Articles

A B and T cell screen is a laboratory test to determine the amount of T and B cells (lymphocytes) in the blood.

B-cell leukemia/lymphoma panel is a test that looks for certain proteins on the surface of white blood cells called B-lymphocytes. The proteins serve as markers that may be helpful in diagnosing or lymphoma.

Heat occurs in babies when the pores of the sweat glands become blocked. This generally happens when the weather is hot or humid. As the infant sweats, little red bumps, and possibly tiny blisters, form because the blocked glands cannot clear the sweat.

Immunizations are important to keep your child healthy. This article discusses how to ease the pain of shots for babies. See also:

Babinski’s reflex occurs when the big toe moves toward the top of the foot and the other toes fan out after the sole of the foot has been firmly stroked. This reflex, or sign, is normal in younger children, but abnormal after the age of 2.

Baby feeding patterns refer to the time schedule for giving a baby food through a bottle or breast.

Bacillus anthracis is a type of spore-forming bacteria that causes disease.

Bacitracin is a germ-killing medicine called an antibiotic, which is used to treat infections. Small amounts of Bacitracin are dissolved in petroleum jelly to create antibiotic ointments. Bacitracin overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows products containing this ...

Bacitracin zinc is a medicine applied to cuts and other skin wounds to help prevent infection. Bacitracin is a germ-killing medicine called an antibiotic. Small amounts of bacitracin zinc are dissolved in petroleum jelly to create antibiotic ointments. Bacitracin zinc overdose occurs when someone ...

Bacterial gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria.

Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a test to measure the brain wave activity that occurs in response to clicks or certain tones.

Baker’s cyst is a buildup of joint fluid (synovial fluid) that forms behind the knee.

Baking powder is a cooking product that helps batter to rise. This article discusses the effects of swallowing a large amount of baking powder. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your ...

Baking soda is a cooking product that helps batter to rise. This article discusses the effects of swallowing a large amount of baking soda. Soda loading refers to drinking baking soda. Some athletes and coaches believe that drinking baking soda prior to competition helps a person perform for ...

A balanced diet means getting the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and for supporting normal growth and development.

Balanitis is an inflammation of the foreskin and head of the .

Barbiturates are a type of depressant drug that cause relaxation and sleepiness. In relatively low doses, barbiturates and alcohol have very similar clinical syndromes of intoxication. However, excessive and prolonged dosages of barbiturate drugs, such as phenobarbital, may produce the following ...

Barium enema is a special of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum.

Barrett’s esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach) is damaged by stomach acid. See also:

Bartholin’s abscess is the buildup of pus that forms a lump () in one of the Bartholin’s glands, which are located on each side of the vaginal opening.

Bartter syndrome refers to a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys. See also:

Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing form of skin cancer. See also:

Basal cell nevus syndrome is a group of defects, passed down through families, that involve the skin, nervous system, eyes, glands, and bones. The condition causes an unusual facial appearance and a higher risk of skin cancers.

Basal ganglia dysfunction is a problem with the basal ganglia, the deep brain structures that help start and control movement.

The basic metabolic panel is a group of blood tests that provides information about your body’s . See also:

Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome is a rare, inherited disease in which a person is unable to fully absorb dietary fats through the intestines.

Becker muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves slowly worsening of the legs and pelvis.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a congenital (present from birth) growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other symptoms.

Bedwetting is involuntary urination in children over 5 to 6 years old. It may occur at any time of the day or night. This article focuses on nighttime bedwetting. See also:

Bee poisoning is caused by a sting from a bee, , or yellow jacket. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at ...

Beeswax is wax taken from the honeycomb of bees. Beeswax poisoning occurs when someone swallows beeswax. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or ...

Unusual or strange behavior involves performing actions that are not normal for the person.

Belching is the act of bringing up air from the stomach. It produces a characteristic (typical) sound.

Bell’s palsy is a disorder of the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face. Damage to this nerve causes weakness or paralysis of these muscles. means that you cannot use the muscles at all.

A quantitative Bence-Jones protein test measures the specific level of abnormal proteins (Bence-Jones proteins) in your urine.

The term “benign” refers to a condition, , or growth that is NOT cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body or destroy nearby tissue. Benign tumors usually grow slowly. In general, a benign tumor or condition is not harmful. However, this is not always the ...

Benign ear cysts are noncancerous lumps or growths in the ear.

Benign positional vertigo is a condition in which a person develops a sudden sensation of spinning, usually when moving the head. It is the most common cause of .

Benzene is a clear, liquid, petroleum-based chemical that has a sweet smell. Benzene poisoning occurs when someone swallows, breathes in, or touches benzene. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you ...

Beriberi is a disease in which the body does not have enough (vitamin B1).

The Bernstein test is a method to reproduce symptoms of . It is usually done with other tests to measure .

Beta blockers are a type of drug used to treat high blood pressure. Beta blocker occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison ...

Beta-carotene is the precursor to . A test can be done to measures the amount of beta-carotene in blood. See also:

A bezoar is a ball of swallowed foreign material (usually hair or fiber) that collects in the stomach and fails to pass through the intestines.

A bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets, instead of three. The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the major blood vessel that brings blood to the body.

Bilateral hydronephrosis is the enlargement (distention) of the urine collecting structures and pelvis of both kidneys. Bilateral means both sides. See also:

Bile is a digestive fluid that is made and released by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps break down into fatty acids, which can be taken into the body by the digestive tract. Bile contains mostly cholesterol, bile acids (also called bile salts), and bilirubin (a breakdown ...

A bile culture is a laboratory test to detect disease-causing microorganisms in the biliary system, which includes the gallbladder, bile ducts inside the liver, and bile ducts outside the liver. See also:

Bile duct obstruction is a blockage in the tubes that carry from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. See also:

Bili lights refer to a type of phototherapy that is used to treat , a yellow coloring of the skin and eyes related to immature liver function.

Biliary atresia is a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry a liquid called bile from the liver to the gallbladder. The condition is congenital, which means it is present from birth.

A biliary stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the common bile duct, the tube that moves (a substance that helps with digestion) from the liver to the small intestine.

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid produced by the liver. This article discusses the laboratory test done to measure bilirubin in the blood. Total and direct bilirubin are usually measured to screen for or to monitor liver or gallbladder problems. Large amounts of bilirubin in ...

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in , a fluid produced by the liver. This article discusses the laboratory test to measure the amount of bilirubin in the urine. Large amounts of bilirubin in the body can lead to . Bilirubin may also be measured with a blood test. For information on that ...

Binge eating is when a person eats a much larger amount of food in a shorter period of time than he or she normally would. During binge eating, the person also feels a loss of control.

Biofeedback is a technique that measures bodily functions and gives you information about them in order to help train you to control them.

A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.

A biliary tract biopsy is the removal of tissue or substances from the , bile ducts, pancreas, or pancreatic duct for examination under a microscope.

A polyp is a diagnostic procedure that takes a sample of or removes polyps (abnormal growths) for examination.

Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated or irritable mood (mania), alternating with periods of . The “mood swings” between mania and depression can be very abrupt.

Birth control methods that use hormones contain man-made (synthetic) forms of estrogen and progesterone (progestin), hormones that are made in a woman’s ovaries.

Which form of birth control you choose depends on a number of different factors, including your health, how often you have sex, and whether or not you want children.

Birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives, are prescription medicines designed to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pill occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is for information only and not for use in ...

Birth-acquired herpes is a herpes virus infection that an infant gets (acquires) at the time of birth.

A birthmark is a skin marking that is present at birth. Birthmarks include cafe-au-lait spots, moles, and mongolian spots. See also:

Red birthmarks are colored, blood vessel (vascular) skin markings that develop before or shortly after birth.

Black nightshade poisoning occurs when someone eats pieces of the black nightshade plant. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National ...

The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) has a shiny black body with a red hourglass-shape on the belly area. The bite of a black widow spider is poisonous. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you ...

Blackheads are tiny, dark spots caused by a small plug in the opening of a follicle (pore) on the skin. Blackheads are also called open . See also:

Bladder is a procedure that involves removing a small piece of tissue from the bladder for examination.

Bladder cancer is a cancerous in the bladder. The bladder is the organ in the center of the lower abdomen that holds urine.

Bladder exstrophy repair is surgery to repair a birth defect in which the bladder is inside out and sticks out of the abdominal wall. The pelvic bones are also separated.

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder that reduces or prevents the flow of urine into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.

Bladder stones are hard buildups of minerals that form in the urinary bladder.

Blastomycosis is a rare infection that may develop when people breathe in (inhale) a fungus called Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found in wood and soil. See also:

Bleeding refers to the loss of blood. Bleeding can happen inside the body (internally) or outside the body (externally). It may occur: Inside the body when blood leaks from blood vessels or organs Outside the body when blood flows through a natural opening (such as the , mouth, or rectum) Outside ...

Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body’s blood clotting process. These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding after an injury. Bleeding can also begin on its own. See also: Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia deficiency (type I and ...

Bleeding esophageal varices are very swollen veins in the walls of the lower part of the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach) that begin to bleed.

Bleeding gums can be a sign that you are at risk for, or already have, gum disease. However, persistent gum bleeding may be due to serious medical conditions such as leukemia and bleeding and platelet disorders.

Bleeding under the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny pinpoint red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in larger flat areas (called ), or in a very large bruised area (called an ecchymosis).

Bleeding time is a blood test that looks at how fast small blood vessels close to stop you from bleeding.

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelash follicles, along the edge of the eyelid.

Blind loop syndrome occurs when part of the intestine becomes bypassed, so that digested food slows or stops moving through the intestines. This causes bacteria to grow too much in the intestines and leads to problems in absorbing nutrients.

Blindness is a lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Partial blindness means you have very limited vision. Complete blindness means you cannot see anything and do not see light. (Most people who use the term ...

A blocked tear duct is a partial or complete blockage in the pathway that carries tears away from the surface of the eye into the nose.

Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel or within the heart and stays there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that breaks loose and travels from one location in the body to another is called an embolus. The ...

A blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other microorganisms in a blood sample. Most cultures check for bacteria. A culture may be done using a sample of blood, tissue, stool, urine, or other fluid from the body. See also:

The blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood. It also reveals if there are any abnormal or immature cells. See also:

Blood gases is a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in your blood. It also determines the acidity (pH) of your blood.

Blood glucose monitoring refers to the ongoing measurement of blood sugar (glucose). Monitoring can be done at any time using a portable device called a glucometer. See also:

Blood in the semen, called hematospermia, may be undetectable (microscopic) or visible in the ejaculation fluid.

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries. Blood pressure is continually changing depending on ...

A blood smear is a blood test that gives information about the number and shape of blood cells.

Blood typing is a method to tell what specific type of blood you have. What type you have depends on whether or not there are certain proteins, called antigens, on your red blood cells. Blood is often grouped according to the ABO blood typing system. This method breaks blood types down into four ...

Bloody stools often are a sign of an injury or disorder in the digestive tract. Your doctor may use the term “melena” to describe black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools or “hematochezia” to describe red- or maroon-colored stools.

Blount’s disease is a growth disorder of the shin bone (tibia) in which the lower leg turns inward, resembling a bowleg.

Blue nightshade poisoning occurs when someone eats parts of the blue nightshade plant. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison ...

Body lice are tiny parasites (Pediculus humanus corporis) that spread through close contact with other people. There are three types of lice: Body lice This article focuses on body lice.

A good way to determine if your weight is healthy for your height is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). Being overweight puts strain on your heart and can lead to serious health problems. These problems include: Heart disease High blood pressure Varicose veins More than 300,000 lives could be ...

A boil is a skin infection involving an entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissue. See also:

Bone fracture repair is surgery to fix a broken bone using plates, nails, screws, or pins. may be used to allow for proper healing or to assist in the healing process.

A bone graft is surgery to place new bone or bone substitutes into spaces around a or bone defects.

A bone lesion biopsy is the removal of a piece of bone or bone marrow for examination.

Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. It is found in the hollow part of most bones. Bone marrow aspiration is the removal of a small amount of this tissue in liquid form for examination. See also:

A bone marrow is the removal of soft tissue, called marrow, from inside bone. Bone marrow is found in the hollow part of most bones. It helps form blood cells.

Bone marrow culture is an examination of the soft, fatty tissue found inside certain bones. This tissue, called bone marrow, produces blood cells. The test is done to find out if there is an infection inside the bone marrow.

A bone marrow transplant delivers healthy bone marrow stem cells into the patient. It replaces bone marrow that is either not working properly or has been destroyed (ablated) by chemotherapy or radiation.

A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are present in a section of your bone. Your health care provider uses this test, along with other risk factors, to predict your risk of bone fractures in the future and detect . Bone fracture risk is highest in ...

Bone pain or tenderness is aching or other discomfort in one or more bones.

A bone scan is an imaging test that shows areas of increased or decreased bone turnover ().

A bone is an abnormal growth of cells within the bone that may be noncancerous () or cancerous (malignant).

A bone may detect , tumors, or degenerative conditions of the bone.

Borderline personality disorder is a condition in which people have long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions, such as feelings about themselves and others. These inner experiences often cause them to take impulsive actions and have chaotic relationships.

Boric acid is a dangerous poison. Poisoning from this chemical can be acute or chronic. Acute boric acid poisoning usually occurs when someone swallows powdered roach-killing products that contain the chemical. Chronic poisoning occurs in those who are repeatedly exposed to boric acid. For ...

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The bacteria may enter the body through wounds, or they may live in improperly canned or preserved food.

Bowel incontinence is the loss of bowel control, leading to an involuntary passage of stool. This can range from occasionally leaking a small amount of stool and passing gas, to completely losing control of bowel movements. , a separate topic, is the inability to control the passage of urine.

Bowel transit time refers to how long it takes for the food to move from the mouth to the anus. This article discusses the medical test used to determine bowel transit time.

Bowlegs is a condition in which the knees stay wide apart when a person stands with the feet and ankles together. In children under 18 months, it is considered normal.

Brachial palsy is a loss of movement or weakness of the arm that occurs when the collection of nerves around the shoulder are damaged during birth. This bundle of nerves is called the brachial plexus.

Brachial plexopathy is pain, decreased movement, or decreased sensation in the arm and shoulder due to a nerve problem.

The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that run from the lower neck through the upper shoulder area. These nerves allow the arm, forearm, and hand to move and feel things.

A brain abscess is a collection of immune cells, pus, and other material in the brain, usually from a bacterial or fungal infection.

Brain aneurysm repair is a surgical procedure to correct an , a weak area in the wall of a blood vessel that causes the blood vessel to bulge or balloon out. It can leak blood and cause a or bleeding into an area around the brain (also called a ). See also:

A brain herniation is when brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood vessels are moved or pressed away from their usual position inside the skull.

A brain positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease or injury in the brain. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging () and computed tomography () scans, which reveal the structure of the brain, a PET scan shows how ...

Brain surgery treats problems in the brain and the structures around it through an opening (craniotomy) in the skull (cranium).

A primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in children.

A primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in adults. See also: (cancer that has spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body)

A branchial cleft cyst is a lump that develops in the neck or just below the collarbone. It is a type of birth defect.

Premenstrual swelling and tenderness of both breasts occurs during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of or other disorders. Several different types of biopsy may be done. This article discusses open breast biopsy. An open biopsy involves making a small cut in the breast and removing breast tissue. See also:

A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of or other disorders. Several different types of biopsy may be done. This article discusses sterotactic breast biopsy. A stereotactic breast biopsy uses to help pinpoint the spot in the breast that needs to be removed. See ...

A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of or other disorders. There are several different types of breast biopsies. This article focuses on needle-based and ultrasound-guided breast biopsies. See also:

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer: Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type. Lobular carcinoma starts in the parts of the breast, called ...

A breast infection is an infection in the tissue of the breast.

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is cosmetic breast surgery to lift the breasts. The surgery may also involve changing the position of the areola and nipple.

A breast lump is a swelling, protuberance, or lump in the breast.

Breast lump removal, called lumpectomy, is surgery to remove a breast cancer or other , along with some surrounding tissue from the breast. This article covers lumpectomy that is done to remove breast cancer. Other reasons to perform a lumpectomy include: Other noncancerous tumors of the ...

Pumping and storing breast milk can help provide a stay-at-home mom with the chance to have time for herself. Once she returns to work, keeping up her supply of breast milk can be more of a challenge. She will need to keep her milk supply by continuing to pump and collect breast milk for her child ...

is a condition that causes the skin and parts of the eyes to turn a yellow color. jaundice is long-term jaundice in an otherwise healthy, breast-fed baby. It develops after the first week of life and continues up to the sixth week of life.

A magnetic resonance imaging () scan of the breast is a method to create detailed pictures of the breast and surrounding tissues. It may be done in combination with mammography or ultrasound. However, it is not a replacement for mammography. Unlike and computed tomographic () scans, which use ...

Breast pain is any discomfort or pain in the breast.

A breast positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for breast cancer. This tracer can help identify areas of cancer that an MRI or CT scan may miss. See also:

After a mastectomy, some women choose to have cosmetic surgery to recreate their breast. This surgery can be performed during itself or later. The breast is usually reshaped in two stages. First a tissue expander is used. Then a saline implant is placed. Sometimes the implant can be inserted in ...

After a mastectomy, some women choose to have cosmetic surgery to remake their breast. This type of surgery is called breast reconstruction. During breast reconstruction therapy using natural tissue, the breast is reshaped using muscle, skin, and fat from another part of your body. This surgery ...

Breast reduction is surgery to reduce the size of the breasts.

Breast ultrasound uses sound waves that cannot be heard by humans to look at the breast. See also:

Deciding to breastfeed is a decision only you can make. It deserves careful thought. Experts agree that breastfeeding your baby for any length of time, no matter how short it is, will provide rewards for both you and your baby. Breast milk is the natural food source for infants younger than 1 ...

Breastfeeding is often an enjoyable and rewarding experience for mothers. A breastfeeding mother must continue to take care of her baby and herself, as she did during her pregnancy. See also:

A breath alcohol test determines how much alcohol is in your blood by measuring the amount of alcohol in the air you breathe out (exhale).

A breath holding spell is an involuntary pause in breathing, sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness. It usually occurs in response to an upsetting or surprising situation.

Breath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth. Unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive breath odor is commonly called bad breath.

Breath sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing. See also:

Breathing that slows down or stops from any cause is called apnea. See also: (SIDS)

Breathing difficulties can be described in several different ways. You may be short of breath, unable to take a deep breath, gasping for air, or feel like you are not getting enough air. See also:

Breathing difficulty involves a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air. See also:

Breathing difficulty while lying down is an abnormal condition in which a person must keep the head raised (by sitting or standing) to be able to breathe deeply or comfortably. A specific type of breathing difficulty while lying down is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. This condition causes a person ...

Brief reactive is a sudden, short-term display of psychotic behavior, such as or delusions, that occurs with a stressful event.

Broad nasal bridge is a widening of the top part of the nose.

If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture (compound fracture). A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone that develops because of repeated or ...

The dentist’s term for a knocked out tooth is “avulsed.”

Brompheniramine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine, which helps relieve allergy symptoms. Brompheniramine occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment ...

Bronchiectasis is destruction and widening of the large airways. If the condition is present at birth, it is called congenital bronchiectasis. If it develops later in life, it is called acquired bronchiectasis.

Bronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles), usually due to a viral infection.

Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs. See also:

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a lung condition that affects newborn babies who were either put on a breathing machine after birth or were born very early (prematurely).

Bronchoscopic culture is a laboratory exam to check a piece of tissue from the lungs for infection-causing organisms.

Bronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.

The brown recluse spider’s bite is poisonous. The scientific name for the brown recluse is Loxosceles reclusa. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such ...

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by contact with animals carrying bacteria called Brucella.

A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.

Bruxism is when you clench (tightly hold your top and bottom teeth together) or grind (slide your teeth back and forth over each other) your teeth.

Bubble bath soap poisoning occurs when someone swallows bubble bath soap. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control ...

A buccal smear (pronounced “buckle”) is the painless removal of a sample of cells from the lining of the mouth (inside of the cheek) for study.

This article discusses the harmful effects from breathing in or swallowing bug spray. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison ...

Bulimia is an illness in which a person binges on food or has regular episodes of significant overeating and feels a loss of control. The affected person then uses various methods — such as vomiting or laxative abuse — to prevent weight gain. Many (but not all) people with bulimia also ...

Bullae are larger than 1 centimeter wide. Bullae that are filled with clear fluid may occur on the skin.

Bullous pemphigoid is a skin disorder characterized by large .

BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down. A test can be done to measure the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.

Bunion removal is surgery to treat deformed bones of the big toe and foot. For more information on this type of deformity, see:

A bunion is when your big toe points toward the second toe. This causes a bump on the inside edge of your toe.

Burkitt lymphoma is a very fast growing form of .

There are three levels of burns: First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling. Second-degree (partial thickness) burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. Third-degree (full ...

Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that lies between a tendon and skin, or between a tendon and bone. The condition may be or .

Butazolidin is a a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Butazolidin occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison ...

Button batteries are tiny, round batteries usually used to power watches and hearing aids. Children often accidentally swallow these batteries or put up them up their nose, where the battery can be further breathed in (inhaled). This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or ...

Byssinosis is a disease of the lungs brought on by breathing in cotton dust or dusts from other vegetable fibers such as flax, hemp, or sisal while at work. See also: