Inflamed, painful joints and decreased mobility may be signs of rheumatoid arthritis, but they could be caused by osteoarthritis too. Read about the typical signs of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the causes, outlook and treatment options.

Many people associate wisdom teeth with "being pulled," a bruised and 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?

Allergies arise if the body's immune system overreacts to substances (allergens) that are usually harmless, such as pollen. The symptoms are sometimes quite mild, but they can also be a real nuisance and have a considerable impact in everyday life. There are various treatment options for allergies.

Most people associate slipped discs with sudden, severe back pain. But slipped discs usually go unnoticed and do not need to be treated. What happens if it is painful, and how can you tell whether it would make sense to see a doctor?

If you feel like everything is spinning around you and rocking from side to side, you probably have vertigo. Vertigo can occur while standing, walking or lying down. The most common form is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It is caused by deposits in the organ of balance inside the ear. Two simple treatments can help.

The newly identified coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading in Germany and the rest of the world. It can cause a fllu-like disease. Washing your hands frequently, keeping distance from others and exercising caution when you sneeze or cough are the most important things you can do to keep the virus from spreading so rapidly.

If you regularly put a lot of strain on a tendon, for instance when doing sports or certain work-related activities, it might become sore. Tendon overuse injuries often occur in the shoulders and elbows. In the legs, they mainly affect the knees and the Achilles tendons. It’s important to rest the sore tendon at first and then do stretching exercises so it can get used to strain again.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in men. But it is also 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.

A gum inflammation (gingivitis) is usually harmless and goes away quickly. But it might spread to the periodontium (the soft tissue and bone that support our teeth). It is then called periodontitis. Read about how the progression of this disease can be stopped and what role oral hygiene plays.

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 it might be a good idea to use dental sealants for molar teeth or fluoride tablets.

Shoulder pain is one of the most common orthopedic problems. It usually arises beneath the bone that forms the “roof” of the shoulder (the acromion). The pain often goes away within six months. Until then, it’s a good idea to avoid moving the arm too much. Certain treatments can relieve the pain.

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 hernias occur when part of the bowel or peritoneum pushes through a gap in the abdominal wall. Inguinal (groin) hernias are the most common kind. They mainly affect men. Women and children sometimes have hernias too. Read about common types of hernias and how they are treated.

People are considered to have misaligned teeth or jaws if their set of teeth is very different to that of most others. This type of problem is commonly treated with removable or fixed braces. Braces are mainly used in teenagers because their mouths are still growing so it is easier to change the position of their teeth and jaws.

Diarrhea is very common. It is usually caused by viruses and typically goes away on its own after a few days. But more severe diarrhea that lasts longer has to be treated. Otherwise it might lead to a dangerous loss of fluids and salts, particularly in children and older people.

Styes and chalazia are common and can occur at any age. The eyelid is swollen because a gland at the edge of the eyelid has become inflamed. If bacteria are involved, the swelling may develop very quickly and hurt. Styes and chalazia usually go away on their own.

In epilepsy, the brain or certain parts of the brain are too active. Some people have their first seizure in childhood, while others have their first seizure in older age. Medication can help to prevent seizures and maintain a good quality of life.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer often makes people feel very frightened and anxious. But if you get breast cancer for the first time and it hasn’t spread far, there’s a good chance that treatment can lead to full recovery. There are also many support services that help people in everyday life, to return to work and cope emotionally with breast cancer.

The typical symptoms of chickenpox are a very itchy rash with red blisters and a mild fever. This contagious viral infection mostly affects preschool and school-age children between the ages of two and ten. Although chickenpox is unpleasant, it rarely has any serious consequences in children who are otherwise healthy.

If you have already had chickenpox, you could get shingles later in life too. Both of these diseases are caused by the same virus. A weakened immune system, due to things like extreme stress or older age, can increase your risk of developing this often very painful rash. Shingles typically goes away within two to four weeks.

People often talk about having the flu (influenza) when they come down with a cold. The course of these two types of infections is very different, though. Colds start gradually, whereas flu viruses strike quickly and cause more severe symptoms. Read about the typical symptoms, the flu vaccine and the treatment options.

Most people get warts at some point. Warts are contagious and can be very persistent. Children and teenagers are particularly likely to get them because they often use public showers or changing rooms, for instance after doing sports or at the swimming pool. How can you prevent warts – and how can you get rid of ones you have?

Cystitis is very common in women. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The main symptom is a burning pain when peeing, often accompanied by an increased urge to pee. Uncomplicated cystitis can be treated effectively and usually goes away without much trouble.

Acute tonsillitis causes symptoms such as a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever and tiredness. Tonsillitis that keeps coming back within short spaces of time can be very distressing and in rare cases may lead to complications.

The typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS isn't dangerous, the symptoms can be very painful and bothersome. Read about the different treatment options and what outcomes can be expected.

When cataracts develop, the lens of the eye gradually becomes cloudy. Your vision becomes increasingly blurry – as if you were looking through a veil or fog. Some people's vision is only slightly affected, while in others it gets worse fast. Over the long term, only surgery will help.

Most teenagers will have pimples at some point. Severe acne can be very distressing. But there are a number of things that can help, although it usually takes a while to see results.

About one in five adults have varicose veins. These bumpy, bluish veins are mainly a cosmetic issue for most people. But they sometimes cause a feeling of heaviness, pain or cramps in the lower legs too. Read about the treatment options for varicose veins.

Cancer treatments can have serious side effects. Many people find chemotherapy-related hair loss on their scalp and body to be especially upsetting. The hair typically grows back a few weeks after the treatment.

Ejaculation is considered to be premature if "coming" too soon becomes a problem and affects a man’s sex life. Various treatment options are then available, including exercises for better controlling ejaculation, medication and sex therapy.