Children usually move in natural, predictable steps as they grow and develop language, cognitive, social, and sensory and motor skills. But each child gains skills at their own pace. It's common for a child to be ahead in one area, such as language,

Learn what to expect when you have a blood test.

Covers the causes and symptoms of low back pain. Looks at treatment with rest, over-the-counter pain medicine, and heating pads. Includes steps to prevent low back pain from returning, such as practicing good posture and getting regular exercise.

Vaccines help keep you and your child from getting certain diseases that are spread from person to person (infectious diseases). They also help reduce the spread of a disease and prevent a sudden outbreak of the disease, which is called an epidemic.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines you can buy without a doctor's prescription. This doesn't mean that OTC medicines are harmless. Like prescription medicines, OTCs can be very dangerous for children if not taken the right way. Be sure...

Severe dehydration means: Your mouth and eyes may be extremely dry. You may pass little or no urine for 12 or more hours. You may not feel alert or be able to think clearly. You may be too weak or dizzy to stand. You may pass out. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires emergency treatment. Call or other...

Discusses chronic pain caused by problems other than cancer. Covers symptoms and how chronic pain is diagnosed. Covers conditions that can be treated, like neck pain, low back pain, and arthritis. Info on treatment with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Information on type 2 diabetes. Describes how insulin is made and used by the body. Describes symptoms and how type 2 is treated. Provides info on blood sugar (glucose) levels. Discusses obesity's role in type 2 diabetes. Discusses exercise and diet.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and fever and to reduce swelling and inflammation caused by injury or diseases such as arthritis. Aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen are commonly used NSAIDs. NSAIDs may cause side effects. The most common are stomach upset, heartburn, and...

Amazing changes are happening in your newborn's development. Babies' brains develop quickly, as they begin to think, learn, and remember. Newborns listen to and learn the sounds of language. They can communicate with sounds and facial expressions.

Covers causes and symptoms of high blood pressure. Explains systolic and diastolic pressure numbers. Looks at treatment and prevention steps. Includes risks of untreated high blood pressure such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan. MRI...

A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, you lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-ray pulses through the body. Each pulse lasts less than a second and takes a...

Covers causes and symptoms of asthma in teens and adults. Includes info on avoiding triggers and treating attacks. Looks at treatment with controller medicine. Covers delivery systems that include metered-dose and dry powder inhalers and nebulizers.

Epilepsy is a disorder that causes repeated seizures. Seizures may cause problems with muscle control, movement, speech, vision, or awareness. They usually don't last very long, but they can be scary. Most people are able to control their seizures with medicines. Some people outgrow epilepsy and no longer have seizures.

Anesthesia is a way to control pain using anesthetic medicine. General anesthesia, which can be injected into a vein or inhaled, affects the entire body and makes the person unconscious. A person under general anesthesia is completely unaware of what is going on and does not feel pain during the surgery or procedure...

Cold and heat therapies are treatments that use cold or heat to help with pain, soreness, muscle spasms, swelling, and inflammation. There are different ways you can do cold and heat therapies. For example, you might use an ice pack for cold...

Hand-washing is more than just running water over your hands. Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infections. It helps prevent diseases, such as colds, flu, and food poisoning. It's easy. It doesn't cost much. And it works. When should you wash your hands? Wash your...

Includes tips to comfort a child before a medical test. Offers tips based on age, from newborns through the teen years.

Looks at depression in children and teens. Covers symptoms like anxiety, headaches, sleep problems, and lack of energy. Discusses treatment with therapy and medicines. Covers warning signs of suicide.

Ultrasound is a test that uses reflected sound waves to produce an image of organs and other structures in the body. It does not use X-rays or other types of possibly harmful radiation. For ultrasound testing, gel or oil is applied to the skin to help transmit the sound waves. A small, handheld instrument called a...

Local anesthesia is a method to deliver pain control medicine to a specific area. It can be injected or applied to the skin or mucous membranes to numb an area and its surrounding tissues. Local anesthesia does not make the person sleepy or relieve other pains. But it may be used along with other medicines that have...

What is alcohol use disorder? Alcohol use disorder means that a person drinks alcohol even though it causes harm to themselves or others. It can range from mild to severe. People with this disorder may find it hard to control their alcohol use. Over time, drinking too much alcohol may cause health problems, like liver...

Explains what breastfeeding is, benefits, how to plan for it, and how often to breastfeed. Includes step-by-step instructions. Covers common problems and when to call for help.

When you're dealing with everyday problems, stress, or health issues, it's important to have people in your life who can give you support. You may need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to. It's also important to have social support when...