Many believe that pregnancy lasts nine months, but most pregnant women or those who have had babies, known that pregnancy actually lasts about 40 weeks. The medical profession gauges the true development of a baby using the first four weeks…
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If weight concerns are not addressed with children during their youth, being overweight and its associated problems could stay with them for life. Getting children to eat healthier and exercise begins with getting them to want to improve their eating…
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Gripe water has been used for more than 150 years as a treatment for teething, colic and digestive complaints in babies. No large-scale studies have evaluated the safety or efficacy of gripe water, so it is generally regarded as a…
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Overview Before the fetus is born, a precisely ordered and timed set of developments takes place. Over the course of eight weeks, a single, fertilized egg cell grows into a ball of cells called the blastocyst, then an embryo and…
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Overview Postpartum depression manifests as extreme feelings of sadness, tearfulness and apathy that can occur after giving birth to a child. This response can interfere with mother-child bonding. Many women feel a more mild form of this known as the…
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Overview Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle relaxes too much or too long. The muscle opens the esophagus to allow food into the stomach and closes it to keep food and acids in the stomach. When this…
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Overview A balanced diet and exercise are always important, but even more so during pregnancy. Proper nutrition reduces the risk of birth defects and preterm labor. Meanwhile, exercise lessens the risk and severity of many common pregnancy complaints and even…
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Child vomiting has many causes, including motion sickness, a virus, food allergies and food poisoning. Although vomiting can also be a sign of a more serious condition, the KidsHealth website states that it is usually due to a virus of…
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Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For most people dying of cancer, the end of life will approach gradually over a period of weeks to months. While…
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The flu is a common type of infectious virus that can affect people of any age. Babies, young children and elderly adults are at the highest risk of experiencing severe complications from the flu due to poorly developed or compromised…
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Overview The vagina, also called the birth canal, is a three- to four-inch tube that goes from the cervix to the vulva, the external female genitals. It is lined with layers of cells, and when cancer forms in these layers,…
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For some women, period pain is just a part of their regular monthly routine. Approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of women have severe menstrual cramps that interfere with their normal activities. However, according to the University of Maryland Medical…
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Massage therapy is usually thought of as a treatment that adults enjoy. Infant massage has been used frequently in other parts of the world. According to Vanderbilt University, infant massage has only just begun to be used in the United…
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Overview Many parents find it difficult to distinguish between normal teenage moodiness and the potential for something more serious. Aggressive behavior in teens can become dangerous and violent if it is ignored. Understanding the warning signs and knowing what to…
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Estrace (estradiol) is a prescription vaginal cream used to alleviate symptoms of vaginal dryness or irritation in menopausal women. This medication is administered into the vagina with an applicator and should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. Estrace…
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An epidural is a procedure that involves the injection of an anesthetic just outside the fluid-filled space that surrounds the spinal cord, as explained by the National Institutes of Health. This is called the epidural space. Once the injection has…
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A normal pregnancy is 40 weeks in duration and totals 9 months of gestation. This is commonly broken down into trimesters lasting from 12 to 14 weeks each. There are many exciting milestones during fetal development and the process first…
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Overview Women have many cravings during pregnancy. Sometimes, these cravings are related to specific nutrients that the pregnant woman needs. One common craving during pregnancy is rich, salty cheese. Unfortunately, not every type of cheese should be consumed during pregnancy….
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The pau d’arco tree is found in the Amazon rainforest, other tropical areas of South America and areas of Florida. Pau d’arco’s inner bark, commonly taken as a tea, has been used traditionally to treat a spectrum of conditions, including…
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Head lice, or Pediculus humanus capitis, are small parasites that live off human blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They’re found on the scalp, eyebrows and even eyelashes. Infestations are commonly seen in school-age children, but…
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Infant constipation plagues many babies, especially as they are largely inactive and rely on only one food source in the beginning of their lives. According to Dr. William Sears, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine,…
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Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and ultimately fatal brain disorder characterized by the destruction of brain cells. More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease that negatively affects memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform daily functions,…
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Overview The prostate, which is located at the base of the penis, is a small gland that is approximately the size of a walnut. The prostate makes the liquid portion of semen. There are a variety of conditions that can…
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At 4.5 weeks pregnant, you may have already missed your menstrual period. Because of the rising hormones, many women will experience pregnancy symptoms during this time. It is important to remember that not all women will experience the same symptoms…
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Overview By attending to nutritional needs, a breastfeeding mother helps ensure a healthy, happy baby and a rewarding experience for both of them. Mothers need a well-balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods rich in calcium and protein….
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Overview Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and the uterus stops producing and expelling the lining that it makes monthly to support a fertilized egg. This means the end of monthly menstruation…
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Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. According to the University of Michigan Health Center, miscarriages are very common. In fact, one in four pregnancies result in a miscarriage. Miscarriages occur because the fertilized egg is not…
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Overview A fever in a small child can be alarming, especially when it occurs in the middle of the night. With doctors’ offices closed and the child possibly displaying other symptoms, it is easy to feel confused and overwhelmed. While…
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Teachers and parents use behavior management techniques to encourage children to continue positive behaviors and to reduce or extinguish negative behaviors. Most parents and teachers work to increase behaviors such as listening, following directions, showing respect and being responsible. Conversely,…
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Breast cancer develops when cells of the breast become mutated and fail to respond to normal growth regulation from the body. The cells begin to divide uncontrollably, leading to the formation of a tumor. A number of genes control normal…
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