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Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability(mania) alternating with periods of depression. The"mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt.Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally.

Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg(ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.

Diabetes is a chronic(lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both.To understand di...

Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or...

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury(mmHg) and usually given as two numbers. For example, 120 over 80(written as 120/80 mmHg).The top number is your systolic p...

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast.Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes(ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type.

High levels of cholesterol have been linked to heart disease.The liver can manufacture about 600 mg of cholesterol a day, an adequate amount to meet the body''s need. But cholesterol is also a part of the human diet, and it is found in many foods.

An allergy is an exaggerated immune response or reaction to substances that are generally not harmful.Allergies are relatively common. Both genetics and environmental factors play a role.Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which l...