A colostomy is an operation that creates an opening for the colon, or large intestine, through the abdomen. A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. It is usually done after bowel surgery or injury.

A urine flow test calculates the speed of urine flow over time. It may be used to check how the bladder and sphincter are working. Here's what you need to know about the test.

A sleep study is a number of tests done at the same time during sleep. The tests measure specific sleep characteristics and help to diagnose sleep disorders. Read on to learn what to expect.

A 24-hour urine collection is a simple lab test that measures what’s in your urine. The test is used to check kidney function. Here's what you need to know.

A cerebral arteriogram is a catheter-based exam of the blood vessels in the brain, head, and neck.

A kidney transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased or injured kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor.

An appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix. The goal is to remove the appendix safely. Here's what you need to know.

Lithotripsy is a procedure used to treat kidney stones that are too large to pass through the urinary tract. It works by sending focused ultrasound energy or shock waves directly to the stone. The shock waves break a large stone into smaller stones that will pass through the urinary system. Lithotripsy lets people with certain types of kidney stones not need surgery.

Hundreds of people drown each year in the U.S., including those who die in boating accidents and in swimming pools. Summertime is a prime time for water-related injuries.

When the weather warms up, you may start to think about taking your kids to the pool or beach. How's your swimming safety knowledge?