What Is Malaria?

Malaria is an infection brought on by a parasite that almost always is transmitted by mosquitoes. What happens if you get malaria is that you usually get sick. This article explains the symptoms of malaria and its causes. Verywell / Emily Roberts What Happens if You Get Malaria? Mostsymptoms of malariaare the result of toxins that the parasite produces when it invades red blood cells. These toxins can cause anemia and, in many cases, blockages in small blood vessels throughout the body....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 550 words · Derek Taylor

What Is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is when a sexually mature male is unable to get a fertile female pregnant. Treatment may involve medications, hormone therapy, surgery, and specialist procedures likeintrauterine insemination (IUI). It also offers tips on how to prevent male infertility with healthy lifestyle choices. Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health Causes of Male Infertility There are many causes of male infertility. These include genetic disorders that can impair either of these systems....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 361 words · Patrick Carroll

What Is Marchiafava-Bignami Disease?

This article reviews Marchafava-Bignami disease symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. The chronic form of MBD is less common but generally includes mild dementia. However, this symptom is often correlated with conditions other than MBD. KATERYNA KON / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images The erosion damages the nerves and eventually leads to nerve cell death andnecrosisof the corpus callosum. This condition is primarily associated with extreme alcohol consumption. However, it has also been observed in patients with severemalnutrition....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 358 words · Nicholas Gonzales

What Is Marfan Syndrome?

This can cause problems with the heart and blood vessels, eyes, bones, and other systems. Ultimately, this can lead to life-threatening complications, likeaortic dissection. Among the most important are heart and cardiovascular problems, issues with the skeletal system, and eye problems. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Both are life-threatening emergencies. This can also lead to life-threatening dissection or rupture. These might be because of an aortic dissection or rupture. Sometimes the heart valves are affected in Marfan syndrome....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 924 words · Caitlin Ho

What Is Meckel's Diverticulum?

It is the most commoncongenitalanomaly (anatomical difference present at birth) of the gastrointestinal system. This condition usually doesn’t cause symptoms and a person may never know they have it. But it can sometimes lead to serious bleeding, bowel obstruction, and infection (Meckel’sdiverticulitis). fizkes / Getty Images This article discusses Meckel’s diverticulum, including who it affects and what surgical treatment entails. fizkes / Getty Images What Causes Meckel’s Diverticulum? No one knows why some people have Meckel’s diverticulum....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 392 words · Robert Floyd

What Is Medical Ozone Therapy For the Spine?

What Is Ozone Therapy? (O2 is the form of the oxygen in the air we breathe.) Research experiments have included a variety of methods for medical ozone administration. Thomas Barwick / Getty Images The technique used must follow the parameters set by each individual study protocol. The mechanism by which medical ozone therapy may work for various ailments isn’t completely understood. Pain-inducing spine problems, which tend to be more common among peopleover 65, tend to limit physical activity....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 195 words · Donna Stewart

What Is Medullary Thyroid Cancer?

Medullary thyroid cancer makes up approximately 2% of all thyroid cancers and may be hereditary or sporadic. In the inherited types, other conditions (e.g., pheochromocytoma orparathyroid hyperplasia) may be present. Medullary thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men (with the exception of inherited MTC). Verywell / Laura Porter Unlike other thyroid cancers, it is not associated with exposure to radiation. As the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid begin to grow at a rapid rate, anoduleis formed....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 414 words · Rebecca Fowler

What Is Melanoma?

This is why a dermatologist should check out any new, changed, or out-of-place skin spot. Superficial Spreading This is the most common subtype of melanoma in people with fair skin. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Verywell / Alexandra Gordon Nodular melanoma usually begins as a dark or lightly colored (pink hue) raised spot. Acral Lentiginous This subtype accounts for less than 5% of all melanomas....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 491 words · Garrett Young

What Is Meningococcal Disease?

There are six typesor serogroupsofN. Can You Catch Meningococcal Disease From Someone Else? Meningococcal disease is usually spread during close contact, such as kissing or living together. Ariel Skelley / Getty Images They usually start out as flu-like symptoms and rapidly worsen in a matter of hours. Meningococcal meningitis symptoms include: Meningococcal septicemia symptoms include: How Fatal Is Meningococcal Disease? Early symptoms of meningococcal disease are usually mild and resemble the flu....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 508 words · Briana Gray

What Is Meningoencephalitis?

It is considered a medical emergency. It is also referred to as encephalomeningitis. Herpes virus infection is the most common cause of meningoencephalitis, but the condition can have other possible causes. Shidlovski / Getty Images Meningoencephalitis Symptoms Meningoencephalitis causes a range of symptoms, depending on the severity of the condition. Common symptoms include: Mild symptoms (such as fever and headache) can be early signs of meningitis. Severe symptoms such as a focal neural deficit, continual sleepiness, and seizures, may indicate meningoencephalitis....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 362 words · Robert Alexander

What Is Mental Health Counseling?

Counseling can show you how to navigate through dark, uncertain times in your life. It can help you improve relationships with those closest to you as well. Whileself-carecan relieve minor issues, you may need professional help with severe symptoms that last longer than two weeks. Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health About 1 in 5 U.S. adultsalmost 50 million Americansare living with a mental illness. Unfortunately, more than 27 million of them are not receiving any treatment....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 744 words · Katherine Russell

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Lifestyle changes are the first choice for treating metabolic syndrome, although in some cases medication is necessary. Routine physicals can identify the syndrome. Some factors overlap and amplify each other. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin For example, obesity is associated with hypertension and high triglyceride levels. And hypertension is associated with high blood glucose levels. Excess body weight is associated with visceral (in the abdomen) adipose tissue (fat). Also referred to as belly fat, visceral fat surrounds the internal organs and is associated with insulin resistance....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 387 words · Robert Alvarez

What Is Methylmalonic Acidemia?

It’s because of a genetic defect that prevents the body from properly processing certain proteins. This metabolic dysfunction leads to a buildup of methylmalonic acid in the body. Methylmalonic acidemia can cause coma and other serious symptoms if not correctly diagnosed and treated. Verywell / JR Bee This article explains the symptoms of methylmalonic acidemia and how it is passed down within families. It also discusses how MMA is diagnosed and treated, along with some of the long-term impacts....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 824 words · Cindy Chapman