ULCER, APHTHOUS

Small and out-of-sight, but painful, persistent and annoying. That's what canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers (aphthae), are like for people who experience them. These shallow ulcers in your mouth can make eating and talking uncomfortable. They may occur on your tongue, on your soft palate, inside your cheeks or lips, and at the base of your gums.

Canker sores differ from cold sores in that they occur in the soft tissues of your mouth and aren't contagious. Conversely, cold sores rarely develop in the soft tissues of your mouth and are extremely contagious because they're caused by the herpes virus.

Canker sores are common, but the cause in many cases is unknown. Canker sores can occur at any age, but often first appear when you are between 10 and 40 years of age.

Often, treatment isn't necessary. Pain often decreases after several days, and canker sores usually heal within one to three weeks. Occasionally, severe canker sores can develop that are larger than 1 centimeter in diameter or last longer than two weeks or both.

ULCER, DUODENAL

Too much stress, too much spicy food, and you may be headed for an ulcer — or so the thinking used to go.

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is pain.

Not long ago, the common belief was that peptic ulcers were a result of lifestyle. Doctors now know that a bacterial infection or medications — not stress or diet — cause most ulcers of the stomach and upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). Esophageal ulcers may also occur and are typically associated with the reflux of stomach acid.

Depending on their location, ulcers have different names:

• Gastric ulcer. This is a peptic ulcer that occurs in your stomach.
• Duodenal ulcer. This type of peptic ulcer develops in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
• Esophageal ulcer. An esophageal ulcer is usually located in the lower section of your esophagus. It's often associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Peptic ulcers are common. The good news is that oftentimes successful treatment of ulcers takes just a few weeks.

ULCERATIVE COLITIS

An estimated more than 1 million Americans have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These conditions, which can be painful and debilitating, cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are very similar — so similar, in fact, that they're often mistaken for one another. Both inflame the lining of your digestive tract, and both can cause severe bouts of watery diarrhea and abdominal pain. But Crohn's disease can occur anywhere in your digestive tract, often spreading deep into the layers of affected tissues. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, usually affects only the innermost lining (mucosa) of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.

Ten to 15 people out of every 100,000 in the United States develop ulcerative colitis, while about seven in 100,000 get Crohn's disease. No one knows exactly what causes these diseases, although your immune response and certain genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

There's no known medical cure for either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. However, therapies are available that may dramatically reduce your signs and symptoms and even bring about a long-term remission

ULTRASOUND

A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of internal body structures on a video screen.

UNDERACTIVE THYROID

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Although it weighs less than an ounce, the thyroid gland has an enormous effect on your health. All aspects of your metabolism, from the rate at which your heart beats to how quickly you burn calories, are regulated by thyroid hormones.

As long as your thyroid releases the proper amounts of these hormones, your system functions normally. But sometimes your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, upsetting the balance of chemical reactions in your body. This condition is known as hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid disease.

Women, especially those older than 40, are more likely to have an underactive thyroid than men are. By age 60, as many as 17 percent of American women may have hypothyroidism. The condition seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of heath problems.

The good news is that thyroid function tests have improved considerably in recent years, and early diagnosis is easier. In addition, treatment with synthetic thyroid hormone is usually simple and effective once the proper dosage is established. Natural treatment options also exist.

URINARY INCONTINENCE

Do you have trouble controlling when you urinate? Do you leak urine when you cough or sneeze? Do you suddenly need to go to the bathroom so badly that you're not sure you're going to make it in time — and sometimes you don't? Does a fear of wetting yourself and smelling of urine keep you from activities?

The loss of bladder control — urinary incontinence — is an all too common, often embarrassing and frustrating problem for as many as 13 million Americans. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may count among them.

Although common, urinary incontinence isn't necessarily a normal part of aging or, in women, an inevitable consequence of childbirth or changes after menopause. It's a medical condition that can have many different causes, some relatively simple and temporary and others more involved and long term.

If you're having trouble with incontinence, don't hesitate to see your doctor. In many cases, incontinence can be eliminated. Even if it can't be completely eliminated, modern products and ways of managing urinary incontinence can ease your discomfort and inconvenience.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that begins in your urinary system. UTIs can be painful and annoying. They can also become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys.

Women are most at risk of developing a UTI. In fact, one in five women will likely develop a UTI during her lifetime, and many will experience more than one.

The urinary system is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. All play a role in removing waste from your body. The kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs in your upper-posterior abdomen, filter waste from your blood. Tubes called ureters carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder, where it is stored until it exits the body through the urethra. All of these components can become infected, but most infections involve the lower tract — the urethra and the bladder.

Antibiotics are the typical treatment for urinary tract infections. And, you can take steps to reduce your chance a getting a UTI in the first place.

URTICARIA

Hives — also known as urticaria — are raised, red, often itchy welts (wheals) of various sizes that appear and disappear on the skin. Angioedema, a similar swelling, causes large welts deeper in the skin, especially near the eyes and lips. A more serious condition — hereditary angioedema (HAE) — is an uncommon, inherited disorder, which can cause sudden, severe and rapid swelling of the face, arms, legs, hands, feet, genitalia, digestive tract and airway.

As many as one in five people experiences acute hives or angioedema at one time or another. HAE affects only about 6,000 people in the United States.

In most cases, hives and angioedema are harmless and leave no lasting marks. The common treatment is medications. Serious angioedema can be life-threatening if swelling causes your throat or tongue to block your airway and leads to loss of consciousness.

UTERINE CANCER

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in American women. In fact, about 40,000 American women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer each year, making it the fourth most common cancer found in women — after breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer.

Endometrial cancer usually begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ. Endometrial cancer most often occurs after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer, but there are other cells in the uterus that can become cancerous — such as muscle or myometrial cells. These form much less common cancers called sarcomas and account for less than 5 percent of uterine cancers.

Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause. If discovered early, this slow-growing cancer is likely to be confined to the uterus. Removing the uterus surgically often eliminates the cancer. In fact, stage I endometrial cancer is successfully treated more than 90 percent of the time. Unfortunately, not everyone can be successfully treated because the cancer may have spread beyond the uterus at the time of diagnosis. About 7,000 American women die each year of endometrial cancer.

UTERINE FIBROIDS

Uterine fibroids are among the most common tumors in women. These noncancerous growths of the uterus appear during your childbearing years. Also called fibromyomas, leiomyomas or myomas, uterine fibroids aren't associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer. Most of the time, uterine fibroids aren't harmful.

As many as three out of four women have uterine fibroids, but most are unaware of them as they often cause no signs or symptoms. Your doctor may discover them incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound. Fibroids cause problems for about one in four women, most frequently during their 30s or 40s.

Fibroids can require emergency treatment if they cause sudden, sharp pelvic pain. But this is rare. In general, fibroids cause no problems and seldom require treatment. Medical therapy and surgical procedures can shrink or remove fibroids if they cause discomfort or troublesome symptoms.

VAGINAL DRYNESS

When your vagina isn't properly lubricated, it can feel itchy and irritated. This condition, vaginal dryness, can make daily activities uncomfortable and sexual intercourse less pleasurable. In fact, during menopause, it's the most common cause of painful sex (dyspareunia).

Vaginal dryness is a common condition that affects women of all ages. It's estimated that 10 percent to 40 percent of women who've reached menopause have symptoms related to vaginal dryness. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

• Dryness
• Itching
• Burning
• Irritation
• A feeling of pressure
• Pain or light bleeding with sex

A number of self-care measures and medical treatments exist which can help reduce such signs and symptoms.

VAGINITIS

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching or pain. The cause is usually a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Vaginitis can also result from reduced estrogen levels after menopause.

The most common types of vaginitis are:

• Bacterial vaginosis. This type results from overgrowth of one of several organisms that are normally present in your vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria. More than one in six pregnant women in the United States has bacterial vaginosis, though many aren't aware of it.
• Yeast infections. A naturally occurring fungus called Candida albicans (C. albicans) usually causes this type of vaginitis. An estimated three out of four women will have a yeast infection in their lifetime.
• Trichomoniasis. This type is caused by a parasite and is commonly transmitted by sexual intercourse.
• Atrophic vaginitis. This type results from reduced estrogen levels after menopause. The vaginal tissues become thinner and drier, which sometimes leads to itching, burning or pain.

Treatment depends on the type of vaginitis you have.

VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins. The word varicose comes from the Latin root varix, which means "twisted." Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. That's because you stand and walk upright, which increases the pressure in the veins in your lower body.

For many people, varicose veins and spider veins — a common, mild and medically insignificant variation of varicose veins — are simply a cosmetic concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes the condition leads to more serious problems. Varicose veins may also signal a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system.

Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, affecting up to 60 percent of all Americans. Women, especially older women, are more likely than men are to have this problem. Treatment may involve self-help measures, or procedures by your doctor to close or remove veins.

VASCULITIS

Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessel system, which includes your veins, arteries and capillaries. Also called angiitis, this inflammation causes changes in the walls of your blood vessels, such as thickening, weakening, narrowing and scarring. Inflammation can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) , and can be so severe that the tissues and organs supplied by the affected vessels don't get enough blood. The shortage of blood can result in organ and tissue damage, even death.

There are a number of types of vasculitis. Some types of vasculitis are the result of an underlying disease, and these are known as secondary vasculitides. Others occur without a known cause and are called primary vasculitides.

Vasculitis can affect people of all ages. Some age groups are affected more than others, depending on the type of vasculitis. There also are geographical and ethnic differences in the incidence of vasculitis. For example, giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in the United States, and Takayasu's arteritis is more common in Asian countries. However, all types of vasculitis are rare. Though some forms of vasculitis improve on their own, others require treatment — often including taking medications for an extended period of time.

VERTIGO

If you've ever peered down from a scenic mountain overlook or from the balcony of a tall building, you may have experienced vertigo — the sudden, unsteady sensation that you or your surroundings are moving. It feels like you're spinning around on a merry-go-round.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common form of vertigo. The condition is characterized by brief episodes of intense dizziness associated with a change in the position of your head. It may occur when you move your head in a certain direction, lie down from an upright position, turn over in bed or sit up in the morning. Moving your head to look up also can bring about an episode of BPPV.

Vertigo usually results from a problem with the nerves and the structures of the balance mechanism in your inner ear (vestibular labyrinth) that sense movement and changes in the position of your head. BPPV occurs when tiny particles in your inner ear that help maintain your balance break loose and fall into the wrong part of the canals of your inner ear. When these particles shift, they stimulate sensors in your ear, producing an episode of vertigo.

Although BPPV can be a bothersome problem, it's rarely serious. You can receive effective treatment during a doctor's office visit.

VITAMIN DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Your body needs vitamins — nutrients found in most foods — for many reasons, including for healthy blood. If your body is deficient in certain key vitamins, you can develop anemia — a condition in which your blood is low on healthy red blood cells.

Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. Without enough healthy red blood cells in circulation, your body can't get the oxygen it needs to feel energized. To produce red blood cells, your body needs the mineral iron. It also needs regular intake of vitamins such as vitamin B-12, folate and vitamin C.

A diet lacking in these key nutrients can lead to anemia. An inability to absorb them in your intestines also can cause the condition. Anemia caused by an inability to absorb vitamin B-12 is called pernicious anemia.

Vitamin deficiencies also can lead to health problems other than anemia. But you can usually correct vitamin deficiencies with vitamin supplements and dietary changes.

VULVODYNIA

The pain has lasted for months. You're so uncomfortable you can hardly sit. Sex is unthinkable. Nothing alleviates the pain, burning and irritation — at least not for long.

These descriptions may be characteristics of a lasting pain in the area around the opening of your vagina (vulva) called vulvodynia (vul-vo-DIN-ee-uh) or chronic vulvar pain. At least 200,000 women in the United States have vulvodynia, but experts believe the condition is greatly underrecognized. Some research suggests the disorder may affect as many as one in six women at some point in their lives. There are several reasons vulvodynia may be underreported. It may be partly due to the absence of visible signs of the condition. Or it could be the reluctance of many women to talk about their symptoms.

If you or someone you know is living with chronic vulvar pain, don't hesitate to get help. Treatment options are available to lessen the pain.

WARTS, COMMON

Common warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which stimulates the rapid growth of cells of the outer layer of your skin. More than 60 types of HPV occur.

Some types of HPV tend to cause warts on your skin. Common warts usually occur on your hands, fingers or near your fingernails. Other types of HPV tend to cause warts in other places: Plantar warts. These occur on the soles of your feet. They usually look like flesh-colored or light brown lumps with tiny black dots in them. These dots are small, clotted blood vessels. Genital warts. These are among the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases. They can appear on your genitals, in your pubic area or in your anal canal. In women, genital warts can also grow inside the vagina. Flat warts. These warts are smaller and smoother than other warts. They generally occur on your face or, if you're a woman, on your legs. They're more common in children and teens than in adults.

Common warts are usually harmless, and most disappear on their own. But they may be bothersome or embarrassing, and you may need treatment to remove them. Common warts may recur after treatment and may be a persistent problem.

WEST NILE VIRUS

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause a range of symptoms of varying severity in humans. The virus is relatively new to the United States, having made its first known appearance in the summer of 1999 during an outbreak in New York City.

Since then, West Nile virus has spread rapidly westward, infecting birds, humans and horses. In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 9,800 human infections in the United States and more than 250 human deaths. That's more than double the number of infections in 2002, but slightly fewer deaths.

Deaths from West Nile infection are uncommon. Most people who are infected with West Nile virus have no signs or symptoms or have only a mild illness. Most don't become seriously ill and recover fully. However, West Nile virus may be serious, especially in seniors and people with other medical conditions. It may lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), or inflammation of the brain and membranes surrounding the brain (meningoencephalitis).

Birds are the main reservoir of the virus. When a mosquito bites an infected bird, the mosquito can spread the virus by biting another bird or another animal, including a human. You can reduce your risk of contracting West Nile virus by avoiding exposure to mosquitoes.

WHITEHEADS

Acne is a common skin disorder characterized by clogged pores and pimples.

More than four out of five people between the ages of 12 and 24 have acne at least once. But while the disorder is often associated with teenagers, it can affect people of all ages. It's not uncommon for acne to occur in people in their 20s and 30s. And, some people continue to have acne in their 40s and 50s. Many adult women experience mild to moderate acne due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, their menstrual cycles, or starting or stopping birth control pills.

Acne is rarely a serious medical condition, but it often causes emotional distress and can lead to scarring of the skin. With the right treatment, you can often keep acne under control. Measures also can be taken to reduce scars left by acne.

WHOOPING COUGH

Whooping cough — known medically as pertussis — is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough eventually turns much more serious. In the more advanced stages, it's marked by the symptom that gives the disease its name: a severe, hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like whoop.

These coughing spells don't just leave you gasping for air. They can be so violent they cause bruised or broken ribs and vomiting — even choking or a momentary loss of consciousness, especially in children and infants.

In the first half of the 20th century, whooping cough was a leading cause of childhood illness and death in the United States. But after the introduction of a vaccine in the 1940s, the number of cases gradually declined, reaching a low in the 1980s. The incidence of

whooping cough increased steadily since the 1980s, however, primarily among children too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations.

Whooping cough is also on the rise among teenagers and adults, principally because immunity from the vaccine tends to decrease with age. With proper care, however, most teenagers and adults recover from whooping cough without complications. The disease is much more serious in children, especially infants younger than 6 months of age.

X- SYNDROME

Sometimes, the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts. Such is the case with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome isn't a disease, but is a cluster of disorders of your body's metabolism — including high blood pressure, high insulin levels, excess body weight and abnormal cholesterol levels — that make you more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease or stroke. Each of these disorders is by itself a risk factor for other diseases. In combination, though, these disorders dramatically boost your chances of developing potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Doctors have talked about this constellation of risk factors for years, and have called it many names, including syndrome X, the deadly quartet and insulin resistance syndrome. But several studies support what doctors have suspected all along — this syndrome is common and it's becoming more prevalent. As many as one in four American adults and 40 percent of adults age 40 or older have metabolic syndrome, an increase of 61 percent over the last decade.

Partly because of these increasing numbers, doctors have defined the syndrome more clearly and developed guidelines for diagnosing it. Now, this powerful predictor of disease is a valuable preventive tool. If you have metabolic syndrome, you have the opportunity to make aggressive lifestyle changes today that can delay or derail the development of serious diseases.

YEAST INFECTION

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching or pain. The cause is usually a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. The most common types of vaginitis are: Bacterial vaginosis. This type results from overgrowth of one of several organisms that are normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria. Many women have vaginitis and may not even be aware of it. Yeast infections. A naturally occurring fungus called Candida albicans (C. albicans) usually causes this type of vaginitis. An estimated three out of four women will have a yeast infection in their lifetime. Trichomoniasis. This type is caused by a parasite and is commonly transmitted by sexual intercourse. Atrophic vaginitis. This type results from reduced estrogen levels after menopause. The vaginal tissues become thinner and drier, which sometimes leads to itching, burning or pain.

Your doctor will diagnose the type of vaginitis, and refer for the appropriate treatment.