Acne is an inflammation of the skin that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and red spots usually called “pimples” or “zits.” The most common type of

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a lesion that forms on sun-damaged skin. The lesions are small scaly patches on parts of the body, such as

Chronic bronchitis belongs to a larger family of medical conditions known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The term COPD is given to any

Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare condition that affects the body’s hormonal activity. It is estimated that Addison’s disease

Note: This article is not intended as a replacement for suicide counselling. If you or someone you know may be at risk of committing

Agoraphobia, meaning “fear of the marketplace” in Greek, is a type of anxiety disorder. It’s a condition where a person feels intensely anxious about

It is estimated that about three-quarters of the population drink alcohol. Of this number, about 4 to 5 million Canadians will find that their

Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever or pollinosis, literally means “allergic nose inflammation,” where rhino means “to do with the nose” and the ending

Alopecia refers to hair loss from any part of the body for any reason. There are several types, ranging from thinning hair to complete

The higher you go above sea level, the less oxygen there is to breathe. When you reach elevations above 2,000 metres (6,500 feet), your

Alzheimer’s disease has a major impact on the health of Canadians. About 560,000 Canadians suffer from some type of dementia (mental deterioration), and more

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – is a motor neuron disease. It’s caused when the motor neurons that

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Though rare, this serious type of allergic reaction occurs after a person is exposed to an allergen (a substance

Testosterone is the hormone responsible for deep voices, muscle mass, and facial and body hair patterns found in males. As men get older, the

Anemia is a condition where the number of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood is lower than normal. RBCs transport oxygen throughout

The blood that circulates throughout the body performs a number of critical functions. It delivers oxygen, removes carbon dioxide, and carries life-sustaining nutrients. By

An aneurysm is a weak point in a blood vessel wall, most commonly in an artery. Blood pressure tends to push the weakened section

Angina (also called angina pectoris) is chest pain that appears when the muscle cells of the heart don’t get enough blood to properly carry

Angioplasty is a technique for reopening narrowed or blocked arteries in the heart (coronary arteries) without major surgery. First used in 1977, it’s now

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints of the spine. The most common areas affected are the

Anthrax is an infection that is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. These bacteria form spores that are hard-shelled, dormant versions of the bacteria.

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time as a result of a situation that we perceive as threatening or stressful, such as having to

The blood that circulates throughout the body performs a number of critical functions. It delivers oxygen, removes carbon dioxide, and carries life-sustaining nutrients. By

A sudden inflammation or swelling of the appendix is called appendicitis. The appendix is a tube-like structure that branches off where the large intestine

An arrhythmia occurs when the heart’s regular rhythm changes, such as speeding up or slowing down, or when it beats irregularly. In North America,

Arthritis is a chronic disorder that affects 1 in every 6 Canadians over the age of 14. And nearly 60% of those Canadians suffering

Asbestosis is a harmful lung condition that develops in people who have inhaled asbestos dust. When someone inhales the dust, the microscopic asbestos fibres

Asthma is a chronic lung condition. Inflammation, increased mucus, and muscle tightening cause the airways to narrow, and as a result, air can’t move

The cornea is the clear front layer on the surface of the eye that does most of the work of bending light as it

Athlete’s foot, known as dermatophytosis of the foot or tinea pedis (“foot fungus”), is a common skin infection that affects the feet. You don’t

The heart is divided into four chambers: two atria on top and two ventricles underneath. The role of the atria is to fill the

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that is characterized by a pattern of inattention (inability to concentrate), and hyperactivity-impulsivity, that is persistent

Imagine living in a world that doesn’t completely reach you, and to which you can’t always respond. For many people who have autism, this

Avian influenza, more commonly called “bird flu,” is a type of influenza or “flu” that occurs in all species of birds. The virus that