In a root canal, the soft tissue inside the tooth's canal is removed and the space is filled with a material that's compatible with the body's own tissues.

The drops enable ophthalmologists to get a far better look at the tiny, complicated world inside your eyes.

Children with sealants have 50 percent less tooth decay than children without sealants, dental experts say.

Eyeglasses can be prescribed for a range of vision problems, from nearsightedness to farsightedness to the diminished vision of advancing age.

Doctors usually don't look inside your nose unless they have a specific reason. Usually, they are looking for an infection or allergy. Sometimes, they're looking for other sources of your breathing problem, such as a deviated septum, the term doctors use to describe a misalignment of the cartilage that runs down the center of your nose.

Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin. They do this by giving you an electrocardiogram -- abbreviated either ECG or EKG (from the original German spelling of the word).

Few tests can match the routine urine analysis for telling your doctor what's going on inside your body.

Keep these guidelines in mind when looking for allergy relief.

The two blood pressure numbers indicate how much pressure builds up in the arteries as the heart beats and between beats.

Several kinds of medicine are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure. Here are some of the main types.

A revolution in dentistry is spawning new devices and products, from laser "drills" to high-tech toothpaste and mouth rinses.

Here are some helpful tips for understanding the air in your house and the air-quality appliances that can alter it.

Sometimes a pill gets stuck. That tends to happen at the ring of muscles at the top of the esophagus.

Your doctor's stethoscope is a simple device that gives him or her crucial information about your heart.

The key to cardiovascular fitness is getting a good but safe aerobic workout. Heart rate monitors, which monitor your heart rate while you exercise, can help you do that with ease.

You probably don't enjoy giving a blood sample, but it's an important part of a physical exam. From a small sample of your blood, your health care provider can order scores of tests.

The best weapon against prostate cancer is catching it early.

Vesalius revolutionized the science of anatomy by basing his findings on direct observation of the body itself, rather than on centuries-old received wisdom.

Before an English country doctor named Edward Jenner stepped forward to attack it, smallpox killed people by the thousands.

Although many generic drugs are made in other countries, drug makers must adhere to strict manufacturing requirements in order to distribute and sell their products in the United States.

In 1616, when William Harvey announced that the heart propels blood and that blood circulates throughout the body, his findings were revolutionary.

When your doctor presses on your abdomen, he or she is feeling to see if any major internal organs are enlarged or tender, making them painful to touch, which could indicate disease.

As you age, you should check with your health care provider about any allergy medications you take and make sure you are up to date on your shots.

Here's a look at some of the more common medicinal herbs. Most herbs have not been thoroughly tested for effectiveness or interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs or foods.

Sometimes medicines can cause side effects and actually make a person feel worse. Side effects are more common as people age, so it's important to understand how to identify and prevent side effects.

Earaches are common during childhood, but a vaccine can ease the pain for thousands of kids.

Side effects of medications are more common as people age, so it's important to understand how to identify and prevent them.

Prescription medications have joined the ranks of new cars and breakfast cereals. Many of them are being marketed directly to the public through ads on television and in magazines. Some medications get so much free publicity they don't need to be advertised.

The idea that a patient can't resist a hypnotic suggestion is just plain false. Simply put, hypnosis is a normal state of relaxed, focused attention.

Use this guide of common terms used on over-the-counter labels to help you choose and use medicines correctly.

Most older people are independent. But later in life, you or someone you love may need help with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking and bathing.

Recovering people can use the tools they learn in rehab to begin the intense challenge of avoiding relapse.

If you are a man, you are at risk for prostate cancer. The risk for prostate cancer increases with age. Your risk is also higher if you are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that men over age 50 get tested for prostate cancer once a year.

When you feel chest pain from blocked arteries, you might see an interventional cardiologist for treatment.

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It can find changes in the breast when a lump is too small for you or your doctor to feel.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens, a clear, soft structure behind the pupil that works much like a camera lens. The top cause of cataracts is aging. In fact, more people over 70 have cataracts than not.

If having surgery makes you nervous, imagine how it can seem for a child. By helping the youngster anticipate and face those fears, you can ease the trauma and smooth the way for a quicker, easier recovery.

Many people worry about having their large bowel examined with a colonoscope. While anxiety is normal, the colonoscope is an amazing instrument that gives gastroenterologists like me a very close view of the large bowel, also called the colon.

Over-the-counter drugs can help ease a child's aches and pains, but you should know a few things before you pop open a bottle.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could look and feel years younger just by taking a supplement? The makers of "anti-aging" hormone supplements would like you to believe that this is possible. But before you accept their claims and open your wallet, see what medical researchers say.

Where can you as a parent turn to for the facts about vaccine safety? The first place to go is your child's doctor.

You may think we wear sunglasses for comfort and fashion. But here's another important reason to wear sunglasses: to protect the health of your eyes.

The benefits of being an active medical consumer include better health, more effective health care, and lower health costs.

Understanding your health insurance policy and the benefits to which you're entitled, can improve your health care and reduce your costs.

Many children of aging parents wait until there's a crisis, and then they're left scrambling for mediocre options.

These tips will help you reduce your risk of being ripped off and putting your health in danger.

Pharmacists do much more than count tablets and pour liquids. Their main job is to focus on the medications you take and the effect they have.

No packaging system is completely safe, so it's important that you check for signs of tampering whenever you buy or use a medicine.

If your doctor recommends a hearing aid, these suggestions can help you determine which kind will suit you best.

Drug-drug interactions occur when one drug interacts or interferes with another drug. Such interactions are dangerous because they can alter the way one or both of the drugs act in the body. They can also cause unexpected side effects. The following information can help you avoid drug-drug interactions.

Are you taking a chance by combining too many prescription drugs, OTC medicines and supplements?

When your life seems to be spinning out of control, it's OK to seek professional mental health help.

Laser vision surgery is a popular treatment of vision problems that eliminates the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

At first glance, visiting the pain-reliever section of your drugstore might just give you a headache -- if you don't already have one. After all, there are more than 150 products on the market to choose from.

This list of health care professionals, which excludes doctors, can help you understand the wide array of people called upon to render care.

Antibiotics are not necessary for the majority of infections seen in the pediatrician's office.

Technology has given us the automated external defibrillator (AED), which is turning up far from hospitals. Some schools and public buildings already have AEDs.

Although you may not be able to avoid a hospital stay, there are ways to trim the expenses.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.

If seemingly contradictory health news has you confused, it's time to learn how to read between the lines.

Home tests can reduce doctor visits and medical costs, but you need to ask: Are they right for you?

Stocking your medicine cabinet isn't difficult and doesn't take much time. You'll first want the essentials for first aid and symptom relief, rounded out with a few items that meet the special needs of you and your family.

Many people with chronic illnesses depend on elaborate medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers or blood-glucose monitors for their health and well-being. Countless others help their loved ones, young or old, deal with an oxygen machine, asthma medication inhaler or other device. No matter how sophisticated or simple the piece of medical equipment is, it's crucial to use and maintain it properly.

Your relationship with your health care provider is one of the most important in your life.

Each fall you hear that the flu threatens senior citizens and folks with chronic ailments. But the rate of hospital stays is highest in another group—young children.

It's easy to forget that OTC remedies are drugs that can cause side effects and affect other medications. That's why it's important to read the dosage instructions, health risks and warnings on the packaging.

By using nicotine replacement therapy to reduce withdrawal symptoms, smokers who try to quit have a better chance of succeeding.

Over-the-counter pain relievers are safe and effective when used as directed. It's when a person doesn't follow the label's advice that problems may occur.

Does the mere idea of visiting a dentist send chills down your spine? If so, you've got company.

Here are suggestions that can help you work with your doctor if you choose to use alternative therapies.

People who prepare mentally and physically before their operations are likely to have fewer complications, less pain and a quicker recovery than those who don't prepare.

It's important to reduce your medical expenses. Even if you have health insurance, you pay a percentage of every health care bill you incur.

Although some complementary and alternative methods have been scientifically proven to promote healing or reduce symptoms, many have not.

Having a child with diabetes can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a team of experts can guide you now and in the years to come.

This technique can ease migraines and tension-type headaches, as well as low back pain and fibromyalgia.

For some people, taking medication every day can help prevent migraines and make them less painful when they occur.

You need to understand your options and take time to consider what will help you reach the end of your life with dignity, comfort and a sense of control.

Deciding when and how to stop taking several popular antidepressants is something you should always discuss with your health care provider.

An entire team of health care experts is on hand to help people with asthma manage their symptoms and continue to live normal, active lives.

People who are actively involved in their medical care stay healthier, recover quicker when they're ill and live longer, healthier lives.

These drugs take time to be effective. It may take weeks to know if one is helping you.

Every year, more than 400 million prescriptions are filled with generic medications in the United States.

No matter what form of arthritis you have, your role as part of your health care team can make the difference in how well you function with pain, stiffness or inflammation.

If your provider suggests non-emergency surgery or a major medical test, it can be worthwhile to get a second opinion

Influenza, with its fever, aches, fatigue and threat of complications, seems a uniquely human illness. But the flu, caused by a virus, can infect animals and birds, as well.

A PHR can help reduce or eliminate duplicate tests and allow you to receive faster, safer treatment and care in an emergency. It also can help you play a more active role in your health care.

Teen depression is a serious illness. The benefits of getting help, including taking medications if needed, far outweigh the potential risks.

Plastic surgery is not for every youth. For some procedures, the child must reach milestones in age, growth and physical maturity.

It's no picnic being a patient. But as long as you have to be one, it pays to make the most of it.

The experts say most of us can have whiter teeth. What's more, many of us can do it ourselves with an over-the-counter (OTC) tooth-whitening product.

If you are the parent of a young child, you may be confused about the safety of immunizations.

With a health savings account, part of your monthly pretax income goes into an account for use toward future medical expenses.

In recent years, researchers have discovered new and better ways to detect and treat breast cancer—and to keep it from coming back.

A living will tells others how you want to be treated when it comes to life-sustaining measures.

Diabetes affects the body in many complex ways, and having a team to help you stay as healthy and vital as possible, for as long as possible, is key.

OTC drugs have information on the bottle or box. Always read this information before using the medicine.

Extreme obesity plagues more than a million teens and young adults, experts estimate. What's a parent to do?

Steroids are important compounds used in medicine, but people often misunderstand what they are.

According to the American Heart Association, there are five main types of cholesterol-lowering medications.

If you have asthma, does your dentist know? This is important for good oral health, especially if you use a corticosteroid inhaler.

Being involved in a clinical trial has risks and benefits. Being informed and asking lots of questions can help you make a decision.

More than 60 percent of elective surgery procedures in the United States are now performed as outpatient surgeries.

Get your timing right, and you'll whiz through waiting rooms at doctor's appointments. Your medications will work their best.

Diuretics help your blood pressure go down by helping your body to get rid of extra water and salt by producing more urine.

Here are strategies from the Food and Drug Administration to help you cut your prescription costs by 50 percent or more.

To get the best medical care you can, you should be an informed patient who works closely with your health care provider.

A medicated nasal decongestant spray may offer fast relief when your nose is congested and running. It can reduce swelling and clear mucus from your nasal passages quickly.

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that typically develops in men ages 20 to 35. It can be treated and is usually curable.

Whatever the reason for needing a new primary care physician, these suggestions can help you find the right doctor.

To avoid wasting valuable time, be prepared for every doctor visit, using these suggestions.

Many forms of emergency treatment take place outside the emergency room, and even many surgeries are performed in locations other than a hospital operating room.

When you’re sick, knowing whether you should treat yourself at home or see your doctor can save you time and hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars a year.

The most effective way to lower your dental bills is to take care of your teeth, and to make sure your children do the same.

For a woman who wants to plan when she becomes pregnant, there are many choices.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, most often affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. It also can affect the hands and spine.

You don't have time to choose a hospital if you have a health emergency. But if you’re facing surgery or treatment for a particular health condition, taking time to find a hospital that meets your needs is well worth the effort.

Well-informed people who play a significant role in deciding how they’re going to treat their health conditions are likely to feel better about the decision process.

Whether you’re facing major surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, a second opinion can help ensure you’re getting the most targeted, effective treatment for your condition.

When people of any age need others to help them with medical, physical or emotional needs over an extended period of time, they need long-term care.

Insulin pumps are used most often by people with type 1 diabetes, but some people with type 2 diabetes use them, too.

To make sure that you are getting the most benefit from your asthma medicines, here are questions to ask yourself.

Here's where to find out more about these important asthma medications.

It’s important to ask your provider questions during your visit to make sure you understand your condition and what your treatment involves.

Although medications can successfully treat asthma symptoms, they may also have side effects that leave you feeling jittery.

Whether you take prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine or both, there are important guidelines to follow to get the most from them.

Rehab is based on a team approach and combines exercise, emotional support and education. You and your providers work together to create a treatment plan just for you.

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and pinches the nerves, resulting in back and leg pain.

For optimum health, you need to understand your health problem and your treatment plan, including how to take prescription medications.

Experts say you should pay close attention to what is, by far, the most useful genetic knowledge—your family medical history.

Here are common problems you may run into as a health care consumer, with tips for wise responses.

Parents of kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a tough choice: whether to medicate their children or not.

Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and pain relievers, laxatives, and headache remedies may treat different conditions, but they all have one thing in common: They’re serious medicines that need to be taken with care.

Children who have ADHD are often given medication as part of their treatment plan. The type of medication most often chosen is a psychostimulant.

Prescription drugs can enhance your life, but when not used correctly, they may have the opposite effect.

Many people believe that Alzheimer’s disease can't be treated. The truth is that medications are available that may help slow the progression of symptoms.

It's called plastic surgery, but there's no plastic involved. In this case, "plastic" refers to the ability of the surgeon to reshape the skin, the face, or other body parts. With advances in technique and an aging population, plastic surgery is more popular than ever.

Although most medications are safe when you take them the right way, some drugs can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, bleeding, irregular heartbeats, and other side effects in some cases.

The basics of implant surgery haven't changed much in decades, but the materials dentists use have improved markedly.

Are you one of those people who don't floss because you find it awkward to maneuver the floss between your teeth? If so, a number of products can help you get the job done.

Digital technology has spread to the dentist's office. Somewhere between 10 to 30 percent of dentists have forgone film, choosing instead digital X-rays that come with a number of advantages.

Orthodontic treatment most commonly begins between ages 9 and 14 because kids in this age range have at least some permanent teeth and are still growing.

Your health is so central to who you are, so important to how well you function and enjoy life, your doctor can be one of your most valued life partners.

Hospitalizations account for more than half of all health care costs, so avoiding surgery is one of the best ways to reduce your medical expenses.

You'll face new hassles as you sneeze and sniffle. You'll have to ask your pharmacist or a store worker for medications that include pseudoephedrine.

One in eight U.S. babies is preterm, says the Institute of Medicine. That's a rise of 30 percent in recent decades.

Always read the label. All OTC medicine labels have detailed usage and warning information to help you choose and use the products.

Using any herb, vitamin, or natural hormone without knowing what you’re getting into—and without a health care provider’s advice—carries a real risk of damaging your health.

Bacteria resistant to antibiotics are causing a growing number of infections, both in hospitals and in schools and other community settings.

Veneers can fix a variety of problems—teeth too short, too far apart, misshapen, or damaged. But the most common reason for veneers is discoloration.

One of the most important things you can do to ensure great oral health care is to develop a good relationship with your dentist.

Dentists use a lot of terms to describe problems and procedures. Here is a look at some of them.

The most common prescription medications to cause weight gain include drugs that treat depression, heartburn, bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Elective surgeries are operations done when there's no hurry. But just because these surgeries are optional doesn’t mean they aren't serious.

Most of the time, however, a cold passes in a week, with or without the use of antibiotics. Taking these drugs does not help you get better faster. In fact, it can create problems.

Antibiotics have been misused so much in recent years that doctors now face an alarming problem. Bacteria that once were easily controlled have become resistant to many antibiotics.

If you’ve ever tried to read a medical chart but couldn’t understand the doctor’s shorthand, these definitions can help.

To make sure you’re getting high-quality care, ask yourself if your health care provider is meeting your needs in five areas.

Treating common illnesses at home isn't complicated. Even so, doing it safely requires knowledge and a willingness to follow the rules.

Although aspirin is a common over-the-counter medication, it’s not appropriate for everyone.

These medications are life-giving and powerful. It's important to take them just as your doctor has prescribed.

Mental health care can be expensive even for people with health insurance. Here are ideas on ways to save.

Being active and involved in care decisions and taking extra precautions to avoid infection when in a hospital can help keep you and your family safe.

Patient advocates fulfill many roles, even, in some cases, staying with hospitalized patients around the clock to help guard against medical errors.

Although inheriting certain genes might boost your chances of contracting a disease, it's rarely a sure thing. Often, your lifestyle and environment can join with disease-prone genes to make a potential disease a reality.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a frustrating condition to deal with because it doesn’t have an easily identifiable cause. It’s an autoimmune disorder, which means your immune system literally attacks your body—in this case, your joints.

For parents of a newborn, first-time parents, or any anxious mom or dad, it may be hard to tell a true health threat that needs a doctor's attention from a frightening, yet simple, illness that doesn't require medical treatment. Most sniffles, sneezes, and stomachaches don't need medical attention. But how do you know when it's time to call the doctor?

Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, the drugs used to attack the cancer cells in your body. Hair loss can be difficult emotionally because of the way it alters your appearance.

How you choose to live out and prepare for the end of your life, are choices that you are able to make, to make this time as meaningful as possible.

Cold and flu season is hard on everyone, but for older adults who may have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it’s especially challenging.

Coronary artery bypass surgery is performed to treat a blockage or narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries, thus restoring the blood supply to the heart muscle.

Did you know that high-tech gadgets and networks can connect you with medical resources? Depending on your health needs, technology may be just what the doctor ordered.

Major surgery can be intimidating, but you’ll feel more confident if you get all the information you need about your surgery beforehand. This will help you prepare for the procedure and for your recovery in the hospital or at home.

Same-day surgery can take place at a hospital, surgical center or doctor's office. Because of advances in surgery and anesthesia, many surgeries that once required a hospital stay can be safely done as same-day surgery.

Experts recommend that all herbal supplements be stopped two to three weeks before surgery. That's because these herbs can have side effects that could make surgery more dangerous for you.

Many factors are used to determine the need for joint replacement surgery. Some of the factors that you and your doctor will consider are the extent and nature of the damage to the joint in question.

Advances in orthopedic technology are helping broken and fractured bones to heal quicker and more strongly than ever before.

Palliative care focuses on improving a patient’s quality of life by improving the symptoms of his or her illness, such as pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. It's used with a variety of ailments, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure.

A personal health record is a documentation of your medical history and care. Although health care providers routinely keep such medical records, you can create your own record, and records for other family members.