Medicine

Anaphylaxis: sudden severe allergic reaction and emergency management Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a rapid, potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction. This article explains causes, typical signs, underlying mechanism, immediate treatment and preventi…

André-Mignot Hospital — Le Chesnay (Versailles area) André-Mignot Hospital General and teaching hospital in Le Chesnay near Paris, opened in 1981 and affiliated with the Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Provides acute care, emergency se…

Andrology: Medicine of Male Reproductive Health Andrology Andrology is the medical specialty focused on male reproductive systems, sexual health, fertility, hormonal disorders, and related clinical and research topics.

Anemia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management Anemia Anemia is a condition marked by too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin, producing fatigue, breathlessness and other signs. Overview, common types, diagnosis, treatment, p…

Anesthesiologist: physician specialist in anesthesia and perioperative medicine Anesthesiologist An anesthesiologist is a physician trained to deliver anesthesia, manage perioperative and critical care, treat acute and chronic pain, and respond to medical emergencies. Roles an…

Aneurysm: causes, types, diagnosis and treatment Aneurysm An aneurysm is a localized dilation of a blood vessel due to weakened vessel wall. This article explains types, common locations, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevent…

Angioedema: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Angioedema Angioedema is transient swelling of deep skin and mucous tissues. This article covers types, triggers, recognition, emergency care, diagnostic tests and long‑term management.

Animal euthanasia: humane ending of life for animals Animal euthanasia Comprehensive overview of animal euthanasia: purposes, common methods, veterinary procedures, ethical and legal considerations, and how it differs from slaughter or pest control.

Anthrax — causes, forms, history, diagnosis, treatment and prevention Anthrax Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis affecting humans and many animals; notable for long‑lived spores, several clinical forms, treatability with antibiotic…

Antibiotic resistance: causes, consequences and public-health responses Antibiotic resistance Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to survive drugs meant to kill them. This article explains mechanisms, drivers, impacts on medicine, and efforts to prevent and ma…

Antibiotics: overview, mechanisms, uses, history and challenges Antibiotics Antibiotics are agents that kill or inhibit bacteria to treat bacterial infections. This article covers how they work, main classes, historical development, production types, commo…

Anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) drugs: overview, actions, and uses Anticonvulsant Anticonvulsants (antiepileptic or anti-seizure drugs) suppress seizures and are used in epilepsy and some psychiatric and pain disorders; they act by several neural mechanisms and…

Antidepressant (medication for mood and anxiety disorders) Antidepressant Medications that alter brain chemistry to relieve depressive and anxiety symptoms. Covers major classes, how they work, common uses, history, side effects, and distinctions between…

Antidote: substances that counteract poisons Antidote An antidote is a substance that reduces or reverses the harmful effects of a poison. Antidotes are specific to certain toxins and are used alongside supportive medical care.

Antimicrobial agents: overview, types, history and applications Antimicrobial Antimicrobials are substances that kill or inhibit microorganisms. This article explains kinds, mechanisms, history, uses, and important distinctions including resistance and stewa…

Antimony pill (everlasting pill) Antimony pill A small metallic pill of antimony formerly used as a reusable emetic and purgative. Popular in pre-modern medicine, it was swallowed to induce purging and then recovered for reuse;…

Antiplatelet drug: mechanisms, uses, and clinical considerations Antiplatelet drug Antiplatelet drugs reduce platelet aggregation to lower arterial thrombosis risk. Overview of mechanisms, main drug classes, clinical uses, comparisons with anticoagulants, risks,…

Antipsychotic (Neuroleptic) Drugs: Overview, Uses, and Effects Antipsychotic Antipsychotics (neuroleptics) are central nervous system drugs used mainly to treat psychosis and related conditions. This article explains their types, history, uses, mechanisms a…

Antipyretic: Drugs and measures that reduce fever Antipyretic Antipyretics are substances and measures that lower elevated body temperature. This article explains how they work, common agents, risks, history, practical uses and the debate ove…

Antiseptic: topical agents to reduce microbes and prevent wound infection Antiseptic Antiseptics are substances applied to living tissue to reduce or kill microbes. This article explains common agents, how they work, history, uses, safety concerns, and distinctions…

Antivenom: production, use, and clinical considerations Antivenom Antivenom are antibody preparations used to neutralize venom after bites or stings. This article describes how antivenoms are made, how they work, clinical use, risks, history, and…

Antiviral drug Antiviral drugs inhibit virus replication by targeting stages of the viral life cycle. This article summarizes mechanisms, major classes, clinical uses, resistance, development his…

Anxiolytic: Drugs and Treatments for Anxiety Disorders Anxiolytic Anxiolytics are medications and other interventions used to reduce pathological anxiety. This article explains major drug classes, history, clinical uses, side effects, and nonphar…

Apgar score: quick assessment of a newborn's immediate condition Apgar score Concise encyclopedia entry on the Apgar score: origin, five components, scoring, timing, interpretation, uses, limits, and special situations in newborn assessment.

Aplastic anemia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Aplastic anemia Aplastic anemia is a rare disorder in which the bone marrow fails to produce adequate blood cells. This article explains causes, signs, diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis.

Appendectomy (appendicectomy) Appendectomy Surgical removal of the vermiform appendix, most commonly performed to treat appendicitis. Describes indications, approaches, recovery, risks, history, and clinical variations.

Appendicitis: overview, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix that typically causes abdominal pain, nausea and fever. This article explains causes, signs, diagnosis, treatments and potential compli…

Appendiceal cancer Appendix cancer Overview of cancers originating in the vermiform appendix, including types, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and distinctions from metastatic lesions.

Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived essential oils for scent, massage, and topical applications. It is popular for relaxation and symptom relief, though scientific…

Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat): Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Arrhythmia Arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart's electrical rhythm—too fast, too slow, or irregular. This article explains main types, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests and typical treatme…

Arteriosclerosis: types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis and prevention Arteriosclerosis Arteriosclerosis is the stiffening and thickening of arterial walls. This article explains its main forms, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and measures to red…

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM): overview, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Arteriovenous malformation Arteriovenous malformations are abnormal connections between arteries and veins that bypass capillaries. They most often affect the brain and can cause bleeding, seizures, or neuro…

Artificial pacemaker (cardiac pacemaker) Artificial pacemaker An implanted medical device that uses timed electrical impulses to maintain or restore a normal heart rhythm; types, parts, history, uses, and distinctions explained.

Aseptic meningitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management Aseptic meningitis Aseptic meningitis is meninges inflammation with negative routine bacterial cultures. Most often viral and self-limited, it requires evaluation to exclude treatable causes and to g…

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid): uses, mechanism, history and precautions Aspirin Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a widely used analgesic, antipyretic and anti‑platelet drug. This article explains its actions, history, common uses, formulations and important s…

Assisted suicide: definition, law, practice, and ethical issues Assisted suicide An encyclopedic overview of assisted suicide: definitions, procedures, legal status, safeguards, ethical debates and distinctions from euthanasia and palliative care.

Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, Management, and Prevention Asthma Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways causing wheeze, breathlessness, cough and variable airflow limitation. This article explains mechanisms, triggers, diagnos…

Astigmatism: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and correction Astigmatism Astigmatism is a common refractive condition caused by irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, producing distorted or blurred vision. Causes, types, diagnosis, treatment options…

Asylum: meanings, history, legal concepts and cultural uses Asylum Comprehensive overview of asylum — its varied meanings (medical, legal, social), historical development, contemporary uses, and cultural references in music, film and literature.

Atropine — pharmacology, history, uses, and safety Atropine Atropine is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid used in medicine for pupil dilation, bradycardia, and as an antidote; it has a long cultural history and significant toxicity at…

Audiologist: roles, assessments and care for hearing and balance Audiologist Health professional specializing in hearing, balance and related disorders; provides diagnostic testing, device fitting, rehabilitation and coordination with medical and educationa…

Augusta Victoria Hospital, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem Augusta Victoria Hospital Historic hospital and pilgrimage complex on the Mount of Olives, built in 1907 and named for Empress Augusta Victoria; now a major medical centre providing oncology, dialysis and o…

Autoimmune disease Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. This article explains causes, common types, diagnosis, treatment approaches, and how the…

Autoimmunity: causes, mechanisms, common conditions, diagnosis and treatment Autoimmunity Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own tissues. This article explains mechanisms, examples of autoimmune diseases, diagnosis, treatments, and…

Automated external defibrillator An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that analyses heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock for some sudden cardiac arrests. AEDs guide lay rescuers an…

Autopsy: Medical and Forensic Post‑Mortem Examination Autopsy A clear overview of autopsies: definition, purposes, basic procedure, history, legal and ethical issues, and why post‑mortem examinations matter for medicine and justice.

Autotransplantation: definition, techniques, uses and history Autotransplantation Autotransplantation (autografting) transfers tissue from one site to another in the same person. Common in skin, bone and dental procedures; avoids rejection but has donor‑site ris…

Avian influenza (bird flu): causes, transmission, and control Avian influenza Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses. This article explains its virology, ecology, symptoms, control measures, history, and zo…