Health Article description.The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental testing for children at ages 9-, 18-, and 30-months. Specific checks for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are done at ages 18 months and 24 months. The doctor will use developmental tests (questionnaires) and then review your child's results. The doctor will...

Health Article description.Learn when a pulse oximeter is helpful to use and how to use it.

Health Article description.Insulin is used to treat people who have diabetes. How quickly insulin starts to work and how long it lasts will be different depending on the type of insulin you use. Other factors that can affect insulin and your blood sugar are exercise, diet, illness, some medicines, stress, the dose, how you take it, or where you...

Health Article description.Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to treat certain infertility problems, such as sperm-related infertility. ICSI is used to enhance the fertilization phase of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by...

Health Article description.It can be hard to know if your child is having a mild, moderate, or severe asthma attack. The following chart may help you. Talk with a doctor if you can't tell how bad your child's symptoms are. In most cases, you can take care of your child's symptoms at home by looking at your child's asthma action plan. The plan...

Health Article description.People who have long-term (chronic) diseases such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, hepatitis C, or stroke often also have depression. Depression also often occurs with chronic pain. Depression may occur with these problems...

Health Article description.What is night eating syndrome? Night eating syndrome is a condition in which people eat large amount of food after the evening meal, often waking up during the night to eat. People with this condition may delay their first meal of the day for many hours. And they may feel upset about their night eating. What causes it...

Health Article description.Covers plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain. Discusses causes, including flat feet and tight Achilles tendon. Covers treatment to relieve pain and improve strength and flexibility. Discusses what increases your risk and offers prevention tips.

Health Article description.Depression is a mental health condition that makes you feel sad, lose interest in things you used to enjoy, and withdraw from others. It's more than normal sadness, grief, or low energy. Treatment can help you enjoy life again. The U.S. Preventive...

Health Article description.Discusses test to check level of potassium (K) in urine. Includes info on what affects potassium levels in the body such as kidney function, blood pH, and hormones. Explains how and why test is done. Covers what results mean.

Health Article description.Guides you through decision about which surgery to have for early-stage breast cancer. Lists benefits and risks of both mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Health Article description.Guides you through the decision to have an amniocentesis test. Explains what amniocentesis is and how it is done. Discusses birth defects. Looks at the risks and benefits of amniocentesis. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Health Article description.A test for calcium in urine is a 24-hour test that checks the amount of calcium that is passed from the body in the urine. Calcium is the most common mineral in the body and one of the most important. The body needs it to build and fix bones and teeth, help nerves work, make muscles squeeze together, help blood clot...

Health Article description.Explains hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation. Covers how long hair loss lasts and how to care for your scalp and hair. Explains how cooling caps may help prevent hair loss in some types of treatment.

Health Article description.Ice and cold packs can reduce the pain, swelling, and bleeding of an injury. Cold therapy is usually used immediately after an injury. For an eye injury, use one of the following methods: Ice towel. Wet a towel with cold water and squeeze it until it is just damp. Fold the towel, place it in a plastic bag, and freeze it...

Health Article description.Adults with asthma At times, you may find it hard to manage your asthma and stay with your treatment plan. If you're having trouble, it may help to figure out what's getting in your way. Then you can decide how to work around those barriers. Here are some common barriers people face when following a plan and some ideas...

Health Article description.An epidural usually involves putting a sterile guide needle and a small tube (epidural catheter) into the space around the spinal cord. (This is called the epidural space.) The catheter is placed at or below the waist. The needle is inserted and removed, while the catheter stays in place. The catheter is taped in place...

Health Article description.Depression is a mental health condition that causes you to feel sad, lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, withdraw from others, and have little energy. It's different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy. It can also...

Health Article description.Briefly discusses St. John's wort, an herbal dietary supplement used to treat mild to moderate depression. Covers possible side effects and safety issues.

Health Article description.Guides you through choosing a test to check for colorectal cancer. Looks at symptoms of colorectal cancer. Covers stool tests, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and virtual colonoscopy. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Health Article description.Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure to read the information that came with your medicine. If you have any questions or...

Health Article description.Explains what dental X-rays are and why they are done. Covers commonly used types of dental X-rays, including bitewing and panoramic X-rays. Includes info on risks. Also covers what results mean.

Health Article description.Covers causes of sciatica such as a bulging or ruptured disc, spinal stenosis, and bone spurs. Looks at symptoms such as pain in your back or buttocks. Includes treatment with a cold pack, medicines, and exercises to relieve pain.

Health Article description.You may feel frustrated around a person with bipolar disorder who is having a manic episode. The high energy level can be tiring or even scary. The person may also actually enjoy the mania and may not take medicines, which can make the episode last longer. Also, the person may say and do unusual or hurtful things. Here...

Health Article description.Legionnaires' disease is an infection of the lungs (pneumonia) caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella pneumophila. People develop Legionnaires' disease from breathing in the bacteria, which may be carried in airborne water droplets from contaminated water sources, such as air-conditioning cooling towers...