Medical Services & Topics A to Z

Acne is one of the most common skin problems, affecting about 90% of all people at some time during their life. While acne usually occurs in adolescence and young adulthood, it may be troublesome well into the 20s, 30s and even 40s.

Adenoviruses can cause a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptoms in adults include: upper respiratory symptoms (i.e. colds and flu-like illness), gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. diarrhea), and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Individuals age 21 and older who have breasts, ovaries and/or uterus should have an annual gynecological exam, which may include a pelvic exam and a Pap test.

Antibiotics have been extremely effective and often lifesaving in the treatment of some infectious diseases, but they don't cure all illnesses and can sometimes even cause significant medical problems. Therefore, it is important that antibiotics are taken properly.

We have all felt anxiety—the nervousness before a date, test, competition, presentation—but what exactly is it? Anxiety is our body's way of preparing to face a challenge. Our heart pumps more blood and oxygen so we are ready for action. We are alert and perform physical and emotional tasks more efficiently.

Asthma is a chronic condition that makes the lungs' airways swell and inflame. The muscles around the bronchial tubes in the lungs tighten, causing the airways to become sensitive and restricted. Thicker mucus is also produced, which contributes to the narrowing of the airways in the lungs.

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is an infection of the feet caused by fungus.

Back pain is a common ailment, affecting eight out of ten people at some point in their lives.

People get tattoos or piercings for many different reasons. If you are considering a piercing or tattoo, please keep these health and safety issues in mind.

Chickenpox is a very contagious illness. Children and adults can get this viral infection if they haven’t had chickenpox in the past, or if they have not received two doses of the chickenpox vaccine.

Wearing good shoes can help you to feel your best and help prevent injuries. Shoe choice can affect your whole body, not just your feet.

Cold sores are a cluster of blisters that first appear clear then become cloudy. First infection may be inside the mouth, but cold sores generally appear outside the mouth on the lips.

Canker sores are gray or white sores surrounded by a red inflamed area. They occur only inside the mouth, on the tongue or the insides of the cheeks, lips or throat.

Why computer ergonomics? Many people spend hours a day in front of a computer without thinking about the impact on their bodies. They physically stress their bodies daily without realizing it by extending their wrists, slouching, sitting without foot support and straining to look at poorly placed monitors.

Concussion, also called a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), may be caused by a direct or indirect impact to the head, neck, or body, causing a rapid movement of the brain inside the skull. The sudden motion causes a neurochemical disturbance resulting in a range of clinical signs and symptoms. It is important to note that not all concussions result in a loss of consciousness (or “blacking out”).

Dandruff (also known as seborrheic dermatitis) is the excess shedding of the top layer of the skin on the scalp, eyebrows or along the sides of the nose. This top layer of skin consists of dead cells, which protect the more fragile cells below. It is normal for these to be shed or rubbed off because the body is constantly producing new cells that simply move up to replace older ones. However, in dandruff, larger "scales" are shed at an increased rate.

Low moods are a normal part of life but usually they don't last long and they do not interfere with our full participation in life. Depression, by contrast, is not just a brief blue mood or a feeling of sadness that lifts in a few hours or days. Rather, depression is a mood disturbance marked by feelings of hopelessness, sadness and negative thoughts that are more severe or prolonged than the usual range of sadness that most people experience.

Learn what you can do when you have diarrhea and/or vomiting.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE or triple E) is a rare but potentially severe illness that can be transmitted by mosquitoes to humans.

The risk of Ebola at U-M and regionally is very low, nonetheless UHS and the Michigan Medicine hospitals and clinics are prepared.

Learn about the benefits and different types of exercise.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an illness that causes sores in or on the mouth, on hands and feet, and sometimes on the buttocks and legs. The sores may be painful. The illness usually doesn't last more than a week.

Anyone can succumb to heat-related illnesses, especially during hot summer weather. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but when humidity is high and sweat does not evaporate quickly, body temperature can rise rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by a virus that attacks liver cells. The resulting inflammation may impair the liver's ability to aid in digestion of food and to remove toxins from the blood. Symptoms range from mild to severe, but some individuals have no symptoms. Infrequently, acute infections can be fatal.

UHS offers conventional HIV testing. You can also get a rapid test at Wolverine Wellness.

UHS clinicians use their expertise and judgment to make decisions about prescribing medications.

Learn the proper way to wear a mask and read about the current U-M policy on face coverings.

HPV vaccination information. HPV stands for human papilloma virus. Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. More than half of sexually active people in the US have HPV at some time during their lives. It is spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact.

Herpes simplex virus is a common skin condition that can be transmitted sexually through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Read on for support resources for individuals diagnosed with HSV.

Hypertension is a medial diagnosis of high blood pressure, which is made if the systolic number or the diastolic number stays higher than normal most of the time. In this condition, the heart has to pump harder to move blood through the body, adding to the workload of the heart and blood vessels. Hypertension can damage the blood vessels and heart, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease (including heart attack), and kidney disease.

Infectious mononucleosis (also known as "mono" or the "kissing disease") is a fairly common viral disease that usually affects adolescents and young adults, including college students.

We offer testing for health problems, volunteer requirements, etc.

Immunization is an effective means to prevent measles, mumps and rubella.

If you have symptoms or may have been exposed, call your health care provider.

Mpox is a potentially serious viral illness. It can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person’s body fluids or Mpox rashes or lesions.

A Pap test screens for cancer of the cervix (the passageway between the vagina and the uterus). A Pap test can also be used to screen for non-visible (subclinical) human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The Pap test is not a specific test for HPV, although sometimes the results suggest that HPV might be present.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes violent coughing that may last for months. During coughing episodes, people may make a "whooping" sound when they try to inhale.

A pregnancy test is a reliable way to determine pregnancy in early stages so that medical advice may be sought as soon as possible.

What should I do if I find a bat inside? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should seek medical advice within 24 hours and have the bat tested.

You can dispose of unused and unwanted medications at UHS with the MedSafe take-back program. Available when UHS is open, no need to speak to anyone to deposit medications.

During Michigan's long, cold winters, some people experience "winter blues" or more severe seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

A sensitive examination or procedure involves the genitalia or rectum (regardless of gender) or female breast. Additionally, patients may find certain exams or procedures stressful or distressing due to mental health needs, neurodevelopment issues, or cultural or religious reasons — chaperones may be requested or provided for these situations as well.

If you were sexually assaulted or are unsure whether you were, we recommend that you contact UHS by calling 734-764-8320 to discuss your options.

The Shingrix vaccine is very effective at preventing shingles. It is recommended for people age 50 and older, even if you've had Zostavax vaccine or shingles.

Self-care tips and when to call for advice if you have a sore throat.

These practices can reduce the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19, flu, adenovirus, colds, mumps, mono and more.

Severe cold weather, especially combined with wind, can cause frostbite and/or hypothermia. In extremely cold weather, the best approach is to minimize exposure to cold. Stay indoors when possible.

Tuberculosis is caused by TB bacteria. It usually affects the lungs. It can also affect other body parts such as the brain, kidneys or spine. There are two types of tuberculosis (TB) testing - skin and blood.

UTIs occur when bacteria enter and infect the urinary tract.  Any part of the urinary tract can become infected: urethra, bladder (infection is also called cystitis), ureters and/or kidneys. UTI is one of the most common health concerns among adult women. Up to half of all women will experience a UTI sometime in their lives.

UHS clinicians offer advice for how you can treat these common health conditions and when to seek medical care.

Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus, which is acquired through cracks in the skin, causes a thickening of the outer layer of skin. Warts affect 7-10% of the population, and young people are more commonly affected. Most warts are not worrisome, medically speaking, and are primarily of cosmetic concern except when causing discomfort, particularly on the bottom of the feet.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause encephalitis or meningitis (an inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues) in humans.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika.