eMedTV Conditions & Diseases A-Z
The plague is a disease that is greatly feared, but not widely understood. Therefore, this eMedTV health channel contains dozens of articles on the topic, including the types, transmission methods, ways to prevent it, research findings, and more.
Plague is a general term for three diseases caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. The information in this eMedTV segment covers the history, types, transmission, treatment, and prevention of the disease, and offers links to more information.
Plasmacytoma is a type of cancer that starts in plasma cells and develops into a single tumor. This eMedTV article describes plasmacytoma (which often develops in the bone marrow), including information about its symptoms and treatment.
Pneumonic plague is one of the three types of plague caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. This portion of the eMedTV archives discusses this disease in detail, including the incubation period, symptoms, and treatment methods.
Polio, a highly infectious disease caused by a virus, can cause flu-like symptoms and lead to complications. This eMedTV health channel offers a wealth of information on polio.
As this eMedTV article explains, polio is a highly contagious illness that used to be one of the most feared childhood diseases of the 20th century in the United States. This page covers the transmission, treatment, prevention, and history of polio.
This eMedTV article covers pollen allergy, a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis. This page describes different sources of pollen (such as sagebrush and ragweed), as well as pollen allergy symptoms (like sneezing and coughing) and treatment options.
This eMedTV Web page explores polycystic kidney disease, an illness that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys, and can lead to kidney failure. This page provides information on causes, symptoms, and treatment options for the condition.
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a condition that can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and hips. This eMedTV article explains polymyalgia rheumatica in detail, including information on its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
The post menopause period of a woman's life begins when she has not had her period for 12 straight months. This eMedTV Web page provides tips for staying healthy post menopause and discusses health concerns such as bone loss and heart disease.
As this eMedTV article explains, post-polio syndrome is a condition that can affect polio survivors many years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliovirus. This resource provides an overview of post-polio syndrome.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
As this eMedTV resource explains, post-traumatic stress disorder causes persistent, frightening thoughts and memories of a terrifying, life-changing event. This page offers an in-depth look at the condition, including symptoms and treatment options.
This eMedTV article talks about postherpetic neuralgia, a shingles complication characterized by pain that lasts for months, or even years, after the shingles rash has healed. This page covers the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this condition.
Some postpartum bleeding is normal, and most of it occurs right after birth. This eMedTV resource talks about normal bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage (which can occur when the uterus fails to contract during and after delivery of the placenta).
As this eMedTV article explains, many women will experience what is known as the "baby blues," but some will develop postpartum depression -- which is more serious. Symptoms of postpartum depression can be treated with psychotherapy and medication.
Pre-diabetes, as this eMedTV page explains, is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Both forms of pre-diabetes can lead to an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Pregnant women with preeclampsia can experience decreased blood flow to vital organs, as well as the placenta. This page of the eMedTV website examines preeclampsia in detail, and describes possible causes and symptoms.
Pregnancy can be an exciting time in a woman's life as the baby develops and her body changes in response. This eMedTV health channel contains the information you need throughout your pregnancy, from what happens week by week to signs of labor.
Pregnancy symptoms often change as the pregnancy progresses, but common symptoms include swollen breasts, nausea, and fatigue. This eMedTV website explores common pregnancy symptoms commonly experienced during each trimester.
As this eMedTV article explains, knowing what to expect in your pregnancy week by week can help you take the necessary steps to ensure your health and your baby's. This page offers detailed information on what happens during each week of pregnancy.
People with prehypertension have blood pressure readings that are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered hypertension. This eMedTV resource provides a detailed look at prehypertension and offers ways to control it.
Premature menopause is defined as menopause that occurs before age 40. This section of the eMedTV Web site discusses possible causes of premature menopause and describes blood tests that may be used in its diagnosis.
As explained in this eMedTV resource, premature ovarian failure (POF) refers to a cessation in the normal function of the ovaries of a woman under 40 years of age. This article discusses premature ovarian failure and explains how it affects pregnancy.
A liver disease that destroys bile ducts, primary biliary cirrhosis affects women more often than men. This eMedTV Web page provides a general overview of primary biliary cirrhosis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Prinzmetal is a rare form of angina -- a heart condition that is commonly characterized by chest pain. This eMedTV article looks at the causes and symptoms of Prinzmetal's angina (also called variant angina), as well as treatment options.
A prolactinoma is a common, non-cancerous tumor affecting the pituitary gland. This eMedTV article discusses prolactinomas in detail, including information about symptoms they may cause and treatment options for the tumors.
Prostate cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. This eMedTV health channel offers a wide range of articles on the subject and also explains how to navigate the page to find the information you need.
Prostate cancer occurs when cancer cells form in tissues of the prostate, a key part of the male reproductive system. This eMedTV article explains the risk factors for prostate cancer and factors that can affect your treatment options and prognosis.
An inflammation or infection of the prostate gland is known as prostatitis. As this eMedTV article explains, prostatitis that is caused by a bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics. Other treatments are required for non-bacterial forms.
In a person with psoriasis, patches of thick, red skin form on the knees, scalp, palms, and other locations. This eMedTV channel offers dozens of in-depth articles, covering topics ranging from the various types of psoriasis to what causes the disease.
Psoriasis is a skin disorder that affects almost 3 percent of the US population. This eMedTV article offers a detailed description of psoriasis and explains its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
In someone with psoriatic arthritis, the joints (and sometimes other areas of the body) become inflamed. This eMedTV page gives an overview of this condition, noting in particular who it affects and how often it occurs, as well as possible symptoms.
Psychogenic seizures may look like epileptic seizures, but they are caused by psychological factors. This eMedTV page provides detailed information about psychogenic seizures and explains why they must be treated differently from epileptic seizures.
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that develops in some people who experience or witness a terrifying event. As this eMedTV page explains, however, patients with the condition can be helped through medications and carefully targeted psychotherapy.
Pubic lice are small insects that typically infest the pubic hair in the genital region. This eMedTV segment takes a closer look at pubic lice, including information on what they look like, how they are diagnosed, and how they are treated.
As this eMedTV article explains, a pulmonary embolism can occur when a blood clot in a vein breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and lodges in the lung. This article tells you what you need to know about pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a term used to describe thickening and scarring that occurs deep within the lungs. This eMedTV article describes the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis, explores the causes of this condition, and lists treatments that are available.
Pulmonary stenosis is a congenital heart disease in which the pulmonary valve of the heart is narrowed. This eMedTV article explains how pulmonary stenosis is diagnosed and treated. People with mild pulmonary stenosis require no treatment.
Pyelonephritis is an infection that can develop if bacteria from the bladder get into the kidneys. This eMedTV resource takes an in-depth look at pyelonephritis, including information about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the infection.
Rabies is a serious disease that is usually transmitted through the bites of infected animals. This eMedTV channel features articles on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of rabies -- as well as which types of animals are most likely to spread it.
Rabies, a viral disease affecting the nervous system, is most commonly transmitted through an animal bite. This eMedTV article discusses the transmission, treatment, and diagnosis of rabies, and explains which animals are most likely to have rabies.
This eMedTV page covers ragweed allergies, providing information on when ragweed pollen levels are at their highest (mid-September in many areas of the country) and ways to lower your exposure to pollen (like not hanging your clothes outside to dry).
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a common complication of shingles. As this eMedTV article explains, it is characterized by intense ear pain and paralysis of facial nerves. This article provides an overview of this condition.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome I used to be the name for a collection of rare, degenerative neurological disorders. This eMedTV article talks about Ramsay Hunt syndrome I and explains that it is now called dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica.
Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare disease that usually affects only one hemisphere of the brain. As this eMedTV article explains, it occurs mainly in children under the age of 10. This page discusses Rasmussen's encephalitis in detail.
This eMedTV segment offers a detailed look at Raynaud's disease, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. This disease is characterized by sudden, sporadic contractions of blood vessels in the fingers and toes when exposed to cold.
This eMedTV page describes Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition affecting small blood vessels in the fingers, toes, nose, and ears, often triggered by exposure to cold. This page explains symptoms and treatment options associated with the condition too.
Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in response to an infection in the body. This eMedTV resource provides a detailed look at reactive arthritis, including information on its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Rectal cancer is a disease that occurs when cancer cells form in the tissue of the rectum. This eMedTV article discusses rectal cancer in detail, including information about risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are defined as having 2 infections in 6 months or 3 in 1 year. This eMedTV article discusses recurrent UTIs and provides tips for preventing them, such as drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice.
This eMedTV page explains the process used when diagnosing reflex sympathetic dystrophy, including a description of common tests. The diagnostic process can be complicated because the symptoms are common and some people improve without treatment.
Someone with restless legs syndrome has an almost irresistible urge to move the legs. This eMedTV page describes what you'll learn on eMedTV's Restless Legs Syndrome Channel, such as what causes this urge to move the legs and ways to help relieve it.
As this eMedTV article explains, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs; it results in an almost irresistible urge to move the legs. This page covers RLS and its causes, symptoms, and prognosis.
Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer affecting the eye that usually occurs in children under the age of 5. This eMedTV article offers an overview of retinoblastoma, including information about its symptoms, its diagnosis, and its treatment.
This eMedTV page covers Rett syndrome, a rare disorder almost exclusively seen in females. As this page explains, typically a young girl with Rett syndrome will develop normally for 6 to 18 months, then show autism-like symptoms like social impairment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by painful swelling of the joints. This eMedTV resource explores rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis -- as well as how often the disease occurs.
Rhinophyma is a condition that is characterized by an enlarged, bulbous, and red nose. This selection from the eMedTV archives offers an in-depth look at this advanced type of rosacea and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
RLS (restless legs syndrome) is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs during inactivity. This eMedTV resource offers an in-depth look at RLS and its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis.
Affecting about 14 million Americans, rosacea is a condition that can cause pimples and red, thickened skin on the face and upper body. This eMedTV channel offers dozens of articles on rosacea symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Rosacea is a chronic condition that usually affects the face, causing redness, pimples, and thickened skin. This eMedTV page discusses causes, symptoms, treatment options, and self-care suggestions, including using sunscreen and mild moisturizer.
Rotavirus is a virus that may cause severe diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. As this eMedTV article explains, almost all children in the United States are likely to be infected with a rotavirus before their fifth birthday.
RSD, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is characterized by continuous, intense pain that worsens over time. This eMedTV segment offers a description of the disorder, including causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis.
As this eMedTV article explains, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a contagious virus that causes respiratory infections -- most of which are not serious. This Web page discusses the transmission, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of RSV.
Rubella, also called German measles, is a mild viral illness that is similar to measles. This eMedTV segment offers a detailed description of the causes, symptoms, transmission, and treatment of rubella.