Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a type of therapy to help wounds heal. It's also known as wound VAC. During the treatment, a device decreases air pressure on the wound. This can help the wound heal more quickly.

The vulva and vagina represent the external female genital organs and the muscular and elastic tubular tract that connects the cervix to the vulva. Cancers of these organs typically arise from the surface lining, and most commonly are ...

Vaginal cancer starts in the cells that form the vagina or birth canal. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

Vaginitis is any inflammation or infection of the vagina. It's common in women of all ages. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

Vaginitis is any inflammation or infection of the vagina. It is a common problem in girls and women of all ages.

A vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is a device that can help prevent seizures.

Valley fever is an airborne fungal infection. It starts in the lungs, and if not treated, it spreads to the bones and destroys them.

Valvuloplasty is a procedure done to repair a stiff heart valve. It is done using a catheter and small incisions.

Varicocele embolization is a type of medical procedure. It redirects blood away from an enlarged vein in your scrotum. Such a vein is called a varicocele. It can cause pain, infertility, and swelling.

A varicocele is when veins in the scrotum have become large and swollen (dilated). The condition is like varicose veins that occur in the legs. Here's what you need to know.

Detailed information on varicose veins, including causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and full-color anatomical illustrations

An estimated 25 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from varicose veins. Varicose veins are usually caused by leaky valves in veins of the leg that result in pooling of blood under pressure. As pressure builds up, the branches of the...

Vascular dementia is caused by decreased blood flow to brain tissue causing signs of dementia. Read on for details about this condition.

Hemangiomas are growths of blood vessels. They’re also called birthmarks. But they often can't be seen at birth. They usually form in the first few weeks of life.

Vasectomy is surgery a man may choose if he does not want to father any more children. It is permanent male birth control.

A vasospasm is the narrowing of the arteries caused by a persistent contraction of the blood vessels, which is known as vasoconstriction. This narrowing can reduce blood flow. Vasospasms can affect any area of the body including the ...

Vasovagal syncope is a condition that leads to fainting in some people. It's the most common cause of fainting and is usually thought of as benign.

A venogram is a test that lets your healthcare provider see the veins in your body, especially in your legs. A special dye is injected that can been seen on an X-ray. The dye lets your healthcare provider see your veins and how healthy ...

Treat all snakebites as though they were venomous. Get to a hospital emergency room as soon as you can.

Venous thromboembolism consists of both deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Patients develop thrombosis or clots in their leg veins, often starting in the calf veins. If left untreated, these clots can spread ...

Ulcers are open skin sores. Venous ulcers are leg ulcers caused by problems with blood flow in your leg veins.

The heart muscle is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. The heart has four chambers, two upper (atrium) and two lower (ventricle), with one atrium and one ventricle on both the right and left side of the heart. Blood ...

Ventricular fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, that affects your heart's ventricles.

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect. This means that your baby is born with it. A VSD is an opening or hole in the dividing wall (septum) between the 2 lower chambers of the heart (right and left ventricles). ...

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, abnormal heart rate that begins in the lower chambers of the heart. It can become life-threatening if it lasts more than a few seconds.

The adult spine is made up of approximately 24 bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other from the bottom of the skull to the pelvis. Each vertebra is composed of several parts that act as a whole to surround and protect the spinal ...

Vertebroplasty is a procedure used to treat fractures or breaks in the vertebrae. In this procedure, a thick cement mixture is injected into a fractured vertebra to stabilize the spine.

Very low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces. It is very rare that babies are born this tiny. Only about 1 in 100 babies born in the U.S. are very low birth weight.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a condition where urine in the bladder flows in the wrong direction. It goes up into the tubes (ureters) that lead to the kidneys.

Dizziness and a spinning sensation (vertigo) are classic symptoms of a vestibular balance disorder. These disorders can strike at any age. But they are most common as you get older.