Medicine

Epidemic typhus A louse‑borne infectious disease caused by Rickettsia prowazekii; historically associated with war, famine and crowding; treatable with antibiotics and preventable by delousing and…

Epidemiology: study of disease patterns, causes, and public health response Epidemiology Epidemiology studies how health and illness are distributed in populations, identifies causes and risk factors, and applies surveillance and research methods to prevent disease and…

Epididymitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Epididymitis Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, usually from bacterial infection but sometimes from viral illness or trauma; it causes scrotal pain and swelling and is treated acco…

Epiglottitis Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis that can narrow the airway and cause a life-threatening emergency, especially in children but also in adults.

Epilepsy: causes, seizure types, diagnosis, treatment and living with the condition Epilepsy Epilepsy is a neurological disorder defined by recurrent unprovoked seizures. This article outlines causes, seizure types, diagnosis, treatments, first aid, prognosis and social as…

Epinephrine (Adrenaline): Biology, Medical Uses, and History Epinephrine Epinephrine (adrenaline) is a catecholamine hormone and emergency medication produced by the adrenal medulla. This article summarizes its actions, clinical uses, administration, hi…

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV): overview, biology, clinical impact and public health Epstein–Barr virus Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus that causes infectious mononucleosis, establishes lifelong latency in B cells, and is linked to several cancers and immune di…

Equilibrioception — the Sense of Balance Equilibrioception Equilibrioception is the sensory system that monitors head and body orientation and motion. It combines inner ear signals with vision and proprioception to stabilize posture, gaze,…

Erectile dysfunction: causes, diagnosis, and treatment overview Erectile disfunction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the repeated inability to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. This article explains causes, evaluation, treatment options, a…

Erythema ab igne: chronic heat‑induced skin discoloration (toasted skin syndrome) Erythema ab igne Erythema ab igne is a reticulated hyperpigmentation of the skin from repeated exposure to heat or infrared radiation. It is usually benign; treatment centers on stopping the heat e…

Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex): overview, uses, and precautions Escitalopram Escitalopram is an SSRI antidepressant used for depression, anxiety disorders and OCD. This article explains how it works, common effects, typical uses, safety concerns and distinc…

Esophageal cancer: types, causes, diagnosis, and management Esophageal cancer Comprehensive overview of esophageal cancer: major types, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, staging, treatments, epidemiology and prevention strategies in accessible language.

Essential medicines: purpose, criteria, history, access and global challenges Essential medicines An overview of the WHO model list of essential medicines: what it is, how medicines are chosen, its history, uses by health systems, access problems, and key distinctions.

Euthanasia: definition, types, legal status, and ethical issues Euthanasia Overview of euthanasia: meanings, distinctions from assisted suicide, types (voluntary, non-voluntary, involuntary), legal approaches, ethical arguments, and how safeguards and pal…

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: causes, diagnosis, and management Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is persistent sleepiness during waking hours. This article explains causes, assessment, treatments, risks, and how EDS differs from fatigue.

Exposure (toxicology): causes, routes, effects and prevention Exposure (toxicology) Exposure in toxicology is contact between a toxin and a person. This article explains routes of exposure, factors that change toxicity, clinical response, prevention, and important…

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) Extrapyramidal symptom Extrapyramidal symptoms are movement disorders caused by disruption of basal ganglia pathways, often medication-related, producing dystonia, parkinsonism, akathisia, or dyskinesia.

Eye neoplasm (ocular oncology): causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment Eye neoplasm Concise guide to eye neoplasms: definition, primary vs metastatic tumors, common origins, clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatments, and prognosis with emphasis on multidis…

Factor (medicine): risk factors, trigger factors, and clinical relevance Factor (medicine) Overview of medical factors that increase disease risk or provoke symptoms, including types (modifiable/non‑modifiable), examples, role in prevention, and research considerations.

False Positives and False Negatives: Causes, Measurement, and Consequences False positives and false negatives Errors in testing where results incorrectly indicate presence or absence of a condition; explanation, examples from medicine and technology, measurement, trade-offs, and ways to re…

Familial hemiplegic migraine: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management Familial hemiplegic migraine A hereditary, rare migraine subtype marked by temporary one-sided weakness and neurologic aura. Covers genetics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment options, and distinctions f…

Fear of Needles (Needle Phobia, Trvpanophobia) — Overview and Treatment Fear of needles Needle phobia is an intense fear of medical injections or related procedures. This article covers symptoms, causes, history, treatment approaches and impacts on health care and pub…

Feeding tube (enteral feeding) Feeding tube Medical tubing used to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach or intestine for people who cannot eat enough by mouth; types, uses, placement, care, and risks.

Female genital mutilation (FGM): overview, types, health effects and responses Female genital mutilation FGM is the non-medical cutting or alteration of external female genitalia. This article explains types, health and social consequences, regional prevalence, legal and human-rights…

Fentanyl: medical profile, history, uses, and public health concerns Fentanyl Overview of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid used in medicine and implicated in illicit overdose fatalities; covers properties, formulations, history, clinical use, risks, and…

Fever: causes, measurement, and clinical significance Fever An accessible overview of fever: what it is, how it is measured, common causes, age-related differences, clinical thresholds, and when to seek care.

Fibromyalgia: chronic widespread pain and related symptoms Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder marked by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive difficulties. It most commonly affects adults, especially women, and is man…

Field hospital: mobile medical facilities for conflict and disaster response Field hospital A field hospital is a rapidly deployable, self-sufficient medical unit used near battlefields or disaster sites to provide triage, surgery, and short-term care when permanent hospi…

First aid: immediate care for sudden illness and injury First aid First aid is the prompt, temporary care given to someone who is injured or suddenly ill. This article explains principles, common techniques, kit contents, history, and when to cal…

First aid kit: purpose, typical contents, maintenance and uses First aid kit Overview of first aid kits: common contents, types (home, travel, trauma), storage and maintenance, basic history, practical uses and safety notes for effective emergency care.

Fistula: abnormal channels between organs, vessels, or body surfaces Fistula A fistula is an abnormal passage connecting two hollow organs, vessels or the skin. Causes include injury, infection, inflammation and surgery. Diagnosis and treatment vary with ty…

Fixed Dose Procedure for Acute Oral Toxicity Testing Fixed Dose Procedure A stepwise testing method introduced in 1984 to assess acute oral toxicity while reducing animal use and suffering; contrasts with the older LD50 approach and is used in regulatory…

Flatten the Curve — epidemic mitigation strategy Flatten the curve Flatten the curve is a public health approach to slow an outbreak so health systems are not overwhelmed; it uses measures like isolation, distancing, testing and aims to reduce pea…

Fluoxetine (Prozac): overview, uses, pharmacology, and history Fluoxetine Fluoxetine (Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used for depression, OCD, panic disorder, bulimia, and PMDD. This article summarizes its actio…

Forehead: anatomy, function, history and cultural significance Forehead Comprehensive overview of the human forehead: anatomical structure, innervation and blood supply, clinical and cosmetic relevance, development, cultural meanings and pronunciation…

Frostbite: causes, stages, treatment and prevention Frostbite Frostbite is tissue damage caused by freezing temperatures. This article explains how it develops, typical signs, risk factors, treatment approaches, prevention and long‑term compl…

Gallbladder cancer: overview, risks, diagnosis and treatment Gallbladder cancer A concise, neutral overview of gallbladder cancer: what it is, where it is more common, typical signs, how it is diagnosed and treated, and important risk factors and outcomes.

Gallstone (Biliary Calculus): Causes, Types, Symptoms, and Treatment Gallstone A gallstone is a hardened deposit that forms in the gallbladder or biliary tract. This article explains types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment optio…

Gambling addiction: causes, signs, consequences and treatment Gambling addiction Gambling addiction (gambling disorder) is a behavioral addiction marked by persistent, problematic gambling despite harm. This article explains signs, causes, trends, consequences…

Gangrene: causes, types, diagnosis, treatment and prevention Gangrene Gangrene is tissue death usually from loss of blood supply or infection. This article explains types, causes, signs, diagnosis, treatments and prevention, plus notable facts and hi…

Gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis) Gas gangrene A rapid, often life-threatening bacterial infection of muscle and soft tissue that produces gas and toxins; requires urgent surgical and antibiotic management to prevent sepsis and…

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Procedure, Benefits, Risks, and Long-Term Care Gastric bypass surgery Overview of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: surgical technique, who is eligible, expected weight-loss benefits, potential complications, and long-term nutritional and follow-up care.

Gastritis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management Gastritis Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. This article explains causes, common symptoms, diagnostic approaches, treatment options and prevention, with practical distinctions…

Gastroenteritis (stomach flu): causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention Gastroenteritis Inflammation of the stomach and intestines causing diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; commonly viral or bacterial. Overview of causes, symptoms, care, prevention, and distinct…

Gastroenterology: study and care of the digestive system Gastroenterology Medical specialty focused on the digestive system and its disorders, including organs from mouth to anus, common diseases, diagnostics, treatments, training, and public-health role…

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is chronic reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus causing heartburn and other symptoms. This article covers causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, complication…

Gastrointestinal bleeding: causes, presentation, diagnosis, and management Gastrointestinal bleeding An overview of gastrointestinal bleeding: what it is, typical symptoms, common causes, diagnostic approaches and treatment options, with guidance on when to seek urgent care.

Cancers of the Digestive System: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention Gastrointestinal cancer Comprehensive guide to digestive system cancers—types, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment options, prognosis, and prevention including screening and lifestyle measures to redu…