Anal itching (pruritis ani) is a skin (dermatological) condition that causes itching in your anal area. Itching may worsen at night or after pooping. What are the types of anal itching? There are two main types of anal itching: Primary (idiopathic) pruritis ani: This type of anal itching has no obvious cause. It’s the most common type of pruritus ani. …

A broken ankle, or ankle fracture, is one of the most common causes of ankle pain. An ankle fracture happens when you break one or more bones in your ankle joint. Your ankle joint consists of your tibia, your fibula and your talus. Your tibia is the big bone in your lower leg and is sometimes called your shinbone. Your …

Anaphylaxis (pronounced “an-ah-fi-LAK-sis”) is a severe allergic reaction. It can be life-threatening if you don’t get treatment right away. Food allergies are one of the main causes of anaphylaxis. Other causes include stinging insects, medications and latex. The only treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine, which comes as a shot you inject into your thigh. Even with treatment, a person experiencing anaphylaxis …

Anemia is a blood disorder that happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells or your red blood cells don’t work as they should. Some types of anemia are inherited, but people may also acquire or develop the condition during their lifetimes. Anemia can affect your life in different ways. Some types of this condition have mild symptoms that ease with treatment. Other …

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common blood disorder that affects your red blood cells. It’s the most common form of anemia. It happens when there’s a lack of iron in your blood, usually caused by bleeding. When you don’t have enough iron, your bone marrow can’t make hemoglobin, the molecule in your red blood cells that carries oxygen in your blood. And when you don’t have enough hemoglobin, your blood can’t carry oxygen …

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects joints in your spine. Healthcare providers sometimes call it axial spondylarthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) also affects the joints where the base of your spine meets your pelvis (your sacroiliac joints). Your sacroiliac joints are the connection between your spine and pelvis. Specifically, they’re the place where the sacrum (the triangle-shaped last section of …

Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder. It affects your body’s ability to produce normal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells. It allows your red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your body, nourishing your body’s other cells. If you have thalassemia, your body produces fewer healthy hemoglobin proteins, and your bone marrow produces fewer healthy red blood cells. The condition …

An eating disorder is a mental health condition that affects your relationship with food and how you see yourself (body image). Eating disorders affect your physical and emotional health and can be life-threatening. The symptoms of eating disorders look and feel different for each person and vary based on the type. You may count calories or limit how much and what types …