An electrocardiogram, called an EKG or ECG, measures the electrical activity of the heart and collects data about heart's health. Typically, a doctor or technician places electrodes connected to a ...

Fissured tongue is a common condition that describes a tongue with unique fissures or grooves that vary from person to person in size, location, and depth. Depending on the context, doctors also refer ...

Peripheral neuropathy is a broad term for any condition that damages the peripheral nerves that transfer sensory information and carry signals from the central nervous system in the brain and spinal ...

Erythema is redness of the mucous membranes or the skin, usually resulting from a skin injury, inflammation, or an infection. Some types of erythema, such as nervous blushes, don’t result from a ...

Prions are pathologic agents that produce abnormal folding in the brain. These changes cause rapidly progressive neurological diseases that are difficult to treat and always fatal. Prions can be ...

Ammonia is a chemical that both occurs naturally and can be created. It is a colorless gas — one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen — with a foul smell that most people easily recognize.

Goosebumps occur when the arrector pili contract. These tiny muscles are attached to each hair on the body. The contractions cause a depression in the skin that pushes the hair upright and makes the ...

Believe it or not, you don't have to part with your bling when passing security screening. Every year, hurried travelers needlessly leave behind hundreds of necklaces, bracelets, watches, and other ...

The lungs are responsible for the essential process of respiration. These cone-shaped organs expand and contract to deliver oxygen to the body. They also remove carbon dioxide, a waste gas, from the ...

Doctors sometimes prescribe medications called diuretics to increase urine production, often for patients experiencing high blood pressure or fluid retention. Different types of diuretics work best ...

A nodule is an abnormal tissue growth that can appear anywhere in the body and can form for various reasons. Depending on their location, nodules may not cause symptoms, and many people with nodules ...

A maculopapular rash is distinctive but not definitive — it can indicate many conditions. This type of skin rash is characterized by a flat, red area that is usually dry and covered in small bumps.