Back and neck pain can interfere with your ability to function. Overuse, overweight, and other problems can cause back and neck pain.

Back injuries can result from playing sports, working around the house or in the garden, low- or high-speed car accidents, lifting heavy objects or a fall. The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain.

Soft tissues around the spine also play a key role in the health of the back. A large, complex group of muscles work together to support the trunk and hold the body upright. They also allows the trunk to move, twist and bend in multiple ...

Back pain in pregnancy is very common, affecting an estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of pregnant women. It can range from mild pain associated with specific activities to acute pain that becomes chronic. About 10 percent of the time ...

Bacterial endocarditis is a bacterial infection of the inner layer of the heart or the heart valves. Read on to learn about the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium), and the heart valves. It does not happen very often, but when it does, it can cause serious heart damage.

Gastroenteritis is inflammation in the digestive tract, including the stomach and the small and large intestines. When it's caused by a type of bacteria, it’s called bacterial gastroenteritis.

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It causes headache, stiff neck, and high fever.

Detailed information on halitosis (bad breath), including causes and treatment

A Baker cyst (popliteal cyst) is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee.

Baldness, or hair loss, can be caused by many things including aging, hormones or illness. It's more common in men and can be treated with hair transplants or other procedures.

Often referred to as "angioplasty for the nose," balloon sinuplasty is an innovative procedure used for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

A barium enema is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your lower GI tract includes the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

A barium swallow is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your upper GI tract includes the back of your mouth and throat (pharynx) and your esophagus.

Barrett's esophagus is when the normal cells that line your food pipe (esophagus) turn into cells not usually found in your body. The new cells take over because the lining of the esophagus has been damaged. The new, abnormal cells are ...

Basilar invagination occurs when the top of the second vertebrae moves upward. It can cause the opening in the skull where the spinal cord passes through to the brain (the foramen magnum) to close. It also may press on the lower ...

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is an inherited (genetic) disorder of the muscles. It is called a neuromuscular disease. There are several types. Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a rare type.

Behcet disease is a type of autoimmune disease. It causes inflammation of blood vessels. It’s a rare disease in the United States, but it is more common in the Middle East and Asia. It’s more common in people in their 20’s or 30’s, but ...

Behçet's syndrome is a chronic disorder in which many body systems including the eyes, the joints, the blood vessels, the central nervous system, the digestive system and the genitals become swollen and tender (inflamed).

Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and worsens over 48 hours. It is caused by a damaged facial nerve.

A belt lipectomy is a type of surgery. It's done to remove the loose skin and fat around your waist or “belt line.” This is also called an abdominal lipectomy, tummy tuck, and panniculectomy. You may have this surgery after you lose a ...

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disease of the vestibular system of your inner ear. When you change your head position, it causes vertigo. Vertigo is a feeling that the room is spinning around you.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is also called benign prostatic hypertrophy. It’s when the prostate gland becomes very large and may cause problems passing urine. BPH is not cancer, and is a common part of aging.

The Bernstein test (esophageal acid perfusion test) is used to see if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Beta thalassemia is a genetic disease inherited from one or both parents. Read on to learn more about the different forms of this disease, treatment, and more.

Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. This means it is passed down through the parent’s genes. It is a form of anemia. Anemia is a low red blood cell or low hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is part of red blood cells. It carries ...

Bicuspid aortic disease occurs when a defect is present in the valve that opens and shuts to allow blood flow from the heart through the aorta. While the defective valve may be easy to see, the defect also causes changes in the tissues ...

Bicuspid aortic valve is a type of abnormality in the aortic valve in the heart. In bicuspid aortic valve, the valve has only two small parts, called leaflets, instead of the normal three. This condition is present from birth. It often ...

Bile duct cancer is rare. It starts in the cells of the bile ducts. The bile ducts are a network of tiny tubes that connect the liver and the gallbladder to the small intestine. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease that occurs in infants. It is often found shortly after birth. The disorder affects tubes in the liver called bile ducts. If not treated with surgery, it can be fatal.