Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection that causes small, raised, painless bumps on the skin. It is caused by a poxvirus and spreads easily through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated objects. The condition is generally harmless and often resolves on its own over time. Molluscum contagiosum is most common in children, but it can also affect …

Moles are common skin growths that develop when pigment-producing cells called melanocytes grow in clusters. They usually appear as small, dark brown spots but can vary in color, size, and shape. Most moles are harmless and develop during childhood or early adulthood. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin and may change slowly over time. While the majority are benign, …

Molar pregnancy is a rare complication of pregnancy that occurs when abnormal tissue grows inside the uterus instead of a normal embryo. It is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease and results from an error during fertilization that leads to abnormal development of placental tissue. There are two main types of molar pregnancy: complete and partial. In a complete molar …

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. It occurs when the immune system produces antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, a protein found on the surface of myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MOGAD can affect both children and adults and may present as …

Mixed connective tissue disease is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by features of several connective tissue diseases occurring together in the same individual. It commonly shows overlapping signs of conditions such as lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. The immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own connective tissues, leading to inflammation and damage in multiple organs. Mixed connective tissue disease often develops …

Mittelschmerz is a medical term used to describe ovulation pain that occurs in some people during the middle of the menstrual cycle. The word comes from German, meaning “middle pain.” It typically happens around 10 to 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period, when an ovary releases an egg. Mittelschmerz is usually harmless and short-lived. It can …

Mitral valve stenosis is a heart valve condition in which the mitral valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This narrowing forces the heart to work harder to move blood forward, leading to increased pressure in the lungs and reduced blood flow to the body. Mitral valve stenosis most often develops gradually and …

Mitral valve regurgitation is a heart valve condition in which the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during heart contraction. This backward flow forces the heart to work harder to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. The condition can be acute or chronic and …

Mitral valve disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the mitral valve, one of the four valves of the heart. The mitral valve controls blood flow between the left atrium and the left ventricle, ensuring blood moves in the correct direction during each heartbeat. When the valve does not function properly, it can disrupt normal blood flow and …

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the uterus, most commonly occurring within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The majority of miscarriages happen during the first trimester, often before a person even knows they are pregnant. Miscarriage is relatively common and usually occurs due to factors beyond anyone’s control. While it can …