Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection caused by microorganisms, most commonly bacteria. It leads to inflammation within a joint, resulting in pain, swelling, and reduced movement. The condition can develop rapidly and may cause permanent joint damage if not treated promptly. Septic arthritis can affect people of any age, but it is more common in older adults, young children, …

Arthritis in your thumb occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning your thumb joints starts to wear out and deteriorate. This type of arthritis is called osteoarthritis. In your thumb, osteoarthritis develops most often in the basal joint at the base of your thumb. This is also called your thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. The CMC joint is located near your wrist at the …

Aphasia is a disorder that affects communication. It can interfere with the ability to speak, write, and understand both spoken and written language. Aphasia most often occurs suddenly after a stroke or head injury. In some cases, it develops gradually due to a slow-growing brain tumor or a progressive neurological condition that causes ongoing damage to brain cells. The severity …

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak and communicate. Aphasia is a language disorder that results from damage to key parts of your brain that are responsible for understanding or producing speech and/or writing. When the aphasia is from a brain disease that gets worse over time (progressive neurodegenerative disease), healthcare providers call it …

A canker sore, also known as an aphthous ulcer, is a small, painful sore that develops inside the mouth. It typically forms on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue, gums, or the soft palate. Canker sores are not contagious and differ from cold sores, which are caused by a viral infection. Although they often heal on their own within one to …

Broken heart syndrome, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a temporary heart condition that occurs in response to intense emotional or physical stress. It causes a sudden weakening of part of the heart muscle, leading to symptoms that closely resemble a heart attack. Unlike a heart attack, broken heart syndrome is not caused by blocked coronary arteries …

Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells. This leads to a shortage of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. As a result, people with aplastic anemia may feel very tired and are more likely to develop infections and uncontrolled bleeding. Aplastic anemia is rare and can occur at any …

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis commonly causes pain in the lower right abdomen. In many people, the pain starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right side. As the inflammation worsens, the pain usually …

Aortic valve disease is a form of heart valve disease in which the valve between the lower left chamber of the heart, called the left ventricle, and the body’s main artery, called the aorta, does not function properly. The aortic valve plays a key role in keeping blood flowing in the correct direction from the heart to the rest of …

Aortic valve disease is a form of heart valve disease in which the valve between the lower left chamber of the heart, called the left ventricle, and the body’s main artery, called the aorta, does not function properly. The aortic valve plays a key role in keeping blood flowing in the correct direction from the heart to the rest of …