General Health

Articles In This Section

• Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations

  Immunizations have protected millions of children from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about immunizations and find out exactly what they do - and what they don't.

• Growth Charts

  Doctors use growth charts to figure out whether kids' height and weight measurements are "normal" and whether they're developing on track. Here are some facts about growth charts.

• Overweight and Obesity

  It's an alarming statistic: 1 out of 3 U.S. kids are considered overweight or obese. Find out how to overcome overweight and obesity in your own family.

• Heart and Circulatory System

  The heart and circulatory system are our body's lifeline, delivering blood to the body's tissues. Brush up on your ticker with this body basics article.

• Coughing

  Coughs are a common symptom, but most aren't a sign of a serious condition. Learn about different coughs, how to help your child feel better, and when to call your doctor.

• Concussions: What Parents and Coaches Say

  We asked coaches and parents if they're following the latest rules on kids and concussions. See what they said.

• Body Basics: The Heart (Slideshow)

  Learn how this amazing muscle pumps blood throughout the body.

• How to Take Your Child’s Pulse

  Need to check your child's heart rate? Follow our guide and check with your doctor if you have questions.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Rotavirus Vaccine

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Hepatitis A Vaccine (HAV)

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Meningococcal Vaccine

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Chickenpox Vaccine

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccine (MMR)

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Influenza Vaccine

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Polio Vaccine (IPV)

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Hib Vaccine

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP)

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Pneumococcal Vaccines (PCV, PPSV)

  Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

• Your Child’s Immunizations: Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV)

  Find out when and why your child needs this vaccine.

• Corneal Abrasions

  Corneal abrasions, which are common among kids, happen when something gets into the eye. Though sometimes painful, they're rarely serious and usually heal within a few days.

• Amblyopia

  Amblyopia interferes with the way the eye and the brain work together. The result is poor vision. Treatment may involve glasses, patches, eye drops, or surgery.

• Strabismus

  Strabismus causes eyes to wander or cross. Treatment may include glasses, patches, eye drops, or surgery.

• Ears

  Hearing may be the ears' main job, but it's not all they do. Learn all about the ears in this Body Basics article.

• Is My Son Old Enough to Brush His Teeth?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Radiation Sickness

  Chances are you'll probably never have to worry about radiation sickness. Still, it's good to know about radiation and how extremely high doses can harm the body.

• The Basics of Braces

  Does your child need braces? Find out when braces are necessary, what's involved in caring for them, and how to find low-cost orthodontic care in your area.

• Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• TMJ Disorders

  Kids with these jaw disorders often have difficulty chewing or talking due to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Symptoms can resolve on their own, or with treatment.

• Helping Sam Hear: A Family’s Journey – Chapter Five: New Beginnings

  When 3-month-old Sam was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, his parents found hope when they learned that a cochlear implant might help Sam gain the ability to hear. Learn about their journey.

• Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)

  Some kids have hearing loss due to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), a problem in the transmission of sound from the inner ear to the brain.

• Dealing With Earwax

  Earwax helps protect the eardrum and fight infection. Parents shouldn't attempt to remove earwax at home, as doing so risks damage to the ear canal and, possibly, a child's hearing.

• Hemangiomas: Suzanne’s Story

  When Anna was born, she developed red spots that her parents learned were hemangiomas, benign birthmarks that she eventually outgrew. Her mother tells her story.

• Night Terrors

  A night terror is a sleep disruption that seems similar to a nightmare, but it's far more dramatic. Night terrors can be alarming, but aren't usually cause for concern or a sign of a medical issue.

• Nightmares

  Nightmares aren't totally preventable, but parents can help kids feel better when they have one and ease their transition back to sleep.

• Concussions

  The term concussion conjures up the image of a child knocked unconscious while playing sports. But concussions can happen with any head injury, often without any loss of consciousness.

• Febrile Seizures

  Febrile seizures are full-body convulsions caused by high fevers that affect young kids. Although they can be frightening, they usually stop on their own and don't cause any other health problems.

• Helping Sam Hear: A Family’s Journey

  When 3-month-old Sam was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, his parents found comfort and hope when they learned that a cochlear implant could help Sam learn to hear. Follow the family's journey, from the diagnosis through surgery and beyond.

• Marfan Syndrome

  Marfan syndrome is a progressive genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue. Even though the disease has no cure, doctors can successfully treat just about all of its symptoms.

• Mumps

  Mumps is a virus that can lead to swelling and pain in the salivary glands, along with fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue. With the help of the mumps vaccine, it's preventable.

• Going to the Emergency Room

  Knowing what to expect when you need to take your child to the emergency room can help make it a little less stressful.

• Is it a Medical Emergency?

  Should you head straight for the emergency room when your child is hurt? Different problems require different levels of care, and you have many options.

• Sleepwalking

  Although it can be unnerving to see, sleepwalking is actually very common in kids. Here's how to keep your young sleepwalker safe.

• Constipation

  Constipation is a very common problem among kids, and it usually occurs because a child's diet doesn't include enough fluids and fiber. In most cases, simple changes can help kids go.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder that can cause cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Certain foods can trigger symptoms, as can emotional stress, infections, and physical trauma.

• Sleep and Your Preschooler

  Preschoolers sleep about 11 to 12 hours during each 24-hour period, and it's important to help them develop good habits for getting to sleep.

• Frequently Asked Questions About Casts

  Getting a cast often comes with plenty of questions. Read on for answers to some frequent inquiries many parents - and kids - may have about casts.

• Flying and Your Child’s Ears

  That weird ear-popping sensation is a normal part of air travel. Here's how to help equalize the air pressure in your child's ears and eliminate, or at least decrease, ear pain.

• Birthmarks

  Birthmarks that babies are born with, or develop soon after birth, are mostly harmless and many even go away on their own, but sometimes they're associated with certain health problems.

• Vision Facts and Myths

  Old wives' tales abound about the eyes. From watching TV to eating carrots, here's the lowdown on some vision facts and fiction.

• Your Child’s Changing Voice

  Yesterday, your son sounded like he's always sounded - like a boy. But today, you heard that first crack in his voice. It's the larynx (or voice box) that's causing all that noise.

• Cochlear Implants

  Sometimes called a "bionic ear," the cochlear implant can restore hearing for many kinds of hearing loss.

• Tick Removal: A Step-by-Step Guide

  Boy, your child's freckles really stand out in the sun - but wait, that one isn't a freckle at all. It's a tick. What should you do?

• About Body Basics

  Remember the biology class you had in high school? Well, maybe you don't or maybe now that you have a child, your interest in how the body works has grown.

• Canker Sores

  Many people regularly get bothersome canker sores in their mouths. Here's how to help prevent them - and make a kid who has one more comfortable.

• Acne Myths

  Nearly all kids and teens experience acne, so it's no surprise that myths about what causes - and remedies - it abound. Find out what's fact about acne and what's fiction.

• Fluoride and Water

  Keeping kids' teeth healthy requires more than just daily brushing. Learn about fluoride, a substance found naturally in water that plays an important role in healthy teeth.

• Why Is Hand Washing So Important?

  Did you know that proper hand washing is the best way to keep from getting sick? Here's how to teach this all-important habit to your kids.

• Soiling (Encopresis)

  If your child has bowel movements in places other than the toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Many kids who soil beyond the years of toilet teaching have a condition known as encopresis.

• ECG (Electrocardiogram)

  Is your child scheduled to have an ECG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• EMG (Electromyogram)

  Is your child scheduled to have an EMG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• EEG (Electroencephalogram)

  Is your child scheduled to have an EEG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Chloride Sweat Test

  Is your child scheduled to have a sweat test? Find out how this test is performed and how it's used to diagnose cystic fibrosis.

• Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

  If your child is scheduled to have a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, read about how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• What Are Germs?

  Germs are the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease. With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your family's way.

• Urine Tests

  Is your child having a urine culture or urinalysis performed? Find out why urine tests are performed, and what to expect when the doctor orders them.

• Bed-Sharing

  Bed-sharing is controversial in the United States. Supporters believe that a parent's bed is just where an infant belongs. But is it safe?

• Is the Flu Vaccine a Good Idea for Your Family?

  The flu itself generally isn't dangerous, but its complications can be. That's why it's important for you and your doctor to determine whether your family can and should get the flu vaccine.

• Headaches

  Headaches affect kids as well as adults. Learn about common causes and when to talk to a doctor.

• Basic Blood Chemistry Tests

  Doctors order basic blood chemistry tests to assess a wide range of conditions and the function of organs.

• Hearing Evaluation in Children

  Hearing problems can be treated if they're caught early, so it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and evaluated regularly.

• Endocrine System

  Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies.

• Bones, Muscles, and Joints

  Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement.

• Blood Culture

  A blood culture is a test to determine whether bacteria or fungi have entered the bloodstream.

• Strep Test: Throat Culture

  Is your child having a strep test or a throat culture? Find out how these swab tests are performed.

• Too Late for the Flu Vaccine?

  The flu vaccine is usually offered between September and mid-November. Even though it's best to get it then, being vaccinated later can still help protect against the flu.

• Stool Tests

  Your child's doctor may order a stool collection test to check for blood, bacteria, ova, or parasites. Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

• Blood Test: Hepatic (Liver) Function Panel

  Liver function tests can help doctors determine if the liver has been damaged. They also can help diagnose viral infections (such as hepatitis or mononucleosis) and monitor medications that can cause liver-related side effects.

• Blood Test: Complete Blood Count

  The complete blood count (CBC) is the most common blood test. It analyzes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

• Flat Head Syndrome (Positional Plagiocephaly)

  Babies can develop a flat spot on the back of their heads, usually from sleeping in the same position too long. Alternating your baby's sleep position and providing lots of "tummy time" can help.

• Your Child’s Vision

  It's important for kids to have their eyes examined regularly, as many vision problems and eye diseases can be detected and treated early.

• Body Mass Index (BMI) Charts

  Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here's how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  At least 1 million people in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Read more about CFS.

• Your Child’s Immunizations

  Immunizations protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. Find out what vaccines your child needs to grow up healthy.

• Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

  Here are the basics about how to care for your child's teeth - and when.

• Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome

  Munchausen by proxy syndrome (MBPS) involves a parent or caregiver misleading others into thinking that a child has medical problems by exaggerating, fabricating, or inducing symptoms.

• Bedwetting

  Bedwetting is an issue that millions of families face every night. Most of the time it's not a sign of any deeper medical or emotional issues and kids eventually grow out of it.

• Teething Tots

  Teething can be a tough time for babies and parents. Here are the facts on teething, including tips for baby teeth hygiene and relieving pain.

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

  Alternative medicine includes herbal remedies, teas, supplements, and acupuncture. Learn what the risks are and whether alternative therapies can help your child.

• Is It a Cold or the Flu?

  Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and high fever - could it be the flu that's been going around? Or is it just a common cold? Find out here!

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

  SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old. Though SIDS remains unpredictable, you can help reduce your infant's risk.

• Broken Bones

  Although many kids will have one at some point, a broken bone can be scary for them and parents alike. To help make things a little easier if a spill results in a fracture, here's the lowdown on what to expect.

• Talking to the Pharmacist

  If your child is sick, you'll probably have many questions to ask your doctor. But have you made a list of questions and concerns to share with your pharmacist?

• Fever and Taking Your Child’s Temperature

  Although it can be frightening when your child's temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing - it's often the body's way of fighting infections.

• Growing Pains

  Does your child sometimes wake up crying in the middle of the night complaining of throbbing leg pain? It could be growing pains.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea

  Brief pauses in breathing during sleep can be normal. But when breathing stops often or for longer periods, it can be a cause for concern.

• Evaluate Your Child’s Lyme Disease Risk

  Does the threat of Lyme disease make you think your kids would be safer in your living room than in the great outdoors? Find out how to evaluate a child's Lyme disease risk.

• Environmental Control Measures

  Families of kids with allergies should use environmental control measures that reduce exposure to the child's allergy triggers. Here's how to begin.

• Tear-Duct Obstruction and Surgery

  Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. The earlier they're discovered, the less likely it is that infection will result or surgery will be necessary.

• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding or Clenching)

  Gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism, is common in kids, and often occurs during deep sleep or while under stress.

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

  Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.

• Talking to Your Child’s Doctor

  Building a relationship with your child's doctor requires communication and reasonable expectations.

• Hereditary Hemochromatosis

  This genetic disease causes the body to store too much iron. Over time, an iron build-up can be dangerous. Learn more about hemochromatosis.

• G6PD Deficiency

  An inherited condition, G6PD deficiency is when someone doesn't have enough of the enzyme G6PD, which protects red blood cells. Certain triggers can lead to anemia in kids who have G6PD deficiency.

• Neurofibromatosis

  Neurofibromatosis (NF) can cause tumors to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities. Learn more about NF, including how it's diagnosed and treated.

• A Directory of Medical Tests

  Sometimes, doctors need to order tests to evaluate a child's health or to understand what's causing an illness. Here are some common ones.

• Physical Therapy

  Doctors often recommend physical therapy for kids who have been injured or have movement problems from an illness, disease, or disability. Learn more about PT.

• Occupational Therapy

  Occupational therapy can help improve kids' cognitive, physical, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

• Metabolism

  Brush up on metabolism basics - including common metabolic disorders - in this article.

• Mouth and Teeth

  Our mouth and teeth play an important role in our daily lives. Here's a course on the basics - including common problems of the mouth and teeth.

• Skin, Hair, and Nails

  Our skin protects the network of tissues, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Hair and nails are actually modified types of skin.

• Lungs and Respiratory System

  By the time we're 70 years old, we will have taken at least 600 million breaths. All of this breathing couldn't happen without the respiratory system.

• Female Reproductive System

  Without the female reproductive system, there would be no perpetuation of life. Understanding it, what it does, and the problems that can affect it may help you better understand your own daughter's reproductive health.

• Male Reproductive System

  Understanding the male reproductive system, what it does, and problems that can affect it can help you better understand your son's reproductive health.

• Blood

  Blood is vital to bodily function. Read this article for the basics about blood, blood cells, blood diseases, and more.

• Eyes

  The eyes are small compared with most of the body's other organs, but their structure is incredibly complex. Learn more about eyes, vision, and common problems with both.

• Kidneys and Urinary Tract

  The bean-shaped kidneys, each about the size of a child's fist, perform several functions essential to health. Their most important role is to filter blood and produce urine.

• Spleen and Lymphatic System

  The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network that helps keep bodily fluid levels in balance and defends the body against infections.

• Immune System

  The immune system, composed of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs that protect against germs and microorganisms, is the body's defense against disease.

• Brain and Nervous System

  The brain controls everything we do, and is often likened to the central computer within a vast, complicated communication network, working at lightning speed.

• Digestive System

  The digestive process starts even before the first bite of food. Find out more about the digestive system and how our bodies break down and absorb the food we eat.

• Old Wives’ Tales

  Why do we cling to old wives' tales when we live in a world rich with medical expertise? While most are harmless, at least one is dangerous. Find out which are fact and which are fiction.

• All About Sleep

  Getting enough sleep can be a problem for children of any age. Read this article to learn tips on bedtime schedules and routines for your child.