Overview Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is a common problem affecting 5 million children and at least 2 percent of the adult population, according to the National Association for Continence. As many as 20 percent of children wet the bed at…
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Constipation is a common complaint, especially among older Americans. More than two and a half million physician visits per year in the United States are related to constipation, and Americans spend more than $800 million annually on laxatives, according to…
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Overview A fetus develops over the course of a 38- to 42-week pregnancy, from a single, fertilized egg cell—called a zygote—into a full-term fetus, ready for life outside the womb. After being fertilized, the zygote divides and replicates itself rapidly,…
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Normally, urine decreases in amount and becomes more concentrated at night, allowing six to eight hours of sleep without using the bathroom. With the condition called nocturia, individuals are awakened several times throughout the night voiding their bladder. The condition…
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Overview By the time your baby has reached the age of 5 months, you have had time to get to know him and you may feel more relaxed about being a parent. At this time of rapid change, you will…
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Pap tests are an important part of a woman’s routine health exam and have greatly reduced the number of cases of cervical cancer. The Pap test or Pap smear looks for cell changes on the cervix that might become cancer….
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Once a sperm has penetrated an egg, tiny cilia that line the fallopian tube will move the egg toward the uterus, explains Merck Medical Manuals. The fertilized egg, called a zygote, travels to the uterus, replicating rapidly until it becomes…
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Pumping your breasts is a way to give your baby all of the benefits of breast milk while allowing someone else to have the responsibility of feeding the baby. You can pump fresh milk into a bottle to give to…
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Getting pregnant is natural but does not always happen easily. You can help yourself conceive by taking care of yourself and understanding when you are most fertile. Finding ways to de-stress and enjoy your relationship with your partner is also…
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Most heart problems develop slowly over time. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise and elevated blood cholesterol take a toll on the aging heart. The American Heart Association reports that in 2006, more than one-third of Americans had…
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Once labor begins, the overwhelming desire of most women is to have it over with as quickly as possible. Labor doesn’t always move according to a timetable, though; while labor lasts 10 to 14 hours on average, according to Sutter…
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Overview Considering all the headaches associated parenting a new baby, the consistently modernized design of disposable nappies can offer parents a small sigh of relief. Disposable nappies can be thrown away after a single use, which reduces laundry demands. They…
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If you are trying to get pregnant, the food you eat will make a difference not only in your health and the health of your future child, but perhaps even whether you conceive. If you are having trouble conceiving, take…
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Nausea is a common complaint during pregnancy. It is often referred to as morning sickness, but it can occur at any time of the day or night, and sometimes lasts the entire day. There are a number of natural cures…
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Overview The medical terminology for when a baby spits up is gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Despite its scary-sounding name, reflux is common in most babies until they begin eating solid food. Although the lower esophageal sphincter is supposed to open and…
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Female Role Conception occurs when a man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg. Preparations for pregnancy actually begin in a woman’s body about two weeks before conception occurs. After a woman’s menstrual period ends, levels of the female hormone estrogen begin…
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The human fetus develops according to a set of precisely ordered and timed stages. The mother’s egg is fertilized by the father’s sperm and becomes a zygote—a single cell containing a new, complete set of DNA. This zygote rapidly divides…
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Overview The Mayo Clinic defines abortion as a procedure that uses various medications and instruments to end an established pregnancy. An abortion, as with any medical procedure, can seem frightening if unsure of what to expect. Though the specific processes…
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A premature baby is one who is born before 37 weeks’ gestation. According to Dr. George Mandy of Ohio State University, writing in the medical database Up To Date, the more prematurely an infant is born, the higher the risk…
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Overview Now that your little boy is approaching the right age for potty training, you are probably thrilled at the idea of graduating from your diaper changing duties. Yet, if you know anyone else with children around your son’s age,…
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Overview One of the most memorable times of parents’ lives is the birth of their child; however, not every birth results in a healthy newborn. The March of Dimes reports that a low APGAR score in a newborn indicates some…
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Insemination usually describes an artificial method of mixing sperm with an egg for fertilization. Insemination can be done in several ways, and is usually done with the assistance of a fertility center. Insemination is always done around the time of…
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Disposable diapers seem to be a necessity in today’s lifestyle of convenience and temporary items. Though they are commonly used, synthetic, single-use diapers often contain chemicals linked to long-term health conditions. A study published in the “Archives of Environmental Health”…
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People communicate with much more than just words. Touch conveys powerful messages, especially between mother and child, according to the International Association of Infant Massage. Aside from conveying these messages of love and nurturing, there’s scientific evidence that infant massage…
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Adults aren’t the only ones who can benefit from massage–infants, too, can have significant health benefits after receiving massage. Infant massage has been done for many years, particularly in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe. Despite how simple and easy…
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The art of infant massage has been popular throughout the world for centuries, especially in places like Asia and Africa, according to “Massage Today” magazine. Though there are many health benefits to massaging babies, the concept is not yet popular…
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Overview Vardenafil is the generic name for the drug Levitra. According to Drugs.com, an online drug reference, vardenafil, classified as an impotence agent, treats erectile dysfunction or ED. Mayo Clinic states vardenafil does not cure erectile dysfunction but helps temporarily…
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Reproductive health in both men and women require maintaining balanced levels of hormones. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is made in the pituitary gland in the brain. In women this hormone helps to regulate ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Ovulation occurs when…
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If you notice dark circles under your child’s eyes, it is rarely a sign that your child is not getting enough sleep, says Barton D. Schmitt, MD, director of general consultative services at the Children’s Hospital of Denver, in an…
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Overview Recurring vaginitis plagues some women, regardless of dietary changes and medical treatments. If you’re one of these women, you may be tired of traveling the long and expensive road of prescription and over-the-counter remedies. You may find that simple…
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