Family Health

The heart is a muscle, located in the upper left side of the chest, that pumps blood. About 40,000 children are born with heart disease in the United States each year. Children also can develop...

According to Dr. Alan Greene, infants typically double their birth weight between the ages of 4 and 6 months. However, some infants may be diagnosed with failure to thrive if they are not gaining...

Maintaining the health and stamina of caregiving family members of Alzheimer's disease patients is critical in keeping the highest level of functioning for the person with Alzheimer's disease....

Meniere's disease is a condition that causes dizziness and vertigo, says Medline Plus. This condition also creates a "roaring sound" and pain in the ears during episodes. Researchers are still...

There are certain illnesses that can give vision problems. One of these is diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of vision loss in the world. This medical condition results from too...

Crohn's disease affects the digestive system and causes swelling. This disease can mean frequent and sometimes painful trips to the bathroom. Crohn's disease occurs in women of all ages but is...

Toxoplasmosis is a rare disease that can have severely damaging effects to an unborn child if a mother contracts it while pregnant. Pregnant women can contract the disease from exposure to...

. Patients who have Meniere's disease can experience the same symptoms as patients who suffer from migraines, according to "What Exacerbates Meniere's Disease," a 2006 document from the Loyola...

Flu can be a killer, and myths about the disease abound. The term flu is often used to refer to unrelated illnesses like stomach flu, but influenza is one thing only: a serious respiratory viral...

While rare in the United States, typhus is a disease that can infect children. It does not typically cause deaths, but it can cause a child to be extremely uncomfortable. It is easily diagnosed...

Tetanus is a very serious nervous system disease caused by the bacteria clostridium tetani. It is also called lockjaw because the bacteria causes spasms and cramping of the jaw muscles. This...

Being diagnosed with Huntington's disease is a traumatizing experience for anyone. As a parent, the realities of this disease are even more alarming. It is important to understand the stages of...

Peyronie's disease is named after Francois Gigot de la Peyronie, who became first-surgeon of France's King Louis XV in 1736. Known also as curved penis, penile fibrosis or simply PD, the condition...

ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but is more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. It is an ultimately fatal, neurological disease that will cause the deterioration of the...

Your brand new infant is a source of joy and, when germs fly, a source of worry. Babies are especially susceptible to disease due to their immature immune systems. Maintaining a clean home and...

Cyanotic heart disease is a congenital heart defect that causes abnormal blood flow around the heart and lungs. It can result from one or more of over 10 defects of the heart.

There are certain illnesses that can give vision problems. One of these is diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of vision loss in the world. This medical condition results from too...

Have you ever wondered if there are any differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s? Actually, the definition of Dementia is impaired thinking and memory that allowed you to think and do things...

Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder that stems from central nervous system degeneration caused by the lack of dopamine. Connections with obesity have been examined, as...

Potassium is an essential part of your blood's chemistry. Potassium aids in your body's metabolism and regulates muscle tissue. Routine blood word checks a patient's potassium levels as well as...

Legionnaire's disease is a lung infection caused by the legionella bacteria. Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria that thrives in warm water environments. People develop Legionnaire's...

The 2009 swine flu strain is a dangerous virus, and should be avoided at all costs. Also remember, if you think you have the symptoms of the swine flu, contact a doctor IMMEDIATELY! Better be safe...

Hospice care provides many benefits to patients and their families, despite some of the negative perceptions people have of such care. A physician or health care professional will generally look...

Children need to know about AIDS. Many hear about the disease by the time they reach the third grade, and parents are responsible for ensuring that their children understand the medical facts of...

Acid reflux and heart disease have a convoluted relationship. Symptoms of a heart attack are often masked by or mistaken for acid reflux, while acid reflux is sometimes caused by medications taken...

Cats can play a role in the spread of toxoplasmosis. While the disease is rare, it can have severely damaging effects to an unborn child if a mother contracts the disease while pregnant.

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition that is characterized by the development of fluid-filled cysts inside the kidneys. The condition can limit kidney function and lead to kidney...

Most people think of tuberculosis as a disease of the past. Before 1940, death from TB was not uncommon. Many of us have heard stories of patients spending months or even years in a sanatorium...

Menopause is a roller coaster of waning and surging hormones that causes most women at least some level of discomfort. However, in addition to bothersome emotional symptoms, a woman's body goes...

Menopause is a term used to describe the time when a woman is no longer fertile. During menopause a woman's body goes through many changes. A woman's body may go through physical, emotional and...

Approximately 85 percent of people over the age of 85 suffer from Alzheimer's disease, which is the leading cause of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Risk factors for this condition include...

Kidney cysts are sacks of fluid that form on the kidneys. Often, they are found during a CT scan, and the patient doesn't have any symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, these cysts are usually...

Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating disease with no cure. Unfortunately, more than five million people suffer from the disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Children of a parent or...

Heart diseases are scientifically called the cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The most common heart disease is called coronary heart disease (CHD). In this disease, heart and coronary arteries are...

Peyronie's disease is a medical condition characterized by the formation of scar tissue on your penis that causes pain and curvature during an erection. As an alternative to surgery, doctors...

Your newborn's stomach may swell because of overeating and constipation. However, it can also be a sign of more serious diseases. These diseases can include gastro-esophageal reflux disease,...

First observed in 1743 by a French surgeon, Peyronie's disease is a condition caused by hardening of normally elastic tissue in the penis. The result is curvature or a change in shape which may...

It has been suggested that malnutrition may lead to dementia. On the other hand, dementia may be reversed by treating a person's malnutrition and vitamin deficits.

Drinking too much can wreak havoc on a person's life and the lives of everyone in their family. Alcoholism is destructive, will become progressively worse over time and will continue to negatively...

Early detection of Alzheimer's disease is vital in beginning treatment and planning for the patient's future. Doctors use tests to diagnose whether the patient has Alzheimer's disease. Testing...

Alper’s disease is a progressive brain disease in which messages in the brain are repeatedly blocked (exact cause currently unknown). The disease results in epilepsy, increasing physical and...

Injuries and diseases of the spine can be especially hard to treat. Due to the difficulty of reducing the load and expectations of the spine on a daily basis, recovery can be slow. While treatment...

Handwashing is an important part of disease prevention, but it's often not entirely effective, as most people do not wash their hands well enough or often enough to prevent the spread of disease.

Fifth disease is a viral infection common in childhood, although people of all ages are susceptible. While usually mild, it can pose serious health risks to a fetus who contracts the disease from...

Genetic research has allowed medical professionals a much greater understanding on how inherited diseases and disorders are passed from generation to generation. One benefit of this information is...

Cerebral Alzheimer's disease is a devastating condition in which the brain no longer allows a person to normally function. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a form of dementia (inability to...

Kawasaki Disease is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects children under 5 years of age. Recent research has focused on finding the cause of the disease and new treatments.

Cushing's diseases causes the pituitary gland to release too much adrenocorticotropic hormone, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine. This disease occurs when there is a tumor on the...

Parkinson's disease affects the brain nerve cells that are responsible for muscle movement. These nerve cells are responsible for making the chemical dopamine, which coordinates muscle movements....

Head lice and body lice are both parasitic insects and feed on human blood. They are easily transmitted from person to person. However, body lice and head lice are two distinctly different...