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hemorrhoids — veins around the anus or lower rectum that are swollen and inflamed.

hepatitis B — a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. You get hepatitis B by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person; for instance, you can become infected by having sex or sharing needles with an infected person. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during childbirth.

hepatitis C — a liver disease, caused by a virus, that makes the liver swells and stops it from working correctly.

high blood pressure — also known as hypertension. A cardiovascular disease which means the blood vessels become tight and constricted, forcing your heart to pump harder to move blood through your body. These changes cause the blood to press on the vessel walls with greater force, which can damage blood vessels and organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and brain. Blood pressure is considered high if it is greater than 140 over 90 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).

HIV — see HIV/AIDS infection

HIV/AIDS infection — HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV infection can produce no symptoms for many years. When certain symptoms develop, a person has AIDS. AIDS is a syndrome, or group of diseases, that can be fatal. HIV/AIDS infection is life-long, there is no cure.

hormone — substance produced by one tissue and conveyed by the bloodstream to another to effect a function of the body, such as growth or metabolism.

hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — replaces the hormones that a woman's ovaries stop making at the time of menopause, easing symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. HRT combines the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and is usually given in pill form. [A recent study has found that HRT can cause more harm than good in healthy women, and can increase a woman's risk for breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). Talk with your health care provider to find out if HRT is best for you and about other ways to control menopause symptoms.]

hypertension — see high blood pressure.

hysterectomy — surgery to remove the uterus.