In bacterial vaginosis (sometimes abbreviated as BV) much larger numbers of bacteria grow inside of the vagina than would normally just be there. This increase in bacteria is usually not dangerous and it often goes unnoticed, but it can cause a strong-smelling vaginal discharge and be very unpleasant. Antibiotics can provide effective treatment.

If a tendon sheath is overused, it can become inflamed and swollen. Known as tenosynovitis, this most commonly occurs in the hands, arms and feet. The pain usually goes away if you keep the inflamed area still. If it doesn’t go away, various treatments are considered.

Signs of bursitis include swelling and pain – for instance, in an elbow or knee. It can arise when too much pressure is put on one of the protective fluid-filled sacs in the body known as bursae. There are various ways to treat bursitis, depending on the cause and how it develops over time.

Cold sores lead to the formation of painful blisters around the lips, typically only on one side of the mouth. People who have had a cold sore in the past often keep on getting them again. They are caused by certain contagious herpes viruses. Because they go away on their own within one to two weeks, treatment usually isn’t needed.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Herpes virus infections actually don’t often lead to a disease, though. If symptoms do arise, they can be painful and distressing. But there are treatments that can relieve the symptoms and shorten the outbreaks.

Frozen shoulder starts very gradually. At first the pain is mild, but it then gets worse and can make it difficult to sleep through the night. Over time, the shoulder gets so stiff that it can hardly move. At what age is frozen shoulder most common? And what can relieve the symptoms until they go away?

Bunions are among the most common foot deformities. They often don’t cause any problems – or only minor problems. But sometimes the foot becomes increasingly deformed and hurts, making it hard to walk. If measures such as wearing well-fitting shoes and using splints don’t help, surgery is an option.

Gastritis is common. The symptoms include stomach pain, heartburn, nausea and feeling full. It is usually caused by certain bacteria or anti-inflammatory painkillers. The symptoms often clear up on their own after a few days.

Many people will have an ingrown toenail at some point in their lives. There are various possible treatments, depending on how severe the symptoms are. Using the right technique to cut your toenails can help prevent the problem in the first place, though.

A boil (furuncle) is a pus-filled bump in the skin that is caused by a bacterial infection. It’s a bit like a very big yellow pimple, but it’s deeper in the skin and hurts a lot more. Medical treatment is often helpful. It can make boils go away quicker, relieve the pain and prevent complications.

The gaps between the toes provide a warm and moist environment – perfect conditions for fungi. Athlete's foot typically leads to redness and cracks in the skin. It usually doesn’t clear up on its own, but can often be effectively treated with creams, gels and sprays. Read about the different medications and how to prevent athlete’s foot.

Nail fungus is very common. Experts think that it often develops from untreated athlete's foot. It then takes a while to get rid of the brittle, discolored or thickened nails. Topical treatment with nail polish may take up to one year. Tablets work faster, but they have more side effects too.

Minor injuries to our skin usually heal quite quickly on their own. But some wounds close very slowly, keep on opening up, or don’t heal at all. Doctors consider a wound to be chronic if it doesn’t heal. This usually happens because of circulation problems or diabetes.

A migraine is very different from a “normal” headache: Migraines are typically associated with moderate to severe headaches that only affect one side of the head. Even small movements often make them worse. What medication helps relieve migraine attacks? How can they be prevented?

Tennis elbow is usually the result of repetitive movements or too much strain – for instance, during sports like tennis or when doing manual labor. The main symptom is pain in the outer elbow. Certain treatments can relieve the symptoms somewhat or speed up recovery.

Pain on the inside of the elbow is typical for golfer’s elbow. It’s usually caused by repetitive movements or too much strain – for instance, during sports like tennis or when doing manual labor. Golfer’s elbow is usually treated with stretching and strengthening exercises.

Diverticula are small, balloon-like pouches in the lining of the intestine. They are often harmless, but might cause pain and other symptoms – for instance, if the contents of the bowel get into them. Find out how these problems can be prevented, and when treatment is needed.

Gout is a metabolic disorder that causes inflammation in joints. An acute gout attack often begins at night or in the early morning with sudden, painful joint swelling. It’s a lot more common in men than in women. Read about what gout has to do with your diet, what treatments are available, and why it's important to seek medical advice early on.

It is normal for vision to gradually get worse with age. Some people also have medical conditions that further affect their vision. Age-related macular degeneration is one of these. It makes objects look blurry and distorted, especially when you look at them directly, and becomes increasingly difficult to do things like read or recognize faces.

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.

Ankle sprains are one of the most common types of injury. When an ankle is twisted, the ligaments are overstretched. In the worst case, they might tear. Small blood vessels tear too, causing the swelling around the ankle. Read on to find out about first aid measures, the treatment options and what can help to stabilize the joint.

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.