If you're unlucky, twisting your foot badly can result in a broken ankle. This is a more serious injury that may affect one or more bones. Is surgery always needed? And what types of rehabilitation best improve recovery from an ankle fracture?

The thyroid gland regulates a lot of functions in the body. It is said to be overactive if it produces too many thyroid hormones. This can lead to symptoms such as weight loss, sweating, nervous restlessness and a rapid heartbeat. An overactive thyroid increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Bedwetting is more common among children and teenagers than many people think. Regular nighttime “accidents” can be troubling for the entire family. But the problem usually goes away on its own over time. In the meantime, there are various things you can do to help your child.

Colorectal cancer is sometimes considered to be a disease only men have. But that is wrong: Although it affects men more commonly and often at an earlier age, women can also develop colorectal cancer. Here you can read about the risks and causes of colorectal cancer, and find information about the screening tests and living with the disease.

Pregnancy is a time of change, especially if it's your first. Parents-to-be may have feelings ranging from joy and hope to worries and anxiety: How will everything go? What will life with a baby be like?

Older people are especially prone to developing chronic kidney disease. The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. The disease often goes unnoticed for a long time because poorly functioning kidneys don’t cause any problems at first. Certain treatments can delay further weakening of the kidneys.

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic (long-term) deep muscle pain in different areas of the body. It is now known that fibromyalgia has something to do with the way that pain messages are processed in the brain. Different people find different things helpful, and cope very differently with the symptoms.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in men. The good news is that prostate cancer is one of the types of cancer with the best chances of recovery. It often grows slowly so it is generally possible to treat it effectively. Read about the risk factors, screening tests, diagnosis and treatment options.

Erysipelas and cellulitis are skin infections that can develop if bacteria enter the skin through cuts or sores. Both infections make your skin swell, and become red and tender. If the right treatment is started early enough, they usually clear up without any lasting effects.

People who are preparing to have surgery usually have a lot of questions: What are the chances of success? What risks are associated with it? What can help relieve anxiety before surgery? What can you do about pain afterwards? We have put together useful information surrounding this topic here.

In Germany, it's usually not hard to find medical help if you become ill. There is an extensive network of easily accessible places to go for treatment. But it's still not that easy to navigate the German health care system. Our practical guide is aimed at people from other countries who are living and working in Germany.

Many middle-aged and older men will know what it's like to have to go to the toilet a lot at night and still feel like their bladder is never really empty. These problems are usually caused by a benign enlarged prostate. Read about the different treatment options.

Many people with heart failure avoid physical activity in order to prevent symptoms like shortness of breath and trouble breathing. But physical exercise is actually considered to be good for people with heart failure in the long term: Research has found that special exercise programs can improve their fitness and quality of life.

Many people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are completely taken by surprise – for instance, if high blood sugar levels are discovered during a routine blood test. Some can reduce their blood sugar by changing their diet and losing some weight. Others have to take medication over the long term.

Whether you are outside biking or doing DIY projects at home – it’s easy for small objects to get into your eye. There, they can injure the surface of the cornea. A superficial injury will usually heal within a few hours or days. What’s the right way to remove an object from your eye? And when do you need medical attention?

Cervical cancer nearly always develops as a rare consequence of a long-term infection with particular types of sexually transmitted HPV viruses. HPV infections are probably equally common in men and women. But the possible consequences of the infection, like cancer, are even less likely in men.

Amblyopia is a common vision problem in children. It is caused when one eye provides sharper images than the other eye does. Because the brain prefers to use the images from the "better" eye, the child's vision doesn’t develop normally.

In asthma, people's airways become so narrow (temporarily or permanently) that it's difficult for them to breathe. With the right treatment, though, they can usually live a mostly symptom-free life.

Outer ear infections are often referred to as “swimmer’s ear.” The ear may become blocked, feel uncomfortable or hurt. Swimmer’s ear is usually caused by bacteria or fungi. The risk is higher for people who swim a lot, children, and people with hearing aids.

Most people know what it's like to wake up in the night and realize that their hand has "fallen asleep." The hand then feels numb or tingly. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes similar symptoms – but they keep coming back again and are often painful. People who do a lot of physical labor are more likely to get it. Read about how you can relieve the symptoms.

Many women have benign (non-cancerous) growths known as fibroids in or on their womb. Most fibroids are small and don't cause any problems. Depending on where they are located, though, they may cause severe period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding or other symptoms. There are a number of different treatment options.

Many of us would be willing to help people in a life-threatening situation. But the thought of actually performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or using a defibrillator on someone who is having a heart attack, for instance, is frightening for some. Find out why there is no need to worry, and how you could help someone who is unconscious and not breathing normally.

We all have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are normal “cushions” of tissue filled with blood vessels, found at the end of the rectum. They only cause problems if they become enlarged. Many people are affected by this – it is estimated that about half of all adults over the age of 30 have hemorrhoids at some point.

"Endometriosis? Never heard of it." This is what many people say, even though it is a common condition in women. While some hardly notice that they have endometriosis, others have severe pain on several days every month. Read about the causes, effects, typical symptoms and treatment options.

We all feel scared sometimes. This can help protect us in dangerous situations: It makes us more alert so that we can react quickly. But fear is counterproductive if it makes you constantly worry about a lot of different things. People who do this may have generalized anxiety disorder.

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder may constantly wash their hands because they are afraid of germs, or may not be able to stop counting to 20. The compulsion can gradually come to dominate their life. But there are treatments that help to get this condition under control.

A heart rate that is irregular and often too fast is the most common sign of atrial fibrillation. Although the condition isn’t immediately life-threatening, it increases the risk of a stroke and can weaken the heart over time. There are a number of different treatment options.

Sneezing and a scratchy throat are often the very first signs you are getting a cold. Once your nose has become stuffy, you may feel weak and generally ill. Unlike influenza (flu), a cold is harmless, and effective relief is available for the symptoms.

Many people associate wisdom teeth with "being pulled," a swollen cheek and an ice pack. Removing wisdom teeth is usually unpleasant and may cause side effects. But do they always need to be pulled, even if they aren't causing any problems?

Preventing tooth decay is basically child's play: It's all about a healthy diet, less candy and thorough dental hygiene. Read about the most important dental hygiene products, and when fluoride tablets or molar sealants might be a good idea.