What is congestive heart failure? Congestive heart failure, or heart failure, is a long-term condition in which your heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet your body’s needs. Your heart is still working. But because it can’t handle the amount of blood it should, blood builds up in other...

Mar 10th, 2023 - Overview What is hepatoblastoma? Hepatoblastoma (pronounced “hep-ah-to-blas-to-mah”) is a very rare liver cancer that typically affects children ages 1 to 3. Surgeons may be able to cure hepatoblastoma if it’s diagnosed when liver cancer tumors are small enough to be completely removed with surgery. Medical researchers are evaluating ways to treat hepatoblastoma that surgery can’t remove or tha...

Mar 8th, 2023 - Diagnosis To diagnose your condition, your health care provider talks with you about your symptoms, examines your eyes and does a few tests. Your provider will also examine the inside of your nose to determine if any structural disorders of your nasal passages are causing an obstruction. If your provider suspects a blocked tear duct, you may undergo other tests to find the location of the block...

Mar 8th, 2023 - Overview Tear glands and tear ducts Open pop-up dialog box Close Tear glands and tear ducts Tear glands and tear ducts The tear glands located above each eyeball, called the lacrimal glands, continuously supply tear fluid that's wiped across the surface of your eye each time you blink your eyelids. Excess fluid drains through the tear ducts into the nose. When you have a blocked tear duct, your...

Mar 7th, 2023 - Overview What is phantosmia? Phantosmia (pronounced “fan–TAAZ–mee–uh”) is a condition that causes you to detect smells that aren’t actually present in your environment (phantom smells). These odors may be pleasant or unpleasant, occasional or constant. Phantosmia can affect one or both nostrils. In most cases, phantosmia isn’t a cause for concern and will go away in time. However, in rare insta...

Mar 2nd, 2023 - Overview A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer. Colon cancer can be fatal when found in its later stages. Anyone can develop colon polyps. You're at higher risk if you are 50 or older, are overweight or are a smoker. You're also at higher risk if you have a per...

Mar 2nd, 2023 - Diagnosis Screening tests are important in finding polyps before they become cancerous. These tests also can help find colorectal cancer in its early stages, when you have a good chance of recovery. Screening methods include: Colonoscopy, in which a small tube with a light and camera is inserted into your rectum to look at your colon. If polyps are found, your health care provider may remove th...

Mar 2nd, 2023 - Colon polyps care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Doctors specializing in gastroenterology and hepatology evaluate and treat colon polyps at Mayo Clinic. If you have Crohn's disease or another medical condition, Mayo Clinic specialists will collaborate with your primary care doctor to form the best treatment plan. Having all this expertise in a single place means that your care is dis...

Feb 24th, 2023 - Overview Pressure Injuries What are bedsores? Bedsores are wounds that occur from prolonged pressure on your skin. People who are immobile for long periods, such as those who are bedridden or use a wheelchair, are most at risk for bedsores. These painful wounds, or pressure ulcers, can grow large and lead to infections. In some instances, bedsores can be life-threatening. What are other names f...

Feb 24th, 2023 - Overview Your oropharynx includes the back part of your tongue (base of tongue), your tonsils, your soft palate (back part of the roof of your mouth), and the sides and walls of your throat. What is oropharyngeal cancer? Oropharyngeal cancer is cancer in your oropharynx, the middle section of your throat (pharynx) that makes saliva, keeps your mouth and throat moist and helps you digest food. H...

Feb 23rd, 2023 - Overview What is a pediatric brain tumor? A pediatric brain tumor is a growth of abnormal brain cells in a child. A brain cell becomes abnormal when it undergoes genetic changes. The change in a specific gene of brain cells can cause the cell to form a tumor. There are many types of pediatric brain tumors, and they can occur at any age — from birth to adolescence and sometimes even in adulthood...

Feb 22nd, 2023 - Overview What is ototoxicity? Ototoxicity is inner ear damage that develops as a side effect of taking certain medications. It can cause problems related to hearing and balance, functions your inner ear controls. It may be helpful to think of ototoxicity’s effects in terms of the word’s origins: “Oto” means ear. “Toxicity” means poisoning. Some medicines used to treat infections and cancer, amo...

Feb 21st, 2023 - Overview Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a health issue that becomes more common with age. It's also called an enlarged prostate. The prostate is a small gland that helps make semen. It's found just below the bladder. And it often gets bigger as you get older. An enlarged prostate can cause symptoms that may bother you, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. It also can ca...

Feb 21st, 2023 - Diagnosis Your health care provider likely will start by asking questions about your symptoms. You'll also get a physical exam. This exam is likely to include: Digital rectal exam. The provider inserts a finger into your rectum to check if your prostate is enlarged. Urine test. A lab checks a sample of your urine to find out if you have an illness or other problems that can cause the same sympt...

Feb 19th, 2023 - Overview What are gout symptoms? Gout attacks are very painful and can happen suddenly, often overnight. During a gout attack, symptoms in your affected joints may include: Intense pain. Discoloration or redness. Stiffness. Swelling. Tenderness, even to a light touch (like a bedsheet covering your affected joint). Warmth, or a feeling like the joint is “on fire.” How long does a gout attack las...

Feb 16th, 2023 - Overview Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition in which the lining of your uterus (endometrium) thickens due to an overgrowth of cells. What is endometrial hyperplasia? Endometrial hyperplasia is when the lining of your uterus (endometrium) becomes too thick. Your endometrium is the lining that you shed during your menstrual period. It’s also the tissue that a fetus grows into during pregnancy...

Feb 14th, 2023 - Overview What is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)? Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is blood cancer that starts in the blood-forming myeloid cells or stem cells in your bone marrow. The condition has other names: chronic myelogenous leukemia or chronic granulocytic leukemia. Many people with CML may have normal life spans, thanks to therapy that has turned the condition from a life-threatening illn...

Feb 11th, 2023 - Overview What is cirrhosis? A Mayo Clinic expert explains Learn more about cirrhosis from transplant hepatologist Sumera Ilyas, M.B.B.S. Show transcript for video What is cirrhosis? A Mayo Clinic expert explains [Music playing] Mayo Clinic explains cirrhosis Sumera I. Ilyas, M.B.B.S., Transplant Hepatologist, Mayo Clinic I'm Dr. Sumera Ilyas, a transplant hepatologist at Mayo Clinic. In this vi...

Feb 10th, 2023 - Overview Postherpetic neuralgia (post-hur-PET-ik noo-RAL-juh) is the most common complication of shingles. It causes a burning pain in nerves and skin. The pain lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles go away. The risk of postherpetic neuralgia rises with age. It mainly affects people older than 60. There's no cure, but treatments can ease symptoms. For most people, postherpetic neur...