Health Problems

Articles In This Section

• Ebola

  Ebola is a dangerous virus that has been a big problem in Africa. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Emily’s Story: Little Person, Big Life (Dwarfism)

  Emily was adopted from Russia, where she was born with a type of dwarfism. In this video, she talks about how she handles the challenge of being smaller than most people.

• I Was Born Blind: Julia’s Story

  What does it mean to be blind? Julia explains how she learns and plays even though she has vision problems.

• Corneal Abrasions

  Did you know you can scratch your cornea? Find out how it can happen and be amazed at how quickly it usually heals.

• Abscess

  An area of infected tissue is called an abscess. Find out how to spot a skin abscess and when to call the doctor.

• Will Pet Hair on My Clothes Bother My Allergic Friends?

  You might not have allergies, but what if your friends do? Find out the answer to a reader's hairy question!

• Styes

  Oh my, is that a stye? Find out what to do about these eyelid bumps.

• Skin Problem: Psoriasis

  Psoriasis causes red, flaky skin. Find out more about this chronic skin condition.

• Asthma: Alexis’ Story (Video)

  Asthma means a person has breathing problems. Find out how Alexis handles her asthma and still stays active.

• Diabetes: Grace’s Story (Video)

  Kids who have diabetes don't have to do it alone. Grace gets help and support from her family.

• If I Have a Nut Allergy, Can I Eat Coconut?

  Is coconut a nut? And if so, should you watch out if you're allergic to nuts? Find out more in this article for kids.

• Video: What It’s Like to Be Color Blind

  Being color blind doesn't mean the world is in black and white. Watch this video and find out more.

• Perforated Eardrum

  The eardrum in your ear can get a hole in it. Find out how in this article for kids.

• The Heart

  Your heart beats and sends oxygen throughout your entire body. Find out how it works and how heart problems can be fixed.

• I Had Heart Surgery: Noah’s Story

  Noah had two heart surgeries when he was a baby. Now he's 9 and going strong! Read about him in this article for kids.

• Back Problem: Kyphosis

  Your spine, or backbone, curves slightly forward as it runs up your back. For someone with kyphosis, the spine is curved too much, causing discomfort or trouble breathing.

• Words to Know (Heart Glossary)

  Your heart beats and sends blood all around your body. Find out more about the heart, from A to Z, in this glossary.

• Cancer Center

  Cancer is a serious illness that needs special treatment. Find out more about how kids can cope with cancer.

• Diabetes Center

  Diabetes means a problem with insulin, an important hormone in the body. Find out how children with diabetes can stay healthy and do the normal stuff kids like to do.

• Asthma Center

  Asthma means breathing problems. Find out what's going on in the lungs and how to stay healthy, if you have it.

• In the Band: Jens’ Story

  Can someone in a wheelchair march with the high school band? Yes, with a little help from his friends.

• Affording Braces

  Braces are expensive, so what do you do if your family can't afford the cost? Find out in this article for kids.

• A Boy and A Birthmark: Evan’s Story

  Evan was born with a port wine stain. Find out what it is in this article for kids.

• What’s Blood?

  It swirls through your veins and arteries, but what is it really? Find out about blood in this article for kids.

• Going to the Audiologist

  When a kid has trouble hearing, an audiologist can help. That's a person specially trained to understand how hearing works and to help kids who don't hear normally.

• “Stomach Flu”

  Having the "stomach flu" usually means spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Do Allergies Cause Asthma?

  Kids who have allergies are more likely to have a breathing problem called asthma. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Hearing Impairment: Advice From Kristin

  What's it like to have trouble hearing? Kristin can tell you. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Constipation

  If you aren't pooping like usual, you could be constipated.

• Mitral Valve Prolapse

  Mitral valve prolapse is a heart problem that usually isn't much to worry about. Learn more about it here.

• Snoring

  Are you a kid who snores? Find out why some people are such noisy sleepers in this article for kids.

• Poison Ivy

  Poison ivy can give you a nasty rash. Find out more about it - and the other plants that can make you itch - in this article for kids.

• What Makes Chickenpox Itch?

  Chickenpox can make you itch like crazy. Find out why in this article for kids.

• Marfan Syndrome

  Marfan syndrome is a disorder that affects the body's connective tissue. This causes problems in many systems of the body, but especially the heart, eyes, and bones.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  Having irritable bowel syndrome can make a kid feel awful. The good news is that kids can take steps to feel better.

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome

  Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare medical condition that affects a person's immune system and nerves.

• Acne

  If you're almost a teen, chances are pretty good that you have some acne. About 8 in 10 preteens and teens have acne, along with many adults.

• Cystic Fibrosis: Diet and Nutrition

  Kids who have cystic fibrosis need to eat extra calories to stay healthy. Find out why in this article for kids.

• Atrial Septal Defect

  An atrial septal defect is an opening in the wall between two parts of the heart that lets oxygen-rich blood from one side mix with oxygen-poor blood on the other side. Read more about ASDs in this article for kids.

• Nut and Peanut Allergy

  A growing number of kids are allergic to nuts and peanuts. Find out more about this problem and how allergic kids can stay healthy.

• Celiac Disease

  People with celiac disease can't eat gluten, which is found in many everyday foods, such as bread. Find out more by reading this article for kids.

• Going to the Orthodontist

  An orthodontist prevents and treats mouth, teeth, and jaw problems using braces, retainers, and other devices.

• Egg Allergy

  Babies sometimes have an allergic reaction to eggs. If that happens, they can't eat eggs for a while. But the good news is that most kids outgrow this allergy by age 5.

• Acne Myths

  Acne - also called pimples or zits - is a perfectly normal part of growing up. Learn more in this article for kids.

• Seeing Your Way Through Strabismus

  Strabismus is when someone's eyes don't look straight ahead. It might look as if the person has one crossed eye. Find out more in this article for kids.

• What Is a Coma?

  A coma can be difficult to understand, especially because it may look like the person is just sleeping. Find out what a coma is and how people recover from them.

• Concussions

  Ow! You fell and hit your head. But do you have a concussion? Find out about concussions in this article for kids.

• What Is Smallpox?

  You might be wondering what smallpox is and whether you or anyone you know is at risk for getting it. Get the answers to your questions in this article.

• What Is Anthrax?

  You may have heard about anthrax in the news. But what exactly is anthrax, and should you be concerned about it? Find out all you need to know.

• Food Allergies

  Struggling with strawberries? Petrified of peanuts? Sorry you ate shellfish? Maybe you have a food allergy. Find out more in this article for kids.

• What’s Mono?

  Kissing is just one of the ways that someone can spread mononucleosis. Most people who get mono are between the ages of 15 and 25, but younger kids can get it, too.

• ADHD Medicines

  Medicine can help kids who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Find out more in this article.

• What’s West Nile Virus?

  What exactly is the West Nile virus? And what do mosquitoes have to do with it? Find out in this article!

• Salmonellosis

  Salmonellosis is an illness caused by a bacteria found in raw food, soil, water and the bowel movements of some animals, including reptiles. Find out how to prevent this illness.

• All About Adenoids

  Just what are adenoids? And why do kids sometimes have to get their adenoids removed? Get the answers here.

• Eek! It’s Eczema!

  Everybody has dry skin once in a while, but eczema is more than just that. If your skin is dry, itchy, red, sore, and scaly, you may have eczema. Learn more about this uncomfortable condition and what you can to do stop itching!

• What Is an Intellectual Disability?

  Mental retardation is an old-fashioned term for problems with learning and developing. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Tonsillitis

  If your tonsils get infected, it can make your throat feel very sore. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Stealing

  Stealing can be a big problem, but it can also be solved with some help and understanding. Read our article to find out more.

• Bad Breath

  How does your breath smell? Find out how to keep it smelling sweet in this article for kids.

• Thyroid Disorders

  Do you know just how important the thyroid is? It helps you grow and affects your energy level. With a little care, the thyroid and the conditions it may cause can be easily managed. Read this article to find out more!

• What Is a Gene?

  Why does one kid have green eyes while another kid's eyes are brown? It's all in the genes! Find out how genes work, what happens when there are problems with genes, and more.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  It's normal to get a stomachache once in a while, but some kids have something more serious called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Find out more about it.

• Problems With Legs and Feet

  Some kids have problems with their legs and feet. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Being Afraid

  Have you ever been afraid? Everyone gets scared sometimes. Find out more about fear in this article for kids.

• About Anemia

  What does it mean when a kid has anemia? Learn about anemia, why kids get it, and how it's treated in our article for kids.

• Down Syndrome

  What's up with Down syndrome? Find out in this article for kids.

• Life With Lupus

  Some people have an autoimmune disorder called lupus. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Cerebral Palsy

  Check out this article to learn what cerebral palsy is, what causes it, what life is like for kids with this condition, and more.

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

  You probably don't think much about urinating, or peeing. But what if it starts to sting? Find out more in this article for kids.

• Blindness

  Kids who can't see, or can't see well, learn to live without using their eyes. To learn more about visual impairment and what causes it, read our article for kids.

• Stuttering

  Do you or does someone you know ever have a hard time getting words out? Get the whole story on stuttering and other speech problems in this article for kids.

• Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

  Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects - problems that happen while a baby is still growing inside his or her mother. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Autism

  Autism is a brain problem that can make it hard for kids to communicate. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Kids and Eating Disorders

  Eating too little or deliberately throwing up after eating are two serious kinds of eating disorders. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Arthritis

  Kids can get a kind of arthritis that causes joint pain. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Tourette Syndrome

  Tourette syndrome is a condition of the central nervous system that causes tics, movements, or sounds that are repeated over and over. Learn more about Tourette syndrome in this article for kids.

• What Is an Ear Infection?

  A middle ear infection happens when germs like bacteria and viruses get in your middle ear and cause trouble. Read this article to find out more.

• The Scoop on Strep Throat

  Strep throat gives you a sore throat and makes it hard to swallow. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Pinkeye

  Pinkeye is the most common eye problem kids can have. It causes redness, itching, inflammation, and pus to collect in the eyes.

• Bedwetting

  Lots of kids wet the bed. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Pinworms

  It's gross to think about but did you know that tiny worm eggs could be under your fingernails? Learn more about how to protect yourself from getting wormy, squirmy pinworms.

• Pneumonia

  Pneumonia is an infection in a person's lungs. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Appendicitis

  What's an appendix and why do they sometimes need to be removed? Find out in this article for kids.

• Rabies

  You may have heard of rabies, but how do animals get it? And, more importantly, how can people and animals avoid it? Find out in this article for kids.

• Lyme Disease

  The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Find out more about this disease and how to keep those ticks away.

• What’s Hearing Loss?

  Hearing loss happens when there is a problem with one or more parts of the ear or ears. Someone who has hearing loss may be able to hear some sounds or nothing at all. To learn more, read this article for kids.

• Dyslexia

  Dyslexia is a problem that makes it difficult for a kid to read. With some help and a lot of hard work, a kid who has dyslexia can learn to read and spell.

• What Is Hyperactivity?

  Some kids have ADHD. This disorder makes it hard for a kid to pay attention. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Cystic Fibrosis

  Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and makes it hard to breathe. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Heart Murmurs

  Everyone's heart makes sounds, but some people have hearts that make more noise than others. Usually, however, these heart murmurs don't mean anything is wrong. Find out more about these mysterious murmurs.

• Epilepsy

  It comes from a Greek word meaning "to hold or seize," and seizures are what happen to people with epilepsy. Learn more about epilepsy in this article written just for kids.

• The Meaning of Muscular Dystrophy

  Muscular dystrophy is a disease in which muscles of the body get weaker and weaker and may slowly stop working. Learn more about it in this article for kids.

• Scoliosis

  The word scoliosis means a curve in the spine. You may know someone with scoliosis - read our article for kids to find out more.

• How to Deal With Hemophilia

  If a person has hemophilia, his blood doesn't clot as it should. What does that mean? Find out in this article for kids.

• Do You Know About Sickle Cell Anemia?

  Sickle cell anemia gets its name because a person's red blood cells turn from a doughnut shape into a curved sickle shape. What's a sickle look like?

• Learning About Allergies

  During an allergic reaction, your body's immune system goes into overdrive. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Ugh! Ulcers

  You've probably heard people talk about ulcers, but what are they? Find out in this article for kids.

• Have You Heard of GERD?

  Be on guard for GERD! Find out about this digestive problem that causes heartburn and other problems in many people.

• Bipolar Disorder

  Someone who has bipolar disorder goes back and forth between feeling full of energy and ideas to feeling very low. Read more about it in this article for kids.

• Lactose Intolerance

  Kids with lactose intolerance have trouble digesting a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy foods. But by making smart choices, they can eat delicious foods without feeling sick.

• Canker Sores

  Have you ever been rankled by a canker sore? If you have, you know that these small mouth sores can cause major pain.

• Botulism

  Botulism is a rare kind of food poisoning. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Athlete’s Foot

  Anyone can get athlete's foot. Find out how to avoid this itchy skin condition in this article for kids.

• Rashes: The Itchy Truth

  Learn about rashes in a flash. Check out our article just for kids!

• Meningitis

  Meningitis is a serious illness that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Blisters, Calluses, and Corns

  Ouch! What are blisters, calluses, and corns? Find out in this article for kids.

• E. Coli

  E. coli is a common type of bacteria that can make you pretty sick. Read more in this article for kids.

• What’s the Deal With Dialysis?

  Have you ever heard the word dialysis and wondered what it was? Find out in this article just for kids.

• Chronic Kidney Diseases

  Kidneys are about the size of your fist and shaped like beans. What happens when this important pair of organs doesn't work well? Find out in this article for kids.

• Food Poisoning

  Did you ever eat something that made you feel ooky? It might have been food poisoning.

• Help! It’s Hair Loss!

  Every day, you lose about 50 to 100 hairs. But when someone has hair loss, the hairs may not grow back for a while.

• The Story on Scars

  You may be young, but you probably already have a scar or two. But why did you get them? How can you prevent them? Find out in this article written just for kids!

• Bell’s Palsy

  Bell's palsy weakens or paralyzes one side of a person's face, but it usually goes away. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Memory Matters

  You have memories, but how do they form and stay in your brain? Find out in this article for kids.

• The Truth About Transfusions

  Blood transfusions can save lives. But how do they work? Find out in this article.

• Help With Hives

  Hives are red, itchy blotches that can appear because of an allergic reaction. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Indigestion

  Got tummy troubles? Indigestion is a common condition that many people - even kids - have at one time or another. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Growth Disorders

  Everyone grows and matures differently. Usually, this is totally normal. A growth disorder, however, means that a kid has abnormal growth - for example, growing a lot slower or a lot faster than other kids the same age.

• Laryngitis

  Did you ever hear someone say, "I lost my voice"? Did you think: "What did you do with it?" The person might have laryngitis.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  Someone might say you're obsessed with soccer or something else that you really like, but when someone has a true obsession, it isn't any fun. Find out more about obsessive-compulsive disorder in this article for kids.

• The Woes of Whooping Cough

  Kids who have whooping cough make a "whoop" sound when they cough. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Albinism

  Some kids are born without enough pigment to protect their skin and eyes. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Scabies

  Anyone can get scabies - little babies, adults, kids like you - the mites aren't picky. Read on to find out more about how to prevent these unwanted invaders!

• Impetigo

  Impetigo is a strange-sounding word that might be new to you. It's an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Read this article to learn more about it.

• Cellulitis

  Cellulitis is a serious infection that can be mistaken for a bruise, scrape, or insect bite. Find out more in this article for kids.

• HIV and AIDS

  Many people don't understand how HIV and AIDS are related or what they really mean, even though they hear these two words used together all the time. Get the facts on HIV and AIDS in this article just for kids.

• Hepatitis

  It's sneaky, it's silent, and it can permanently harm your liver. Read this article for more information on hepatitis.

• The Reality of Retainers

  Retainers are really common. In fact, most kids have to wear a retainer for at least a little while after getting their braces taken off. Find out more.

• Coping With Cold Sores

  You may have had a cold sore, but what are they exactly? Find out in this article for kids.

• Learning Problems

  Having a learning disability doesn't mean you can't learn. The trick will be figuring out how you learn best.

• Fungal Infections

  What do you think of when you hear the word fungus? Do you think of mushrooms? A mushroom is one type of fungus, but fungus is also a type of germ that lives on all of us.

• Spina Bifida

  Inside your spine is the spinal cord, which is like a closed tube made up of nerves. Spina bifida can occur when there is an opening in the cord.

• Braces

  Braces are a fact of life for many kids. Find out how they work and how to take care of them.

• What’s a Cavity?

  Cavities are small holes in your teeth that need to be filled. Find out what causes tooth decay and how dentists handle it.

• Can Loud Music Hurt My Ears?

  Loud music can cause temporary and permanent hearing loss. Learn how to protect your ears so you won't be saying, "Huh? What did you say?"

• Chickenpox

  Chickenpox is a virus that causes red, itchy bumps. Find out more in this article for kids.

• Taking the Bite Out of Bruxism

  Bruxism is another word for grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. It usually happens without you knowing you're doing it, but it can be noisy at night. Find out more in this article for kids.