Health Conditions

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common yet poorly understood condition, in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Balanitis

Balanitis, or balanoposthitis, is inflammation of the head of the penis. The foreskin (the loose flap of skin that covers the head of the penis) is also often affected.

Barium enema

A barium enema is a test that helps to highlight the large bowel, so it can be clearly seen on an X-ray . During the test,a white liquid called barium is passed into your bowel thr…

Bartholin's cyst

A Bartholin's cyst, also called a Bartholin's duct cyst, is a small fluid-filled sac just inside the opening of a woman's vagina.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs are small blood-sucking insects that live in cracks and crevices in and around beds. They crawl out at night and bite exposed skin to feed on blood.

Behçet’s disease

Behet's disease, orBehet's syndrome,is a rare and poorly understood conditionthat results in inflammation of the blood vessels and tissues.

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers (beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents) work mainly bydecreasing the activity of the heart by blocking the action of hormones like adrenaline.

Bile duct cancer

Cancer of the bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) is a rare type of cancer that mainly affects adults aged over 65.

Binge eating

Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical procedurethat involves takinga small sample of body tissue so it can be examined under a microscope.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another.

Bird flu

Bird flu, or avian flu,is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans. However, particular strains of bird flu virus have caused s…

Blackheads

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that's hot or painful to touch.

Blackheads

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is where a growth of abnormal tissue, known as a tumour, develops in the bladder lining. In some cases, the tumour spreads into the surrounding muscles.

Bladder stones

Bladder stones are hard lumps of minerals that can form inside the bladder when it's not completely empty of urine.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common condition wheretheedges of the eyelids (eyelid margins)become red and swollen(inflamed).

Blisters

Blistersare small pockets of fluid that usually form in the upper layers of skin after it's been damaged.Blisters can develop anywhere on the body but are most common on the hands…

Blood groups

There are four main blood groups (types of blood): A, B, AB and O. Your blood group is determined by the genes you inherit from your parents.

Blood in the urine (Haematuria)

Finding blood in your urine can be very frightening and must be investigated by a doctor, but it'snot usuallya sign of anything life-threatening.

Blood pressure test

A blood pressure test is a simple way of checking if your blood pressure is too high or too low.

Blood tests

Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test.

Blood transfusion

A blood transfusion involves taking blood from one person (the donor) and giving it to someone else.

Blushing

Blushing is the involuntary reddening of the face, usually triggered by emotions such as embarrassment or stress.