Arthritis is a common and sometimes debilitating condition. It affects about 24 percent of all adults, or 58.5 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a leading cause of work disability, limiting the types of work people can do or even preventing them from working at all. Arthritis is ...

When it comes to medical imaging, getting a clear, accurate image is a top priority. After all, doctors use the information they learn from these medical images to diagnose patients and create treatment plans. In some cases, doctors will require patients fast before undergoing medical imaging. A fast is a period of hours in which you have nothing t...

The Endometriosis Association began the event in 1993. Today, National Endometriosis Awareness Month is a worldwide event that brings attention to this painful condition.  About Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition that affects the endometrium, which is the mucous membrane that lines the uterus, or womb. The endometrium thickens during t...

A stroke is a medical emergency that prevents a part of your brain from getting the oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood it needs. More specifically, stroke affects the arteries that carries blood to and within your brain. A stroke can have devastating consequences, including disability and even death. Understanding what happens during a stroke can help...

Mammograms and breast cancer treatments have prevented more than a half million deaths in the United States over the past 30 years, according to the American Cancer Society. Improvements in treatments and screening methods can potentially save even more lives each year. Breast cancer is a condition in which abnormal breast cells divide rapidly. The...

About 3 million adults and 470,000 children in the United States have epilepsy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Doctors are now using MRI-guided laser therapy to treat the seizures caused by epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain condition that affects people of all ages, and at any time in life. The disorder causes...

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that typically affects the spine, although it can affect other joints. Imaging technology, such as x-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can help doctors detect the signs of AS; imaging also helps physicians monitor changes over time and adjust the patient's treatment plan ...

Your doctor ordered an MRI study to help diagnose a health problem, but you might worry if MRI is safe. You might be relieved to know that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that MRIs are very safe – doctors perform millions of MRIs every year, and the FDA receives only about 300 reports of adverse events associated with the test. Here ...