|
|
Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time (drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken (drug-food interactions). Some drugs are deliberately combined for administration because there are beneficial effects to be derived.
|
![]() |
Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug (medication.
|
|
Detailed information on different types of drug rashes, including acne, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hives, morbiliform/maculopapular rash, purpuric eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
|
|
A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body ' s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.
|
|
If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.
|
|
Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances. Precautions Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages.
|
|
Detailed information on food-drug interactions
|
|
Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
|
|
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
|
|
A guide to information available online and in print about the side effects of prescription drugs.
|
|
Exploring the causes and treatment for loss of taste, which may result from years of taking high blood pressure medications.
|
|
|
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981.
|
![]() |
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.
|
|
Detailed information on HIV and AIDS, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most serious stage of the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. Symptoms begin when an HIV-positive person presents a CD4-cell (also called T cell, a type of immune cell) count below 200.
|
|
Homosexuals and heterosexuals alike are at risk. Infected people can pass HIV on to anyone with whom they have intimate contact. Men can infect female or male partners, as can women.
|
|
A person with HIV can look and feel perfectly healthy. But that person can give HIV to others as soon as he or she is infected with the virus.
|
|
Detailed information on HIV and AIDS, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) during pregnancy
|
|
|
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is the advanced form of infection caused by HIV and typically only manifests itself after a long latency period after initial HIV infection.
|
|
New drug treatments can delay the effects of AIDS and are helping patients live longer. But the reality is that no medicine can cure AIDS or the virus that causes it, HIV. Once inside the body, HIV destroys immune system cells, making it difficult to fight off illness.
|
|
If you're not quite sure what's up with AIDS these days, don't feel alone. Misconceptions and falsehoods concerning AIDS and HIV abound.
|
|
|
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981.
|
|
Detailed information on HIV and AIDS, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
What's true and what's not when it comes to AIDS? Here's a look at some common myths surrounding HIV infection and AIDS.
|
|
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by infecting helper T cells of the immune system. The most common serotype, HIV-1, is distributed worldwide, while HIV-2 is primarily confined to West Africa.
|
|
Caging a Killer: Fighting AIDS for Two DecadesOften called the president's lead physician in the war against AIDS, Eric P. Goosby, M.D., has been a leading AIDS researcher for nearly two decades.
|
|
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is the final, life-threatening stage of infection with any of the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1, its many subtypes, or HIV-2), which are transmitted from person to person sexually (including via anal, oral, and vaginal intercourse, both heterosexually and homosexually), through contact with blood (mainly via equipment used to inject illicit drugs and, rarely, via medical uses of blood), and perinatally (from mother to fetus or newborn during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or after birth through breast-feeding). ORIGIN AND HISTORY HIV-1 and HIV-2 both appear to have been transmitted to humans from primates in Central and West Africa, probably to hunters or processors of carcasses of primates consumed as food (referred to as " bush meat " ).
|
|
Detailed information on HIV home care for your child
|
|
|
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) was identified in 1983 by the French scientist Luc Montagier and his staff at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Ever since that discovery, scientists have been searching for ways to treat those infected with HIV, and to produce a vaccine to prevent its spread.
|
|
Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person ' s immune system attacks the body ' s own cells, causing tissue destruction. Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders, and it is suspected to be responsible for many more.
|
![]() |
An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. See also: Immune response
|
|
Detailed information on autoimmune diseases and pregnancy
|
|
Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person's immune system attacks the body's own cells, causing tissue destruction. Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders and suspected to be responsible for many more.
|
|
Doctors divide autoimmune diseases in two categories: Those that attack a specific organ and those that target many organs.
|
|
Diseases in which the immune system attacks the body ' s own healthy tissues, forming antibodies in an assault on mistakenly identified " foreign invaders. " Autoimmune disorders occur when the body ' s immune system loses its ability to recognize the differences between self and nonself tissues.
|
|
|
Bacteria are prokaryotes (unicellular organisms with no membrane-enclosed nucleus) with simple structures that typically range in size from about 0.5 to 20 micrometers.
|
|
The bacterium Heliobacter pylori is the only one that can survive inside the human stomach. It causes gastritis and ulcers, but is generally treatable with a combination of antibiotics.
|
|
|
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost 100 diseases. It is a genetic disease, with two main characteristics of uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of those cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites.
|
|
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
|
|
Understanding CancerThe term "cancer" refers to a group of diseases in which cells grow and spread unrestrained throughout the body. It is difficult to imagine anyone who has not heard about this disease.
|
|
Cancer is the end product of a multistep process (carcinogenesis) that occurs over many years. The term " cancer " actually refers to numerous distinct diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and differentiation.
|
|
Does Ageism Exist in Cancer Care?What if you had cancer and were not offered a new treatment because of your age?
|
|
Coping With Cancer Through Mind, Body, Spirit and EmotionsWith one out of every two or three people at risk for cancer, as suggested by the American Cancer Society, perhaps it comes as no surprise that the topic of cancer and stress are tightly li...
|
|
A group of diseases characterized by uncontrollable cell growth. Cancer is a family of diseases in which cells replicate at an extremely rapid pace.
|
|
The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer: A Guide to Cancer and Its Treatments is a unique and invaluable source of information for anyone touched by cancer. This collection of over 450 entries provides in-depth coverage of specific cancer types, diagnostic procedures, treatments, cancer side effects, and cancer drugs.
|
|
Detailed information on the most common diagnostic procedures for cancer
|
|
If You Are Diagnosed With CancerQuestions for the doctor:What kind of cancer do I have?Is it invasive?
|
|
Whether you’re facing major surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, a second opinion can help ensure you’re getting the most targeted, effective treatment for your condition.
|
|
No matter what your age or lifestyle, the choices you make today and in the future can improve your chances of living a healthy and cancer-free life.
|
|
|
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to spread to distant sites (metastasis). If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
|
|
Detailed information on coping with a cancer diagnosis in a child
|
|
Understanding Cancer StatisticsStatistics are often used in news reports or in talking about someone's risk for getting cancer or whether a treatment will work. These statistics can be confusing or misleading if you do not understand how they are ...
|
|
Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk: Questions and AnswersKey PointsSome cancers depend on naturally occurring sex hormones for their development and growth. Researchers are interested in learning whether the hormones in oral contraceptives affect...
|
|
Seek Support if Cancer StrikesA 4-foot northern pike stars in one of actor Rob Lowe's favorite tales about his father."Like many kids, I really enjoyed going on fishing trips with my dad," says Mr.
|
|
Detailed information on cancer, including cancer diagnosis, cancer staging, cancer grading, cancer treatment, cancer surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, and cancer clinical trials
|
|
|
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of tissue cells in the body and the invasion by these cells into nearby tissue and migration to distant sites. Cancer results from alterations (mutations) in genes that make up DNA, the master molecule of the cell.
|
|
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute is the most authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States. Established in 1973, SEER originally provided cancer incidence data for Connecticut, Iowa, New Mexico, Utah, and Hawaii, and for the metropolitan areas of Detroit and San Francisco-Oakland.
|
|
Detailed information on diagnosing cancer in children
|
|
Cyclist Lance Armstrong is proof that you can not only survive cancer, but that you can actually resume a normal livelihood, one of his doctors says.
|
|
A Cancer Survivor’s Guide to CaregivingBy Jim RiceAs a rectal cancer survivor, I have had several caregivers. An enterostomal therapy nurse took care of me at the hospital after my colostomy surgery; home health care nurses came to my house for se...
|
|
|
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to spread to distant sites (metastasis). If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
|
|
Life as a cancer survivor can be as rich and rewarding as you decide to make it. In fact, increased awareness of mortality is all some people need to feel more alive than ever.
|
|
Cancer survivors know how important a job can be to their psychological and financial well being. Here are tips to improve the ability to continue working, as well as some ways to handle workplace discrimination during treatment.
|
|
A Swedish study, over 29 years, finds 33 percent more cases of cancer among obese people than in the general population.
|
|
Sex and Cancer: Questions for Your DoctorWhat sexual impact should I expect from my cancer or its treatment?How long will these changes last?
|
|
Virtual Colonoscopy: A Noninvasive Option for Cancer ScreeningThis year more than 145,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. In a large number of those cases, the cancer will be advanced.
|
|
Nutrition for Patients During Cancer TreatmentNutrition plays a significant role in the treatment of cancer. In fact, you can improve your overall outcome by eating well.
|
|
Take a Vacation From CancerAugust is a popular time of year for vacations. It's summer, the kids are out of school, and the mountains and beaches are beckoning.
|
|
Understanding Cancer Screening TestsMost cancers are easier to treat when they are found in their earlier stages. Doctors find cancers when they are small and normally undetectable by using screening tests such as mammography, blood tests, CT scan...
|
|
Coping With Cancer: The FamilyCancer is a blow to every family it touches. How it is handled is determined to a great extent by how the family has functioned as a unit in the past.Problems within the family can be the most difficult to handle; you...
|
|
|
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost one hundred diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites.
|
|
Although some complementary and alternative methods have been scientifically proven to promote healing or reduce symptoms, many have not.
|
|
Insurance Rights of Cancer SurvivorsWhen cancer strikes, you may start thinking about health insurance in a new light. Chances are, you will use your health insurance more than ever before.
|
|
Understanding Cancer TestsDoctors use tests like mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans to help them screen for, diagnose, treat, and monitor cancer. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may have h...
|
|
Cancer FAQQ: What is cancer?A:Cancer is what happens when a group of cells grows uncontrollably and in an abnormal and disorderly way.
|
|
Obesity and CancerKey Points:During the last two decades, the percentage of overweight and obese adults and children has been steadily increasing (see Question 2).Lack of physical activity is strongly associated with obesity (see Question 3).In ad...
|
|
Vasectomy and Cancer RiskSome studies have raised questions about a possible relationship between vasectomy (an operation to cut or tie off the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles) and the risk of developing cancer, particularly prosta...
|
|
Discusses the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer prevention and cites numerous studies on the protective value of NSAIDs and coxibs to a variety of cancers.
|
|
The ins and outs of screening for testicular and prostate cancers, including an in-depth discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the leading prostate cancer test, the prostate specific antigen test.
|
|
Many studies link exercise with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. The biggest reductions were for colon and breast cancer, but its effect on other cancers is so far inconclusive.
|
|
Research has found that statin drugs may inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laborotory experiments, but much more research is necessary before any definite benefits can be determined.
|
|
Detailed information the most common types of surgery to treat cancer, including biopsy, endoscopy, laparoscopy, laparotomy, laser surgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, and excisional surgery
|
|
Detailed information on surgery for prostate cancer, including the different types and potential side effects
|
|
Detailed information on treating cancer in children
|
|
Detailed information on the causes of cancer in children
|
|
Cancer Patient Finds Support, Empowerment OnlineWhen Geri Malter was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal liposarcoma (a rare kind of tumor in the fatty tissues of the abdomen) in 1983, her first thought was, "I need to talk to someone else with this ...
|
|
|
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body and the ability of these malignant cells to spread (metastasize) to distant sites within the body. If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
|
|
If you have cancer, eating the right kinds of foods can help you feel better and stay stronger. This means foods and beverages that contain vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat and water.
|
|
Herbal and Non-Herbal Supplement Use in the Cancer PatientShark cartilage, green tea extract, phytomelatonin — these may sound like strange remedies for cancer, but they are actually the subjects of major clinical trials in progress. The sup...
|
|
Parental Cancer: Questions and Answers About Changes in Family Rhythms and RoutinesIf you are a parent who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, there are few concerns that seem as important or basic as how to help your children cope with all t...
|
|
Coping With Cancer: IntroductionThe National Cancer Institute provided this guide, originally called "Taking Time," for people with cancer and their loved ones to help them understand their feelings and how they can best cope with living with canc...
|
|
Coping With Cancer: When You Need AssistanceWhen cancer develops, many people need to learn to ask for and accept outside help for the first time. These are good ways to begin:Take time to ask medical questions of your doctor, nurse specialists, t...
|
|
Coping With Cancer: Your Self-ImageCancer treatment can extend over weeks or months; side effects may come and go.Side effects can make you feel rotten, even make you think the cancer has returned.The known is less frightening than the unknown. Le...
|
|
Facing Forward: Continuing to Care for Your HealthAfter you have been treated for cancer, you will have two ongoing health needs. First, you'll want to take the health steps that doctors suggest for anyone your age.
|
|
Cancer ClustersKey PointsCancer clusters may be suspected when people report that several family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers have been diagnosed with the same or related cancers (see Defining Disease Clusters section).Some amount of ...
|
|
Resources: A Guide for People With Cancer and Their FamiliesYou may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.TelephoneCancer Information Serv...
|
|
Follow-up Care: Questions and AnswersIt is natural for anyone who has completed cancer treatment to be concerned about what the future holds. Many people are concerned about the way they look and feel, and about whether the cancer will recur (come...
|
|
A guide to the tests available for screening colon, lung, and skin cancers, and how to determine whether they're right for you.
|
|
Facing Forward: IntroductionIf you are an adult who is getting on with your life after a diagnosis for cancer, this guide is for you. Whether your treatment took place in childhood, 5 years ago, or last week, you may share common concerns with oth...
|
|
|
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Around the world, over 10 million cancer cases occur annually.
|
|
Cancer is increasingly viewed as a long-term chronic illness, rather than an acute one.
|
|
Healing Versus Curing CancerThe words cure and heal are often used interchangeably. The fact is, however, that curing your cancer and healing your cancer are two very different things.
|